Patents by Inventor James C. Meschter

James C. Meschter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10980313
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole structure attached to an upper defining an internal void configured to receive a foot of a wearer is described. The sole structure includes a sole body portion having a central ridge element located in an aperture in the sole body portion. The central ridge element has a bottom surface configured to contact the ground and move vertically within the aperture. The movement of the central ridge element pushes a top surface of the ridge element attached to a portion of the upper against the foot of the wearer. The central ridge element is arranged approximately centrally between lateral and medial sides in the forefoot region of the sole structure. The central ridge element provide sensory feedback about lateral movement and to the foot of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • Patent number: 10966485
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a sole attached to the upper, and an impact absorber attached to the upper at least along a midfoot region of the upper and capable of absorbing a portion of a lateral impact when the impact absorber is moved into contact with a top surface of the sole. The impact absorber is be integrally formed with the sole and has a width that varies along a length of the impact absorber. The width of the impact absorber decreases in a forefoot region and a heel region. The upper rolls to contact the top surface of the sole upon lateral impact. The sole and the upper may be attached asymmetrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Matthew A. Nurse, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20210045493
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a sole system includes a sole member and a protruding member assembly. The sole system provides tactile sensation. Protruding members of the protruding member assembly can translate through holes in the sole member to facilitate tactile sensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Tetsuya T. Minami, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • Publication number: 20210016532
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber with a tensile element includes manufacturing a tensile element and incorporating the tensile element into a chamber. A first material layer, a second material layer, and a spacing structure having a plurality of support portions and a plurality of gaps may be stacked. The material layers may be located on either side of the spacing structure or on one side of the spacing structure. A strand may be stitched through the gaps to join the material layers and to form the tensile element. The spacing structure may be removed, and the first material layer may be spaced from the second material layer such that segments of the strand extend between the material layers. The tensile element may then be secured to opposite interior surfaces of an outer barrier, and the outer barrier may be pressurized to place the strand in tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Danielle L. Taylor
  • Patent number: 10864435
    Abstract: Apparel is disclosed that can be worn to assist an interactive game in tracking the movement of the wearer. The apparel may include one or more tracking marks formed of designs, patterns, or reflective materials that can be easily tracked by an interactive game. By providing tracking marks on apparel, rather than using a special-purpose device that must be separately worn, a player may enjoy a more natural feel when playing the interactive game. A user can wear the apparel for everyday purposes, and then simply begin playing the game wearing the apparel without having to put on any additional equipment. The apparel may use reflective materials, and the interactive game can employ a camera and a light source configuration where the camera is located within the observation angle of a player employing retroreflective materials reflecting light from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Shum, Thomas Foxen, James C. Meschter, Yves Behar
  • Patent number: 10856609
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a sole system includes a sole member and a protruding member assembly. The sole system provides tactile sensation. Protruding members of the protruding member assembly can translate through holes in the sole member to facilitate tactile sensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Tetsuya T. Minami, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • Patent number: 10856608
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a sole system includes a sole member and a protruding member assembly. The sole system provides tactile sensation. Protruding members of the protruding member assembly can translate through holes in the sole member to facilitate tactile sensation. Some embodiments can include an inner member that is configured to accommodate the movement of a protruding member. Other embodiments can include a plurality of recessed portions or nub portions formed along an outwardly facing surface of the sole member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Elizabeth Langvin, James C. Meschter, Tetsuya T. Minami, Jeff Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 10834997
    Abstract: An article of footwear including an adaptive support system includes a plurality of support members. Each support member includes an outer chamber and an inner chamber, the inner chamber being filled with a magnetorheological fluid. An electromagnet is disposed adjacent to the inner chamber and can be used to vary the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Mike A Chamblin, Andrew A. Owings
  • Patent number: 10807336
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber with a tensile element includes manufacturing a tensile element and incorporating the tensile element into a chamber. A first material layer, a second material layer, and a spacing structure having a plurality of support portions and a plurality of gaps may be stacked. The material layers may be located on either side of the spacing structure or on one side of the spacing structure. A strand may be stitched through the gaps to join the material layers and to form the tensile element. The spacing structure may be removed, and the first material layer may be spaced from the second material layer such that segments of the strand extend between the material layers. The tensile element may then be secured to opposite interior surfaces of an outer barrier, and the outer barrier may be pressurized to place the strand in tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Danielle L. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20200315292
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole structure attached to an upper defining an internal void configured to receive a foot of a wearer is described. The sole structure includes a sole body portion having a plurality of sensory node elements located in apertures in the sole body portion. The sensory node elements have a bottom surface configured to contact the ground and move vertically within the apertures. The movement of sensory node element pushes a top surface of the sensory node element attached to a portion of the upper against the foot of the wearer. The sensory node element provides sensory feedback to the foot of the wearer about the condition of the ground. The sensory node elements are arranged at discrete locations across the sole structure to provide sensory feedback at desired portions of the foot of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • Patent number: 10758009
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include various first strands and second strands. The cutting and second strands may extend from an area proximal to lace-receiving elements to an area proximal to the sole structure. The first strands may have a substantially vertical orientation and the second strands may have a rearwardly-angled orientation. The first strands may be located in a midfoot region of the footwear and the second strands may be located in both the midfoot region and a heel region of the footwear. Angles between the first strands and the second strands may be at least 40 degrees. Additionally, the second strands may have at least fifty percent greater tensile strength than the first strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, James C. Meschter
  • Patent number: 10743609
    Abstract: An article of footwear may incorporate a chamber with an outer barrier and a tether element. The barrier may be formed from a polymer material that defines an interior cavity, and tether element may be located within the interior cavity and joined to opposite sides of the barrier. Upon pressurization of the chamber, the tether element may extend across the interior cavity and be placed in tension by the outward force of a pressurized fluid within the interior cavity. The tether element may have a variety of configurations. For example, the tether element may have a diagonal orientation, or different tether elements may have different lengths. A tether element may also have plates or tie pieces secured to opposite sides of the chamber, with one or more tethers extending between. Also, the tether element may include one of more sheets that extend across the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Lee D. Peyton, Danielle L. Taylor
  • Patent number: 10694811
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole system with a carrier member and a plurality of sensory node elements. The sensory node elements are received in recesses of the carrier member and can protrude through to the upper and/or an insole. The sensory node elements push against the foot to increase sensory perception of the surface underlying the sole system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • Patent number: 10687582
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole structure attached to an upper defining an internal void configured to receive a foot of a wearer is described. The sole structure includes a sole body portion having a plurality of sensory node elements located in apertures in the sole body portion. The sensory node elements have a bottom surface configured to contact the ground and move vertically within the apertures. The movement of sensory node element pushes a top surface of the sensory node element attached to a portion of the upper against the foot of the wearer. The sensory node element provides sensory feedback to the foot of the wearer about the condition of the ground. The sensory node elements are arranged at discrete locations across the sole structure to provide sensory feedback at desired portions of the foot of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • Patent number: 10576666
    Abstract: A steaming system for an article of footwear includes a container with a lid configured to accommodate a steam source. The system also includes provisions for securing the article of footwear such that a majority of the upper is subjected to steam. Articles of footwear may be placed in the steaming system to help customize the articles of apparel for a user's fit and comfort. The steaming system can be configured to be portable and carried by a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, William M. Dieter
  • Publication number: 20200046069
    Abstract: A method of customizing the sole structure of an article of footwear includes providing a sole structure with a sole component having an inner surface and an opposite-facing outer surface. The sole component includes a plurality of inner recesses extending from the inner surface and a plurality of outer recesses extending from the outer surface, the plurality of inner recesses include a blind-hole inner recess, the plurality of outer recesses include a blind-hole outer recess, and the blind-hole inner recess is generally aligned with the blind hole outer recess along a vertical direction. The method further includes adjusting the flexibility of the sole component by selectively cutting or removing material from one or both of the blind-hole inner recess and the blind-hole outer recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tory M. Cross, Kevin W. Hoffer, David P. Jones, Patrick B. Kirschner, Elizabeth Langvin, James C. Meschter
  • Patent number: 10455894
    Abstract: A method of customizing the sole structure of an article of footwear includes providing a sole structure with a sole component having an inner surface and an opposite-facing outer surface. The sole component includes a plurality of inner recesses extending from the inner surface and a plurality of outer recesses extending from the outer surface, the plurality of inner recesses include a blind-hole inner recess, the plurality of outer recesses include a blind-hole outer recess, and the blind-hole inner recess is generally aligned with the blind hole outer recess along a vertical direction. The plurality of inner recesses and the plurality of outer recesses provide the sole component with an auxetic structure. The method further includes adjusting the flexibility of the sole component by selectively cutting or removing material from one or both of the blind-hole inner recess and the blind-hole outer recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tory M. Cross, Kevin W. Hoffer, David P. Jones, Patrick B. Kirschner, Elizabeth Langvin, James C. Meschter
  • Patent number: 10413012
    Abstract: An article of footwear or other product may include a material element having a first layer, a second layer, a third layer, and at least one strand. The second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer, and the second layer is formed from a thermoplastic polymer material. The strand is located between the first layer and the second layer, and the strand lies substantially parallel to the second layer for a distance of at least five centimeters. In this configuration, the thermoplastic polymer material may join the first layer and the third layer to the second layer. The thermoplastic polymer material may also join the strand to the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Chin-Chen Huang, James C. Meschter
  • Patent number: 10408693
    Abstract: Various sensor systems are described herein, including inserts having sensors thereon, which are configured to be received in an article of footwear. The inserts may be connected to a sole member of the footwear, or may function as a sole member. The sensors may be bonded to an outer surface of the insert, or positioned within the insert, in some configurations. The system may also include an electronic module that is overmolded into the sole structure and includes a connector for external access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Amos, Frederick J. Dojan, Daniel Johnson, James C. Meschter, Matthew A. Nurse, Andrew A. Owings, Jeffrey C. Pisciotta, Allan M. Schrock, Steven H. Walker
  • Publication number: 20190246734
    Abstract: A shoe has a sensor system operably connected to a communication port. Performance data is collected by the system and can be transferred for further use via the communication port. The shoe may contain an electronic module configured to gather data from the sensors. The module may also transmit the data to an external device for further processing. Users can use the collected data for a variety of different uses or applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew A. Nurse, Jeffrey C. Pisciotta, Allan M. Schrock, James C. Meschter, Michael S. Amos, Andrew A. Owings