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).

  • System and Method for Analyzing Athletic Activity
    Publication number: 20160195440
    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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    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
  • TETHERED FLUID-FILLED CHAMBERS
    Publication number: 20160143392
    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: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee D. Peyton, James C. Meschter, Danielle L. Taylor
  • Method of manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber with a tensile element
    Patent number: 9339080
    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: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle L. Taylor, James C. Meschter
  • Method of making an article of footwear
    Patent number: 9332809
    Abstract: A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Jones, Bruce J. Kilgore, Elizabeth Langvin, James C. Meschter
  • Tethered fluid-filled chambers
    Patent number: 9326564
    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: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee D. Peyton, James C. Meschter, Danielle L. Taylor
  • Footwear Incorporating Looped Tensile Strand Elements
    Publication number: 20160088902
    Abstract: A tensile strand element for an article of footwear is disclosed. The tensile strand element includes one or more tensile strands secured at their endpoints between the sole and upper of an article of footwear, creating one or more looped portions. The unsecured looped portions may extend into the fastening region of the footwear and engage with a fastening system to tighten the footwear upper snugly against a wearer's foot to provide added support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Bryan N. Farris, Kevin W. Hoffer, James C. Meschter, Robert C. Williams, JR.
  • Footwear Incorporating Looped Tensile Strand Elements
    Publication number: 20160088904
    Abstract: A tensile strand element for an article of footwear is disclosed. The tensile strand element includes one or more tensile strands secured at their endpoints between the sole and upper of an article of footwear, creating one or more looped portions. The unsecured looped portions may extend into the fastening region of the footwear and engage with a fastening system to tighten the footwear upper snugly against a wearer's foot to provide added support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Bryan N. Farris, Kevin W. Hoffer, James C. Meschter, Robert C. Williams, JR.
  • Method of making an article of footwear
    Patent number: 9282788
    Abstract: A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Jones, Bruce J. Kilgore, Elizabeth Langvin, James C. Meschter
  • COMPONENTS FOR ARTICLES OF FOOTWEAR INCLUDING LIGHTWEIGHT, SELECTIVELY SUPPORTED TEXTILE COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20160058126
    Abstract: Footwear components are made from lightweight textile structures (e.g., including circular knitted structures made from natural or synthetic fibers, such as socks or sock-type structures). The textile structures are selectively supported at various areas to provide desired local characteristics. Methods are provided for making such components, precursors to such components, and articles of footwear containing such components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Bruce J. Kilgore
  • Material Elements Incorporating Tensile Strands
    Publication number: 20160058097
    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: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Chin-Chen Huang, James C. Meschter
  • Tethered fluid-filled chambers
    Patent number: 9271544
    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: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee D. Peyton, James C. Meschter, Danielle L. Taylor
  • Tethered fluid-filled chambers
    Patent number: 9265302
    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: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee D. Peyton, James C. Meschter, Danielle L. Taylor
  • Support Members With Variable Viscosity Fluid For Footwear
    Publication number: 20160044993
    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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Mike A. Chamblin, Andrew A. Owings
  • Material elements incorporating tensile strands
    Patent number: 9241531
    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: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Chin-Chen Huang, James C. Meschter
  • SIGILS FOR USE WITH APPAREL
    Publication number: 20150375123
    Abstract: Apparel is disclosed that can be worn to assist an interactive game in tracking the movement of the wearer. More particularly, 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 employing one or more cameras or other detectors for detecting a change in position of an object. The apparel may take the form of, for example, hats, shirts, jackets, pants, gloves, and shoes. 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. Further, the player need not don any special equipment to play the game. Instead, 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Albert Shum, Thomas Foxen, James C. Meschter, Yves Behar
  • Support members with variable viscosity fluid for footwear
    Patent number: 9198478
    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: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Mike A. Chamblin, Andrew A. Owings
  • Method of Making an Article of Footwear
    Publication number: 20150320146
    Abstract: A method of making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of designing an article of footwear via a website, converting a footwear representation into a set of two-dimensional portions, printing the two dimensional portions onto a sheet material, cutting and assembling the two dimensional portions into a finalized article of footwear. The method further includes a step of shipping the article of footwear to a pre-designated shipping address. Systems for receiving an order for a customized article of footwear are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: David P. Jones, Bruce J. Kilgore, Elizabeth Langvin, James C. Meschter
  • Footwear incorporating looped tensile strand elements
    Patent number: 9179739
    Abstract: A tensile strand element for an article of footwear is disclosed. The tensile strand element includes one or more tensile strands secured at their endpoints between the sole and upper of an article of footwear, creating one or more looped portions. The unsecured looped portions may extend into the fastening region of the footwear and engage with a fastening system to tighten the footwear upper snugly against a wearer's foot to provide added support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Bryan N. Farris, Kevin W. Hoffer, James C Meschter, Robert C. Williams, Jr.
  • Article of Footwear Incorporating An Impact Absorber And Having An Upper Decoupled From Its Sole In A Midfoot Region
    Publication number: 20150313315
    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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: James C. Meschter, Matthew A. Nurse, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Sigils for use with apparel
    Patent number: 9162142
    Abstract: Apparel is disclosed that can be worn to assist an interactive game in tracking the movement of the wearer. More particularly, 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 employing one or more cameras or other detectors for detecting a change in position of an object. The apparel may take the form of, for example, hats, shirts, jackets, pants, gloves, and shoes. 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. Further, the player need not don any special equipment to play the game. Instead, 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Shum, Thomas Foxen, James C. Meschter, Yves Behar