Patents by Inventor JAMES E. DIEPENBROCK

JAMES E. DIEPENBROCK 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: 10882219
    Abstract: An image displaying device includes a background layer and a display layer. The display layer includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is substantially smooth, and the outer surface includes a plurality of raised areas and recessed areas. The display layer has a first zone with a first thickness measured between the inner surface and a raised area and a second zone with a second thickness measured between the inner surface and a recessed area. The display layer also includes a coloring agent having a higher concentration in the first zone as compared to the second zone. The display layer has increased light transmissivity through the recessed areas and decreased light transmissivity through the raised areas such that a contrast of light transmissivity between the raised and recessed areas generates an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: James E. Diepenbrock, Connie A. Sarkinen, Todd A. Waatti
  • Publication number: 20190118416
    Abstract: An image displaying device includes a background layer and a display layer. The display layer includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is substantially smooth, and the outer surface includes a plurality of raised areas and recessed areas. The display layer has a first zone with a first thickness measured between the inner surface and a raised area and a second zone with a second thickness measured between the inner surface and a recessed area. The display layer also includes a coloring agent having a higher concentration in the first zone as compared to the second zone. The display layer has increased light transmissivity through the recessed areas and decreased light transmissivity through the raised areas such that a contrast of light transmissivity between the raised and recessed areas generates an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: James E. Diepenbrock, Connie A. Sarkinen, Todd A. Waatti
  • Patent number: 10201211
    Abstract: An insole for an article of footwear includes a base that extends generally in the transverse direction, and the base includes a base superior surface and a base inferior surface. Furthermore, the insole includes a dampener that is resiliently flexible to cushion the foot of the wearer. The dampener extends inferiorly from the inferior surface of the base and terminates at a dampener inferior surface. The dampener also is rounded in a cross section taken in the inferior-superior direction. The dampener also includes an opening that extends through the dampener inferior surface and that extends superiorly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Diepenbrock
  • Patent number: 10189185
    Abstract: An image displaying device includes a background layer and a display layer. The display layer includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is substantially smooth, and the outer surface includes a plurality of raised areas and recessed areas. The display layer has a first zone with a first thickness measured between the inner surface and a raised area and a second zone with a second thickness measured between the inner surface and a recessed area. The display layer also includes a coloring agent having a higher concentration in the first zone as compared to the second zone. The display layer has increased light transmissivity through the recessed areas and decreased light transmissivity through the raised areas such that a contrast of light transmissivity between the raised and recessed areas generates an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Diepenbrock, Connie A. Sarkinen, Todd A. Waatti
  • Patent number: 9402440
    Abstract: A sole in accordance with the present invention may include a sole for attachment to an outside of a shoe. Moreover, a sole of the present invention may include a sole for insertion within an inner cavity formed by an upper of a shoe. In exemplary aspects the sole includes a base and a plurality of protrusions projecting from the base and integrally constructed with the base. Protrusions may include a side extending at an angle from the base. In addition, protrusions may include a side extending near perpendicular from the base. A plurality of protrusions may be arranged at ball portions of the sole. In addition, a plurality of protrusions may be arranged at a heel portion of the sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Diepenbrock
  • Publication number: 20160089816
    Abstract: An image displaying device includes a background layer and a display layer. The display layer includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is substantially smooth, and the outer surface includes a plurality of raised areas and recessed areas. The display layer has a first zone with a first thickness measured between the inner surface and a raised area and a second zone with a second thickness measured between the inner surface and a recessed area. The display layer also includes a coloring agent having a higher concentration in the first zone as compared to the second zone. The display layer has increased light transmissivity through the recessed areas and decreased light transmissivity through the raised areas such that a contrast of light transmissivity between the raised and recessed areas generates an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: James E. Diepenbrock, Connie A. Sarkinen, Todd A. Waatti
  • Publication number: 20160037861
    Abstract: An insole for an article of footwear includes a base that extends generally in the transverse direction, and the base includes a base superior surface and a base inferior surface. Furthermore, the insole includes a dampener that is resiliently flexible to cushion the foot of the wearer. The dampener extends inferiorly from the inferior surface of the base and terminates at a dampener inferior surface. The dampener also is rounded in a cross section taken in the inferior-superior direction. The dampener also includes an opening that extends through the dampener inferior surface and that extends superiorly therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: James E. Diepenbrock
  • Patent number: 9216552
    Abstract: An image displaying device includes a background layer and a display layer. The display layer includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is substantially smooth, and the outer surface includes a plurality of raised areas and recessed areas. The display layer has a first zone with a first thickness measured between the inner surface and a raised area and a second zone with a second thickness measured between the inner surface and a recessed area. The display layer also includes a coloring agent having a higher concentration in the first zone as compared to the second zone. The display layer has increased light transmissivity through the recessed areas and decreased light transmissivity through the raised areas such that a contrast of light transmissivity between the raised and recessed areas generates an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Diepenbrock, Connie A. Sarkinen, Todd A. Waatti
  • Patent number: 9155355
    Abstract: An insole for an article of footwear includes a base that extends generally in the transverse direction, and the base includes a base superior surface and a base inferior surface. Furthermore, the insole includes a dampener that is resiliently flexible to cushion the foot of the wearer. The dampener extends inferiorly from the inferior surface of the base and terminates at a dampener inferior surface. The dampener also is rounded in a cross section taken in the inferior-superior direction. The dampener also includes an opening that extends through the dampener inferior surface and that extends superiorly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Diepenbrock
  • Publication number: 20140059884
    Abstract: A sole in accordance with the present invention may include a sole for attachment to an outside of a shoe. Moreover, a sole of the present invention may include a sole for insertion within an inner cavity formed by an upper of a shoe. In exemplary aspects the sole includes a base and a plurality of protrusions projecting from the base and integrally constructed with the base. Protrusions may include a side extending at an angle from the base. In addition, protrusions may include a side extending near perpendicular from the base. A plurality of protrusions may be arranged at ball portions of the sole. In addition, a plurality of protrusions may be arranged at a heel portion of the sole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Diepenbrock
  • Publication number: 20140020265
    Abstract: An image displaying device includes a background layer and a display layer. The display layer includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is substantially smooth, and the outer surface includes a plurality of raised areas and recessed areas. The display layer has a first zone with a first thickness measured between the inner surface and a raised area and a second zone with a second thickness measured between the inner surface and a recessed area. The display layer also includes a coloring agent having a higher concentration in the first zone as compared to the second zone. The display layer has increased light transmissivity through the recessed areas and decreased light transmissivity through the raised areas such that a contrast of light transmissivity between the raised and recessed areas generates an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: James E. Diepenbrock, Connie A. Sarkinen, Todd A. Waatti
  • Publication number: 20130283638
    Abstract: An insole for an article of footwear includes a base that extends generally in the transverse direction, and the base includes a base superior surface and a base inferior surface. Furthermore, the insole includes a dampener that is resiliently flexible to cushion the foot of the wearer. The dampener extends inferiorly from the inferior surface of the base and terminates at a dampener inferior surface. The dampener also is rounded in a cross section taken in the inferior-superior direction. The dampener also includes an opening that extends through the dampener inferior surface and that extends superiorly therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: James E. Diepenbrock
  • Patent number: 8516724
    Abstract: An image displaying device includes a background layer that is substantially opaque. The device also includes a display layer that is semi-transparent. The display layer includes an inner surface facing the background layer, and the inner surface is substantially smooth. The display layer further includes an outer surface facing away from the background layer, and the outer surface includes a plurality of raised areas and a plurality of recessed areas. The display layer has increased light transmissivity through the recessed areas and decreased light transmissivity through the raised areas such that a contrast of light transmissivity between the raised and recessed areas generates an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Diepenbrock, Connie A. Sarkinen, Todd A. Waatti
  • Publication number: 20110277352
    Abstract: An image displaying device includes a background layer that is substantially opaque. The device also includes a display layer that is semi-transparent. The display layer includes an inner surface facing the background layer, and the inner surface is substantially smooth. The display layer further includes an outer surface facing away from the background layer, and the outer surface includes a plurality of raised areas and a plurality of recessed areas. The display layer has increased light transmissivity through the recessed areas and decreased light transmissivity through the raised areas such that a contrast of light transmissivity between the raised and recessed areas generates an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: JAMES E. DIEPENBROCK, CONNIE A. SARKINEN, TODD A. WAATTI