Patents by Inventor James Molyneux

James Molyneux 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).

  • Footwear with Internal Chassis and/or Indexed Sock Liner
    Publication number: 20170202301
    Abstract: A chassis for an article of footwear may include a base and a frame attached to a top side of the base. The frame may include a network of interconnected walls defining a plurality of cells, each of at least a portion of the cells having a bottom at least partially closed by an underlying portion of the base. A bottom of the base may be fixed with respect to a plantar section of an upper. A sock liner may be indexed to the chassis or to another footwear support structure. The sock liner may have downwardly-extending tabs configured to rest in cells of the chassis or in other cavities of a support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Sam Amis, Michael S. Amos, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Timothy J. Smith
  • Electronically controlled bladder assembly
    Patent number: 9655402
    Abstract: An electronically controlled bladder assembly includes an adjustable pressure bladder and a constant pressure reservoir connected by an electronically controlled valve. The electronically controlled valve is operated in a manner that inflates the adjustable bladder when the current pressure is below a target pressure and in a manner that deflates the adjustable bladder when the current pressure is above the target pressure. The inflation and deflation of the adjustable bladder are achieved in an iterative manner by controlling the flow of fluid between the constant pressure reservoir and the adjustable bladder over several cycles of heel strikes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast
  • ARTICLES OF WEAR AND PROCESSES FOR MAKING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20170129200
    Abstract: Processes and systems for thermoforming articles of wear are disclosed. The process can include utilizing a negative pressure generation system to seal an article in a forming material thereby compressing the forming material onto the outer surface of the article. The process can also include exposing the sealed article to an increased temperature followed by exposure to a decrease temperature, while maintaining the compressive force of the forming material on the outer surface of the article. A positive pressure can also be applied to the sealed article while undergoing the heating and/or cooling steps, which can facilitate the removal of bubbles from the article during thermoforming as well as apply additional compressive force to the outer surface of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Giovanni Adami, Sam Amis, Sergio Cavaliere, Meng-Chun Hu, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Timothy J. Smith, I-Hsien Tseng, Mirko Bianconi, Federico Zecchetto
  • Article of footwear incorporating a knitted component
    Patent number: 9642413
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted component and, in some configurations, a skin layer secured to the knitted component. The knitted component may have a plurality of protruding areas that extend outward and away from a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer. The protruding areas may include one or both of (a) a first tubular structure and an inlaid strand extending through the first tubular structure and (b) a second tubular structure and yarn sections extending across the second tubular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Seamarks, Phil Woodman, Daniel A. Podhajny, Simon John Baines, James Molyneux
  • Article of Footwear With An Adaptive Fluid System
    Publication number: 20170112234
    Abstract: An adaptive fluid system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The adaptive fluid system includes a fluid chamber that provides cushioning and shock absorption for a foot. The adaptive fluid system includes an adjustable pressure regulating valve that may be used to control the pressure of the fluid chamber. The adaptive fluid system includes a valve that prevents fluid from escaping from a fluid chamber during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Elizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds
  • Article of footwear incorporating a knitted component
    Patent number: 9622536
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted component and, in some configurations, a skin layer secured to the knitted component. The knitted component may have a plurality of protruding areas that extend outward and away from a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer. The protruding areas may include one or both of (a) a first tubular structure and an inlaid strand extending through the first tubular structure and (b) a second tubular structure and yarn sections extending across the second tubular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Phil Woodman, Doug D. Wilken, Tetsuya T. Minami, James Molyneux
  • Article Of Footwear With Knitted Component Having Plurality Of Graduated Projections
    Publication number: 20170071290
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper that is attached to the sole structure. The upper defines a cavity that is configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The upper is at least partially defined by a textile. The textile includes a first area that is substantially smooth. The first area defines a reference boundary that conforms to the cavity. The textile includes a second area. The second area includes a plurality of projection structures that project away from the reference boundary and outwardly from the cavity at varying heights. The second area includes a plurality of recess structures that recess away from the reference boundary and inwardly toward the cavity. The plurality of projection structures and the plurality of recess structures are in an alternating arrangement across the textile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Lysandre Follet, Gjermund Haugbro, James Molyneux, Phil Woodman
  • Method Of Manufacturing Article Of Footwear With Graduated Projections
    Publication number: 20170071291
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing a textile and applying heat and/or pressure to the textile using a texturing device to form a textured area of the textile. The textured area is spaced apart from a substantially smooth area of the textile. The method further includes forming at least part of an upper from the textile after applying the heat and/or pressure to the textile. The upper includes a cavity configured to receive a foot. The substantially smooth area is configured to define a reference boundary of the upper. The substantially smooth area and the textured area are each configured to be disposed at predetermined regions of the upper. Furthermore, forming the textured area includes forming a plurality of projection structures that project outward from the reference boundary at varying distances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Lysandre Follet, Gjermund Haugbro, James Molyneux, Phil Woodman
  • Adjustable Bladder System With External Valve for an Article of Footwear
    Publication number: 20170071288
    Abstract: An adjustable bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. A valve member may be disposed externally to the outer bladder. In addition, one or more tensile members may be disposed within the outer bladder to control deformation of the outer bladder during compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Amy E. Gishifu, Elizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds, John F. Swigart
  • Foot support structure and articles incorporating same
    Patent number: 9591889
    Abstract: A foot support structure for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device may include a first foot support portion disposed in a first orientation and a second foot support portion disposed in a second orientation different than the first orientation. A twist portion may extend continuously from the first foot support portion to the second foot support portion and twist from the first orientation to the second orientation A common face of the foot support member may extend over at least part of the first foot support portion, at least part of the second foot support portion and the twist portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua P. Heard, Alexandre Baudouin, Robert M. Bruce, John Hurd, James Molyneux
  • Footwear Sole Structure with Carrier and Frame
    Publication number: 20170055634
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear may include a carrier and a frame. The frame may include walls that define cells. The carrier may cover the frame. The frame may be joined to and located on a top side of the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Jim Baucom, Lysandre Follet, Timothy Hanson, James Molyneux, Jeff Rasmussen
  • Foot-support structures for articles of footwear
    Patent number: 9572394
    Abstract: Foot-supporting elements for articles of footwear or other products may include: (a) a first diagonally-oriented plate that extends from a lateral heel location of an article of footwear to a medial forefoot location of the article of footwear; and (b) a second diagonally-oriented plate that extends from a medial heel location of the article of footwear to a lateral forefoot location of the article of footwear. These foot-supporting elements may be utilized in foot-receiving devices that may include: (a) a foot-covering member (such as an upper); and (b) a foot-supporting element engaged with the foot-covering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua P. Heard, Robert M. Bruce, John Hurd, Alexandre Baudouin, Kevin W. Hoffer, James Molyneux
  • Article of footwear with an adaptive fluid system
    Patent number: 9560894
    Abstract: An adaptive fluid system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The adaptive fluid system includes a fluid chamber that provides cushioning and shock absorption for a foot. The adaptive fluid system includes an adjustable pressure regulating valve that may be used to control the pressure of the fluid chamber. The adaptive fluid system includes a valve that prevents fluid from escaping from a fluid chamber during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds
  • Article of footwear incorporating a knitted component
    Patent number: 9538804
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a knitted component and, in some configurations, a skin layer secured to the knitted component. The knitted component may have a plurality of protruding areas that extend outward and away from a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer. The protruding areas may include one or both of (a) a first tubular structure and an inlaid strand extending through the first tubular structure and (b) a second tubular structure and yarn sections extending across the second tubular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Karl Seamarks, Phil Woodman, Benjamin A. Shaffer, Erin E. Toraya, Simon J. Baines, Alexandre Baudouin, James Molyneux
  • Adjustable bladder system with external valve for an article of footwear
    Patent number: 9526299
    Abstract: An adjustable bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. A valve member may be disposed externally to the outer bladder. In addition, one or more tensile members may be disposed within the outer bladder to control deformation of the outer bladder during compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy E. Gishifu, Elizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds, John F. Swigart
  • Articles of footwear having a similar appearance and different sole assemblies
    Patent number: 9521876
    Abstract: A first and second pair of articles of footwear which may have substantially similar exterior appearances, but the internal structures are different. The first pair of articles may include a traditional sole assembly having an outsole, a midsole, and an insole. The second pair of articles of footwear may include a fixed sole structure allowing for a customizable removable sole insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Jones, Elizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Brian Stewart
  • Athletic performance monitoring systems and methods in a team sports environment
    Patent number: 9511260
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods estimate the distance between a player and a ball by transmitting a chirp (sweep signal) to a radio tag located on the ball. During the chirp, the frequency of the transmitted signal is changed in a predetermined fashion. The radio tag doubles the transmitted frequency and returns the processed signal to a transceiver typically located on the player. The currently transmitted frequency is then compared with the received frequency to obtain a difference frequency from which an apparatus may estimate the distance. The apparatus may simultaneously receive the processed signal from the radio tag while transmitting the sweep signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast, Brandon S. Burroughs, Scott R. Berggren, Clayton J. Lindsay, Jordan M. Rice, Bert Buxton, Edward S. Lowe
  • Systems and Methods for Time-Based Athletic Activity Measurement and Display
    Publication number: 20160332029
    Abstract: An athletic parameter measurement device worn by an athlete during an athletic activity session includes a housing which attaches to the athlete, a display, a processor associated with the display, and an athletic parameter measurement sensor. During the athletic activity, the device detects, using the sensor, a vertical jump height of the athlete, and displays, during the performance of the athletic activity session, a representation of the vertical jump height on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: James Meschter, James Molyneux, Aaron B. Weast
  • Footwear Having Lace Receiving Strands
    Publication number: 20160324268
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot, and a sole structure fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The sole structure may include a ground-engaging outer member and the footwear may include a first strand configured to form at least a first lace receiving loop and extending through the outer member of the sole structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Bryant Russell Klug, Tetsuya T. Minami, James Molyneux
  • Adjustable Bladder System For An Article of Footwear
    Publication number: 20160324263
    Abstract: An adjustable bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. In addition, one or more tensile members may be disposed internally to the outer bladder to provide enhanced support. A valve member may also be disposed internally to the outer bladder. The valve member can include a contoured edge to provide a contoured shape for the outer bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Amy E. Gishifu, Elizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds, John F. Swigart