Patents by Inventor Jeffrey C. Spanks
Jeffrey C. Spanks 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).
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Patent number: 12127608Abstract: An article of apparel includes a bladder including an interior void, a compressible component disposed within the interior void and including a first zone, the first zone operable between a contracted state and a relaxed state, and a port fluidly coupled to the bladder and operable to selectively permit fluid communication with the interior void.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2022Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tina M. Casillas, Risha Dupre, Sam Lacey, Austin J. Orand, Nadia M. Panian, Adam Parkinson, Victoria Rind, Jeffrey C. Spanks, Simon Quay, Kimberly A. Sokol
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Publication number: 20240324725Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having a bladder that defines an interior void. The bladder is movable from an expanded state to a constricted state when fluid is removed from the interior void. A sole structure includes at least one flex groove. The at least one flex groove is movable from a relaxed state to an expanded state in response to movement of the bladder from the expanded state to the constricted state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2024Publication date: October 3, 2024Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer L. Bishop, Viviane Labelle, Myounghwa Lafond, Michael J. Lombardi, David Ngene, Nadia M. Panian, Jeffrey C. Spanks, Andrew M. Zubko
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Publication number: 20240215684Abstract: Footwear and sole structures include structures and properties, e.g., to support urban dance and urban dance moves. Such dance styles include various dance moves and movements that require contact between side edges of the wearer's shoes and the dance floor surface (e.g., made from concrete, asphalt, wood, etc.). Such dance styles also require transition of the body's center of mass along the edge(s) of the foot. Footwear and sole structures in accordance with this technology provide structures and properties to support to support such dance styles and moves, including one or more of: selected materials and/or selected material properties in various areas to promote sliding or gliding along various surfaces and/or other desired interactions with various surfaces; selected sizing and/or dimensional features of components in various areas; various flexion promoting structures and/or characteristics; etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2024Publication date: July 4, 2024Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Thomas G. Bell, Rory S. Blanche, Risha Dupre, Christopher Mellick, Kaigin Olafson, Andrew A. Owings, Jeffrey C. Spanks, Caitlin Vultaggio
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Patent number: 11957208Abstract: Footwear and sole structures include structures and properties, e.g., to support urban dance and urban dance moves. Such dance styles include various dance moves and movements that require contact between side edges of the wearer's shoes and the dance floor surface (e.g., made from concrete, asphalt, wood, etc.). Such dance styles also require transition of the body's center of mass along the edge(s) of the foot. Footwear and sole structures in accordance with this technology provide structures and properties to support to support such dance styles and moves, including one or more of: selected materials and/or selected material properties in various areas to promote sliding or gliding along various surfaces and/or other desired interactions with various surfaces; selected sizing and/or dimensional features of components in various areas; various flexion promoting structures and/or characteristics; etc.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Thomas G. Bell, Rory S. Blanche, Risha Dupre, Christopher Mellick, Kaigin Olafson, Andrew A. Owings, Jeffrey C. Spanks, Caitlin Vultaggio
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Patent number: 11896081Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole structure with multiple components. The sole structure includes a midsole member, an outsole member and an exterior support member. The midsole member and the outsole member have corresponding grooves. The exterior support member provides reinforcement for the midsole member. The outsole member includes a plurality of bristle members.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Nadia M. Panian, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Publication number: 20230413946Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole structure with multiple components. The sole structure includes a midsole member, an outsole member and an exterior support member. The midsole member and the outsole member have corresponding grooves. The exterior support member provides reinforcement for the midsole member. The outsole member includes a plurality of bristle members.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Nadia M. Panian, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Patent number: 11786003Abstract: An article of footwear may include a sole structure and an upper. The upper may include a first section and a second section and may define a foot-receiving cavity over the sole structure. The first section may be fixed to the sole structure, and the second section may articulate relative to the first section between an access position and a use position, the foot-receiving cavity being more exposed when the second section is in the access position. A magnetic coupling includes a first coupling member that may be operatively secured to the second section of the upper and a second coupling member may be operatively secured to the sole structure and positioned so that the first coupling member couples with the second coupling member by magnetic force when the second section is in the access position.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Koosha Aslani, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Patent number: 11707114Abstract: An article of footwear facilitates relatively easy donning and removal, and secure adjustment. The article of footwear comprises a sole structure, an upper secured to the sole structure, and a plurality of tensioning cables having proximal ends fixed to at least one of the upper or the sole structure and extending out of the upper. A strap has a proximal end connected to distal ends of the plurality of tensioning cables, and has a distal end releasably securable to the upper to tighten the tensioning cables. A webbed spacer is secured to the plurality of tensioning cables. The webbed spacer extends between adjacent ones of the plurality of tensioning cables, and the adjacent ones of the plurality of tensioning cables spaced apart from one another by the webbed spacer.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2020Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Publication number: 20230123618Abstract: Footwear and sole structures include structures and properties, e.g., to support urban dance and urban dance moves. Such dance styles include various dance moves and movements that require contact between side edges of the wearer’s shoes and the dance floor surface (e.g., made from concrete, asphalt, wood, etc.). Such dance styles also require transition of the body’s center of mass along the edge(s) of the foot. Footwear and sole structures in accordance with this technology provide structures and properties to support to support such dance styles and moves, including one or more of: selected materials and/or selected material properties in various areas to promote sliding or gliding along various surfaces and/or other desired interactions with various surfaces; selected sizing and/or dimensional features of components in various areas; various flexion promoting structures and/or characteristics; etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Thomas G. Bell, Rory S. Blanche, Risha Dupre, Christopher Mellick, Kaigin Olafson, Andrew A. Owings, Jeffrey C. Spanks, Caitlin Vultaggio
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Publication number: 20230029743Abstract: An article of footwear may include a sole structure and an upper. The upper may include a first section and a second section and may define a foot-receiving cavity over the sole structure. The first section may be fixed to the sole structure, and the second section may articulate relative to the first section between an access position and a use position, the foot-receiving cavity being more exposed when the second section is in the access position. A magnetic coupling includes a first coupling member that may be operatively secured to the second section of the upper and a second coupling member may be operatively secured to the sole structure and positioned so that the first coupling member couples with the second coupling member by magnetic force when the second section is in the access position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Koosha Aslani, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Publication number: 20230032939Abstract: An article of apparel includes a bladder including an interior void, a compressible component disposed within the interior void and including a first zone, the first zone operable between a contracted state and a relaxed state, and a port fluidly coupled to the bladder and operable to selectively permit fluid communication with the interior void.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tina M. Casillas, Risha Dupre, Sam Lacey, Austin J. Orand, Nadia M. Panian, Adam Parkinson, Simon Quay, Victoria Rind, Kimberly A. Sokol, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Patent number: 11553758Abstract: Footwear and sole structures include structures and properties, e.g., to support urban dance and urban dance moves. Such dance styles include various dance moves and movements that require contact between side edges of the wearer's shoes and the dance floor surface (e.g., made from concrete, asphalt, wood, etc.). Such dance styles also require transition of the body's center of mass along the edge(s) of the foot. Footwear and sole structures in accordance with this technology provide structures and properties to support to support such dance styles and moves, including one or more of: selected materials and/or selected material properties in various areas to promote sliding or gliding along various surfaces and/or other desired interactions with various surfaces; selected sizing and/or dimensional features of components in various areas; various flexion promoting structures and/or characteristics; etc.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Thomas G. Bell, Rory S. Blanche, Risha Dupre, Christopher Mellick, Kaigin Olafson, Andrew A. Owings, Jeffrey C. Spanks, Caitlin Vultaggio
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Patent number: 11553760Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper. The upper may include a first and a second section and partially define a foot-receiving cavity over the sole structure. The first section may be fixed to the sole structure and the second section may articulate between an access position and a use position. The foot-receiving cavity may be more exposed in the access position to allow easier foot entry. A strap may extend from one of the first and the second section. A looped handle may extend from the strap and may at least partially form a loop. The strap may extend across the second section of the upper when the second section is in the use position. The strap may have a distal portion configured to releasably secure to one of the first section or the second section with the looped handle exposed.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Eric P. Avar, Ross Klein, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Patent number: 11523660Abstract: An article of footwear facilitates relatively easy donning and removal, and secure adjustment. The article of footwear comprises a sole structure, an upper secured to the sole structure, and a plurality of tensioning cables having proximal ends fixed to at least one of the upper or the sole structure and extending out of the upper. A strap has a proximal end connected to distal ends of the plurality of tensioning cables, and has a distal end releasably securable to the upper to tighten the tensioning cables. A webbed spacer is secured to the plurality of tensioning cables. The webbed spacer extends between adjacent ones of the plurality of tensioning cables, and the adjacent ones of the plurality of tensioning cables spaced apart from one another by the webbed spacer.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Patent number: 11490690Abstract: An article of footwear may include a sole structure and an upper. The upper may include a first section and a second section and may define a foot-receiving cavity over the sole structure. The first section may be fixed to the sole structure, and the second section may articulate relative to the first section between an access position and a use position, the foot-receiving cavity being more exposed when the second section is in the access position. A magnetic coupling includes a first coupling member that may be operatively secured to the second section of the upper and a second coupling member may be operatively secured to the sole structure and positioned so that the first coupling member couples with the second coupling member by magnetic force when the second section is in the access position.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Koosha Aslani, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Publication number: 20220265000Abstract: A lace-receiving assembly includes a substrate, a first sheet, and a lace guide. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first sheet includes a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The third surface is bonded to the first surface to define a channel extending between the substrate and the first sheet. The lace guide is disposed within the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Katelyn Bruce, Piero Fenato, Kevin W. Hoffer, Daniel A. Johnson, Elizabeth A. Kilgore, Peter Lam, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Patent number: 11399596Abstract: An article of footwear may include an insert configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The insert may consist essentially of a casing configured to at least partially enclose a foot of a wearer and including a casing material and a high heat capacity material. The article of footwear may also include an outer assembly configured to receive the foot of the wearer when the foot is received within the insert.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Michael Mankowski, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Publication number: 20220079290Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole structure with multiple components. The sole structure includes a midsole member, an outsole member and an exterior support member. The midsole member and the outsole member have corresponding grooves. The exterior support member provides reinforcement for the midsole member. The outsole member includes a plurality of bristle members.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Nadia M. Panian, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Patent number: 11259599Abstract: A lace-receiving assembly includes a substrate, a first sheet, and a lace guide. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first sheet includes a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The third surface is bonded to the first surface to define a channel extending between the substrate and the first sheet. The lace guide is disposed within the channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Katelyn Bruce, Piero Fenato, Kevin W. Hoffer, Daniel A. Johnson, Elizabeth A. Kilgore, Peter Lam, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Patent number: 11213095Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole structure with multiple components. The sole structure includes a midsole member, an outsole member and an exterior support member. The midsole member and the outsole member have corresponding grooves. The exterior support member provides reinforcement for the midsole member. The outsole member includes a plurality of bristle members.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Nadia M. Panian, Jeffrey C. Spanks