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).

  • Patent number: 11957208
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 11896081
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Nadia M. Panian, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Publication number: 20230413946
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Nadia M. Panian, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 11786003
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Koosha Aslani, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 11707114
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Publication number: 20230123618
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Thomas G. Bell, Rory S. Blanche, Risha Dupre, Christopher Mellick, Kaigin Olafson, Andrew A. Owings, Jeffrey C. Spanks, Caitlin Vultaggio
  • Publication number: 20230032939
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20230029743
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Koosha Aslani, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 11553760
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Eric P. Avar, Ross Klein, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 11553758
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 11523660
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 11490690
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Koosha Aslani, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Publication number: 20220265000
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Katelyn Bruce, Piero Fenato, Kevin W. Hoffer, Daniel A. Johnson, Elizabeth A. Kilgore, Peter Lam, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 11399596
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mankowski, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Publication number: 20220079290
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Nadia M. Panian, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 11259599
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Katelyn Bruce, Piero Fenato, Kevin W. Hoffer, Daniel A. Johnson, Elizabeth A. Kilgore, Peter Lam, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 11213095
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Nadia M. Panian, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Publication number: 20210212410
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Thomas G. Bell, Rory S. Blanche, Risha Dupre, Christopher Mellick, Kaigin Olafson, Andrew A. Owings, Jeffrey C. Spanks, Caitlin Vultaggio
  • Publication number: 20210177070
    Abstract: A footwear system may include a first article of footwear including a first sole structure and a first upper secured to the first sole structure, the first upper defining a first opening configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The first upper may include a first indicia portion disposed adjacent to the first opening. In addition, the system may include a sock including a second indicia portion, wherein, when the sock is worn by the wearer on a foot received within the upper, one or more features of the second indicia portion are substantially aligned with one or more features of the first indicia portion on the upper to form a first indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Nadia M. Panian, Eric P. Avar
  • Publication number: 20210068502
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Jeffrey C. Spanks