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).

  • Publication number: 20210037924
    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: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Publication number: 20210022449
    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: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Eric P. Avar, Ross Klein, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Publication number: 20210022446
    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: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Koosha Aslani, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 10874165
    Abstract: An insert system for an article of footwear includes an outer assembly, a first insert assembly and a second insert assembly. The outer assembly is configured to interchangeably receive the first insert assembly and the second insert assembly. The first insert assembly includes a first sleeve member and a first midsole configured to provide enhanced cushioning and support. The first sleeve member includes a tongue and a fastening member that wraps around the tongue. The second insert assembly includes a second sleeve member and a second midsole configured to enhance speed. The second sleeve member is open at a forefoot portion and at a heel portion. The outer assembly includes an aperture on a sidewall of an outer sole portion, where the midsole inserted within the outer assembly is visible through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Olivier Henrichot, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 10863797
    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: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 10827803
    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: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Publication number: 20200037708
    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: October 8, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Katelyn Bruce, Piero Fenato, Kevin W. Hoffer, Daniel A. Johnson, Elizabeth A. Kilgore, Peter Lam, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Publication number: 20190335854
    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: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Mankowski, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 10463104
    Abstract: A method of making a sole for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes steps of attaching a double sided acrylic adhesive film to a composite plate. The composite plate is then attached to an outer member of the article of footwear using the acrylic adhesive film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Thomas Foxen
  • Publication number: 20190313742
    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: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Publication number: 20190313741
    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: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 10420394
    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 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mankowski, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Publication number: 20190281926
    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: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Nadia M. Panian, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 10342291
    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: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Nadia M. Panian, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 10314367
    Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole structure with an extension portion that maintains contact with the ground during a forward stride, extending the time period for deceleration of loads applied to the sole structure. The article of footwear comprises an upper and a sole structure. The upper has a forefoot region with a foremost extent. The sole structure has a forefoot portion underlying the forefoot region, and an extension portion extending forward from the forefoot portion. The extension portion extends forward of the foremost extent of the upper from a forward edge of the forefoot portion to a distal end. A top side of the extension portion is spaced apart from the upper between the forward edge and the distal end. The extension portion establishes a propulsion surface beyond the foremost extent of the upper during a forward stride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Kilgore, Paul J. Francis, Kevin W. Hoffer, Shane S. Kohatsu, Aaron K. Seid, Jeffrey C. Spanks, Andrea M. Vinet, George A. Xanthos
  • Publication number: 20190082785
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure. The sole structure can be manufactured using a customized cushioning sole system. A user's foot morphology and/or preferences may be used to design the sole structure. The sole structure can also include a lattice structure made by a three-dimensional printer. The sole structure includes compartments to receive air bladder components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 10159298
    Abstract: An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes an illuminable panel and a plurality of strands positioned to extend adjacent and parallel to the illuminable panel. The illuminable panel has a surface with a covered area and an exposed area. The covered area includes a substantially opaque covering, and the exposed area is at least partially visible from the exterior of the footwear. The strands are located to correspond with the exposed area of the illuminable panel. Light from the exposed area of the illuminable panel may enhance, highlight, or otherwise increase the visibility of the strands or areas of the upper that include the strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Tiffany A. Beers
  • Patent number: 10143266
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure. The sole structure can be manufactured using a customized cushioning sole system. A user's foot morphology and/or preferences may be used to design the sole structure. The sole structure can also include a lattice structure made by a three-dimensional printer. The sole structure includes compartments to receive air bladder components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 10039347
    Abstract: A fastening mechanism for use with a lacing element is disclosed. The fastening mechanism is adjustable and includes an elongated member and a rigid element. There are two channels extending through the fastening mechanism that are configured to receive and secure portions of the lacing element. In some embodiments, a plurality of ridges can be formed along a sloped sidewall in each of the channels. The fastening mechanism may be utilized with articles of footwear or apparel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 9980536
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a tensioning system is disclosed. The tensioning system is adjustable and includes a first layer and a second layer that is moveable and extends over the first layer. The article can include elements that are capable of distributing tension over the article. The article may include a tensile element, guide elements, and one or more strap guides attached to an underside of the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Nadia M. Panian, Eric P. Avar