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: 20140237860
    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: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Thomas Foxen
  • Patent number: 8813395
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes at least one illuminable strand located to be visible from an exterior of the article of footwear. In some configurations, the upper includes a power source at least partially embedded within the upper and electrically-coupled to the illuminable strand. In another configuration, the upper includes a foundation layer and a cover layer that are secured to each other, and the illuminable strand is located between the foundation layer and the cover layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Publication number: 20140182168
    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: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Olivier Henrichot, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 8756831
    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: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Thomas Foxen
  • Publication number: 20140101973
    Abstract: A stability and comfort system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The stability and comfort system includes a bootie and a sock liner. The sock liner may include a heel counter that is contoured to fit a heel. The sole of the article may include an outrigger portion. The outrigger portion can be separated from a central portion of the sole to allow the outrigger portion to move substantially independently of the central portion of the sole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Luedecke, Jeffrey C. Spanks, Matthew A. Nurse, Eric P. Avar
  • Publication number: 20140101824
    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: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 8677653
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Olivier Henrichot, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Publication number: 20140075785
    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: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Tiffany A. Beers
  • Publication number: 20140068974
    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: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Tiffany A. Beers
  • Publication number: 20130333250
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes at least one illuminable strand located to be visible from an exterior of the article of footwear. In some configurations, the upper includes a power source at least partially embedded within the upper and electrically-coupled to the illuminable strand. In another configuration, the upper includes a foundation layer and a cover layer that are secured to each other, and the illuminable strand is located between the foundation layer and the cover layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 8607474
    Abstract: A method of forming an article of footwear includes injecting a first material into a first cavity of a mold assembly to form a sole assembly, injecting a second material into a second cavity of the mold assembly, a first last being suspended within the second cavity, to form an upper of the article of footwear about the first last. The upper and the sole assembly are positioned in contact with one another. The upper and the sole assembly are cured and bonded together to form an article of footwear. The article of footwear is removed from the mold assembly and from the first last and allowed to expand to a first size. The article of footwear is placed on a second last having a second size that is smaller than the first size, and heated and cooled until it shrinks to the second size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Eric P. Avar, Tom Luedecke, Chiung Yao Lynn Chang
  • Patent number: 8590178
    Abstract: A stability and comfort system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The stability and comfort system includes a bootie and a sock liner. The sock liner may include a heel counter that is contoured to fit a heel. The sole of the article may include an outrigger portion. The outrigger portion can be separated from a central portion of the sole to allow the outrigger portion to move substantially independently of the central portion of the sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Tom Luedecke, Matthew A. Nurse, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 8544197
    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: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Tiffany A. Beers
  • Patent number: 8545743
    Abstract: A method of forming an article of footwear includes injecting a first material into a first cavity of a mold assembly to form a sole assembly, injecting a second material into a second cavity of the mold assembly, a first last being suspended within the second cavity, to form an upper of the article of footwear about the first last. The upper and the sole assembly are positioned in contact with one another. The upper and the sole assembly are cured and bonded together to form an article of footwear. The article of footwear is removed from the mold assembly and from the first last and allowed to expand to a first size. The article of footwear is placed on a second last having a second size that is smaller than the first size, and heated and cooled until it shrinks to the second size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Eric P. Avar, Tom Luedecke, Chiung Yao Lynn Chang
  • Publication number: 20130174443
    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: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mankowski, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 8453357
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes at least one illuminable strand located to be visible from an exterior of the article of footwear. In some configurations, the upper includes a power source at least partially embedded within the upper and electrically-coupled to the illuminable strand. In another configuration, the upper includes a foundation layer and a cover layer that are secured to each other, and the illuminable strand is located between the foundation layer and the cover layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Publication number: 20130031811
    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: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Thomas Foxen
  • Publication number: 20120304498
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Olivier Henrichot, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 8302233
    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 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Thomas Foxen
  • Publication number: 20120079743
    Abstract: A method of forming an article of footwear includes injecting a first material into a first cavity of a mold assembly to form a sole assembly, injecting a second material into a second cavity of the mold assembly, a first last being suspended within the second cavity, to form an upper of the article of footwear about the first last. The upper and the sole assembly are positioned in contact with one another. The upper and the sole assembly are cured and bonded together to form an article of footwear. The article of footwear is removed from the mold assembly and from the first last and allowed to expand to a first size. The article of footwear is placed on a second last having a second size that is smaller than the first size, and heated and cooled until it shrinks to the second size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Eric P. Avar, Tom Luedecke, Chiung Yao Lynn Chang