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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Publication number: 20140237860Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Thomas Foxen
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Patent number: 8813395Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 30, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Publication number: 20140182168Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2014Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Olivier Henrichot, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Patent number: 8756831Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 9, 2012Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Thomas Foxen
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Publication number: 20140101973Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Tom Luedecke, Jeffrey C. Spanks, Matthew A. Nurse, Eric P. Avar
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Publication number: 20140101824Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventor: Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Patent number: 8677653Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Olivier Henrichot, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Publication number: 20140075785Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Tiffany A. Beers
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Publication number: 20140068974Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Tiffany A. Beers
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Publication number: 20130333250Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Patent number: 8607474Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Eric P. Avar, Tom Luedecke, Chiung Yao Lynn Chang
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Patent number: 8590178Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 26, 2009Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Tom Luedecke, Matthew A. Nurse, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Patent number: 8544197Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Tiffany A. Beers
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Patent number: 8545743Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Eric P. Avar, Tom Luedecke, Chiung Yao Lynn Chang
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Publication number: 20130174443Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Michael Mankowski, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Patent number: 8453357Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Publication number: 20130031811Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2012Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Thomas Foxen
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Publication number: 20120304498Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Olivier Henrichot, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Patent number: 8302233Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 11, 2007Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Thomas Foxen
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Publication number: 20120079743Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Eric P. Avar, Tom Luedecke, Chiung Yao Lynn Chang