Patents by Inventor John F. Swigart

John F. Swigart 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: 20240138512
    Abstract: A golf shoe comprising an upper; a midsole; and an outsole, wherein the outsole comprises (i) a first set of traction elements arranged along a first curved pathway, (ii) a second set of traction elements arranged along a second curved pathway having a different curvature than the first curved pathway, and (iii) a third set of traction elements, wherein both the first and second sets of traction elements comprise a plurality of non-contiguous triangular-shaped traction elements positioned in a forefoot and/or midfoot region of the outsole, wherein the first and second sets of traction elements are oriented in different circumferential directions around a common center point, wherein the third set of traction elements has a different shape, profile, or spatial configuration than the first or second sets of traction elements, and wherein the third set of traction elements is positioned in the midfoot and/or rearfoot region(s) of the outsole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Bidal, John F. Swigart
  • Patent number: 11963582
    Abstract: Golf shoes having improved constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The upper may be made of a soft, breathable leather material. The midsole includes an upper region formed from a first material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); and a lower region formed from a second material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), wherein the materials have different hardness levels. A fiber-reinforced composite plate such as, for example, a carbon fiber plate is disposed in the midsole. The composite plate has a molded three-dimensional shape to provide additional stiffness to the golf shoe, particularly in the rear foot region of the shoe. The outsole contains different traction members arranged in a precise geometric structure that helps provide improved stability and traction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Keith M. Duffy, Jean-Marie Bidal, John F. Swigart
  • Patent number: 11957204
    Abstract: Golf shoes having improved outsole constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The outsole includes a first set of arc pathways extending along the outsole in one direction. A second set of arc pathways extend along the outsole in a second direction. When the first and second arc pathways are superposed over each other, four-sided tile pieces are formed, and these tiles contain protruding traction members. In one embodiment, the tiles comprise a first protruding traction member, an opposing second protruding traction member, and a non-protruding segment disposed between the first and second traction members. Different traction zones containing different traction members are provided on the outsole. These zones provide improved multi-surface traction. In one embodiment of the outsole, there is no channeling and no trenching of the golf course turf. There is less damage to the golf course for a given amount of traction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Bidal, John F. Swigart, Robert S. Bento
  • Patent number: 11950654
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber may have a barrier, a stacked tensile member, and a fluid. The barrier may be formed from a polymer material that is sealed to define an interior void. The stacked tensile member may be located within the interior void and includes a first tensile element and a second tensile element that are joined to each other. Additionally, opposite sides of the stacked tensile member are joined to the barrier. The fluid is located within the interior void and may be pressurized to place an outward force upon the barrier and induce tension in the stacked tensile member. In some configurations, each of the tensile elements may be a spacer textile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Swigart, Amy E. Gishifu
  • Publication number: 20240065383
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a flexible upper, a sole assembly, and a flap coupled to the article of footwear proximate the bite line. The article of footwear includes a closure system that is configured to engage with the flap to secure the flap to the lateral side of the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: John F. Swigart, Paul O. Teeter
  • Publication number: 20240023670
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a traction system. The traction system includes a plurality of traction elements of various heights on the outsole that undergo rotation within the penetrated substratum while avoiding damage from digging the surface while walking. The plurality of traction elements has a shortened height at pivot points of a foot and a lengthened height away from the pivot points of the foot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: John F. Swigart, Robert S. Bento, Paul O. Teeter
  • Patent number: 11844401
    Abstract: An article of footwear has a flexible upper, a sole, a bite line, a heel region, a forefoot region, a medial side, a lateral side, and a flap. The article of footwear is secured using a closure system that may be tightened and loosened. The flap is coupled to the article of footwear proximate the bite line and is configured to interact with the closure system. The closure system secures the flap to the upper when the closure system is tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: John F. Swigart, Paul O. Teeter
  • Publication number: 20230389646
    Abstract: A golf shoe with a sole assembly having a regionally time-dependent midsole is provided. The midsole may include a lateral region constructed of a first material and a medial region constructed of a second material, where elastic properties of the lateral region and viscoelastic properties the medial region provide a neutral support platform when a relatively brief compression load is placed on the midsole (e.g., when a wearer is taking a step while walking), and further provide an everted supported platform when the compression load is placed on the midsole for a longer period of time (e.g., when the wearer is swinging a golf club).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: John F. SWIGART
  • Patent number: 11805846
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a traction system. The traction system includes a plurality of traction elements of various heights on the outsole that undergo rotation within the penetrated substratum while avoiding damage from digging the surface while walking. The plurality of traction elements has a shortened height at pivot points of a foot and a lengthened height away from the pivot points of the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: John F. Swigart, Robert S. Bento, Paul O. Teeter
  • Publication number: 20230309646
    Abstract: A golf shoe with a sole assembly having a sidewall reinforcement structure is provided. The reinforcement structure may be formed from a carbon composite or other reinforcing material. The reinforcement structure is molded into the sole assembly for reinforcing softer midsole sidewalls, and for providing increased stability and maintaining forefoot flexibility. The structure is generally U-shaped with a medial and lateral wing and a bridge connecting the wings. The medial wing may be angled rearward to support the rearfoot, and the lateral wing may be angled forward to support the midfoot. Thus, the reinforcement structure may hold and support the medial and lateral sides of the golfer’s foot as they shift their weight while making a golf shot. At the same time, the shoe has good flexibility so the golfer is able to walk and play the course and engage in other golf activities comfortably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: John F. SWIGART, Jean-Marie BIDAL, Robert S. BENTO
  • Publication number: 20230270204
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a midsole having a variable stiffness configured to provide pressure gradients to reduce plantar pressure. In some embodiments, the two-piece midsole may include a first foam material vertically aligned with a perimeter of the article of footwear and a second foam material vertically aligned with the heel region and a toe box of the forefoot region. The combined height of the firm foam material and the soft foam material varies across the midsole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: John F. Swigart, Robert S. Bento
  • Publication number: 20230240407
    Abstract: Golf shoes having improved outsole constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The outsole includes a first set of arc pathways extending along the outsole in one direction. A second set of arc pathways extend along the outsole in a second direction. When the first and second arc pathways are superposed over each other, four-sided tile pieces are formed, and these tiles contain protruding traction members. Different traction zones containing different traction members are provided on the outsole. These zones provide improved all surface traction and there is no channeling and no trenching of the golf course turf. There is less damage to the golf course for a given amount of traction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Bidal, John F. Swigart
  • Publication number: 20230112333
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a traction system. The traction system includes a plurality of traction elements of various heights on the outsole that undergo rotation within the penetrated substratum while avoiding damage from digging the surface while walking. The plurality of traction elements has a shortened height at pivot points of a foot and a lengthened height away from the pivot points of the foot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: John F. Swigart, Robert S. Bento, Paul O. Teeter
  • Patent number: 11622595
    Abstract: Golf shoes having improved outsole constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The outsole includes a first set of arc pathways extending along the outsole in one direction. A second set of arc pathways extend along the outsole in a second direction. When the first and second arc pathways are superposed over each other, four-sided tile pieces are formed, and these tiles contain protruding traction members. Different traction zones containing different traction members are provided on the outsole. These zones provide improved all surface traction and there is no channeling and no trenching of the golf course turf. There is less damage to the golf course for a given amount of traction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Bidal, John F. Swigart
  • Publication number: 20230075272
    Abstract: Golf shoes having improved outsole constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The outsole includes a first set of arc pathways extending along the outsole in one direction. A second set of arc pathways extend along the outsole in a second direction. When the first and second arc pathways are superposed over each other, four-sided tile pieces are formed, and these tiles contain protruding traction members. In one embodiment, the tiles comprise a first protruding traction member, an opposing second protruding traction member, and a non-protruding segment disposed between the first and second traction members. Different traction zones containing different traction members are provided on the outsole. These zones provide improved multi-surface traction. In one embodiment of the outsole, there is no channeling and no trenching of the golf course turf. There is less damage to the golf course for a given amount of traction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Bidal, John F. Swigart, Robert S. Bento
  • Publication number: 20230067255
    Abstract: Golf shoes having improved outsole constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The outsole includes a first set of arc pathways extending along the outsole in one direction. A second set of arc pathways extend along the outsole in a second direction. When the first and second arc pathways are superposed over each other, four-sided tile pieces are formed, and these tiles contain protruding traction members. In one embodiment, the tiles comprise a first protruding traction member, an opposing second protruding traction member, and a non-protruding segment disposed between the first and second traction members. Different traction zones containing different traction members are provided on the outsole. These zones provide improved multi-surface traction. In one embodiment of the outsole, there is no channeling and no trenching of the golf course turf. There is less damage to the golf course for a given amount of traction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Bidal, John F. Swigart
  • Publication number: 20230029421
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber may have a barrier, a stacked tensile member, and a fluid. The barrier may be formed from a polymer material that is sealed to define an interior void. The stacked tensile member may be located within the interior void and includes a first tensile element and a second tensile element that are joined to each other. Additionally, opposite sides of the stacked tensile member are joined to the barrier. The fluid is located within the interior void and may be pressurized to place an outward force upon the barrier and induce tension in the stacked tensile member. In some configurations, each of the tensile elements may be a spacer textile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: John F. Swigart, Amy E. Gishifu
  • Publication number: 20220361626
    Abstract: Golf shoes having improved constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The upper may be made of a soft, breathable leather material. The midsole includes an upper region formed from a first material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); and a lower region formed from a second material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), wherein the materials have different hardness levels. A fiber-reinforced composite plate such as, for example, a carbon fiber plate is disposed in the midsole. The outsole contains different traction members arranged in a precise geometric structure that helps provide improved stability and traction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Bidal, John F. Swigart
  • Publication number: 20220361625
    Abstract: Golf shoes having improved constructions are provided. The golf shoes include upper, midsole, and outsole sections. The upper may be made of a soft, breathable leather material. The midsole includes an upper region formed from a first material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); and a lower region formed from a second material such as a foamed ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), wherein the materials have different hardness levels. A fiber-reinforced composite plate may be disposed in the midsole. The outsole contains different traction members arranged in a precise geometric structure that helps provide improved stability and traction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Bidal, John F. Swigart
  • Patent number: D992876
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Bidal, John F. Swigart