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).
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Patent number: 8657979Abstract: A fluid-filled bladder with a reinforcing structure and a method of manufacturing the bladder and reinforcing structure are disclosed. In general, the reinforcing structure extends around the bladder, and the reinforcing structure is bonded to an exterior of the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure is recessed into the bladder and extends along side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Thomas Foxen, John F. Swigart, Eric Steven Schindler
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Publication number: 20130340280Abstract: Embodiments herein provide high performance foam formulations and processing methods that address issues with traditional ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foams. In various embodiments, when used in midsoles, the high performance foam formulations may provide superior impact energy absorption per given load during compression, improved energy recovery during expansion, and reduced compression set over repeated impact cycles. In various embodiments, the high performance foam formulations may include a mixture of no more than about 75 PHR EVA foam and at least 15 PHR polyolefin foam.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: John F. Swigart, Wei Yi Jiang
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Publication number: 20120255196Abstract: An adjustable bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. In addition, one or more tensile members may be disposed internally to the outer bladder to provide enhanced support. A valve member may also be disposed internally to the outer bladder. The valve member can include a contoured edge to provide a contoured shape for the outer bladder.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Amy E. Gishifu, Elizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds, John F. Swigart
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Publication number: 20120255197Abstract: An adjustable bladder system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder system includes an outer bladder that may be inflated using an external pump. A valve member may be disposed externally to the outer bladder. In addition, one or more tensile members may be disposed within the outer bladder to control deformation of the outer bladder during compression.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Amy E. Gishifu, Elizabeth Langvin, James Molyneux, Lee D. Peyton, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola J. Reynolds, John F. Swigart
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Publication number: 20120102782Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: JOHN F. SWIGART, AMY E. GISHIFU
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Publication number: 20120102783Abstract: An article of footwear or another product may incorporate a pressure chamber that includes (a) a bladder at least partially formed from a polymer material that is sealed to enclose a pressurized fluid and (b) a strand wound around the bladder and secured to the bladder. In manufacturing the pressure chamber, a bladder with an elongate configuration may be formed. A strand is wound around the bladder, and the strand is secured to the bladder. When incorporated to a sole structure of the article of footwear, for example, a portion of the bladder that includes the strands may be exposed at an outer surface of the sole structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: John F. Swigart, Mario A. Lafortune, Amy F. Gishifu, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola Jane Reynolds, Britani N. Blackstone
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Patent number: 8061060Abstract: Impact-attenuating elements, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving device products, may include: (a) a base member, such as a fluid-tight and/or other fluid-filled or fluid-containing enclosure element; (b) a support element integrally and contiguously formed in a surface of the base member; and/or (c) a spring device engaged with the support element. The support element and its corresponding spring device (if any) may include a non-planar surface (e.g., substantially parabolic shaped, cylindrically shaped, etc.) that extends in a direction into the base member and toward its opposite surface. The support element and its corresponding spring device (if any) also may include reinforcing structure(s), such as raised ribs extending along a surface of the support element and/or spring device.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2010Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: John F. Swigart, Eric S. Schindler
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Patent number: 8042286Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber for an article of footwear and a method for manufacturing the chamber are disclosed. The chamber may be incorporated into a sole structure of the footwear and includes a central area and a plurality of lobes extending outward from the central area. The lobes are in fluid communication with the central area and are formed from a first surface, a second surface, and a sidewall. The sidewall joins with the first surface with the second surface to seal the fluid within the chamber, but no internal connections are generally utilized to join interior portions of the first surface with interior portions of the second surface. The fluid within the chamber may be air at a pressure that is approximately equal to an ambient pressure.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Schindler, John F. Swigart
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Patent number: 7966750Abstract: An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a first chamber and a second chamber that each enclose a fluid. The first chamber and the second chamber both define a plurality of projections and depressions. At least a portion of the projections of the first chamber are located within the depressions of the second chamber, and at least a portion of the projections of the second chamber are located within the depressions of the first chamber. In some configurations, each of the first chamber and the second chamber may form portions of upper and lower surfaces of a pneumatic component. In addition, colors of the first chamber and the second chamber may be selected such that the colors combine at an interface of the first chamber and the second chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Schindler, John F. Swigart
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Patent number: 7810255Abstract: An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a first chamber and a second chamber that each enclose a fluid. The first chamber and the second chamber both define a plurality of projections and depressions. At least a portion of the projections of the first chamber are located within the depressions of the second chamber, and at least a portion of the projections of the second chamber are located within the depressions of the first chamber. In some configurations, each of the first chamber and the second chamber may form portions of upper and lower surfaces of a pneumatic component. In addition, colors of the first chamber and the second chamber may be selected such that the colors combine at an interface of the first chamber and the second chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Schindler, John F. Swigart
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Publication number: 20100192409Abstract: An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a first chamber and a second chamber that each enclose a fluid. The first chamber and the second chamber both define a plurality of projections and depressions. At least a portion of the projections of the first chamber are located within the depressions of the second chamber, and at least a portion of the projections of the second chamber are located within the depressions of the first chamber. In some configurations, each of the first chamber and the second chamber may form portions of upper and lower surfaces of a pneumatic component. In addition, colors of the first chamber and the second chamber may be selected such that the colors combine at an interface of the first chamber and the second chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Eric S. Schindler, John F. Swigart
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Publication number: 20100170109Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber for an article of footwear and a method for manufacturing the chamber are disclosed. The chamber may be incorporated into a sole structure of the footwear and includes a central area and a plurality of lobes extending outward from the central area. The lobes are in fluid communication with the central area and are formed from a first surface, a second surface, and a sidewall. The sidewall joins with the first surface with the second surface to seal the fluid within the chamber, but no internal connections are generally utilized to join interior portions of the first surface with interior portions of the second surface. The fluid within the chamber may be air at a pressure that is approximately equal to an ambient pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Eric S. Schindler, John F. Swigart
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Publication number: 20100132221Abstract: Impact-attenuating elements, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving device products, may include: (a) a base member, such as a fluid-tight and/or other fluid-filled or fluid-containing enclosure element; (b) a support element integrally and contiguously formed in a surface of the base member; and/or (c) a spring device engaged with the support element. The support element and its corresponding spring device (if any) may include a non-planar surface (e.g., substantially parabolic shaped, cylindrically shaped, etc.) that extends in a direction into the base member and toward its opposite surface. The support element and its corresponding spring device (if any) also may include reinforcing structure(s), such as raised ribs extending along a surface of the support element and/or spring device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2010Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: John F. Swigart, Eric Steven Schindler
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Patent number: 7707744Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber for an article of footwear and a method for manufacturing the chamber are disclosed. The chamber may be incorporated into a sole structure of the footwear and includes a central area and a plurality of lobes extending outward from the central area. The lobes are in fluid communication with the central area and are formed from a first surface, a second surface, and a sidewall. The sidewall joins with the first surface with the second surface to seal the fluid within the chamber, but no internal connections are generally utilized to join interior portions of the first surface with interior portions of the second surface. The fluid within the chamber may be air at a pressure that is approximately equal to an ambient pressure.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Schindler, John F. Swigart
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Patent number: 7685743Abstract: Impact-attenuating elements, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving device products, may include: (a) a base member, such as a fluid-tight and/or other fluid-filled or fluid-containing enclosure element; (b) a support element integrally and contiguously formed in a surface of the base member; and/or (c) a spring device engaged with the support element. The support element and its corresponding spring device (if any) may include a non-planar surface (e.g., substantially parabolic shaped, cylindrically shaped, etc.) that extends in a direction into the base member and toward its opposite surface. The support element and its corresponding spring device (if any) also may include reinforcing structure(s), such as raised ribs extending along a surface of the support element and/or spring device.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: John F. Swigart, Eric Steven Schindler
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Patent number: 7555851Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes a fluid-filled chamber with one or more flexion zones. The flexion zones may be areas of the chamber where a tensile element, for example, is absent, or the flexion zones may be areas of the chamber where opposite surfaces of the chamber are bonded together. The footwear may also include a sole structure with a flexion zone, and the flexion zone of the chamber may be aligned with the flexion zone of the sole structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2006Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: K. Pieter Hazenberg, John F. Swigart, Tobie D. Hatfield
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Patent number: 7556846Abstract: A fluid-filled bladder with a reinforcing structure and a method of manufacturing the bladder and reinforcing structure are disclosed. In general, the reinforcing structure extends around the bladder, and the reinforcing structure is bonded to an exterior of the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure is recessed into the bladder and extends along side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2004Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Thomas Foxen, John F. Swigart, Eric Steven Schindler
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Patent number: 7434339Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber for an article of footwear and a method for manufacturing the chamber are disclosed. The chamber may be incorporated into a sole structure of the footwear and includes a central area and a plurality of lobes extending outward from the central area. The lobes are in fluid communication with the central area and are formed from a first surface, a second surface, and a sidewall. The sidewall joins with the first surface with the second surface to seal the fluid within the chamber, but no internal connections are generally utilized to join interior portions of the first surface with interior portions of the second surface. The fluid within the chamber may be air at a pressure that is approximately equal to an ambient pressure.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2005Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: John F. Swigart, Eric Steven Schindler
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Patent number: 7426792Abstract: A sole component for footwear combining the desirable response characteristics of a fluid filled chamber and an elastomeric material is disclosed. The chamber can be formed as a single bladder chamber in contact with an elastomeric midsole or as a single chamber by a sealing a void in elastomeric material. Alternately, an insert having the shape of the bladder, and potentially formed from foam, may be positioned within the chamber. The interface between the chamber and elastomeric material is sloped and gradual so that the shape of the chamber and its placement in a midsole determine the combination of response characteristics in the sole component. The chamber has a relatively simple shape with one axis of symmetry with a rounded portion and a narrow portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2005Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: John F. Swigart, Bruce J. Kilgore
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Publication number: 20080184595Abstract: An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a first chamber and a second chamber that each enclose a fluid. The first chamber and the second chamber both define a plurality of projections and depressions. At least a portion of the projections of the first chamber are located within the depressions of the second chamber, and at least a portion of the projections of the second chamber are located within the depressions of the first chamber. In some configurations, each of the first chamber and the second chamber may form portions of upper and lower surfaces of a pneumatic component. In addition, colors of the first chamber and the second chamber may be selected such that the colors combine at an interface of the first chamber and the second chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2007Publication date: August 7, 2008Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Schindler, John F. Swigart