Patents by Inventor John Hurd

John Hurd 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).

  • Articulated shank
    Patent number: 9320318
    Abstract: Shoes and/or shoe elements facilitate natural foot motion and/or reduce forces tending to fight natural foot motion. In at least some such structures, a wearer's heel is secured to the hindfoot region of a shoe (e.g., by a strap system) in a manner that permits heel/forefoot rotation and that allows the lower leg to remain straight. In other structures, a shoe can include a heel supporting component that is separate from a midsole component, and this heel supporting component can move toward the lateral side and/or medial side of the shoe along an interface between the heel supporting component and the midsole component. Other suitable shoe and shoe component structures also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Nurse, John Hurd, Jennifer Bishop
  • Article of footwear with a perforated midsole
    Patent number: 9320319
    Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole element, an upper sheet, and a lower sheet. The midsole element has an upper surface and an opposite lower surface. In addition, the midsole element defines a plurality of bores extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. The upper sheet is secured to the upper surface and extends over at least a portion of the bores. The lower sheet is secured to the lower surface, and the lower sheet is positioned to correspond in location with the upper sheet and extend under the portion of the bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, John Hurd
  • Sole structures and articles incorporating same
    Patent number: 9241535
    Abstract: A sole structure may include at least one plate. The at least one plate may include a first portion located in a forefoot region of the sole structure and a second portion located in a rearfoot region of the sole structure. At least one compressible midsole component may be coupled to the at least one plate. A linkage rod couples the first and second portions and is configured to bias the first and second portions away from one another during bending of the sole structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Baudouin, John Hurd, Robert M. Bruce, Joshua P. Heard, Kevin W. Hoffer, James Molyneux
  • Flex Groove Sole Assembly With Biasing Structure
    Publication number: 20160000182
    Abstract: An article of footwear an upper and a sole structure that defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed proximate the medial side of the footwear, and the second portion is disposed proximate the lateral side. The first portion and the second portion are configured to move relative to each other. The article of footwear also includes a flexible biasing member including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends across the first portion and the second portion. The first and second ends extend out from the outer surface of the footwear from either the medial or lateral side. The middle portion of the biasing member is configured to bias the first and second portions toward each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Dervin A. James, John Hurd, Lee D. Peyton, Tobie D. Hatfield
  • Ankle and Foot Support System
    Publication number: 20150374526
    Abstract: Methods and systems relating to an ankle and foot support system are disclosed. Some embodiments may include a covering having a cable tightening mechanism and a cable forming an exposed loop. The exposed loop may be attached to a loop receiving member located on the covering. The exposed loop may also be attached to a footwear loop anchor located on an article of footwear. In some embodiments, the covering may include more than one exposed loop for attaching to more than one loop receiving member located on the covering, as well as more than one footwear loop anchor located on an article of footwear. In some embodiments, adjusting the cable tightening mechanism may secure the covering to the article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: John Hurd, Clifford B. Gerber, Kristopher Carlton Lovett
  • DEMAND BIDDING OPERATION AND BID GENERATION
    Publication number: 20150371328
    Abstract: Methods and devices for demand bidding operation are described herein. One method of demand bidding operation includes determining a potential electric demand reduction for a particular facility, determining a bid for demand reduction based upon the determined potential electric demand reduction, submitting, via a computing device, the bid for demand reduction to a computing device of an electrical demand coordinating entity, receiving, via a computing device, notification of a triggering event that will trigger the demand reduction based upon the bid, and adjusting, via a computing device, demand at the particular facility based upon the demand reduction of the bid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Steve Gabel, George Bell, Jack Rosenthal, John Hurd
  • Footwear having corresponding outsole and midsole shapes
    Patent number: 9204680
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes first and second midsole layers and first and second outsole layers. The second midsole layer defines a plurality of bores. A first outsole layer is translucent. A second outsole layer includes a plurality of non-contiguous abrasion-resistant members that correspond in shape and size to one or more of the bores in the second midsole layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, John Hurd, Benjamin A. Shaffer
  • Foot Support Structure and Articles Incorporating Same
    Publication number: 20150313311
    Abstract: A foot support structure for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device may include a first foot support portion disposed in a first orientation and a second foot support portion disposed in a second orientation different than the first orientation. A twist portion may extend continuously from the first foot support portion to the second foot support portion and twist from the first orientation to the second orientation A common face of the foot support member may extend over at least part of the first foot support portion, at least part of the second foot support portion and the twist portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Joshua P. Heard, Alexandre Baudouin, Robert M. Bruce, John Hurd, James Molyneux
  • Footwear and Foot Support Member Configured to Allow Relative Heel/Forefoot Motion
    Publication number: 20150289584
    Abstract: A shoe can include support members for a plantar surface of a foot that include: (a) a heel support plate; (b) a forefoot support plate; (c) a heel securing strap component for securely engaging a heel supporting component with a wearer's heel; and (d) a unidirectional hinge, wherein the hinge allows the heel support plate to rotate internally with respect to the forefoot support plate and limit the heel support plate from rotating externally with respect to the forefoot support plate. The support member allows the shoe to twist and move with the foot, allowing the ankle to remain neutral, rather than the shoe fighting the foot's natural motion. The unidirectional nature of the hinge plate also prevents the shoe from rotating externally beyond a predetermined limit point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew A. Nurse, John Hurd, Jennifer L. Bishop
  • Flex groove sole assembly with biasing structure
    Patent number: 9155353
    Abstract: An article of footwear an upper and a sole structure that defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed proximate the medial side of the footwear, and the second portion is disposed proximate the lateral side. The first portion and the second portion are configured to move relative to each other. The article of footwear also includes a flexible biasing member including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. The middle portion extends across the first portion and the second portion. The first and second ends extend out from the outer surface of the footwear from either the medial or lateral side. The middle portion of the biasing member is configured to bias the first and second portions toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Dervin A. James, John Hurd, Lee D. Peyton, Tobie D. Hatfield
  • Cable Tightening System For An Article of Footwear
    Publication number: 20150250267
    Abstract: A tightening system for an article of footwear includes a cable disposed between an upper and a sole plate. The upper includes a flexible main body and an exoskeleton covering a portion of the flexible main body in an instep region. The cable is attached to the exoskeleton so that the exoskeleton is tightened to a wearer's foot when the cable length is effectively shortened and/or if the cable tension is increased. The instep region is devoid of the tightening system so that a smooth instep region is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Blake Rhulen
  • Foot Support Structure and Articles Incorporating Same
    Publication number: 20150245684
    Abstract: A foot support structure for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device may include a first foot support portion disposed in a first orientation and a second foot support portion disposed in a second orientation different than the first orientation. A twist portion may extend continuously from the first foot support portion to the second foot support portion and twist from the first orientation to the second orientation A common face of the foot support member may extend over at least part of the first foot support portion, at least part of the second foot support portion and the twist portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua P. Heard, Alexandre Baudouin, Robert M. Bruce, John Hurd, James Molyneux
  • METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR SENDING A FIRST AND SECOND MESSAGE
    Publication number: 20150234691
    Abstract: A system for sending a first message and a second message subsequent to the first message. The system comprises a message sender arranged to send the first message to a processor arranged to process the first message and the second message. The processor is arranged to refuse the second message until after the processor concludes transmitting a response to the first message. The message sender is further arranged to send the second message to the processor before receipt of the response to the first message and at a time for the second message to arrive at the processor after the processor concludes the sending of the response to the first message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew John Hurd, Matthew John Fitzpatrick
  • Foot support structure and articles incorporating same
    Patent number: 9107473
    Abstract: A foot support structure for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device may include a first foot support portion disposed in a first orientation and a second foot support portion disposed in a second orientation different than the first orientation. A twist portion may extend continuously from the first foot support portion to the second foot support portion and twist from the first orientation to the second orientation A common face of the foot support member may extend over at least part of the first foot support portion, at least part of the second foot support portion and the twist portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua P. Heard, Alexandre Baudouin, Robert M. Bruce, John Hurd, James Molyneux
  • PROCESSOR AND A METHOD FOR PROCESSING A RECEIVED ORDER
    Publication number: 20150206239
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a processor for processing order information indicative of an order. The processor is arranged to generate executability information indicative of the executability of at least part of the order using the order information. The processor is arranged to receive the order executability information and send a response to the order, the response comprising the order executability information. The processor is arranged to receive the order executability information and arranged to execute the at least part of the order if the order executability information indicates that the order is at least in part executable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew John Hurd, Scott Thomas Newham
  • Ankle and foot support system
    Patent number: 9078490
    Abstract: Methods and systems relating to an ankle and foot support system are disclosed. Some embodiments may include a covering having a cable tightening mechanism and a cable forming an exposed loop. The exposed loop may be attached to a loop receiving member located on the covering. The exposed loop may also be attached to a footwear loop anchor located on an article of footwear. In some embodiments, the covering may include more than one exposed loop for attaching to more than one loop receiving member located on the covering, as well as more than one footwear loop anchor located on an article of footwear. In some embodiments, adjusting the cable tightening mechanism may secure the covering to the article of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford B. Gerber, John Hurd, Kristopher C. Lovett
  • Cable tightening system for an article of footwear
    Patent number: 9049902
    Abstract: A tightening system for an article of footwear includes a cable disposed between an upper and a sole plate. The upper includes a flexible main body and an exoskeleton covering a portion of the flexible main body in an instep region. The cable is attached to the exoskeleton so that the exoskeleton is tightened to a wearer's foot when the cable length is effectively shortened and/or if the cable tension is increased. The instep region is devoid of the tightening system so that a smooth instep region is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Baker, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Blake Rhulen
  • Article of footwear with forefoot plates
    Patent number: 8978272
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has an upper plate and a lower plate in a forefoot portion of the sole assembly, and a plurality of lower plate arms curving downwardly from the upper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hurd, Christopher S. Cook, Steven F. Smith, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Paul VanDomelen, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING AN UPPER WITH A MATRIX LAYER
    Publication number: 20140373288
    Abstract: Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Pamela S. GREENE, John R. HOKE, III, John HURD
  • Oar
    Patent number: D758280
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Russell John Hurd