Patents by Inventor Kevin W. Hoffer
Kevin W. Hoffer 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: 20250143407Abstract: An article of footwear can include an upper and a sole member coupled to the upper, where the sole member comprises a plurality of spaced apart apertures extending through the sole member. The article of footwear can further include a plurality of individual sensory nodes, where each sensory node has a first end coupled directly to the upper and an opposite, second end configured to engage with a ground surface. Each sensory node is configured to translate freely within a respective aperture of the sole member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2024Publication date: May 8, 2025Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Gi Woong Bak, Michael Berger, John T. Brenteson, Stephanie Cacioppo, Murphy Patrick Carroll, Kara Gapon, Kevin W. Hoffer, Sean Lu, Todd W. Miller, Benjamin Monfils, Oluwatimilehin Oshinowo, Christopher J Page, Bryan K. Youngs, Ki Jong Byun, Han Oul Kim, Yeongon Kim, DongJun Lee, Jaemoon Park, Sang Cherl Park, Jong Chul Seo
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Patent number: 12239183Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a cushioning element having a top surface, a bottom surface formed on an opposite side of the cushioning element from the top surface, a ramp surface spaced apart from the bottom surface in a heel region of the cushioning element, a heel pocket extending through the cushioning element from the top surface to the ramp surface, and a plurality of pillars extending from the ramp surface and surrounding the pocket. The sole structure additionally includes a plurality of cushioning particles disposed within the pocket, an outsole attached to the cushioning element and enclosing a first end of the pocket, and an upper barrier layer attached to the top surface of the cushioning element and covering a second end of the pocket.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2023Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Brian Linkfield
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Patent number: 12171307Abstract: A lace-receiving assembly includes a substrate, a first sheet, and a lace guide. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first sheet includes a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The third surface is bonded to the first surface to define a channel extending between the substrate and the first sheet. The lace guide is disposed within the channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Katelyn Ricciardi, Piero Fenato, Kevin W. Hoffer, Daniel A. Johnson, Elizabeth A. Kilgore, Peter Lam, Jeffrey C. Spanks
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Patent number: 12137768Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole attached to the upper, and an outsole. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on an opposite side of the midsole than the footbed. The outsole has a ground-engaging surface, an inner surface disposed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface, and a wall extending from the ground-engaging surface and surrounding the outsole. The article of footwear also includes at least two casings each containing particulate matter and having a thickness extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the outsole. The at least two casings are arranged in a layered configuration and received within a cavity bounded by the wall of the outsole and between the bottom surface and the inner surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2022Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long
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Patent number: 12082644Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole disposed between the upper and the outsole. The outsole is attached to the upper and has a ground-engaging surface. The midsole has a series of walls that define a series of channels extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the midsole and along an entire length of the midsole. The series of channels are isolated from one another and each channel receives a quantity of particulate matter therein.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2022Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Scott C. Holt, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Matthew C. Palmer
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Patent number: 12053047Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface disposed on opposite sides. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on opposite sides. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a first series of projections extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in a first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a second series of projection extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in the first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2022Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Aaron K. Seid
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Publication number: 20240203561Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2024Publication date: June 20, 2024Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E Berner, Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Patent number: 11972852Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Patent number: 11955219Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Publication number: 20230210216Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel having an interior surface and an exterior surface formed on an opposite side from the interior surface, the strobel defining a footbed and a peripheral wall extending transversely from the footbed to a terminal edge. The article of footwear additionally includes an upper attached to the terminal edge of the strobel along a peripheral seam to define an interior void for receiving a foot, the peripheral seam configured to extend along a side of the interior void.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2023Publication date: July 6, 2023Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Brian Linkfield
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Publication number: 20230200490Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a cushioning element having a top surface, a bottom surface formed on an opposite side of the cushioning element from the top surface, a ramp surface spaced apart from the bottom surface in a heel region of the cushioning element, a heel pocket extending through the cushioning element from the top surface to the ramp surface, and a plurality of pillars extending from the ramp surface and surrounding the pocket. The sole structure additionally includes a plurality of cushioning particles disposed within the pocket, an outsole attached to the cushioning element and enclosing a first end of the pocket, and an upper barrier layer attached to the top surface of the cushioning element and covering a second end of the pocket.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Brian Linkfield
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Patent number: 11682479Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2022Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Patent number: 11676697Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Patent number: 11676696Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Patent number: 11676698Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Patent number: 11676699Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Patent number: 11676695Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Patent number: 11622600Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel having an interior surface and an exterior surface formed on an opposite side from the interior surface, the strobel defining a footbed and a peripheral wall extending transversely from the footbed to a terminal edge. The article of footwear additionally includes an upper attached to the terminal edge of the strobel along a peripheral seam to define an interior void for receiving a foot, the peripheral seam configured to extend along a side of the interior void.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2020Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Brian Linkfield
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Publication number: 20230096885Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole attached to the upper, and a midsole. The outsole includes a ground-engaging surface and an inner surface disposed on opposite sides. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on opposite sides. The bottom surface opposes the inner surface to define a cavity therebetween. The article of footwear also includes a first series of projections extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in a first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a second series of projection extending into the cavity from one of the inner surface and the bottom surface in the first direction toward the other of the inner surface and the bottom surface. The article of footwear also includes a quantity of particulate matter disposed within the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Aaron K. Seid
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Patent number: 11607009Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a cushioning element having a top surface, a bottom surface formed on an opposite side of the cushioning element from the top surface, a ramp surface spaced apart from the bottom surface in a heel region of the cushioning element, a heel pocket extending through the cushioning element from the top surface to the ramp surface, and a plurality of pillars extending from the ramp surface and surrounding the pocket. The sole structure additionally includes a plurality of cushioning particles disposed within the pocket, an outsole attached to the cushioning element and enclosing a first end of the pocket, and an upper barrier layer attached to the top surface of the cushioning element and covering a second end of the pocket.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Cassidy R. Levy, Brian Linkfield