Patents by Inventor Kirvan L. Chao

Kirvan L. Chao 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).

  • Patent number: 11259594
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier, a first tensile structure, and a second tensile structure. Any of the first and second tensile structures may include one or more textile tensile members. The first and second tensile structures may be located within an interior void defined by the outer barrier and may be bonded to the outer barrier. The first and second tensile structures may be bonded to the outer barrier in different areas of the outer barrier that are in fluid communication with each other. The first tensile structure may have a height greater than a height of the second tensile structure. In turn, the relative locations and differences of height between the tensile structures may impart a contour to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Danielle L. Taylor, Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
  • Patent number: 11154117
    Abstract: A spacer textile material may include a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of connecting members extending between and joining the first layer and the second layer. The connecting members may form a series of at least ten rows that are separated by spaces. The rows have a width that is less than a width of the spaces, and the connecting members form at least one stabilizing row with a width that is greater than the width of the spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Yu Hui Wang, Tim Chen
  • Patent number: 10959489
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier and a tensile member. The outer barrier may have an upper portion, an opposite lower portion, and a peripheral edge. The upper portion and lower portion may be bonded together in a bonded region spaced inward from the peripheral edge. The bonded region may have a convex shape. The tensile member may be located within the outer barrier, and may be formed to have at least one gap. The bonded region may extend at least partially into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Frederick J. Dojan
  • Publication number: 20190380436
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier, a first tensile structure, and a second tensile structure. Any of the first and second tensile structures may include one or more textile tensile members. The first and second tensile structures may be located within an interior void defined by the outer barrier and may be bonded to the outer barrier. The first and second tensile structures may be bonded to the outer barrier in different areas of the outer barrier that are in fluid communication with each other. The first tensile structure may have a height greater than a height of the second tensile structure. In turn, the relative locations and differences of height between the tensile structures may impart a contour to the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Danielle L. Taylor, Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
  • Publication number: 20190365043
    Abstract: A spacer textile material may include a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of connecting members extending between and joining the first layer and the second layer. The connecting members may form a series of at least ten rows that are separated by spaces. The rows have a width that is less than a width of the spaces, and the connecting members form at least one stabilizing row with a width that is greater than the width of the spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Yu Hui Wang, Tim Chen
  • Patent number: 10413016
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier, a first tensile structure, and a second tensile structure. Any of the first and second tensile structures may include one or more textile tensile members. The first and second tensile structures may be located within an interior void defined by the outer barrier and may be bonded to the outer barrier. The first and second tensile structures may be bonded to the outer barrier in different areas of the outer barrier that are in fluid communication with each other. The first tensile structure may have a height greater than a height of the second tensile structure. In turn, the relative locations and differences of height between the tensile structures may impart a contour to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Danielle L. Taylor, Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
  • Patent number: 10398194
    Abstract: A spacer textile material may include a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of connecting members extending between and joining the first layer and the second layer. The connecting members may form a series of at least ten rows that are separated by spaces. The rows have a width that is less than a width of the spaces, and the connecting members form at least one stabilizing row with a width that is greater than the width of the spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Yu Hui Wang, Tim Chen
  • Publication number: 20160262493
    Abstract: A spacer textile material may include a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of connecting members extending between and joining the first layer and the second layer. The connecting members may form a series of at least ten rows that are separated by spaces. The rows have a width that is less than a width of the spaces, and the connecting members form at least one stabilizing row with a width that is greater than the width of the spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Yu Hui Wang, Tim Chen
  • Patent number: 9375049
    Abstract: A spacer textile material may include a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of connecting members extending between and joining the first layer and the second layer. The connecting members may form a series of at least ten rows that are separated by spaces. The rows have a width that is less than a width of the spaces, and the connecting members form at least one stabilizing row with a width that is greater than the width of the spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Yu Hui Wang, Tim Chen
  • Publication number: 20150208759
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier and a tensile member. The outer barrier may have an upper portion, an opposite lower portion, and a peripheral edge. The upper portion and lower portion may be bonded together in a bonded region spaced inward from the peripheral edge. The bonded region may have a convex shape. The tensile member may be located within the outer barrier, and may be formed to have at least one gap. The bonded region may extend at least partially into the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Frederick J. Dojan
  • Patent number: 9021720
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier and a tensile member. The outer barrier may have an upper portion, an opposite lower portion, and a peripheral edge. The upper portion and lower portion may be bonded together in a bonded region spaced inward from the peripheral edge. The bonded region may have a convex shape. The tensile member may be located within the outer barrier, and may be formed to have at least one gap. The bonded region may extend at least partially into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Frederick J. Dojan
  • Publication number: 20150067973
    Abstract: In one method of manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber, two polymer layers are located between two mold portions, the surfaces of the mold portions cooperatively defining a peripheral cavity with first and second regions, an inward extent of the first region exceeding an inward extent of the second region. A tensile structure may be positioned between the polymer layers and the mold portions may be compressed together. Part of a peripheral portion of the chamber may be formed by drawing first and second areas of the chamber against the first and second regions of the peripheral cavity, respectively. After pressurization, the first region of the peripheral cavity may have a greater extent of outward protrusion than the second region of the peripheral cavity. Accordingly, an asymmetric medio-lateral shape may be imparted to the chamber without the use of a tensile structure that is itself tapered or contoured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Kirvan L. Chao, Frederick J. Dojan, Klaas P. Hazenberg
  • Publication number: 20140360046
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier, a first tensile structure, and a second tensile structure. Any of the first and second tensile structures may include one or more textile tensile members. The first and second tensile structures may be located within an interior void defined by the outer barrier and may be bonded to the outer barrier. The first and second tensile structures may be bonded to the outer barrier in different areas of the outer barrier that are in fluid communication with each other. The first tensile structure may have a height greater than a height of the second tensile structure. In turn, the relative locations and differences of height between the tensile structures may impart a contour to the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Danielle L. Taylor, Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
  • Patent number: 8869430
    Abstract: In one method of manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber, two polymer layers are located between two mold portions, the surfaces of the mold portions cooperatively defining a peripheral cavity with first and second regions, an inward extent of the first region exceeding an inward extent of the second region. A tensile structure may be positioned between the polymer layers and the mold portions may be compressed together. Part of a peripheral portion of the chamber may be formed by drawing first and second areas of the chamber against the first and second regions of the peripheral cavity, respectively. After pressurization, the first region of the peripheral cavity may have a greater extent of outward protrusion than the second region of the peripheral cavity. Accordingly, an asymmetric medio-lateral shape may be imparted to the chamber without the use of a tensile structure that is itself tapered or contoured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirvan L. Chao, Frederick J. Dojan, Klaas P. Hazenberg
  • Patent number: 8789294
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier, a first tensile structure, and a second tensile structure. Any of the first and second tensile structures may include one or more textile tensile members. The first and second tensile structures may be located within an interior void defined by the outer barrier and may be bonded to the outer barrier. The first and second tensile structures may be bonded to the outer barrier in different areas of the outer barrier that are in fluid communication with each other. The first tensile structure may have a height greater than a height of the second tensile structure. In turn, the relative locations and differences of height between the tensile structures may impart a contour to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Danielle L. Taylor, Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
  • Patent number: 8747593
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber may include obtaining a spacer textile material a stabilization structure. A tensile member is removed from an area of the spacer textile material where the stabilizing structure is absent. The tensile member is located between a first polymer element and a second polymer element. Additionally, (a) the first layer is bonded to the first polymer element, (b) the second layer is bonded to the second polymer element, and (c) the first polymer element and the second polymer element are bonded together around a periphery of the tensile member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
  • Publication number: 20130266773
    Abstract: A spacer textile material may include a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of connecting members extending between and joining the first layer and the second layer. The connecting members may form a series of at least ten rows that are separated by spaces. The rows have a width that is less than a width of the spaces, and the connecting members form at least one stabilizing row with a width that is greater than the width of the spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Yu Hui Wang, Tim Chen
  • Publication number: 20130263391
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fluid-filled chamber may include obtaining a spacer textile material a stabilization structure. A tensile member is removed from an area of the spacer textile material where the stabilizing structure is absent. The tensile member is located between a first polymer element and a second polymer element. Additionally, (a) the first layer is bonded to the first polymer element, (b) the second layer is bonded to the second polymer element, and (c) the first polymer element and the second polymer element are bonded together around a periphery of the tensile member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
  • Publication number: 20120233879
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier, a first tensile structure, and a second tensile structure. Any of the first and second tensile structures may include one or more textile tensile members. The first and second tensile structures may be located within an interior void defined by the outer barrier and may be bonded to the outer barrier. The first and second tensile structures may be bonded to the outer barrier in different areas of the outer barrier that are in fluid communication with each other. The first tensile structure may have a height greater than a height of the second tensile structure. In turn, the relative locations and differences of height between the tensile structures may impart a contour to the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Danielle L. Taylor, Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
  • Publication number: 20120233878
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier and a tensile member. The outer barrier may have an upper portion, an opposite lower portion, and a peripheral edge. The upper portion and lower portion may be bonded together in a bonded region spaced inward from the peripheral edge. The bonded region may have a convex shape. The tensile member may be located within the outer barrier, and may be formed to have at least one gap. The bonded region may extend at least partially into the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Frederick J. Dojan