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).
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Patent number: 11259594Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 3, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Danielle L. Taylor, Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
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Patent number: 11154117Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Yu Hui Wang, Tim Chen
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Patent number: 10959489Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Frederick J. Dojan
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Publication number: 20190380436Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2019Publication date: December 19, 2019Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Danielle L. Taylor, Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
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Publication number: 20190365043Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Yu Hui Wang, Tim Chen
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Patent number: 10413016Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 16, 2014Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Danielle L. Taylor, Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
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Patent number: 10398194Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 25, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Yu Hui Wang, Tim Chen
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Publication number: 20160262493Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Yu Hui Wang, Tim Chen
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Patent number: 9375049Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 10, 2012Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Yu Hui Wang, Tim Chen
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Publication number: 20150208759Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Frederick J. Dojan
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Patent number: 9021720Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Frederick J. Dojan
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Publication number: 20150067973Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Kirvan L. Chao, Frederick J. Dojan, Klaas P. Hazenberg
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Publication number: 20140360046Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Danielle L. Taylor, Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
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Patent number: 8869430Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Kirvan L. Chao, Frederick J. Dojan, Klaas P. Hazenberg
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Patent number: 8789294Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Danielle L. Taylor, Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
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Patent number: 8747593Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
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Publication number: 20130266773Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2012Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Yu Hui Wang, Tim Chen
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Publication number: 20130263391Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2012Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
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Publication number: 20120233879Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Danielle L. Taylor, Kirvan L. Chao, Klaas P. Hazenberg
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Publication number: 20120233878Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Klaas P. Hazenberg, Kirvan L. Chao, Frederick J. Dojan