Patents by Inventor Mario A. Lafortune

Mario A. Lafortune 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: 9144268
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Swigart, Mario A. Lafortune, Amy E. Gishifu, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola Jane Reynolds, Britani N. Blackstone
  • Patent number: 9044066
    Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper that defines an interior void, a sole structure secured to the upper, and a foot-supporting insert that is positionable within a lower area of the void and removable from the void. A system having a protrusion and an indentation may be utilized to, for example, secure the insert within the void. As an example, a protrusion may extend outward from a surface of the void, and the insert may define an indentation in a corresponding location and with a corresponding shape. When the insert is positioned within the void, the protrusion will extend into the indentation. The locations, shapes, numbers and overall configuration of the protrusion and indentation may vary significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Mario A. Lafortune
  • Patent number: 8956238
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, John Stites, Mario A. Lafortune
  • Publication number: 20140357392
    Abstract: Analysis of sporting equipment characteristics may be analyzed using dynamic sampling rates. For example, analyzing a golf swing may include the use of one or more sensors providing data at various sampling rates. According to some aspects, the sampling rate may be dynamically modified upon determination of one or more golf equipment characteristics, environmental conditions, player characteristics and the like. In one example, a sampling rate processor may dynamically select a sampling rate at which data is sampled from one or more sensors. In some examples, by dynamically selecting the sampling rate, an analysis may be tailored to various types, and portions of a golf swing, in addition to producing power consumption by the analysis instruments in the golf club system. According to other aspects, triggering conditions for modifying a sampling rate may be determined from a population of one or more previous golf swings performed by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Manan Goel, Mario LaFortune
  • Publication number: 20140101971
    Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper that defines an interior void, a sole structure secured to the upper, and a foot-supporting insert that is positionable within a lower area of the void and removable from the void. A system having a protrusion and an indentation may be utilized to, for example, secure the insert within the void. As an example, a protrusion may extend outward from a surface of the void, and the insert may define an indentation in a corresponding location and with a corresponding shape. When the insert is positioned within the void, the protrusion will extend into the indentation. The locations, shapes, numbers and overall configuration of the protrusion and indentation may vary significantly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Mario A. Lafortune
  • Patent number: 8668595
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, John Stites, Mario A. Lafortune
  • Publication number: 20130267337
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, John T. Stites, Mario A. Lafortune, Philip Hatton, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20130267338
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, John T. Stites, Mario A. Lafortune, Philip Hatton, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20130267336
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, John T. Stites, Mario A. Lafortune, Philip Hatton, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20130267335
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, John T. Stites, Mario A. Lafortune, Philip Hatton, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20130267339
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, John T. Stites, Mario A. Lafortune, Philip Hatton, Michael Wallans
  • Publication number: 20120277017
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert BOYD, John STITES, Mario A. LAFORTUNE
  • Publication number: 20120277018
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert BOYD, John STITES, Mario A. LAFORTUNE
  • Publication number: 20120277015
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert BOYD, John STITES, Mario A. LAFORTUNE
  • Publication number: 20120277016
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert BOYD, John STITES, Mario A. LAFORTUNE
  • Publication number: 20120102783
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Swigart, Mario A. Lafortune, Amy F. Gishifu, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola Jane Reynolds, Britani N. Blackstone
  • Patent number: 8051582
    Abstract: Footbeds (e.g., in footwear, socks, etc.) for engaging a plantar surface of a wearer's foot include one of the lateral or medial sides having a smooth or substantially smooth feel or surface while the opposite side has a textured feel or surface, e.g., by providing plural raised areas that define the textured feel or surface. Depending on the location of the texturing (lateral side or medial side) and/or the type of ambulatory activity (e.g., running or walking), lower extremity movement during the activity may be affected, e.g., to reduce pronation, reduce maximum eversion, reduce rearfoot range of motion, reduce eversion velocity, reduce plantarflexion when pushing off during a step, reduce inversion at heel strike, reduce eversion range of motion, reduce maximum internal tibial rotation, to increase stability during cutting motions, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Anthony Nurse, Mario A. LaFortune
  • Publication number: 20110230273
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: James A. Niegowski, Mario A. Lafortune
  • Publication number: 20110230274
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Mario A. Lafortune, James A. Niegowski
  • Publication number: 20110230985
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: James A. Niegowski, Mario A. Lafortune