Patents by Inventor Michael P Kirk
Michael P Kirk 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: 10905196Abstract: A holistically improved shoe that incorporates beneficial aspects relating to a variety of interconnected elements, including comfort, sustainability, washability, ease of manufacturing, style, freedom and natural movement of the foot, as well as the sensory experience of a user. The shoe contains a removable insert that is configured to be removed and washed in between uses or as needed, such that a sock or other liner is unnecessary. The shoe further includes a footbed and an outsole that contain matching tread patterns. The matching tread patterns of the present technology allow the footbed and the outsole to move in concert by splaying during a stride in order to better absorb shock by mimicking the natural movements of the foot.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: TBL Licensing LLCInventors: John R. Steere, Jr., Stephanie Howard, Alex Dardinski, Michael P. Kirk, Emily Alati, Jacquelyn Burlage
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Publication number: 20200068991Abstract: A holistically improved shoe that incorporates beneficial aspects relating to a variety of interconnected elements, including comfort, sustainability, washability, ease of manufacturing, style, freedom and natural movement of the foot, as well as the sensory experience of a user. The shoe contains a removable insert that is configured to be removed and washed in between uses or as needed, such that a sock or other liner is unnecessary. The shoe further includes a footbed and an outsole that contain matching tread patterns. The matching tread patterns of the present technology allow the footbed and the outsole to move in concert by splaying during a stride in order to better absorb shock by mimicking the natural movements of the foot.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2018Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: TBL Licensing LLCInventors: John R. Steere, JR., Stephanie Howard, Alex Dardinski, Michael P. Kirk, Emily Alati, Jacquelyn Burlage
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Patent number: 9895970Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Richard G Reed, Jr., Joseph E Kubina, Michael P Kirk, Donald F Schmanski, Kenneth M Pachucki, Mircea Gradu
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Patent number: 9731598Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Richard G. Reed, Joseph E. Kubina, Michael P. Kirk, Donald F. Schmanski, Kenneth M. Pachucki, Mircea Gradu
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Publication number: 20150202959Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: Richard G. Richard, JR., Joseph E. Kubina, Michael P. Kirk, Donald F. Schmanski, Kenneth M. Pachucki, Mircea Gradu
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Publication number: 20150150335Abstract: A footwear system is disclosed for protecting a user's foot from water or other liquid substances. In one embodiment, the footwear comprises a shoe having an upper, a seamless sock-shaped bootie, an inner lining, and a sole engaged to the upper. The seamless bootie may be composed of waterproof material and include at least one ribbed portion adapted to expand to allow the bootie to conform to the size of the inner lining. The bootie may be arranged between the upper and inner lining. Methods of manufacturing the aforementioned footwear system are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2014Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: John Healy, Peter Dillon, Michael P. Kirk
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Publication number: 20120083380Abstract: A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: RICHARD G. REED, Joseph E. Kubina, Michael P. Kirk, Donald F. Schmanski, Kenneth M. Pachucki, Mircea Gradu
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Patent number: 7347012Abstract: The present invention provides a wraparound lacing system for use with footwear. The lacing system includes a lace which encircles the housing of the article of footwear in a spiral, helical, coiled or similar wound wraparound pattern. The housing includes finger members which independently adjust to the contours of the wearer's foot while providing a snug and secure fit. The housing of the upper and the midsole includes channels therein which receive the wraparound lace. The lace can be affixed at one or both ends to the midsole or to the upper. Removable lace end keepers on the upper permit the user to adjust the length of the lace. Recessed cavities may be positioned along the lacing channels to promote easy adjustment of the lace. The lace may run along channels formed between fingers and an overlying shell structure. The lace may run through a tube structure within the channels.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2006Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: The Timberland CompanyInventors: Douglas E. Clark, Stephen D. Opie, Martin Keen, Christopher Adam, Michael P Kirk
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Patent number: 5595002Abstract: A stabilizing system providing motion control and cushioning. The stabilizing system is locating in the heel assembly and has at least one grid assembly extending laterally over at least a portion of the shoe construction from the medial to the lateral side in the heel region, and a cushioning wedge supporting the grid assembly. The cushioning wedge is thicker along the lateral portion than the medial portion and has greater compressibility than the other components in vertical alignment therewith whereby the medial portion is less compressible than the lateral portion thereby mitigating the likelihood of overpronation.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1994Date of Patent: January 21, 1997Assignee: Hyde Athletic Industries, Inc.Inventors: Neil R. Slepian, Michael P. Kirk, Joseph Hamill
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Patent number: 5010781Abstract: A retaining assembly for retaining a throttle and speed control cable to a cable mounting bracket. The retaining assembly includes a first end fitting on the speed control cable with spaced flanges which allow the first end fitting to slide into an aperture in the cable mounting bracket and prevent longitudinal movement of the first end fitting relative to the cable mounting bracket. The retaining assembly also includes a second end fitting on the throttle control cable with retaining clips which allow the second end fitting to snap into the aperture in the cable mounting bracket to prevent longitudinal movement of the second end fitting relative to the cable mounting bracket. The second end fitting also abuts the first end fitting to prevent the first end fitting from disengaging the cable mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1990Date of Patent: April 30, 1991Assignee: Chrysler CorporationInventors: Michael P. Kirk, Blake W. Good
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Patent number: D744733Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: TBL Licensing LLCInventors: Christopher Adam, Peter Dillon, Michael P. Kirk
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Patent number: D785305Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: TBL Licensing LLCInventors: Christopher Adam, Peter Dillon, Michael P. Kirk