Patents by Inventor Michael R. Friton
Michael R. Friton 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: 8434245Abstract: An article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a method of assembling the article of footwear are disclosed. The method includes folding the article of footwear from a flat configuration and attaching top and bottom lateral edges to form the article of footwear. A kit of parts containing an article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a set of instructions is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Michael R. Friton
-
Patent number: 8434166Abstract: An article of headwear is disclosed that includes a support and a material element secured to the support. The support extends around a periphery of the headwear and has an elongate structure that defines a first end portion and a second end portion. The support is flexed such that the first end portion overlaps the second end portion to define a loop with an interior area, and the end portions may have mating undulating configurations. The material element is secured to the support and extends around the interior area of the loop to define an aperture for receiving a head of an individual. The support may be flexed to form multiple loops and place the headwear in a collapsed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2004Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventor: Michael R. Friton
-
Publication number: 20120304497Abstract: An article of footwear including heel portion movable relative to the forefoot portion from a first articulated configuration to a second articulated configuration is provided. An articulation assembly having a forefoot articulation member and a heel articulation member is also provided. The articulation assembly couples the forefoot portion to the heel portion and includes a hinge mechanism and a cam mechanism. The hinge mechanism may include a pin located within a socket. The cam mechanism may include a cam surface and a protrusion configured to ride on the cam surface. The article of footwear may include a locking mechanism having a first locking element that engages a second locking element in the first articulated configuration. The first locking element may be a first concavity formed in a surface and the second locking element may be a protrusion configured to extend into the first concavity in the first articulated configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Alexandre Baudouin, Michael R. Friton, John Hurd, Casey Lee Smith
-
Patent number: 8245421Abstract: An article of footwear including a forefoot portion and a heel portion movable relative to the forefoot portion from a first articulated configuration to a second articulated configuration is provided. An articulation assembly having a forefoot articulation member and a heel articulation member is also provided. The articulation assembly couples the forefoot portion to the heel portion and includes a hinge mechanism and a cam mechanism. The hinge mechanism may include a pin located within a socket. The cam mechanism may include a cam surface and a protrusion configured to ride on the cam surface. The article of footwear may include a locking mechanism having a first locking element that engages a second locking element in the first articulated configuration. The first locking element may be a first concavity formed in a surface and the second locking element may be a protrusion configured to extend into the first concavity in the first articulated configuration.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Alexandre Baudouin, Michael R. Friton, John Hurd, Casey Lee Smith
-
Publication number: 20120151798Abstract: An article of footwear including a dual lacing system is disclosed. The article of footwear includes a first lace and a second lace. The first lace and the second lace include portions that are interdigitated, these portions being disposed towards an entry hole of the upper. The laces also include provisions for releasably fastening to the sides of the article of footwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2012Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventor: Michael R. Friton
-
Patent number: 8146271Abstract: An article of footwear including a dual lacing system is disclosed. The article of footwear includes a first lace and a second lace. The first lace and the second lace include portions that are interdigitated, these portions being disposed towards an entry hole of the upper. The laces also include provisions for releasably fastening to the sides of the article of footwear.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2006Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Michael R. Friton
-
Publication number: 20120005923Abstract: An article of footwear with an automatic lacing system is disclosed. The automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The article further includes an automatic ankle cinching system that is configured to automatically adjust an ankle portion of the upper.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Michael R. Friton, Tinker L. Hatfield
-
Publication number: 20120007504Abstract: An article of footwear with a lighting system is disclosed. The lighting system includes three lighting devices disposed on the article of footwear. The lighting system is also associated with an automatic fastening system. The lighting system is configured to control a lighting device based on information received from the automatic fastening system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Michael R. Friton, Tinker L. Hatfield
-
Patent number: 8056269Abstract: An article of footwear with a lighting system is disclosed. The lighting system includes three lighting devices disposed on the article of footwear. The lighting system is also associated with an automatic fastening system.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Michael R. Friton, Tinker L. Hatfield
-
Patent number: 8058837Abstract: An article of footwear and a footwear housing is disclosed. The footwear housing includes a charging station that can be used to charge a battery in the footwear housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Michael R. Friton, Tinker L. Hatfield
-
Patent number: 8046937Abstract: An article of footwear with an automatic lacing system is disclosed. The automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The article further includes an automatic ankle cinching system that is configured to automatically adjust an ankle portion of the upper.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Michael R. Friton, Tinker L. Hatfield
-
Publication number: 20110107620Abstract: An article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a method of assembling the article of footwear are disclosed. The method includes folding the article of footwear from a flat configuration and attaching top and bottom lateral edges to form the article of footwear. A kit of parts containing an article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a set of instructions is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, MIchael R. Friton
-
Publication number: 20110000104Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes upper and a sole structure. The upper defines an interior void that is configured to receive the sole structure and a foot. A lower surface of the upper defines a plurality of apertures, and the sole structure includes a plurality of projections that extend through the apertures to form a ground-engaging surface. The projections are connected to a foot-supporting member that remains within the upper. A locking system is incorporated into the upper and sole structure to secure the sole structure to the upper.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: James A. Grove, Eric P. Avar, Bruce J. Kilgore, Michael R. Friton
-
Patent number: 7814682Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes upper and a sole structure. The upper defines an interior void that is configured to receive the sole structure and a foot. A lower surface of the upper defines a plurality of apertures, and the sole structure includes a plurality of projections that extend through the apertures to form a ground-engaging surface. The projections are connected to a foot-supporting member that remains within the upper. A locking system is incorporated into the upper and sole structure to secure the sole structure to the upper.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: James A. Grove, Eric P. Avar, Bruce J. Kilgore, Michael R. Friton
-
Publication number: 20100251572Abstract: An article of footwear including a forefoot portion and a heel portion movable relative to the forefoot portion from a first articulated configuration to a second articulated configuration is provided. An articulation assembly having a forefoot articulation member and a heel articulation member is also provided. The articulation assembly couples the forefoot portion to the heel portion and includes a hinge mechanism and a cam mechanism. The hinge mechanism may include a pin located within a socket. The cam mechanism may include a cam surface and a protrusion configured to ride on the cam surface. The article of footwear may include a locking mechanism having a first locking element that engages a second locking element in the first articulated configuration. The first locking element may be a first concavity formed in a surface and the second locking element may be a protrusion configured to extend into the first concavity in the first articulated configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2009Publication date: October 7, 2010Inventors: Alexandre Baudouin, Michael R. Friton, John Hurd, Casey Lee Smith
-
Publication number: 20090273311Abstract: An article of footwear and a footwear housing is disclosed. The footwear housing includes a charging station that can be used to charge a battery in the footwear housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Michael R. Friton, Tinker L. Hatfield
-
Publication number: 20090272013Abstract: An article of footwear with a lighting system is disclosed. The lighting system includes three lighting devices disposed on the article of footwear. The lighting system is also associated with an automatic fastening system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Michael R. Friton, Tinker L. Hatfield
-
Publication number: 20090272007Abstract: An article of footwear with an automatic lacing system is disclosed. The automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The article further includes an automatic ankle cinching system that is configured to automatically adjust an ankle portion of the upper.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Michael R. Friton, Tinker L. Hatfield
-
Patent number: 7487603Abstract: An article of footwear including a fastening system. The fastening system can include a pull tab and one or more flaps that cooperate to provide a more secure and snug fit, eliminates the need for conventional laces and a conventional tongue, and is easy to operate, especially for children or people with disabilities.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Sally J. Davis, Michael R. Friton, Nuria Hansen, Sarah M. McCully-Posner
-
Publication number: 20090000149Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes upper and a sole structure. The upper defines an interior void that is configured to receive the sole structure and a foot. A lower surface of the upper defines a plurality of apertures, and the sole structure includes a plurality of projections that extend through the apertures to form a ground-engaging surface. The projections are connected to a foot-supporting member that remains within the upper. A locking system is incorporated into the upper and sole structure to secure the sole structure to the upper.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: James A. Grove, Eric P. Avar, Bruce J. Kilgore, Michael R. Friton