Patents by Inventor Patricia L. Smaldone

Patricia L. Smaldone 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: 8510971
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Patent number: 8322048
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation members include: (a) an impact-attenuating member and (b) a shear resistant member engaged with the impact-attenuating member. Another example impact-attenuation member includes a shear resistant member having a continuous wall that bulges outward on opposing sides when in an uncompressed base orientation. The shear resistant members may be structured and arranged to allow bending or compression against impact forces in one direction (e.g., when landing a step or a jump), but remain highly stable against shear or lateral forces in another direction (e.g., in a side-to-side direction). Such impact-attenuation members may be used in footwear products, including in athletic footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Patent number: 8261469
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be arranged at a different orientation with respect to the longitudinal direction as compared to the first orientation. Impact-attenuation systems having the characteristics described above, as well as methods of making and using products containing such systems, also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Patent number: 8225531
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Publication number: 20120167415
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation members include body portions, optionally with an arched structure, that define a base orientation and an open space; and a spring member extending across the open space and engaging the body portion(s). When a force is applied to the body portion(s) in at least some orientations and/or directions of incident force, e.g., so as to change the impact-attenuation member out of its base orientation, the spring member may exert a force that urges the impact-attenuation member back toward the base orientation. Various example structures for the impact-attenuation member are described. Such impact-attenuation members may be used in articles of footwear or other foot-receiving device products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. AVENI, Patricia L. SMALDONE, Fred G. FAGERGREN
  • Publication number: 20120119426
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation members, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving devices, include: (a) a first body member having a base region and three (or more) leg portions extending from the base region. A second body member, with similar leg portions, may be arranged facing the first member such that the free ends of the various leg portions lie adjacent one another. A retaining member may extend between and/or at least partially around the body members to at least partially hold them in place with respect to one another. Such impact-attenuation systems may be arranged in the heel (or other portions) of an article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. AVENI, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Patent number: 8146270
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation members include body portions, optionally with an arched structure, that define a base orientation and an open space; and a spring member extending across the open space and engaging the body portion(s). When a force is applied to the body portion(s) in at least some orientations and/or directions of incident force, e.g., so as to change the impact-attenuation member out of its base orientation, the spring member may exert a force that urges the impact-attenuation member back toward the base orientation. Various example structures for the impact-attenuation member are described. Such impact-attenuation members may be used in articles of footwear or other foot-receiving device products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Patent number: 8118289
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation members, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving devices, include: (a) a first body member having a base region and three (or more) leg portions extending from the base region. A second body member, with similar leg portions, may be arranged facing the first member such that the free ends of the various leg portions lie adjacent one another. A retaining member may extend between and/or at least partially around the body members to at least partially hold them in place with respect to one another. Such impact-attenuation systems may be arranged in the heel (or other portions) of an article of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Patent number: 7877898
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Publication number: 20110005099
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Publication number: 20100307023
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Publication number: 20100263227
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation members include: (a) an impact-attenuating member and (b) a shear resistant member engaged with the impact-attenuating member. Another example impact-attenuation member includes a shear resistant member having a continuous wall that bulges outward on opposing sides when in an uncompressed base orientation. The shear resistant members may be structured and arranged to allow bending or compression against impact forces in one direction (e.g., when landing a step or a jump), but remain highly stable against shear or lateral forces in another direction (e.g., in a side-to-side direction). Such impact-attenuation members may be used in footwear products, including in athletic footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Publication number: 20100192407
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation members include body portions, optionally with an arched structure, that define a base orientation and an open space; and a spring member extending across the open space and engaging the body portion(s). When a force is applied to the body portion(s) in at least some orientations and/or directions of incident force, e.g., so as to change the impact-attenuation member out of its base orientation, the spring member may exert a force that urges the impact-attenuation member back toward the base orientation. Various example structures for the impact-attenuation member are described. Such impact-attenuation members may be used in articles of footwear or other foot-receiving device products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. AVENI, Patricia L. SMALDONE, Fred G. FAGERGREN
  • Patent number: 7757410
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation members include: (a) an impact-attenuating member and (b) a shear resistant member engaged with the impact-attenuating member. Another example impact-attenuation member includes a shear resistant member having a continuous wall that bulges outward on opposing sides when in an uncompressed base orientation. The shear resistant members may be structured and arranged to allow bending or compression against impact forces in one direction (e.g., when landing a step or a jump), but remain highly stable against shear or lateral forces in another direction (e.g., in a side-to-side direction). Such impact-attenuation members may be used in footwear products, including in athletic footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Publication number: 20100140854
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation members, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving devices, include: (a) a first body member having a base region and three (or more) leg portions extending from the base region. A second body member, with similar leg portions, may be arranged facing the first member such that the free ends of the various leg portions lie adjacent one another. A retaining member may extend between and/or at least partially around the body members to at least partially hold them in place with respect to one another. Such impact-attenuation systems may be arranged in the heel (or other portions) of an article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. AVENI, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Patent number: 7730635
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation members include body portions, optionally with an arched structure, that define a base orientation and an open space; and a spring member extending across the open space and engaging the body portion(s). When a force is applied to the body portion(s) in at least some orientations and/or directions of incident force, e.g., so as to change the impact-attenuation member out of its base orientation, the spring member may exert a force that urges the impact-attenuation member back toward the base orientation. Various example structures for the impact-attenuation member are described. Such impact-attenuation members may be used in articles of footwear or other foot-receiving device products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Patent number: 7685742
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation members, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving devices, include: (a) a first body member having a base region and three (or more) leg portions extending from the base region. A second body member, with similar leg portions, may be arranged facing the first member such that the free ends of the various leg portions lie adjacent one another. A retaining member may extend between and/or at least partially around the body members to at least partially hold them in place with respect to one another. Such impact-attenuation systems may be arranged in the heel (or other portions) of an article of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Publication number: 20080016719
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be arranged at a different orientation with respect to the longitudinal direction as compared to the first orientation. Impact-attenuation systems having the characteristics described above, as well as methods of making and using products containing such systems, also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Publication number: 20080016720
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation members, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving devices, include: (a) a first body member having a base region and three (or more) leg portions extending from the base region. A second body member, with similar leg portions, may be arranged facing the first member such that the free ends of the various leg portions lie adjacent one another. A retaining member may extend between and/or at least partially around the body members to at least partially hold them in place with respect to one another. Such impact-attenuation systems may be arranged in the heel (or other portions) of an article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren
  • Publication number: 20080016718
    Abstract: Impact-attenuation systems, e.g., for use in footwear, can help control foot positioning during a step cycle, e.g., to help reduce or eliminate misorientation of the foot, and the fatigue and/or strain that may result from such misorientation. Articles of footwear including such impact-attenuation systems may include: (a) an upper member; and (b) a sole structure engaged with the upper member. The sole structure may include: (i) a first impact-attenuating member located in a heel portion of the foot-supporting member, and (ii) a second, separate impact-attenuating member located at a rear, lateral heel portion. The second impact-attenuating member may be designed and/or configured to provide less resistance to an impact force as compared with the first impact-attenuating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Aveni, Patricia L. Smaldone, Fred G. Fagergren