Patents by Inventor Robert Mervar

Robert Mervar 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: 12616274
    Abstract: Films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles including thermoplastic elastomeric compositions are described, as are methods of making the films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles. These films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles can be used to make articles of apparel, footwear, and sporting equipment. When thermoformed, the thermoplastic elastomeric compositions can impart abrasion resistance, traction, and other advantageous properties to the articles. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Devon Frazier, Walter M. Hancock, Dave Klinger, Robert Mervar, Brian G. Prevo, Hilary Walker
  • Publication number: 20250288054
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure. The sole structure includes a plate that has a heel portion, a midfoot portion, a forefoot portion, and an extension portion. The extension portion extends forward of the forefoot portion and forward of a foremost extent of upper. The plate includes a first plate layer establishing an outer surface of the plate and extending in each of the heel portion, the midfoot portion, the forefoot portion, and the extension portion, and a second plate layer interfacing with the first plate layer and extending in the forefoot portion and the extension portion. A bending stiffness of the second plate layer is greater than a bending stiffness of the first plate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2025
    Publication date: September 18, 2025
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick S. Frank, Robert Mervar, Kort W. Neumann, IV, Rachel M. Savage, Matthew Tegenkamp, Jenni Westphal, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Patent number: 12349760
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure. The sole structure includes a plate that has a heel portion, a midfoot portion, a forefoot portion, and an extension portion. The extension portion extends forward of the forefoot portion and forward of a foremost extent of upper. The plate includes a first plate layer establishing an outer surface of the plate and extending in each of the heel portion, the midfoot portion, the forefoot portion, and the extension portion, and a second plate layer interfacing with the first plate layer and extending in the forefoot portion and the extension portion. A bending stiffness of the second plate layer is greater than a bending stiffness of the first plate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick S. Frank, Robert Mervar, Kort W. Neumann, IV, Rachel M. Savage, Matthew Tegenkamp, Jenni Westphal, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Publication number: 20240298743
    Abstract: Films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles including thermoplastic elastomeric compositions are described, as are methods of making the films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles. These films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles can be used to make articles of apparel, footwear, and sporting equipment. When thermoformed, the thermoplastic elastomeric compositions can impart abrasion resistance, traction, and other advantageous properties to the articles. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Devon Frazier, Walter M. Hancock, Dave Klinger, Robert Mervar, Brian G. Prevo, Hilary Walker
  • Patent number: 12082640
    Abstract: Films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles including thermoplastic elastomeric compositions are described, as are methods of making the films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles. These films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles can be used to make articles of apparel, footwear, and sporting equipment. When thermoformed, the thermoplastic elastomeric compositions can impart abrasion resistance, traction, and other advantageous properties to the articles. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Devon Frazier, Walter M. Hancock, Dave Klinger, Robert Mervar, Brian G. Prevo, Hilary Walker
  • Patent number: 11998080
    Abstract: Films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles including thermoplastic elastomeric compositions are described, as are methods of making the films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles. These films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles can be used to make articles of apparel, footwear, and sporting equipment. When thermoformed, the thermoplastic elastomeric compositions can impart abrasion resistance, traction, and other advantageous properties to the articles. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Devon Frazier, Walter M. Hancock, Dave Klinger, Robert Mervar, Brian G. Prevo, Hilary Walker
  • Publication number: 20230172308
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure. The sole structure includes a plate that has a heel portion, a midfoot portion, a forefoot portion, and an extension portion. The extension portion extends forward of the forefoot portion and forward of a foremost extent of upper. The plate includes a first plate layer establishing an outer surface of the plate and extending in each of the heel portion, the midfoot portion, the forefoot portion, and the extension portion, and a second plate layer interfacing with the first plate layer and extending in the forefoot portion and the extension portion. A bending stiffness of the second plate layer is greater than a bending stiffness of the first plate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick S. Frank, Robert Mervar, Kort W. Neumann, IV, Rachel M. Savage, Matthew Tegenkamp, Jenni Westphal, Bryan K. Youngs
  • Publication number: 20230130760
    Abstract: Films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles including thermoplastic elastomeric compositions are described, as are methods of making the films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles. These films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles can be used to make articles of apparel, footwear, and sporting equipment. When thermoformed, the thermoplastic elastomeric compositions can impart abrasion resistance, traction, and other advantageous properties to the articles. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Devon Frazier, Walter M. Hancock, Dave Klinger, Robert Mervar, Brian G. Prevo, Hilary Walker
  • Patent number: 11596198
    Abstract: Sole structures (e.g., midsoles and/or outsoles) and articles of footwear include heel-supporting areas and/or forefoot-supporting areas that include a central area (e.g., a central recessed area) and a plurality of surrounding rings. Additionally or alternatively, the sole structures (e.g., midsoles and/or outsoles) may include bands of material defined by recessed grooves to provide a bumpstop type impact-force attenuating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan K. Youngs, Olivier Henrichot, Nikita Troufanov, Robert Mervar, Robert M. Bruce
  • Patent number: 11564443
    Abstract: Films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles including thermoplastic elastomeric compositions are described, as are methods of making the films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles. These films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles can be used to make articles of apparel, footwear, and sporting equipment. When thermoformed, the thermoplastic elastomeric compositions can impart abrasion resistance, traction, and other advantageous properties to the articles. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Devon Frazier, Walter M. Hancock, Dave Klinger, Robert Mervar, Brian G. Prevo, Hilary Walker
  • Publication number: 20220007782
    Abstract: Films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles including thermoplastic elastomeric compositions are described, as are methods of making the films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles. These films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles can be used to make articles of apparel, footwear, and sporting equipment. When thermoformed, the thermoplastic elastomeric compositions can impart abrasion resistance, traction, and other advantageous properties to the articles. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Devon Frazier, Walter Hancock, Dave Klinger, Robert Mervar, Brian Prevo, Hilary Walker
  • Publication number: 20210177092
    Abstract: Sole structures (e.g., midsoles and/or outsoles) and articles of footwear include heel-supporting areas and/or forefoot-supporting areas that include a central area (e.g., a central recessed area) and a plurality of surrounding rings. Additionally or alternatively, the sole structures (e.g., midsoles and/or outsoles) may include bands of material defined by recessed grooves to provide a bumpstop type impact-force attenuating structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Bryan K. Youngs, Olivier Henrichot, Nikita Troufanov, Robert Mervar, Robert M. Bruce
  • Patent number: 11013293
    Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure. The upper includes a base layer and one or more tensile strands. The sole structure includes an auxetic element operable to expand in two orthogonal horizontal directions in response to a tension applied in one of the directions. Each tensile strand has at least one end secured in fixed position relative to a peripheral region of the sole structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Langvin, Tory M. Cross, Bryant Russell Klug, Timothy K. Liles, Robert Mervar, Olivier Henrichot
  • Patent number: 10959488
    Abstract: Sole structures (e.g., midsoles and/or outsoles) and articles of footwear include heel-supporting areas and/or forefoot-supporting areas that include a central area (e.g., a central recessed area) and a plurality of surrounding rings. Additionally or alternatively, the sole structures (e.g., midsoles and/or outsoles) may include bands of material defined by recessed grooves to provide a bumpstop type impact-force attenuating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan K. Youngs, Olivier Henrichot, Nikita Troufanov, Robert Mervar, Robert M. Bruce
  • Publication number: 20210030108
    Abstract: Films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles including thermoplastic elastomeric compositions are described, as are methods of making the films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles. These films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles can be used to make articles of apparel, footwear, and sporting equipment. When thermoformed, the thermoplastic elastomeric compositions can impart abrasion resistance, traction, and other advantageous properties to the articles. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Devon Frazier, Walter M. Hancock, Dave Klinger, Robert Mervar, Brian G. Prevo, Hilary Walker
  • Publication number: 20210030117
    Abstract: Films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles including thermoplastic elastomeric compositions are described, as are methods of making the films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles. These films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles can be used to make articles of apparel, footwear, and sporting equipment. When thermoformed, the thermoplastic elastomeric compositions can impart abrasion resistance, traction, and other advantageous properties to the articles. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Devon Frazier, Walter M. Hancock, Dave Klinger, Robert Mervar, Brian G. Prevo, Hilary Walker
  • Publication number: 20210030109
    Abstract: Films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles including thermoplastic elastomeric compositions are described, as are methods of making the films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles. These films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles can be used to make articles of apparel, footwear, and sporting equipment. When thermoformed, the thermoplastic elastomeric compositions can impart abrasion resistance, traction, and other advantageous properties to the articles. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Devon Frazier, Walter M. Hancock, Dave Klinger, Robert Mervar, Brian G. Prevo, Hilary Walker
  • Publication number: 20210030115
    Abstract: Films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles including thermoplastic elastomeric compositions are described, as are methods of making the films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles. These films, fibers, filaments, yarns and textiles can be used to make articles of apparel, footwear, and sporting equipment. When thermoformed, the thermoplastic elastomeric compositions can impart abrasion resistance, traction, and other advantageous properties to the articles. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Devon Frazier, Walter M. Hancock, Dave Klinger, Robert Mervar, Brian G. Prevo, Hilary Walker
  • Publication number: 20190142108
    Abstract: Sole structures (e.g., midsoles and/or outsoles) and articles of footwear include heel-supporting areas and/or forefoot-supporting areas that include a central area (e.g., a central recessed area) and a plurality of surrounding rings. Additionally or alternatively, the sole structures (e.g., midsoles and/or outsoles) may include bands of material defined by recessed grooves to provide a bumpstop type impact-force attenuating structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Bryan K. Youngs, Olivier Henrichot, Nikita Troufanov, Robert Mervar, Robert M. Bruce
  • Patent number: 10212988
    Abstract: Sole structures (e.g., midsoles and/or outsoles) and articles of footwear include heel-supporting areas and/or forefoot-supporting areas that include a central area (e.g., a central recessed area) and a plurality of surrounding rings. Additionally or alternatively, the sole structures (e.g., midsoles and/or outsoles) may include bands of material defined by recessed grooves to provide a bumpstop type impact-force attenuating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan K. Youngs, Olivier Henrichot, Nikita Troufanov, Robert Mervar, Robert M. Bruce