Patents by Inventor Stephen D. Pelletier, Jr.

Stephen D. Pelletier, Jr. 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: 10905198
    Abstract: An article of footwear with adjustable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with adjustable tensioning systems that are disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. The adjustable tensioning system includes a comb body structure having flex portions made of a plurality of extending fingers with a flexibility that can be controlled by the adjustable tensioning system. Depending on the level of tension applied by the tensioning system, or lack thereof, a range of flex profiles having varying amounts of stiffness are available to the wearer to adjust the overall stiffness of the snowboard boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia L. Smaldone, Stephen D. Pelletier, Jr., Jeremy L. Connell
  • Publication number: 20190261743
    Abstract: An article of footwear with adjustable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with adjustable tensioning systems that are disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. The adjustable tensioning system includes a comb body structure having flex portions made of a plurality of extending fingers with a flexibility that can be controlled by the adjustable tensioning system. Depending on the level of tension applied by the tensioning system, or lack thereof, a range of flex profiles having varying amounts of stiffness are available to the wearer to adjust the overall stiffness of the snowboard boot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia L. Smaldone, Stephen D. Pelletier, JR., Jeremy L. Connell
  • Patent number: 10292456
    Abstract: An article of footwear with adjustable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with adjustable tensioning systems that are disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. The adjustable tensioning system includes a comb body structure having flex portions made of a plurality of extending fingers with a flexibility that can be controlled by the adjustable tensioning system. Depending on the level of tension applied by the tensioning system, or lack thereof, a range of flex profiles having varying amounts of stiffness are available to the wearer to adjust the overall stiffness of the snowboard boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia L. Smaldone, Stephen D. Pelletier, Jr., Jeremy L. Connell
  • Patent number: 9713358
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of articles of footwear or foot-receiving devices having inner and outer tongues, such as double tongue snowboarding boots, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, an article of footwear or foot-receiving device (e.g., snowboarding boot, etc.) generally includes a housing member at least partially defining a chamber for receiving a foot. An inner tongue is coupled to the housing member. An outer tongue is coupled to at least one of the inner tongue and the housing member. Other aspects of the present disclosure relates to methods. An exemplary method of wearing an article of footwear generally includes tucking a portion of a wearer's pants leg generally between inner and outer tongues of the snowboarding boot. Another example method includes inserting a foot through an opening of a housing member of a foot-receiving device that also includes first and second tongues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Pelletier, Jr., James K. Arizumi
  • Publication number: 20170000217
    Abstract: An article of footwear with adjustable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with adjustable tensioning systems that are disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. The adjustable tensioning system includes a comb body structure having flex portions made of a plurality of extending fingers with a flexibility that can be controlled by the adjustable tensioning system. Depending on the level of tension applied by the tensioning system, or lack thereof, a range of flex profiles having varying amounts of stiffness are available to the wearer to adjust the overall stiffness of the snowboard boot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Patricia L. Smaldone, Stephen D. Pelletier, JR., Jeremy L. Connell
  • Patent number: 9474324
    Abstract: An article of footwear with adjustable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with adjustable tensioning systems that are disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. The adjustable tensioning system includes a comb body structure having flex portions made of a plurality of extending fingers with a flexibility that can be controlled by the adjustable tensioning system. Depending on the level of tension applied by the tensioning system, or lack thereof, a range of flex profiles having varying amounts of stiffness are available to the wearer to adjust the overall stiffness of the snowboard boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia L. Smaldone, Stephen D. Pelletier, Jr., Jeremy L. Connell
  • Patent number: 9468261
    Abstract: An article of footwear for snowboarding includes a tongue with adjustable stiffness. The tongue includes a flexible intermediate portion and the flexibility of the intermediate portion can be controlled by a tension control system. As the tension control system applies increased tension to the tongue, the flexibility of the intermediate portion is decreased, which increases the overall stiffness of the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia L. Smaldone, Stephen D. Pelletier, Jr., Jeremy L. Connell, Steven C. McDonald
  • Patent number: 9420846
    Abstract: An article of footwear for use in sporting activities such as snowboarding is disclosed. The article of footwear can include a flex notch and a coupled lace loop design. The article can further include an internal harness to enhance stability of the foot. The article can also include a threading layer configured to strengthen the upper and a corresponding connecting layer to bond the threading layer to the upper and to provide protection to other areas of the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn G. Carboy, Stephen D. Pelletier, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9345283
    Abstract: An article of footwear with customizable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with stiffness elements that are inserted within retaining enclosures disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. Depending on the level of stiffness of the stiffener element, or lack thereof, different flex profiles having varying degrees of stiffness are available to the wearer to customize the stiffness of the snowboard boot when secured within a binding. A kit of parts is also disclosed that includes a pair of boots and two sets of interchangeable stiffener inserts to allow a wearer to customize the stiffness of the boots as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik T. Arlen, Scott T. Keating, Stephen D. Pelletier, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160081420
    Abstract: An article of footwear with customizable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with stiffness elements that are inserted within retaining enclosures disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. Depending on the level of stiffness of the stiffener element, or lack thereof, different flex profiles having varying degrees of stiffness are available to the wearer to customize the stiffness of the snowboard boot when secured within a binding. A kit of parts is also disclosed that includes a pair of boots and two sets of interchangeable stiffener inserts to allow a wearer to customize the stiffness of the boots as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Erik T. Arlen, Scott T. Keating, Stephen D. Pelletier, JR.
  • Patent number: 9232828
    Abstract: An article of footwear with customizable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with stiffness elements that are inserted within retaining enclosures disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. Depending on the level of stiffness of the stiffener element, or lack thereof, different flex profiles having varying degrees of stiffness are available to the wearer to customize the stiffness of the snowboard boot when secured within a binding. A kit of parts is also disclosed that includes a pair of boots and two sets of interchangeable stiffener inserts to allow a wearer to customize the stiffness of the boots as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik T. Arlen, Scott T. Keating, Stephen D. Pelletier, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150189942
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of articles of footwear or foot-receiving devices having inner and outer tongues, such as double tongue snowboarding boots, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, an article of footwear or foot-receiving device (e.g., snowboarding boot, etc.) generally includes a housing member at least partially defining a chamber for receiving a foot. An inner tongue is coupled to the housing member. An outer tongue is coupled to at least one of the inner tongue and the housing member. Other aspects of the present disclosure relates to methods. An exemplary method of wearing an article of footwear generally includes tucking a portion of a wearer's pants leg generally between inner and outer tongues of the snowboarding boot. Another example method includes inserting a foot through an opening of a housing member of a foot-receiving device that also includes first and second tongues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen D. Pelletier, JR., James K. Arizumi
  • Patent number: 8959803
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of articles of footwear or foot-receiving devices having inner and outer tongues, such as double tongue snowboarding boots, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, an article of footwear or foot-receiving device (e.g., snowboarding boot, etc.) generally includes a housing member at least partially defining a chamber for receiving a foot. An inner tongue is coupled to the housing member. An outer tongue is coupled to at least one of the inner tongue and the housing member. Other aspects of the present disclosure relates to methods. An exemplary method of wearing an article of footwear (e.g., snowboarding boot, etc.) generally includes tucking a portion of a wearer's pants leg generally between inner and outer tongues of the snowboarding boot. Another example method includes inserting a foot through an opening of a housing member of a foot-receiving device (e.g., snowboarding boot, etc.), that also includes first and second tongues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Pelletier, Jr., James K. Arizumi
  • Publication number: 20140173939
    Abstract: An article of footwear for use in sporting activities such as snowboarding is disclosed. The article of footwear can include a flex notch and a coupled lace loop design. The article can further include an internal harness to enhance stability of the foot. The article can also include a threading layer configured to strengthen the upper and a corresponding connecting layer to bond the threading layer to the upper and to provide protection to other areas of the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn G. Carboy, Stephen D. Pelletier, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140157625
    Abstract: An article of footwear for snowboarding includes a tongue with adjustable stiffness. The tongue includes a flexible intermediate portion and the flexibility of the intermediate portion can be controlled by a tension control system. As the tension control system applies increased tension to the tongue, the flexibility of the intermediate portion is decreased, which increases the overall stiffness of the tongue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Patricia L. Smaldone, Stephen D. Pelletier, JR., Jeremy L. Connell, Steven C. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20140157627
    Abstract: An article of footwear with adjustable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with adjustable tensioning systems that are disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. The adjustable tensioning system includes a comb body structure having flex portions made of a plurality of extending fingers with a flexibility that can be controlled by the adjustable tensioning system. Depending on the level of tension applied by the tensioning system, or lack thereof, a range of flex profiles having varying amounts of stiffness are available to the wearer to adjust the overall stiffness of the snowboard boot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Patricia L. Smaldone, Stephen D. Pelletier, JR., Jeremy L. Connell
  • Publication number: 20140115928
    Abstract: An article of footwear with customizable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with stiffness elements that are inserted within retaining enclosures disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. Depending on the level of stiffness of the stiffener element, or lack thereof, different flex profiles having varying degrees of stiffness are available to the wearer to customize the stiffness of the snowboard boot when secured within a binding. A kit of parts is also disclosed that includes a pair of boots and two sets of interchangeable stiffener inserts to allow a wearer to customize the stiffness of the boots as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Pelletier, JR., Scott Keating, Erik Arlen
  • Patent number: 8667711
    Abstract: An article of footwear for use in sporting activities such as snowboarding is disclosed. The article of footwear can include a flex notch and a coupled lace loop design. The article can further include an internal harness to enhance stability of the foot. The article can also include a threading layer configured to strengthen the upper and a corresponding connecting layer to bond the threading layer to the upper and to provide protection to other areas of the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn G. Carboy, Stephen D. Pelletier, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120186104
    Abstract: An article of footwear for use in sporting activities such as snowboarding is disclosed. The article of footwear can include a flex notch and a coupled lace loop design. The article can further include an internal harness to enhance stability of the foot. The article can also include a threading layer configured to strengthen the upper and a corresponding connecting layer to bond the threading layer to the upper and to provide protection to other areas of the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn G. Carboy, Stephen D. Pelletier, JR.
  • Patent number: 8215033
    Abstract: An article of footwear for use in sporting activities such as snowboarding is disclosed. The article of footwear can include a flex notch and a coupled lace loop design. The article can further include an internal harness to enhance stability of the foot. The article can also include a threading layer configured to strengthen the upper and a corresponding connecting layer to bond the threading layer to the upper and to provide protection to other areas of the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn G. Carboy, Stephen D. Pelletier, Jr.