Patents by Inventor Summer L. Schneider

Summer L. Schneider 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).

  • Publication number: 20230223873
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods related to an automated footwear platform including motor control techniques. The motor control techniques can include operations such as segmenting a pre-defined travel distance, defining a plurality of moves, creating a plurality of motion profiles, and commanding movements. The plurality of moves can utilize the segmented travel distance for a drive mechanism associated with the footwear platform. Each motion profile of the plurality of motion profiles can include one or more moves from the plurality of moves. Commanding movement of the drive mechanism can be based on selection of one or more motion profiles from the plurality of motion profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventor: Summer L. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20230189935
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to footwear including a modular lacing engine are discussed. In an example, a modular footwear apparatus including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a lacing engine is described. The upper portion can include a lace to adjust fit of the upper portion against a foot, the lace adjustable between a first position and a second position based at least in part on manipulation of an effective length of the lace. The lower portion can include a mid-sole and an out-sole, and the lower portion can be coupled to the upper portion at the mid-sole. The lacing engine can include a top-loading lace spool to engage a loop of the lace to enable manipulation of the effective length of the lace through rotation of the lace spool, the lacing engine received within a cavity in the lower portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Summer L. Schneider, Daniel A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11672302
    Abstract: A wearable article, a system, and methods include a structural material configured to enable the wearable article to the worn on a body, a piezoelectric generator, positioned with respect to the structural material in a configuration to be flexed to output a voltage, a data translator, coupled to the piezoelectric generator, configured to output electronic data based on the voltage, and an electronic data storage, coupled to the data translator, configured to store the electronic data from the data translator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Folske, Vikram Malhotra, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20230172306
    Abstract: An article of footwear and related method includes a midsole, an upper secured with respect to the midsole and forming a throat, and a plurality of laces extending across the throat of the upper. A motorized lacing system is positioned within the midsole and is configured to engage with a primary lace to increase and decrease tension on the primary lace. The motorized lacing system includes a motor, a lace spool, operatively coupled to the motor, configured to spool and unspool the primary lace based, and an elongate spool, the primary lace coupled to the elongate spool, configured to spool and unspool the plurality of laces based on operation of the motor and via the primary lace, each of the plurality of laces spaced along the elongate spool from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventor: Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11664669
    Abstract: A system, recharge apparatus, and method includes transmit coils positioned in a pattern to allow at least one of the transmit coils to establish a wireless link with a receive coil positioned in proximity of the recharge apparatus. A power source is coupled to the transmit coils and configured to selectively energize ones of the transmit coils to transfer power to the receive coil. An energy efficiency detection circuit is configured to detect an electrical response of each one of the transmit coils when energized by the power source, the electrical response indicative of an energy efficiency between the one of the transmit coils and the receive coil. The power source selectively energizes ones of the transmit coils, selected according to a statistical analysis of an historical record and the electrical response indicative of the energy efficiency meeting a minimum efficiency criterion for energy transfer to the receive coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Summer L. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20230157415
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to an automated footwear platform including an actuator assembly for controlling a footwear lacing apparatus are discussed. In an example, an Lacing architectures for automated footwear assemblies are discussed. In an example, a footwear assembly can include a floating tongue within an upper assembly. The lacing architecture can include a first plurality or lace guides forming a first lacing zone and a second plurality of lace guides forming a second lacing zone. The lacing architecture can also include a tongue lace guide assembly secure to a proximal portion of the floating tongue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Fanny Yung Ho, Daniel A. Johnson, Peter R. Savage, Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11612219
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to automated tightening of a footwear platform including a footwear lacing apparatus are discussed. In an example, a footwear lacing apparatus can include a housing structure, a spool, and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can include a top section and a bottom section. The spool can include a superior surface, a lace spool under the superior surface and a spool shaft with a keyed connection pin. The spool can also be integrated into the top section of the housing structure. The drive mechanism can couple with the spool via the keyed connection pin on the spool shaft. The drive mechanism can be adapted to rotate the spool to tighten or loosen a lace cable integrated into the footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11607013
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to footwear including a modular lacing engine are discussed. In an example, a modular footwear apparatus including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a lacing engine is described. The upper portion can include a lace to adjust fit of the upper portion against a foot, the lace adjustable between a first position and a second position based at least in part on manipulation of an effective length of the lace. The lower portion can include a mid-sole and an out-sole, and the lower portion can be coupled to the upper portion at the mid-sole. The lacing engine can include a top-loading lace spool to engage a loop of the lace to enable manipulation of the effective length of the lace through rotation of the lace spool, the lacing engine received within a cavity in the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Summer L. Schneider, Daniel A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20230058535
    Abstract: An article of footwear and related method includes a midsole, an upper secured with respect to the midsole, and a lace extending through the upper. A motorized lacing system positioned within the midsole, configured to engage with the lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace. The motorized lacing system includes a motor, including a motor shaft, a spool, coupled to the motor shaft, configured to spool and unspool the lace based on the turning of the motor shaft, a processor circuit, and an optical encoder. The optical encoder comprises a three-dimensional encoder defining a major axis and having a surface having a first plurality of segments positioned between a second plurality of segments, and an optical sensor, positioned within optical range of the cylindrical encoder, configured to output a signal to the processor circuit indicative of a detected one of a first and second plurality of segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11571043
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to an automated footwear platform including an actuator assembly for controlling a footwear lacing apparatus are discussed. In an example, an Lacing architectures for automated footwear assemblies are discussed. In an example, a footwear assembly can include a floating tongue within an upper assembly. The lacing architecture can include a first plurality or lace guides forming a first lacing zone and a second plurality of lace guides forming a second lacing zone. The lacing architecture can also include a tongue lace guide assembly secure to a proximal portion of the floating tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Fanny Yung Ho, Daniel A. Johnson, Peter R. Savage, Summer L. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20230030904
    Abstract: An article of footwear, method, and motorized lacing system includes a motor, including a motor shaft, a spool, coupled to the motor shaft, configured to spool and unspool the lace based on the turning of the motor shaft, a processor circuit, and a three-dimensional encoder. The three-dimensional encoder defines a major axis and has a surface having a tabs extending from a drum, an optical sensor, positioned within optical range of the cylindrical encoder, configured to output a signal to the processor circuit indicative of a detected one of the tabs, and a beam break, positioned between the three-dimensional encoder and the optical sensor, forming a pair of slits. The optical sensor is positioned to view the tabs through the pair of slits, wherein the processor circuit is configured to operate the motor based, at least in part, on the signal as received from the optical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Brendan Donohoe, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11564422
    Abstract: An article of apparel, system, and methods optionally include a textile material, a mobile device holder, coupled to the textile material, configured to secure a mobile device with respect to the article of apparel, and an electrical system. The electrical system includes an antenna, configured to communicatively couple with a primary antenna of the mobile device, positioned in relation to the bolder, a power supply, coupled to the antenna, configured to output power based on a current as generated in the antenna when commutatively coupled with the primary antenna, a controller, coupled to the power supply, operable based on the power as output by the power supply, and a sensor, coupled to the textile material, communicatively coupled to the controller via a conductor, configured to detect a sensor condition and output a sensor signal when powered by the power output by the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikram Malhotra, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11563392
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods related to an automated footwear platform including motor control techniques. The motor control techniques can include operations such as operating a motor to produce different operating characteristics based on incoming battery voltage. More specifically, the control technique compares incoming battery voltage to a threshold voltage and selects from at least two target operating characteristics. If the voltage transgresses the threshold the motor is controlled to produce a first operating characteristic, and if the voltage does not transgress the threshold the motor is controlled to produce a second operating characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11559109
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to automated tightening of a footwear platform including a lacing engine drive apparatus are discussed. In an example, a drive apparatus to rotate a lace spool of a motorized lacing engine within a footwear platform can include a gear motor, a gear box, a worm drive, and a worm gear. The gear box can be mechanically coupled to the gear motor, and the gear box can include a drive shaft extending opposite the gear motor. The worm drive can be slidably keyed to the drive shaft to control rotation of the worm drive in response to gear motor activation. The worm gear can rotate the lace spool upon rotation of the worm drive to tighten or loosen a lace cable on the footwear platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Summer L. Schneider, Jacob Furniss, Jamie Kelso
  • Publication number: 20230020593
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to footwear including a modular lacing engine are discussed. In this example, the lace guide is deformable to assist in facilitating automated lace tightening. The lace guide can include a middle section, a first extension and a second extension. In this example, the lace guide can be configured to define a first route for a lace cable, the first route including receiving the lace cable along the first incoming lace axis and expelling the lace cable along the first outgoing lace axis. In this example, the lace guide can also deflect, in response to tension on the lace cable, resulting in defining a second route for the lace cable, the second route including receiving the lace cable along a second incoming lace axis and expelling the lace cable along a second outgoing lace axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Summer L. Schneider, Narissa Chang, Daniel A. Johnson, Peter R. Savage, Travis J. Berrian, Fanny Yung Ho, Eric P. Avar, Elizabeth A. Kilgore, Katelyn Ricciardi
  • Publication number: 20230000211
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to automated tightening of a footwear platform including a footwear lacing apparatus are discussed. In an example, a footwear lacing apparatus can include a housing structure, a spool, and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can include a top section and a bottom section. The spool can include a superior surface, a lace spool under the superior surface and a spool shaft with a keyed connection pin. The spool can also be integrated into the top section of the housing structure. The drive mechanism can couple with the spool via the keyed connection pin on the spool shaft. The drive mechanism can be adapted to rotate the spool to tighten or loosen a lace cable integrated into the footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventor: Summer L. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20220395062
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to footwear including a modular lacing engine are discussed. In this example, the footwear assembly can include a footwear upper and a lace cable running through a plurality of lace guides. The plurality of lace guides can be distributed along the medial side and the lateral side, and each lace guide of the plurality of lace guides can be adapted to receive a length of the lace cable. The lace cable can extend through each of the plurality of lace guides to form a pattern along each of the medial side and lateral side of the footwear upper. The footwear assembly can also include a medial proximal lace guide routing the lace cable into a lacing engine disposed within a mid-sole portion. Finally, the footwear assembly includes a lateral proximal lace guide to route the lace cable out of the lacing engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Summer L. Schneider, Narissa Chang, Daniel A. Johnson, Peter R. Savage, Travis J. Berrian, Fanny Yung Ho, Eric P. Avar, Elizabeth A. Kilgore, Katelyn Ricciardi
  • Patent number: 11510461
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus related to a homing mechanism within a drive mechanism of a lacing engine for an automated footwear platform are described. In an example, the homing apparatus can include an indexing wheel, a plurality of Geneva teeth and a stop tooth. The plurality of Geneva teeth can be distributed around a portion of a perimeter of the indexing wheel. Each Geneva tooth of the plurality of Geneva teeth can include side profiles conforming to a first side profile that generates a first force when engaged by an index tooth on a portion of the drive mechanism. The stop tooth can be located along the perimeter of the indexing wheel between two Geneva teeth. Additionally, the stop tooth can include side profiles conforming to a second side profile that generates a second force when engaged by the index tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Summer L. Schneider, Jamie Kelso, Narissa Chang
  • Publication number: 20220354212
    Abstract: An article of apparel, a system, and methods include a structural material configured to enable the article of footwear to the worn on a body. A wireless transmission circuit is included and a piezoelectric generator is positioned with respect to the structural material in a configuration to be flexed to induce a voltage signal output. A voltage sensor is configured to sense the voltage profile and output a sensor signal indicative of the voltage profile. An electronic data storage, coupled to the voltage sensor, is configured to store voltage profile information based on the sensor data. A comparator, coupled to the electronic data storage, is configured to identify a change in the voltage profile information over time. The wireless transmission circuit is configured to transmit data indicative of a physical status of the article of footwear based on the change in the voltage profile information over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Keith A. Folske, Vikram Malhotra, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11490676
    Abstract: An article of footwear and related method includes a midsole, an upper secured with respect to the midsole, and a lace extending through the upper. A motorized lacing system positioned within the midsole, configured to engage with the lace to increase and decrease tension on the lace. The motorized lacing system includes a motor, including a motor shaft, a spool, coupled to the motor shaft, configured to spool and unspool the lace based on the turning of the motor shaft, a processor circuit, and an optical encoder. The optical encoder comprises a three-dimensional encoder defining a major axis and having a surface having a first plurality of segments positioned between a second plurality of segments, and an optical sensor, positioned within optical range of the cylindrical encoder, configured to output a signal to the processor circuit indicative of a detected one of a first and second plurality of segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider