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).

  • Patent number: 10992179
    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: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 10952506
    Abstract: A homing mechanism within a drive mechanism of a lacing engine for an automated footwear platform 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: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Summer L. Schneider, Jamie Kelso, Narissa Chang
  • Patent number: 10944282
    Abstract: A carry case can house multiple removable electronic devices and facilitate wireless power or data communication among the devices. The case can include a primary coil for inductively receiving energy from a source device, and a secondary coil for inductively providing energy to a target device. The case can include a control circuit or a storage circuit coupled with the primary coil or the secondary coil. The control circuit can coordinate an inductive energy transfer among the source device, the target device, and the storage circuit using the primary or secondary coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikram Malhotra, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 10856621
    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: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 10856618
    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: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Fanny Yung Ho, Daniel A. Johnson, Peter R. Savage, Summer L. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20200375269
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to adaptive support garments including adaptive support structures, lacing systems, and an adaptive engine are discussed. In an example, an adaptive support garment includes a support structure, a plurality of lace guides, a lace cable, and an adaptive engine. The support structure is configured to wrap around a portion of anatomy of a wearer and apply a compression on the portion of anatomy. The plurality of lace guides are disposed on the support structure. The lace cable extends through the lace guides to form a lacing pattern over a lacing region of the support structure. The adaptive engine is coupled to the support structure and engages with the lace cable. The adaptive engine is also configured to increase or decrease tension on the lace cable to increase or decrease compression of the support structure on the portion of anatomy, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Andon, Michael T. Horne, Nicola J. Reynolds, Summer L. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20200375268
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to adaptive support garments including adaptive support structures, lacing systems, and an adaptive engine are discussed. In an example, an adaptive support garment can include a textile-based support structure, an adaptive support structure and an adaptive engine is described. The textile-based support structure is configured to support a portion of anatomy of a wearer. The adaptive support structure is integrated into the textile-based support structure and configured to adjust a portion of the textile-based support structure. The adaptive engine is coupled to the adaptive support structure to activate adjustment of the portion of the textile-based support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Bridget Munro, Daniela Grogro, Matt Holmes, Iustinia Koshkaroff, Austin Orand, Summer L. Schneider, Nikki Reynolds, Peter Williams
  • Publication number: 20200375506
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to adaptive support garments including adaptive support structures, lacing systems, and an adaptive engine are discussed. In an example, an adaptive support apparel system includes an activity sensor, an adaptive support garment, and a control circuit. The activity sensor monitors activity of a user. The adaptive support garment includes an integrated adaptive support system coupled to the adaptive engine to automatically adjust a portion of the adaptive support garment through manipulation of the adaptive support system. The control circuit configured to send commands to the adaptive engine in response to input received from the activity sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Bishop, Baron C. Brandt, Todd Horne, Daniel A. Judelson, Nina Nguyen, Summer L. Schneider, Holli Pheil, Shawn Grening, Catherine Morrison
  • Patent number: 10849369
    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 holder, a power supply, coupled to the antenna, configured to output power based on a current as generated in the antenna when communicatively 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: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikram Malhotra, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 10827804
    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: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Summer L. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20200337410
    Abstract: A kinetic energy generator, system and method of transmitting data are described. The kinetic energy generator includes a piezoelectric element that receives kinetic energy initiated by a user, a rectifier connected with the piezoelectric element that rectifies voltage from the piezoelectric element, a capacitive system of capacitors formed from different materials connected with the piezoelectric element through the rectifier, a short-range transceiver connected with the capacitive system and activated in response to energy storage in the capacitive system reaching a threshold level, and a non-volatile memory that provides at least some of the data transmitted by the transceiver in response to a request from the transceiver. Below an inflection point, the capacitive system stores more energy than one system of one capacitor type and less energy than another system of another capacitor type arranged in the same manner as the capacitive system, and the reverse above the inflection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Vikram Malhotra, Kathleen F. Richmond, Summer L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 10806212
    Abstract: A kinetic energy generator, system and method of transmitting data are described. The kinetic energy generator includes a piezoelectric element that receives kinetic energy initiated by a user, a rectifier connected with the piezoelectric element that rectifies voltage from the piezoelectric element, a capacitive system of capacitors formed from different materials connected with the piezoelectric element through the rectifier, a short-range transceiver connected with the capacitive system and activated in response to energy storage in the capacitive system reaching a threshold level, and a non-volatile memory that provides at least some of the data transmitted by the transceiver in response to a request from the transceiver. Below an inflection point, the capacitive system stores more energy than one system of one capacitor type and less energy than another system of another capacitor type arranged in the same manner as the capacitive system, and the reverse above the inflection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikram Malhotra, Kathleen F. Richmond, Summer L. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20200281305
    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: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Keith A. Folske, Vikram Malhotra, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20200281320
    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: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Summer L. Schneider, Jamie Kelso, Narissa Chang
  • Publication number: 20200281319
    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: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventor: Summer L. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20200253337
    Abstract: A footwear lacing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a modular spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprising a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The modular spool can be disposed in the lacing channel and can comprise a lower plate including a shaft extending from the lower plate, and an upper plate including a drum portion. The upper plate can be releasabley connected to the lower plate at a connection interface. The drive mechanism can couple with the modular spool and can be adapted to rotate the modular spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and between the upper and lower plates of the modular spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Summer L. Schneider, Narissa Chang
  • Publication number: 20200253336
    Abstract: A footwear lacing apparatus can comprise a housing structure, a spool and a drive mechanism. The housing structure can comprise a first inlet, a second inlet, and a lacing channel extending between the first and second inlets. The lacing channel can comprise a spool receptacle located between the first and second inlets, a first relief area located between the spool receptacle and the first inlet, and a second relief area located between the spool receptacle and the second inlet. The first and second relief areas can be linearly tapered between the spool receptacle and the first and second inlets, respectively. The spool can be disposed in the spool receptacle of the lacing channel. The drive mechanism can be coupled with the spool and adapted to rotate the spool to wind or unwind a lace cable extending through the lacing channel and through the spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Summer L. Schneider, Narissa Chang
  • Publication number: 20200220385
    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: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventor: Summer L. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20200214395
    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: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    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: 20200214386
    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 piezo-electric 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 tune.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Keith A. Folske, Vikram Malhotra, Holli Pheil, Summer L. Schneider