Patents by Inventor Susan L. Sokolowski
Susan L. Sokolowski 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).
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Patent number: 8028440Abstract: Articles of footwear include a textile upper member with an exterior constructed from knitted textile material, the exterior including a region with stability ribs and a second unribbed region. The region(s) having stability ribs may be located, for example: along a lateral midfoot side of the upper member; along a forefoot portion of the upper member; and/or along a medial midfoot side of the upper member. Other articles of footwear include an upper member having exterior and interior textile elements joined together in a stitchless manner at the foot-receiving opening of the upper member. The exterior surface of this upper member also may include one or more regions with stability structures. The stitchless textile engagement techniques can provide a smooth, non-bulky, and breathable joint that does not require thick layers of textile material in contact with or adjacent the wearer's foot.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Susan L. Sokolowski, Susanne Amalie Wolf-Hochdoerffer
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Publication number: 20110209295Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Susan L. Sokolowski, Susanne Amalie Wolf-Hochdoerffer, Lorrie Vogel
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Publication number: 20110143634Abstract: A lightweight enhanced modesty sports bra is provided. The sports bra comprises an interior liner layer having two faces and an exterior shell layer having two faces and a printed obscuration pattern in between the interior liner layer and the exterior shell layer. The interior liner layer and the exterior shell layer with the printed obscuration pattern are assembled in a way that provides modesty and the printed pattern is not visible from the outside. An optional layer called the intermediate liner layer may be placed in between the exterior shell layer and the interior liner layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventor: Susan L. Sokolowski
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Patent number: 7941939Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Susan L. Sokolowski, Susanne Amalie Wolf-Hochdoerffer, Lorrie Vogel
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Patent number: 7934325Abstract: An article of footwear for gymnasts includes an outsole, an insole, an upper, and a securing member. The outsole may extend beneath a forefoot region of the foot and may include one or more traction elements. The insole may be engaged with the outsole and may include one or more impact-attenuation zones. The insole may include a medial impact-attenuation zone and a lateral impact-attenuation zone. The upper may include one or more apertures through which a wearer's phalanges may be received and may extend over a top portion of the wearer's foot between the wearer's ankle and phalanges. The securing member may secure the article of footwear to the wearer's foot, and may extend from the lateral to the medial side of the upper. The securing member may extend around the heel or ankle area of the wearer's foot. The article of footwear may be a gymnastics shoe.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Susan L. Sokolowski, Nuria Hansen, Julia Roether
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Publication number: 20100287790Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the footwear are disclosed. The footwear has an upper and a sole structure. The upper is secured to sole structure and the upper is formed from three layers: a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The second layer is formed from a polymer material and molded to the first layer, but the second layer may alternately be molded to the third layer. The third layer is joined with at least one of the first layer and the second layer such that the second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Susan L. Sokolowski, Susanne Amalie Wolf-Hochdoerffer
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Patent number: 7793434Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the footwear are disclosed. The footwear has an upper and a sole structure. The upper is secured to sole structure and the upper is formed from three layers: a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The second layer is formed from a polymer material and molded to the first layer, but the second layer may alternately be molded to the third layer. The third layer is joined with at least one of the first layer and the second layer such that the second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Susan L. Sokolowski, Susanne Amalie Wolf-Hochdoerffer
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Publication number: 20100146818Abstract: An article of footwear configured for use as a dance shoe is provided. The article of footwear can include an upper and a two-piece sole connected to the upper. The article can also include a cage support that surrounds a portion of the upper and aids in flexibility of the shoe. The article can also include a single piece liner with an integrated toe box. In addition, the shoe can include an offset lacing system. In another arrangement, the shoe can include an elastic wrap, connected to the bottom of the shoe on the inside of the upper. The wrap can act as a tongue to minimize contact between the offset lacing system and the dancer's foot. In yet another arrangement, the shoe can include different types of outsole supports.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventor: Susan L. Sokolowski
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Publication number: 20100139119Abstract: An article of footwear configured for use as a dance shoe is provided. The article of footwear can include an upper and a two-piece sole connected to the upper. The article can also include a cage support that surrounds a portion of the upper and aids in flexibility of the shoe. The article can also include a single piece liner with an integrated toe box. In addition, the shoe can include an offset lacing system. In another arrangement, the shoe can include an elastic wrap, connected to the bottom of the shoe on the inside of the upper. The wrap can act as a tongue to minimize contact between the offset lacing system and the dancer's foot. In yet another arrangement, the shoe can include different types of outsole supports.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2010Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventor: Susan L. Sokolowski
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Publication number: 20100095550Abstract: Articles of footwear include a textile upper member with an exterior constructed from knitted textile material, the exterior including a region with stability ribs and a second unribbed region. The region(s) having stability ribs may be located, for example: along a lateral midfoot side of the upper member; along a forefoot portion of the upper member; and/or along a medial midfoot side of the upper member. Other articles of footwear include an upper member having exterior and interior textile elements joined together in a stitchless manner at the foot-receiving opening of the upper member. The exterior surface of this upper member also may include one or more regions with stability structures. The stitchless textile engagement techniques can provide a smooth, non-bulky, and breathable joint that does not require thick layers of textile material in contact with or adjacent the wearer's foot.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Susan L. Sokolowski, Susanne Amalie Wolf-Hochdoerffer
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Publication number: 20100083449Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2009Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Susan L. Sokolowski, Susanne Amalie Wolf-Hochdoerffer, Lorrie Vogel
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Patent number: 7685740Abstract: An article of footwear configured for use as a dance shoe is provided. The article of footwear can include an upper and a two-piece sole connected to the upper. The article can also include a cage support that surrounds a portion of the upper and aids in flexibility of the shoe. The article can also include a single piece liner with an integrated toe box. In addition, the shoe can include an offset lacing system. In another arrangement, the shoe can include an elastic wrap, connected to the bottom of the shoe on the inside of the upper. The wrap can act as a tongue to minimize contact between the offset lacing system and the dancer's foot. In yet another arrangement, the shoe can include different types of outsole supports.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2006Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventor: Susan L. Sokolowski
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Publication number: 20100024101Abstract: An apparel system may include an article of apparel and at least one insert element. The apparel has an inner layer and an outer layer positioned adjacent to the inner layer such that a surface of the inner layer contacts a surface of the outer layer. The insert elements is locatable between the inner layer and the outer layer. In some configurations, the outer layer stretches at least thirty percent prior to tensile failure. In order to secure the insert element within the apparel, a coefficient of static friction between the insert element and the apparel may be at least 0.70. In some configurations, a surface of the inner layer contacts and is unsecured to a surface of the outer layer in at least thirty percent of the apparel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: William E. Berner, JR., James A. Niegowski, Susan L. Sokolowski, Matthew F. Park
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Publication number: 20100024100Abstract: An article apparel has a surface with a first part of a fastening system, and an attachment element has an outer area with a second part of the fastening system. The first part of the fastening system is joinable to the second part of the fastening system to attach the attachment element to the apparel. The first part of the fastening system is also separable from the second part of the fastening system to separate the attachment element from the apparel. The attachment element may be formed from a polymer foam material, may include a fluid-filled chamber, or may incorporate an electronic device, for example. In some configurations, the attachment element is secured to an exterior of the apparel. In other configurations, the attachment element is secured between two layers of the apparel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Susan L. Sokolowski, James A. Niegowski, Matthew F. Park
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Patent number: 7640679Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Susan L. Sokolowski, Susanne Amalie Wolf-Hochdoerffer, Lorrie Vogel
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Patent number: 7637033Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Susan L. Sokolowski, Susanne Amalie Wolf-Hochdoerffer, Lorrie Vogel
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Patent number: 7637032Abstract: Articles of footwear include a textile upper member with an exterior constructed from knitted textile material, the exterior including a region with stability ribs and a second unribbed region. The region(s) having stability ribs may be located, for example: along a lateral midfoot side of the upper member; along a forefoot portion of the upper member; and/or along a medial midfoot side of the upper member. Other articles of footwear include an upper member having exterior and interior textile elements joined together in a stitchless manner at the foot-receiving opening of the upper member. The exterior surface of this upper member also may include one or more regions with stability structures. The stitchless textile engagement techniques can provide a smooth, non-bulky, and breathable joint that does not require thick layers of textile material in contact with or adjacent the wearer's foot.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Susan L. Sokolowski, Susanne Amalie Wolf-Hochdoerffer
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Publication number: 20080110049Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper with a knitted element formed through a flat knitting process. In one configuration, the knitted element has an area with a first layer and a second layer at least partially coextensive with the first layer. The first layer is formed of unitary construction with the second layer, and the second layer is joined to the first layer at opposite sides of the second layer. In another configuration, a knitted element for footwear includes a foot-receiving portion and one or more straps formed of unitary construction with the foot-receiving portion. The foot-receiving portion defines a void for receiving the foot, and the strap(s) extend outward from sides of the foot-receiving portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2006Publication date: May 15, 2008Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Susan L. Sokolowski, Bhupesh Dua, Edward Nathaniel Thomas
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Patent number: 7334349Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure has a midsole element that defines a void, and the void may extend substantially vertically through a central area of the midsole element. The void may also extend between an upper surface and a lower surface of the midsole element to define an interior surface. A plurality of bores are also defined in the midsole element. The bores may extend substantially horizontally through the midsole element, and the bores may extend between an exterior surface of the midsole element and the void.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2004Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Susan L. Sokolowski, Susanne Amalie Wolf-Hochdoerffer, Lorrie Vogel
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Publication number: 20080010854Abstract: An article of footwear configured for use as a dance shoe is provided. The article of footwear can include an upper and a two-piece sole connected to the upper. The article can also include a cage support that surrounds a portion of the upper and aids in flexibility of the shoe. The article can also include a single piece liner with an integrated toe box. In addition, the shoe can include an offset lacing system. In another arrangement, the shoe can include an elastic wrap, connected to the bottom of the shoe on the inside of the upper. The wrap can act as a tongue to minimize contact between the offset lacing system and the dancer's foot. In yet another arrangement, the shoe can include different types of outsole supports.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2006Publication date: January 17, 2008Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventor: Susan L. Sokolowski