Patents by Inventor Tetsuya T. Minami
Tetsuya T. Minami 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: 11350696Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole. The upper includes an attachment region and a bottom portion that is bounded by the attachment region. The sole defines a concave inner surface. The concave inner surface includes a peripheral surface region and a central surface region. The attachment region of the upper is attached to the peripheral surface region of the sole. The bottom portion is held in tension over the central surface region.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Elizabeth Langvin, Tetsuya T. Minami
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Patent number: 11297904Abstract: A traction element arrangement for a sole structure of an article of footwear is described. Traction elements of a first group are associated with a lateral side of the sole structure. Traction elements of a second group are associated with a medial side of the sole structure. Traction elements of the second group include multiple medial rotational traction elements that each have a plurality of individual traction elements arranged in a circular grouping. Each circular grouping is a different size to provide more or less rotational movement to the associated portion of the sole structure. In one embodiment, the shape of the traction elements corresponds to the shape of the circular grouping.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2016Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Tetsuya T. Minami
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Publication number: 20220095742Abstract: An article of footwear, such as a shoe, includes an upper and a sole. The upper may be formed with an outer layer and a floating textile layer relative to one or more portions of the outer layer. The floating textile layer has an apparent elongation that is less than an apparent elongation of the outer layer in response to an equal tensile force applied to each of the floating textile layer and the outer layer along a same axis of orientation. The differential in apparent elongation of the outer layer and the floating textile layer may increase wearability and functionability of the upper.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Sam Amis, Vianney de Montgolfier, Gjermund Haugbro, James Hwang, Daniel A. Johnson, Tetsuya T. Minami
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Patent number: 11284671Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided and includes a midsole having a first surface, a second surface formed on an opposite side of the midsole than the first surface, a first cavity formed in the first surface and tapering in a direction from the first surface toward the second surface, and a second cavity formed in the second surface and tapering in a direction from the second surface toward the first surface. A first quantity of particulate matter is disposed within the first cavity and a second quantity of particulate matter is disposed within the second cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2018Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: John Hurd, Cassidy R. Levy, Tetsuya T. Minami
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Patent number: 11259601Abstract: A traction element arrangement for a sole structure of an article of footwear is described. Traction elements of a first group are associated with a lateral side of the sole structure. Traction elements of a second group are associated with a medial side of the sole structure. Traction elements of the second group include medial rotational traction elements that have a plurality of stud elements arranged in a circular grouping. Stud elements may be aligned laterally across the sole structure with traction elements of the first group. Stud elements may be aligned longitudinally across the sole structure to be arranged in different configurations along an outside medial side or an inside medial side.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Tetsuya T. Minami
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Patent number: 11234488Abstract: An article of footwear, such as a shoe, includes an upper and a sole. The upper may be formed with an outer layer and a floating textile layer relative to one or more portions of the outer layer. The floating textile layer has an apparent elongation that is less than an apparent elongation of the outer layer in response to an equal tensile force applied to each of the floating textile layer and the outer layer along a same axis of orientation. The differential in apparent elongation of the outer layer and the floating textile layer may increase wearability and functionability of the upper.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Sam Amis, Vianney de Montgolfier, Gjermund Haugbro, James Hwang, Daniel A. Johnson, Tetsuya T. Minami
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Publication number: 20210378358Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first plate having a first surface. The first plate includes a forefoot region at an anterior end, a heel region at a posterior end, and a mid-foot region. The sole structure further includes a second plate having a second surface opposing the first surface of the first plate. The second plate has a first end attached to the forefoot region of the first plate and a second end that is spaced apart from the first surface of the first plate. A cushion is disposed between the first plate and the second plate and has a first side attached to the first surface of the first plate and a second side attached to the second surface of second plate. The cushion extends continuously from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy L. Connell, Karen S. Dimoff, Stefan E. Guest, Charlie Keller, Troy C. Lindner, Geng Luo, Tetsuya T. Minami, Jonathan Rasca, Adam Thuss
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Publication number: 20210368941Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear includes an inner boot having an ankle opening and an instep region formed between the ankle opening and an anterior end of the upper and a cushioning member disposed over the instep region of the inner boot and including a first side fixed to a medial side of the upper and a second side tethered to a lateral side of the upper.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Yuchung K. Chen, Jeremy L. Connell, Tetsuya T. Minami, Arthur Parker Molinari, Stuart Reinhardt, Timothy J. Smith, Matthew Tegenkamp
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Publication number: 20210352993Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an article formed of a knitted component. The article may be an upper for an article of footwear. The knitted component may have a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion of the knitted component at least partially forms a foot-receiving portion of the upper, where the second portion of the knitted component at least partially forms a strap of the upper, where the strap includes a first edge and a second edge secured to the first portion of the knitted component, and where the strap includes a third edge that extends from the first edge to the second edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: Helene Hutchinson, Elizabeth Langvin, Tetsuya T. Minami
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Publication number: 20210298421Abstract: An article of footwear may include a first ground engaging member extending substantially downward from a baseplate, the first ground engaging member may have a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape in a substantially horizontal plane, the first ground engaging member having a first sidewall edge, a second sidewall edge, and a third sidewall edge forming vertices of the substantially triangular cross-sectional shape. In addition, a first sidewall may have a concave portion that is concave in the substantially horizontal plane. Further, the first ground engaging member may be disposed proximate a peripheral edge of the outer member with the first sidewall edge disposed opposite the concave portion of the sidewall, and the first sidewall edge oriented facing toward the peripheral edge. Also, the concave portion of the first sidewall may be oriented in a substantially lateral direction, facing away from the peripheral edge of the outer member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Bryant Russell Klug, Tetsuya T. Minami, James Molyneux
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Patent number: 11122850Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an article formed of a knitted component. The article may be an upper for an article of footwear. The knitted component may have a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion of the knitted component at least partially forms a foot-receiving portion of the upper, where the second portion of the knitted component at least partially forms a strap of the upper, where the strap includes a first edge and a second edge secured to the first portion of the knitted component, and where the strap includes a third edge that extends from the first edge to the second edge.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2017Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Helene Hutchinson, Elizabeth Langvin, Tetsuya T. Minami
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Patent number: 11096443Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first plate having a first surface. The first plate includes a forefoot region at an anterior end, a heel region at a posterior end, and a mid-foot region. The sole structure further includes a second plate having a second surface opposing the first surface of the first plate. The second plate has a first end attached to the forefoot region of the first plate and a second end that is spaced apart from the first surface of the first plate. A cushion is disposed between the first plate and the second plate and has a first side attached to the first surface of the first plate and a second side attached to the second surface of second plate. The cushion extends continuously from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy L. Connell, Karen S. Dimoff, Stefan E. Guest, Charlie Keller, Troy C. Lindner, Geng Luo, Tetsuya T. Minami, Jonathan Rasca, Adam Thuss
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Patent number: 11058177Abstract: An article of footwear may include a first ground engaging member extending substantially downward from a baseplate, the first ground engaging member may have a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape in a substantially horizontal plane, the first ground engaging member having a first sidewall edge, a second sidewall edge, and a third sidewall edge forming vertices of the substantially triangular cross-sectional shape. In addition, a first sidewall may have a concave portion that is concave in the substantially horizontal plane. Further, the first ground engaging member may be disposed proximate a peripheral edge of the outer member with the first sidewall edge disposed opposite the concave portion of the sidewall, and the first sidewall edge oriented facing toward the peripheral edge. Also, the concave portion of the first sidewall may be oriented in a substantially lateral direction, facing away from the peripheral edge of the outer member.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Bryant Russell Klug, Tetsuya T. Minami, James Molyneux
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Patent number: 11039663Abstract: An article of footwear may include a first ground engaging member extending substantially downward from a baseplate, the first ground engaging member may have a substantially triangular cross-sectional shape in a substantially horizontal plane, the first ground engaging member having a first sidewall edge, a second sidewall edge, and a third sidewall edge forming vertices of the substantially triangular cross-sectional shape. In addition, a first sidewall may have a concave portion that is concave in the substantially horizontal plane. Further, the first ground engaging member may be disposed proximate a peripheral edge of the outer member with the first sidewall edge disposed opposite the concave portion of the sidewall, and the first sidewall edge oriented facing toward the peripheral edge. Also, the concave portion of the first sidewall may be oriented in a substantially lateral direction, facing away from the peripheral edge of the outer member.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Bryant Russell Klug, Tetsuya T. Minami, James Molyneux
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Publication number: 20210093046Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper having an instep region at an anterior end of an ankle opening, a heel counter at a posterior end of the ankle opening, and a quarter region extending between the instep region and the heel counter. The article of footwear also includes a sole structure attached to the upper, a heel strap disposed at the heel counter of the upper, and a cable lock disposed within the sole structure. The article of footwear further includes a tensioning system, including a tensioning element having a heel portion extending from the cable lock to the heel strap, and a control element extending from the cable lock to an exterior surface of the upper. The control element is operable to move the tensioning element between a first position and a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Peter Lam, Tetsuya T. Minami
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Publication number: 20210049604Abstract: A traction element arrangement for a sole structure of an article of footwear is described. Traction elements include cut step features. Cut step features provide a traction element with a stepped height. Cut step features on medial rotational traction elements that have a plurality of stud elements arranged in a circular grouping include arc-shaped or straight cuts. Cut step features on traction elements disposed in a heel region are aligned laterally across the sole structure. Traction elements also include raised platform members. Cut step features can be combined with raised platform members.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Tetsuya T. Minami
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Publication number: 20210045493Abstract: An article of footwear with a sole system includes a sole member and a protruding member assembly. The sole system provides tactile sensation. Protruding members of the protruding member assembly can translate through holes in the sole member to facilitate tactile sensation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: James C. Meschter, Tetsuya T. Minami, Kevin W. Hoffer
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Publication number: 20210022440Abstract: A method of making a cushioning member is provided. The method includes forming a first barrier member from a first material, the first barrier member including a first compartment and a second compartment. The method further includes forming a second barrier member from a second material different than the first material. The first compartment is provided with a first quantity of particulate matter and the second compartment is provided with a second quantity of particulate matter. The method further includes covering the first compartment with the second barrier member and covering the second compartment with the second barrier member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: John Hurd, Tetsuya T. Minami
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Patent number: 10856609Abstract: An article of footwear with a sole system includes a sole member and a protruding member assembly. The sole system provides tactile sensation. Protruding members of the protruding member assembly can translate through holes in the sole member to facilitate tactile sensation.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: James C. Meschter, Tetsuya T. Minami, Kevin W. Hoffer
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Patent number: 10856608Abstract: An article of footwear with a sole system includes a sole member and a protruding member assembly. The sole system provides tactile sensation. Protruding members of the protruding member assembly can translate through holes in the sole member to facilitate tactile sensation. Some embodiments can include an inner member that is configured to accommodate the movement of a protruding member. Other embodiments can include a plurality of recessed portions or nub portions formed along an outwardly facing surface of the sole member.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Elizabeth Langvin, James C. Meschter, Tetsuya T. Minami, Jeff Rasmussen