Patents by Inventor Thomas Foxen

Thomas Foxen 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: 9974356
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure including a midsole with an outsole secured thereto, wherein one or more arcuate inserts within recesses or cavities extending into the midsole are exposed through one or more apertures in the outsole. These inserts provide unique cushioning and support properties, particularly during “banking” (e.g., leaning to one side or pushing off to the side from the medial or lateral side of the foot). The inserts provide the structural benefits of dome or arch shapes that are formed in the mid-sole and open to the underside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Foxen
  • Publication number: 20180084863
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a navicular support structure on a medial side. The navicular support structure includes a non-stretch, tensioned material that reduces an interior volume of the upper of the article of footwear and redirects applied forces from the midfoot region of the article of footwear to other regions, such as the forefoot region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane S. Kohatsu, Paul J. Francis, Andrea M. Vinet, Michael S. Amos, Thomas Foxen, Lysandre Follet, Troy C. Lindner, John Hurd
  • Patent number: 9924763
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure providing lateral roll control structure. The sole structure includes a sole component having a continuous slit located in a central region of the sole component and progressing in a longitudinal direction of the sole component. The slit forms a laterally extending portion(s) that extends from a medial side of the sole component to a lateral side of the sole structure, a distal end of the laterally extending portion being attached to an opposing surface of an adjacent component, and a medially extending portion(s) that extends from a lateral side of the sole component to a medial side of the sole structure, a distal end of the medially extending portion being attached to the opposing surface of the adjacent component, the laterally extending portion(s) and the medially extending portion(s) alternating in a longitudinal direction of the sole component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Foxen
  • Publication number: 20170360152
    Abstract: A method of making a sole for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes steps of attaching a double sided acrylic adhesive film to a composite plate. The composite plate is then attached to an outer member of the article of footwear using the acrylic adhesive film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Thomas Foxen
  • Patent number: 9833038
    Abstract: A sole structure and an article of footwear that includes an upper midsole component, a lower midsole component, and a plate. The lower midsole component includes a raised portion that acts as a fulcrum or pivot point. The raised portion may be attached to the plate. The plate may be able to pivot in response to forces on the lateral side and the medial side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Foxen, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • Patent number: 9826795
    Abstract: A removable spat may be used with a shoe having a sole and an upper. The spat includes a boot portion having a back opening and a front end, and a sleeve connected to the boot portion. The back opening of the boot portion is adapted to receive the shoe therein. The sleeve has a fixed end connected to the front end of the boot portion and a free end opposite the fixed end. The sleeve extends freely from the front end to define a first sleeve position, and the sleeve is foldable over the boot portion to define a second sleeve position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Foxen, Jonathan Johnsongriffin, E. Scott Morris, Craig A. Nomi
  • Patent number: 9750305
    Abstract: A method of making a sole for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes steps of attaching a double sided acrylic adhesive film to a composite plate. The composite plate is then attached to an outer member of the article of footwear using the acrylic adhesive film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Spanks, Thomas Foxen
  • Patent number: 9750304
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a navicular support structure on a medial side. The navicular support structure includes a non-stretch, tensioned material that reduces an interior volume of the upper of the article of footwear and redirects applied forces from the midfoot region of the article of footwear to other regions, such as the forefoot region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane S. Kohatsu, Paul J. Francis, Andrea M. Vinet, Michael S. Amos, Thomas Foxen, Lysandre Follet, Troy C. Lindner, John Hurd
  • Publication number: 20170188657
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a navicular support structure on a medial side. The navicular support structure includes a non-stretch, tensioned material that reduces an interior volume of the upper of the article of footwear and redirects applied forces from the midfoot region of the article of footwear to other regions, such as the forefoot region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Shane S. Kohatsu, Paul J. Francis, Andrea M. Vinet, Michael S. Amos, Thomas Foxen, Lysandre Follet, Troy C. Lindner, John Hurd
  • Publication number: 20170157508
    Abstract: Apparel is disclosed that can be worn to assist an interactive game in tracking the movement of the wearer. The apparel may include one or more tracking marks formed of designs, patterns, or reflective materials that can be easily tracked by an interactive game. By providing tracking marks on apparel, rather than using a special-purpose device that must be separately worn, a player may enjoy a more natural feel when playing the interactive game. A user can wear the apparel for everyday purposes, and then simply begin playing the game wearing the apparel without having to put on any additional equipment. The apparel may use reflective materials, and the interactive game can employ a camera and a light source configuration where the camera is located within the observation angle of a player employing retroreflective materials reflecting light from the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Albert Shum, Thomas Foxen, James C. Meschter, Yves Behar
  • Patent number: 9615621
    Abstract: A sole structure with an integrated cleat member includes a plate member with a protruding portion that forms a first portion of the cleat member. A second portion of the cleat member is attached to the first portion and may be made of a less rigid material than the first portion. A supporting structure can be disposed inside the protruding portion. A method of forming the sole structure can include reshaping a portion of a plate member to form a protruding portion, molding a cleat tip portion onto the protruding portion and molding a supporting structure into a concave inner portion of the protruding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Foxen
  • Patent number: 9597598
    Abstract: Apparel is disclosed that can be worn to assist an interactive game in tracking the movement of the wearer. More particularly, the apparel may include one or more tracking marks formed of designs, patterns, or reflective materials that can be easily tracked by an interactive game employing one or more cameras or other detectors for detecting a change in position of an object. The apparel may take the form of, for example, hats, shirts, jackets, pants, gloves, and shoes. By providing tracking marks on apparel, rather than using a special-purpose device that must be separately worn, a player may enjoy a more natural feel when playing the interactive game. Further, the player need not don any special equipment to play the game. Instead, a user can wear the apparel for everyday purposes, and then simply begin playing the game wearing the apparel without having to put on any additional equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Shum, Thomas Foxen, James C. Meschter, Yves Behar
  • Publication number: 20170072303
    Abstract: Apparel is disclosed that can be worn to assist an interactive game in tracking the movement of the wearer. More particularly, the apparel may include one or more tracking marks formed of designs, patterns, or reflective materials that can be easily tracked by an interactive game employing one or more cameras or other detectors for detecting a change in position of an object. The apparel may take the form of, for example, hats, shirts, jackets, pants, gloves, and shoes. The apparel may use reflective materials, and the interactive game can employ a camera and a light source configuration where the camera is located within the observation angle of a player employing retroreflective materials reflecting light from the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Albert Shum, Thomas Foxen, James Meschter
  • Publication number: 20170049183
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure providing lateral roll control structure. The sole structure includes a sole component having a continuous slit located in a central region of the sole component and progressing in a longitudinal direction of the sole component. The slit forms a laterally extending portion(s) that extends from a medial side of the sole component to a lateral side of the sole structure, a distal end of the laterally extending portion being attached to an opposing surface of an adjacent component, and a medially extending portion(s) that extends from a lateral side of the sole component to a medial side of the sole structure, a distal end of the medially extending portion being attached to the opposing surface of the adjacent component, the laterally extending portion(s) and the medially extending portion(s) alternating in a longitudinal direction of the sole component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Foxen
  • Patent number: 9517406
    Abstract: Apparel is disclosed that can be worn to assist an interactive game in tracking the movement of the wearer. More particularly, the apparel may include one or more tracking marks formed of designs, patterns, or reflective materials that can be easily tracked by an interactive game employing one or more cameras or other detectors for detecting a change in position of an object. The apparel may take the form of, for example, hats, shirts, jackets, pants, gloves, and shoes. The apparel may use reflective materials, and the interactive game can employ a camera and a light source configuration where the camera is located within the observation angle of a player employing retroreflective materials reflecting light from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Shum, Thomas Foxen, James Meschter
  • Patent number: 9510645
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a multi-directional sole structure including a flex groove system is disclosed. The flex groove system includes a plurality of longitudinal flex grooves and lateral flex grooves that divide the sole structure into a plurality of segments. The flex groove system also includes a plurality of diagonal flex grooves that intersect the corners of the plurality of segments. The flex grooves system can provide enhanced flexibility for the sole structure and can enhance multi-directional flexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Aaron A C Cooper, David J. Dirsa, Thomas Foxen, Tom Luedecke
  • Publication number: 20160270475
    Abstract: A sole structure and an article of footwear that includes an upper midsole component, a lower midsole component, and a plate. The lower midsole component includes a raised portion that acts as a fulcrum or pivot point. The raised portion may be attached to the plate. The plate may be able to pivot in response to forces on the lateral side and the medial side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Foxen, Kevin W. Hoffer
  • Publication number: 20160058122
    Abstract: An article of footwear that offers different levels of cushioning and support depending on the direction of force applied to the midsole. An outer edge of the midsole includes an inwardly-extending elongate groove with a V-shaped cross-sectional configuration. An elongate insert having a V-shaped cross-sectional configuration is secured to the elongate groove. The insert forms a spring that dynamically alters the character of the support provided by the footwear to a foot of a wearer during “banking” or side-to-side movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Foxen
  • Publication number: 20160037858
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure including a midsole with an outsole secured thereto, wherein a one or more recesses or cavities extend substantially into the midsole and are exposed through one or more apertures in the outsole. These recesses or cavities provide unique cushioning and support properties, particularly during “banking” (e.g., leaning to one side or pushing off to the side from the medial or lateral side of the foot). The recesses or cavities provide the structural benefits of dome or arch shapes that are formed in the mid-sole and open to the underside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Foxen
  • Publication number: 20160037857
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the sole structure including a midsole with an outsole secured thereto, wherein one or more arcuate inserts within recesses or cavities extending into the midsole are exposed through one or more apertures in the outsole. These inserts provide unique cushioning and support properties, particularly during “banking” (e.g., leaning to one side or pushing off to the side from the medial or lateral side of the foot). The inserts provide the structural benefits of dome or arch shapes that are formed in the mid-sole and open to the underside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Foxen