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: 7908771
    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: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Foxen, Jonathan Johnsongriffin, E. Scott Morris, Craig A. Nomi
  • Publication number: 20100299965
    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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Aaron A.C. Cooper, David J. Dirsa, Thomas Foxen, Tom Luedecke
  • Publication number: 20100137064
    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: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Shum, Thomas Foxen, James Meschter, Yves Behar
  • Patent number: 7676955
    Abstract: A sole component and a method of manufacturing the sole component are disclosed. In general, the sole component includes a fluid-filled bladder and a reinforcing structure extending around the bladder. The reinforcing structure is bonded to the exterior of the bladder, and may be recessed into the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure extends along the side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing the sole component, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Thomas Foxen, Jeffrey C. Pisciotta
  • Patent number: 7665230
    Abstract: A sole component and a method of manufacturing the sole component are disclosed. In general, the sole component includes a fluid-filled bladder and a reinforcing structure extending around the bladder. The reinforcing structure is bonded to the exterior of the bladder, and may be recessed into the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure extends along the side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing the sole component, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Troy C. Lindner, Thomas Foxen, Scott C. Holt
  • Publication number: 20090178301
    Abstract: An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a fluid-filled chamber with a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces. Whereas the first surface and the second surface each have a thickness of one sheet of a polymer material, the third surface has a thickness of two overlapping sheets of the polymer material. The third surface may be exposed to an exterior of the footwear to form a portion of a side surface of the sole structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Thomas Foxen
  • Patent number: 7556846
    Abstract: A fluid-filled bladder with a reinforcing structure and a method of manufacturing the bladder and reinforcing structure are disclosed. In general, the reinforcing structure extends around the bladder, and the reinforcing structure is bonded to an exterior of the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure is recessed into the bladder and extends along side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Thomas Foxen, John F. Swigart, Eric Steven Schindler
  • Publication number: 20090071037
    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: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Foxen, Jonathan Johnsongriffin, E. Scott Morris, Craig A. Nomi
  • Publication number: 20080222917
    Abstract: A sole component and a method of manufacturing the sole component are disclosed. In general, the sole component includes a fluid-filled bladder and a reinforcing structure extending around the bladder. The reinforcing structure is bonded to the exterior of the bladder, and may be recessed into the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure extends along the side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing the sole component, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Michael A. Aveni, Troy C. Lindner, Thomas Foxen, Scott C. Holt, Jeffrey C. Pisciotta
  • Publication number: 20080201983
    Abstract: A sole component and a method of manufacturing the sole component are disclosed. In general, the sole component includes a fluid-filled bladder and a reinforcing structure extending around the bladder. The reinforcing structure is bonded to the exterior of the bladder, and may be recessed into the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure extends along the side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing the sole component, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Michael A. Aveni, Troy C. Lindner, Scott C. Holt, Thomas Foxen, Jeffrey C. Pisciotta
  • Publication number: 20080201985
    Abstract: A sole component and a method of manufacturing the sole component are disclosed. In general, the sole component includes a fluid-filled bladder and a reinforcing structure extending around the bladder. The reinforcing structure is bonded to the exterior of the bladder, and may be recessed into the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure extends along the side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing the sole component, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Michael A. Aveni, Troy C. Lindner, Thomas Foxen, Scott C. Holt, Jeffrey C. Pisciotta
  • Publication number: 20080201984
    Abstract: A sole component and a method of manufacturing the sole component are disclosed. In general, the sole component includes a fluid-filled bladder and a reinforcing structure extending around the bladder. The reinforcing structure is bonded to the exterior of the bladder, and may be recessed into the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure extends along the side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing the sole component, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Michael A. Aveni, Troy C. Lindner, Thomas Foxen, Scott C. Holt, Jeffrey C. Pisciotta
  • Patent number: 7401420
    Abstract: A sole component and a method of manufacturing the sole component are disclosed. In general, the sole component includes a fluid-filled bladder and a reinforcing structure extending around the bladder. The reinforcing structure is bonded to the exterior of the bladder, and may be recessed into the bladder. In some embodiments, the reinforcing structure extends along the side surfaces of the bladder and between upper and lower surfaces of bladder. In manufacturing the sole component, the reinforcing structure may be located within a mold, and the polymer material forming the bladder may be bonded to the reinforcing structure during the molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Thomas Foxen, John F. Swigart, Eric Steven Schindler
  • Patent number: D572001
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Mark J. Smith, Thomas Foxen, Thomas Berend, Jeffrey Christopher Spanks
  • Patent number: D572459
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Mark J. Smith, Thomas Foxen, Thomas Berend, Jeffrey Christopher Spanks
  • Patent number: D572462
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Mark J. Smith, Thomas Foxen, Thomas Berend, Jeffrey Christopher Spanks
  • Patent number: D573331
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Mark J. Smith, Thomas Foxen, Thomas Berend, Jeffrey Christopher Spanks
  • Patent number: D573332
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Mark J. Smith, Thomas Foxen, Thomas Berend, Jeffrey Christopher Spanks
  • Patent number: D575043
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Mark J. Smith, Thomas Foxen, Thomas Berend, Jeffrey Christopher Spanks
  • Patent number: D575490
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Mark J. Smith, Thomas Foxen, Thomas Berend, Jeffrey Christopher Spanks