Patents by Inventor Thomas J Rushbrook

Thomas J Rushbrook 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: 11261549
    Abstract: Articles of wear having one or more textiles that include a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The low processing temperature polymeric composition and the high processing temperature polymeric composition can be selectively incorporated into a textile to provide one or more structural properties and/or other advantageous properties to the article. The textile can be thermoformed to impart such structural and/or other advantageous properties to the article of wear. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Giovanni Adami, Sam Amis, Sergio Cavaliere, Jessica Green, Stephen Hipp, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Timothy J. Smith, Christianna Wincek
  • Patent number: 11253023
    Abstract: An upper component for an article of footwear allows easy entry of the foot into the article of footwear. The upper component includes a heel body, which includes a first portion partially defining an ankle opening. The heel body further includes a second portion coupled to the first portion. The second portion is foldable and partially defines the ankle opening. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration. The upper component includes at least one tension member coupled to the second portion. The tension member is movable relative to the first portion to move the second portion from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration. The ankle opening is larger when the second portion is in the unfolded configuration than when the second portion is in the folded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobie D. Hatfield, Ami Davis, John T. Dimoff, Nadia M. Panian, Thomas J. Rushbrook
  • Patent number: 11219276
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the upper including one or more elastic portions and one or more substantially inelastic portions. The footwear may further include a plurality of lace receiving members fixedly attached to an outer surface of the upper on the inelastic portions of the upper. Also, the footwear may include a sole structure fixedly attached to the upper. In addition, the footwear may include a motorized tensioning system including a motorized tightening device and a tensile member extending through the plurality of lace receiving members, the tightening device being configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear by drawing two or more of the plurality of lace receiving members closer to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Rushbrook, Tiffany A. Beers
  • Patent number: 11206892
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a dynamic support system that controls arrays of tiles in the upper of the footwear to adjust the level of support provided in different regions of the upper. Sensors in the sole of the footwear, in the upper of the footwear and/or in an article worn by the wearer of the footwear measure the level of stress or other characteristics and provide input to one or more microprocessors that control motors located in the sole or in the upper of the footwear. When the motors are activated, they may compress or loosen arrays of tiles to adjust the stiffness of the upper in one or more regions of the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Rushbrook, Tiffany A. Beers, Nathan T Gilbreath
  • Patent number: 11155944
    Abstract: Articles of wear having one or more textiles that include a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The low processing temperature polymeric composition and the high processing temperature polymeric composition can be selectively incorporated into a textile to provide one or more structural properties and/or other advantageous properties to the article. The textile can be thermoformed to impart such structural and/or other advantageous properties to the article of wear. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Giovanni Adami, Sam Amis, Sergio Cavaliere, Jessica Green, Stephen Hipp, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Timothy J. Smith, Christianna Wincek
  • Patent number: 11154116
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes an upper layer comprised of a plate member and a lower layer comprised of a plurality of segmented portions separated by flexing regions. The flexing regions may comprise portions of a compressible material. The sole structure accommodates vertical bending and torsion, while limiting lateral bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Rushbrook
  • Publication number: 20210244130
    Abstract: A warp knit element for an article of footwear includes a plurality of cell structures that extend from a sole structure to a lacing region of an upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Scott C. Holt, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Sam Amis
  • Publication number: 20210219651
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a dynamic support system that controls arrays of tiles in the upper of the footwear to adjust the level of support provided in different regions of the upper. Sensors in the sole of the footwear, in the upper of the footwear and/or in an article worn by the wearer of the footwear measure the level of stress or other characteristics and provide input to one or more microprocessors that control motors located in the sole or in the upper of the footwear. When the motors are activated, they may compress or loosen arrays of tiles to adjust the stiffness of the upper in one or more regions of the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas J. Rushbrook, Tiffany A. Beers, Nathan T. Gilbreath
  • Patent number: 11000095
    Abstract: A warp knit element for an article of footwear includes a plurality of strap members that are separated by a slit. The strap members are formed of unitary knit construction to be joined at a junction. Edges that define the strap member extend generally in a warp direction on the knit element. The knit element can provide stretch resistance to the article of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Bell, Scott C. Holt, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Sam Amis
  • Patent number: 10986888
    Abstract: An article of footwear with a dynamic support system that controls arrays of tiles in the upper of the footwear to adjust the level of support provided in different regions of the upper. Sensors in the sole of the footwear, in the upper of the footwear and/or in an article worn by the wearer of the footwear measure the level of stress or other characteristics and provide input to one or more microprocessors that control motors located in the sole or in the upper of the footwear. When the motors are activated, they may compress or loosen arrays of tiles to adjust the stiffness of the upper in one or more regions of the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Rushbrook, Tiffany A. Beers, Nathan T Gilbreath
  • Publication number: 20210112921
    Abstract: A fiber bound engineered material is provided that imparts an intended characteristic at an intended relative location. A fiber layer is entangled with additional fibers in a manner to create a non-uniform engineered material. The lack of uniformity of a fiber bound engineered material may be accomplished through manipulation of the fibers and/or through fiber binding a scrim. The fiber layer binds with additional fibers through entanglement such that a mechanical connection between the entangled fibers is provided. This entanglement allows the fibers to bind without supplemental adhesives, interlacing, or connections. Variations in the fibers and/or inclusion of scrim materials prior to entanglement allows for an intended characteristic (e.g., a functional characteristic) at an intended relative location (e.g., a position determined by an article to be formed therefrom).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Pamela S. Greene, Bruce J. Kilgore, Thomas J. Rushbrook
  • Publication number: 20210085024
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a midsole having a medial edge and a lateral edge. The sole structure also include a first lower rib extending from the medial edge to the lateral edge of the midsole. The first lower rib includes a portion spaced from the midsole between the medial edge and the lateral edge. The sole structure further includes a medial flex member disposed between the midsole and the first lower rib near the medial edge and a lateral flex member disposed between the midsole and the first lower rib near the lateral edge. The medial flex member and the lateral flex member are configured to flex the first lower rib relative to the midsole in response to a force of a predetermined magnitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuchung K. Chen, Joël Ryp Greenspan, Oliver McLachlan, Stuart Reinhardt, Thomas J. Rushbrook
  • Publication number: 20210085018
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a ball control region. The ball control region is formed on an exterior surface of the upper and includes at least one ball control pad having a ball control panel attached to and spaced apart from the upper by one or more flexible elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuchung K. Chen, Joël Ryp Greenspan, Oliver McLachlan, Stuart Reinhardt, Thomas J. Rushbrook
  • Publication number: 20200405007
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole body having a proximal surface and a distal surface. Proprioceptive elements may extend in the hole in the midsole body, and translate toward the proximal surface in the holes upon a force directed along a central axis of the hole at a distal end of the proprioceptive elements. In various embodiments, the holes may angle relative to vertical from the proximal surface to the distal surface, the holes may be defined by perforations and the proprioceptive elements may be integral portions of the midsole body, or the midsole body may have a plurality of annular holes at the proximal surface, and a plurality of annular recesses in the distal surface, and a plurality of proprioceptive elements, each centered in a different annular hole of the plurality of annular holes. Methods of manufacturing articles of footwear are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuchung K. Chen, Oliver McLachlan, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Timothy J. Smith
  • Patent number: 10842223
    Abstract: A chassis for an article of footwear may include a base and a frame attached to a top side of the base. The frame may include a network of interconnected walls defining a plurality of cells, each of at least a portion of the cells having a bottom at least partially closed by an underlying portion of the base. A bottom of the base may be fixed with respect to a plantar section of an upper. A sock liner may be indexed to the chassis or to another footwear support structure. The sock liner may have downwardly-extending tabs configured to rest in cells of the chassis or in other cavities of a support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Amis, Michael S. Amos, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Timothy J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200352283
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the upper including one or more elastic portions and one or more substantially inelastic portions. The footwear may further include a plurality of lace receiving members fixedly attached to an outer surface of the upper on the inelastic portions of the upper. Also, the footwear may include a sole structure fixedly attached to the upper. In addition, the footwear may include a motorized tensioning system including a motorized tightening device and a tensile member extending through the plurality of lace receiving members, the tightening device being configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear by drawing two or more of the plurality of lace receiving members closer to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas J. Rushbrook, Tiffany A. Beers
  • Patent number: 10820657
    Abstract: A sole structure can include an outsole with flexure zones that allow relative movement between regions of the outsole bottom surface that are separated or defined by the flexure zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Rushbrook, Brooke P. Rapf
  • Patent number: 10798993
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole body having a proximal surface and a distal surface. Proprioceptive elements may extend in the hole in the midsole body, and translate toward the proximal surface in the holes upon a force directed along a central axis of the hole at a distal end of the proprioceptive elements. In various embodiments, the holes may angle relative to vertical from the proximal surface to the distal surface, the holes may be defined by perforations and the proprioceptive elements may be integral portions of the midsole body, or the midsole body may have a plurality of annular holes at the proximal surface, and a plurality of annular recesses in the distal surface, and a plurality of proprioceptive elements, each centered in a different annular hole of the plurality of annular holes. Methods of manufacturing articles of footwear are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuchung K. Chen, Oliver McLachlan, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Timothy J. Smith
  • Patent number: 10779609
    Abstract: An article of apparel or sporting equipment, such as garments and footwear incorporates a molded component formed of a UV radiation curable material. In the case of an article of footwear, the UV radiation curable material may be formed into an outsole. The method of manufacturing such articles include placing an ultraviolet radiation curable material in contact with a molding surface; conforming the UV radiation curable material to a shape of the molding surface, forming a molded component; and removing the molded component from the molding surface, such that the component maintains the shape of the molding surface. The molded component may be exposed to ultraviolet radiation in an amount and for a duration that is sufficient to partially cure or fully cure the UV radiation curable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yuchung K. Chen, Jay Constantinou, Oliver McLachlan, Thomas J. Rushbrook
  • Publication number: 20200281302
    Abstract: A knitted component may form at least a portion of an article of footwear. For example, a first knit layer may be located on an inner side of an article of footwear such that the first layer is adjacent to a void, and a second layer may at least partially surround the first layer and form an outer surface of the article of footwear. An interstitial space may be formed between the first layer and the second layer. At least one pocket may be located within the interstitial space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Hipp, Fanny Y. Ho, Bruce J. Kilgore, Thomas J. Rushbrook