Patents by Inventor Tiffany A. Beers

Tiffany A. Beers 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).

  • Lighting assembly for articles of footwear
    Patent number: 11000090
    Abstract: An article of footwear can include provisions for facilitating the installation of various components such as a lighting apparatus. During manufacture of the article of footwear, the upper and/or sole structure can include a chamber designed to receive the lighting apparatus. The lighting apparatus can be installed in the chamber after manufacture of the article of footwear. In some cases, the lighting apparatus can include provisions for facilitating the installation of the lighting apparatus in the chamber, including a removable handle portion that can help guide the lighting apparatus within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • Article of footwear with dynamic support
    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
  • Article of footwear and a charging system for an article of footwear
    Patent number: 10966481
    Abstract: A charging system can include provisions for providing power to various systems or components associated with the article of footwear. A charging system may include a charging device dimensioned to be used with one or more articles of footwear, where the articles of footwear can include different sizes. In some cases, the charging system can be used to facilitate the transfer of power to components in a motorized tensioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • Article with tensioning system including tension balancing member
    Patent number: 10918154
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an intermediate covering portion with an adjustable volume. The intermediate covering portion is closed around the instep of the foot. The article also includes a tensioning system that can be used to change the volume of the intermediate covering portion. The tensioning system includes a tension balancing member to balance loads across different portions of the intermediate covering portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Nathan T. Gilbreath
  • Lacing system with guide elements
    Patent number: 10918164
    Abstract: An article of footwear with various types of guide elements is disclosed. The article of footwear provides a set of tensile elements that can be moved through the guide elements to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The tensile elements may be routed through a guide element associated with the upper that can provide compressive strength and support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Tiffany A. Beers
  • LACE ROUTING PATTERN OF A LACING SYSTEM FOR AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR
    Publication number: 20210037922
    Abstract: A lace routing pattern for a lacing system for an article of footwear is described. The lacing system is moved between opened and closed positions by applying tension to segments of a lace connected to a tensioning assembly of a tensioning system. Each of the lace segments are arranged to extend between opposite sides of a lacing area according to a different lace routing pattern. The lace routing patterns have equal total closure distances for each of the lace segments so that tension applied by the tensioning system will be uniformly distributed through the lacing system and the article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • LACE ROUTING PATTERN OF A LACING SYSTEM FOR AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR
    Publication number: 20210037921
    Abstract: A lace routing pattern for a lacing system for an article of footwear is described. The lacing system is moved between opened and closed positions by applying tension to segments of a lace connected to a tensioning assembly of a tensioning system. Each of the lace segments are arranged to extend between opposite sides of a lacing area according to a different lace routing pattern. The lace routing patterns have equal total closure distances for each of the lace segments so that tension applied by the tensioning system will be uniformly distributed through the lacing system and the article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • LACE ROUTING PATTERN OF A LACING SYSTEM FOR AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR
    Publication number: 20210037923
    Abstract: A lace routing pattern for a lacing system for an article of footwear is described. The lacing system is moved between opened and closed positions by applying tension to segments of a lace connected to a tensioning assembly of a tensioning system. Each of the lace segments are arranged to extend between opposite sides of a lacing area according to a different lace routing pattern. The lace routing patterns have equal total closure distances for each of the lace segments so that tension applied by the tensioning system will be uniformly distributed through the lacing system and the article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • MOTORIZED TENSIONING SYSTEM WITH SENSORS
    Publication number: 20210022451
    Abstract: A tensioning system for articles of footwear and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a tensioning member that is tightened or loosened using a motorized tensioning device for winding and unwinding the tensioning member on a spool. The tensioning system may be used with various sensors to determine how the motorized tensioning device should be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings, Cody Collier Henderson, James Alan Capra, Mark Stanley Soderberg, Daniel Hipwood
  • MOTORIZED TENSIONING SYSTEM WITH SENSORS
    Publication number: 20210022452
    Abstract: A tensioning system for articles of footwear and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a tensioning member that is tightened or loosened using a motorized tensioning device for winding and unwinding the tensioning member on a spool. The tensioning system may be used with various sensors to determine how the motorized tensioning device should be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings, Cody Collier Henderson, James Alan Capra, Mark Stanley Soderberg, Daniel Hipwood
  • Articles of footwear including a multi-part sole structure
    Patent number: 10856607
    Abstract: Sole structures and/or articles of footwear include: (a) a frame with a first sidewall that has an opening defined through it; and (b) an interior midsole component including a second sidewall that extends along the first sidewall of the frame. The interior midsole component includes an outwardly extending stem projecting sideways and into the opening. This stem: (a) may extend at least to a location at or adjacent an outer surface of the first sidewall, (b) may be complementary shaped with respect to an interior surface of the opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the opening, and/or (c) may extend beyond an outermost extent of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tinker L. Hatfield, Tiffany A. Beers
  • Article with Tensioning System Including Tension Balancing Member
    Publication number: 20200367597
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an intermediate covering portion with an adjustable volume. The intermediate covering portion is closed around the instep of the foot. The article also includes a tensioning system that can be used to change the volume of the intermediate covering portion. The tensioning system includes a tension balancing member to balance loads across different portions of the intermediate covering portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Nathan T. Gilbreath
  • FOOTWEAR HAVING MOTORIZED ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM AND ELASTIC UPPER
    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
  • Input assembly for an article of manufacture
    Patent number: 10827802
    Abstract: An article of footwear, an article of apparel or protective gear can include a tensioning apparatus for tightening, for example, laces, cables or strings or other devices that secure the article to a wearer. The tensioning apparatus receives signals from an input assembly that is in communication with the tensioning apparatus. The input assembly may include pairs of wires that have twisted loops or other curvilinear segments that allow the input assembly to accommodate to different actions by the wearer of the footwear. The input assembly may also include a flexible epoxy cover that protects the connections between the wires and a printed circuit board that includes input devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings, Steven H. Walker
  • FOOTWEAR HEEL SPRING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20200345105
    Abstract: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of an article of footwear includes a control bar having a center segment, a medial side arm extending from the center segment, and a lateral side arm spaced from the medial side arm and extending from the center segment. The device may include an extension extending toward the control bar. At least a portion of the control bar may be elastically deformable under an applied force depressing the control bar toward the extension, and the extension may limit movement of the control bar. The control bar may be adapted to return to an unloaded position upon removal of the applied force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, John T. Dimoff, Wade Flanagan, Austin Orand, Gerald Sullivan, George A. Xanthos
  • FOOTWEAR HAVING REMOVABLE MOTORIZED ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200329821
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include a motorized tensioning system. The tensioning system may include a tensile member and a motorized tightening device configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear. The tensioning system may further include a power source configured to supply power to the motorized tightening device. The tensile member, the motorized tightening device, and the power source may be configured to be removably attached to the article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventor: Tiffany A. Beers
  • AUTOMATIC LACING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200315298
    Abstract: An article of footwear with an automatic lacing system is disclosed. The automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The article further includes an automatic ankle cinching system that is configured to automatically adjust an ankle portion of the upper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Michael R. Friton, Tinker L. Hatfield
  • TENSIONING SYSTEM AND REEL MEMBER FOR FOOTWEAR
    Publication number: 20200305554
    Abstract: A tensioning system for an article of footwear includes a motor, a reel member in communication with the motor, and a lace, the reel member comprising a shaft including a central axis running from a first end to a second end and at least three flanges disposed along the shaft. A center flange of the at least three flanges includes an aperture extending through the center flange from a first face to a second face of the center flange, the aperture aligned with the central axis. A portion of the lace extends through the aperture in the center flange to interconnect the lace with the reel member and the lace is configured to be wound around portions of the shaft disposed on opposite sides of the center flange when the tensioning system is in a tightened condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • Article of footwear and a charging system for an article of footwear
    Patent number: 10779605
    Abstract: A charging system can include provisions for providing power to various systems or components associated with the article of footwear. A charging system may include a charging device dimensioned to be used with one or more articles of footwear, where the articles of footwear can include different sizes. In some cases, the charging system can be used to facilitate the transfer of power to components in a motorized tensioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings
  • LOCKOUT FEATURE FOR A CONTROL DEVICE
    Publication number: 20200281304
    Abstract: An article of footwear can include provisions for improving the operation and use of various systems associated with the article. A control device included in the article can be configured to allow manual control of a system by a user. A lockout feature that can disable manual control may be included. During periods of competitive activity, the manual controls may be disabled to allow a user wearing the article to engage in different activities without inadvertent activation of a system. In some cases, the control device and lockout feature can be used in conjunction with a motorized tensioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Tiffany A. Beers, Andrew A. Owings