Patents by Inventor W. Thornton

W. Thornton 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: 12357057
    Abstract: An article of footwear comprising an upper and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure includes a cushioning element, comprising a plurality of tubes, wherein adjacent tubes are connected to one another by a respective web area, disposed between a first support element and a second support element, wherein one or more of the respective web areas is exposed to the external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20250127600
    Abstract: A device for dispensing interdental cleaner strands, the device comprising, in some embodiments, a front end for dispensing an interdental cleaner strand and plurality of threader ports for communicating the interdental cleaner strand into the front end. In one example, a rotating wheel may be operated by a user to advance an interdental cleaner strand into one or more threader ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventor: Brett W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240351299
    Abstract: A method includes positioning a first polymer sheet on a substantially first flat surface of a tool, positioning a second polymer sheet on the first polymer sheet, and moving a second substantially flat surface of the tool into contact with the second polymer sheet. The method also includes maintaining a gap between the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet at a predetermined area and heating one of the two substantially flat surfaces of the tool to heat one of the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet. The method further includes joining the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet together at locations outside of the predetermined area to define a peripheral bond of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Patent number: 12049055
    Abstract: A method includes positioning a first polymer sheet on a substantially first flat surface of a tool, positioning a second polymer sheet on the first polymer sheet, and moving a second substantially flat surface of the tool into contact with the second polymer sheet. The method also includes maintaining a gap between the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet at a predetermined area and heating one of the two substantially flat surfaces of the tool to heat one of the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet. The method further includes joining the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet together at locations outside of the predetermined area to define a peripheral bond of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240225185
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having a first support element, the first support element including a first set of recesses; a second support element, the second support element including a second set of recesses, and wherein the second support element includes an opening extending therethrough; a coupling portion, the coupling portion including a third set of recesses, and wherein the coupling portion is disposed within the opening of the second support element; a cushioning element disposed between the first support element and the second support element, the cushioning element including a plurality of tubes, wherein the first set of recesses, the second set of recesses, and the third set of recesses form a continuous receiving area, and wherein the cushioning element is disposed within the continuous receiving area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240225184
    Abstract: An article of footwear comprising an upper and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure includes a cushioning element, comprising a plurality of tubes, wherein adjacent tubes are connected to one another by a respective web area, disposed between a first support element and a second support element, wherein one or more of the respective web areas is exposed to the external environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240225188
    Abstract: An article of footwear having a heel region including a posterior end, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region including an anterior end. The article of footwear having a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure has a first cushioning element, having a plurality of first tubes and a plurality of first web areas. Adjacent first tubes are connected to one another by a respective first web area of the plurality of first web areas. The sole structure also having a second cushioning element, having a plurality of second tubes and a plurality of second web areas. Adjacent second tubes are connected to one another by a respective web area of the second plurality of web areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Shawn G. Carboy, Zachary M. Elder, Jonathan Kosenick, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240225186
    Abstract: An article of footwear having a heel region with a posterior end of the article of footwear, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region with an anterior end of the article of footwear; a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; a sole structure, the sole structure coupled to the upper, and wherein the sole structure has; a cushioning element disposed in the heel region, the cushioning element having a first tube and a second tube, wherein each of the first tube and the second tube extend from the lateral side of the article of footwear to the medial side of the article of footwear, wherein the first tube includes a contained fluid volume at a first pressure, and the second tube includes a contained fluid volume at a second pressure, wherein the first pressure and the second pressure are equal to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240225189
    Abstract: An article of footwear having a heel region including a posterior end, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region including an anterior end. The article of footwear having an upper extending from the heel region to the forefoot region and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure further has a first cushioning element having a first tube, a second tube, a third tube, and a fourth tube, and an outsole layer extending from the posterior end to the anterior end. The outsole layer is configured to directly receive a portion of the first cushioning element, and the outsole layer forms a ground-contacting surface of the article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Shawn G. Carboy, Zachary M. Elder, Jonathan Kosenick, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240130471
    Abstract: An article of footwear having a heel region with a posterior end of the article of footwear, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region with an anterior end of the article of footwear; a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; a sole structure, the sole structure coupled to the upper, and wherein the sole structure has; a cushioning element disposed in the heel region, the cushioning element having a first tube and a second tube, wherein each of the first tube and the second tube extend from the lateral side of the article of footwear to the medial side of the article of footwear, wherein the first tube includes a contained fluid volume at a first pressure, and the second tube includes a contained fluid volume at a second pressure, wherein the first pressure and the second pressure are equal to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240130473
    Abstract: An article of footwear having a heel region including a posterior end, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region including an anterior end. The article of footwear having an upper extending from the heel region to the forefoot region and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure further has a first cushioning element having a first tube, a second tube, a third tube, and a fourth tube, and an outsole layer extending from the posterior end to the anterior end. The outsole layer is configured to directly receive a portion of the first cushioning element, and the outsole layer forms a ground-contacting surface of the article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Shawn G. Carboy, Zachary M. Elder, Jonathan Kosenick, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240130469
    Abstract: An article of footwear comprising an upper and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure includes a cushioning element, comprising a plurality of tubes, wherein adjacent tubes are connected to one another by a respective web area, disposed between a first support element and a second support element, wherein one or more of the respective web areas is exposed to the external environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240130467
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having a first support element, the first support element including a first set of recesses; a second support element, the second support element including a second set of recesses, and wherein the second support element includes an opening extending therethrough; a coupling portion, the coupling portion including a third set of recesses, and wherein the coupling portion is disposed within the opening of the second support element; a cushioning element disposed between the first support element and the second support element, the cushioning element including a plurality of tubes, wherein the first set of recesses, the second set of recesses, and the third set of recesses form a continuous receiving area, and wherein the cushioning element is disposed within the continuous receiving area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20240130472
    Abstract: An article of footwear having a heel region including a posterior end, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region including an anterior end. The article of footwear having a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure has a first cushioning element, having a plurality of first tubes and a plurality of first web areas. Adjacent first tubes are connected to one another by a respective first web area of the plurality of first web areas. The sole structure also having a second cushioning element, having a plurality of second tubes and a plurality of second web areas. Adjacent second tubes are connected to one another by a respective web area of the second plurality of web areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Shawn G. Carboy, Zachary M. Elder, Jonathan Kosenick, Roger Paul Murphy, Thomas J. Rushbrook, Jessica Small, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20230256695
    Abstract: A method includes positioning a first polymer sheet on a substantially first flat surface of a tool, positioning a second polymer sheet on the first polymer sheet, and moving a second substantially flat surface of the tool into contact with the second polymer sheet. The method also includes maintaining a gap between the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet at a predetermined area and heating one of the two substantially flat surfaces of the tool to heat one of the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet. The method further includes joining the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet together at locations outside of the predetermined area to define a peripheral bond of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Patent number: 11667094
    Abstract: A method includes positioning a first polymer sheet on a substantially first flat surface of a tool, positioning a second polymer sheet on the first polymer sheet, and moving a second substantially flat surface of the tool into contact with the second polymer sheet. The method also includes maintaining a gap between the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet at a predetermined area and heating one of the two substantially flat surfaces of the tool to heat one of the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet. The method further includes joining the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet together at locations outside of the predetermined area to define a peripheral bond of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20220117388
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a novel, twisted-in-wire type interproximal brush equipped with yarn strands. According to some embodiments, the yarn strands may be formed of nylon filament having compression memory characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventor: Brett W. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20220072820
    Abstract: A method includes positioning a first polymer sheet on a substantially first flat surface of a tool, positioning a second polymer sheet on the first polymer sheet, and moving a second substantially flat surface of the tool into contact with the second polymer sheet. The method also includes maintaining a gap between the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet at a predetermined area and heating one of the two substantially flat surfaces of the tool to heat one of the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet. The method further includes joining the first polymer sheet and the second polymer sheet together at locations outside of the predetermined area to define a peripheral bond of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hopkins, Matthew W. Thornton
  • Patent number: D1084632
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew W. Thornton
  • Patent number: D1083342
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew W. Thornton