Patents by Inventor William C. McFarland, II
William C. McFarland, II 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).
-
Publication number: 20240133087Abstract: A knitted component may include a first side and an opposite second side and a first tubular knit structure having a first portion on the first side and a second portion on the second side, where the first portion is at least partially formed with a first yarn and where the second portion is at least partially formed with a different second yarn, and where the first yarn includes a thermoplastic polymer material with a melting point of about 200° C. or less. The knitted component may further include a fused surface region on the first side of the knitted component formed with the thermoplastic polymer material of the first yarn. The knitted component may further include an inlaid strand extending through a passage formed by the first tubular knit structure between the first portion and the second portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2024Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Leah M. Resneck, Nikita A. Troufanov
-
Patent number: 11932975Abstract: An upper may include a plurality of knit elements linked together by a molded thermoplastic polymer element comprising a thermoplastic polymer, each of the knit elements being discrete, where each of the knit elements comprises a border that is at least partially surrounded by the molded thermoplastic polymer element. Further, an article of footwear may include a plurality of knit elements linked together by a molded thermoplastic polymer element comprising a thermoplastic polymer, each of the knit elements being discrete, where each of the knit elements comprises a border that is at least partially surrounded by the molded thermoplastic polymer element.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2023Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Leah Resneck
-
Publication number: 20240084487Abstract: A knitted component comprising two yarns, forming at least a heel region of an upper for an article of footwear, where one of the yarns comprises a thermoplastic material. The outer surface may include a fused area comprising a first thermoplastic yarn. The inner surface may be at least partially formed with a second yarn and may substantially exclude the thermoplastic material. There may be a transitional area including a reduced amount of thermoplastic material relative to a fused area. The knitted component may include a cushioning material between layers of the knit element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Jessica Green, Chun-Ying Hsu, Jaroslav J. Lupinek, Darryl Matthews, William C. McFarland, II, Chun-Yao Tu, Yi-Ning Yang, Cheng-Ying Han
-
Publication number: 20240068138Abstract: A knitted textile having a first layer including a first yarn integrally formed with a second layer including a second yarn, the first yarn forming an array of knitted patterns defining voids through the first layer to the second layer, such that the second layer is exposed through the voids in the first layer. Articles of apparel, including articles of footwear and garments incorporating the knitted textile, and methods of forming the knitted textiles and articles are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: John S. MacGilbert, William C. McFarland, II
-
Patent number: 11898279Abstract: A knitted component may include a first side and an opposite second side and a first tubular knit structure having a first portion on the first side and a second portion on the second side, where the first portion is at least partially formed with a first yarn and where the second portion is at least partially formed with a different second yarn, and where the first yarn includes a thermoplastic polymer material with a melting point of about 200° C. or less. The knitted component may further include a fused surface region on the first side of the knitted component formed with the thermoplastic polymer material of the first yarn. The knitted component may further include an inlaid strand extending through a passage formed by the first tubular knit structure between the first portion and the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Leah M. Resneck, Nikita A. Troufanov
-
Patent number: 11866861Abstract: A knitted component having a first region located adjacent to a perimeter edge of the article, where the first region of the knitted component includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface may include a fused area formed with a thermoformed thermoplastic material included with a first yarn. The inner surface may be at least partially formed with the second yarn and may substantially exclude the thermoplastic material.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jessica Green, Chun-Ying Hsu, Jaroslav J. Lupinek, Darryl Matthews, William C. McFarland, II, Chun-Yao Tu, Yi-Ning Yang, Cheng-Ying Han
-
Patent number: 11788219Abstract: A knitted textile having a first layer including a first yarn with a thermoplastic composition integrally formed with a second layer including a second yarn, the first yarn forming an array of knitted patterns defining voids through the first layer to the second layer. The first layer may be heat treated to form a film. Treatment of the first layer may change zonal and directional tensile properties of the knitted textile. The Poisson's ratio of the knitted textile may be greater than or equal to zero in a first axis and/or a second axis, before and/or after treatment. Articles of apparel, including articles of footwear and garments incorporating the knitted textile, and methods of forming the knitted textiles and articles are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: John S. MacGilbert, William C. McFarland, II
-
Publication number: 20230323574Abstract: An upper may include a plurality of knit elements linked together by a molded thermoplastic polymer element comprising a thermoplastic polymer, each of the knit elements being discrete, where each of the knit elements comprises a border that is at least partially surrounded by the molded thermoplastic polymer element. Further, an article of footwear may include a plurality of knit elements linked together by a molded thermoplastic polymer element comprising a thermoplastic polymer, each of the knit elements being discrete, where each of the knit elements comprises a border that is at least partially surrounded by the molded thermoplastic polymer element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Leah Resneck
-
Publication number: 20230292879Abstract: A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Sam Amis, Aaron Bartel, Stefan E. Guest, Sam Lacey, William C. McFarland, II, Christian Alexander Steinbeck, Yoav Sterman, Adam Thuss, Todd A. Waatti
-
Publication number: 20230255316Abstract: Methods of manufacture, including exposing the upper to steam while in a tensioned state to at least partially melt the fusible yarn to adjacent yarns is described. Subsequent cooling of the fusible yarn retains the upper in a stretched condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Travis J. Berrian, Mark S. Bruce, Ajay Chadha, Stephen J. Hipp, Timothy K. Liles, John S. MacGilbert, William C. McFarland, II, Colin M. Runkle, Peter R. Savage, Hirotaka Usui, Yang Zhao
-
Patent number: 11659892Abstract: A lightweight, breathable, translucent and high-strength upper formed from a half-gauge knit, at least in part from a high tenacity yarn and a fusible yarn, is described. The upper may include a knit heel structure. Methods of manufacture, including exposing the upper to steam while in a tensioned state to at least partially melt the fusible yarn to adjacent yarns is also described. Subsequent cooling of the fusible yarn retains the upper in a stretched condition.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Travis J. Berrian, Mark S. Bruce, Ajay Chadha, Stephen J. Hipp, Timothy K. Liles, John S. MacGilbert, William C. McFarland, II, Colin M. Runkle, Peter R. Savage, Hirotaka Usui, Yang Zhao
-
Patent number: 11647808Abstract: A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Sam Amis, Aaron Bartel, Stefan E. Guest, Sam Lacey, William C. McFarland, II, Christian Alexander Steinbeck, Yoav Sterman, Adam Thuss, Todd A. Waatti
-
Publication number: 20230126788Abstract: A knitted textile having a first layer including a first yarn with a thermoplastic composition integrally formed with a second layer including a second yarn, the first yarn forming an array of knitted patterns defining voids through the first layer to the second layer. The first layer may be heat treated to form a film. Treatment of the first layer may change zonal and directional tensile properties of the knitted textile. The Poisson's ratio of the knitted textile may be greater than or equal to zero in a first axis and/or a second axis, before and/or after treatment. Articles of apparel, including articles of footwear and garments incorporating the knitted textile, and methods of forming the knitted textiles and articles are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: John S. MacGilbert, William C. McFarland, II
-
Patent number: 11560652Abstract: A knitted component may include a molded thermoplastic polymer element surrounded by a knit element, where the knit element includes a first layer forming a first side and a second layer forming a second side facing opposite the first side, the first layer and the second layer being coextensive and secured via interlooped knit loops that form at least a portion of the molded thermoplastic polymer element. The first side may include the molded thermoplastic polymer element, where the second layer is coextensive with the thermoplastic polymer element, and where the second side faces opposite the first side.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Leah Resneck
-
Patent number: 11525197Abstract: A knitted textile (2) having a first layer (4) including a first yarn (12) with a thermoplastic composition integrally formed with a second layer (6) including a second yarn (14), the first yarn (12) forming an array of knitted patterns (16) defining voids (8) through the first layer (4) to the second layer (6). The first layer (4) may be heat treated to form a film. (24). Treatment of the first layer (4) may change zonal and directional tensile properties of the knitted textile (2). The Poisson's ratio of the knitted textile (2) may be greater than or equal to zero in a first axis (32) and/or a second axis (30), before and/or after treatment. Articles of apparel, including articles of footwear (26) and garments incorporating the knitted textile (2), and methods of forming the knitted textiles (2) and articles are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: John S. MacGilbert, William C. McFarland, II
-
Publication number: 20220275544Abstract: A knitted component may include a first side and an opposite second side and a first tubular knit structure having a first portion on the first side and a second portion on the second side, where the first portion is at least partially formed with a first yarn and where the second portion is at least partially formed with a different second yarn, and where the first yarn includes a thermoplastic polymer material with a melting point of about 200° C. or less. The knitted component may further include a fused surface region on the first side of the knitted component formed with the thermoplastic polymer material of the first yarn. The knitted component may further include an inlaid strand extending through a passage formed by the first tubular knit structure between the first portion and the second portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Leah M. Resneck, Nikita A. Troufanov
-
Publication number: 20220259780Abstract: A knitted component having a first region located adjacent to a perimeter edge of the article, where the first region of the knitted component includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface may include a fused area formed with a thermoformed thermoplastic material included with a first yarn. The inner surface may be at least partially formed with the second yarn and may substantially exclude the thermoplastic material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Jessica Green, Chun-Ying Hsu, Jaroslav J. Lupinek, Darryl Matthews, William C. McFarland, II, Chun-Yao Tu, Yi-Ning Yang, Cheng-Ying Han
-
Patent number: D985911Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2022Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Vianney de Montgolfier, Jacqueline Lefferts, William C. McFarland, II
-
Patent number: D985922Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2022Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Vianney de Montgolfier, Jacqueline Lefferts, William C. McFarland, II
-
Patent number: D996044Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Vianney de Montgolfier, Jacqueline Lefferts, William C. McFarland, II