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: 20190281927Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear including forming a first upper on a textile manufacturing machine and forming a second upper on the textile manufacturing machine at a time that at least partially overlaps with formation of the first upper. The first upper and the second upper are formed at separate locations of the textile manufacturing machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Kristen Orme
-
Patent number: 10349702Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear including forming a first upper on a textile manufacturing machine and forming a second upper on the textile manufacturing machine at a time that at least partially overlaps with formation of the first upper. The first upper and the second upper are formed at separate locations of the textile manufacturing machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Kristen Orme
-
Patent number: 10349700Abstract: 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: July 20, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: 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: 20190191822Abstract: An article of footwear may include an inner knit layer forming a void dimensioned for receipt of at least a portion of a foot, along with an outer knit layer, where the outer knit layer at least partially surrounds the inner knit layer. The outer knit layer may define window for viewing of the inner knit layer, the window being located at an overfoot portion of the article of footwear, and the window exposing a portion of the inner knit layer. The inner knit layer may be movable relative to the outer knit layer at the window.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Bryant R. Klug, Timothy K. Liles, John S. MacGilbert, William C. McFarland, II
-
Patent number: 10251448Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to an article of footwear with multiple layers. The article of footwear may include an inner layer with a void dimensioned for receipt of at least a portion of a foot. The article of footwear may also include an outer layer, where the outer layer at least partially surrounds the inner layer. A midsole may be disposed between the inner and outer layers, where the midsole is secured to the inner layer and the outer layer to thereby form an indirect coupling between the inner layer and the outer layer. The inner layer may be movable relative to the outer layer at one or more locations separate from the indirect coupling.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Bryant Russell Klug, Timothy K. Liles, II, John S. MacGilbert, William C. McFarland, II
-
Publication number: 20190059510Abstract: 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: July 20, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: 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: 20190037967Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides knitted component comprising with a first surface and a second surface, the first surface facing opposite the second surface. A pod may have the first surface and the second surface, and an edge region may have the first surface and the second surface, where the edge region at least partially demarcates the pod. A first yarn may substantially form the first surface of the pod, where the first yarn is a fusible yarn. A second yarn may substantially form the second surface of the pod, and the second yarn may substantially form the first surface of the edge region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Leah M. Resneck, Nikita A. Troufanov
-
Patent number: 10145037Abstract: A multi-carrier, zonal weaving system and method of manufacturing a zonal woven material is provided. The multi-carrier system includes a first weft yarn, a second weft yarn, and one or more intermediate warp yarns for wrapping by the first and second weft yarns. The zonal weaving method includes receiving a first weft yarn from a first origin via a first shed, wrapping it around one or more zonal warp yarns, and returned to the first weft origin after the first shed upper and lower yarns are exchanged. In further aspects, a second weft yarn is received from a second weft origin via a second shed, wrapped around the same intermediate, zonal warp yarns, and returned to the second weft origin after exchange of the second shed yarns. In one aspect, the first and second weft yarns are interlocked during wrapping of the common warp yarns.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Carrie L. Davis, Megan Foley, William C. McFarland, II
-
Publication number: 20180177261Abstract: 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: February 26, 2018Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: 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: 20180116327Abstract: The present disclosure relates to uppers for articles of footwear. The uppers may be formed by knitting one or more yarns together. After formation of the upper, the one or more yarns may be manipulated to change a property of the knitted upper. For example, one or more of the yarns may be at least partially melted and subsequently cooled to form a molded thermoplastic polymer element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: William C. McFARLAND, II, Leah RESNECK
-
Publication number: 20180070678Abstract: Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear including forming a first upper on a textile manufacturing machine and forming a second upper on the textile manufacturing machine at a time that at least partially overlaps with formation of the first upper. The first upper and the second upper are formed at separate locations of the textile manufacturing machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: William C. McFarland, II, Kristen Orme
-
Publication number: 20170245581Abstract: The present disclosure relates to uppers for articles of footwear. The uppers may be formed by knitting one or more yarns together. After formation of the upper, the one or more yarns may be manipulated to change a property of the knitted upper. For example, one or more of the yarns may be at least partially melted and subsequently cooled to form a molded thermoplastic polymer element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: William C. McFARLAND, II, Leah RESNECK
-
Publication number: 20170245582Abstract: The present disclosure provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knitted component having a first yarn and a second yarn, where the first yarn comprises a core with a sheath, the sheath being formed of a thermoplastic material having a melting temperature. The second yarn may be substantially free of the thermoplastic material. The knitted component may further comprise a first layer having a first surface and a second layer having a second surface, where the first layer and the second layer are secured via a knit structure of the knitted component, and where the knitted component further comprises a first region and a second region.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jessica Green, Chun-Ying Hsu, Jaroslav J. Lupinek, Darryl Matthews, William C. McFarland, II, Yi-Ning Yang, Chen-Ying Han
-
Publication number: 20170218541Abstract: A multi-carrier, zonal weaving system and method of manufacturing a zonal woven material is provided. The multi-carrier system includes a first weft yarn, a second weft yarn, and one or more intermediate warp yarns for wrapping by the first and second weft yarns. The zonal weaving method includes receiving a first weft yarn from a first origin via a first shed, wrapping it around one or more zonal warp yarns, and returned to the first weft origin after the first shed upper and lower yarns are exchanged. In further aspects, a second weft yarn is received from a second weft origin via a second shed, wrapped around the same intermediate, zonal warp yarns, and returned to the second weft origin after exchange of the second shed yarns. In one aspect, the first and second weft yarns are interlocked during wrapping of the common warp yarns.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Carrie L. Davis, Megan Foley, William C. McFarland, II
-
Publication number: 20170202311Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to an article of footwear with multiple layers. The article of footwear may include an inner layer with a void dimensioned for receipt of at least a portion of a foot. The article of footwear may also include an outer layer, where the outer layer at least partially surrounds the inner layer. A midsole may be disposed between the inner and outer layers, where the midsole is secured to the inner layer and the outer layer to thereby form an indirect coupling between the inner layer and the outer layer. The inner layer may be movable relative to the outer layer at one or more locations separate from the indirect coupling.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Bryant Russell Klug, Timothy K. Liles, II, John S. MacGilbert, William C. McFarland, II
-
Publication number: 20170202295Abstract: A method of knitting a knitted component for an upper of an article of footwear is provided. The method may include using a flat knitting machine. The upper may be configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The method may include performing a pass of at least one yarn feeder along the longitudinal axis relative to first and second needle beds, feeding at least one yarn with the at least one feeder during the pass, forming, during the pass, a plurality of first loops with the first needles to define a first portion of the knitted component, and forming, during the pass, a plurality of second loops with the second needles to define a second portion of the knitted component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: John S. MacGilbert, William C. McFarland, II