Patents by Inventor William J. B. Brown

William J. B. Brown 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).

  • Integrated footwear construction and related method of manufacture
    Patent number: 7096602
    Abstract: An integrated article of footwear including a waterproofing membrane direct attached to an upper of the footwear. An outsole is further secured to the membrane and/or the upper. In one embodiment, the membrane includes a visible aesthetic bead in the footwear forefoot region, but not the heel region. The membrane may be of greater thickness in the forefoot region to provide added rigidity. A heel cradle is positioned in the footwear heel region between the upper and the outsole. The footwear provides the durability of a direct attach construction in the forefoot and the comfort and cushion of an athletic construction in the heel of the shoe. A method for constructing the footwear includes direct attaching the membrane to an upper of the shoe. Optionally, a heel cradle is disposed in the heel region of the shoe, and the outsole is secured to the heel cradle and/or upper there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Palmer, Chao Ming Chin, Peter Ruston, Chen Ching Shan, William J. B. Brown
  • Integrated footwear construction and related method of manufacture
    Patent number: 7076889
    Abstract: An integrated article of footwear including a waterproofing membrane direct attached to an upper of the footwear. An outsole is further secured to the membrane and/or the upper. In one embodiment, the membrane includes a visible aesthetic bead in the footwear forefoot region, but not the heel region. The membrane may be of greater thickness in the forefoot region to provide added rigidity. A heel cradle is positioned in the footwear heel region between the upper and the outsole. The footwear provides the durability of a direct attach construction in the forefoot and the comfort and cushion of an athletic construction in the heel of the shoe. A method for constructing the footwear includes direct attaching the membrane to an upper of the shoe. Optionally, a heel cradle is disposed in the heel region of the shoe, and the outsole is secured to the heel cradle and/or upper there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Palmer, Chao Ming Chin, Peter Ruston, Chen Ching Shan, William J. B. Brown
  • Articulated welt footwear construction and related method of manufacture
    Patent number: 7010867
    Abstract: A footwear construction including an articulated welt. The footwear includes an upper and an outsole secured together with a welt in the forward portion of the footwear. The welt terminates short of the heel region of the footwear. In one embodiment, the outsole in the heel region is secured to a heel cradle which is further secured the upper. The footwear provides the durability of a welt construction in the forward portion of the shoe and the comfort and cushion of an athletic construction in the heel region of the shoe. A method for constructing the footwear includes securing an outsole to an upper with a welt in a forefoot and/or arch region of the shoe but not the heel region of the shoe. Optionally, a heel cradle is disposed in the heel region of the shoe and the outsole is secured to the heel cradle and/or upper in the heel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. B. Brown