Patents by Inventor Zachary M. Elder

Zachary M. Elder 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: 11712085
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a fluid-filled segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second fluid-filled segment extending along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first fluid-filled segment and the second fluid-filled segment. The first barrier layer is attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Case, Zachary M. Elder, Nathan A. Jacobsen, Roger Paul Murphy, Lee D. Peyton
  • Publication number: 20230225455
    Abstract: A bladder for an article of footwear extends from an anterior end to a posterior end and includes a first chamber disposed in an interior region of the bladder and a second chamber at least partially surrounding the first chamber. The first chamber includes a first interior void having a first pressure and the second chamber includes a second interior void having a second pressure. In some implementations, the second chamber includes a plurality of lobes arranged in series and each having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end. Each lobe has a greater thickness at the intermediate portion than at the first end and the second end, such that each lobe tapers from the intermediate portion to the first end and the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Wesley K. Chan, Nate Durflinger, Zachary M. Elder, Jonathan Kosenick, Lee D. Peyton, Doug D. Wilken
  • Publication number: 20230200491
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, a third segment extending from one of the first segment and the second segment and terminating at a distal end intermediate the first segment and the second segment, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment. The first barrier layer is attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Wesley K. Chan, Zachary M. Elder, Elizabeth Langvin, Lee D. Peyton
  • Publication number: 20230189927
    Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole structure that includes a bladder having stacked polymeric sheet secured to one another at a peripheral bond and defining a first sealed chamber between the first and second polymeric sheets, a second sealed chamber between the second and third polymeric sheets, and a third sealed chamber between the third and fourth polymeric sheets, each of the first, second, and third sealed chambers retaining fluid in isolation from one another. Different patterns of bonds secure adjacent ones of the polymeric sheets to one another, resulting in different geometries of the sealed chambers. The sealed chambers are configured (e.g., by pressure, shape, position, and/or size) to elastically deform to provide a desirable cushioning experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary M. Elder, Lee D. Peyton
  • Publication number: 20230172310
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a bladder including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first chamber bounding a periphery of the heel region, and a second chamber extending from the mid-foot region through the forefoot region and including a plurality of segments extending from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure. Each of the segments of the second chamber includes a medial reservoir adjacent to the medial side and a lateral reservoir adjacent to the lateral side, the medial reservoir fluidly coupled to the lateral reservoir via a first conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Wesley K. Chan, Zachary M. Elder, Elizabeth Langvin, Lee D. Peyton
  • Publication number: 20230157417
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a fitting system with an upper member that is supported by the upper and a strand guide that is supported by the sole structure. The strand guide is flexible and flexes in concert with the sole structure. The strand guide has a guide surface. The fitting system further includes a tensioning system with a flexible strand that is configured to bias the upper member toward the strand guide. The flexible strand has a first section coupled to the upper member and a second section extending through the sole structure. The second section abuts the guide surface. The second section is configured to slide across the guide surface as a result of flexure of the strand guide. The first section and the upper member are configured to move relative to the sole structure as a result of sliding of the second section across the guide surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary M. Elder, Dervin A. James, Elizabeth A. Kilgore
  • Publication number: 20230157409
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first segment extending between a medial side of the sole structure and a lateral side of the sole structure within the forefoot region, a second segment extending between the medial side of the sole structure and the lateral side of the sole structure within the forefoot region, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment, the first barrier layer being attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Wesley K. Chan, Zachary M. Elder, Elizabeth Langvin, Lee D. Peyton
  • Publication number: 20230148705
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first segment extending between a medial side of the sole structure and a lateral side of the sole structure within the forefoot region, a second segment extending between the medial side of the sole structure and the lateral side of the sole structure within the forefoot region, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment, the first barrier layer being attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Wesley K. Chan, Zachary M. Elder, Elizabeth Langvin, Lee D. Peyton
  • Patent number: 11638463
    Abstract: A bladder for an article of footwear extends from an anterior end to a posterior end and includes a first chamber disposed in an interior region of the bladder and a second chamber at least partially surrounding the first chamber. The first chamber includes a first interior void having a first pressure and the second chamber includes a second interior void having a second pressure. In some implementations, the second chamber includes a plurality of lobes arranged in series and each having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end. Each lobe has a greater thickness at the intermediate portion than at the first end and the second end, such that each lobe tapers from the intermediate portion to the first end and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Wesley K. Chan, Nate Durflinger, Zachary M. Elder, Jonathan Kosenick, Lee D. Peyton, Doug D. Wilken
  • Patent number: 11633017
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a fitting system with an upper member that is supported by the upper and a strand guide that is supported by the sole structure. The strand guide is flexible and flexes in concert with the sole structure. The strand guide has a guide surface. The fitting system further includes a tensioning system with a flexible strand that is configured to bias the upper member toward the strand guide. The flexible strand has a first section coupled to the upper member and a second section extending through the sole structure. The second section abuts the guide surface. The second section is configured to slide across the guide surface as a result of flexure of the strand guide. The first section and the upper member are configured to move relative to the sole structure as a result of sliding of the second section across the guide surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary M. Elder, Dervin A. James, Elizabeth A. Kilgore
  • Patent number: 11622603
    Abstract: An article of footwear has a sole structure that includes a bladder having stacked polymeric sheet secured to one another at a peripheral bond and defining a first sealed chamber between the first and second polymeric sheets, a second sealed chamber between the second and third polymeric sheets, and a third sealed chamber between the third and fourth polymeric sheets, each of the first, second, and third sealed chambers retaining fluid in isolation from one another. Different patterns of bonds secure adjacent ones of the polymeric sheets to one another, resulting in different geometries of the sealed chambers. The sealed chambers are configured (e.g., by pressure, shape, position, and/or size) to elastically deform to provide a desirable cushioning experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary M. Elder, Lee D. Peyton
  • Publication number: 20230097094
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a midfoot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a first segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second segment extending from the medial side in the forefoot region to a lateral side in the heel region and along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment. The first barrier layer being attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Wesley K. Chan, Zachary M. Elder, Elizabeth Langvin, Lee D. Peyton
  • Patent number: 11607010
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes a heel region, a forefoot region, and a mid-foot region disposed between the heel region and the forefoot region. The sole structure also includes a fluid-filled chamber including a first barrier layer cooperating with a second barrier layer to define a segment extending along a medial side of the sole structure within the heel region, a second segment extending along a lateral side of the sole structure within the heel region, a third segment extending from one of the first segment and the second segment and terminating at a distal end intermediate the first segment and the second segment, and a web area disposed between and connecting the first segment and the second segment. The first barrier layer is attached to the second barrier layer within the web area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Wesley K. Chan, Zachary M. Elder, Elizabeth Langvin, Lee D. Peyton
  • Patent number: 11596199
    Abstract: A fluid-filled chamber includes first subchamber having a substantially U-shape. The fluid-filled chamber also includes a second subchamber having a substantially U-shape and being spaced apart from the first subchamber in a direction extending along a longitudinal axis of the fluid-filled chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley K. Chan, Zachary M. Elder, Paul Hooper, Elizabeth Langvin, Cassidy R. Levy, Philip Woodman
  • Patent number: D979908
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary M. Elder, Philip Woodman
  • Patent number: D979909
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary M. Elder, Philip Woodman
  • Patent number: D979910
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary M. Elder, Philip Woodman
  • Patent number: D980599
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary M. Elder, Philip Woodman
  • Patent number: D980600
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary M. Elder, Philip Woodman
  • Patent number: D985244
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Can Eldem, Zachary M. Elder, Philip Woodman