Surface To Control Flight Of Kicked Object Patents (Class 36/133)
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Patent number: 11957212Abstract: A football shoe or football boot including a sole, an upper, a fastener to fasten the shoe or boot in place, and a layer of material that in situ is disposed between the fastener and an underlying foot or hose. The layer of material includes a ball control region with an outer ball control surface contactable with a football during kicking. The ball control surface lies rearwardly of a foremost region of the layer of material.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Concave Global Pty LtdInventor: Volker Peter Steidle
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Patent number: 11839263Abstract: A football shoe or football boot includes a sole and an upper. The upper includes a central region and one or more protuberances at each side of the central region. The one or more protuberances on each side define a crest alongside the central region, such that the crests and the central region define a ball control region. The protuberances are formed by incorporation of fluid material with the upper, in direct contact with the upper.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Inventors: Volker Peter Steidle, Andrew Neophitou, Michael Petersen, Andrew Theoklitos
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Patent number: 11425956Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to braided articles and methods for their manufacture. The braided articles may include articles of footwear having braided uppers. The article of footwear may comprise a sole and a braided upper comprising a toe portion having a toe seam, a heel portion comprising a seamless braided structure, and a throat portion. The toe portion may comprise a base yarn. The throat portion may comprise a stretch yarn. Additionally, the heel portion may comprise both the stretch yarn and the base yarn.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Bruce, Eun Kyung Lee, James Y. Yoo, Chikao Ichikawa
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Patent number: 10791797Abstract: An improved article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper. The upper is coupled to the sole structure and is configured to receive at least a portion of a human foot. The upper further includes a toebox, a medial quarter, a lateral quarter, a heel cup. The upper also includes a three dimensional auxetic structure at least partially formed within the medial quarter, lateral quarter, and heel cup of the upper. The three dimensional auxetic structure defines a primary expansion direction, a secondary expansion direction, and a tertiary expansion direction. The secondary expansion direction is transverse to the primary expansion direction. The tertiary expansion direction is normal to the plane defined by the primary expansion direction and the secondary expansion direction. Furthermore, the upper of the article of footwear is constructed via a thermoforming process.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: UNDER ARMOUR, INC.Inventors: Kort Neumann, Alan Toronjo
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Patent number: 10779615Abstract: An article of footwear includes sensory elements. The sensory elements are embedded in an upper of an article of footwear, the upper having a first layer and a second layer. Sensory elements are proximally disposed toward a foot when contacted by an object. Sensory elements may partially protrude from the first layer and/or the second layer. Sensory elements may also be fully covered between the first layer and the second layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tetsuya T. Minami, Timothy J. Smith
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Patent number: 10285468Abstract: An article of footwear includes projection members providing sensory feedback. The projection members are movable relative to an upper of the article of footwear. When the upper encounters a surface of an object, the projection members may be displaced in a direction towards wearer's foot. The projection members may be configured so that they are inserted into apertures located on the upper, and extend above an outer surface of the upper.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Dylan S. Van Atta, Patricia L. Smaldone
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Patent number: 9949518Abstract: An article of apparel includes at least one panel including a first edge and an opposing second edge. The at least one panel includes an auxetic structure defining a primary elongation direction and a secondary elongation direction. A plurality of lace coupling pairs are positioned along the first edge and the second edge of the at least one panel. Each lace coupling pair defines a lace pull direction that is perpendicular to a line extending through two adjacent lace couplings of the lace coupling pair. Each lace pull direction is defined by the plurality of lace couplings substantially in alignment with either the primary elongation direction or the secondary elongation direction of the auxetic structure between the two adjacent lace couplings of the lace coupling pair.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Under Armour, Inc.Inventor: Alan Toronjo
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Patent number: 9888742Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper that is attached to the sole structure. The upper defines a cavity that is configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The upper is at least partially defined by a textile. The textile includes a first area that is substantially smooth. The first area defines a reference boundary that conforms to the cavity. The textile includes a second area. The second area includes a plurality of projection structures that project away from the reference boundary and outwardly from the cavity at varying heights. The second area includes a plurality of recess structures that recess away from the reference boundary and inwardly toward the cavity. The plurality of projection structures and the plurality of recess structures are in an alternating arrangement across the textile.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Lysandre Follet, Gjermund Haugbro, James Molyneux, Philip Woodman
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Patent number: 9839254Abstract: An article of footwear with a ball contacting surface is disclosed. The ball contacting surface includes a raised peak member at the top and gripping members along a medial side. The ball contacting surface enhances the ability of a wearer to kick a ball with a low trajectory and to control the ball.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2014Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Morgan Stauffer, Collin K. Eder, Windra Fahmi, Sebastien Mermet
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Patent number: 9585434Abstract: An article of footwear includes projection members providing sensory feedback. The projection members are disposed on a base layer which is attached to an upper of an article of footwear. When the upper encounters a surface of an object, the projection members and base layer may be displaced in a direction towards wearer's foot. The projection members may be configured so that they are inserted into apertures located on the upper, and extend above the outer surface of the upper.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Dylan S. Van Atta, Patricia L. Smaldone
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Patent number: 9066560Abstract: A skate shoe is disclosed having a shoe sole, a shoe upper, and a protective cover over the shoe upper shoelaces to prevent premature wear and failure thereof, while offering a smooth sliding interface across the shoe upper for skating activities. The shoelace cover comprises an inner tongue and outer tongue sandwiching the shoelaces therebetween, while the shoe upper terminates above the outer tongue and a lateral strap secures over the assembly. The strap originates from the outside portion of the shoe upper and is secured along the shoe upper interior portion, offering an interface across the strap and the secured outer tongue enclosed within the shoe upper that is adept at sliding along a skateboard griptape without having discontinuities and exposing the shoelaces to contact with the skateboard. The inner and outer tongue pivot from the shoe throat line and secure at their distal ends when in use.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Inventor: Maurice Rodriguez
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Patent number: 9038288Abstract: An article of footwear includes a first ball control portion, a second ball control portion and a third ball control portion. Each ball control portion includes a group of gripping members configured to facilitate various types of ball control. Each group of gripping members is arranged so that the ball control portions present a series of approximately continuous edges to a ball, which can help maintain a smooth trajectory for a ball.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: John Droege, Doug D. Wilken
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Patent number: 9009992Abstract: An article of footwear with a ball contacting member is disclosed. The ball contacting member enhances the ability of a wearer to kick a ball with a low trajectory. The ball contacting member can be attached to the article of footwear in various different ways.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Thomas G. Bell, Daniel W. Peter, Blake Rhulen, Morgan Stauffer
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Patent number: 8992351Abstract: A golf ball kicking device having hands-free interchangeability of golf club heads comprising a mounting plate secured to the shoe and a retaining member affixed to the mounting plate and having a pivoting lever with a release member in communication with a rear face of a club head. The mounting plate has a magnet and the rear face of the club head is constructed of a magnetic material so as to releasably mount the club head onto the mounting plate. When the club head is secured against the magnet, the club head impacts upon the release member so as to pivot the pivoting lever to a first position. When sufficient force is applied to the pivoting lever, the pivoting lever pivots to a second position thereby directing the release member to impact upon the club head and dislodge the club head from the mounting plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Inventor: Nicholas D. Manou
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Patent number: 8950087Abstract: An article of footwear with an insert system is disclosed. The insert system can include an insert that may be introduced to a side portion of the upper. The insert is configured to adjust properties of a side portion of an upper. The insert system can include a lateral insert configured to be inserted into an upper and associated with an inner surface of the lateral side portion. The system can also include a medial insert configured to be inserted into the upper and associated with an inner surface of the medial side portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2009Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jim Baucom, Clifford B. Gerber, James A. Grove
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Publication number: 20150033587Abstract: An article of footwear with a ball contacting surface is disclosed. The ball contacting surface includes a raised peak member at the top and gripping members along a medial side. The ball contacting surface enhances the ability of a wearer to kick a ball with a low trajectory and to control the ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Morgan Stauffer, Collin K. Eder, Windra Fahmi, Sebastien Mermet
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Publication number: 20150033588Abstract: An article of footwear with a dynamically responsive element for kicking a ball is disclosed. In preferred embodiments, an article of footwear comprises a sole element, an upper element, and a ball contacting element. The ball contacting element comprises a first layer configured to contact a ball and a second layer, with the first layer contiguously coupled with a portion of the second layer. The first layer and second layer may be configured to form a ball contacting element on a portion of the upper element. The first layer may comprise a Non-Newtonian material and the second layer may comprise a Newtonian layer, or the first layer may comprise a Newtonian material and the second layer may comprise a Non-Newtonian layer. In further preferred embodiments, a ball contacting element may comprise a third layer, which may be contiguously coupled with a portion of the second layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventor: William Lai
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Patent number: 8943711Abstract: An article of footwear with a gripping system is disclosed. The gripping system helps to enhance the wearer's ability to contact an athletic ball during kicking. The gripping system can be centered about a region where the wearer tends to kick the ball, and the gripping system can be distributed in a pattern that provides an even or symmetric contact area with the ball. Additionally, a water repelling member for the article of footwear is also disclosed. The water repelling member helps to repel water from the gripping system, especially horizontal water or water from splashing. The water repelling member is also breathable and helps to dissipate water vapor caused by heat evaporation of the foot.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Paul Hooper, Tetsuya T. Minami
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Patent number: 8914997Abstract: An article of footwear can receive a bootie. The article can include an upper to receive the bootie. Ball control elements may be provided on the bootie and the ball control elements can extend through the upper. The ball control elements can be configured to aid kicking or to interact with various surfaces. The upper can receive different booties having different ball control elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Giovanni Adami, John Droege
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Patent number: 8844171Abstract: An article of footwear with a ball contacting surface is disclosed. The ball contacting surface includes a raised peak member at the top and gripping members along a medial side. The ball contacting surface enhances the ability of a wearer to kick a ball with a low trajectory and to control the ball.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Collin K. Eder, Windra Fahmi, Sebastien Mermet, Morgan Stauffer
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Patent number: 8789298Abstract: A ball control portion for an article of footwear is disclosed. The ball control portion extends from a side to an underside of an article of footwear. The ball control portion includes a lattice with a plurality of protrusions arranged in a grid. The plurality of protrusions include multiple groups of protrusions arranged with one or more of different orientations, different types of protrusions, and different heights.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Colin K. Eder, Windra Fahmi, Sebastien Mermet, Morgan Stauffer
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Patent number: 8484865Abstract: An article of footwear can receive an insert having ball control elements. The ball control elements protrude through a tongue of the upper to engage other surfaces. The inserts may be purchased separately from the article of footwear and interchanged to be used in a variety of conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Alexandre Baudouin, John Droege, Erez Morag, Morgan Stauffer
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Publication number: 20130145655Abstract: A ball control portion for an article of footwear is disclosed. The ball control portion extends from a side to an underside of an article of footwear. The ball control portion includes a lattice with a plurality of protrusions arranged in a grid. The plurality of protrusions include multiple groups of protrusions arranged with one or more of different orientations, different types of protrusions, and different heights.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2012Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: NIKE, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130111783Abstract: A sports shoe including a sole, an upper secured to the sole and providing a forward portion, the forward portion having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is positioned adjacent a user's foot. A cap secured to the forward portion has a leading surface to engage a ball to be kicked by the user. The cap is of resilient material so as to deform upon impact. This sports shoe is particularly suited for soccer, and to reducing the pain or discomfort otherwise transferred to the foot of the wearer upon kicking the ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: BOOT TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED OF SARNIA HOUSEInventor: John Serafino
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Publication number: 20130074374Abstract: An article of footwear includes a first ball control portion, a second ball control portion and a third ball control portion. Each ball control portion includes a group of gripping members configured to facilitate various types of ball control. Each group of gripping members is arranged so that the ball control portions present a series of approximately continuous edges to a ball, which can help maintain a smooth trajectory for a ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: John Droege, Doug D. Wilken
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Patent number: 8387282Abstract: A tightening system for an article of footwear includes a cable disposed between an upper and a sole plate. The upper includes a flexible main body and an exoskeleton covering a portion of the flexible main body in an instep region. The cable is attached to the exoskeleton so that the exoskeleton is tightened to a wearer's foot when the cable length is effectively shortened and/or if the cable tension is increased. The instep region is devoid of the tightening system so that a smooth instep region is provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Baker, John Hurd, James Molyneux, Blake Rhulen
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Patent number: 8356429Abstract: A ball control portion for an article of footwear is disclosed. The ball control portion extends from a side to an underside of an article of footwear. The ball control portion includes a lattice with a plurality of protrusions arranged in a grid. The plurality of protrusions include multiple groups of protrusions arranged with one or more of different orientations, different types of protrusions, and different heights.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2010Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Collin K. Eder, Windra Fahmi, Sebastien Mermet, Morgan Stauffer
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Publication number: 20120233888Abstract: An article of footwear with a ball contacting member is disclosed. The ball contacting member enhances the ability of a wearer to kick a ball with a low trajectory. The ball contacting member can be attached to the article of footwear in various different ways.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Thomas G. Bell, Daniel W. Peter, Blake Rhulen, Morgan Stauffer
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Patent number: 8215032Abstract: An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the footwear are disclosed. The footwear has an upper and a sole structure. The upper is secured to sole structure and the upper is formed from three layers: a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The second layer is formed from a polymer material and molded to the first layer, but the second layer may alternately be molded to the third layer. The third layer is joined with at least one of the first layer and the second layer such that the second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Susan L. Sokolowski, Susanne A. Wolf-Hochdoerffler
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Patent number: 8196320Abstract: An article of footwear can receive a bootie. The article can include an upper to receive the bootie. Ball control elements may be provided on the bootie and the ball control elements can extend through the upper. The ball control elements can be configured to aid kicking or to interact with various surfaces. The upper can receive different booties having different ball control elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2007Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Giovanni Adami, John Droege
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Patent number: 8196321Abstract: An article of footwear with a shape correcting member is disclosed. The shape correcting member includes an inner surface associated with a portion of a foot and an outer surface disposed opposite of the inner surface. The inner surface is pre-shaped to fit the contours of a portion of the foot and the outer surface is substantially non-protruding. With this arrangement, the outer surface may facilitate accurate kicking.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Andrew Caine, John Droege, Tetsuya T. Minami, Erez Morag, Morgan Stauffer
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Patent number: 8196322Abstract: A ball control portion for an article of footwear is disclosed. The ball control portion includes a plurality of protrusions that are configured to bend to provide increased surface contact between an upper and a ball, such as a soccer ball. The plurality of protrusions are arranged in an arc-like configuration on the upper that generally corresponds to the curvature of a ball.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Motoki Atsumi, Andrew Caine, John Droege, David Eyre, Paul Hooper, Tetsuya Minami
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Patent number: 8156665Abstract: A padded shoe for use in mixed martial arts and similar activities. The padded shoe may have a flexible, resilient sole; a shoe upper adjoined to the sole, wherein at least a portion of the shoe upper has padding disposed therein; an inner padded tongue attached to the shoe upper; an outer padded tongue attached to the shoe upper; and an engagement structure for securing the outer padded tongue to the shoe upper, the engagement structure being located substantially under the outer padded tongue such that the outer padded tongue substantially covers the engagement structure. The wearer can strike a target with the shoe, and the target and the wearer are protected from injury caused by direct impact with at least one of the engagement structure and the wearers instep. A bladder containing air or a gel-like material can be included in at least one of the inner and outer padded tongues.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2008Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Ringstar, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Shepherd, Timothy P. McCabe, Donna Zogby McCabe
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Publication number: 20110258883Abstract: A ball control portion for an article of footwear is disclosed. The ball control portion extends from a side to an underside of an article of footwear. The ball control portion includes a lattice with a plurality of protrusions arranged in a grid. The plurality of protrusions include multiple groups of protrusions arranged with one or more of different orientations, different types of protrusions, and different heights.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Collin K. Eder, Windra Fahmi, Sebastien Mermet, Morgan Stauffer
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Patent number: 8042289Abstract: An article of footwear with a gripping system is disclosed. The gripping system helps to enhance the wearer's ability to contact an athletic ball during kicking. The gripping system can be centered about a region where the wearer tends to kick the ball, and the gripping system can be distributed in a pattern that provides an even or symmetric contact area with the ball.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Tetsuya T. Minami
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Publication number: 20110247240Abstract: An article of footwear with a ball contacting surface is disclosed. The ball contacting surface includes a raised peak member at the top and gripping members along a medial side. The ball contacting surface enhances the ability of a wearer to kick a ball with a low trajectory and to control the ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: Nike, Inc .Inventors: Collin K. Eder, Windra Fahmi, Sebastien Mermet, Morgan Stauffer
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Publication number: 20110239485Abstract: An article of footwear with a gripping system is disclosed. The gripping system helps to enhance the wearer's ability to contact an athletic ball during kicking. The gripping system can be centered about a region where the wearer tends to kick the ball, and the gripping system can be distributed in a pattern that provides an even or symmetric contact area with the ball. Additionally, a water repelling member for the article of footwear is also disclosed. The water repelling member helps to repel water from the gripping system, especially horizontal water or water from splashing. The water repelling member is also breathable and helps to dissipate water vapor caused by heat evaporation of the foot.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Paul Hooper, Tetsuya T. Minami
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Patent number: 7941943Abstract: An article of footwear can receive an insert having ball control elements. The ball control elements protrude through a tongue of the upper to engage other surfaces. The inserts may be purchased separately from the article of footwear and interchanged to be used in a variety of conditions.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2007Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Alexandre Baudouin, John A. Droege, Erez Morag, Morgan Stauffer
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Publication number: 20110014996Abstract: A method and system is provided which utilizes shear thickening fluids to enhance athletic performance. A shear thickening fluid composite is used on a golf club face to reduce the amount of side spin imparted onto a golf ball thus reducing the amount of slice or hook on the golf ball's flight path. Upon impact between the shear thickening fluid composite and the golf ball, the shear thickening fluid moves laterally away from the direction of the side spin imparted on the ball, thus reducing the amount of side spin imparted onto the golf ball. After this lateral motion, the shear thickening fluid hardens and transfers the remaining energy from the club face to the golf ball. A similar process occurs when the shear thickening fluid composite composes the outside of a golf ball. A shear thickening fluid composite is also used on an athletic shoe so as to transfer more force into a kicked ball thus having the ball travel at higher velocities.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Robert Foster Shepherd, Travis Green
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Publication number: 20100299961Abstract: An article of footwear with a shape correcting member is disclosed. The shape correcting member includes an inner surface associated with a portion of a foot and an outer surface disposed opposite of the inner surface. The inner surface is pre-shaped to fit the contours of a portion of the foot and the outer surface is substantially non-protruding. With this arrangement, the outer surface may facilitate accurate kicking.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Baker, Andrew Caine, John Droege, Tetsuya T. Minami, Erez Morag, Morgan Stauffer
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Publication number: 20100299967Abstract: A ball control portion for an article of footwear is disclosed. The ball control portion includes a plurality of protrusions that are configured to bend to provide increased surface contact between an upper and a ball, such as a soccer ball. The plurality of protrusions are arranged in an arc-like configuration on the upper that generally corresponds to the curvature of a ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Motoki Atsumi, Andrew Caine, John Droege, David Eyre, Paul Hooper, Tetsuya Minami
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Publication number: 20100275463Abstract: A soccer training aid thin rubberized tube slips over the front of a soccer shoe with holes in the bottom of the tube for the shoe's cleats to extend down through. Demarked, preferably colored, “strike” or soccer ball contacting zones on the sides and tops of the tube to indicate where the foot should contact the ball to achieve different maneuvers on the ball. Matching demarked areas on a soccer ball may also be used in conjunction with the mating soccer ball contacting zones on the soccer shoe cover tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Inventor: Paul Gallagher
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Publication number: 20100236103Abstract: An apparatus to be used with a shoe for kicking a ball includes a connecting member adapted to secure the apparatus to the shoe and a contacting member coupled to the connecting member and adapted to extend away from an instep portion of the shoe when the apparatus is coupled to the shoe. The apparatus is configured such that when a person kicks the ball, the contacting member contacts the ball above the equator when the shoe contacts the ball below the equator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2009Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventor: Joseph B. Wade
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Publication number: 20100107449Abstract: An article of footwear with a gripping system is disclosed. The gripping system helps to enhance the wearer's ability to contact an athletic ball during kicking. The gripping system can be centered about a region where the wearer tends to kick the ball, and the gripping system can be distributed in a pattern that provides an even or symmetric contact area with the ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventor: Tetsuya T. Minami
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Publication number: 20100077637Abstract: A shoe has an upper including one or more resiliently deformable protrusions extending from an outer surface of the shoe upper and positioned for contact with a ball, each protrusion forming at least an inner contoured shape portion and an outer contoured shape portion, said outer contoured shape portion being deformable to promote engagement of said protrusion with said ball. The protrusions are arranged in three separate and distinct zones, namely a toe region B, a throat region A and instep region C on the shoe upper. Protrusions, or at least one of the protrusions, in each zone has a different hardness (deformability) to the protrusions of the other zones. A flex zone extends across the shoe upper near the toe zone and allows flexing of the shoe in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventor: Konstantinos Hatzilias
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Publication number: 20090300945Abstract: An article of footwear with flexing portions disposed in an arch portion of a sole system is disclosed. The flexing portions in the sole system increase the curling toe flexibility of the article of footwear. In addition, the sole system includes trapping portions that enhance the ability of a wearer to stop and capture a ball. Furthermore, the article of footwear includes an asymmetric fastening system biased toward a medial side of the article.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2008Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: John Droege, Paul Hooper, Tetsuya Minami, Morgan Stauffer
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Patent number: 7562471Abstract: An article of footwear with a gripping system is disclosed. The gripping system helps to enhance the wearer's ability to contact an athletic ball during kicking. The gripping system can be centered about a region where the wearer tends to kick the ball, and the gripping system can be distributed in a pattern that provides an even or symmetric contact area with the ball.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2006Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventor: Tetsuya T. Minami
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Publication number: 20090113766Abstract: An article of footwear with a gripping system is disclosed. The gripping system helps to enhance the wearer's ability to contact an athletic ball during kicking. The gripping system can be centered about a region where the wearer tends to kick the ball, and the gripping system can be distributed in a pattern that provides an even or symmetric contact area with the ball. Additionally, a water repelling member for the article of footwear is also disclosed. The water repelling member helps to repel water from the gripping system, especially horizontal water or water from splashing. The water repelling member is also breathable and helps to dissipate water vapor caused by heat evaporation of the foot.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2007Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventor: Paul Hooper
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Publication number: 20090100711Abstract: An athletic shoe particularly suited for kicking sports comprises an outsole, and upper section and an insole. The insole has at least three compressible layers, the outsole has relatively straight inside and outside edges, as well as a grooved bottom surface. The inner and outer sides of the upper section may also be relatively flat. The shoe may further comprise a padded inner tongue and a flat outer tongue.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2007Publication date: April 23, 2009Inventor: Richard Fenton Engel
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Patent number: D602235Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2007Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Whiteheart Licensing Pty Ltd.Inventor: Konstantinos Hatzilias