Cushion Patents (Class 36/28)
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Patent number: 11607002Abstract: A rapid-entry shoe having an upper, a sole portion, and at least one pocket coupled to a rear portion of the upper and encapsulating a compressed medium that biases a topline of the shoe toward an uncollapsed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: FAST IP, LLCInventor: Craig Cheney
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Patent number: 11607010Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Wesley K. Chan, Zachary M. Elder, Elizabeth Langvin, Lee D. Peyton
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Patent number: 11553755Abstract: A sole structure for a shoe that can secure cushioning properties and obtain a ground surface information is disclosed. The sole structure includes a first midsole having a plurality of first protrusions on a foot-sole-contact side, an outsole having a plurality of second protrusions on a ground surface side, and a second midsole disposed at a part of a region between the first midsole and the outsole and having a lower compressive rigidity than the first midsole. At least a part of the plurality of first protrusions of the first midsole is located at a position corresponding vertically to at least a part of the plurality of second protrusions of the outsole.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: MIZUNO CORPORATIONInventors: Kentaro Yahata, Hiroshi Inohara, Shogo Matsui, Shin Hirai
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Patent number: 11547177Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole connected to the upper, and an outsole connected to the midsole. The midsole includes a platform extending along a perimeter portion of the midsole and a lattice structure integrally formed with the platform, the lattice structure including a network of laths.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Under Armour, Inc.Inventors: Alan Guyan, Kevin Fallon, Jason Berns
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Patent number: 11523657Abstract: Foot support systems include a fluid flow control system that facilitates movement of fluid into, out of, and/or within a sole structure and/or article of footwear, e.g., to change and/or control pressure in fluid filled bladder(s). The fluid flow control system includes: (a) a manifold body defining an internal chamber; (b) at least a first port in fluid communication with the internal chamber; (c) at least a first valve (including a first valve activator) controlling fluid flow through the first port; and (d) a movable cam at least partially within the internal chamber. Valve activator surface(s) on the cam interact with the valve activator(s) to selectively open and close valve(s) based on cam positioning.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Devin Bailly, Levi J. Patton, Adam Vollmer
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Patent number: 11517075Abstract: A shoe sole member formed by a foam includes cells having a certain size and being excellent in transparency in order to provide a shoe sole member being lightweight and excellent cushioning properties while having transparency.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: ASICS CORPORATIONInventors: Tatsuro Tanabe, Junichiro Tateishi
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Patent number: 11470908Abstract: The present disclosure is related to three-dimensionally printed articles for use in footwear and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, a three-dimensionally printed article may comprise a closed-cell foam. The closed-cell foam may have a gradient in and/or may be a single integrated material. In some embodiments, a three-dimensionally printed article may comprise a sensor. The use of such arrangements can, according to certain embodiments, allow for the production of improved articles of footwear and/or customized articles of footwear.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Kornit Digital Technologies Ltd.Inventor: Travis Alexander Busbee
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Patent number: 11457693Abstract: An article of footwear includes a midsole, an upper disposed above the midsole, and an outsole disposed below the midsole. The midsole includes a lattice structure having an upper side and a lower side, wherein the upper side is a user-facing side and the lower side is a ground-facing side. A first platform is integrally formed into the upper side of the lattice structure. A second platform is integrally formed into the lower side of the lattice structure. The lattice structure extends from the first platform to the second platform.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Under Armour, Inc.Inventor: Alan Guyan
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Patent number: 11445784Abstract: A force absorbing device for a footwear appliance includes a shoe upper and a shoe sole having a planar sole surface, such that forces between the shoe upper and planar sole surface in ground contact are absorbed by force mitigation structures disposed in the shoe sole. A footwear article includes a split-sole system that redefines a shoe sole as coplanar surfaces having a force mitigating interface for receiving sudden forces and effectively mitigating these forces by storing kinetic energy and releasing it over time. An elastic field in the force mitigation structure is defined by a resilient material adapted to deform in response to the received force. Frictional engagement between the upper and lower sole may also be augmented by surface characteristics such as dimples, voids and lubricants, in addition to interference engagement with an elastic field.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic InstituteInventors: Christopher A. Brown, James J. Muller, Winton Parker, Allysa Grant, Tristin J. Carlton, Nicholas Workman, Michael Doyle, Jessica Shelsky, Jessica K. Y. Cheu, Lorenzo Dube, Pedro D. Oporto, Olivia G. Steen, Andrew R. Vickery
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Patent number: 11432613Abstract: The present invention relates to a load cell module configured to be insertedly disposed in shoes and a weight management service system using the same. The load cell module comprises: a main case (10) including a load cell accommodating space (11) projected upwardly at one side thereof and a circuit and battery accommodating space (12), which are formed therein; a load cell (20) accommodated in the load cell accommodating space (11); a main PCB (30) including a tilt sensor (31) and a transmission and reception unit (32), the main PCB being accommodated in the circuit and battery accommodating space 12; and a battery (40) accommodated in the circuit and battery accommodating space 12, whereby the load cell module is detachably mounted to a heel part (H) of a midsole (M) of a shoe.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Inventor: Si Hyun Choi
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Patent number: 11425962Abstract: An article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a cushioning component defining an enclosed, fluid-filled chamber. The cushioning component has a top wall, a bottom wall, a medial side wall at a medial side of the article of footwear, and a lateral side wall at a lateral side of the article of footwear. The cushioning component includes a unitary outsole having a bottom portion, a medial side portion, and a lateral side portion. The bottom portion is bonded to the bottom wall, the medial side portion is bonded to the medial side wall, and the lateral side portion is bonded to the lateral side wall. A method of manufacturing includes disposing the first and second polymer sheets and the outsole in a mold assembly and thermally bonding the outsole to the second polymer sheet, and the first and second polymer sheets to one another to form a chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Frederick J. Dojan, Brandon H. Workman
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Patent number: 11382390Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper. The article of footwear also includes a cable lock disposed within the sole structure adjacent to a bottom surface of the sole structure. The article of footwear includes a first cable having a first section extending from the cable lock to a first anchor point on the upper and a second section extending from the cable lock to a second anchor point on the upper. The article of footwear further includes a second cable having a first section extending from the cable lock to a grip and a second section extending from the cable lock to the grip, whereby the cable lock is operable to retract the first section and the second section of the first cable when the first section and the second section of the second cable are extended.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: George Chiou, Ross Klein, Tate E. Kuerbis, Max Liu, Austin J. Orand, Nuryani K. Sulistyo, Harry Y. Sun
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Patent number: 11369164Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly. The sole assembly includes a unitary, open-celled structure. Specifically, the sole assembly includes a lattice structure having an interconnected network of struts and nodes that cooperate to define voids. The struts and nodes are configured to generate predetermined support and flexure properties within the network. The lattice may be configured as a conformal lattice, being contoured to receive accessories or complementary support structures. The sole assembly may further include an insert formed of compression material (e.g., foam). In operation, the lattice and foam insert cooperate to provide stability and cushioning to the article of footwear.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Under Armour, Inc.Inventor: Alan Guyan
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Patent number: 11350877Abstract: A smart shoe, smart shoe system, and a method of a smart shoe are disclosed. A smart shoe system may be used for monitoring patient activity. The smart shoe system may include a shoe having a plurality of pneumatic pressure sensors. The pressure sensors may be configured to detect pressure at a plurality of points in the sole of the shoe. The smart shoe may also include a microprocessor coupled to the pressure sensors and a GPS integrated circuit. The GPS integrated circuit may be used for correlating position of the smart shoe system to activity data generated by the plurality of pressure sensors. Additionally, the smart shoe system may include a flash memory storage for storing data generated by the microprocessor and pressure sensors.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State UniversityInventors: Wenlong Zhang, Julie Vuong, Zhi Qiao, Prudhvi Chinimilli
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Patent number: 11344080Abstract: An article of footwear is provided and includes an upper including a footbed and a sole attached to the upper, where the sole includes a midsole and an outsole. The midsole includes a heel portion, a lateral side and a medial side, and a first member and a second member attached to the first member. The first member of the midsole has a sidewall that extends about a periphery of the midsole. The second member of the midsole has a sidewall that extends along the medial side around the heel portion and along the lateral side of the first member. A first portion of the outsole is attached to the first member and a second portion of the outsole is attached to the second member.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Deckers Outdoor CorporationInventors: Christopher Hillyer, Zack Paris, Kyle Pulli
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Patent number: 11344081Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper includes an outsole, a plate disposed between the outsole and the upper, and a first cushioning layer. The plate includes an anterior-most point disposed in a forefoot region of the sole structure, a posterior-most point disposed closer to a heel region of the sole structure than the anterior-most point, and a concave portion extending between the anterior-most point and the posterior-most point. The concave portion includes a constant radius of curvature from the anterior-most point to a metatarsophalangeal (MTP) point of the sole structure. The MTP point opposes the MTP joint of a foot during use. The first cushioning layer is disposed between the concave portion and the upper.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2021Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Risha Dupre, Emily Farina, Lysandre Follet, Stefan E. Guest, Helene Hutchinson, Geng Luo, Rachel M. Savage, Krissy Yetman
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Patent number: 11330863Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper, an outsole and a midsole. The outsole has upper and lower surfaces. The midsole has a midsole lower surface that contacts the upper surface of the outsole. The midsole has at least one cavity located in a heel or a forefoot portion, which cavity opens to a midsole upper surface. A cushion is located in the cavity. The cushion includes resilient balls located in a resilient matrix material. The balls have a first durometer and the matrix material has a second durometer that is different than the first durometer. The midsole has a lower cavity in the lower surface of the midsole, which lower cavity is aligned with an opening in the outsole. Balls are located in the lower cavity. A retainer keeps the balls in the lower cavity and provides a visual indication of the balls in the lower cavity.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: TWISTED X, INC.Inventors: Prasad Reddy, Tuan Le
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Patent number: 11317675Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper, a midsole attached to the upper, and an outsole. The midsole has a footbed and a bottom surface disposed on an opposite side of the midsole than the footbed. The outsole has a ground-engaging surface, an inner surface disposed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface, and a wall extending from the ground-engaging surface and surrounding the outsole. The article of footwear also includes a casing containing particulate matter and having a length that is greater than a length of the outsole. The casing includes a first fold at a predetermined location along its length. The casing is received within a cavity bounded by the wall of the outsole and between the bottom surface and the inner surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Kevin W. Hoffer, Scott C. Holt, Jeffrey L. Johnson, Cassidy R. Levy, Nicholas R. Long, Matthew C. Palmer
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Patent number: 11311076Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure secured to an underside of the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole; a ground contacting outsole surface; and a cushioning system disposed between the midsole and the ground contacting outsole surface. The cushioning system includes a plate comprising an upper plate and a lower plate provided in a spaced relationship. The upper plate and lower plate are integrally connected at a posterior portion of the sole structure. A midfoot fluid-filled chamber is provided between the upper plate and the lower plate within the midfoot region, and a forefoot fluid-filled chamber is provided between the upper plate and the lower plate within the forefoot region.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Nikita Troufanov, Rosa Kim
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Patent number: 11297895Abstract: A sole assembly for an article of footwear comprises a sole plate with a foot-facing surface with a recess disposed in the foot-facing surface. An insert plate is disposed in the recess. A length of the insert plate between anterior and posterior ends of the insert plate is less than a length of the recess. The insert plate flexes free of compressive loading by the sole plate when a forefoot portion of the sole assembly is dorsiflexed in a first portion of a flexion range, and operatively engages with the sole plate when the forefoot portion is dorsiflexed in a second portion of the flexion range that includes flex angles greater than in the first portion of the flexion range. The sole assembly is dorsiflexed, for example, when the forefoot portion is flexed in accordance with toes bending toward the top of the foot.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Dennis D. Bunnell, Bryan N. Farris, Austin Orand, Alison Sheets-Singer, Aaron B. Weast
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Patent number: 11297898Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a chamber that encloses a pressurized fluid. The chamber includes subchambers laterally extending in a medial to lateral direction of the bladder. A bottom surface of the chamber may include at least one bond that laterally extends across the bottom surface of the chamber from one side edge to another side edge of the chamber in the medial to lateral direction. The bond may cooperate with an indentation in the bottom surface that separates one subchamber from an adjacent subchamber. A diameter of the subchambers may decrease in a direction from a heel region of the bladder to a forefoot region of the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2017Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Dolan, Travis K. Ernst, Scott C. Holt, Lisa M. Hovey, Eric S. Schindler, Tamimu A. Shyllon
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Patent number: 11291268Abstract: A shoe, in particular a running shoe, may include an upper and a sole unit. The upper is attached to the sole unit such that in a midfoot region there is a gap between a lower side of the upper and a top side of the sole unit. The gap may extend from a lateral side of the shoe to a medial side of the shoe.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: adidas AGInventors: Angus Wardlaw, Zachary Clinton Coonrod, James Tarrier, Heiko Schlarb, Paul Leonard Michael Smith, Warren Freeman
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Patent number: 11291273Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a shoe (1), in particular a sports shoe. In order to be able to produce the shoe economically and in the process to achieve a particularly good wearing comfort, the invention provides the steps of: a) Producing a shoe upper (2), wherein the shoe upper (2) has an upper region (3) that covers the upper region of the wearer's foot and a lower region (4) that encloses the sole of the wearer's foot; b) Producing a sole part (5), wherein the sole part (5) has a bottom region (6) and a lateral wall region (7), wherein the bottom region (6) and the wall region (7) delimit an upwardly open receiving space (8) for bulk material (9); c) Filling the receiving space (8) with a bulk material (9), wherein the bulk material consists at least in part, preferably entirely, of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE); d) Fastening the shoe upper (2) to the sole part (5) such that the lower region (4) of the shoe upper (2) comes to rest on the bulk material (9).Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2017Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: PUMA SEInventors: Matthias Hartmann, Romain Girard
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Patent number: 11284666Abstract: A footwear cover that includes a sole portion that includes an inner layer and an outer layer that cooperate to define at least a first interior space therebetween, at least a first bladder member disposed in the first interior space, and an upper connected to the sole portion. The first bladder member defines a bladder interior that includes a non-Newtonian fluid disposed therein. The upper includes at least a first securement strap for securing the footwear cover in a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: TATE TECHNOLOGY, LLCInventors: Jenny T. Morgan, Gerard E. Morgan, III, Cody N. Gifford
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Patent number: 11253025Abstract: A system and a method of asymmetric shock absorption and torsion cushioning for footwear. The asymmetric shock absorption system providing an upper plate attached to the upper section of the footwear and a lower plate attached to the lower section of the footwear. The upper plate may be in direct contact with or spaced apart from the lower plate. A flexible perimeter band extends around the entire perimeter of the sole of the footwear and permanently connects the upper section to the lower section of the footwear. The flexible perimeter band may have a low-profile and extend around only the perimeter of the upper and lower plates. The flexible perimeter band may wrap around one or more plate to provide for limited horizontal movement, e.g., lateral, longitudinal, or both lateral and longitudinal, between the upper section of the footwear and the lower section of the footwear.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Inventor: Lee James Martin
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Patent number: 11247425Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole including a polymeric bladder element enclosing a fluid-filled interior cavity, a first outsole component secured to a bottom surface and to a side surface of the polymeric bladder element, and a second outsole component. The first outsole component includes a first base, and a wall integral with the first base. The second outsole component includes a second base secured to the first base, and a wall integral with the second base and secured to the outer surface of the wall of the first outsole component. A method of manufacturing the article of footwear includes thermoforming the bladder element and the first outsole component, and securing the second outsole component to the first outsole component.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Fidencio Campos, II, Frederick J. Dojan, Zachary M. Elder, Eric L. Fliss, Samuel Heinzman, Troy C. Lindner, Benjamin J. Monfils, Melanie N. Moteberg, Lee D. Peyton, Eric S. Schindler
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Patent number: 11219270Abstract: A dual-layered midsole for footwear includes an internal midsole layer and an external midsole layer, which are coupled to and separated by a Strobel board. The internal midsole layer may compress and expand with the movement of a wearer of an article of footwear including the dual-layered midsole, while the external midsole may provide stability and cushion for the wearer. Materials selected for the internal and external midsole layers may provide tuned viscoelastic properties to different areas of the midsole as a function of midsole layer thickness at each sole area.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2021Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: LULULEMON ATHLETICA CANADA INC.Inventors: Mark Arthur Oleson, Michael Andrew Notrica, Christopher Ka-Yin Lam, Michael Steszyn, Peter Andrew Hudson
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Patent number: 11215257Abstract: A shock absorbing system for impact energy dissipation employs removable unitary cells of compressible members in communication with a reservoir and containing a first working fluid. Resilient structural members may be placed intermediate the compressible members to deform responsive to compression to provide both energy dissipation and resilient recovery of the compression cylinders to their uncompressed state.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2018Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Inventor: Kevin McDonnell
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Patent number: 11166524Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder system with a first bladder enclosing a first sealed chamber retaining fluid, and a second bladder overlying and bonded to the first bladder and enclosing a second sealed chamber isolated from the first sealed chamber and retaining fluid. The first bladder establishes a ground-facing surface and the second bladder establishes a foot-facing surface of the bladder system. The first bladder includes first domed pods extending at the ground-facing surface and at an upper surface of the first bladder, the first sealed chamber filling the first domed pods. The second bladder includes second domed pods and annular ring pods, the second domed pods and the annular ring pods extending at the lower surface of the second bladder and at the foot-facing surface, the second sealed chamber filling the second domed pods and the annular ring pods.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Case, Zachary M. Elder, Dervin A. James, Lee D. Peyton
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Patent number: 11166523Abstract: Foot support systems for articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices include a compressor or other gas source used to control gas pressure provided in one or more pressure adjustable fluid-filled bladders used to support a wearer's foot. Additional features relate to fluid flow control systems and methods that include a plurality of valves to control an inflation configuration for supplying gas to the one or more adjustable fluid filled bladders or a deflation configuration for releasing gas from the one or more adjustable fluid filled bladders.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventor: Levi J. Patton
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Patent number: 11147342Abstract: Foot support systems include a fluid flow regulator and/or valve that: (a) can operate as a stop valve to stop transfer of fluid between a first fluid container and a second fluid container, (b) can open in a controlled manner to allow transfer of fluid from the second fluid container to the first fluid container, (c) can open to equalize pressure in the first and second fluid containers, and (d) can act as a check valve to enable flow of fluid from the first fluid container to the second fluid container when/if gas pressure in the first container exceeds that in the second container by a predetermined amount. Additional features relate to fluid flow control systems and methods, systems and methods for changing and controlling the crack pressure of a valve (e.g., a check valve), and/or systems and methods for matching foot support pressure features in two different sole structures.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Timothy P. Hopkins
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Patent number: 11096447Abstract: An article of footwear has a midsole assembly that includes a fluid-filled bladder element having a substantially arc-shaped heel portion and having a lateral arm portion and a medial arm portion spaced from the lateral arm portion. Each of the arm portions extend from the heel portion. The bladder element is configured to be positioned with the heel portion in the heel region of midsole assembly, and the arm portions extending from the heel region to a forefoot region along a peripheral region. A method of manufacturing and a mold assembly for such an article of footwear are provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Margarita L. Cortez, Zachary M. Elder, Lee D. Peyton, Hector R. Quinonez
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Patent number: 11093989Abstract: A method of manufacturing articles of footwear that includes steps of providing articles to a customer, receiving evaluations of one or more structural characteristics of the articles and making new customized articles for the customer based on the evaluations of one or more structural characteristics. The method can be conducted as a cycle that is repeated each time the customer buys a new pair of footwear.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester, Daniel T. Rowe
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Patent number: 11071349Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a foam element having a top surface and a bottom surface. The foam element includes a recess (i) formed in one of the top surface or the bottom surface, (ii) extending from a first end in a forefoot region of the sole structure to a second end in a mid-foot region of the sole structure, (iii) having a first edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed proximate to a peripheral region of the sole structure, and (iv) a second edge extending between the first end and the second end and disposed at an interior region of the sole structure. A cushioning arrangement is disposed within the recess and includes an outer surface that is substantially flush with the one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the foam element.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Nick S Frank, Dolores S. Thompson
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Patent number: 11071344Abstract: An article of footwear includes a motorized tensioning system, sensors, and a gesture control system. Based on information received from one or more sensors the gesture control system may detect a prompting gesture and enters an armed mode for receiving further instructions. In the armed mode the system may detect a variety of different control gestures that correspond to different tensioning commands.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Tiffany B. Henrichot, Steven H. Walker
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Patent number: 11064765Abstract: An air pad assembly for shoes includes a rear air pad and a front air pad which communicates with the rear air pad. The front air pad includes a release valve and an inlet. A first tube is connected between the inlet of the front air pad and a first one-way valve of the rear air pad. When the rear air pad is compressed, air in the rear air pad flows into the front air pad. The air in the front air pad releases from the release valve gradually so as to prevent the front air pad from being overly inflated to compress the wearer's foot between the front end of the vamp and the front air pad.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Inventor: Chih-Fang Lo
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Patent number: 11051582Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Case, Zachary M. Elder, Nathan A. Jacobsen, Roger Paul Murphy, Lee D. Peyton
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Patent number: 11039661Abstract: Foot support systems, e.g., for articles of footwear, include systems for changing the hardness or firmness of the foot support portion (e.g., of a sole structure) and/or systems for moving (e.g., selectively moving) fluid between various portions of the foot support system. Such systems may include: a foot support bladder, a pump, and a fluid reservoir. Two or more fluid transfer lines may be provided to connect these components, and these fluid lines are equipped with fluid flow control device(s) and/or check valves to enable selective movement of fluid between the fluid reservoir and the foot support bladder. Such systems enable one to set and maintain two or more foot support pressures in the foot support bladder.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Aaron B. Weast, Timothy P. Hopkins
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Patent number: 11039655Abstract: A breathable shoe, including an outsole arranged below a structural insert that is at least partially breathable, and below an upper. The outsole is at least partially breathable, including at least one sheet-like breathable element defined by a plurality of granules made of expanded material and having a uniform size, arranged in a substantially ordered manner and between which there are voids that form one or more channels through the breathable element that are permeable to air and/or vapor.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2016Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: GEOX S.P.A.Inventors: Mario Polegato Moretti, Livio Poloni, Mirco Bergamin
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Patent number: 11039660Abstract: A shoe includes a first plate and a second plate that are located in a portion of the shoe between an upper and an outsole of the shoe, and a nest formed as a bag filled with one or more gasses located between the first plate and the second plate. The shoe may further include one or more springs located in cavities in the gas filled nest for biasing the first plate and the second plate apart from each other. Pods may be located within the openings in the center of the springs, and the pods may be filled with one or more gasses. The pods may protrude from a bottom or a top surface of the nest. Spring sandwiches including one or more springs positioned between plates may be constructed and placed in various portions of a shoe. The shoe may also include piping with lights.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Athletic Propulsion Labs LLCInventors: Mark Goldston, Adam Goldston, Ryan Goldston
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Patent number: 10993503Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the modulation of appearance or material properties within items of apparel or equipment. Also provided herein are design articles having alterable designs.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2017Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Inventors: Nicole Justis Truitt, Benjamin David Sullivan, Zeyad Moussa, Daniel Kincade
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Patent number: 10986891Abstract: A shoe includes a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The sole has an outsole, a molded chassis, a forefoot cushion, and a heel cushion. The medial midfoot region of the outsole is devoid of the outsole such that the chassis member is visible as viewed in a bottom plan view. The molded chassis has a forefoot opening and a heel opening, with both the forefoot opening and the heel opening being through openings extending through the molded chassis. The forefoot opening is in one or more of the toe region and the ball region of the sole, and the heel opening is in the heel region of the sole. The forefoot cushion is in the forefoot opening, and the heel cushion is in the heel opening. The molded chassis is coupled to the outsole and coupled to the upper.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2019Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: COLE HAAN LLCInventors: Jeffrey Mokos, Caroline Swierszczyk, Brett Brown, Mathew Chapdelaine, Scott Patt
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Patent number: 10980314Abstract: A sole structure may include chambers and a transfer channel containing an electrorheological fluid. Electrodes may be positioned to create, in response to a voltage across the electrodes, an electrical field in at least a portion of the electrorheological fluid in the transfer channel. The sole structure may further include a controller including a processor and memory. At least one of the processor and memory may store instructions executable by the processor to perform operations that include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-inhibiting levels at which flow of the electrorheological fluid the through the transfer channel is blocked, and that further include maintaining the voltage across the electrodes at one or more flow-enabling levels permitting flow of the electrorheological fluid through the transfer channel.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Steven H. Walker, Raymond L. Nicoli, Rolando Pausal
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Patent number: 10952489Abstract: A sports shoe includes an upper wherein a majority by weight of the upper is made from a thermoplastic base material and a sole wherein a majority by weight of the sole is made from the same thermoplastic base material. The sole and the upper are individually fabricated and joined to each other. The thermoplastic base material includes at least one of the following materials: thermoplastic polyurethane TPU, polyamide PA, polyethylene terephthalate PET, or polybutylene terephthalate PBT.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: adidas AGInventors: Marco Kormann, Christopher Edward Holmes, Brian Hoying, Adam Martin Brundage
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Patent number: 10945489Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a first plate, a fluid-filled bladder supported on the first plate, and a second plate supported on the fluid-filled bladder with the fluid-filled bladder disposed between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate ascends rearward of the fluid-filled bladder and the second plate descends rearward of the fluid-filled bladder with a posterior portion of the first plate above a posterior portion of the second plate rearward of the fluid-filled bladder. A method of manufacturing footwear sole structures includes assembling sole structures for plural ranges of footwear sizes, each of the sole structures including a fluid-filled bladder with a predetermined inflation pressure that is different for at least two of the plural ranges.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Bryan P. Conrad, Ross Klein, Troy C. Lindner, Bryan R. Picco, Jeffrey George Rasmussen, Bryan K. Youngs
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Patent number: 10925348Abstract: An insulating shoe insert including a core layer formed of a cellular material, and a top layer and a bottom layer bonded to opposing sides of the core layer, respectively, the top layer and the bottom layer being configured as thin sheets of aromatic polyamide material such that the top layer and bottom layer cooperate with the core layer to create a heat transfer resistance sufficient to resist transfer of heat through the core layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Inventors: Leanne Gregg, Russell Bryan Gregg
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Patent number: 10897958Abstract: An article of footwear is provided having an elevated plate structure incorporated in the sole structure and optionally including a fluid-filled chamber. The elevated plate structure can include an upper plate and a plurality of legs extending downward toward the outsole. End portions of the legs can engage an upper region of the outsole. The elevated plate structure can form a cage region that can optionally include a fluid-filled chamber substantially disposed therein. The elevated plate structure can further include a lower plate disposed at an upper region of the outsole, which can form a lower portion of the cage region. Portions of the legs can be integrated with impact-attenuating members in the heel region in various configurations and can provide features for the impact-attenuating members, such as support, impact-attenuation and adjustable impact-attenuation features.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Lee D. Peyton, DeVonne DeVoe
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Patent number: 10888137Abstract: Sole for footwear that includes configurations that improve the cushioning in a user's tread with respect to known soles, comprising a lower layer and a side wall, the lower layer comprising a front part, a middle part and a rear part; in at least one portion of the front or rear part of the lower layer there are at least two protrusions, each arranged and extended transversely to the longitudinal axis of the sole and each of them comprising a first segment in contact with the lower tread and a second segment; between the side ends of each protrusion and the side wall there is a first separation that allows the full bending of each protrusion, the second segment being inclined with respect to the first segment; between two adjacent protrusions there is a second separation so that the second segment rests at least partly on the adjacent protrusion.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2017Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Inventor: Jose M. Izquieta Anaut
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Patent number: 10881167Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe midsole structure and a method for manufacturing the same. The shoe midsole has unique hollow particle units that may be additively manufactured without any support structure. Each of the hollow particle units has a specific thickness and a hollow interior. A housing layer of each of the hollow particle units has a plurality of openings, a plurality of planar annular portions surrounding each of the openings, and a plurality of curved portions connecting adjacent planar annular portions. The plurality of openings are disposed in pair on the housing layer symmetrically with respect to the geometric centroid of the hollow particle units. A plurality of hollow particle units are arranged into a multi-laminate structure in the shoe midsole. Some hollow particle units are bent when a compression force or a shearing force is applied during use.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2019Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Inventor: Jeng-Ywan Jeng
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Patent number: 10856611Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided. The sole structure includes an outsole having a ground-engaging surface and an upper surface formed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface. A first cushion is disposed proximate to a medial side of the sole structure and includes a first fluid-filled chamber attached to the upper surface of the outsole and a second fluid-filled chamber attached to the first fluid-filled chamber and disposed between the first fluid-filled chamber and the upper. A second cushion is disposed proximate to a lateral side of the sole structure and includes a third fluid-filled chamber attached to the upper surface of the outsole and a fourth fluid-filled chamber attached to the third fluid-filled chamber and disposed between the third fluid-filled chamber and the upper. The second cushion is fluidly isolated from the first cushion.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy L. Connell, Karen S. Dimoff, Emily Farina, Joel Ryp Greenspan, Stefan E. Guest, Derek Haight, Olivier Henrichot, Helene Hutchinson, Geng Luo, Krissy Yetman