Daniel F Potter

US Patent:

6385864, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Mar 16, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/526861

Inventors:

Craig E. Santos - Portland OR
David B. Herridge - Mendota Heights MN
Daniel R. Potter - Forest Grove OR

Assignee:

Nike, Inc. - Beaverton OR

International Classification:

A43B 1320

US Classification:

36 29, 36 35 B

Abstract:

A bladder for a sole assembly of a shoe with three dimensional controlled flex connecting/tensile members extending between the top and bottom outer layers of bladder. The connecting/tensile members are formed during molding of the bladder and comprise top and bottom portions that come together at a juncture. Since the outer perimeter and the internal connecting/tensile members are formed at the same time and of the same material, bonding problems between layers is eliminated and manufacturing is simplified. The connecting/tensile members are formed with a predetermined flex point in at least a portion of each member to reduce random fatigue stress concentrations. Broadly, there are two configurations: one in which the tensile member is constructed to collapse upon compressive loading, and one in which the tensile member is constructed to bend or fold upon compressive loading in a predetermined location. The shape, relative size, length and barrier material thickness are manipulated to assist in finely tuning the cushioning properties of the final bladder.

US Patent:

6430843, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Apr 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/552163

Inventors:

Daniel R. Potter - Forest Grove OR
Allan M. Schrock - Portland OR

Assignee:

Nike, Inc. - Beaverton OR

International Classification:

A43B 1320

US Classification:

36 29, 36 28, 36 43, 36 44

Abstract:

An article of footwear with a dynamically-controlled cushoning system is disclosed. The cushioning system includes a sealed, fluid-filled bladder formed with a plurality of separate cushioning chambers, and a control system. The control system, which includes a CPU, pressure sensors and valves, controls fluid communication between the chambers to dynamically adjust the pressure in the cushioning chambers for various conditions such as the activity that the footwear is used in, the weight of the individual and the individuals running style. Certain adjustments can be made while the footwear is in use.

US Patent:

6463612, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

Nov 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/722285

Inventors:

Daniel R. Potter - Tigard OR

Assignee:

Nike, Inc. - Beaverton OR

International Classification:

A43D 900

US Classification:

12146B, 12146 M, 36 29, 36 43, 36153

Abstract:

A bladder usable in the sole of a shoe for supporting the plantar area includes a plurality of chambers designed to provide a resilient resistance force. In the fabrication of the bladder, each of the chambers is formed in fluid communication with each other, and fluid is supplied into the chambers at a selected location. After the chambers have been pressurized to the desired internal pressure, the fluid communication port(s) is sealed. Although certain of the chambers are pressurized to the same internal pressure, different resistance forces are provided by forming the chambers with different volumes.

US Patent:

6571490, Jun 3, 2003

Filed:

Mar 16, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/526860

Inventors:

John C. Tawney - Portland OR
Daniel R. Potter - Forest Grove OR
Michael A. Aveni - Lake Oswego OR
Joel L. Passke - Portland OR
David B. Herridge - Mendota Heights MN
Alaric Naiman - Lincoln MA
Alastair R. MacGregor - Cambridge, GB
Julian A. Scarfe - Cambridge, GB
Colin D. Ager - Cambridge, GB
Edward G. Colby - Cambridge, GB

Assignee:

Nike, Inc. - Beaverton OR

International Classification:

A43B 1320

US Classification:

36 29, 36 35 B

Abstract:

A bladder which is particularly useful for a sole assembly of a shoe is formed of multiple layers of barrier film to provide multiple pressurized layers of cushioning fluid or gas when the bladder is filled. A multiple gas layer bladder enhances cushioning response by relying more on the response characteristics of the gas and reducing the amount of foam and the dependence on foam as a cushioning material. The internal film layers provide a truss-like geometry in cross section and act as tensile members to impart a generally smooth surface contour to the bladder. The bladder is constructed to provide complex regionalized cushioning profiles which are coupled to the anatomy of the foot and expected loads at known points.

US Patent:

6871421, Mar 29, 2005

Filed:

Sep 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/960627

Inventors:

Daniel R. Potter - Forest Grove OR, US
Lorrie G. Vogel - Lake Oswego OR, US

International Classification:

A43B013/20
A43B005/04
A43B019/00

US Classification:

36 29, 36114, 36 71, 36 31

Abstract:

A stability device that increases foot security on the footbed of a shoe, provides lateral or medial stability, shock dampening, and optimizes flexibility. The stability device includes a resilient bladder insert having a horizontal sole portion underneath a wearer's foot, and a vertical foot portion positioned to a lateral or medial side edge of a wearer's foot. The horizontal sole portion and the vertical foot portion are in fluid communication and are proximal the first or fifth metatarsal regions of the foot. The stability device can be generally L-shaped to cradles a portion of the foot. A compression force of a foot landing onto horizontal sole portion causes an increase in fluid pressure in the foot portion which stiffens the veridical foot portion forming a bumper-like wall for absorbing side impacting force from the foot and serving to keep the foot on the footbed.

US Patent:

6892477, May 17, 2005

Filed:

Jul 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/202202

Inventors:

Daniel R. Potter - Forest Grove OR, US
Allan M. Schrock - Portland OR, US

Assignee:

Nike, Inc. - Beaverton OR

International Classification:

A43B013/20

US Classification:

36 29, 36 35 B, 36153, 36 93

Abstract:

An article of footwear with a dynamically-controlled cushioning system is disclosed. The cushioning system includes a sealed, fluid-filled bladder formed with a plurality of separate cushioning chambers, and a control system. The control system, which includes a CPU, pressure sensors and valves, controls fluid communication between the chambers to dynamically adjust the pressure in the cushioning chambers for various conditions such as the activity that the footwear is used in, the weight of the individual and the individual's running style. Certain adjustments can be made while the footwear is in use.

US Patent:

6971193, Dec 6, 2005

Filed:

Mar 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/092873

Inventors:

Daniel R. Potter - Forest Grove OR, US
David B. Herridge - Mendota Heights MN, US

Assignee:

Nike, Inc. - Beaverton OR

International Classification:

A61F005/14
A43B013/20
A43B019/00
A43B007/14

US Classification:

36141, 36 29, 36 71, 36153

Abstract:

A shock absorbing bladder for use in the sole of an article of footwear is disclosed. The bladder includes a plurality of inflated chambers at different pressure levels. The bladder includes a first sealed chamber formed of a barrier material. The first chamber contains a fluid at a first fluid pressure. A second sealed chamber also forms part of the bladder. The second chamber is formed of a second barrier material and contains an inflation fluid at a second fluid pressure that is greater than said first fluid pressure. The second chamber is operatively coupled to the first chamber so that the inflation fluid from the second chamber moves into the first chamber to replenish fluid leaving the first chamber.

US Patent:

7132032, Nov 7, 2006

Filed:

Apr 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/423756

Inventors:

John C Tawney - Portland OR, US
Daniel R Potter - Forest Grove OR, US
Michael A Aveni - Lake Oswego OR, US
Joel L Passke - Portland OR, US
David B Herridge - Mendota Heights MN, US
Alaric Naiman - Lincoln MA, US
Alastair R MacGregor - Cambridge, GB
Julian A Scarfe - Cambridge, GB
Colin D Ager - Cambridge, GB
Edward G Colby - Cambridge, GB

Assignee:

Nike, Inc. - Beaverton OR

International Classification:

B32B 37/00

US Classification:

156290, 156145, 156289, 156292, 12142 P

Abstract:

A bladder which is particularly useful for a sole assembly of a shoe is formed of multiple layers of barrier film to provide multiple pressurized layers of cushioning fluid or gas when the bladder is filled. A multiple gas layer bladder enhances cushioning response by relying more on the response characteristics of the gas and reducing the amount of foam and the dependence on foam as a cushioning material. The internal film layers provide a truss-like geometry in cross section and act as tensile members to impart a generally smooth surface contour to the bladder. The bladder is constructed to provide complex regionalized cushioning profiles which are coupled to the anatomy of the foot and expected loads at known points.