Steven E Nichols

US Patent:

7178267, Feb 20, 2007

Filed:

Dec 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/733268

Inventors:

Joseph Skaja - Thousand Oaks CA, US
Kenneth J. Liu - Westlake Village CA, US
David Joseph Preskar - Westlake Village CA, US
Steven B. Nichols - Los Angeles CA, US

Assignee:

Polyworks, Inc. - Lincoln RI

International Classification:

A43B 13/18

US Classification:

36 25R, 36 30 R, 36 31, 36114

Abstract:

Footwear and footwear structures are provided as well as methods for forming composite components for footwear or footwear structures. In forming the structures, two material layers are overlaid such that the two material layers are in contact with one another. The two material layers are heated to a forming temperature and are then vacuum-formed together to form a composite material layer in a three-dimensional form of the footwear structure. A provided footwear structure includes an upper and a sole assembly attached to the upper. The sole assembly includes a first material layer made of a thermoplastic, and a second material layer attached to the first material layer. The first material layer includes a recessed area including a flat support portion, and is transparent or translucent. The second material layer includes a portion that is positioned on a surface of the recessed area, and a color of the second material layer indicates a location and/or a function of the second material layer.

US Patent:

56923201, Dec 2, 1997

Filed:

Jun 1, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/457101

Inventors:

Steven B. Nichols - Los Angeles CA

Assignee:

K-Swiss Inc. - Chatsworth CA

International Classification:

A43B 1100

US Classification:

36 51

Abstract:

A lace up shoe with shock absorbing and tensioning members which provides for a superior fit of the shoe to the wearer's foot and which provides for pronation and supination countering adjustability. The shock absorbing and tensioning member is affixed to the shoe at its lower region to the upper and/or the sole in the quarter area of the shoe at the medial and/or lateral sides of the shoe and has shoe lace engaging rings at its upper region. The user can selectively lace the shoe laces through some or all of these rings, on one or both the medial and/or lateral sides of the shoe, to put additional shock absorbency on one or both the medial and lateral sides of the shoe, to counteract pronation and supination.

US Patent:

55183158, May 21, 1996

Filed:

Aug 5, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/286343

Inventors:

Steven B. Nichols - Los Angeles CA

Assignee:

K-Swiss Inc. - Chatsworth CA

International Classification:

B65D 3010

US Classification:

383119

Abstract:

An external bag support frame for attachment to a bag with side walls and a bottom wall. The external bag support frame has perimeter walls for attachment to the bag's side walls by stitching, adhesive, or with detachable means such as hook and loop material. The frame provides the bag with additional rigidity and abrasion resistance. In one embodiment, webbing straps passable through slots in the perimeter walls provide bottom support for the bags bottom. In another embodiment, a bottom grid, unitary with the perimeter side walls, form the bottom support for the bag.

US Patent:

60619287, May 16, 2000

Filed:

Dec 9, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/987477

Inventors:

Steven B. Nichols - Los Angeles CA

Assignee:

K-Swiss Inc. - Chatsworth CA

International Classification:

A43B 1318

US Classification:

36 28

Abstract:

An improved cushioning assembly is provided in which separate, independent cushioning elements are loaded into a pocket of the sole assembly of the shoe. By providing separate and independent cushioning elements, greater variation of the performance of various regions of the shoe can be provided, by utilizing cushioning elements having variations in one or more of their size, shape, orientation, material properties, and amount of precompression. As a result, different regions of the shoe can be better tailored for a particular activity or a particular user. In addition, by providing separate independent cushioning elements, the cushioning elements can be more closely packed as compared with, for example, prior cushioning elements formed as contiguous sheets. With the enhanced ability to more closely pack the cushioning elements, the cushioning elements can better transfer forces laterally, to better absorb and dissipate the forces.

US Patent:

52727963, Dec 28, 1993

Filed:

May 18, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/884919

Inventors:

Steven B. Nichols - Brentwood CA

Assignee:

K-Swiss, Inc. - Chatsworth CA

International Classification:

A43C 900

US Classification:

24712

Abstract:

A slip resistant shoe lace and a method to make same. A slip resistant shoe lace is provided by weaving strands having a conventional frictional coefficient with at least one strand having a higher frictional coefficiency, where the high-friction strands do not extend beyond the outer perimeter of the lace. The high-friction strands can be made by impregnating conventional strands with friction-enhancing substances such as resin or rubber, by using a unitary strand made of material such as rubber or soft plastic, or by using strands with grooves or serrations formed on its outside surface.

US Patent:

54696402, Nov 28, 1995

Filed:

Apr 18, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/425213

Inventors:

Steven B. Nichols - Los Angeles CA

Assignee:

K-Swiss Inc. - Chatsworth CA

International Classification:

A43B 1100

US Classification:

36 501

Abstract:

A quick adjusting shoe lacing system. The system has a cinch plate having eyelets which are spaced apart to about the same distance as eyelets formed in the lacing area of the shoe. The shoe laces are laced through the cinch plate eyelets along with the eyelets in the lacing area of the shoe. A strap, fixably attached at a lower end to the shoe and loopable at an upper end through a slot in the cinch plate is used to adjustably pull the cinch plate and the shoe laces looped through its eyelets downwardly and thus increase the shoe lace tension. Alternatively, a latching buckle linked to the cinch place via a wire loop can be used to affect changes in lace tension. These changes in lace tension can be affected even after the shoe laces are laced and tied up, offering the ability to make quick and fine adjustments to shoe laces.

US Patent:

50421204, Aug 27, 1991

Filed:

Dec 1, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/444668

Inventors:

Steven B. Nichols - Brentwood CA

Assignee:

K-Swiss Inc. - Pacoima CA

International Classification:

A43B 1100

US Classification:

247132

Abstract:

Shoes having outlying lace receivers. The receivers can be in cinch arrangement or allow the lace to freely pass. Shoes with such lace arrangements have a more snug fit. The lacing arrangement of the present invention is particularly suited for athletic shoes.

US Patent:

D3714543, Jul 9, 1996

Filed:

Aug 5, 1994

Appl. No.:

D/026816

Inventors:

Steven B. Nichols - Los Angeles CA

Assignee:

K-Swiss, Inc. - Chatsworth CA

US Classification:

D 2972