| Nike, Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120129634 | Customizable Bat - A customizable bat is described. The customizable bat may have a handle and a knob detachably affixed to an end of the handle by way of a knob-shaft inserted into a channel of the end of the handle. A pin may extend centrally from a top of the knob through the knob-shaft toward the handle. The pin may be shaped to engage with the knob of the customizable bat. The bat may also include a customizable marker that indicates information associated with the bat. The customizable marker may be removably integrated with the top of the knob and the pin of the bat. The customizable marker may be configured to securely fit around the pin of the bat. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120129621 | GOLF CLUB HEAD AND SYSTEM - A golf club head system and a golf club head for inclusion into a golf club are provided. The golf club head system includes two or more rear or secondary body members, each configured for interchangeable attachment to a front or main body member. Each rear body member may have a different external shape, and each rear body member may have a different combination of center-of-gravity and moment-of-inertia characteristics. The system further includes a detachable attachment element for interchangeably and detachably attaching the rear body members to the front body member. The system may further include the front body member, wherein the front body member has a striking surface. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120124864 | Article of Footwear With Tongue of Varying Thickness - An article of footwear includes a tongue. The tongue includes a medial portion, a lateral portion, a central portion, a top portion and an upper perimeter portion. The medial portion and the top portion have similar thicknesses, which are greater than the thicknesses of the lateral portion, the central portion and the upper perimeter portion. The central portion is the thinnest portion of the tongue. Each portion of the tongue corresponds to a different pressure zone along a foot in order to provide differential cushioning and support against pressure applied by a fastening system. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120124863 | Article of Footwear with Tongue Having Holes - An article of footwear includes a tongue. The tongue includes a medial portion, a lateral portion, a central portion, a top portion and an upper perimeter portion. The lateral portion, the central portion and the upper perimeter portion include holes. The top portion and medial portion are substantially solid portions without holes. Each portion of the tongue corresponds to a different pressure zone along a foot in order to provide differential cushioning and support against pressure applied by a fastening system. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120123569 | Multi-Mode Acceleration-Based Athleticism Measurement System - A multi-mode athleticism movement measurement system includes an athlete-borne acceleration sensor and an athleticism processing device to determine athleticism information based upon one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor, the athleticism information corresponding to any of multiple athleticism measurement modes available on athleticism processing device and selectable by a user. A data link between the athlete-borne acceleration sensor and the athleticism rating processing device transmits the one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor to the athleticism rating processing device. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120122604 | Side Locking Adjustable Shaft Connection Systems for Removably Connecting a Golf Club Head and Shaft - Releasable golf club head/shaft connection systems and methods allow one to change shafts on a single club head, change club heads on a single shaft, and/or change the angular orientation features of a golf club. Such systems may include: (a) a club head body including a hosel and a locking nut stabilizer; (b) a shaft releasably engaged with the club head body, wherein an end of the shaft includes a retaining member that is inserted into the club head body; and (c) a locking nut engaged with a side surface of the club head body such that a body portion of the locking nut extends at least partially through the hosel and is supported by the locking nut stabilizer. The locking nut is movably engaged with the club head body such that it securely holds the shaft or allows the shaft to be removed therefrom. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120122371 | Athletic Bra - A seamless athletic bra includes different regions with different levels of support. The bra is formed from layers of material adhered together. Altering the types of materials comprising the layers in a region changes the level of support in that region as compared with other regions of the bra. A first region having the lowest level of support is found in a back panel and in the molded cups. A second region having a medium level of support is found in the front portion of the strap. A third region having a high level of support is found in a framework that follows the contours of the molded cups and in a back portion of the strap. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120119426 | Impact-Attenuation Systems for Articles of Footwear and Other Foot-Receiving Devices - Impact-attenuation members, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving devices, include: (a) a first body member having a base region and three (or more) leg portions extending from the base region. A second body member, with similar leg portions, may be arranged facing the first member such that the free ends of the various leg portions lie adjacent one another. A retaining member may extend between and/or at least partially around the body members to at least partially hold them in place with respect to one another. Such impact-attenuation systems may be arranged in the heel (or other portions) of an article of footwear. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120117826 | Articles And Methods Of Manufacture Of Articles - Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. The articles may include one or more reinforcements configured to provide added durability to various regions of the articles. In addition, the articles may be formed from two or more materials in a single rapid manufacturing process. The rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may also include using of varying intensities of the laser to fuse material to form the articles. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120117825 | Articles And Methods Of Manufacture Of Articles - Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. The articles may include one or more reinforcements configured to provide added durability to various regions of the articles. In addition, the articles may be formed from two or more materials in a single rapid manufacturing process. The rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may also include using of varying intensities of the laser to fuse material to form the articles. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120117823 | Composite Element With A Polymer Connecting Layer - A composite element includes a base or textile layer, a thermoplastic polymer material, a thread, and a cover layer. The base layer has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The polymer material is separate from the base layer, extends into the base layer, and is at least partially located at the first surface. The thread has a section lying adjacent to the first surface layer and substantially parallel to the first surface throughout a distance of at least five centimeters, and the thread is bonded to the base layer with the polymer material. The cover layer is located adjacent to the first surface and bonded to the base layer with the polymer material, and the section of the thread is located between the cover layer and the base layer. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120117822 | Articles And Method Of Manufacture Of Articles - Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. Portions of the articles may be manufactured using rapid manufacturing and those portions may be joined with portions formed using conventional, non-rapid manufacturing techniques. The methods may also include performing a scan of an appropriate body part of a user, such as a foot, in order to create a customized article of footwear for the user. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120117738 | Articles And Methods Of Manufacture Of Articles - Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. The articles may include one or more reinforcements configured to provide added durability to various regions of the articles. In addition, the articles may be formed from two or more materials in a single rapid manufacturing process. The rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may also include using of varying intensities of the laser to fuse material to form the articles. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120117705 | Pants With A Weight-Distributing Waistband - A pair of pants with a weight-distributing waistband is provided. The pants comprise a waistband with a first plurality of rigidity segments located within the waistband, and a second plurality of belt loops. At least a portion of the second plurality of belt loops is affixed to the waistband corresponding to a first rigidity segment of the first plurality of rigidity segments. In addition, the pants may have a posterior stretch panel located below the lower margin of the waistband, a seat panel made of abrasion resistant material, and a groin stretch panel. As well, the pants may have a posterior knee stretch panel and an anterior knee panel of abrasion resistant material. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120116550 | MONITORING FITNESS USING A MOBILE DEVICE - Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. In one example, an athletic monitoring device may include or be associated with multiple types of movement sensors and switch between the sensors or use both depending on various factors including type of workout. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment used and the like. In one or more examples, the parameters may be automatically determined based on location. User workouts and accomplishments may also be celebrated through messages from celebrities, family, friends and other users. In some cases, the messages may be triggered by various conditions. Coaching may also be provided to the user to help improve workouts and overall athletic performance. Running routes may also be automatically tracked, stored and shared. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120115682 | CONSUMER USEABLE TESTING KIT - Systems and techniques relating to evaluating performance characteristics are provided. One or more fitness devices, for example, a ball and/or a mat, may have sensors for measuring a user's actions during an activity protocol, such as a testing drill. Sensor configured to detect if the fitness device meets operational criteria are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fitness device may comprise a ball and the operational criteria may relate to the weight, dimensions, and/or internal pressure of the ball. In one embodiment, data from fitness device(s) may be used to calculate a score. In other embodiments, a score may be calculated; however, it may not be associated with credentials or certified if an operational criteria is not met. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120115637 | Golf Balls Including A Crosslinked Thermoplastic Polyurethane Cover Layer Having Improved Scuff Resistance - This disclosure relates to golf balls having a cover layer made from a crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer includes crosslinks located in the hard segments, where the crosslinks being the reaction product of unsaturated bonds located in the hard segments catalyzed by a free radical initiator. The crosslinks may be formed from an unsaturated diol as a chain extender. The unsaturated diol may be trimethylolpropane monoallylether (TMPME). The cover layer may have certain properties, such as a desirable flexural modulus value and a desirable Shore D hardness value, that further contribute to the golf ball having a high degree of scuff resistance. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120111487 | Method of Customizing an Article and Apparatus - A method of applying graphics to a set of articles with a graphic transfer assembly is disclosed. The method includes a step of selecting an article from a set of articles comprising different types of articles. After selecting a last that may be associated with the article, the last may be attached to a last assembly of the graphic transfer assembly. With the article attached to the graphic transfer assembly, a deformable membrane may apply graphics to curved portions of the article. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120111210 | INK CUP - A pad printing system for applying ink to an object includes an ink-vessel including a pressure plate; a shaft; and an ink-releasable member. The pressure plate moves linearly along the shaft based on a rotational force applied to the plate. The pad printing system may include a mounting portion; an ink-vessel for being mounted in the mounting portion. The ink-vessel includes a cavity having a ink-releasable member and a pressure plate for engaging the ink-releasable member. The pressure plate is positionable at one of a plurality of predetermined heights within the cavity. The pressure plate may be configured for resiliently biased movement between the predetermined heights. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120110874 | Sole With Adjustable Sizing - A sole with adjustable sizing is disclosed. The sole includes a fixed region and an adjustable region. The adjustable region is deformable when the sole is heated to a melting point associated with the adjustable region. The shape and size of the sole may be adjusted by deforming the adjustable region. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120108361 | Golf Ball with Changeable Dimples - This disclosure provides a golf ball that is configured to be capable of changing its dimple depth. Changing the dimple depth of at least one of the plurality of dimples affects the aerodynamic properties of the golf ball, such that the play characteristics of the golf ball can be customized. The golf ball may be changed from a first configuration having deeper dimples to a second configuration having shallower dimples. Also provided is a method of customizing a golf ball, the method including the steps of possessing a golf ball that is in accordance with this disclosure and then inducing a mutable portion of the golf ball's cover layer to change the dimple depth. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120102783 | Strand-Wound Bladder - An article of footwear or another product may incorporate a pressure chamber that includes (a) a bladder at least partially formed from a polymer material that is sealed to enclose a pressurized fluid and (b) a strand wound around the bladder and secured to the bladder. In manufacturing the pressure chamber, a bladder with an elongate configuration may be formed. A strand is wound around the bladder, and the strand is secured to the bladder. When incorporated to a sole structure of the article of footwear, for example, a portion of the bladder that includes the strands may be exposed at an outer surface of the sole structure. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120102782 | Fluid-Filled Chamber With A Stacked Tensile Member - A fluid-filled chamber may have a barrier, a stacked tensile member, and a fluid. The barrier may be formed from a polymer material that is sealed to define an interior void. The stacked tensile member may be located within the interior void and includes a first tensile element and a second tensile element that are joined to each other. Additionally, opposite sides of the stacked tensile member are joined to the barrier. The fluid is located within the interior void and may be pressurized to place an outward force upon the barrier and induce tension in the stacked tensile member. In some configurations, each of the tensile elements may be a spacer textile. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120101602 | Wearable Device Assembly Having Athletic Functionality - A wearable device has a carrier having an aperture. A device has a USB connection and a protrusion wherein the protrusion is received in the aperture to connect the device to the carrier. The device is a USB type device having athletic functionality. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120096743 | Deposition of Electronic Circuits on Fibers and Other Materials - Fibers, such as textile fibers, having electrical components deposited thereon. More particularly, one or more electrical components are formed directly onto the surface of at least one fiber. The fiber having the electrical component formed thereon may then be interlaced with other fibers to form a larger piece of fabric, which can be employed to produce an article of clothing. A group of transistors and piezoelectric components forming an accelerometer may be woven onto one or more natural or synthetic fibers. The fibers may then be employed as the warp, weft, or both, of a woven piece of fabric, or used to form a knitted piece of fabric. The fabric piece can then be cut and sewn to form a wearable item, such as a shirt, a pair of pants, a hat, or the upper piece of a shoe that includes the accelerometer. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120096617 | Bikini Top With Friction Locking Cord Adjustment System - Swim tops having a friction locking cord adjustment system are described. The swim top may have a pair of friction locking adjustment terminal ends. Each friction locking adjustment terminal end may be secured to an end of one of a pair of neck cords of the swim top. The friction locking adjustment terminal ends may be slidably affixed to the opposing neck cord of the swim top to permit the fit of the top to be adjusted. The friction locking adjustment terminal ends may be comprised of adjustment buckles or slidable knots. Adjustment buckles may include two or more silicone coated pads having holes for threading the cords of the swim top. A friction enhancing pattern may be proximate to the holes of the adjustment buckles. The friction enhancing pattern may engage the cord passing through that hole when the swim top is worn to enhance the secure fit of the swim top. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120096616 | Shin Guard Sleeve - Aspects of the present invention relate to a shin guard sleeve that extends higher in a calf portion than in a shin portion of the shin guard sleeve. Additional aspects may include a shin guard sleeve having an apex located in the calf region of a wearer to provide a volume able to be filled by the calf region of the wearer. Further, aspects may include one or more maintainers affixed to the shin guard sleeve to further resist slipping of the shin guard sleeve. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120096615 | Shin Guard Strap - Aspects of the present invention relate to a shin guard construction having a shin guard and a strap. The strap may provide a number of adjustments, such as adjusting a vertical position of strap attachment to the shin guard, a length of the strap, and/or a position of a portion of the strap in both a horizontal and/or a vertical location on a wearer's leg. Further, the strap may have an upwardly inclined orientation relative to a horizontal plane extending through the shin guard. The orientation of the strap in an upward direction may be a result of a location and/or orientation of one or more fasteners. Additionally, the orientation of the strap may be a result of the size and/or shape of the strap. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120095578 | Interactive Athletic Equipment System - Systems and techniques for the collection and display of athletic information. Athletic data relating to a single person or group of people is collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed at a desired remote location so that the person or people can review and critique their performance. In addition, athletic data for multiple persons can be collected at a central location, and subsequently displayed to a user at a desired remote location, so that the user can compare his or her athletic activities to others. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120094785 | Methods For Encouraging Use Of Greenhouse Gas Reducing Golf Balls - This disclosure provides methods for encouraging golfers and other users to use greenhouse gas reducing golf balls. Greenhouse gas reducing golf balls may include carbon dioxide absorbents, in order that the golf ball may reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels to aid in alleviating global warming. The methods may include determining a degree of usage of a used greenhouse gas reducing golf ball, and awarding a reward to a user based on the degree of usage. The methods thereby promote the use of certain greenhouse gas reducing golf balls instead of conventional golf balls, and encourages the reuse of those greenhouse gas reducing golf balls. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120094575 | Grooved Support Sport Bra - Sport bras having one or more support grooves for lifting, separating, shaping a supporting a wearer's breasts and methods for fabricating these sport bra are described. The support grooves may be pressed into a layer of compressible material such that the support grooves extend from a central region along the wearer's sternum, curve underneath the breasts and extend upwardly towards the underarm region. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092968 | USER INTERFACE FEATURES FOR A WATCH - A watch provides a chronographic function while the watch is in a “sport” mode. If a user activates a button relating to the chronographic function, such as a “start/lap” button, then the light for the watch will automatically activate. The light may remain active for a significantly long time, such as a period of six seconds or more. Alternately or additionally, if a user activates a button while the watch is in a “performance” or “sport” mode, then the light will automatically activate regardless of the button being activated. Still further, the chronographic function of the watch may be configured to not measure a lap time that is lower than a preset threshold value, such as, for example, three seconds. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092618 | Eye And Body Movement Tracking For Testing And/Or Training - The eye movement, body movement, and/or physiological performance of a subject may tracked while the subject performs a task, such as participating in an activity or sport. The collected data may then be used to identify correlations between the subject's eyesight and the subject's body movement exists and/or physiology. Such a correlation may be analyzed (e.g., over time) to determine any delays or gaps in the subject's ability to track an object, such as a ball, while participating in a sport or other activity. Further, a subject's performance may be compared to data collected from other individuals. The eye movement, body movement, and/or physiological performance data may be used to test and/or train the visual and cognitive abilities of an individual. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092611 | Optically Decentered Face Shield - A method of making a protective shield is provided. The method comprises molding an arcuate lens blank having an optical center displaced from an apex of the lens to a position near or beyond the edge of the protective shield. This reduces the object shift as wearer of the lens shifts gaze from a normal straight ahead line of sight to an activity specific line of sight that is vertically displaced from the normal straight ahead line of sight. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120090200 | Impact-Attenuating Elements Removably Mounted in Footwear Or Other Products - Articles of footwear have a sole structure that extends along the longitudinal length of the article of footwear within the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region of the article of footwear. One or more removable inserts may be inserted into at least a portion of the sole structure in any desired region. Various removable inserts may have different characteristics, including different performance characteristics. The various removable inserts may be inserted into and removed from the sole structure of the article of footwear. A wearer may be able to compare the characteristics for each of the removable inserts. Such a process may help a wearer to determine the more favorable characteristics for an article of footwear; may facilitate testing of sole structures or other components of an article of footwear for a manufacturer or developer of articles of footwear; may help train wearers who test the articles of footwear for such a manufacturer or developer; may improve versatility of a single article of footwear; and the like. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120090199 | Article of Footwear with Vertical Grooves - An article of footwear with a sole that includes a plurality of vertical grooves is disclosed. The plurality of vertical grooves may be disposed on a sidewall and a lower portion of the sole. The vertical grooves can facilitate twisting of the sole. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120090076 | Convertible Golf Garment With Integrated Belt Loops - A multi-layered garment may comprise components that are affixed using integrated belt loops. In particular, shorts belt loops of a shorts component may pass through an opening created when single-layer skirt belt loops of a skirt component are oriented outwards. Both the skirt belt loops and the shorts belt loops may be fully functional and aesthetically pleasing belt loops. Additionally, the shorts belt loops may be combined with the skirt belt loops to form integrated belt loops, thereby allowing a belt to pass beneath both sets of belt loops simultaneously to affix the shorts component to the skirt component. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120088597 | Releasable and Interchangeable Connections for Golf Club Heads and Shafts - Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: a shaft adapter, a collet, a ferrule, and a club head having an interior chamber. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft adapter so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120083360 | Golf Club With Adjustable Weight - A golf club with a golf club head having one or more adjustable weights is presented. The club head may include a club head body having a recessed formed therein. In some arrangements, the recess may be formed in a sole portion of the club head body. The golf club head further includes an adjustable weight that may be rotated from a first position to a second position to adjust the weight characteristics, and thus the performance characteristics of the golf club. In some arrangements, the adjustable weight and/or any hardware, fasteners, etc. associated with the adjustable weight may be constantly connected to the golf club head such that adjustment of the weight does not include removal of the weight and/or any hardware, fasteners, etc. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083359 | GOLF CLUB HEAD OR OTHER BALL STRIKING DEVICE HAVING ADJUSTABLE WEIGHTING FEATURES - A ball striking device, such as a golf club, includes a head with a face having an outer surface configured for striking a ball, a body connected to the face, and a plurality of inserts connected to the outer surface of the body. The plurality of inserts are removable and interchangeable with other inserts, and at least one of the inserts has a weight that is greater than at least another one of the inserts. The inserts may be substantially identical in size and shape to enable the inserts to be interchanged with each other. Additionally, one or more of the inserts may be a primary insert with a secondary insert connected to the primary insert. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083355 | Releasable and Interchangeable Connections for Golf Club Heads and Shafts - Assemblies for releasably connecting a golf club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure having a circular cross-section and a first set of circumferentially spaced teeth; (b) a club head engaging member including a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure, the retaining structure having a circular opening with a second set of circumferentially spaced teeth to engage the first set of teeth on the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The first set of teeth may have a different number of teeth than the second set of teeth. Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083353 | Putter Heads and Putters - Putter heads and putters include one or more of: (a) a main putter body portion including a first arm and a second arm; (b) a first polymeric and/or damping element engaged with the first arm; and (c) a second polymeric and/or damping element engaged with the second arm. The putter heads further may include polymeric material within the putter head structure and exposed at a central ball striking portion of the ball striking face, e.g., in elongated openings provided in the ball striking face. Grooves may be provided in the material of the ball striking face and/or in the exposed polymeric material to affect the ball launch. The putter heads may have various additional features or structures, e.g., relating to weighting features, alignment aid features, putter head constructions or parts, polymeric material exposure features, groove features, etc. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081662 | Peripheral Vision Training And/Or Testing During Central Vision Fixation - Systems and methods may test and/or train the peripheral visual abilities of an individual. Peripheral visual abilities may be tested and/or trained while maintaining a central visual focus by the individual. A central display element may display central visual indicia, while a peripheral display element may display peripheral visual indicia. Each visual indicia displayed may possess one or more trait and, optionally, one or more property. Inputs may be received at a central input device and/or a peripheral input device, with inputs corresponding to the traits perceived to be possessed by displayed indicia. By determining the correspondence of received inputs to the traits possessed by corresponding indicia, the peripheral visual abilities of an individual may be tested and/or trained in accordance with the present invention. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120079743 | Article of Footwear with Multiple Hardnesses and Method of Manufacture - A method of forming an article of footwear includes injecting a first material into a first cavity of a mold assembly to form a sole assembly, injecting a second material into a second cavity of the mold assembly, a first last being suspended within the second cavity, to form an upper of the article of footwear about the first last. The upper and the sole assembly are positioned in contact with one another. The upper and the sole assembly are cured and bonded together to form an article of footwear. The article of footwear is removed from the mold assembly and from the first last and allowed to expand to a first size. The article of footwear is placed on a second last having a second size that is smaller than the first size, and heated and cooled until it shrinks to the second size. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120079741 | Footwear with Internal Harness - An article of footwear may include one or more harnesses to restrain a wearer foot from transverse movement within an upper during a rapid sideways maneuver. One harness may be located in a lateral forefoot region. Another harness may be located in medial region and may include a midfoot and/or a hindfoot region. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120079687 | Earbud Cord Stays - A cord stay attachable to a garment in order to guide the cord from an electronic device to ear buds or other listening devices for on or over the ear and to maintain the cord against the garments | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120078396 | Multi-Sensor Monitoring of Athletic Performance - Athletic performance monitoring systems and methods, many of which utilize, in some manner, global positioning satellite (“GPS”) data, provide data and information to athletes and/or to equipment used by athletes during an athletic event. Such systems and methods may provide route information to athletes and/or their trainers, e.g., for pre-event planning, goal setting, and calibration purposes. Such systems and methods optionally may provide real time information to the athlete while the event takes place, e.g., to assist in reaching the pre-set goals. Additionally, data and information collected by such systems and methods may assist in post-event analysis for athletes and their trainers, e.g., to evaluate past performances and to assist in improving future performances. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120077644 | Collapsible Athletic Training Ladder - A collapsible ladder for use primarily for athletic training and the like has a plurality of spaced-apart, substantially rigid rungs secured with collapsible connectors to a plurality of spaced-apart, substantially rigid spacers extending therebetween. In one disclosed embodiment, the collapsible connectors are strips of flexible material extending between the rungs and spacers. Another disclosed embodiment has a second set of rungs aligned substantially parallel to the plurality of spaced-apart rungs along a common central set of spacers. The collapsible connectors allow the ladder to be quickly and easily transitioned between an extended, operational position, and a collapsed, storage position. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120077621 | Four-Piece Golf Balls Including A Crosslinked Thermoplastic Polyurethane Cover Layer - This disclosure relates to four-piece golf balls having an outer cover layer made from a crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer includes crosslinks located in the hard segments, where the crosslinks being the reaction product of unsaturated bonds located in the hard segments catalyzed by a free radical initiator. The crosslinks may be formed from an unsaturated diol as a chain extender. The unsaturated diol may be trimethylolpropane monoallylether (TMPME). The four-piece golf ball may include an inner core layer formed from a highly neutralized acid polymer composition. The four-piece golf ball may also include an outer core layer formed from a polybutadiene rubber. The golf ball may exhibit a high degree of scuff resistance. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120077614 | Adjustable Connector - According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an adjustable connector including at least two parts, each having a main body with a bore having a longitudinal axis therein, wherein an external surface of the main body of a first part is configured to bear against an internal surface of the bore of a second part when the first part is at least partially inserted into the bore of the second part to form a connection, characterised in that the positioning of the bores with respect to the main bodies is such that when the parts are connected to each other, rotation of one part with respect to the other changes the inclination of the longitudinal axes of the bores with respect to one another. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120077164 | Sensory Testing data analysis by categories - This invention is related to systems and methods of analyzing sensory ability data. One embodiment of the present invention includes a method comprising the steps of receiving data from a remote location. The data is comprised of sensory ability data and demographic data associated with a subject. The data may then be stored. Further, the method includes identifying a potential evaluation level associated with the subject. The evaluation level is identified, at least in part, utilizing a sports tree function. The method also includes retrieving peer data associated with the potential evaluation level. Additionally, the method includes determining when the peer data is statistically powerful for use in generating a comparative profile of the sensory ability data associated with the subject. Additional embodiments develop training programs based on one or more training program functions. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120077136 | Method of Custom Fitting an Article of Footwear and Apparatus Including a Container - A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a steaming assembly that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120074191 | Ergonomic Backpack With Enhanced Fit - An ergonomic backpack with an enhanced fit is provided. The backpack comprises a storage portion, primary left and right shoulder straps, and secondary left and right shoulder straps. The primary shoulder straps connect to the secondary shoulder straps to allow a user to wear the backpack over her shoulders. The dimensions and arrangement of the storage portion and primary and secondary shoulder straps are selected to optimize fit and comfort. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120074190 | ERGONOMIC BACKPACK WITH ENHANCED FIT - An ergonomic backpack with an enhanced fit is provided. The backpack comprises a storage portion, primary left and right shoulder straps, and secondary left and right shoulder straps. The primary shoulder straps connect to the secondary shoulder straps to allow a user to wear the backpack over her shoulders. The dimensions and arrangement of the storage portion and primary and secondary shoulder straps are selected to optimize fit and comfort. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120073029 | Message-Conveying Interlocking Athletic Gloves - A message-conveying athletic glove with enhanced gripping is provided. The glove comprises a palm-side portion and a back portion connected to form four finger sheaths, a thumb sheath, and an opening capable of receiving a human hand. A first image portion of a complete image is located on one or more of the palm-side portion or the back portion of the glove. When the glove is worn by the user and interlocks with a second glove having a second image portion of the complete image displayed, the complete image is displayed by the interlocked gloves, conveying a message. The palm-side portion of the glove is made of a material to enhance gripping. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120071269 | Golf Clubs With Golf Club Heads Having Grooves Formed With Textured Surfaces - A golf club with a golf club head having a plurality of grooves formed using electrical discharge machining is presented. The grooves may be formed in a ball striking surface of the golf club head and may include portions having a texture. In some examples, the roughness of the texture may vary as the groove extends from the ball striking surface along a sidewall of the groove. For instance, texture formed along an edge radius of the groove extending between the ball striking surface and the sidewall may be rougher than texture extending lower along the sidewall. In some examples, portions of the sidewall and/or bottom of the groove may be void of texture. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120071265 | Releasable and Interchangeable Connections for Golf Club Heads and Shafts - Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so they may be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft orientation with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include a shaft adapter and a head adapter. The shaft adapter may have an exterior surface extending along a first axis and a bore having a cross-sectional shape along a second axis configured to attach to a shaft member. The second end of the shaft adapter has a cross-sectional shape of a regular polygon. The head adapter has a first end and a second end along a first axis and a bore having a shape of a regular polygon along a second axis that is shaped to receive the second end of the shaft adapter in a plurality of orientations. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070009 | Microphone Array And Method Of Use - A system for capturing high quality sound information from an impact includes a microphone stand and microphone array. The microphone stand is configured so that the microphone array arranged thereupon is focused on a single point so that ambient noise may be reduced. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120066931 | Shoe with Composite Upper and Foam Element and Method of Making Same - A bonded mesh composite panel can be used to form a three-dimensional upper shell that includes extensions used for double-lasting and/or to otherwise provide a shelf to support foam padding. The foam padding may be, e.g., a foam midsole. The extensions of the upper shell may be located in a lower portion of the shell and may be bonded to the foam midsole in a heel, midfoot and/or forefoot regions. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120064998 | Golf Ball Having High Initial Velocity - A multi-layer ball includes a core made of a high energy material such as a highly neutralized polymer and a cover made of a deadening material. A specified relationship exists between the compression and coefficient of restitution of the core and of the ball. The initial velocity of the ball is higher than what would be expected based on the coefficient of restitution of the ball compared to prior balls. The use of the deadening material allows the coefficient of restitution of the ball to be relatively low, which can yield improved spinnability in the half wedge shots while maintaining driver distance. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120064992 | Putter Heads and Putters Including Polymeric Material as Part of the Ball Striking Surface - Putter heads and putters include one or more of: (a) a main putter body portion including a first arm and a second arm; (b) a first polymeric and/or damping element engaged with the first arm; and (c) a second polymeric and/or damping element engaged with the second arm. The putter heads further may include polymeric material within the putter head structure and exposed at a central ball striking portion of the ball striking face, e.g., in elongated openings provided in the ball striking face. Grooves may be provided in the material of the ball striking face and/or in the exposed polymeric material to affect the ball launch. The putter heads may have various additional features or structures, e.g., relating to weighting features, alignment aid features, putter head constructions or parts, polymeric material exposure features, groove features, etc. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120060395 | Article Of Footwear With Elongated Shock Absorbing Heel System - An article of footwear is disclosed having at least one elongated heel support member. The elongated heel support member may be angled and extend from a heel region to a midfoot region, in order to disperse forces applied by a wearer's heel during movement. The heel system may include two heel support members, each associated with a side of the article of footwear. The article of footwear may also include a series of ribs in the midfoot region, which may abut a front edge of the heel support members. Finally, the article of footwear may include asymmetric side flaps extending downward from an upper plate so as to overlap a midsole. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120058838 | Golf Club Head Having a Bridge Member and a Weight Positioning System - A golf club head is disclosed that includes a weight integral to a bridge member extending across a cavity back golf club head. The weight modifies a position of a center of gravity of the golf club head. The weight is independently movable in multiple directions to further vary the center of gravity of a golf club head. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120055046 | Articles with Retractable Traction Elements - Articles of manufacture and articles of wear may include one or more retractable traction elements. A plurality of the retractable traction elements may be interconnected by a base member and may form an insert. Each of the retractable traction elements may include an extension inducing element and a ground (or other surface) contacting element. The extension inducing element may flex in response to an applied force and may cause the ground or other surface contacting element to extend and engage an underlying surface. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120055044 | Footwear Incorporating A Tensile Element WIth A Deposition Layer - An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a base layer, a plurality of strand segments, and a deposition layer. The a base layer has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The strand segments are located adjacent to the first surface and extend substantially parallel to the first surface for a distance of at least five centimeters. The deposition layer is deposited upon the first surface and the strand segments, and the deposition layer is joined with the first surface and the strand segments. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120055043 | Article of Footwear with Multi-Layered Support Assembly - An article of footwear including an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper and including a support assembly having an upper member and a lower member spaced from the upper member. first layer is positioned beneath and in contact with the upper member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of first wave crests and first wave troughs. A second layer is positioned above the lower member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of second wave crests and second wave troughs. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120055041 | SOLE ASSEMBLY FOR ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR WITH PLURAL CUSHIONING MEMBERS - An article of footwear includes a sole assembly defining a base support plane. The sole assembly also includes a cushioning assembly with a first end and a second end. The cushioning assembly includes a first cushioning member and a second cushioning member. The first cushioning member includes a first overlapping surface, and the second cushioning member includes a second overlapping surface. The first and second overlapping surfaces overlap each other over the base support plane and each slopes at a positive acute angle relative to the base support plane. The first cushioning member is thicker than the second cushioning member adjacent the first end of the cushioning assembly, and the second cushioning member is thicker than the first cushioning member adjacent the second end of the cushioning assembly. The first cushioning member has a resistance to resilient deformation less than that of the second cushioning member. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120047132 | Method, Apparatus and Data Processor Program Product Capable of Enabling Administration of a Levels-Based Athleticism Development Program Data - Various aspects of one or more methods, apparatuses and data processor program products capable of enabling management of data associated with an athleticism development program are disclosed herein. These various aspects include maintaining a database including subscriber performance data for a plurality of athleticism development program subscribers and facilitating preparation of a subscriber performance report for a specified one of the plurality of athleticism development program subscribers. The subscriber performance data is capable of enabling an attained standardized athleticism level to be determined for each one of the athleticism development program subscribers. The implementation of standardized athleticism levels is advantageous as it supports a measurable plan of progress for motivating a subscriber and trainer to meet their individual and mutual goals. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120046132 | Golf Balls including Multiple Dimple Types and/or Multiple Layers of Different Hardnesses - Golf balls may include a first pole, a second pole, and a seam located between the first and second poles. Dimples are formed on a surface of the ball in a pattern that includes a plurality of repeating sectors around each pole of the ball. The sectors on one ball half are rotationally offset across the seam line from the sectors on the other ball half. Additionally, each individual sector includes a line of symmetry over which the dimple pattern on one half of the sector is mirrored on the other half. A variety of different dimple types also may be arranged on a golf ball surface, e.g., within the sectors described above. Additional aspects of this invention relate to the features of various layers of a multi-piece golf ball and to methods of making golf balls having at least some of the features mentioned above. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120046131 | Golf Balls including Multiple Dimple Types and/or Multiple Layers of Different Hardnesses - Golf balls may include a first pole, a second pole, and a seam located between the first and second poles. Dimples are formed on a surface of the ball in a pattern that includes a plurality of repeating sectors around each pole of the ball. The sectors on one ball half are rotationally offset across the seam line from the sectors on the other ball half. Additionally, each individual sector includes a line of symmetry over which the dimple pattern on one half of the sector is mirrored on the other half. A variety of different dimple types also may be arranged on a golf ball surface, e.g., within the sectors described above. Additional aspects of this invention relate to the features of various layers of a multi-piece golf ball and to methods of making golf balls having at least some of the features mentioned above. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120046130 | Golf Balls including Multiple Dimple Types and/or Multiple Layers of Different Hardnesses - Golf balls may include a first pole, a second pole, and a seam located between the first and second poles. Dimples are formed on a surface of the ball in a pattern that includes a plurality of repeating sectors around each pole of the ball. The sectors on one ball half are rotationally offset across the seam line from the sectors on the other ball half. Additionally, each individual sector includes a line of symmetry over which the dimple pattern on one half of the sector is mirrored on the other half. A variety of different dimple types also may be arranged on a golf ball surface, e.g., within the sectors described above. Additional aspects of this invention relate to the features of various layers of a multi-piece golf ball and to methods of making golf balls having at least some of the features mentioned above. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120046128 | Golf Ball Having Layers With Specified Moduli And Hardnesses - A golf ball includes four layers. The first, third, and fourth layers are made from thermoplastic materials and the second is made of a thermoset material. The third layer is the hardest and is at least 10 Shore D harder than the fourth layer. The flexural modulus of the third layer is greater than that of the first layer, and the flexural modulus of the first layer is greater than that of the fourth layer. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120046127 | Golf Balls including Multiple Dimple Types and/or Multiple Layers of Different Hardnesses - Golf balls may include a first pole, a second pole, and a seam located between the first and second poles. Dimples are formed on a surface of the ball in a pattern that includes a plurality of repeating sectors around each pole of the ball. The sectors on one ball half are rotationally offset across the seam line from the sectors on the other ball half Additionally, each individual sector includes a line of symmetry over which the dimple pattern on one half of the sector is mirrored on the other half. A variety of different dimple types also may be arranged on a golf ball surface, e.g., within the sectors described above. Additional aspects of this invention relate to the features of various layers of a multi-piece golf ball and to methods of making golf balls having at least some of the features mentioned above. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120046126 | Golf Ball With Carbon Dioxide Absorbents - This disclosure provides a golf ball that includes carbon dioxide absorbents in order that the golf ball may reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels to aid in alleviating global warming. The golf ball may include an intermediate layer that is substantially impermeable to water, in order to ensure that the golf ball's core is not degraded by water produced by the carbon dioxide absorbance reaction. The chemical absorbents may be encapsulated in microcapsules so that carbon dioxide is not absorbed until the golf ball is used by a golfer. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043686 | Golf Balls including Multiple Dimple Types and/or Multiple Layers of Different Hardnesses - Golf balls may include a first pole, a second pole, and a seam located between the first and second poles. Dimples are formed on a surface of the ball in a pattern that includes a plurality of repeating sectors around each pole of the ball. The sectors on one ball half are rotationally offset across the seam line from the sectors on the other ball half. Additionally, each individual sector includes a line of symmetry over which the dimple pattern on one half of the sector is mirrored on the other half. A variety of different dimple types also may be arranged on a golf ball surface, e.g., within the sectors described above. Additional aspects of this invention relate to the features of various layers of a multi-piece golf ball and to methods of making golf balls having at least some of the features mentioned above. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120042723 | ATHLETICISM RATING AND PERFORMANCE MEASURING SYSTEM - A universal athleticism rating system and related athletic performance measuring systems for accurately detecting and recording athletic performance are disclosed. The athleticism rating system evaluates individual athletes against a common, standardized, set of athletic performance tests. Each athlete performs the athletic tests and his or her scores in the individual tests are entered into a standardized calculation to produce a single athletic performance score. The related performance measuring system is preferably a timing system that ensures quick, easy, and accurate collection of athletic event timing related data without the need for the athlete to wear any special detection devices or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the performance measuring system integrates with the rating system to provide seamless athletic data collection and rating of athletes. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120042541 | Article Of Footwear With Slots And Method Of Making - A sole structure for an article of footwear and a method of making the sole structure is disclosed. The sole structure can include a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120042540 | Sole Structure With Visual Effects - A multi-colored effect for a sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure comprises a sole member having a first color and an exterior layer having a second color that is different from the sole member. A plurality of slots are formed in the sole structure and the second color is visible on an outer surface of the sole structure through the plurality of slots. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120042539 | Sole Structure Comprising A Fluid Filled Member With Slots - A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure comprises a fluid filled member and a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120042280 | Intelligent Display of Information in a User Interface - User interfaces such as web pages may be customized in terms of appearance and content based on user interests. For example, information items may be arranged such that items corresponding to strong user interests are displayed in more visually identifiable locations while items corresponding to weaker user interests are displayed in less visually valuable positions. The size of and space allocated to the information items may also be customized based on the relative strengths of the corresponding interests. For example, information associated with a strong user interest may be allotted 50% of the user interface. Other visual characteristics of the user interface and the information items such as font size/style, color, transparency and the like may also be customized to reflect the importance or strength of corresponding user interfaces. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120041767 | Athletic Activity User Experience and Environment - User activity including both athletic activity (e.g., running, walking, etc.) and non-athletic activity (shopping, reading articles, etc.) may be monitored and tracked by an athletic monitoring and tracking device and service. The user activity may be used to award a user with an amount of virtual currency to encourage the user to continue various activities. In one example, users may use the virtual currency to purchase or otherwise acquire various products, services, discounts and the like. A user may track an amount currency earned and/or needed relative to an amount required to acquire a desired product or service. Additionally or alternatively, a visual appearance of a user device (e.g., a watch or athletic activity band) may change based on the user's activity level, an amount of virtual currency earned and the like. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120040784 | DAMPENING SYSTEM FOR A STRINGED-RACQUET - A method of changing vibration characteristics of a stringed racquet having strings includes providing an article of apparel with a mount thereon. The method also includes providing a slotted vibration dampener. Moreover, the method includes increasing dampening of the stringed raquet by moving the slotted vibration dampener from a first position to a second position. The slotted vibration dampener is removably attached to the mount in the first position. The slotted vibration dampener is removably attached to the strings of the stringed racquet in the second position. The method further includes decreasing dampening of the stringed raquet by moving the slotted vibration dampener from the second position to the first position. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120036740 | SOLE STRUCTURE WITH TRACTION ELEMENTS - A sole structure for an article of footwear may include a frame member having a continuous opening with portions located in forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot regions. A plurality of primary traction elements may extend outward from the frame member. A compressible midsole may be bonded to upper surfaces of the frame member. A flexible support plate may be bonded to the midsole. The flexible support plate may span substantially all of the frame member opening and have a lower surface exposed in at least a forefoot region. The support plate may be isolated from the frame member by the compressible midsole. A plurality of secondary traction elements may be integral to and extend outward from the exposed lower surface of the support plate. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120036739 | SOLE ASSEMBLY FOR ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR EXHIBITING POSTURE-DEPENDENT CHARACTERISTICS - An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly. The sole assembly includes a first member that is coupled to the upper and a second member that is moveably coupled to the first member. The first member moves relative to the second member in response to a first input load directed along a first vector, and the first member engages the second member in response to a second input load directed along a second vector. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120036615 | Apparel Incorporating Tensile Strands - An article of apparel may include a waistband for extending around a waist of the wearer. The waistband may have a first layer and a second layer that lay adjacent to each other, and the waistband may have a plurality of strand segments located between the first layer and the second layer. The strand segments extend at least partially around the waistband. Additionally, the strand segments may lay substantially parallel to surfaces of the first layer and the second layer for distances of at least five centimeters. In some configurations, the strand segments may be bonded to the first layer and the second layer along the distances of at least five centimeters. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120036614 | Apparel Incorporating Tensile Strands - An article of apparel may include a waistband for extending around a waist of the wearer. The waistband may have a first layer and a second layer that lay adjacent to each other, and the waistband may have a plurality of strand segments located between the first layer and the second layer. The strand segments extend at least partially around the waistband. Additionally, the strand segments may lay substantially parallel to surfaces of the first layer and the second layer for distances of at least five centimeters. In some configurations, the strand segments may be bonded to the first layer and the second layer along the distances of at least five centimeters. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120034999 | GOLF CLUB HEAD AND SYSTEM - A golf club head system and a golf club head for inclusion into a golf club are provided. The golf club head includes a main body member and a secondary body member. The main body member has a striking surface, a sole portion, a crown portion, and a rear face substantially opposed to the striking surface. The main body member defines an at least substantially enclosed main body cavity. The secondary body member is attached to the main body member and extends at least substantially over the entire rear face of the main body member. The golf club head system includes two or more secondary body members, each configured for interchangeable attachment to a main body member. Each secondary body member defines an internal concavity, has a different external shape, and has a different combination of center-of-gravity and moment-of-inertia characteristics. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120034992 | Golf Clubs And Golf Club Heads Having Interchangeable Rear Body Members - Golf club heads (e.g., drivers, fairway woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, or the like) according to at least some example aspects of this invention include: (a) a heel; (b) a toe; (c) a crown; (d) a sole; (e) a striking face; (f) a cavity, wherein the cavity is at least partially open; (g) a rear face opposite the striking face, the rear face defining an opening to the cavity; and (h) a rear body member configured to be inserted into the opening. The rear body member may be releasably engaged with the opening to the cavity, rear face, and/or other portion of the club head body. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120030967 | Fluid-Filled Bladder For Footwear And Other Applications - A fluid-filled structure, such as a bladder, is disclosed. The bladder has a first surface and an opposite second surface that are peripherally joined to define various edges. The bladder encloses a fluid between the first surface and the second surface. A portion of the edges may have a concave configuration, or the edges may have both concave and convex configurations. A shape of the bladder may be a tessellation pattern so that a plurality of the bladder may be efficiently. The edges may also have a linear configuration, and the bladder may enclose a tensile member. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120030965 | Article of Footwear Having an Upper with a Matrix Layer - Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120030856 | DURABLE ATHLETIC GLOVE WITH ENHANCED RANGE OF MOTION - A durable athletic glove with an enhanced range of motion is provided. The glove comprises a palm-side portion and a back portion connected to form four finger sheaths, a thumb sheath, and an opening capable of receiving a human hand. One or more rounded, strain-relieving cutouts are located on the palm portion at a location corresponding to the area of a user's hand where two adjacent fingers connect with the palm. A strain-relieving finger gusset connects each cutout to the finger sheaths and palm-side portion. A thumb gusset extends from the back portion, between the thumb sheath and index finger sheath, and to the palm-side portion. The strain-relieving cutouts and strain-relieving gussets distribute force applied where finger sheaths connect to minimize glove failure. The cutouts and gussets allow an increased range of motion and stretchability for the user. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120030855 | Athletic Glove with Enhanced Tensioning - An athletic glove with enhanced tensioning is provided. The glove comprises a palm-side portion and a back portion connected to form four finger sheaths, a thumb sheath, and an opening capable of receiving a human hand. A keyhole cutout is located along the opening at a location corresponding to the back of a user's hand. A tension-adjusting wrist strap is attached to the glove on a first side of the keyhole adjacent to the opening. The wrist strap extends across the keyhole and is detachably affixable to a second side of the keyhole adjacent to the opening. The wrist strap may be used to adjust the tension across the palm-side portion by adjusting where the strap is detachably affixed. The wrist strap connects to the palm-side portion at an angle to optimize the distribution of tensioning force to reduce bunching in the palm-side portion and provide enhanced gripping. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120028732 | Putter Heads And Putters Having Adjustable, Multi-Sided Ball Striking Face Insert - Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an adjustable ball striking face insert forming at least a portion of the ball striking face and contained within the putter body. The insert may have a plurality of sides, each of the sides having different performance characteristics to permit customization of the putter. In some examples, the adjustable ball striking face insert may be rotatably mounted within the putter head. Additionally or alternatively, the insert may be removably mounted within the putter head. In some arrangements, the insert may be finely adjustable to alter the loft angle of the putter head. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120028731 | Putter Heads and Putters Including Polymeric Material as Part of the Ball Striking Face - Putters include a putter body having a ball striking face member made of a material having a first hardness characteristic. A cavity is defined in the putter body behind the ball striking face member, and plural openings are defined in the ball striking face member extending rearward with respect to the ball striking face member and into the cavity. A polymeric material at least partially fills the openings and the cavity, wherein the polymeric material has a second hardness characteristic that is softer than the first hardness characteristic. The ball striking face member and the polymeric material exposed in at least some of the openings provide a ball striking surface of the putter. The ball striking surface may include grooves or scorelines to affect the launch angle, spin, and/or roll of the ball during a putt. Methods for making such putter devices also are described. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024731 | Open Packaging - A packaging for at least one ball includes at least one opening that is configured to expose a portion of the ball. The openings are configured to restrict movement of the ball by engaging a surface of the ball. This packaging reduces the amount of the packaging material needed to produce the packaging while maximizing the amount of shelf space needed to display the packaging to increase visibility of the packaging. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023787 | Article of Footwear for Increasing Stability and Lateral Performance - An article of footwear with multiple cross sectional profile shapes disposed on an outer peripheral edge of a sole is disclosed. The multiple cross sectional profile shapes on the outer peripheral edge of the sole can help increase the lateral performance and lateral stability of a wearer of the article of footwear. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023786 | Article Of Footwear Incorporating Floating Tensile Strands - An article of footwear may have a sole structure and an upper that includes at least one layer and a plurality of strands. The layer extends from a lace region of the upper to a lower region of the upper. The strands are located adjacent to the layer and in contact with the layer, and the strands extend from the lace region to the lower region. Additionally, the strands are unsecured to the layer for a distance of at least five centimeters in an area between the lace region and the lower region. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023781 | WEAR-RESISTANT OUTSOLE - An article of footwear may have an outsole with multiple contact zones. Each of those contact zones may include perimeter regions formed from a harder elastomeric material and traction elements formed from a softer elastomeric material. The traction elements within a particular contact zone may be generally planar in shape and aligned in parallel along on orientation direction for that contact zone. When undeformed, the traction elements in a contact zone may extend outward from the outsole beyond the perimeter regions of that same contact zone. In response to a shear force resulting from activity of a shoe wearer, the traction elements may be deformable so as to rest within a volume formed by the perimeter regions. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023778 | Footwear Incorporating Angled Tensile Strand Elements - An article of footwear may include various first strands and second strands. The cutting and second strands may extend from an area proximal to lace-receiving elements to an area proximal to the sole structure. The first strands may have a substantially vertical orientation and the second strands may have a rearwardly-angled orientation. The first strands may be located in a midfoot region of the footwear and the second strands may be located in both the midfoot region and a heel region of the footwear. Angles between the first strands and the second strands may be at least 40 degrees. Additionally, the second strands may have at least fifty percent greater tensile strength than the first strands. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023777 | Footwear And Other Products Incorporating Cultured Leather - A variety of products may incorporate cultured leather, which is produced in vitro. Examples of products that may incorporate cultured leather include footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, furniture, handbags or any other consumer or industrial product that commonly incorporates conventional leather or synthetic leather. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023686 | Method Of Lasting An Article Of Footwear - A method of manufacturing an article of footwear may include assembling at least a portion of an upper of the article of footwear, the upper having a lower perimeter edge. A lasting element is secured to the upper. The lasting element includes (a) a first strip joined to a lateral side of the upper adjacent to the lower perimeter edge, (b) a second strip joined to a medial side of the upper adjacent to the lower perimeter edge, and (c) at least one strand extending through the first strip and the second strip. The strand is tensioned, and a sole structure of the article of footwear is joined to the upper. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120021850 | Golf Ball And Method Of Manufacturing A Golf Ball - A golf ball and a method of manufacturing a golf ball is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a golf ball includes molding a cover made of thermoplastic resin over at least one intermediate layer of a golf ball; permeating an isocyanate solution comprising an isocyanate compound and a co-reactant compound into an outer portion of the cover; and permeating a catalyst into the outer portion of the cover. The catalyst catalyzes a reaction between the isocyanate compound and the co-reactant compound to form a reaction product. The co-reactant compound can be a second isocyanate compound, the catalyst can be a quaternary ammonium salt, and the reaction product can be isocyanurate. The reaction product modifies at least one physical property of the outer portion such that the physical property of the outer portion is different than the physical property of the inner portion. The modified physical property can be microindentation hardness, where the microindentation hardness of the outer portion is greater than the microindentation hardness of an inner portion of the cover. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120017468 | Article Of Footwear Incorporating Tensile Strands WIth An Elongated Cross-Sectional Shape - An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes a base layer and a plurality of strands. The base layer forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of the upper. The strands are located adjacent to the base layer and form another portion of the exterior surface of the upper, the strands being unsecured to the base layer for a distance of at least five centimeters, and the strands having an elongate cross-sectional shape. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120016599 | Method and System for Golf Ball Fitting Analysis - The present invention provides golf ball recommendations correlating to a golfer's swing parameters determined by comparing the flight characteristics of a golf ball driven by the golfer with a database of flight characteristics of golf balls associated with particular swing parameters. The swing parameters in the database may be correlated with golf ball flight characteristics determined using empirical tests. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120015783 | Quick Deploy Drag Chute - Embodiments relate to a drag chute. An exemplary drag chute is comprised of a canopy from flexible material having a perimeter, a first surface, and a second surface. The drag chute is also comprised of a stiffening member coupled to the canopy along a portion of the canopy perimeter. The drag chute is also comprised of a veil attached to the canopy and a leash attached to the veil. The stiffening member may be maintained in a tunnel that extends along at least a portion of the canopy perimeter. In an additional embodiment, the stiffening member may be a foam material. An additional embodiment may include an integrated bag for storing one or more parts of the drag chute when not in use. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120015780 | PORTABLE HURDLE - A portable hurdle for use primarily athletes has a base portion operably secured to a bow portion that holds the hurdle to a predefined height when the bow portion is placed in tension by a securing structure. The hurdle lays substantially flat when the bow portion is returned to its neutral position. In one disclosed embodiment, the securing structure is a trap that forms the top of the hurdle. In other disclosed embodiments, the base portion defines the top of the hurdle. An adjustment structure allows for adjustment of the hurdle's height. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120011745 | Article of Footwear Comprising a Plurality of Strips - An article of footwear comprising a plurality of strips is disclosed. The connections between continuous portions of the article can be strengthened by weaving a plurality of strips through apertures disposed in one or more continuous portions. One continuous portion may include a tongue portion of an article. The attachment of the tongue portion to a front of an article may be strengthened by weaving a plurality of strips through apertures. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120011744 | Decoupled Foot Stabilizer System - An article of footwear includes a decoupled foot stabilizer system. The foot stabilizer system is decoupled from a midfoot region of the article of footwear. The foot stabilizer system includes a plurality of strap members. The foot stabilizer system may optionally include a bootie. The plurality of strap members extend underneath a portion of a foot of a wearer. The plurality of strap members are configured to receive a lace at one end. A lace running through the ends of the strap members pulls on the strap members when the lace is tightened and causes the foot stabilizer system to conform to the wearer's foot. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120011743 | Article of Footwear with Improved Stability and Balance - The stability and balance offered by an article of footwear is improved by including a rigid layer in an outsole assembly of the article of footwear. The rigid layer may include a material of at least a predefined rigidity. For example, an outsole may be fitted with a carbon fiber plate that maintains the shape and a flatness of the outsole assembly. The rigid layer may be attached to one or more other layers that may be configured for impact force attenuation and comfort. In one or more arrangements, the rigid layer may be sandwiched between two other layers. Alternatively, the rigid layer may be insertable into a layer of the outsole. A channel may cut into a layer of the outsole to distribute weight to an outside portion of the outsole. This distribution of weight to the outside portion of the outsole may improve stability and balance. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120010025 | Golf Ball with Cover Having Zones of Hardness - Generally disclosed is a golf ball having a core and a cover layer. The cover layer includes areas that are hard, and areas that are soft. The hard areas make up 20% to 60% of the total surface area of the cover layer, preferably 30% to 50%. The hard areas may correspond to the dimples, while the soft areas may correspond to the land between the dimples. The hard areas may be at least about 3 units on the Shore D scale harder than the soft areas, preferably at least about 5 units. The hard areas may be formed in various geometric shapes, or in the shape of a graphic or logo, and be visibly colored. As a result of the arrangement of the hard areas and the soft areas, the golf ball simultaneously achieves good flight distance and good feel. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120007504 | Article of Footwear with Lighting System - An article of footwear with a lighting system is disclosed. The lighting system includes three lighting devices disposed on the article of footwear. The lighting system is also associated with an automatic fastening system. The lighting system is configured to control a lighting device based on information received from the automatic fastening system. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120005923 | Automatic Lacing System - An article of footwear with an automatic lacing system is disclosed. The automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The article further includes an automatic ankle cinching system that is configured to automatically adjust an ankle portion of the upper. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120005922 | ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR HAVING A TEXTILE UPPER - An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the article of footwear are disclosed. The footwear may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The textile element may also have a first area and a second area with a unitary construction. The first area is formed of a first stitch configuration, and the second area is formed of a second stitch configuration that is different from the first stitch configuration to impart varying textures to a surface of the textile element. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes may be utilized to form the textile element. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120005921 | CUSHIONING SOLE FOR SHOE - A sole in accordance with the present invention may include a sole for attachment to an outside of a shoe. Moreover, a sole of the present invention may include a sole for insertion within an inner cavity formed by an upper of a shoe. In exemplary aspects the sole includes a base and a plurality of protrusions projecting from the base and integrally constructed with the base. Protrusions may include a side extending at an angle from the base. In addition, protrusions may include a side extending near perpendicular from the base. A plurality of protrusions may be arranged at ball portions of the sole. In addition, a plurality of protrusions may be arranged at a heel portion of the sole. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120005805 | Energy Absorbing Athletic Glove - An energy absorbing receiving glove constructed with a substrate having an exterior surface and a complementary interior surface. The substrate is used in constructing a palmar portion of the glove. The glove may incorporates a gripping layer of material affixed to the exterior surface of the substrate. Further, the glove may incorporate an energy absorbing layer of material affixed to the interior surface of the substrate. Additionally, the energy absorbing layer of material may have both a first thickness in a first location and a second thickness in a second location of the substrate. In an embodiment, the energy absorbing material is a silicone gel and the gripping material is a silicone material. Additionally, the varied thicknesses of the energy absorbing material may be effective for covering a palmar side of joints located on a hand wearing the glove. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120004052 | Golf Balls Including Crosslinked Thermoplastic Polyurethane - This disclosure relates to golf balls made from a crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer includes crosslinks located in the hard segments, where the crosslinks being the reaction product of unsaturated bonds located in the hard segments as catalyzed by a free radical initiator. The crosslinks may be formed from an unsaturated diol as a chain extender. The unsaturated diol may be trimethylolpropane monoallylether (TMPME). The golf ball may include the crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer in the cover layer, in which case the cover layer may exhibit a high degree of scuff resistance. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120004050 | Golf Ball Incorporating Thermoplastic Polyurethane - A rebound resilient golf ball having an core layer or layers with one or more cores, a scuff resistant cover of thermoplastic polyurethane surrounding the core layer or layers, and optionally a mantle layer positioned between the cover and the core layer or layers. The cover is made from a dendritic thermoplastic polyurethane that includes an isocyanate monomer and a hyper branched polyol, optional additional polyols, and one or more chain extenders. An optional mantle layer may also be made of thermoplastic polyurethane, particularly a dendritic thermoplastic polyurethane. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110319197 | Golf Ball with Hydrophilic Coating Layer - This disclosure provides a golf ball having a coating layer made from a hydrophilic water-swellable material. The hydrophilic water-swellable material undergoes a physical change from a dry state to a wet state upon exposure to water. The wet state may be associated with shallower dimple depths, and the coating layer being softer, than the dry state. The use of such a coating layer may allow the golf ball to compensate for the negative effects of wet weather conditions. Also provided is a method of manufacturing a golf ball. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110319191 | Golf Ball With Precompressed Medial Layer - A golf ball is made from a plurality of layers. A core is formed of a soft material. A medial layer surrounds the core and is formed of a precompressed rubber. A cover surrounds the medial layer. A compression layer may be used to precompress the medial layer. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110314702 | Athletic or Other Performance Sensing Systems - Articles of footwear and other devices include modules, e.g., for sensing physical and/or physiological characteristics associated with use of the footwear or other devices. Such devices include: (a) a housing, optionally an asymmetrical housing, for receiving an electronic module; (b) release mechanisms for removably mounting the module in the housing; and/or (c) activation/authentication systems for selectively activating the module. Additionally, methods of making articles of footwear or other structures that include such housings, electronic modules, release systems, activation systems, authentication systems, etc. are described. Performance sensing systems and methods of using the above devices for sensing performance characteristics also are described. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110314700 | SYSTEMS FOR ACTIVATING AND/OR AUTHENTICATING ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR OPERATION WITH FOOTWEAR AND OTHER USES - Articles of footwear and footwear systems include modules, e.g., for sensing physical and/or physiological characteristics associated with use of the footwear or for performing other functions. Such systems and methods may use physical or other interaction(s) between the module and the article of footwear for activating and/or deactivating the module and/or sensing devices included with the module, for confirming whether the module and footwear are authorized for use with one another, and/or for automatic data algorithm selection methods. Additionally, such systems and methods also may use the activation and/or authentication systems for the module for data input to the module. Some examples of such systems and methods may utilize magnets and magnetic sensing systems and/or light (or other radiation) sources and sensing systems for activation, authentication, data input, and/or algorithm selection. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110313731 | PRESSURE SENSING SYSTEMS FOR SPORTS, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A system determines athletic performance. A pressure sensor senses change in elevation. A microprocessor processes signals from the pressure sensor to determine speed corresponding to the change in elevation. A display reports the speed to a user. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110309551 | Footwear Mold Heating System and Method - Mold assemblies for compression molding of footwear components include molds, heating elements, conductor plates, insulating layers and carrier trays. An upper mold assembly is placed into a fixture attached to an upper press platen. A lower mold assembly slides into and out of a fixture attached to a lower press platen. Heating elements within the mold assemblies connect to electrical contacts in the fixtures when the mold assemblies are installed in the fixtures, thereby providing electrical power to the heating elements and heating the molds. A conveyor is positioned to receive a mold assembly from (or transfer a mold assembly to) the lower press platen fixture when the lower platen is in a lowered position. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110308113 | Article of Footwear With Color Change Portion And Method Of Changing Color - An article with a color change portion and a method of changing color is disclosed. The article includes at least one color change portion capable of changing colors. The color change portion can change colors according to one or more performance parameters. The article can be connected to a computer and the color change portion can be controlled using the computer. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110308109 | Footwear With Integrated Biased Heel Fit Device - A shoe structure specifically designed to more securely fit a wider range of feet widths and proportions by providing an integrated resilient heel device in the rearfoot region of the upper. The heel device extends upward and rearward toward the back of the foot to avoid the bulbous end of the calcaneus but also to engage the area just above the heel bone. The heel device has opposing portions that are biased toward one another and provide a secure but comfortable engagement of the shoe onto the wearer's heel. The heel device is smaller than the size of the shoe into which it is incorporated to enhance the biasing effect of the opposing portions. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110307998 | Article Of Apparel With Detachably-Secured Attachment Components - An article of apparel may include a base component and an attachment component. The base component may be formed from a plurality of joined material elements, with at least one of the material elements including a first part of a hook-and-loop fastening system. The attachment component may include (a) a cover layer, (b) a plurality of pad elements, and (c) a plurality of securing elements. Each of the pad elements are joined to the cover layer, and each of the securing elements are joined to at least one of the pad elements opposite the cover layer, with the securing elements including a second part of the hook-and-loop fastening system. Moreover, the first part of the hook-and-loop fastening system is joinable to the second part of the hook-and-loop fastening system to secure the attachment component to the base component. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110306440 | Golf Club Head or Other Ball Striking Device Having Stiffened Face Portion - A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, has a head that includes a face configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face, the body being adapted for connection of a shaft thereto. The head may include one or more stiffening elements or other structures contacting an inner surface of the face, to provide locally increased stiffness to particular areas of the face. The stiffening element includes a chamber adapted to contain a viscous substance. The viscous substance can be selected and inserted into the chamber to create regions of increased stiffness in desired locations, leaving other regions of the face to have increased flexibility as compared to the stiffened regions. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110304818 | Anaglyphic Depth Perception Training Or Testing - An anaglyphic image presentation system is provided to evaluate and train a user's depth perception abilities. In embodiments, anaglyphic image target components are presented to a user on a display device. The image target components are then viewed by the user through a set of transmission filter lenses. The transmission filter lenses present and block one or more target components based on the peak wavelength transmission associated with each lens. As a result, a user perceives an anaglyphic target image that is resultant from the perceived image target components when viewed through the transmission filter lenses. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110304497 | Athletic Performance Monitoring Systems and Methods in a Team Sports Environment - Systems, apparatuses, and methods estimate the distance between a player and a ball by transmitting a chirp (sweep signal) to a radio tag located on the ball. During the chirp, the frequency of the transmitted signal is changed in a predetermined fashion. The radio tag doubles the transmitted frequency and returns the processed signal to a transceiver typically located on the player. The currently transmitted frequency is then compared with the received frequency to obtain a difference frequency from which an apparatus may estimate the distance. The apparatus may simultaneously receive the processed signal from the radio tag while transmitting the sweep signal. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110302806 | Footwear Component For An Article Of Footwear - A footwear component and a method of making the footwear component are disclosed. The footwear component includes a first portion and a second portion that are joined at a transition zone. The first portion and the second portion have different flexibility characteristics. The footwear component can bend at the transition zone to accommodate the natural bending of a foot. The footwear component can also include a cushioning member that provides support and cushioning for the heel. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110302804 | Article of Footwear Including A Woven Strap System - An article of footwear including a woven strap system is disclosed. The woven strap system preferably wraps along the entirety of the outsole, including a bottom side and an outer periphery. The article of footwear also includes a midsole that rests inside the woven strap system, just above the outsole. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110302727 | Footwear Structure With Textile Upper Member - Articles of footwear include a textile upper member with an exterior constructed from knitted textile material, the exterior including a region with stability ribs and a second unribbed region. The region(s) having stability ribs may be located, for example: along a lateral midfoot side of the upper member; along a forefoot portion of the upper member; and/or along a medial midfoot side of the upper member. Other articles of footwear include an upper member having exterior and interior textile elements joined together in a stitchless manner at the foot-receiving opening of the upper member. The exterior surface of this upper member also may include one or more regions with stability structures. The stitchless textile engagement techniques can provide a smooth, non-bulky, and breathable joint that does not require thick layers of textile material in contact with or adjacent the wearer's foot. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110301673 | LIGHT THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Light therapy systems and methods improve the use of healthy athletes' muscles before, during, and while recovering after athletic activity. LEDs increase blood flow, increase cell metabolism, and increase waste removal from treated areas of the user's body. Systems and methods for providing these benefits to the user are disclosed herein. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110296582 | Ergonomic Curved Athletic Glove - An ergonomic curved athletic glove is provided. The glove comprises palm and back portions as well as four finger sheaths and a thumb sheath, each sheath having a front and back finger portion and one or more gussets. The thumb, pinky, and index finger sheaths may incorporate a “seamless” design that avoids seams where the glove comes in contact with a sporting implement and reduces potential gripping interference. The palm portion of the glove may comprise multiple sections connected with a stretchable palm gusset to minimize bunching when a sporting implement is gripped. The length of each front finger portion is shorter than the length of the corresponding back finger portion to provide the glove with a gripping curve. Providing the glove with a gripping curve minimizes bunching of the front finger portions, front thumb portion, and palm portion while a received hand grips the sporting implement. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110296580 | Thermal Energy Dissipating Garment with Scalloped Vents - A thermal energy dissipating garment may include a first garment portion having a perimeter defined by at least a first side and a second garment portion having a perimeter defined by at least a vent side. The first garment portion and the second garment portion are discontinuously affixed to each other at defined intervals along a surface of each portion proximate to the first side and the vent side creating a vent seam having a plurality of ducts/scalloped vents for directing air towards a body of a wearer. The plurality of scalloped vents are oriented with an angle of attack that redirects air from the exterior of the garment to the interior of the garment to increase air movement along a wearer's skin. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110294591 | Golf Club With Adjustable Shaft - Golf club, golf club shaft and golf club head structures are presented. The golf club may include an adjustable shaft configured to be received in a slot formed in a crown of the golf club head. In some examples, the slot may include a plurality of receivers, such as apertures, configured to receive the shaft in various positions along the length of the slot. The various positions may be progressively closer to a central area of the ball striking surface in order to increase the power transferred to the ball upon striking it. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294590 | Golf Club With Wind Resistant Shaft And Golf Club Head - Golf club, golf club shaft and golf club head structures are presented. The golf club may include a shaft having a core and an airfoil shaped skin substantially surrounding the core and in contact with the core. The golf club may further include a golf club head having a plurality of apertures formed in a front face of the golf club head and extending through an interior of the golf club head to a rear portion of the golf club head. The apertures may narrow or widen as they extend from the front face to the rear portion. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110294589 | GOLF CLUB HEAD OR OTHER BALL STRIKING DEVICE HAVING REMOVABLE or INTERCHANGEABLE BODY MEMBER - A ball striking device, such as a golf club, includes a head with a face having a ball striking surface configured for striking a ball, a main body member connected to the face and having an engagement surface located in the rear side, a removable body member removably connected to the main body member, and a connecting element removably connecting the removable body member to the main body member. The connecting element includes a moveable engaging member that is moveable between a locked position, where the engaging member engages the engagement surface to retain the removable body member to the main body member, and an unlocked position, where the engaging member does not engage the engagement surface and the removable body member is removable from the main body member. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110290843 | RUNNING BAG WITH A CONVEX BACK PANEL - Systems and methods for carrying a load on the back of a user and backpacks having a convex back panel are described. The convex back panel of the backpack may curve outward from the center of a wearer's back to minimize contact between the backpack and the wearer's back The backpack may also have a center-support panel for contacting the spinal region of the back of the wearer of the backpack. The center-support panel may have grooves for distributing a load along a wearer's back. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110289651 | Message-Conveying Interlocking Athletic Gloves - A message-conveying athletic glove with enhanced gripping is provided. The glove comprises a palm-side portion and a back portion connected to form four finger sheaths, a thumb sheath, and an opening capable of receiving a human hand. A first image portion of a complete image is located on one or more of the palm-side portion or the back portion of the glove. When the glove is worn by the user and interlocks with a second glove having a second image portion of the complete image displayed, the complete image is displayed by the interlocked gloves, conveying a message. The palm-side portion of the glove is made of a material to enhance gripping. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110287879 | Basketball Having Indicia To Enhance Visibility - A spheroidal ball includes a body having three grooves that define divisions on the ball. The ball includes a first color and a second color that contrasts with the first color. The second color may be applied in various regions, areas, or sections of the ball to enhance the visibility of the ball in use. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110287856 | GOLF CLUBS AND GOLF CLUB HEADS WITH HIGH CONTACT AREA GROOVE CONFIGURATIONS - Golf club heads for iron-type golf clubs (including 1 through 9 irons, iron-type hybrid clubs, driving irons, and wedges (e.g., pitching wedges, lob wedges, gap wedges, sand wedges, etc.)) include a striking face. The striking face may comprise a plurality of spaced, parallel grooves that extend across at least a portion of the striking face. The grooves may form a herringbone groove pattern. The herringbone groove pattern may include two or more rows of diagonal, parallel grooves slanting in alternate directions to form a series of parallel Vs. The grooves may be rounded. Other possible groove shapes also are described. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110283559 | Article Of Footwear With A Sole Structure Having Support Elements And An Indented Plate - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110282252 | Adjustable Flicker Rate Vision Training And Testing - A vision training system comprises a display device configured to display dynamic visual content having a flicker rate, a flicker generator configured to adjust the flicker rate according to a duty cycle, a visual signal source configured to provide a visual signal in the form of dynamic content to the flicker generator, or, alternatively, to the display device, and a receiver configured to receive indications that the flicker rate should be adjusted. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110281665 | Golf Clubs and Golf Club Heads - A golf club head which may include an iron-type golf club head body, a face plate, and a filler positioned behind the ball striking face. According to aspects of the disclosure, the face plate may include score lines which define holes in the face plate. Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the filler may be comprised of a material that readily absorbs the deflection of the face plate during impact with a golf ball during a golf swing and dampens the impact between the golf club head and the golf ball. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110281664 | GOLF CLUB ASSEMBLY AND GOLF CLUB WITH AERODYNAMIC FEATURES - A golf club head may include a body member having a ball striking face, a crown, a toe, a heel, a sole, a back, and a hosel region located at the intersection of the ball striking face, the heel, the crown and the sole. The crown may have a relatively round rear-side edge profile, as viewed from above. The sole may have a relatively square rear-side edge profile, as viewed from below. The rear-side edge of the sole may extend rearwardly beyond the rear-side edge of the crown along at least a portion of the back, as viewed from above. Further, the heel may have an airfoil-like surface in the forward portion of the heel. A golf club including the golf club head is also provided. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110281663 | GOLF CLUB ASSEMBLY AND GOLF CLUB WITH AERODYNAMIC FEATURES - A golf club head includes a body member having a ball striking face, a crown, a toe, a heel, a sole, a rear, and a hosel region. The heel includes an airfoil-like surface shaped like the leading edge of an airfoil that extends over a majority of the length of the heel. The back may include a Kammback feature having a concavity extending from the heel-side to the toe-side of the back. The heel-side edge of the concavity may be shaped like the leading edge of an airfoil. Further, the sole may include a diffuser that extends at an angle of from approximately 10 degrees to approximately 80 degrees from a moment-of-impact trajectory direction. A hosel fairing that extends from the hosel region toward the toe may also be provided on the crown. A golf club including the golf club head is also disclosed. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110277916 | Method Of Manufacturing A Contoured Fluid-Filled Chamber With A Tensile Member - A fluid-filled chamber may include an upper barrier portion, a lower barrier portion, and a tensile member. An upper tensile layer of the tensile member may be secured to the upper barrier portion, and a lower tensile layer of the tensile member may be secured to the lower barrier portion. The upper barrier portion and the lower barrier portion may have first areas and second areas. The first areas may be indentations extending into the chamber, and the second areas may be protrusions extending outward from the chamber. At least a portion of the first areas may be unbonded with the upper barrier portion and the lower barrier portion. Accordingly, one or more properties of the chamber, such as a flexibility, stiffness, rigidity, tensile response, compressibility, or force attenuation property, may be altered. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110277347 | Contoured Fluid-Filled Chamber With A Tensile Member - A fluid-filled chamber may include an upper barrier portion, a lower barrier portion, and a tensile member. An upper tensile layer of the tensile member may be secured to the upper barrier portion, and a lower tensile layer of the tensile member may be secured to the lower barrier portion. The upper barrier portion and the lower barrier portion may have first areas and second areas. The first areas may be indentations extending into the chamber, and the second areas may be protrusions extending outward from the chamber. At least a portion of the first areas may be unbonded with the upper barrier portion and the lower barrier portion. Accordingly, one or more properties of the chamber, such as a flexibility, stiffness, rigidity, tensile response, compressibility, or force attenuation property, may be altered. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110277346 | Article Of Footwear Having A Sole Structure With A Framework-Chamber Arrangement - A framework-chamber arrangement for an article of footwear, and an article of footwear having a sole structure including a framework-chamber arrangement, is provided that can cooperate to provide various advantageous features, such as multiple-stage cushioning and specialized attenuation of and reaction to ground contact forces. The framework-chamber arrangement can include a fluid-filled chamber forming laterally extending arms and a framework having corresponding recesses formed therein and receiving a lower portion of the chamber. The fluid-filled chamber can be retained within the framework without a bond being formed between lower regions of the chamber arms and the framework. Peripheral portions of some of the chamber arms can be spaced apart from adjacent portions of corresponding channels while in a relaxed state. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110277250 | Inflatable Member - An inflatable member includes at least one adjustable portion. The inflatable member may be inserted into an article. The position of the adjustable portion can be changed according to the size of the article. The inflatable member can also be filled with fluid according to the size of the article. The inflatable member may be to adjust the size of an article. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110277226 | Apparel Incorporating A Protective Element - Protective components may include a plate element and a cushioning element that are secured together with a hook-and-loop fastening system. The cushioning element may include a pair of material layers and a plurality of pads located between the material layers. The plate element may include a polymer material and the pads may include a polymer foam material, with the polymer material of the plate element having greater rigidity and density than the polymer foam material of the pads. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110277206 | GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM GARMENT - Global Positioning System (GPS) optimizing garments and methods for performing athletic training using a GPS signal optimizing garment are described. The garment may have a three-dimensional pocket positioned to promote a GPS receiver obtaining an optimal GPS signal. The pocket may also be positioned on the garment to prevent interference with the movement of the wearer of the garment. The garment may also include heart rate monitor tabs for retaining a heart rate monitor device. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110275940 | ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE MONITORING SYSTEM UTILIZING HEART RATE INFORMATION - Athletic activity may be monitored using heart rate in addition to or instead of other types of metrics. Accordingly, multiple different activity types may be compared based on heart rate information. Additionally, the heart rate information may be visualized by displaying the heart rate data over time or relative to pace or distance. Additionally, the system may allow a user to analyze his or her heart rate performance by identifying one or more portions of the athletic activity in which a user exhibited a specified range of heart rates. Athletic activity sessions may further be tagged with various indicators including weather, terrain, difficulty and intensity. According to one or more aspects, data for different types of activity metrics may be polled and/or transmitted to a system at different rates or based on different schedules. Moreover, users may specify whether sensed data may be uploaded, recorded and/or visualized prior to or during an activity session. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110275454 | Golf Clubs and Golf Club Heads with Adjustable Center of Gravity and Moment of Inertia Characteristics - Golf clubs, club heads, and club weighting systems may include: (a) a club head body member; and (b) one or more weight members movably engaged with the club head body member so as to move between a first position and a second position to change an overall exterior shape of the club head. This shape change may result in changes to the overall center of gravity, weighting, and/or moment of inertia characteristics of the club head. Alternatively or additionally, the weight member(s) may be removed from the club head body member, reoriented, and/or replaced with a different weight member, e.g., to change the overall exterior shape, center of gravity, weighting, and/or moment of inertia characteristics of the club head. Methods of making and using these clubs, club heads, and weighting systems also are described. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110275453 | Golf Clubs And Golf Club Heads Including Cellular Structure Metals And Other Materials - Golf club heads include: (a) a body member constructed, at least in part, from cellular structure material; (b) a ball striking face engaged or integrally formed with the body member; and/or (c) a shaft member engaged with the body member. Weight savings realized through the use of lightweight cellular structure materials allows additional weight to be placed at other desired locations in the club head structure. By adjusting and selectively placing weight in the club head structure, the club head's moment of inertia, center of gravity, and/or stability characteristics may be favorably affected and/or the resulting ball flight may be influenced and/or customized to a specific individual golfer, to provide a more controlled, consistent, and/or straight ball flight. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110275452 | IRON-TYPE GOLF CLUB HEAD OR OTHER BALL STRIKING DEVICE - A ball striking device, such as an iron-type golf club, includes a head that has a face having a ball striking surface defined thereon and an arched top edge, an iron-type golf club body connected to the face, and a hosel connected to the body. The arched top edge of the face includes a crest portion, a first upwardly sloping portion extending from a toe edge of the face to the crest portion, and a second upwardly sloping portion extending from the hosel to the crest portion, such that the distance from the bottom edge of the face to the top edge of the face is greatest at the crest portion. The hosel has a first end connected to the body and a second end located below the crest portion of the face. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110275446 | WOOD-TYPE GOLF CLUBS WITH TUBING AND WEIGHTS - Wood-type golf clubs as described herein may include: (a) a hosel to receive a golf club shaft; (b) a club head; and (c) a ball striking face. The club head include may include: a plurality of weights, a plurality of tubes, and an exterior cover structure (e.g., an exterior skin) that covers at least a portion of the plurality of weights and at least a portion of the plurality of tubes, and wherein the exterior cover structure defines the shape of the club head. Additionally, the ball striking face may be engaged with at least two of the plurality of weights and/or at least two of the tubes. The plurality of weights may include a first weight, a second weight, a third weight, and a fourth weight that are all engaged with the striking face. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110272443 | Support Element For A Carry Strap - A strap has an extension element and a support element. The extension element joins with an article, such as a bag, backpack, or purse. The support element is secured to the extension element and has a plurality of sipes that enhance the flexibility of the strap. In another configuration, the support element has a central area formed from a foam that is more compressible than a foam forming end areas. In yet another configuration, the support element has a wedge-shaped cross-section. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110272085 | Article Of Footwear With A Perforated Midsole - An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a midsole element, an upper sheet, and a lower sheet. The midsole element has an upper surface and an opposite lower surface. In addition, the midsole element defines a plurality of bores extending from the upper surface to the lower surface. The upper sheet is secured to the upper surface and extends over at least a portion of the bores. The lower sheet is secured to the lower surface, and the lower sheet is positioned to correspond in location with the upper sheet and extend under the portion of the bores. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110271813 | EFFICIENT DIE CUTTING PATTERN FOR FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURE - A cutting die for cutting a plurality of parts of an article of footwear from a bulk material. The cutting die includes a first cutting member that cuts a first part of the article of footwear from the bulk material. The cutting die also includes a second cutting member that cuts a second part of the article of footwear from the bulk material. The second cutting member is fixed to the first cutting member to cut the first and second parts together with a single stroke of the cutting die relative to the bulk material. The first and second parts are separate and distinct from each other and have different shapes. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110271555 | Footwear with a Foot Stabilizer - An article of footwear which includes a midsole and foot stabilizer. The foot stabilizer includes a longitudinally extending spine portion and a plurality of ribs extending laterally therefrom from opposing lateral and medial sides. The plurality of ribs being positioned to at least partially underlie a foot of a user. The spine portion is disposed above and affixed to the midsole and the ribs are contoured to partially enclose the foot of the user. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110271552 | Fluid-Filled Chambers With Tether Elements - A chamber may have an outer barrier and a tensile member. The barrier is formed from a polymer material that defines an interior cavity. The tensile member is located within the interior cavity and includes (a) a first layer element secured to the barrier, (b) a second layer element secured to an opposite portion of the barrier, and (c) a plurality of I-shaped tether elements that extend through the first layer element and the second layer element. In some configurations, the tether elements may include (a) a first end member located between the barrier and the first layer element, (b) a second end member located between the barrier and the second layer element, and (c) a central member extending through the first layer element and the second layer element and secured to the first end member and the second end member. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110271423 | Articles of Apparel Providing Enhanced Body Position Feedback - Articles of apparel include: (a) a garment structure having one or more fabric elements structured and arranged to provide a close fit to at least one predetermined portion of a body (e.g., area(s) of the body for which enhanced position sensing and/or feedback are desired, such as the lower back, the arch of the foot, etc.); and (b) a body position feedback system engaged with or integrally formed as part of the garment structure. The body position feedback system may apply higher tensile or constricting forces to selected portions of the wearer's body, which can help stimulate or interact with nerves and deep tissue receptors located in various portions of the body. The increased forces at selected locations of the body give the wearer sensory feedback regarding the position or orientation of these parts of the body and can improve or accelerate development of “muscle memory.” | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110269606 | OVERSPEED TRAINER SYSTEM - A single-handed overspeed trainer system that detachably tethers an athlete to a trainer through a substantially quiet, non-hook and loop material, release structure is disclosed. In one embodiment, the athlete wears a belt with a substantially rigid loop extending therefrom. The trainer holds one end of a tether that contains a retractable pin toward its opposite end. The pin holds the rigid loop of the belt until the pin is retracted by the trainer, preferably when the tether's handle is released by the trainer. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110268294 | PROVIDING ATHLETIC TRAINING INFORMATION - An audible playback device that allows an athlete, such as a runner, to conveniently listen to audible content and receive athletic performance information. A device may be employed to both playback audible content and provide monitored performance information to a user. The performance information may be provided to a user audibly, so that the user does not need to move the monitoring device's user interface to a viewable position, or visually. For example, if the user does not wish to interrupt the audible content, the user may elect to view athletic information visually on a display. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110266715 | Article of Footwear with Mesh on Outsole and Insert - An article of footwear including a mesh disposed on the outsole and an insert of the outsole is disclosed. The outsole includes tread elements that extend farther from the outsole than the mesh, providing protection to the mesh. Additionally, the mesh on the insert preferably helps reduce hyperextension of the front of the insert and the article of footwear. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110266173 | Method of Custom Fitting an Article of Footwear and Apparatus Including a Container - A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a steaming assembly that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110265349 | Article Of Footwear With Circular Tread Pattern - An article of footwear is disclosed. The article of footwear includes an outsole with a circular tread pattern. The circular tread pattern provides sufficient traction in all directions but also allows the wearer to pivot about a pivot portion. The circular tread pattern is generally large, and in some cases, the first and smallest circular tread extends less than 360 degrees. The pivot portion can include a slot that aids in flexibility. The outsole can also include a different tread pattern for the heel portion, or the circular tread pattern may also extend into the heel portion. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110265252 | A Sock and a Method for its Manufacture - There is provided herein, a sock comprising a toe and/or a heel area, wherein said toe area is divided to at least two sub-areas, wherein a borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas is essentially vertical. There is also provided, a method for manufacturing a sock comprising forming a toe and/or a heel area divided to at least two sub-areas, wherein a borderline between at least two adjacent sub-areas is essentially vertical. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110263350 | Golf Club Head or Other Ball Striking Device Having Multi-Piece Construction and Method for Manufacturing - A ball striking device has a head that includes a metal face configured for striking a ball, a rearwardly extending metal band, a top piece, and a bottom piece. The metal band has a first end extending from one side of the face, a second end extending from the opposite side of the face, and a rear portion extending between the first and second ends and defining at least a portion of the rear periphery of the head. The top piece and the bottom piece are non-metallic or substantially non-metallic. The top piece is connected to the top side of the metal band and forms at least a portion of a top side of the head, and the bottom piece is connected to the bottom side of the metal band and forms at least a portion of a bottom side of the head. The top piece and the bottom piece are separated by the metal band. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110259935 | Self Stabilizing Backpack - A backpack with a self stabilizing shoulder strap system is disclosed. The backpack includes two shoulder straps, an intermediate member, and a bag. The bag is configured to pivot about a first connector associated with the intermediate member. The shoulder straps are configured to pivot about connectors associated with the intermediate member. The configuration of the shoulder strap system allows for the bag to remain substantially vertical during motions as the shoulders are raised and lowered. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110258883 | Article Of Footwear With Ball Control Portion - 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. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110258876 | Cable Tightening System For An Article of Footwear - 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. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110257770 | ATHLETICISM RATING AND PERFORMANCE MEASURING SYSTEM - A universal athleticism rating system and related athletic performance measuring systems for accurately detecting and recording athletic performance are disclosed. The athleticism rating system evaluates individual athletes against a common, standardized, set of athletic performance tests. Each athlete performs the athletic tests and his or her scores in the individual tests are entered into a standardized calculation to produce a single athletic performance score. The related performance measuring system is preferably a timing system that ensures quick, easy, and accurate collection of athletic event timing related data without the need for the athlete to wear any special detection devices or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the performance measuring system integrates with the rating system to provide seamless athletic data collection and rating of athletes. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110251824 | ATHLETICISM RATING AND PERFORMANCE MEASURING SYSTEM - A universal athleticism rating system and related athletic performance measuring systems for accurately detecting and recording athletic performance are disclosed. The athleticism rating system evaluates individual athletes against a common, standardized, set of athletic performance tests. Each athlete performs the athletic tests and his or her scores in the individual tests are entered into a standardized calculation to produce a single athletic performance score. The related performance measuring system is preferably a timing system that ensures quick, easy, and accurate collection of athletic event timing related data without the need for the athlete to wear any special detection devices or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the performance measuring system integrates with the rating system to provide seamless athletic data collection and rating of athletes. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110251822 | MONITORING ACTIVITY OF A USER IN LOCOMOTION ON FOOT - One disclosed method involves using at least one device supported by a user while the user is in locomotion on foot during an outing to automatically measure amounts of time taken by the user to complete respective distance intervals. During the outing, data representing the automatically measured amounts of time may be automatically stored in memory of the least one device. Another disclosed method involves using at least one device supported by a user while the user is in locomotion on foot during an outing to automatically identify occasions on which a user completes respective distance intervals. During the outing, the at least one device may display at least one of an average pace of the user since a most recently completed distance interval, an average speed of the user since the most recently completed distance interval, and a projected time to complete a current distance interval based on monitored performance since the most recently completed distance interval. Yet another disclosed method involves using at least one device supported by a user while the user is in locomotion on foot during an outing to monitor a distance traveled by the user. An input to the at least one device may be received that specifies a goal distance for the outing, and the at least one device may determine a remaining distance to be traveled to complete one of the specified goal distance for the outing and a calculated fraction of the specified goal distance for the outing. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110250985 | Iron Type Golf Clubs and Golf Club Heads Having Adjustable Weighting Features - Iron golf club heads and clubs include a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face. The rear face has an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body. A weight element is positioned in the slot through the opening. The weight element has at least one aperture wherein the center of gravity is shifted when the weight element is positioned in the slot. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110250983 | Golf Ball With Reduced Flight Path Length - Golf balls with a reduced flight path are disclosed. In some cases, foam incorporated into a middle layer increases impact absorption and reduces a ball's flight path. In other cases, a dimple pattern may be selected to reduce a ball's flight path. In other instances, a parachute or other drag inducer may be deployed as a result of striking the ball to induce drag and minimize the ball's flight path. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110247744 | Method Of Manufacturing Cushioning Elements For Apparel And Other Products - A method for manufacturing the cushioning elements may include utilizing a die with a plurality of die elements positioned in a particular arrangement. A polymer material, which may be a polymer foam material, is located between the die and an extractor. The polymer material is compressed between the die and the extractor, and the die elements cut the polymer material to form a plurality of pad components, which are arranged like the die elements. The die and the extractor are separated, and the pad components are secured to the extractor in the arrangement of the die elements. Additionally, the pad components are bonded to at least one material layer such that the pad components remain in the arrangement of the die elements. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110247243 | Article of Footwear With Multiple Cleat System - An article of footwear including a sole structure with multiple cleat systems is disclosed. A first cleat system has a first cleat design and one or more cleat member sets that are tuned to provide different levels of traction and flexibility to different regions of the sole structure. A second cleat system has a second cleat design and is disposed on the sole structure in a location to provide maximum traction for various playing surfaces. The sizes, material properties and arrangement of each cleat system are varied. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110247239 | Shoe Having A Midsole With Heel Support - Shoes having midsoles with heel support, specifically designed to facilitate production via efficient shoe manufacturing methods and systems are described. In embodiments, the shoe upper is designed by way of a flat forming process. Additionally, in embodiments upper forms may be coupled with dual hardness midsole structures that provide heel support and eliminate the need for a heel counter in the shoe upper. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110242480 | Adjustable Spectral Transmittance Eyewear - Embodiments of the present invention relate to eyewear having an electrically switchable spectral transmittance lens(es). The eyewear includes a lens driver that controls the variable spectral transmittance lens(es). The lens driver is functional to alter a duration of a spectral transmittance state based on a desired frequency and/or duty cycle of the spectral transmittance state. A user may provide an input indicating the desired level of difficulty provided by the eyewear, wherein the input may indicate that the frequency, the duty cycle, or a combination of the two should be changed. As a result of changing a perceived level of difficulty presented by the eyewear, a wearer of the eyewear may train his or her visual abilities to provide a competitive advantage | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110239490 | Article of Footwear With Shock Absorbing Heel System - An article of footwear with a shock absorbing heel system is disclosed. The heel system includes a lower heel plate, a set of support members, and an upper heel plate. Also, the heel system includes a heel cover configured to hide the upper heel plate from view. The lower heel plate is associated with a cantilever portion that supports the upper heel plate laterally. As force is applied to the heel system, the support members may compress slightly and the cantilever portion may lower, absorbing energy and or shocks applied by the ground. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110239486 | Article Of Footwear With A Detachable Wrap - An article of footwear with a detachable wrap is disclosed. The detachable wrap removably attaches to a lacing area of an upper and extends under the article of footwear through a channel in a midsole of the sole structure. The detachable wrap may change the appearance of the article of footwear and additionally provide support to a foot of the wearer. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110239485 | Article of Footwear with a Water Repelling Member - 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. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110232135 | Systems And Methods For Utilizing Phylon Biscuits To Produce A Regionalized-Firmness Midsole - A method for producing a regionalized-firmness midsole utilizing a heat press, and a description of the resultant product, are provided. Initially, the method involves providing a plurality of pre-formed phylon biscuits. Typically, the plurality of biscuits includes at least a first biscuit that has a first density and a second biscuit that has a second density. The method may further include the steps of arranging the biscuits into a receiving area of the heat press, and integrating the plurality of biscuits to form the midsole by activating the heat press. Integrating the biscuits includes raising the biscuits above a threshold temperature, and causing the biscuits to expand such that each of the plurality of biscuits couples with another of the biscuits to form a midsole with two or more degrees of firmness located at distributed regions thereon. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110232009 | Stockfit Assembly Fixture For Shoe Production - A stock fit assembly fixture is provided for aligning and holding into place various portions of a shoe, such as an upper portion, an outsole, and a midsole, while the shoe portions are being assembled. The upper portion of a shoe may be secured to a shoe last, which in turn, may be secured to a top portion of the stock fit assembly fixture. The top portion may be movable such that the upper portion of the shoe can be moved toward the outsole and midsole portions, thus allowing for a securement of the upper portion to the outsole and midsole portions. The movement of the top portion may be by way of a compression mechanism allowing the top portion to be forced to be moved toward a bottom portion of the stock fit assembly fixture. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110232008 | Method For Efficient And Localized Production Of Shoes - Methods and systems relating to efficient shoe manufacturing that reduce the specialized human labor required to manufacture a pair of shoes while avoiding the high costs and special maintenance requirements often associated with highly automated manufacturing equipment are provided. Systems and methods in accordance with the present invention may be used to produce multiple models of custom shoes at a single shoe manufacturing facility using overlapping workflows, thereby reducing the physical footprint of the manufacturing facility. Additionally, embodiments of the invention may provide methods and systems for efficiently producing shoes to meet the demands of a particular geographic location, thereby eliminating the need to import shoes produced in other locations. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110230986 | Systems and Methods for Storing and Analyzing Golf Data, Including Community and Individual Golf Data Collection and Storage at a Central Hub - Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110230985 | Systems and Methods for Storing and Analyzing Golf Data, Including Community and Individual Golf Data Collection and Storage at a Central Hub - Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110230279 | IRON-TYPE GOLF CLUB HEAD OR OTHER BALL STRIKING DEVICE - A ball striking device, such as an iron-type golf club head, includes a face having a ball striking surface and a rear surface, and a body connected to the face. The body has a sole member and a rear cavity defined at least partially by the sole member and the rear surface of the face. The body has an elongated, recessed channel extending within the cavity along a juncture line between the rear surface of the face and the sole member. Additionally, the head is formed in part by a face member having a first leg forming at least a major portion of the face and a second leg extending rearwardly from a bottom end of the first leg and forming at least a portion of the sole member. The head may further be formed by a body member connected to the face member. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110230274 | Systems and Methods for Storing and Analyzing Golf Data, Including Community and Individual Golf Data Collection and Storage at a Central Hub - Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110230273 | Systems and Methods for Storing and Analyzing Golf Data, Including Community and Individual Golf Data Collection and Storage at a Central Hub - Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110225845 | Shoe With A Flat Formed Shoe Upper - Shoes specifically designed to facilitate production via efficient shoe manufacturing methods and systems are described. In embodiments, the shoe upper is designed by way of a flat forming process, whereby the upper pattern is kept in a two-dimensional shape for most of the upper assembly and then stitched or otherwise affixed into a three-dimensional form in the final stage of upper assembly. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110224024 | Golf Ball Having A Protective Coating - A golf ball has protective coating comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polyurethane. The protective coating may be applied over a cover layer of a golf ball body, for example. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110224023 | Golf Ball Having Ionomer/Hydrophobic Thermoplastic Polyurethane Layers - A golf ball has moisture resistant layer comprising a blend of at least one ionomer and hydrophobic thermoplastic polyurethane. The moisture resistant layer may be part of the cover layer, for example an inner layer of a two-layer cover layer. The moisture resistant layer may be an intermediate layer between the core and the cover. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110224021 | Golf Ball Having Moisture Resistant Adhesive Layer - A golf ball has an adhesive layer comprising hydrophobic thermoplastic polyurethane. The adhesive layer provides a moisture barrier. The adhesive layer may be between layers of the core or cover, or between intermediate layers, or between the core and cover, the core and intermediate layers, and the cover layer and intermediate layer. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110224019 | Hydrophobic Thermoplastic Polyurethane As A Compatilizer For Polymer Blends For Golf Balls - A golf ball has a layer comprising a compatibilized blend of thermoplastic polyurethane, polyolefin, and hydrophobic thermoplastic polyurethane. The layer may be part of the cover, for example an inner layer of a two-layer cover layer. The layer may be an intermediate layer between the core and the cover. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110224018 | Golf Ball Having Moisture Resistant Layer - A golf ball has moisture resistant layer comprising a blend of thermoplastic polyurethane and hydrophobic thermoplastic polyurethane. The moisture resistant layer may be part of the cover layer, for example an inner layer of a two-layer cover layer. The moisture resistant layer may be an intermediate layer between the core and the cover. | 09-15-2011 |
