Nike, Inc.

The Whitaker Corporation

Nike Innovate C.v.

Bruce Alan Barney

Bryan N Farris

Rachel M Savage

Alison Sheets-Singer

James Francis McIntire

Dan Alan Vance

Robert Lee Beckman

Daniel B Smith

Larry Duane Stopper

Bruce J Kilgore

Kassio Figur

Sara Kilgore

Jared S Baggen

Daniel B DeHaven

Jessica Anne Junkins

John Joseph Terlizzi

Daniel B Dehaven

Grounding systems, grounding components, and methods of manufacturing, assembling, and using the same to provide dynamic and adaptable electrical grounding. In one aspect, an adaptable grounding system is provided. The grounding system may include a plurality of grounding components positioned to adaptively engage with an electrical-grounding surface, e.g., facilitating improved electrical contact. The grounding components may be mounted on a first structure which is opposite to a second structure that includes an electrical-grounding surface. The first structure and/or the second structure may be adjustable, e.g., between at least a first configuration, e.g., a non-grounded configuration, and a second configuration, e.g., a grounded configuration. The grounding systems, components, and related methods described herein may be used with different manufacturing systems and processes including those that are electrically-driven.

Grounding system, grounding component, and methods of manufacturing and using the same

A sole structure for an article of footwear. The sole structure includes at least one support plate located on an underside of a midsole on a medial forefoot side of the midsole and extending from a medial edge of the midsole to at least a longitudinal center line of the midsole, wherein a lateral edge of the plate is located medially of the lateral edge of the midsole. The support plate may contain at least one sipe or groove extending laterally across the midsole to provide flexibility in a forefoot-to-heel direction of the midsole. The support plate may contain at least one rail.

Medially-located lateral footwear stabilizer

A manufacturing frame comprises one or more alignment tabs. Each alignment tab comprises an alignment element. The alignment element interacts with a corresponding alignment element at a manufacturing station to identify to the manufacturing station the position and orientation of the frame. The frame supports a flexible material in a known position and orientation relative to the frame, allowing the manufacturing station to infer the position and orientation of the flexible material on the frame from the interaction of the alignment elements on the frame and the manufacturing station.

Manufacturing frame

A system for stitching two parts of a shoe together includes a stitching machine with a head and a cylinder bed. The head has a needle base disposed on a lower end adjacent the cylinder bed such that the two shoe parts can be stitched together therebetween. A positioning mechanism has a curved drive frame and is capable of moving the curved drive frame in a rotating motion along the circumference of the curved drive frame and in a linear direction generally along an axis of the curved drive frame. A jig positions the two shoe parts with respect to one another and is coupled to the curved drive frame. The jig includes a curved support surface for supporting the two shoe parts.

Stitching system for a shoe upper

A cable assembly (8, 80) including an electrical cable (10) having a flexible tubular jacket (12) and a reinforcing structure (14) attached to the outside of the jacket in a smooth sealing connection (30), and a method of using radio-frequency electrical energy, applied radially through the cable jacket (12) and the reinforcing structure (14), to make the connection (30). A shield conductor (26) inside the cable jacket (14) may be used as an RF electrode, with a second RF electrode (42, 44) circumscribing a portion of the cable (12) and the reinforcing structure (14) and shaping the outer surface of the connection. The RF energy may be used instead to activate an adhesive (108). An outer electrode (118) may be embedded in the reinforcing structure (116) in one variation of the invention.

Radio frequency heat sealing of cable assemblies

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

Bruce Alan Barney