Nike, Inc.

Nike International Ltd.

Nike Innovate C.v.

Derek A Fitchett

Johannes Anderl

Nicholas Yontz

Arthur Parker Molinari

Colin M Runkle

Jeremy J Hewitt

Matthew Hudson

Peter Newbury

Fidencio Campos, Ii

Nicholas A Leech

Bradley C Tutmark

Karen S Dimoff

Emily Harrington

Jung Gyu Moon

Joseph L Helseth

Yasushi Ichikawa

Oliver McLachlan

Dolores S Thompson

David A Goodwin

Erin E Toraya

Yutaka Kabeshita

Gagandeep Singh

Oliver Mclachlan

Kristen Orme

Enkhbat Dorjgurkhem

Kristen E Orme

A footwear sole structure includes a midsole having a ground-facing surface with a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The midsole defines downwardly-extending protrusions at the ground-facing surface distributed over the midfoot region and the heel region, each of the downwardly-extending protrusions having a convex outer surface. A height of the midsole is greatest at the midfoot region. The sole structure may also include an outsole covering at least a portion of the ground-facing surface of the midsole, and a height of the sole structure may be greatest at the midfoot region.

Sole structure with midsole protrusions and arced profile for forward momentum

A knitted component may include a knit element with a first surface and an opposite second surface. An inlaid yarn may extend through the knit element and between the first surface and the second surface. A secured area where the first surface and the second surface are secured together may be included, where the inlaid yarn is secured by loops forming the first surface and the second surface. A cushioning area may be included, where the cushioning area has a tubular construction such that the first surface and the second surface are separable, forming a cavity therebetween, and where the inlaid yarn extends through the cavity formed between the first surface and the second surface.

Knitted component with inlaid cushioning

Golf balls include: (a) a golf ball body having a first set of construction specifications and a first dimple pattern formed on an outer surface of the golf ball body; and (b) a coating applied to the outer surface of the golf ball body to thereby produce a coated golf ball body having an exterior surface. At least one of the outer surface of the golf ball body and the coating includes a plurality of surface roughening particles to provide increased micro surface roughness as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications and the same dimple pattern but without the micro surface roughening particles. The micro surface roughening affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball.

Golf ball having an aerodynamic coating including micro surface roughness

A golf ball is provided including a core, a cover encasing the core and a coating that comprises a resin applied to the outer surface of the cover. Particles comprising a high density material are included in the coating such that the coating has a density at least twice that of the core's density or contributes at least 0.60% of the golf ball's total moment of inertia, and the coating has a micro surface roughness at least 1.75 times larger than the roughness of a comparative ball. A method of making a golf ball is also provided, including providing a spherical core, encasing the core with a cover, applying a resin to the outer surface of the cover, and adding a plurality of particles comprising a high density material to form a coating material that has a second density at least two times the first density.

Golf ball having an increased moment of inertia

Golf balls include: (a) a golf ball having a first set of construction specifications; (b) a coating of the golf ball having an exterior surface and (c) the exterior surface having an enhanced micro surface roughness. The enhanced micro surface roughening affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications but without enhanced micro surface roughness.

Golf balls having an exterior surface with a predetermined area which is smaller than the entire surface area of the exterior surface and includes enhanced micro surface roughness. The enhanced micro surface roughness affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications but without enhanced micro surface roughness.

Golf balls having an exterior surface with a predetermined area which is smaller than the entire surface area of the exterior surface, includes enhanced micro surface roughness, and is in the form of an asymmetrical pattern on the exterior surface of the golf ball. The enhanced micro surface roughness affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications but without enhanced micro surface roughness.

A golf ball kit having an abrasive material adapted for imparting enhanced micro surface roughness to an exterior surface of a golf ball. The enhanced micro surface roughening affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications but without enhanced micro surface roughness. The kit includes an instruction device having a plurality of correlations between at least one performance parameter and micro surface roughness for at least a first golf ball.

Disclosed is a golf ball including a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) cover and a polyurethane coating layer. The cover crosslinks with the coating layer in order to achieve improved durability, specifically improved scuff resistance. The chemical composition of the thermoplastic polyurethane material making up the cover and the chemical composition of the polyurethane coating layer may be chosen so as to be complimentary thereby promoting crosslinking between them. Methods of manufacturing these golf balls are also disclosed.

Polymer coating to cross-link underlying cover

A ball includes a core, a cover, and cracking element or cracking layer. The cracking layer may be deformed or actuated to create discontinuities in the cover. The creation of discontinuities allows for easier recycling of the ball parts. The cracking layer may include one of a bladder or a hydrophilic material that expand upon the introduction of a fluid, a shape memory polymer that deforms upon application of a stimulus, or two materials that react chemically to form a gas.

Ball incorporating element for cracking cover

A ball includes a core, a cover, and an intermediate layer between the core and the cover. The intermediate layer may be deformed or actuated to create discontinuities in the cover. The creation of discontinuities allows for easier recycling of the ball parts. The intermediate layer may include one of a bladder or a hydrophilic material that expand upon the introduction of a fluid, a shape memory polymer that deforms upon application of a stimulus, or two materials that react chemically to form a gas.

Growing community of inventors

Beaverton, OR, United States of America

Derek A Fitchett