Nike, Inc.

Nike International Ltd.

Nike Innovate C.v.

Derek Campbell

Christopher H Pearson

Peter P Backus

Lee Allan Dexheimer

Randy Wolfe

Ryusuke Hanaka

Michael Forsey

Chris Pearson

Peter Phillip Backus

A golf bag is disclosed that includes base formed of a flexible material, such as a polymer foam material. The base is formed as a one-piece element, and the base may be flexible such that the golf bag is supportable in an upright position or an inclined position. A flexion line may be formed in the base to promote flexing or pivoting in a specific area, and wear elements may be added to an exterior surface of the base to impart wear-resistance.

Golf bag base

Dual-strap carrying assemblies and devices including such assemblies are provided herein. The carrying devices may be embodied in dual carrying strap golf bags that allow the bearer to more easily don and remove the bag. The secondary strap of the dual strap assembly is connected to the primary strap by a movable engagement assembly, such as an assembly that rotates to allow the secondary strap to more easily become within the reach of the bearer of the bag. In some embodiments, the movable engagement assembly may include a movement limiting device that prevents the secondary strap from moving too far out of the bearer's reach. The strap assemblies may be used in combination with a flexible base stand to make a self-standing carrying device that is easy to don and doff.

Double strap carrying system and base stand for golf bags and other shoulder-borne articles

A golf ball storage system is provided herein. The system may be configured on an exterior of a golf bag and generally includes an upper aperture and a lower aperture that may be substantially vertically aligned. The first and second apertures are connected by an internal sleeve. The sleeve may have a generally tubular configuration to contain golf balls within the storage system in a single file, stacked arrangement. The sleeve may be substantially vertical when the golf bag is in an upright position such that gravity will force balls inserted into the upper aperture to fall to a bottom portion of the sleeve, adjacent the lower aperture, for ease of removal.

Carrying or storing devices, such as golf bags, having externally accessible storage systems

Golf bags may include certain structures and features that allow easy and ready access to various pieces of golf equipment. Such golf bags may include: (a) a base; (b) one or more wall members extending from the base (defining a chamber for plural clubs); (c) a housing member located outside the chamber and defining a first aperture that provides access to a space outside the chamber for receiving a putter shaft; and (d) a ball storage compartment located outside the chamber and outside the housing member. The ball storage compartment, the housing member, and the first aperture may be arranged so that at least a portion of the space for receiving the putter shaft lies between the chamber and the ball storage compartment.

Golf bags having an external putter holder and/or an externally accessible golf ball storage system

Support structures for footwear and the like include a contacting member (e.g., an outsole) that includes at least two recessed segments extending in a longitudinal direction in the forefoot portion. The recessed segments provide lines of flex such that various regions of the contacting member independently move about the lines of flex and separately engage/disengage from a contact surface when a wearer shifts his/her weight. Additionally or alternatively, the contacting member may include a set of traction members in the forefoot portion that inhibit forefoot movement in a lateral direction while optionally allowing forefoot movement in a medial direction and a set of traction members in a heel portion that inhibit heel movement in the medial direction while optionally allowing heel movement in the lateral direction. Such support structures may be used, e.g., for golf shoes or shoes for other activities requiring a swinging or twisting action.

Flexible foot-support structures and products containing such support structures

Support structures for footwear and the like include contact surface-contacting members (e.g., outsole structures) having an exterior surface that includes: (a) a recessed segment extending longitudinally from a forefoot to a heel portion, (b) plural lateral motion inhibiting traction elements in the lateral, forefoot portion, and (c) plural medial motion inhibiting traction elements in the lateral, heel portion. The recessed segment provides a flex line about which the medial and lateral sides of the surface-contacting member can move to independently engage and disengage from a contact surface as a wearer's weight shifts. In at least some structures, the lateral side of the foot-supporting member may be less flexible and/or more stable than the medial side. Support structures of the types described above can allow more of the surface-contacting member to remain in contact with the ground and provide a solid base or support for the movement or activity.

Flexible and/or laterally stable foot-support structures and products containing such support structures

Portion of a shoe upper

An outsole for an athletic shoe, in particular a golf shoe, having a plurality of traction elements of resisting rotational movement parallel to a plane surface of the ground. Traction elements in a forefoot region of the outsole are oriented with resist surfaces facing a lateral edge and traction elements in a rearfoot region of the outsole are oriented with resist surfaces a medial direction. The resist surfaces of the traction elements are substantially perpendicular to a base surface of the outsole and other surfaces of the traction element can be connected to the base surface by concave curvatures. The traction elements may have an indented surface. A plurality of the traction elements may be arranged along longitudinal and radial arrays in a forefoot region.

Golf shoe outsole with oriented traction elements

The invention is a traction element for an article of footwear that reduces rotation in the footwear during activities such as golf. The traction elements are configured to penetrate the ground and include undercut surfaces that contact the ground. During a golf swing, for example, the ground will induce a force upon the undercut surfaces, thereby deforming the traction element and securely engaging the traction element with the ground. The traction elements may also have back surfaces opposite the undercut surface that assist with disengaging the traction elements following the golf swing.

Traction elements for an article of footwear

The invention is a golf bag for receiving and transporting golf clubs and other golf-related equipment, wherein a top section of the golf bag is configured to organize frequently-used golf clubs and protect golf club heads and shafts that are prone to damage. Organization and protection are achieved through centrally-located areas that permit clubs to be retrieved and replaced without interference by other clubs and structures that prevent the head or shaft of a golf club from making contact with other golf clubs.

Golf bag with club separator

There is disclosed a golf shoe having a plurality of first and second traction projections extending out from the outsole to define a ground engaging surface. The first traction projections are arranged around a first pivot point located in the forefoot portion and a second pivot point located in the rearfoot portion of the outsole. The first traction projections have a body orientated lengthwise toward the pivot points. The second traction projections extend out from the outsole along the periphery of the outsole. The first and second traction projections define a ground engaging surface which, in use, enhance the traction of the outsole during the full golf swing motion.

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

Derek Campbell