ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 26 -- United States Patent no. 12,635,765, issued on May 26, was assigned to NIKE Inc. (Beaverton, Ore.).
"Independently movable sole structure" was invented by James C. Meschter (Portland, Ore.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "An article of footwear and method of making an article of footwear are disclosed. The article includes an outsole having an outsole member. The outsole member includes a first piece and a second piece. The first piece is spaced from a base by a first vertical distance. The second piece is spaced from the base by a second vertical distance, the first vertical distance being greater than the second vertical distance."
The patent was filed on Oct. 31, ...