US 2014/0230277 A1 · Article of Footwear Having An Upper Incorporating A Knitted Component

Abstract

An article of footwear has an upper that includes a knitted component and a sole structure secured to the upper. The knitted component may define a tube formed of unitary knit construction, and a strand may extend through a length of the tube. As another example, the knitted component may have a pair of at least partially coextensive knitted layers formed of unitary knit construction, and a plurality of floating yarns may extend between the knitted layers. In some configurations, the knit type or yarn type may vary in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. Additionally, the knitted component may incorporate a thermoplastic yarn that is fused in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. A flat knitting process or a variety of other knitting processes may be utilized to form the knitted component.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper comprising:

a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction, the knitted component comprising a first knitted layer and a second knitted layer that are at least partially coextensive with each other, the knitted component including a plurality of tubular structures, the plurality of tubular structures comprising the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer that are overlapping and joined to each other along opposite edges to define sides of a first tube and a second tube, the first tube and the second tube being formed by the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer to have unitary knit construction so as to be a one-piece element with the remaining portion of the knitted component;
and
a strand extending through the first tube and the second tube, a portion of the strand extending between a first end of the first tube and a first end of the second tube to form a loop;
wherein the first end of the first tube and the first end of the second tube are separated at a first distance;
and
wherein a second end of the first tube and a second end of the second tube area are separated at a second distance, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

3 more elements

An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper having a heel region and a forefoot region, the upper comprising:

a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction, the knitted component including a first knitted layer and a second knitted layer that are at least partially coextensive with each other;
at least one tubular structure disposed on the knitted component, the at least one tubular structure comprising the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer that are overlapping and joined to each other along opposite edges to define sides of a tube;
and
a yarn having a configuration of a one-dimensional material, the yarn extending through at least a portion of a length of the tube;
wherein the tube formed by the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer has a unitary knit construction so as to be a one-piece element with the remaining portion of the knitted component;
and
wherein the tube is oriented along a longitudinal direction of the article of footwear;
and
wherein the tube extends generally between the heel region and the forefoot region.

6 more elements

An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper having a medial side and a lateral side, the upper comprising:

a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction, the knitted component including a first knitted layer and a second knitted layer that are at least partially coextensive with each other;
a plurality of tubular structures disposed on the knitted component, at least one of the tubular structures comprising the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer that are overlapping and joined to each other along opposite edges to define sides of a first pair of adjacent tubes on the medial side, another of the tubular structures comprising the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer that are overlapping and joined to each other along opposite edges to define sides of a second pair of adjacent tubes on the lateral side;
and
at least one yarn having a configuration of a one-dimensional material, the at least one yarn extending through the first pair of adjacent tubes, the at least one yarn extending through the second pair of adjacent tubes;
wherein the first pair of adjacent tubes and the second pair of adjacent tubes have a unitary knit construction so as to be a one-piece element with the remaining portion of the knitted component;
and
wherein the first pair of adjacent tubes include first ends, wherein the first pair of adjacent tubes include second ends that are separated at a greater distance than the first ends;
and
wherein the second pair of adjacent tubes include third ends, wherein the second pair of adjacent tubes include fourth ends that are separated at a greater distance than the third ends.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Article of Footwear Having An Upper Incorporating A Knitted Component

Life of this patent

Article of Footwear Having An Upper Incorporating A Knitted Component

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18