# US 2021/0274887 A1 · Upper for an article of footwear having angled tubular knit structures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0274887 A1 - Document ID: US20210274887A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/191,199 - Filed: 2021-03-03 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-09 - Applicants: NIKE, Inc. - Inventors: William P. Halligan; Mary A. Pengelly; Robert Zavala - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210274887A1 ## CPC - A43B 23/025: {assembled by stitching} - A43B 23/042: {Uppers made of one piece (one piece slippers A43B3/106; one piece sandals A43B3/124)} - A43C 1/04: with rings or loops - D04B 1/123: {with laid-in unlooped yarn, e.g. fleece fabrics (with elastic weft yarn D04B1/18)} - D10B 2403/0113: One surface including hollow piping or integrated straps, e.g. for inserts or mountings - D10B 2501/043: Footwear - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR - A43C: FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL - D04B: KNITTING - D10B: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES ## Abstract An upper for an article of footwear may include a first tubular knit structure, where the first tubular knit structure includes a first layer and a second layer, the first layer and the second layer being separable such that a first passage is located between the first layer and the second layer. A second tubular knit structure may be included, where the second tubular knit structure includes a third layer and a fourth layer, the third layer and the fourth layer being separable such that a second passage is located between the third layer and the fourth layer. A longitudinal direction of the first tubular knit structure may be angled at least 5 degrees relative to a longitudinal direction of the second tubular knit structure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An upper for an article of footwear, comprising: a first tubular knit structure, wherein the first tubular knit structure includes a first layer and a second layer, the first layer and the second layer being separable such that a first passage is located between the first layer and the second layer; and a second tubular knit structure, wherein the second tubular knit structure includes a third layer and a fourth layer, the third layer and the fourth layer being separable such that a second passage is located between the third layer and the fourth layer, wherein the first tubular knit structure extends from a biteline of the upper to a throat area of the upper, wherein the second tubular knit structure extends from the biteline of the upper to the throat area of the upper, and wherein a longitudinal direction of the first tubular knit structure is angled at least 5 degrees relative to a longitudinal direction of the second tubular knit structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 1, wherein a first portion of a tensile strand extends through the first passage, and wherein a second portion of the tensile strand extends through the second passage. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 2, wherein a loop of the tensile strand is located between the first portion of the tensile strand and the second portion of the tensile strand, and wherein the loop is configured for engagement to a tensioning member of a fastening system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 3, wherein the loop extends from an opening providing access to a cavity of a merged tubular area located in the throat area of the upper. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 3, wherein the loop is located inside a cavity of a merged tubular area located in the throat area of the upper. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the first tubular knit structure and the second tubular knit structure merge at a location in or adjacent to the throat area of the upper. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the first tubular knit structure is a first distance from the second tubular knit structure at the biteline of the upper, wherein the first tubular knit structure is a second distance from the second tubular knit structure at the throat area of the upper, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 1, wherein a knitted base area is located between the first tubular knit structure and the second tubular knit structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 8, wherein the knitted base area includes a first number of courses in a first area adjacent to the upper, wherein the knitted base area includes a second number of courses adjacent to the biteline, and wherein the first number of courses is greater than the second number of courses to create the angled orientation of the first tubular knit structure relative to the second tubular knit structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 8, wherein the first layer includes a first yarn, and wherein the first yarn is excluded from the knitted base area. ### Claim 11 An upper for an article of footwear, comprising: a first tubular knit structure, wherein the first tubular knit structure includes a first layer and a second layer, the first layer and the second layer being separable such that a first passage is located between the first layer and the second layer; and a second tubular knit structure, wherein the second tubular knit structure includes a third layer and a fourth layer, the third layer and the fourth layer being separable such that a second passage is located between the third layer and the fourth layer, wherein the first tubular knit structure extends from a biteline of the upper to a throat area of the upper, wherein the second tubular knit structure extends from the biteline of the upper to the throat area of the upper, wherein a knitted base area is located between the first tubular knit structure and the second tubular knit structure at a location adjacent to the biteline, and wherein the first tubular knit structure and the second tubular knit structure merge at a merged tubular area located in or adjacent to the throat area of the upper. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 11, wherein a first portion of a tensile strand extends through the first passage, and wherein a second portion of the tensile strand extends through the second passage, wherein a loop of the tensile strand is located between the first portion of the tensile strand and the second portion of the tensile strand, and wherein the loop is configured for engagement to a tensioning member of a fastening system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 12, wherein the loop extends from an opening providing access to a cavity of the merged tubular area located in the throat area of the upper. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 12, wherein the loop is located inside a cavity of the merged tubular area located in the throat area of the upper. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the knitted base area includes a first number of courses in a first area adjacent to the upper, wherein the knitted base area includes a second number of courses adjacent to the biteline, and wherein the first number of courses is greater than the second number of courses to create the angled orientation of the first tubular knit structure relative to the second tubular knit structure. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the first layer includes a first yarn, and wherein the first yarn is excluded from the knitted base area. ### Claim 17 An upper for an article of footwear, comprising: a first tubular knit structure, wherein the first tubular knit structure that includes a first layer and a second layer, the first layer and the second layer being separable such that a pocket is located between the first layer and the second layer; and a knitted base area located adjacent to the first tubular knit structure on at least one side of the first tubular knit structure, wherein the first layer of the first tubular knit structure includes a first yarn, wherein the second layer of the first tubular knit structure includes a second yarn, and wherein the first yarn is substantially excluded from the knitted base area. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 17, wherein the first yarn and the second yarn include different yarn types. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 17, wherein the second yarn is knitted within the knitted base area. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The upper for the article of footwear of claim 17, wherein the first yarn includes a monofilament yarn, and wherein the second yarn includes a polyester yarn.