US 8,997,530 B1 · Article of footwear including a monofilament knit element with a fusible strand

Abstract

An article of footwear including a full monofilament upper is described. The full monofilament upper incorporates a knitted component including a monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element is formed by knitting with a monofilament strand. The monofilament knit element is formed of unitary knit construction with the remaining portions of the knitted component, including peripheral portions that are knit using a natural or synthetic twisted fiber yarn. An inlaid tensile element can extend through the knitted component, including portions of the monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element may be knitted with a monofilament strand according to a variety of knit structures. A fusible strand may be knit with the monofilament knit element. Upon heating, the fusible strand can combine and surround the monofilament strand within the monofilament knit element.

Claims20

Dependent claims

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

a monofilament knit element formed by at least one monofilament strand, the monofilament knit element forming a substantial majority of the upper and extending through at least a portion of each of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear;
and
at least one course of the monofilament knit element including a fusible strand;
wherein the monofilament knit element forming the substantial majority of the upper is knitted exclusively using the at least one monofilament strand and the fusible strand, the at least one monofilament strand and the fusible strand having substantially similar diameters;
and
wherein the fusible strand substantially covers the at least one monofilament strand upon heating the monofilament knit element to at least a glass transition temperature of the fusible strand.

3 more elements

A method of manufacturing an article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper including a knitted component, the method comprising:

knitting a monofilament knit element using at least one monofilament strand, the monofilament knit element forming a substantial majority of the upper and extending through at least a portion of each of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear;
and
knitting at least one course of the monofilament knit element including a fusible strand with the at least one monofilament strand;
wherein the monofilament knit element forming the substantial majority of the upper is knitted exclusively using the at least one monofilament strand and the fusible strand, the at least one monofilament strand and the fusible strand having substantially similar diameters;
and
wherein the fusible strand substantially covers the at least one monofilament strand upon heating the monofilament knit element to at least a glass transition temperature of the fusible strand.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Article of footwear including a monofilament knit element with a fusible strand

Life of this patent

Article of footwear including a monofilament knit element with a fusible strand

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20