Article of footwear having an upper with a matrix layer
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsPamela S. Greene, John R. Hoke, III, John Hurd
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed.
Claims20
A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, comprising:
- forming a unitary, one piece polymer matrix structure that defines a plurality of apertures separated by polymer segments, the polymer matrix structure formed from a flat member that is symmetrical about an axis extending in a front-to-rear direction, wherein the polymer matrix structure includes a first free end and a second free end;
- incorporating the polymer matrix structure into an upper such that the first free end extends along a heel region of the upper and the second free end extends along the heel region of the upper;
- engaging the first free end and the second free end;
- and
- securing a sole member to the upper.
A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, comprising:
- forming a unitary, one piece polymer matrix structure that defines a plurality of apertures separated by polymer segments, the polymer matrix structure formed from a flat member that is symmetrical about an axis extending in a front-to-rear direction, wherein the polymer matrix structure extends as a unitary structure to form a major portion of at least a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and a heel portion of the article of footwear;
- incorporating the polymer matrix structure into an upper;
- securing a sole member to the upper;
- and
- engaging a heel tongue element with at least one of the upper or the sole member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.