Upper for an article of footwear having a tie-down structure

Abstract

The present application relates to an upper for an article of footwear having a tie-down structure. The article of footwear may include an upper. The upper may include a textile portion that forms a throat area of ​​the upper. The upper may also include a base portion that extends to a bite line area of ​​the upper. The upper may also include a tie-down structure that extends through a first opening of the textile portion and a second opening of the base portion to secure the textile portion to the base portion.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application filed on October 19, 2018, with application number 201880068161.0, and invention name “Upper for footwear with tying structure”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 575,115, filed on October 20, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. background

[0004] Conventional footwear articles generally include two main elements: an upper and a sole structure. The upper is generally fixed to the sole structure and may form a cavity within the footwear article for comfortably and securely receiving the foot. The sole structure is generally fixed to the lower surface of the upper so as to be positioned between the upper and the ground. For example, in some articles of sports footwear, the sole structure may include a midsole and an outsole. The midsole may be formed of a polymer foam material that attenuates ground reaction forces during walking, running, and other ambulatory movements to reduce stress on the foot and leg. The outsole may be fixed to the lower surface of the midsole and may form a ground engaging portion of the sole structure, which is formed of a durable and wear-resistant material.

[0005] The upper of an article of footwear generally extends over the instep and toe area of ​​the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around the heel area of ​​the foot, and in some cases extends under the foot. Typically, an entrance to the cavity in the interior of the upper is provided through an ankle opening in the heel area of ​​the footwear and / or adjacent to the heel area of ​​the footwear. A lacing system is often incorporated into the upper to adjust the fit of the upper, thereby facilitating the entry of the foot into the cavity in the upper and removal from the cavity in the upper. In addition, the upper may include a tongue extending below the lacing system to enhance the adjustability of the footwear, and the upper may include other structures, such as, for example, a heel counter, to provide support and limit the movement of the heel. Summary of the invention

[0006] This application provides the following:

[0007] 1) A shoe upper for a footwear article, the shoe upper comprising:

[0008] a textile portion forming a throat area of ​​the upper;

[0009] a base portion extending from a bite line area of ​​the upper toward the throat area of ​​the upper; and

[0010] A tie structure extends through the first opening of the textile portion and the second opening of the base portion to secure the textile portion to the base portion at a location between the throat area of ​​the upper and the bite line area of ​​the upper.

[0011] 2) The upper of 1), wherein the tie structure defines a loop adjacent to the textile portion, and wherein the loop forms a hole for receiving a fastening element.

[0012] 3). The shoe upper as described in 1), further comprising a grommet connected to the loop formed by the tie structure, wherein the grommet forms a hole for receiving a fastening element.

[0013] 4) The upper as described in 1), wherein the textile portion is a knitted component, and wherein the knitted component includes at least one knitted opening for receiving the tie-down structure.

[0014] 5). The upper as described in 1) also includes a third part, which is fixed to the textile part via the tying structure, wherein the third part forms the outer surface of the upper in the heel area, and wherein the tying structure is located between the third part and the base part.

[0015] 6) The upper as described in 1), wherein the textile portion and the base portion are additionally fixed via a sewn seam, wherein the sewn seam extends along an edge of the base portion.

[0016] 7) The shoe upper as described in 1), wherein the textile portion extends to the bite line area of ​​the shoe upper so that the textile portion and the base portion overlap at a position adjacent to the bite line area.

[0017] 8) The shoe upper as described in 1), wherein the tying structure extends from the medial side of the shoe upper, passes through the heel area of ​​the shoe upper and extends to the lateral side of the shoe upper.

[0018] 9) A shoe upper for a footwear article, the shoe upper comprising:

[0019] a textile portion forming a throat area of ​​the upper;

[0020] a base portion extending from a bite line area of ​​the upper toward the throat area of ​​the upper; and

[0021] a tie structure extending through the first opening of the textile portion and the second opening of the base portion to secure the textile portion to the base portion,

[0022] Wherein the tie structure extends continuously from a medial side of the article of footwear, through a heel area of ​​the article of footwear, and to a lateral side of the article of footwear.

[0023] 10) The article of footwear of 9), wherein the tie structure defines a loop adjacent to the textile portion, and wherein the loop forms a hole for receiving a fastening element.

[0024] 11). The article of footwear as described in 9), further comprising a grommet connected to the loop formed by the tie structure, wherein the grommet forms a hole for receiving a fastening element.

[0025] 12) The article of footwear as described in 9), wherein the textile part is a knitted component.

[0026] 13) The article of footwear as described in 9), wherein the tie-down structure comprises at least one straight segment, which, when viewed from an external perspective, extends below at least one segment of the tie-down structure.

[0027] 14) A footwear article, comprising:

[0028] a textile portion forming a throat area;

[0029] a base portion secured to or integrally formed with a sole structure, wherein the base portion extends from the sole structure toward the throat area; and

[0030] A tie structure extends from a toe region of the article of footwear toward a heel region of the upper, wherein the tie structure extends through the opening in the textile portion and the opening in the base portion to secure the tie structure relative to the base portion.

[0031] 15). The article of footwear of 14), wherein the tie structure defines a loop adjacent to the textile portion, and wherein the loop forms a hole for receiving a fastening element.

[0032] 16) The article of footwear according to 14), further comprising a grommet coupled to a loop formed by the tie structure, wherein the grommet forms a hole for receiving a fastening element.

[0033] 17) The article of footwear as described in 14), wherein the textile part is a knitted component.

[0034] 18) The article of footwear according to 14), wherein the textile portion and the base portion are additionally secured via a sewn seam, wherein the sewn seam extends along an edge of the base portion.

[0035] 19) The article of footwear as described in 14), wherein the textile portion extends to a bite line area of ​​the article of footwear such that the textile portion and the base portion overlap at a position adjacent to the bite line area.

[0036] 20) The article of footwear as described in 14), wherein the tie structure extends from the medial side of the article of footwear, passes through the heel area of ​​the article of footwear and extends to the lateral side of the article of footwear. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and descriptions. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, but emphasis is placed on illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. In addition, in the drawings, like reference numerals represent like elements.

[0038] Figure 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of an embodiment of an article of footwear having a tie structure according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 Illustration of a side view of an article of footwear.

[0040] Figure 3 is an illustration showing an exploded view of an embodiment of an article of footwear having tie elements according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a portion of an upper having a knitted component secured to a base portion by a tying structure, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 5 is an illustration showing a perspective view of another embodiment of an article of footwear having a lacing structure according to the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 6 is an illustration showing a side view of an embodiment of an article of footwear having a grommet according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 7 is an illustration showing a side view of another embodiment of an article of footwear having a grommet according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 8is an illustration showing a rear view of an article of footwear having a third portion according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0046] Various aspects are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar elements are generally identified by similar numbers. The relationship and function of the various elements of the various aspects can be better understood by reference to the following detailed description. However, the various aspects are not limited to those aspects illustrated in the accompanying drawings or explicitly described below. It should also be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and in some cases, details that are not necessary for understanding the aspects disclosed herein, such as conventional manufacturing and assembly, may have been omitted.

[0047] Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to uppers and / or other articles (such as articles of apparel) configured for use in articles of footwear. When referring to articles of footwear, the present disclosure may describe basketball shoes, running shoes, cycling shoes, cross-training shoes, football shoes, golf shoes, hiking shoes and boots, ski and snowboard boots, soccer shoes, tennis shoes, and / or walking shoes, as well as types of footwear generally considered non-sporting, including, but not limited to, dress shoes, loafers, and sandals.

[0048] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a textile portion that forms a throat area of ​​the upper. The upper may also include a base portion that extends to a bite line area of ​​the upper. The upper may also include a tie structure that extends through a first opening of the textile portion and a second opening of the base portion to secure the textile portion to the base portion.

[0049] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to an article of footwear. The article of footwear may include a textile portion that forms a throat area. The article of footwear may also include a base portion that is secured to or integrally formed with a sole structure. The article of footwear may also include a tie structure that extends through an opening in the textile portion and an opening in the base portion to secure the tie structure relative to the base portion.

[0050] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method. The method may include forming a textile portion that includes a throat area of ​​an upper for an article of footwear. The method may also include connecting the textile portion to the base portion by deploying a tie structure through at least one opening of the textile portion and at least one opening of the base portion, the base portion being secured to the sole structure.

[0051] Figure 1 and Figure 2 are diagrams showing a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of article of footwear 100. Figure 1-Figure 2, and as described in more detail below, article of footwear 100 may include an upper 102 having a first portion and a second portion 106 (also referred to as a "base portion") connected via a fastening device, such as a tie structure 108. As shown, base portion 106 of upper 102 may be secured to sole structure 112. The area where sole structure 112 joins upper 102 may be referred to as a biteline 114.

[0052] The upper 102 may be attached to the sole structure 112 in a fixed manner using any suitable technique, such as by using an adhesive, by sewing, etc. The upper 102 may extend partially or completely around the wearer's foot (e.g., under the foot) and / or may be integral with the sole structure 112, and may or may not use a sockliner. In some embodiments, the sole structure 112 may include a midsole and an outsole.

[0053] The upper 102 may include a lateral side 116, a medial side 118, a toe region 120, and a heel region 122. The upper 102 may further include a throat region 124 extending from an ankle opening 126 leading to a cavity 128, and a collar 130 may at least partially surround the ankle opening 126. The cavity 128 of the article of footwear 100 may be configured (e.g., sized and shaped) to receive and accommodate a person's foot. The throat region 124 may be generally disposed in a midfoot region 132 of the upper 102, which may be located between the heel region 122 and the toe region 120. In some embodiments, a tongue may be at least partially disposed in the throat region 124. If a tongue is included, the tongue may be any type of tongue, such as a gusseted tongue or a burrito tongue. If a tongue is not included, the lateral and medial sides of throat area 124 may be joined together.

[0054] The first portion (and / or other portions) of upper 102 may be at least partially formed with knitted component 110, but the knitted component is optional and the first portion may alternatively or additionally include a textile component formed by a process other than knitting (e.g., weaving) and / or other materials (such as leather, plastic, rubber, etc.). However, in a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, forming upper 102 with knitted component 110 may provide upper 102 with advantageous properties, including, but not limited to, a certain degree of elasticity (e.g., expressed as Young's modulus), breathability, flexibility, strength, moisture wicking, weight, wear resistance, and / or combinations thereof. These properties can be achieved by selecting a particular single or multi-layer knit structure (e.g., a rib knit structure, a single jersey knit structure, or a double jersey knit structure), by varying the size and tension of the knit structure, by using one or more yarns formed from a particular material (e.g., a polyester material, a relatively inelastic material, or a relatively elastic material such as spandex), by selecting yarns of a particular size (e.g., denier), and / or combinations thereof. The knitted component 110 can also provide desired aesthetic properties by including yarns having different colors, textures, or other visual properties arranged in a particular pattern.

[0055] In addition, the yarn itself and / or the knitted structure of the knitted component 110 can be varied at different locations so that the knitted component 110 has two or more parts with different properties (e.g., a portion forming the throat area 124 of the upper 102 can be relatively elastic, while another portion can be relatively inelastic). Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the knitted component 110 can include one or more materials having properties that change in response to a stimulus (e.g., temperature, humidity, electric current, magnetic field, or light). For example, the knitted component 110 can include a yarn formed by one or more thermoplastic polymer materials (including material composites), which transition from a solid state to a softened state or liquid state when subjected to certain temperatures at or above the melting point, and then transition back to a solid state when cooled. Thermoplastic polymer materials can provide the ability to heat and then cool a portion of the knitted component 110 to thereby form a region of a bonded or continuous material (referred to herein as a "fusion region") that exhibits certain favorable properties, including, for example, a relatively high degree of stiffness, strength, and water resistance. Non-limiting examples of thermoplastic polymer materials are polyurethanes, polyamides, polyolefins, and / or certain nylons.

[0056] As shown, the knitted component 110 can form most (or all) of the toe area 120 and the throat area 124, and the knitted component can extend to and around the heel area 122 of the upper 102. Advantageously, such positioning of the knitted component 110 can provide these areas with the advantageous properties associated with knitting, thereby providing these areas with desired weight, stretchability, breathability, etc. For example, by forming the throat area 124 with the knitted component 110, the throat area 124 can have a desired elasticity / stretchability so that the throat area 124 stretches around the top (dorsum) surface of the user's foot, thereby providing a snug, comfortable fit (which can be adjusted by, for example, tightening the fastening element on the dorsum surface of the foot). In some embodiments, certain areas of the knitted component 110 can have different knitted structures, can be formed by different yarn types, and / or can be processed in different ways during manufacturing so that different areas of the knitted component 110 have different properties. For example, in some embodiments, throat area 124 may have a greater stretchability than toe area 120 .

[0057] The base portion 106 of the upper 102 (which may be formed by a different material having different properties from the material of the knitted component 110) may extend to the bite line 114 of the upper 102 and may be fixed to the sole structure 112. The base portion 106 may be formed by any suitable material. For example, the base portion 106 may be formed by leather, plastic, rubber, various textiles (e.g., fibers, filaments or yarns, which are for example or (a) constructed by combining, fusing or interlocking non-woven fabrics and felts directly produced by a fiber web, or (b) formed by mechanically operating yarns to produce woven fabrics), polymer sheets, combinations thereof and / or any other suitable materials. Optionally, the base portion 106 may be formed as a second knitted component. When the base portion 106 is formed by a knitted component, the knitted structure and / or material used to form the base portion 106 may be selected to make the base portion more rigid than the knitted component 110, thereby providing enhanced medial to lateral support for the footwear article 100 when worn. Whether the base portion 106 is formed of a knitted component or another material, the stiffness of the base portion 106 can be at least 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 200%, 300%, 500%, or even 1000% (or more) greater than the stiffness of the knitted component 110. The stiffness of the various portions can be determined by applying equal tension (e.g., on a tensiometer) and then measuring the relative amount of stretch / displacement and comparing the relative amounts. When one component stretches twice as much as another component when subjected to the same force (e.g., such as, for example, 20 pounds of force), it is said to have half the stiffness.

[0058] Base portion 106 may extend from toe region 120 on lateral side 116 of article of footwear 100, around heel region 122, and to toe region 120 on medial side 116. As shown, base portion 106 may extend along bite line 114, although in other embodiments, base portion 106 may be offset from bite line 114 in at least one location (e.g., if another portion and / or opening is located between sole structure 112 and base portion 106).

[0059] Figure 3 136 and 138, respectively, for receiving a tie structure 108 or other fastening elements. The opening 136 may be large enough so that it is larger than the cross-section of the tie structure 108, thereby preventing the need to use excessive force when the tie structure 108 is deployed through the opening 136. In some embodiments, the knitted component 110 may have a first set of openings 136 that are offset relative to the openings 138 and a second set of openings 137 that are aligned with the openings 138 when the footwear article 100 is fully assembled. During the manufacture of the footwear article 100, the tie structure 108 may be deployed through the openings 136, 137, and / or 138, and then tightened (e.g., by hand or by machine) to fix the knitted component 110 to the base portion 106. The tie structure 108 may be deployed before or after the base portion 106 is fixed to the sole structure 112. For example, it may be advantageous to first secure the base portion 106 to the sole structure 112 (e.g., by using an adhesive, by sewing, by stapling, etc.) and then subsequently secure to the knitted component 110 via the tie structure 108. This order may be advantageous due to the ability to place a foot-shaped last within the cavity 128 prior to installing the knitted component 110, which may help properly position the knitted component 110. In other embodiments, the tie structure 108 may be installed before or simultaneously with the attachment of the sole structure 112 to the upper 102. Optionally, the third portion 140 may be installed before, during, or after the installation of the tie structure 108. Figure 8 The third portion 140 is described in more detail.

[0060] Although Figure 3The article of footwear 100 can be fully assembled during manufacture, but it is also contemplated that the knitted component 110 can be secured to the base portion 106 by deploying the tie structure 108 by the consumer / user. Thus, the user can select the components individually and then assemble the components himself or herself. Additionally or alternatively, the user may be able to obtain multiple knitted components 110 and switch the knitted components by removing the tie structure 108 and then redeploying the tie structure with a different knitted component 110. Advantageously, this can provide multiple footwear styles and / or multiple types of footwear at a relatively low cost.

[0061] The knitted component 110 may have an optional edge portion 180 that overlaps the base portion 106 when the article of footwear 100 is fully assembled. As a result, the edge portion 180 of the knitted component 110 may be coextensive with the base portion 106, at least at a location adjacent to where the base portion 106 and the knitted component 110 meet. Advantageously, the edge portion 180 may cover at least a portion of the base portion 106 from the perspective of being located within the cavity 128, which may be advantageous when the knitted component 110 is better suited for contact with the user's foot (e.g., due to, for example, the softness and other comfort-related properties of the knitted component 110). In some embodiments, the edge portion 180 of the knitted component 110 may extend all the way to the bite line 114 (see FIG. 1 ) where the upper 102 joins the sole structure 112. Figure 1 ). It is also contemplated that edge portion 180 may even extend beyond the bite line to form at least a portion of the underfoot surface.

[0062] The opening 136 in the knitted component 110 can be formed by any suitable process. In some embodiments, a portion of the knitted component (piece) can be cut off, punched out, or otherwise removed to form the opening 136. In other embodiments, the opening 136 can be formed by a specific structure of the knitted component 110. For example, during a knitting process on a knitting machine having at least one needle bed, when forming certain rows of the knitted component 110, one or more needles of the needle bed can be skipped, so that a vacancy is formed, and the vacancy can ultimately define the opening 136. Other suitable knitting structures can be used additionally or alternatively to form the opening 136. When the opening 136 is formed by a specific knitting structure, rather than by removing a portion of the knitted component 110 by cutting, punching or other methods, the opening 136 is referred to as "knit-formed" in the present disclosure.

[0063] Figure 3164 to an inner surface 166 facing in an opposite direction. When this is the case, once the article of footwear 100 is fully assembled, a portion of the tie-down structure 108 (not shown) may be inside the cavity 128. Optionally, if this portion of the tie-down structure 108 irritates the user's foot, a pad or other protective element may be placed on this portion of the tie-down structure 108. In other embodiments, the foot may be allowed to be exposed to the portion of the tie-down structure 108 inside the cavity 128, particularly when the tie-down structure 108 is formed of a material that is not likely to irritate the foot and / or is located at a specific location that is not likely to irritate the foot.

[0064] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing a portion of an upper 102 having a tie structure 108 extending through an opening 136 formed by a surface loop 168. That is, as shown, the opening 136 can be formed by a surface loop 168 extending from an outer surface 164 of the knitted component 110, rather than extending through the knitted component 110 (as described above with reference to FIG. Figure 3 164 (and / or an opposing inner surface). In some embodiments, the surface loop 168 can be formed separately from the knitted component 110 (e.g., from plastic or other suitable material) and then subsequently attached, but in certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments, the surface loop 168 can be formed integrally with the remainder of the knitted component 110 by a knitting process. For example, the surface loop 168 can be at least partially formed from yarn that also forms interlocking loops that define the outer surface 164 (and / or the opposing inner surface). Similar structures and some of their advantages are described in detail in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 411,633, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0065] like Figure 4 , the tie structure 108 can extend so that it alternates between the openings 136 of the knitted component 110 and the openings 138 of the base portion 106 in a zigzag pattern. Optionally, the straight segments 146 can extend under at least some of the plurality of segments 148, which can help maintain the tightness of the tie structure 108 and / or enhance the aesthetics of the tie structure 108. Other tie patterns (e.g., see Figure 1-Figure 2 Different tethering structures, which lack Figure 4 In some embodiments, the tie structure 108 may skip over certain openings and then double back, thereby forming a crisscross pattern. In other embodiments, the tie structure 108 may have a football-style lacing pattern, such that the segments 148 are straight (e.g., rather than Figure 4). Additionally, in some embodiments, different portions of the tethering structure 108 may have different tethering patterns.

[0066] In the depicted embodiment, the tie structure 108 is formed as a continuous lace or other elongated strand of material. The tie structure 108 can be formed by braiding multiple yarns to form an elongated braided textile (e.g., in a manner similar to the formation of some shoelaces). The tie structure 108 can additionally or alternatively be formed from other suitable materials and structures, such as an elongated strip of leather, an elongated strip formed from plastic or other composite materials, ribbon, wire, etc. These elongated structures and similar structures are collectively referred to herein as "laces". In an exemplary embodiment, the tensile strength of the tie structure 108, or the maximum force that can be applied to the tie structure 108 before the tie structure 108 breaks, can be at least 30 pounds, although in some embodiments the tensile strength can be much greater than this. For example, the tie structure 108 can be formed from such structures and materials that the tie structure 108 can withstand at least 100 pounds, 200 pounds, 300 pounds, 400 pounds, or even 500 pounds or more of tension.

[0067] like Figure 4 , the tie-down structure 108 can be formed of a single elongated strap, but other tie-down structures are also contemplated. For example, each of the segments extending between the openings 136 and 138 can be a separate strap (rather than a single continuous elongated strap). In other words, the multiple individual segments or straps of the tie-down structure 108 can be physically separable prior to installation and can be individually deployed and tied (or otherwise secured). The tie-down structure 108 is also not limited to a strap. For example, the tie-down structure 108 can alternatively (or additionally) be a series of clamps, staples, or other suitable connecting devices.

[0068] Figure 5 is a diagram showing a perspective view of an article of footwear 100 having a Figure 4 The described pattern of the tethered structure 108. Figure 5 , the tie structure 108 can define one or more loops 150, which may be the same loops that extend through the opening of the knitted component 110, or may not be the same loops that extend through the opening of the knitted component 110. The loops 150 can be configured (e.g., sized and shaped) to receive the fastening elements 152 (and note that similar features are in Figure 1-Figure 2108). For example, the fastening element 152 may include conventional shoelaces. In some embodiments, the fastening element 152 may have a material and / or structure similar to or identical to the tie structure 108, although this is not required in all embodiments. Although not shown, it is contemplated that the same continuous strand of a strap may form the tie structure 108 and the fastening element 152 (e.g., where the strap forming the tie structure 108 has at least one portion extending over the throat area 124, for example). In other embodiments, the fastening element 152 includes components other than a strap, such as a cable tensioning system, a Velcro strap, and / or any other suitable device. The loop 150 may be configured to be secured to and communicate with the fastening element 152 so that the fastening element 152 may facilitate adjustment of the upper 102 around the foot.

[0069] The loop 150 may have a specific size, and / or the materials of the tie structure 108 and the fastening element 152 may have suitable friction, so that when the user pulls the end 156 of the fastening element 152, the fastening element 152 can slide / move relative to the loop 150. For example, in some embodiments, at least one of the tie structure 108 and the fastening element 152 may have a relatively smooth outer surface (e.g., formed of plastic or wax) to provide relatively low friction.

[0070] The loops 150 may be located at any suitable position for compatibility with the fastening elements 152, and it is contemplated that the tie structure 108 may provide the user with the ability to select which loop 150 to use. For example, the fastening elements 152 may be deployed such that each of the successive loops 150 in a series of loops 150 engages the fastening element 152 when a particular situation requires (similar to the example of FIG. 1 ). Figure 7 In other cases (including Figure 5 102 ). In other words, every other loop 150 may engage the fastening element 152, and the skipped loop 150 may remain spaced apart from (and not contacting) the fastening element 152. Other positioning is also possible (e.g., skipping two, three, four, five or more loops 150 at a certain location). Advantageously, manufacturers and / or users may deploy the fastening elements 152 for personal preference and / or for a particular activity without substantially changing the structure of the upper 102. Advantageously, certain common manufacturing processes may be used to form articles of footwear designed for different purposes or different personal preferences, thereby increasing manufacturing efficiency and reducing the final cost of the product to the consumer.

[0071] like Figure 5, the knitted component 110 and the base portion 106 can be additionally (or alternatively) secured together at a sewn seam 174 (or other type of seam) extending along a terminal edge 176 of the base portion 106. Advantageously, the seam 174 can maintain the edge 176 of the base portion 106 in close engagement with the knitted component 110 to prevent snagging and collection of dirt or other particulate matter between the knitted component 110 and the base portion 106 during normal use. The seam 174 can further enhance the strength of the attachment between the knitted component 110 and the base portion 106. Although any suitable structure can be used, the seam 174 can be formed with a sewing thread 178, which can be any suitable thread type (e.g., a nylon strand, a polyester strand, and / or another fiber strand, a metal wire, a monofilament yarn, etc.). In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the thread 178 is much smaller (e.g., at least three times smaller) than the diameter or other cross-section of the tie structure 108, which may be advantageous because the relatively small thread 178 does not affect the tie pattern of the tie structure 108. Optionally, the thread 178 of the seam 174 may also extend through the tie structure 108 so that the tie structure 108 is sewn to at least one of the knitted component 110 and the base portion 106. Once the tie structure 108 is deployed, this may secure the tie structure 108 in place to prevent the tie structure 108 from snagging and collecting debris, etc., under the tie structure 108. Additionally or alternatively, a different fastening device may be used in conjunction with the tie structure 108, such as, for example, an adhesive between the tie structure 108 and the knitted component 110 and / or the base portion 106. In another embodiment, at least one of the knitted component 110, the base portion 106, and the tie-down structure 108 may include a thermoplastic polymer material (e.g., contained in a yarn), wherein after being subjected to a heating process and then cooled, the tie-down structure 108 is at least partially fused to the base portion 106 and / or the knitted component 110. In other embodiments, the tie-down pattern of the tie-down structure 108 may be sufficient in itself, and no auxiliary securing device is required.

[0072] like Figure 5 106, in some embodiments, base portion 106 may optionally be integrally formed with sole structure 112. In other words, the material of sole structure 112 itself may extend upwardly beyond the typical location of the bite line to form base portion 106. Advantageously, with reference to certain other embodiments, integral base portion 106 and sole structure 112 may enhance the medial-to-lateral support provided to the user and also enhance the durability of article of footwear 100.

[0073] Figure 6-Figure 71 is an illustration showing a side view of an article of footwear 100 having a grommet 158. In some embodiments, at least one grommet 158 ​​may be coupled to at least one of the loops 150 formed by tie structure 108. Grommet 158 ​​may be formed from any suitable material (e.g., metal, plastic, or even textile). Grommet 158 ​​may have a first opening 160 for receiving tie structure 108 and a second opening 162 for receiving fastening element 152, although any suitable structure is contemplated. Grommet 158 ​​may be positioned to engage with any or all of loops 150. For example, as Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , a series of grommets 158 may be engaged with each of the continuous loops 150 of certain series, as shown. In other embodiments, such as Figure 6 In some embodiments, some of the series of loops 150 may be skipped and the grommets 158 may be missing. Advantageously, the grommets 158 may be positioned for proper interaction with the fastening elements 152 (and different organizations may be suitable for different fastening elements). In some embodiments, the positioning of the grommets 158 may be customized for specific users and / or activities.

[0074] Grommets 158 may be advantageous when tie structures 108 are tied tight enough that it is difficult to thread fastening elements 152 through loops 150, and / or when the coefficient of friction between loops 150 and fastening elements 152 is less than ideal as the coefficient of friction between fastening elements 152 and grommets 158. In certain embodiments, some loops 150 may be directly associated with fastening elements 152 (e.g., without grommets 158), while other loops 150 may be associated with fastening elements 152 via grommets 158. In the present disclosure, loops 150 are referred to as being "coupled" to fastening elements 152, regardless of whether the coupling is achieved directly or via grommets 158.

[0075] Optionally, grommets 158 may be removable by the user. For example, first opening 160 of grommets 158 may be hook-shaped or include an openable clip so that the user may detach grommets 158 from loops 150 when desired (e.g., to remove them, move them to different loops, etc.). In other embodiments, grommets 158 may be configured such that they are difficult or impossible to remove during normal use of article of footwear 100, which may be advantageous when there is a concern about losing grommets 158. However, even when grommets 158 are not designed to be removed and / or moved by the user, grommets may still be selectively placed on certain loops 150 during footwear manufacturing (in a standard or custom manner), thereby potentially providing a variety of footwear types using similar components and manufacturing techniques.

[0076] Figure 81 is a diagram showing a rear view of the article of footwear 100. As shown, the third portion 140 can be fixed to the knitted component 110. The third portion 140 can be formed by any suitable material (such as a textile (e.g., a knitted component), leather, plastic, rubber and / or any other suitable material). In some embodiments (including the depicted embodiments), when the article of footwear 100 is fully assembled, at least a portion of the third portion 140 can extend together with the knitted component 110, thereby providing additional support and protection layers at specific locations. Although not shown, it is also envisioned that at least a portion of the third portion 140 can extend beyond the boundaries of the knitted component 110 so that it includes a free segment (i.e., a segment that does not extend together with the knitted component 110).

[0077] As shown, the third portion 140 can form at least a portion of the outer surface 164 of the upper 102, and it is also contemplated that the third portion 140 can additionally or alternatively form a surface within the cavity of the footwear article 100. Although the third portion 140 can be positioned in any suitable location, it may be particularly advantageous to position the third portion 140 in the heel region 122 (e.g., behind the heel) to provide additional heel support to the footwear article 100 as shown. Additionally or alternatively, the heel region 122 can cover the seam 170 connecting the lateral heel portion 142 of the knitted component 110 with the medial heel portion 144 of the knitted component 110, thereby increasing the durability of the heel region 122. In other embodiments, the third portion 140 (and / or other additional portions) can be located at any other suitable location, such as on the medial and / or lateral sides of the upper 102 in the midfoot region, in the toe region and / or throat region of the upper 102, and the like.

[0078] The third portion 140 can be secured to the remainder of the upper 102 in any suitable manner. For example, as shown, the third portion 140 can be secured to the knitted component 110 and / or the base portion 106 via the tie structure 108. In order to communicate with the tie structure 108, the third portion 140 can include at least one opening 172 for receiving the tie structure 108. When the third portion 140 is a knitted component, the opening 172 of the base portion 106 can be an opening formed by knitting of a suitable size, but any other suitable structure and method for forming an opening is also contemplated. The opening 172 of the third portion 140 can be aligned with the opening of the knitted component 110 and / or the base portion 106, which can simplify the deployment / installation of the tie structure 108 relative to other embodiments.

[0079] A sewn seam 182 (or other connection) may extend along at least a portion of an edge 184 of the third portion 140 to secure the third portion 140 to the knitted component 110. The sewn seam 182 may additionally extend in locations other than adjacent the edge 184, such as through a central region 186 of the third portion 140, to enhance the securement of the third portion 140 and to keep the inner surface of the third portion 140 flush with the outer surface of the knitted component 110. Although not shown, the sewn seam 182 may additionally extend through a component (such as a cushioning element) located between the third portion 140 and the knitted component 110 to secure it in its desired position relative to the remainder of the upper 102.

[0080] According to the present disclosure, all structures and methods disclosed and claimed herein can be manufactured and realized without excessive experimentation. Although the present invention can be implemented in many different forms, specific aspects of the present invention are described in detail herein. The present disclosure is an illustration of the principle of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated specific aspects. In addition, unless clearly stated to the contrary, the use of term "one (a)" is intended to include "at least one" or "one or more". For example, "a yarn (a yarn)" is intended to include "at least one yarn" or "one or more yarns".

[0081] Any range given in absolute terms or in approximate terms is intended to encompass both, and any definition used herein is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Although the numerical ranges and parameters stating the wide range of the present invention are approximate values, the numerical values ​​stated in the specific examples are reported as accurately as possible. However, any numerical value inherently contains certain errors that are inevitably caused by the standard deviation present in its corresponding test measurement. In addition, the full range disclosed herein should be understood to encompass any and all subranges (including all fractional values ​​and integer values) included herein.

[0082] In addition, the present invention encompasses any possible combination and all possible combinations of some or all of the various aspects described herein. It should also be understood that various changes and modifications to the aspects described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without reducing its expected advantages. Therefore, it is intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A shoe upper for a footwear article, the shoe upper include: a textile portion forming a throat area of ​​the upper; a base portion extending from a bite line area of ​​the upper toward the throat area of ​​the upper; as well as a tie structure extending through the first opening of the textile portion and the second opening of the base portion to secure the textile portion to the base portion at a location between the throat area of ​​the upper and the bite line area of ​​the upper, wherein the textile portion is a knitted component, and wherein the knitted component comprises at least one knitted opening for receiving the tie structure, and Wherein the textile portion and the base portion are additionally secured via a sewn seam, wherein the sewn seam extends along an edge of the base portion. 2 . The upper of claim 1 , wherein the tie structure defines a loop adjacent the textile portion, and wherein the loop forms a hole for receiving a fastening element.

3. The upper of claim 1, further comprising a grommet coupled to a loop formed by the tie structure, wherein the grommet forms a hole for receiving a fastening element.

4. The upper according to claim 1, further comprising a third portion, which is fixed to the textile portion via the tying structure, wherein the third portion forms an outer surface of the upper in a heel area, and wherein the tying structure is located between the third portion and the base portion. 5 . The upper of claim 1 , wherein the textile portion extends to the bite line area of ​​the upper such that the textile portion and the base portion overlap at a location adjacent the bite line area.

6. The upper of claim 1, wherein the tie structure extends from a medial side of the upper, through a heel area of ​​the upper, and to a lateral side of the upper.

7. A shoe upper for a footwear article, the shoe upper include: a textile portion forming a throat area of ​​the upper; a base portion extending from a bite line area of ​​the upper toward the throat area of ​​the upper; as well as a tie structure extending through the first opening of the textile portion and the second opening of the base portion to secure the textile portion to the base portion, wherein the tie structure extends continuously from a medial side of the article of footwear, through a heel region of the article of footwear, and to a lateral side of the article of footwear, wherein the first opening is formed by a knitted surface loop extending from a knitted layer of the textile portion, and Wherein the textile portion and the base portion are additionally secured via a sewn seam, wherein the sewn seam extends along an edge of the base portion.

8. The upper of claim 7, wherein the tie structure defines a loop adjacent the textile portion, and wherein the loop forms an aperture for receiving a fastening element.

9. The upper of claim 7, further comprising a grommet coupled to a loop formed by the tie structure, wherein the grommet forms a hole for receiving a fastening element.

10. The upper of claim 7, wherein the textile portion is a knitted component.

11. The upper of claim 7, wherein the tie-down structure includes at least one straight segment that, when viewed from an exterior perspective, extends below at least one segment of the tie-down structure.

12. An article of footwear, the article of footwear include: an upper, which includes a throat area and a bite line area; a textile portion forming the throat area of ​​the upper; a base portion extending from the bite line area of ​​the upper toward the throat area of ​​the upper; as well as a tie structure extending through the first opening of the textile portion and the second opening of the base portion to secure the textile portion to the base portion, Wherein the textile portion and the base portion are additionally secured via a sewn seam, wherein the sewn seam extends along an edge of the base portion.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 12, wherein the tie structure defines a loop adjacent the textile portion, and wherein the loop forms an aperture for receiving a fastening element.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 12, further comprising a grommet coupled to a loop formed by the tie structure, wherein the grommet forms a hole for receiving a fastening element.

15. The article of footwear according to claim 12, wherein the textile portion extends to the bite line area such that the textile portion and the base portion overlap at a location adjacent the bite line area.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 12, further comprising a medial side, a lateral side, and a heel region, wherein the tie structure extends from the medial side, through the heel region, and to the lateral side.

17. The article of footwear according to claim 12, further comprising a sole structure, wherein the sole structure is secured to or integrally formed with the base portion.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 12, further comprising a toe region and a heel region, wherein the tie structure extends from the toe region to the heel region.

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