A type of shoe upper, footwear product

Abstract

This utility model discloses a shoe upper and footwear product. The shoe upper includes a base layer and a reinforcing layer laid on the base layer. The base layer is constructed in the shape of a shoe upper and has an outer region and an inner region corresponding to the foot. The reinforcing layer includes a first reinforcing member and a second reinforcing member. The first reinforcing member is arranged in the inner region and is composed of multiple bent first reinforcing yarns extending along the length direction. The second reinforcing member is arranged in the outer region and is composed of multiple second reinforcing yarns and a third reinforcing yarn. The second reinforcing yarns extend along the length direction and are bent, while the third reinforcing yarns extend along the length direction and are generally straight. The third reinforcing yarns are layered on top of the second reinforcing yarns and form a cross knot at their intersection. This shoe upper achieves a good balance between support stability and breathability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of footwear technology, specifically to a footwear upper and footwear product. Background Technology

[0002] The upper, as the part of footwear that directly wraps around the user's foot, has the core function of providing necessary protection, support, and comfort. In the field of athletic shoes, as users' demands for athletic performance and wearing experience continue to increase, upper design needs to strike a balance between two conflicting performance indicators: firstly, providing sufficient support and stability for the foot during high-speed, high-intensity exercise to prevent sports injuries; and secondly, keeping the foot dry and comfortable during prolonged exercise, i.e., possessing excellent breathability and heat dissipation. Current upper designs have not yet adequately resolved this technical contradiction. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to overcome the above-mentioned defects or problems in the background art and provide a shoe upper or footwear product that can achieve a good balance between support stability and breathability.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] Technical Solution 1: A shoe upper, comprising: a base layer, which is a mesh fabric with perforations and configured to the shape of the shoe upper; the base layer having an outer region and an inner region corresponding to the outer and inner sides of the foot; the base layer, as the foundation of the shoe upper, defines a side edge, a rear edge, a tongue edge, and a shoe opening edge on its outer edge; the side edge is for attaching to the sole, the tongue edge is for forming a tongue opening, the shoe opening edge is for forming a shoe opening, and the rear edge is for mating with each other to enclose the shoe opening; and a reinforcing layer, comprising a first reinforcing member and a second reinforcing member ply-attached to the top surface of the base layer; the first reinforcing member is arranged in the inner region of the base layer and includes a plurality of first reinforcing yarns; each first reinforcing yarn is arranged at intervals along the width direction of the base layer, starting from the side edge corresponding to the inner region and moving toward the position where the tongue edge and shoe opening edge are located, and each first reinforcing yarn is oriented toward the shoe opening edge and the tongue edge. The first reinforcing member has a protruding, bent shape at the edge connection; the second reinforcing member is arranged in the outer region of the base layer and includes a plurality of second reinforcing yarns and a plurality of third reinforcing yarns; each second reinforcing yarn is arranged at intervals along the width direction of the base layer, starting from the side edge corresponding to the outer region and moving toward the position where the edge of the shoe tongue and the edge of the shoe opening are located, and each second reinforcing yarn has a bent shape that protrudes toward the connection between the edge of the shoe opening and the edge of the shoe tongue; each third reinforcing yarn is arranged at intervals along the width direction of the base layer and is overlapped with the second reinforcing yarns to form a cross knot at the intersection, and each third reinforcing yarn starts from the rear edge corresponding to the outer region and extends forward along the length direction of the base layer to the side edge corresponding to the outer region; wherein, the foremost and rearmost ends of the first reinforcing member in the length direction of the base layer both exceed the foremost and rearmost ends of each second reinforcing yarn in the second reinforcing member in the length direction of the base layer.

[0006] Technical Solution 2 based on Technical Solution 1: In the first reinforcing member, the portion of the first reinforcing yarn near the edge of the shoe tongue and the edge of the shoe opening has a tendency to protrude towards the side edge corresponding to the outer region in the forward and backward parts along the length direction of the base layer to form a bent shape.

[0007] Technical Solution 3 based on Technical Solution 2: In the second reinforcing member, the portion of the second reinforcing yarn near the edge of the shoe tongue and the edge of the shoe opening has a tendency to protrude towards the side edge corresponding to the inner region in the forward and backward parts along the length direction of the base layer to form a bent shape.

[0008] Technical Solution 4 based on Technical Solution 3: In the second reinforcing member, the front end of the third reinforcing yarn closest to the side edge along the width direction of the base layer is located before the rear end of the second reinforcing yarn closest to the side edge.

[0009] Technical Solution 5 based on Technical Solution 4: In the second reinforcing member, the front end of the third reinforcing yarn furthest from the side edge along the width direction of the base layer is located after the rear end of the second reinforcing yarn furthest from the side edge.

[0010] Technical solution six based on technical solution five: also includes an edge layer; the edge layer continuously covers the outer surface of the base layer along the side edge of the base layer, and covers the portion of the reinforcing layer near the side edge.

[0011] Technical solution seven, based on technical solution six, also includes a reinforcing layer; the reinforcing layer continuously covers the outer surface of the base layer along the shoe opening edge and shoe tongue edge.

[0012] Technical solution eight based on technical solution seven: the edge layer and the reinforcing layer are made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the reinforcing layer is made of polyester yarn, and the base layer is made of jacquard mesh fabric of polyester composite yarn with added spandex.

[0013] Technical solution nine based on technical solution eight: also includes an inner layer; the inner layer covers the inner surface of the base layer and is made of polyester woven fabric.

[0014] In addition, the present invention also provides technical solution ten: a footwear product, which includes a sole and an upper as described in any one of technical solutions one to nine, the upper being attached to the sole.

[0015] As can be seen from the above description of this utility model, compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] Technical Solution 1 provides a shoe upper that achieves a good balance between support stability and breathability. The fundamental problem with existing technologies lies in their design philosophy, which typically directly links the structural strength of the upper to the physical density or thickness of the material itself. Whether using heavy, low-breathability leather materials or high-density weaving in specific areas, the essence is to gain support by increasing material accumulation, which inevitably leads to blocked airflow channels, thus sacrificing breathability. This solution separates the support components from the breathable base, and through their synergistic cooperation, achieves excellent structural stability without compromising breathability.

[0017] First, this design uses a mesh fabric with perforations as the base layer. Because this base layer is perforated throughout, it provides maximized airflow channels across the entire surface area of ​​the upper. Unlike existing technologies that use large areas of non-porous materials or create localized high-density woven areas, this design ensures excellent overall breathability of the upper by using mesh fabric as the base layer. Furthermore, the upper also features a reinforcing layer composed of a first reinforcing member and a second reinforcing member. This reinforcing layer is a skeletal network formed by linear components. While providing support, the reinforcing yarns occupy a very small physical area relative to the total area of ​​the base layer, allowing most of the mesh to remain intact and unobstructed. This avoids the problem in existing technologies where breathability must be sacrificed for enhanced support.

[0018] More importantly, the specific arrangement of the first and second reinforcing members in the reinforcing layer allows for excellent structural support and stability of the upper using fewer reinforcing yarns. Both the first and second reinforcing yarns are bent, extending from the side edge near the sole towards the center of the upper. When the foot performs lateral movements and generates lateral forces, these forces are directly transmitted to these bent yarns. These yarns, through their own tension, effectively disperse the concentrated lateral forces to multiple fixed endpoints located at the side edge of the sole, thus forming a stable and resilient support surface. This effectively suppresses excessive deformation of the base layer and provides reliable medial and lateral locking for the foot.

[0019] In the outer region, the second reinforcing member includes not only bent second reinforcing yarns but also third reinforcing yarns extending along the length direction. The second reinforcing yarns primarily resist lateral (width) stress, while the third reinforcing yarns primarily resist longitudinal (length) tensile stress. These two layers overlap and intersect, forming a two-dimensional stable grid structure on the outer side of the upper. When the user performs complex movements such as cutting and changing direction, the outer side of the foot is simultaneously subjected to combined lateral and longitudinal stresses. This grid structure provides support in both dimensions, preventing the upper from twisting or stretching in critical stress areas, thus providing more comprehensive structural stability than reinforcement in a single direction.

[0020] Furthermore, the first and second reinforcing members are arranged asymmetrically on the base layer. By making the span of the first reinforcing member in the medial region exceed the span of the second reinforcing yarn in the lateral region, asymmetrical and targeted support for both sides of the foot is achieved. The medial arch of the foot requires continuous support from the heel to the forefoot when bearing weight to prevent overpronation. The longer first reinforcing member provides a wider range of coverage and support for the medial arch. Meanwhile, the lateral side requires more rapid response and stability from the midfoot and hindfoot during movement. This asymmetrical design maximizes support efficiency while using as little material as possible.

[0021] In technical solution two, by making the first reinforcing yarn near the edge of the tongue and the edge of the shoe opening have a tendency to bend outwards at its end, stress concentration at the connection between the yarn end and the base layer can be effectively alleviated. Without this structure, the end of the reinforcing yarn becomes a rigid endpoint, and all the force transmitted along the yarn will be concentrated at this point, which may lead to fatigue or tearing of the base layer at this point under long-term use. In this solution, this outward bending shape at the end disperses the force transmission from a point to a smoother curve, forming a transition area, making the change in stiffness from the high-strength reinforcing yarn to the flexible base layer more gradual. This not only improves the durability of the entire reinforcing structure and the base layer, but also makes the shoe upper wrap around the foot more smoothly, avoiding the local pressure caused by rigid endpoints.

[0022] In technical solution three, by making the ends of the second reinforcing yarn have a bending tendency that bulges inward towards the inner area, the same effect of dispersing stress concentration and improving structural durability is achieved. Furthermore, because the ends of the first and second reinforcing yarns bend in opposite directions, the entire reinforcing layer can be tightened more evenly when the shoelaces are tightened, forming a more complete and fitting wrapping structure. This improves the overall fit between the shoe and the foot, making the user feel a closer and more stable fit between the shoe upper and the foot during exercise.

[0023] In technical solution four, by terminating the front end of the third reinforcing yarn closest to the side edge before the rear end of the second reinforcing yarn closest to that edge, the bending point of the shoe upper is highly matched with the natural physiological bending point of the foot. This allows the forefoot to bend and unfold more freely and naturally when pushing off the ground, avoiding the discomfort or movement obstacles caused by the hardness of the sole edge area, and significantly improving the dynamic bending compliance of the shoe upper.

[0024] In technical solution five, by extending the front end of the third reinforcing yarn furthest from the side edge to the rear end of the second reinforcing yarn furthest from that edge, a continuous and longer longitudinal support structure is created in the upper region of the outer side of the shoe upper. This effectively resists the stretching deformation of the shoe upper along the length direction in this region. Together with the lacing system, it forms a stable lock for the arch and the outer side of the instep.

[0025] In technical solution six, the reliability of anchoring the reinforcing yarn ends is solved by adding an edge layer, thus improving the overall durability of the upper. The yarn ends in the reinforcing layer need to be firmly fixed to the base layer to withstand tensile forces. The edge layer covers the ends of all yarns along the side edge of the base layer. This structure serves a dual purpose: First, it provides a robust base with strength far exceeding that of the mesh base layer, firmly pressing all yarn ends together and effectively preventing the yarn ends from detaching from the mesh or tearing the base layer under high-strength tension. Second, the junction between the upper and the sole is the area with the most frequent wear; the continuous coverage of the edge layer provides additional protection for this high-wear area, significantly improving the lifespan of the upper.

[0026] In technical solution seven, the issue of shape retention and durability in the shoe opening area is resolved by adding a reinforcing layer. The edges of the shoe opening and tongue are areas frequently pulled when users put on and take off shoes, and also areas subjected to significant tension when tightening shoelaces. If relying solely on the mesh structure of the base layer, these areas are highly susceptible to elastic deformation or permanent stretching during use, leading to a loose shoe opening and ineffective ankle support. The reinforcing layer, as a continuous structure with a certain degree of rigidity, covers these high-stress areas, effectively resisting tensile deformation and maintaining the stability of the shoe opening and tongue edges.

[0027] In technical solution eight, the base layer uses polyester composite yarn with added spandex. The polyester ensures the strength and durability of the base, while the addition of spandex gives the base layer excellent elasticity, allowing it to actively conform to the foot's contours and provide a dynamic, wrapping feel. The reinforcing layer uses polyester yarn, utilizing the high tensile strength and low elongation of polyester to ensure stable and reliable support under stress without significant elongation. The edge layer and reinforcement layer use thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU), leveraging TPU's excellent abrasion resistance, tear strength, and ease of thermoforming, enabling it to perform protective and shape-preserving functions in high-stress areas.

[0028] In technical solution nine, the addition of an inner lining layer improves the comfort of the shoe upper. The yarns of the reinforcing layer and the inner surface of the base layer mesh can cause direct friction against the skin. The inner lining layer, covering the inside of the base layer, provides a smooth, soft, and skin-friendly contact surface for the foot. This effectively isolates the foot from direct contact with the functional structural layers, reduces friction, and provides some moisture-wicking properties, thus maximizing comfort for extended wear while maintaining the shoe's strong functionality.

[0029] Technical solution ten provides a footwear product that uses the above-mentioned upper, thus having high breathability and strong stability. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the shoe upper structure according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0032] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial structural diagram of the midsole;

[0033] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Enlarged schematic diagram of part of the upper structure of the shoe.

[0034] Explanation of key figure labels:

[0035] 10. Base layer; 11. Mesh; 12. Side edge; 13. Back edge; 14. Tongue edge; 15. Opening edge; 16. Tongue opening; 17. Opening opening; 18. Outer area; 19. Inner area; 101. Joint;

[0036] Reinforcing layer 20; First reinforcing member 21; First reinforcing yarn 211; Second reinforcing member 22; Second reinforcing yarn 221; Third reinforcing yarn 222; Cross knot 23;

[0037] Edge layer 30;

[0038] Inner layer 40. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present utility model and should not be considered as excluding other embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0040] Unless otherwise expressly defined, the use of terms such as "first," "second," or "third" in the claims, description, and drawings of this utility model is for distinguishing different objects and not for describing a specific order.

[0041] Unless otherwise expressly defined, in the claims, description, and accompanying drawings of this utility model, the use of directional terms such as "center," "lateral," "longitudinal," "horizontal," "vertical," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise" to indicate orientation or positional relationships is based on the orientation and positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and is only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description. It does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of this utility model.

[0042] Unless otherwise expressly defined, the terms "fixed connection" or "fixed connection" used in the claims, description and drawings of this utility model shall be interpreted broadly to refer to any connection in which there is no displacement or relative rotation relationship between the two parties, including non-removable fixed connection, detachable fixed connection, integral connection and fixed connection through other devices or components.

[0043] In the claims, description and accompanying drawings of this utility model, the terms "comprising," "having," and variations thereof are used to mean "including but not limited to."

[0044] Example

[0045] This invention relates to a footwear product comprising an upper and a sole. The sole can be made of materials conventional in the art, such as, but not limited to, rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU), or any combination of the above materials. In one specific embodiment, the sole may include a midsole for providing cushioning and support, and an outsole for providing abrasion resistance and slip resistance. The midsole may be made of foamed materials such as EVA or PU, and the outsole may be made of abrasion-resistant rubber. It should be understood that the specific materials and structure of the sole are conventional designs well known to those skilled in the art and are not the focus of this invention. The core innovation of this invention lies in the specific structure of the upper, which provides excellent support and stability while also ensuring excellent breathability and comfort. The upper structure in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The upper of the footwear product includes, from the inside out, an inner layer 40, a base layer 10, and a reinforcing layer 20, with an edge layer 30 and a reinforcement layer respectively provided on the top surface of the reinforcing layer 20 and the base layer 10.

[0047] The base layer 10 is a mesh fabric with perforations 11 and is constructed in the shape of the shoe upper. The base layer 10 has an outer region 18 and an inner region 19 corresponding to the outer and inner sides of the foot. The base layer 10, as the foundation of the shoe upper, defines a side edge 12, a rear edge 13, a tongue edge 14, and a shoe opening edge 15 on its outer edge. The side edge 12 is used to attach to the sole, the tongue edge 14 is used to cooperate to form a tongue opening 16, the shoe opening edge 15 is used to cooperate to form a shoe opening opening 17, and the rear edge 13 is used to connect with each other to surround the shoe opening opening 17.

[0048] Specifically, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The base layer 10 uses a mesh fabric with perforations 11 as raw material, and it is a single fabric component manufactured using an integral molding process. As a preferred embodiment, the base layer 10 uses a jacquard mesh fabric made of polyester composite yarn with added spandex. The preparation process involves the following steps: First, a functional composite yarn is selected, for example, using polyester as the main material to ensure structural strength and durability, and blended or coated with a certain proportion of spandex fibers to provide excellent elasticity and fit. Then, the composite yarn is woven using a computer jacquard knitting process. This process can directly weave a mesh structure 11 with a specific distribution and aperture on the same piece of fabric according to a preset program. The product of this step is a two-dimensional, planar shoe upper fabric. Finally, the shoe upper fabric is precisely trimmed by cutting or laser cutting to remove excess material, thereby obtaining the desired result. Figure 1 The base layer 10 shown has a specific unfolded shape.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, the base layer 10, produced through the above processes, forms multiple functional edges around its periphery. The side edge 12 is the lower contour boundary of the entire base layer 10, and this edge is connected and fixed to the sole in subsequent molding processes through methods such as lasting and bonding. The tongue edge 14 and the shoe opening edge 15 together constitute the upper opening of the shoe upper. The shoe opening edge 15 is the main opening contour for the user's foot to enter, while the tongue edge 14 defines the opening for installing independent shoe tongue components. The rear edges 13 refer to the two corresponding edges at the very end of the base layer 10 in its planar unfolded state. During the three-dimensional stitching of the shoe upper, these two rear edges 13 will align and connect with each other through stitching, forming a three-dimensional cup-shaped heel structure that wraps around the user's heel, ultimately forming a complete shoe opening.

[0050] Based on this, the base layer 10 is further divided into an outer region 18 and an inner region 19 in the width direction. The outer region 18 corresponds to the outer side of the foot, and the inner region 19 corresponds to the inner side of the foot. The outer region 18 and the inner region 19 can be regarded as the vertical part of the upper in the three-dimensional shape formed after the upper is attached to the sole, thus distinguishing it from the horizontal part of the toe area.

[0051] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 The reinforcing layer 20 includes a first reinforcing member 21 and a second reinforcing member 22 ply-attached to the top surface of the base layer 10. The first reinforcing member 21 is disposed in the inner region 19 of the base layer 10 and includes a plurality of first reinforcing yarns 211. Each first reinforcing yarn 211 is spaced apart along the width direction of the base layer 10, starting from the side edge 12 corresponding to the inner region 19 and extending toward the position where the shoe tongue edge 14 and shoe opening edge 15 are located. Each first reinforcing yarn 211 extends along the length direction of the base layer 10 and is bent in a shape protruding toward the junction 101 of the shoe opening edge 15 and the shoe tongue edge 14. The second reinforcing member 22 is disposed in the outer region 18 of the base layer 10 and includes a plurality of second reinforcing yarns 221 and a plurality of third reinforcing yarns 222. Each second reinforcing yarn 221 extends along the width direction of the base layer 10, starting from the side edge 12 corresponding to the inner region 19 and extending toward the position where the shoe tongue edge 14 and shoe opening edge 15 are located. The side edges 12 are spaced apart from the positions where the shoe tongue edge 14 and the shoe opening edge 15 are located, and each of the second reinforcing yarns 221 extends along the length direction of the base layer 10 and is bent in a way that protrudes toward the junction 101 of the shoe opening edge 15 and the shoe tongue edge 14; each of the third reinforcing yarns 222 is spaced apart along the width direction of the base layer 10 and is layered with the second reinforcing yarns 221 to form interconnected cross knots 23 at the intersection, and each of the third reinforcing yarns 222 extends forward along the length direction of the base layer 10 from the rear edge 13 corresponding to the outer region 18 to the side edge 12 corresponding to the outer region 18; wherein, the foremost and rearmost ends of the first reinforcing member 21 in the length direction of the base layer 10 both exceed the foremost and rearmost ends of each of the second reinforcing yarns 221 in the second reinforcing member 22 in the length direction of the base layer 10.

[0052] Specifically, the first reinforcing member 21 and the second reinforcing member 22 in the reinforcing layer 20 are both formed by laying reinforcing yarn on the outer surface of the base layer 10. The reinforcing layer 20 is manufactured using computer numerical control (CNC) embroidery. During manufacturing, the pre-formed base layer 10 is first laid flat and fixed on the worktable of the embroidery machine. Then, a high-strength, low-elongation yarn, such as polyester industrial filament, is used as the reinforcing yarn. According to a pre-designed digital path file, the embroidery machine controls the embroidery needle to directly and firmly sew the reinforcing yarn onto the outer surface of the base layer 10 with a set stitch, thereby integrally forming the first reinforcing member 21 and the second reinforcing member 22. This process ensures a tight bond between the reinforcing layer 20 and the base layer 10 without the need for adhesives. Furthermore, because the reinforcing members are linear, they retain the mesh 11 of the base layer 10 to the maximum extent, thus ensuring excellent breathability.

[0053] Structurally, refer to Figure 1 In the overall view, the reinforcing layer 20 forms a skeletal network laid on the base layer 10. The reinforcing layer 20 mainly covers the outer area 18 and the inner area 19 of the base layer 10, while the middle part corresponding to the toe is not reinforced with the reinforcing layer 20.

[0054] The first reinforcing member 21 includes a plurality of first reinforcing yarns 211, which have a certain width and are arranged sequentially at predetermined intervals along the width direction. The first reinforcing yarns 211 closer to the side edge 12 are shorter, and the first reinforcing yarns 211 further away from the side edge 12 are longer. However, all the first reinforcing yarns 211 are bent in the plane of the base layer 10, and the bent positions of these first reinforcing yarns 211 protrude towards the junction 101 of the shoe opening edge 15 and the shoe tongue edge 14. Furthermore, the portion of the first reinforcing yarns 211 in the first reinforcing member 21 closest to the shoe tongue edge 14 and the shoe opening edge 15, along the length direction of the base layer 10, tends to protrude towards the side edge 12 corresponding to the outer region 18 to form a bent shape. Specifically, the tendency to form a wavy shape refers to the fact that some of the first reinforcing yarns 211 do not have only one fold, but can be considered to have multiple folds. These folds work together to form a wavy shape in the corresponding first reinforcing yarn 211. However, in this shape of the first reinforcing yarn 211, the fold protruding towards the junction 101 still has the highest fold curvature, while the other folds can be considered as designed to make the entire first reinforcing yarn 211 streamlined.

[0055] The second reinforcing member 22 in the reinforcing layer 20 includes several second reinforcing yarns 221 and several third reinforcing yarns 222. These second reinforcing yarns 221 are structurally and arrangementally similar to the first reinforcing yarns 211, also having a certain width and being spaced apart along the width direction, and are generally bent towards the joint 101. Furthermore, the ends of some of the second reinforcing yarns 221 near the edge of the tongue 14 and the edge of the shoe opening 15 also tend to protrude towards the side edge 12 corresponding to the inner region 19 to form a bent shape, thus corresponding symmetrically with the end bends of the first reinforcing yarns 211, jointly optimizing stress distribution. The third reinforcing yarns 222 are mainly arranged along the length of the base layer 10, and are also spaced apart along the width direction. Each third reinforcing yarn 222 starts near the rear edge 13, extends forward, and finally terminates near the side edge 12. Each third reinforcing yarn 222 is laid on top of the second reinforcing yarn 221, and a strong cross knot 23 is formed at the intersection by embroidery stitches, thus forming a stable two-dimensional grid structure. The term "extending along the length of the base layer 10" for the third reinforcing yarn 222 does not mean that the third reinforcing yarn 222 is completely aligned with the length of the base layer 10. The third reinforcing yarn 222 has a certain angle of inclination, so that after connecting to the side edge 12, these third reinforcing yarns 222 are limited to different lengths by the shape of the side edge 12. Furthermore, since the second reinforcing yarn 221 and the third reinforcing yarn 222 are stacked in the second reinforcing member 22, cross knots 23 are formed at their intersections through their mutual connection.

[0056] Specifically, to optimize the flexural performance of the shoe upper, the relative positions of the third reinforcing yarn 222 and the second reinforcing yarn 221 are specially designed: the front end of the third reinforcing yarn 222 closest to the side edge 12 along the width direction of the base layer 10 is located before the rear end of the second reinforcing yarn 221 closest to the side edge 12; while the front end of the third reinforcing yarn 222 furthest from the side edge 12 along the width direction is located after the rear end of the second reinforcing yarn 221 furthest from the side edge 12. Specifically, refer to... Figure 1Since the second reinforcing yarns 221 are also spaced apart along the width direction, the second reinforcing yarn 221 closest to the side edge 12 is the shortest. This second reinforcing yarn 221 has a front end and a back end on the side edge 12, and its front end and back end are a certain distance apart along the length direction of the base layer 10. Similarly, the second reinforcing yarn 221 furthest from the side edge 12 is the longest and also has a front end and a back end. At the same time, the third reinforcing yarns 222 are also spaced apart along the width direction. The front end of the third reinforcing yarn 222 closest to the side edge 12 is connected to a position on the side edge 12, which is exactly before the back end of the second reinforcing yarn 221 closest to the side edge 12. And the front end of the third reinforcing yarn 222 furthest from the side edge 12 is connected to another position on the side edge 12, which is exactly after the front end of the second reinforcing yarn 221 furthest from the side edge 12.

[0057] In addition, refer to Figure 2 The edge layer 30 in the upper continuously covers the outer surface of the base layer 10 along its side edge 12, and also covers the portions of the longitudinal and diagonal reinforcing yarns in the reinforcing layer 20 near the side edge 12. Specifically, the edge layer 30 is typically a thin film made of a highly abrasion-resistant and high-strength material such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which is fused to the outer surface of the base layer 10 via a hot-pressing process. Structurally, the edge layer 30 is a continuous strip-like structure precisely distributed along the entire contour of the side edge 12 of the base layer 10. The ends of the yarns in the reinforcing layer 20 need to be firmly fixed to the base layer 10 to withstand tensile forces. The edge layer 30 covers the ends of all the yarns along the side edge 12 of the base layer 10. This structure serves a dual purpose: First, it provides a robust base with strength far exceeding that of the mesh base layer 10, firmly pressing the ends of all yarns together and effectively preventing the yarn ends from detaching from the mesh or tearing the base layer 10 under high-strength tension. Second, the junction between the upper and the sole is the area most frequently worn; the continuous coverage of the edge layer 30 provides additional protection for this high-wear area, significantly improving the lifespan of the upper.

[0058] In addition, refer to Figure 1The reinforcing layer in the upper continuously covers the outer surface of the base layer 10 along the shoe opening edge 15 and the tongue edge 14. The reinforcing layer can be a sheet of leather or thermoplastic polyurethane material of a certain thickness, fused to the outer surface of the base layer 10 by a hot-pressing process, and positioned at the shoe opening edge 15 and the tongue edge 14 of the base layer 10 to reinforce these areas. Structurally, the reinforcing layer is similar to the edge layer 30, being a continuous strip-like structure distributed along the contour of the shoe opening edge 15 and the tongue edge 14. The shoe opening edge 15 and the tongue edge 14 are areas frequently pulled when the user puts on and takes off the shoes, and also areas subjected to great tension when tightening the shoelaces. If relying solely on the mesh structure of the base layer 10, these areas are prone to elastic deformation or permanent stretching during use, resulting in a loose shoe opening and inability to effectively lock the ankle. As a continuous and relatively rigid structure, the reinforcement layer covers these high-stress areas and can effectively resist tensile deformation, maintaining the stability of the shape of the shoe opening and tongue edge 14.

[0059] Reference Figure 2 The inner lining layer 40 of the upper covers the inner surface of the base layer 10 and is made of polyester woven fabric. Specifically, the inner lining layer 40 is structurally the innermost layer of the entire upper, and it is fixed to the inner surface of the base layer 10 by processes such as sewing, serving as the interface that directly contacts the user's foot or socks. The main function of the inner lining layer 40 is to enhance wearing comfort and protect the internal structure. The yarn of the reinforcing layer 20 and the inner surface of the mesh fabric of the base layer 10 may cause direct friction against the skin. The inner lining layer 40, covering the inside of the base layer 10, provides the foot with a smooth, soft, and skin-friendly contact surface. This effectively isolates the foot from direct contact with the functional structural layers, reduces friction, and provides some moisture-wicking properties, thus maximizing comfort for extended wear while achieving the strong functionality of the upper.

[0060] In the footwear products and uppers involved in this embodiment, the upper achieves a good balance between support stability and breathability. Firstly, this solution uses a mesh fabric with perforations 11 as the base layer 10. Because the base layer 10 is covered with perforations 11, it provides maximized air convection channels across the entire surface area of ​​the upper. Unlike existing technologies that use large areas of non-porous materials or form localized high-density woven areas, this solution ensures good overall breathability of the upper by using the mesh fabric as the base layer 10. Furthermore, the upper also features a reinforcing layer 20 composed of a first reinforcing member 21 and a second reinforcing member 22. This reinforcing layer 20 is a skeletal network formed by laying down linear components. While providing support, the reinforcing yarns occupy a very small physical area relative to the total area of ​​the base layer 10, allowing most of the perforations 11 to be fully preserved without being obstructed. This avoids the problem in existing technologies where breathability must be sacrificed for enhanced support. More importantly, the specific arrangement of the first reinforcing member 21 and the second reinforcing member 22 in the reinforcing layer 20 allows for excellent structural support stability of the upper using fewer reinforcing yarns. Both the first reinforcing yarn 211 and the second reinforcing yarn 221 are bent, extending from the side edge 12 near the sole towards the center of the upper. When the foot performs lateral movements and generates lateral forces, these forces are directly transmitted to these bent yarns. These yarns effectively disperse the concentrated lateral forces to multiple fixed endpoints located at the side edge 12 of the sole through their own tension, thereby forming a stable and resilient support surface, effectively suppressing excessive deformation of the base layer 10 and providing reliable inward and outward locking for the foot. In the outer region 18, the second reinforcing member 22 includes not only the bent second reinforcing yarn 221 but also a third reinforcing yarn 222 extending along its length. The second reinforcing yarn 221 primarily resists lateral (width) stress, while the third reinforcing yarn 222 primarily resists longitudinal (length) tensile stress. The two components overlap and intersect, forming a two-dimensional stable grid structure on the outer side of the shoe upper. When the user performs complex movements such as cutting and changing direction, the outer side of the foot is simultaneously subjected to combined lateral and longitudinal stresses. This grid structure provides support in both dimensions, preventing the upper from twisting or stretching in key stress areas, thus providing more comprehensive structural stability than reinforcement in a single direction. Furthermore, the first reinforcing member 21 and the second reinforcing member 22 are arranged asymmetrically on the base layer 10. By making the span of the first reinforcing member 21 in the medial region 19 exceed the span of the second reinforcing yarn 221 in the lateral region 18, asymmetrical and targeted support for both the medial and lateral sides of the foot is achieved. The medial arch of the foot requires continuous support from the heel to the forefoot when bearing weight to prevent overpronation. The longer first reinforcing member 21 provides a wider range of coverage and support for the medial arch.The outer side, on the other hand, requires more rapid response and stability from the mid and hind feet during movement. This asymmetrical design maximizes support efficiency while using as little material as possible.

[0061] The foregoing description of the specifications and embodiments is intended to explain the scope of protection of this utility model, but does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this utility model. Modifications, equivalent substitutions, or other improvements to the embodiments of this utility model or a portion thereof that can be obtained by those skilled in the art through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation, based on the teachings of this utility model or the foregoing embodiments, should all be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. An upper, characterized in that include: The base layer (10) is a mesh fabric with perforations (11) and is configured to the shape of the shoe upper; The base layer (10) has an outer region (18) and an inner region (19) corresponding to the outer and inner sides of the foot. The base layer (10) serves as the base of the upper and defines a side edge (12), a rear edge (13), a tongue edge (14), and a shoe opening edge (15) on its outer edge. The side edge (12) is used to attach to the sole, the tongue edge (14) is used to form a tongue opening (16), the shoe opening edge (15) is used to form a shoe opening opening (17), and the rear edge (13) is used to meet each other to enclose the shoe opening opening (17). and The reinforcing layer (20) includes a first reinforcing member (21) and a second reinforcing member (22) ply-attached to the top surface of the base layer (10); The first reinforcing member (21) is arranged in the inner region (19) of the base layer (10) and includes a plurality of first reinforcing yarns (211); each of the first reinforcing yarns (211) is arranged at intervals along the width direction of the base layer (10), starting from the side edge (12) corresponding to the inner region (19) and moving toward the position where the edge of the shoe tongue (14) and the edge of the shoe opening (15) are located, and each of the first reinforcing yarns (211) extends along the length direction of the base layer (10) and is bent in a way that protrudes toward the junction (101) of the edge of the shoe opening (15) and the edge of the shoe tongue (14); The second reinforcing member (22) is arranged in the outer region (18) of the base layer (10) and includes a plurality of second reinforcing yarns (221) and a plurality of third reinforcing yarns (222); each of the second reinforcing yarns (221) is arranged at intervals along the width direction of the base layer (10), starting from the side edge (12) corresponding to the outer region (18) and moving toward the position where the edge of the shoe tongue (14) and the edge of the shoe opening (15) are located, and each of the second reinforcing yarns (221) extends along the length direction of the base layer (10) and faces toward The shoe opening edge (15) and the shoe tongue edge (14) are joined at the junction (101) in a convex, bent shape; each of the third reinforcing yarns (222) is arranged at intervals along the width direction of the base layer (10) and is stacked with the second reinforcing yarns (221) to form interconnected cross knots (23) at the intersection, and each of the third reinforcing yarns (222) starts from the rear edge (13) corresponding to the outer region (18) and extends forward along the length direction of the base layer (10) to the side edge (12) corresponding to the outer region (18); Wherein, the foremost and last ends of the first reinforcing member (21) in the length direction of the base layer (10) are respectively beyond the foremost and last ends of each of the second reinforcing yarns (221) in the second reinforcing member (22) in the length direction of the base layer (10).

2. An upper as defined in claim 1, wherein In the first reinforcing member (21), the portion of the first reinforcing yarn (211) near the edge of the tongue (14) and the edge of the shoe opening (15) has a tendency to protrude toward the side edge (12) corresponding to the outer region (18) in a bent shape along the length direction of the base layer (10).

3. An upper as defined in claim 2, wherein In the second reinforcing member (22), the portion of the second reinforcing yarn (221) near the edge of the tongue (14) and the edge of the shoe opening (15) has a tendency to protrude toward the side edge (12) corresponding to the inner region (19) in the forward and backward portions along the length direction of the base layer (10) to form a bent shape.

4. An upper as defined in claim 3, wherein, In the second reinforcing member (22), the front end of the third reinforcing yarn (222) that is closest to the side edge (12) along the width direction of the base layer (10) is located before the rear end of the second reinforcing yarn (221) that is closest to the side edge (12).

5. An upper as defined in claim 4, wherein, In the second reinforcing member (22), the front end of the third reinforcing yarn (222) that is furthest from the side edge (12) along the width direction of the base layer (10) is located after the rear end of the second reinforcing yarn (221) that is furthest from the side edge (12).

6. An upper as defined in claim 5, wherein It also includes an edge layer (30); the edge layer (30) continuously covers the outer surface of the base layer (10) along the side edge (12) of the base layer (10) and covers the portion of the reinforcing layer (20) near the side edge (12).

7. An upper as defined in claim 6, wherein It also includes a reinforcing layer; the reinforcing layer continuously covers the outer surface of the base layer (10) along the shoe opening edge (15) and the shoe tongue edge (14).

8. An upper as defined in claim 7, wherein, The edge layer (30) and the reinforcing layer are made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, the reinforcing layer (20) is made of polyester yarn, and the base layer (10) is made of jacquard mesh fabric of polyester composite yarn with added spandex.

9. An upper as defined in claim 8, wherein, It also includes an inner layer (40); the inner layer (40) covers the inner surface of the base layer (10) and is made of polyester woven fabric.

10. A footwear product comprising a sole, characterized in that, It also includes the upper as described in any one of claims 1-9, wherein the upper is attached to the sole.

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