Upper with cable segments having egress points at varying locations

Abstract

Aspects herein are directed to at least a first cable grouping extending over an outermost-facing surface of an upper between a biteline and a throat area of the upper. Each cable in the first cable grouping includes an egress point where the respective cable begins extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper. A distance between the biteline and the egress points for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping is different.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This non-provisional application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 779,709, filed on Mar. 28, 2025, and titled “UPPER WITH CABLE SEGMENTS HAVING EGRESS POINTS AT VARYING LOCATIONS.” The entire contents of this priority application are herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] Cables, also known as tensile strands, generally comprise high tenacity strands and / or strands that have a relatively higher resistance to stretch than other materials used to form an upper of an article of footwear. In some examples, the cables may form a loop structure that reinforces an aperture in a throat area of the upper where the loop structure and the aperture are configured to receive a lace. Tension applied to the lace when a wearer dons the article of footwear is transmitted to the cable in addition to the aperture, which reduces the wear-and-tear on the aperture. In traditional articles of footwear, the cable segments on the heel-facing side (rearward side) of the loop structure generally have the same length. This configuration may not be ideal when the cable segments on the heel-facing side of the loop structure experience different levels of tension when a wearer, for example, tightens the lace when securing the upper to the wearer's foot.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Examples of aspects herein are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an example article of footwear having cable groupings that form loop structures in accordance with aspects herein;

[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of a first cable grouping on the article of footwear of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects herein;

[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up view of a second cable grouping on the article of footwear of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects herein;

[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up view of a third cable grouping on the article of footwear of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects herein;

[0008] FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of a first example upper for the article of footwear of FIG. 1 where the first example upper includes a first cable configuration in accordance with aspects herein;

[0009] FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of a second example upper for the article of footwear of FIG. 1 where the second example upper includes a second cable configuration in accordance with aspects herein;

[0010] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate cross-section views of an egress point and an ingress point respectively for a cable in a cable grouping, wherein the upper comprises a single layer material in accordance with aspects herein;

[0011] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate cross-section views of an egress point and an ingress point respectively for a cable in a cable grouping, wherein the upper comprises a double layer of materials in accordance with aspects herein; and

[0012] FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method of manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear, wherein the upper comprises at least a first cable grouping in accordance with aspects herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Aspects herein are directed to an article of footwear, an upper for an article of footwear, and methods of manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear where the upper includes at least a first cable grouping extending over an outermost-facing surface of the upper where the first cable grouping may be used to reinforce an aperture in a throat area of the upper and / or to retain a lace that is used to secure the upper to a foot of a wearer. In examples, each cable in the first cable grouping includes a first end and a second end. The first end of each of the respective cables corresponds to an egress point where the respective cable begins extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper. At the egress point, the respective cable traverses a path from an inner-facing surface of the upper to the outermost-facing surface of the upper. In example aspects, the egress points for the cables in the first cable grouping are variably offset from a biteline of the article of footwear. Stated differently, distances between the biteline and the egress point for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping are different.

[0014] When the upper comprises a knit construction, the distance between the biteline and a first egress point for a first cable within the first cable grouping may be at least five to ten knit wales greater than or less than the distance between the biteline and a second egress point for a second cable within the first cable grouping. In examples where the upper comprises a knit construction, the egress points for the first cable grouping may comprise integrally formed openings in the upper (e.g., openings formed through a loop transfer stitch sequence). In aspects where the upper comprises a knit mesh structure with a plurality of openings, at least some of the mesh openings may form the egress points for the cables within the first cable grouping.

[0015] The second end of each of the respective cables corresponds to an ingress point where the respective cable no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface of the upper. At the ingress point, the respective cable begins traversing a path from the outermost-facing surface of the upper to the inner-facing surface of the upper. In some example aspects, the distances between the biteline and the ingress points for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping are different. In other example aspects, the distances between the biteline and the ingress points for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping may be the same (e.g., within ±2 mm of each other).

[0016] When the upper comprises a knit construction, in one example, the distance between the biteline and a first ingress point for the first cable within the first cable grouping may be five to ten knit wales greater than or less than the distance between the biteline and a second ingress point for the second cable within the first cable grouping. In another example, the distance between the biteline and the first ingress point for the first cable may be within one to two wales of the distance between the biteline and the second ingress point for the second cable. Similar to what was discussed with respect to the egress points, the ingress points may comprise integrally formed holes in the knit construction, or the ingress points may comprise openings within a knit mesh structure.

[0017] The cables within the first cable grouping form a loop structure between exiting the cables' egress points and entering the cables' ingress points. In examples, the loop structure may be positioned at or near a throat area of the upper. The loop structure may include a heel-facing (rearward) side generally formed by the cables as they extend from the egress points located at or near the biteline to an apex of the loop structure and a toe-facing (forward side) generally formed by the cables as they extend from the apex of the loop structure toward the ingress points located at or near the biteline. The upper may further comprise a lace that extends through the loop structure. When the upper includes apertures in the throat area, the lace may extend through both the aperture and the loop structure. The lace may be used to help secure the upper to a foot of a wearer. In typical examples of when a wearer dons an article of footwear, the wearer exerts tension on the lace by pulling on the lace ends. This tensioning force is transmitted down the cables within the first cable grouping to one or more of the egress points and the ingress points for the cables within the first cable grouping. At the egress points and the ingress points, at least some of the tensioning force is transferred to the material of the upper as the cables traverse the path between the outermost-facing surface and the inner-facing surface.

[0018] In examples, it may be determined that, for example, a first cable within the first cable grouping may experience a greater amount of tensioning force compared to a second cable within the first cable grouping. In this example, the distance between the loop structure (e.g., an apex of the loop structure) and at least the egress point for the first cable may be greater than the distance between the loop structure and the egress point for the second cable. By having the first cable travel a greater distance over the outermost-facing surface of the upper compared to the second cable, the force transmitted by the pulling action of the wearer may be dissipated to a greater extent before being transferred to the material of the upper at the egress point for the first cable. In examples, variably offsetting the distances between the egress points and the biteline (e.g., an inferior region of the upper) based on the amount of tensioning force experienced by the different cables within the first cable grouping may decrease the amount of wear-and-tear (e.g., stretching, tearing, weakening) experienced by the upper at the egress points and may prolong the useable life of the article of footwear.

[0019] Continuing with the above example, the distance between the loop structure (e.g., an apex of the loop structure) and at least the ingress point for the first cable may be greater than the distance between the loop structure and the ingress point for the second cable. This may also help to dissipate the tensioning force experienced by the first cable since the first cable travels a greater distance over the outermost-facing surface of the upper compared to the second cable before reaching the first ingress point. Thus, in some examples, variably offsetting the distances between the ingress points and the biteline based on the amount of tensioning force experienced by the different cables within the first cable grouping may also decrease the amount of wear-and-tear (e.g., stretching, tearing, weakening) experienced by the upper at the ingress points and may prolong the useable life of the article of footwear. In some examples, it may be determined that the cables that form the toe-facing side of the loop structure generally experience approximately the same amount of tensioning force due to the particular way the wearer tensions the lace (described further below). In this example, the ingress points for the first cable grouping may be approximately equidistant from the biteline.

[0020] In example aspects, the amount of tensioning force experienced by the material of the upper at the egress points for the first cable grouping may be greater than the amount of tensioning force experienced by the material of the upper at the ingress points for the first cable grouping. This may be due to the typical pulling action of the wearer when tightening the lace. For example, in a typical case, the wearer begins tightening the lace by pulling the lace ends towards an ankle area of the wearer. This action generally transmits a greater amount of force or tension to the heel-facing side of the loop structure compared to the toe-facing side of the loop structure. To compensate for the relatively greater amount of tension experienced by the heel-facing side of the loop structure, the spacing between adjacent egress points in a toe-to-heel direction may be increased relative to the spacing between adjacent ingress points in the toe-to-heel direction. Stated differently, the tensioning force experienced by the material of the upper at the egress points may be distributed across a greater area (e.g., a larger distance traversed on the outer-facing surface of the upper), which may further reduce the amount of wear-and-tear experienced by the upper at the egress points. By contrast, since the tensioning force experienced by the material of the upper at the ingress points may be relatively less due to the smaller amount of tension experienced at the toe-facing side of the loop structure, the spacing between adjacent ingress points as measured in the toe-to-heel direction may be less than the spacing between adjacent egress points. Dissipating tension over greater distances or larger areas can help reduce the pressure on discrete areas of a wearer's foot and thus help improve comfort, wearability, and fit.

[0021] As used herein, an article of footwear generally includes a sole structure secured to an upper. The article of footwear described herein may comprise a running shoe, a baseball shoe, a basketball shoe, a cycling shoe, a football shoe, a tennis shoe, a soccer shoe, a training shoe, a walking shoe, a hiking shoe, and the like. The concepts described herein may also be applied to other footwear types that are considered non-athletic such as dress shoes, loafers, sandals, and work boots. As used herein, the article of footwear may be divided into different general regions. A forefoot region generally includes portions of the article of footwear that correspond to the toes and joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges. The forefoot region may terminate in a toe area. A midfoot region generally includes portions of the article of footwear corresponding with an arch area and an instep area of the foot. A heel region generally corresponds with rear portions of the foot including the calcaneus bone. The heel region may terminate in a heel area. The article of footwear described herein may include a lateral side that corresponds with an outside area of the foot (i.e., the surface that faces away from the other foot) and a medial side that corresponds with an inside area of the foot (i.e., the surface that faces toward the other foot). The different regions and sides described above are intended to represent general areas of footwear to aid in the following discussion and are not intended to demarcate precise areas. The different regions and sides may be applied to the article of footwear as a whole, to the upper, and to the sole structure. The term “biteline” as used herein is generally where the upper starts to be secured to a sole structure including a midsole structure.

[0022] The term “outer-facing surface” as used herein means a surface of the upper or article of footwear that faces toward the external environment. In some aspects, the outer-facing surface may mean the outermost-facing surface of the upper or article of footwear such that the outermost-facing surface is exposed to the external environment. The term “inner-facing surface” as used herein means a surface of the upper or article of footwear that faces toward a void for receiving the wearer's foot. In some aspects, the inner-facing surface may mean the innermost-facing surface of the upper or article of footwear such that the innermost-facing surface is in direct or near contact with a wearer's foot. The term “interior to” when referring to one object's relation to another object, means closer to the void for receiving the wearer's foot, and the term “exterior to” when referring to one object's relation to another object means closer to an external environment. Positional terms such as “superior” and “inferior” are in relation to the sole structure of the article of footwear positioned on a flat (e.g., non-tilted), planar surface.

[0023] The term “knit” or “knit construction” refers to a textile piece that is formed from at least one yarn that is manipulated (e.g., with a flat knitting machine, a circular knitting machine, or through another process) to form a plurality of intermeshed loops (also known as interlooping) that define courses and wales. The term “course” as used herein, refers to a predominantly horizontal row of knit loops (in an upright textile as it is knit on the knitting machine) that is produced by adjacent needles during the same knitting cycle. The course may comprise one or more stitch types, such as a knit stitch, a missed stitch, a tuck stitch, a transfer stitch, a rib stitch, and the like as these terms are known in the art of knitting. The term “wale” as used herein, is a predominantly vertical column of intermeshed or interlooped knit loops, generally produced by the same needle at successive (but not necessarily all) courses or knitting cycles. The term “inlaid” as used herein refers to the process of incorporating a non-knitted cable into the knit construction during the same knitting cycle as used to form the knit construction. In some aspects, the inlaid cable may extend through one or more loops of the knit construction and may be secured to the knit construction using, for example tuck stitches. In other examples, the inlaid cable may be floated on a surface of the knit construction.

[0024] The term “cable(s)” as used herein may have the configuration of a multi-filament yarn, a filament (e.g., a monofilament yarn), thread, rope, webbing, cable, or chain, for example. The cable may comprise a material having a high tenacity, such as a tenacity of at least 5 grams / denier or greater. In some aspects, the tenacity of the cable may be greater than the material(s), including yarns, used to form the upper. Further, in some examples the cable may exhibit greater stretch-resistance than the material(s) used to form the upper and may be formed from a variety of engineered filaments that are utilized for high tensile strength applications, including glass, aramids (e.g., para-aramid and meta-aramid), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and liquid crystal polymer. The term “tensile strand” may also be used in lieu of “cable” herein.

[0025] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an example article of footwear 100. The side view is from a lateral side of the article of footwear 100, but a side view from a medial side of the article of footwear 100 may be substantially the same. As such, discussion of features in relation to the lateral side of the article of footwear 100 are also applicable to the medial side of the article of footwear 100. The article of footwear 100 includes an upper 110 that is secured to a sole structure 112 at a biteline 113. The upper 110 includes an outermost-facing surface 114 and an inner-facing surface (not readily seen in the views but should be understood to be opposite the outermost-facing surface 114). In example aspects, some or all portions of the upper 110 may be formed from a knit construction as indicated by arrow 111. In this aspect, the courses run in a toe-to-heel direction and the wales generally extend in a sole structure-to-throat area direction. While knit textiles may offer many benefits, such as breathability, versatility, and flexibility, knit textiles may be more susceptible to stretching when an undesired amount of tensioning force is applied. In other example aspects, some or all portions of the upper 110 may be formed from materials such as leather materials, synthetic leather materials, woven textiles, polymer skins, nonwoven textiles, and the like. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

[0026] The article of footwear 100 includes a forefoot region 116 having a toe end 117, a midfoot region 118, and a heel region 120 having a heel end 121. A toe-facing direction or toe-facing side for the article of footwear 100 is indicated by arrow 123, and a heel-facing direction or a heel-facing side for the article of footwear 100 is indicated by arrow 125. The article of footwear 100 includes an ankle collar 122 defining an opening to a void 124 for receiving a wearer's foot, a throat area 126, and a tongue 128. In examples, the tongue 128 may be integrally formed with the upper 110, or the tongue 128 may comprise a separate element that is secured to the upper 110 in, for example, a manufacturing step.

[0027] In one example aspect and as shown in FIG. 1, the article of footwear 100 includes apertures 130 located on the lateral side and the medial side of the throat area 126. Aspects herein also contemplate that the article of footwear 100 does not include apertures. The article of footwear 100 may also include a lace 132 that may be used to adjustably tighten the throat area 126 and help secure the upper 110 to a wearer's foot. As described below, in one example, the lace 132 may extend through the apertures 130 when the upper 110 includes apertures.

[0028] In example aspects, the upper 110 includes at least a first cable grouping 134, a second cable grouping 136, and a third cable grouping 138. The number of cable groupings depicted in FIG. 1 is illustrative, and aspects herein contemplate less cable groupings than shown or more cable groupings than shown. Each of the first, second, and third cable groupings 134, 136, and 138 may comprise two or more cables (e.g., from two to ten cables), and the number of cables in each of the first, second, and third cable groupings 134, 136, and 138 may be the same or different. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first cable grouping 134 includes three cables, the second cable grouping 136 includes three cables, and the third cable grouping 138 includes three cables. As described, the cables in the first, second, and third cable groupings 134, 136, and 138 may comprise a high tenacity yarn or strand and / or may comprise a strand having a greater resistance to stretch than the materials and / or yarn(s) used to form the upper 110, such as the yarn(s) interlooped to form the knit construction 111.

[0029] In aspects, one or more anchor pieces may be integrated into articles of footwear described herein, e.g., the article of footwear 100. The anchor pieces (not shown) may be integrated on the lateral side, on the medial side, or on both and may include a rigid material (e.g., plastic or another rigid polymer-based material). The anchor pieces can include a plurality of apertures that allow groups of cables, e.g., the first cable grouping 134, the second cable grouping 136, and the third cable grouping 138, and / or the fourth cable grouping 140 to be extended through any of the plurality of apertures to secure, e.g., the first cable grouping 134, the second cable grouping 136, the third cable grouping 138, and / or the fourth cable grouping 140 is a particular location or locations.

[0030] FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the first cable grouping 134. The description of the first cable grouping 134 may be generally applicable to the second and third cable groupings 136 and 138 with differences between the cable groupings 134, 136, and 138 described herein. The first cable grouping 134 may include cable 134a, cable 134b, and cable 134c. The cables 134a, 134b, and 134c may comprise segments of a single, continuous cable in one aspect. In another aspect, the cables 134a, 134b, and 134c may comprise separate, disparate cables. Each of the cables 134a, 134b, and 134c includes a first end, such as first end 133 for the cable 134a, first end 135 for the cable 134b, and first end 137 for the cable 134c. The first end 133 for the cable 134a is located at egress point 216a, the first end 135 for the cable 134b is located at egress point 216b, and the first end 137 for the cable 134c is located at egress point 216c. Each of the cables 134a, 134b, and 134c also includes a second end, such as second end 139 for the cable 134a, second end 141 for the cable 134b, and second end 143 for the cable 134c. The second end 139 for the cable 134a is located at ingress point 224a, the second end 141 for the cable 134b is located at ingress point 224b, and the second end 143 for the cable 134c is located at ingress point 224c.

[0031] With respect to the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c, the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c represent the locations on the upper 110 at which the respective cables 134a, 134b, and 134c begin extending over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 after traversing a path from the inner-facing surface of the upper 110 to the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110. With respect to the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c, the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c represent the locations on the upper 110 at which the respective cables 134a, 134b, and 134c no longer extend over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper and begin traversing a path from the outermost-facing surface 114 to the inner-facing surface of the upper 110. The location and / or path of the cables 134a, 134b, and 134c on the inner-facing surface of the upper 110 are indicated in dashed lines. Between the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c and the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c for the respective cables 134a, 134b, and 134c, the first cable grouping 134 is free-floating and is not secured to the underlying material of the upper 110. In other example aspects, the first cable grouping 134 may be secured to the material of the underlying upper 110 at one or more locations.

[0032] In examples, the first cable grouping 134 may include a first segment 210 extending over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 from the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c located at or adjacent the biteline 113 (e.g., within about 0 mm to about 5 cm of the biteline 113) (e.g., an inferior region of the upper) as depicted in FIG. 1 toward the throat area 126 of the upper 110 (e.g., a superior region of the upper) and terminating in a loop structure 220a. As depicted in FIG. 2, the loop structure 220a surrounds or at least partially encircles the aperture 130 in the upper 110. Additionally, the lace 132 extends through both the aperture 130 and the loop structure 220a, although aspects herein contemplate that the lace 132 may extend through just the loop structure 220a and not an aperture. The first segment 210 extends a first distance 214 over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110. In example aspects, the first distance 214 may comprise an average of first distance 214a for the cable 134a, first distance 214b for cable 134b, and first distance 214c for cable 134c. As indicated for the first distance 214a, the first distance 214a is measured from the first end 133 located at the egress point 216a for the cable 134a to the location at which the cable 134a turns back on itself to form a second segment 218 of the first cable grouping 134 (i.e., at an apex 221a of the loop structure 220a). The first distance 214b is measured from the first end 135 located at the egress point 216b for the cable 134b to the location at which the cable 134b turns back on itself to form the second segment 218 of the first cable grouping 134 (i.e., at the apex 221a of the loop structure 220a). The first distance 214c is measured from the first end 137 located at the egress point 216c for the cable 134c to the location at which the cable 134c turns back on itself to form the second segment 218 of the first cable grouping 134 (i.e., at the apex 221a of the loop structure 220a).

[0033] In addition to the first segment 210 and the loop structure 220a, the first cable grouping 134 also includes the second segment 218. The second segment 218 extends from the apex 221a of the loop structure 220a, over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110, and toward the biteline 113. The second segment 218 extends a second distance 222 over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110. In example aspects, the second distance 222 may comprise an average of second distance 222a for the cable 134a, second distance 222b for the cable 134b, and second distance 222c for the cable 134c. As indicated for the second distance 222a, the second distance 222a is measured from the second end 139 located at the ingress point 224a for the cable 134a to the location at which the cable 134a turns back on itself (i.e., the apex 221a of the loop structure 220a) to form the first segment 210 of the first cable grouping 134. The second distance 222b is measured from the second end 141 located at the ingress point 224b for the cable 134b to the location at which the cable 134b turns back on itself to form the first segment 210 of the first cable grouping 134 (i.e., the apex 221a of the loop structure 220a). The second distance 222c is measured from the second end 143 located at the ingress point 224c for the cable 134c to the location at which the cable 134c turns back on itself to form the first segment 210 of the first cable grouping 134 (i.e., the apex 221a of the loop structure 220a). In example aspects, the first segment 210 forms a heel-facing side (rearward side) of the loop structure 220a, and the second segment 218 forms a toe-facing side (forward side) of the loop structure 220a.

[0034] In aspects, the second distance 222 is different from the first distance 214. For example, as depicted with respect to the first cable grouping 134, the second distance 222 is less than the first distance 214. As such, the length of the first segment 210 over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 may be greater than the length of the respective second segment 218 over the outermost-facing surface 114. Because the second distance 222 is less than the first distance 214, the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c are located superior to the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c with respect to the biteline 113. As described below, this configuration may be based on the direction of the tensioning force applied to a lace by a typical wearer. In other examples, and as shown with respect to the third cable grouping 138 in FIG. 1, the second distance 222 may be greater than the first distance 214. Because the second distance 222 is greater than the first distance 214, the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c are generally located inferior to the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c with respect to the biteline 113. In still other examples, the first distance 214 and the second distance 222 may be approximately the same such that the average distance of the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c from the biteline 113 may be generally equal to the average distance of the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c from the biteline 113.

[0035] In the cable configuration depicted in FIG. 2, the greater distance travelled by the first segment 210 over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 (i.e., the first distance 214) compared to the second segment 218 (i.e., the second distance 222) may reflect the unequal distribution of tension applied to the heel-facing side 125 of the loop structure 220a compared to the toe-facing side 123 of the loop structure 220a when a wearer tightens the lace 132 by pulling the lace ends towards the wearer's ankle. For instance, by having the first segment 210 extend over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 a greater distance than the second segment 218, the tensioning force transmitted by the pulling action of the wearer on the lace 132 may be dissipated to a greater extent before being transferred to the material of the upper 110 at the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c. In examples, this may decrease the amount of wear-and-tear (e.g., stretching, tearing, or weakening) experienced by the upper 110 at the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c and may prolong the useable life of the article of footwear 100. Because the toe-facing side 123 of the loop structure 220a and the second segment 218 may generally experience less tensioning force when the wearer tightens the lace 132, the distance over which the second segment 218 extends (i.e., the second distance 222) before the cables 134a, 134b, and 134c enter the material of the upper 110 at the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c may be smaller than the first segment 210. Stated differently, a relatively smaller distance for the second segment 218 may be generally sufficient to help dissipate the tensioning force before the force is transferred to the material of the upper 110 by way of the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c.

[0036] In example aspects, and as shown in FIG. 2, a distance between at least two adjacent egress points of the egress points 216a, 216b, and / or 216c and the biteline 113 may vary. For example, the egress point 216a may be a distance 232 from the biteline 113, and the egress point 216b may be a distance 234 from the biteline 113, where the distance 232 for the egress point 216a is different from the distance 234 for the egress point 216b. In this example, the distance 232 for the egress point 216a is less than the distance 234 for the egress point 216b, meaning that the first distance 214a over which the cable 134a extends on the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 is greater than the first distance 214b over which the cable 134b extends. In some example aspects, it may be determined that a particular cable, such as, for example, cable 134a may experience a greater amount of tensioning force when tension is applied to the loop structure 220a as compared to, for example, the cable 134b. Thus, a longer first distance (e.g., first distance 214a) may be needed to help dissipate the tensioning force before the cable 134a enters the material of the upper 110 at the egress point 216a. This results in the distance 232 between the egress point 216a and the biteline 113 being less than the distance 234 between the egress point 216b and the biteline 113. When the upper 110 comprises a knit construction (e.g., knit construction 111), the distance 232 between the biteline 113 and the egress point 216a may be at least five to ten knit wales different than the distance 234 between the biteline 113 and the egress point 216b as shown in FIG. 2.

[0037] The ability to more effectively dissipate tensioning forces transferred to the upper 110 through tensioning the lace 132 may be particularly useful for uppers 110 formed at least partially with a knit construction. While knit textiles may offer many benefits, such as breathability, versatility, and flexibility, knit textiles may be more susceptible to stretching when an undesired amount of tensioning force is applied. By offsetting the distances that the cables traverse along the outer-facing portion of the upper 110, tension from the cables can be more evenly or uniformly distributed across a larger area of the upper 110 which can help to dissipate more tension prior to transferring the remaining tension to the upper 110 at the point of ingress. This can help reduce wear-and-tear due from forces absorbed by the upper 110, especially for uppers 110 formed with a knit construction which have a natural ability to stretch. Additionally, avoiding direct contact with a wearer's foot by placement of the cable groupings on the outer-facing surface of the upper 110 can help improve comfort and ease of wearability

[0038] As further depicted in FIG. 2, in some example aspects, the distance between at least two adjacent ingress points of the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c and the biteline 113 is substantially the same (e.g., within ±3 mm of each other). For example, the ingress point 224a for the cable 134a is a distance 240 from the biteline 113. The ingress point 224b for the cable 134b is a distance 242 from the biteline 113, where the distance 240 is substantially the same as the distance 242. When the upper 110 comprises a knit construction (e.g., knit construction 111), the distance 240 between the biteline 113 and the ingress point 224a may be within one to two wales of the distance 242 between the biteline 113 and the ingress point 224b. As described further below, aspects herein also contemplate that the distances between at least two adjacent ingress points and the biteline 113 may vary.

[0039] With respect to the configuration of the first cable grouping 134 shown in FIG. 2, the amount of tensioning force experienced by the material of the upper 110 at the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c for the first segment 210 may be further decreased by increasing the spacing (i.e., the distance 228) between adjacent cables (cables 134a, 134b, and 134c) at or near the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c in the toe-to-heel direction relative to the spacing (i.e., the distance 230) between adjacent cables (cables 134a, 134b, and 134c) at or near the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c. Stated differently, the tensioning force experienced by the material of the upper 110 at the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c may be distributed across a greater area which may further reduce the amount of wear-and-tear experienced by the upper 110 at the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c. By contrast, since the tensioning force experienced by the material of the upper 110 at the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c for the second segment 218 may be relatively less, the spacing between adjacent ingress points (i.e., the distance 230) as measured in the toe-to-heel direction may be less than the spacing between adjacent egress points.

[0040] FIG. 3 depicts a close-up view of the second cable grouping 136 comprising cable 136a, cable 136b, and cable 136c. FIG. 3 is provided to illustrate how the ingress points for a particular cable grouping may be variably offset from the biteline 113 in addition to the egress points for the particular cable grouping being variably offset from the biteline 113. As shown in FIG. 3, the second cable grouping 136 comprises egress point 310a at which the cable 136a begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110, egress point 310b at which the cable 136b begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 114, and egress point 310c at which the cable 136c begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 114. The egress points 310a, 310b, and 310c are variably offset from the biteline 113. In aspects, the distance between a particular egress point and the biteline 113 such as distance 314 for the egress point 310b and distance 316 for the egress point 310c may be based on an amount of tensioning force experienced by a particular cable within the second cable grouping 136 as described above.

[0041] Similar to the first cable grouping 134, the second cable grouping 136 includes a first segment 318 that extends from the egress points 310a, 310b, and 310c located at or near the biteline 113 and toward the throat area 126 where it terminates in an apex 221b of a loop structure 220b. The second cable grouping 136 further includes a second segment 320 that extends from the apex 221b of the loop structure 220b to ingress point 312a at which the cable 136a no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110, ingress point 312b at which the cable 136b no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface 114, and ingress point 312c at which the cable 136c no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface 114.

[0042] As depicted, one or more of the ingress points 312a, 312b, and 312c are variably offset from the biteline 113. For example, the ingress point 312a for the cable 136a is located at distance 322 from the biteline 113. The ingress points 312 for the cable 136b (which is adjacent to the cable 136a) is located at distance 324 from the biteline 113 where the distance 324 is different from the distance 322. In example aspects, the distances 322 and 324 may be based on a tensioning force imparted to, for example, the cable 136a and 136b when a wearer tensions the lace 132. As previously described, in aspects where the tensioning force is determined to be greater for a particular cable, the distance over which the cable extends over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 may be relatively greater to help dissipate the tensioning force before the force is transferred to the material of the upper 110 at the ingress points 312a, 312b, and 312c. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the distance 322 is less than the distance 324, and the cable 136a extends a greater distance over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110. The configuration shown in FIG. 3 is illustrative and different configurations are contemplated herein based on, for example, tensioning forces determined for the different cable 136a, 136b, and 136c. When the upper 110 comprises a knit construction (e.g., knit construction 111), the distance 322 between the biteline 113 and the ingress point 312a is at least five to ten wales different than the distance 324 between the biteline 113 and the ingress point 312b.

[0043] FIG. 4 depicts a close-up view of the third cable grouping 138 comprising cables 138a, 138b, and 138c. FIG. 4 is provided to illustrate how, in some example aspects, the ingress points for a particular cable grouping may be located inferior to the egress points (i.e., closer to the biteline 113). As shown in FIG. 4, the third cable grouping 138 comprises egress point 410a at which the cable 138a begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110, egress point 410b at which the cable 138b begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 114, and egress point 410c at which the cable 138c begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 114. The egress points 410a, 410b, and 410c are variably offset from the biteline 113 as discussed herein.

[0044] The third cable grouping 138 includes a first segment 414 that extends from the egress points 410a, 410b, and 410c located at or near the biteline 113 and toward the throat area 126 where it terminates at an apex 221c of a loop structure 220c. The third cable grouping 138 further includes a second segment 416 that extends from the apex 221c of the loop structure 220c to ingress point 412a at which the cable 138a no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110, ingress point 412b at which the cable 138b no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface 114, and ingress point 412c at which the cable 138c no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface 114.

[0045] In some examples and as shown in FIG. 4, one or more of the ingress points 412a, 412b, and / or 412c may be located closer to the biteline 113 compared to one or more of the egress points 410a, 410b, and / or 410c. For example, a distance 420 between the ingress point 412b for the cable 138b and the biteline 113 may be less than a distance 418 between the egress point 410b for the cable 138b and the biteline 113. Stated differently, the cable 138b may extend a longer distance 422 over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 as measured from the apex 221c of the loop structure 220c to the ingress point 412b compared to distance 424 measured from the apex 221c of the loop structure 220c to the egress point 410b. In some example aspects, this configuration may be used when a greater tensioning force is exerted on the toe-facing side 123 of the loop structure 220c compared to the heel-facing side 125 of the loop structure 220c. This may be due, for example, to the particular lacing configuration used with the lace 132, actions taken by a wearer when tightening the lace 132, closure systems (e.g., BOA® closure systems) used to tighten the lace 132, and the like.

[0046] The configuration of the cables shown in FIGS. 1-4 is illustrative and different configurations are contemplated herein. The different configurations may include a different number of cables within each cable grouping, fewer or more cable groupings, different locations for the egress points, different locations for the ingress points, and the like. Moreover, the configuration of the cables may be the same or different for the lateral side of the article of footwear 100 and the medial side of the article of footwear 100.

[0047] FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of a first example upper 500 for the article of footwear 100 and depicts a first cable configuration used to form the cable groupings discussed herein. In this example, multiple different cables, such as cable 510 and cable 512 are used to form a first cable grouping 514, a second cable grouping 516, and a third cable grouping 518 on a medial side 502 of the upper 500. Cables 520 and 522 are used to form a fourth cable grouping 524, a fifth cable grouping 526, and a sixth cable grouping 528 on a lateral side 504 of the upper 500. With respect to, for example, the first cable grouping 514, the cable 510 extends from a periphery 530 of the upper 500 toward a throat area 532 of the upper 500 where it loops around aperture 534 (making a similar loop as the loop structure 220) before extending back toward the periphery 530. At the periphery 530, the cable 510 loops toward a toe end 536 of the upper 500 as indicated by arrow 511 before following a similar looping pattern to form the second cable grouping 516. Similarly, the cable 512 extends from the periphery 530 of the upper 500 toward the throat area 532 where it also loops around the aperture 534 before extending back toward the periphery 530 and making a loop toward the toe end 536 as indicated by the arrow 511 to begin to form the second cable grouping 516. The second and third cable groupings 516 and 518 are formed in a similar manner from the cables 510 and 512. A similar looping pattern is used to form the fourth, fifth, and sixth cable groupings 524, 526, and 528 from the cable 520 and the cable 522. Thus, in this example, each cable grouping is made up of several different cables.

[0048] FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of a second example upper 550 for the article of footwear 100 and depicts a second cable configuration used to form the cable groupings discussed herein. In this example, a single, continuous cable forms the cable groupings on a medial side 551 of the upper 550, and another single, continuous cable forms the cable groupings on a lateral side 553 of the upper 550. With respect to the medial side 551 of the upper 550, a cable 552 is used to form a first cable grouping 554. On the lateral side 553, a cable 556 is used to form a second cable grouping 558. With respect to the first cable grouping 554, the cable 552 extends from a periphery 560 of the upper 550 toward a throat area 562 of the upper 550 where it loops around aperture 564 before extending back toward the periphery 560. The cable 552 then loops back toward a heel area 566 of the upper 550 as indicated by arrow 549 before again extending from the periphery 560 toward the throat area 562, around the aperture 564, and back towards the periphery 560. This looping sequence can occur any number of times to form the desired number of cables in the first cable grouping 554. After completing the first cable grouping 554, the cable 552 loops toward a toe end 568 of the upper 550 as indicated by arrow 555 and starts to form another cable grouping (not numbered). This looping pattern is repeated to form the second cable grouping 558 on the lateral side 553 of the upper 550. Thus, in this example, each cable grouping on the medial side 551 or the lateral side 553 of the upper 550 is formed from a single, continuous cable.

[0049] FIG. 6A depicts a cross-section view of a first example configuration for an egress point such as, for example, one of the egress points depicted in FIGS. 2-4 (e.g., egress point 216a). FIG. 6A depicts a single-layer material 600 used to form an upper such as the upper 110. The material 600 has an outermost-facing surface 610 such as the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110, and an inner-facing surface 612. In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the inner-facing surface 612 comprises the innermost-facing surface of the material 600. FIG. 6A further depicts an egress point 614 and a cable 616. The egress point 614 extends through a thickness of the material 600 such that it forms a through-passage. The cable 616 may comprise, for example, one of the cables depicted in FIGS. 2-4 (e.g., cable 134a). Before exiting the egress point 614, the cable 616 extends along the inner-facing surface 612. In examples, the cable 616 may not be secured to the inner-facing surface 612, and in other examples, the cable 616 may be secured to the inner-facing surface 612 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like. When the material 600 comprises a single-layer knit construction, the cable 616 may be inlaid during the knitting process along one or more courses and be secured at one or more locations along the inner-facing surface 612 with, for example, a tuck stitch, or the cable 616 may be inlaid to form a float that is not secured to the inner-facing surface 612. Alternatively, when the material 600 comprises a single-layer knit construction, the cable 616 may be incorporated after knitting and may either remain a float unsecured to the inner-facing surface 612 or may be secured to the inner-facing surface 612 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like.

[0050] At the egress point 614, the cable 616 traverses a path from the inner-facing surface 612 to the outermost-facing surface 610. Once the cable 616 has exited the egress point 614, the cable 616 begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 610 of the material 600. In examples, the cable 616 may not be secured to the outermost-facing surface 610, and in other examples, the cable 616 may be secured to the outermost-facing surface 610 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like. When the material 600 comprises a single-layer knit construction, the cable 616 may be inlaid during the knitting process along one or more courses and be secured at one or more locations along the outermost-facing surface 610 with, for example, a tuck stitch or may be inlaid to form a float that is not secured to the outermost-facing surface 610. Alternatively, when the material 600 comprises a single-layer knit construction, the cable 616 may be incorporated after knitting and may either remain a float unsecured to the outermost-facing surface 610 or may be secured to the outermost-facing surface 610 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like.

[0051] FIG. 6B depicts a cross-section view of a first example configuration for an ingress point such as, for example, one of the ingress points depicted in FIGS. 2-4 (e.g., ingress point 224a). FIG. 6B depicts an ingress point 618 and the cable 616. The ingress point 618 extends through the thickness of the single-layer material 600 such that it forms a through-passage. Before entering the ingress point 618, the cable 616 extends along the outermost-facing surface 610. As stated with respect to FIG. 6A, the cable 616 may not be secured to the outermost-facing surface 610, and in other examples, the cable 616 may be secured to the outermost-facing surface 610 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like. As the cable 616 extends along the outermost-facing surface 610, it traverses a path from the outermost-facing surface 610 to the inner-facing surface 612 via the ingress point 618, and extends along the inner-facing surface 612 of the material 600, the cable may float unsecured or be secured to the material 600 in any of the manners described in FIG. 6A.

[0052] FIG. 7A depicts a cross-section view of a second example configuration for an egress point such as, for example, one of the egress points depicted in FIGS. 2-4 (e.g., egress point 216a). FIG. 7A depicts a double-layer material 700 comprising a first layer 710 and a second layer 712 used to form an upper such as the upper 110. The first layer 710 and the second layer 712 may comprise the same material or the first layer 710 may comprise a first material and the second layer 712 may comprise a second material different from the first material. The first layer 710 and the second layer 712 may not be secured to each other in some example aspects. In other example aspects, the first layer 710 and the second layer 712 may be secured to each other at one or more portions. The securement of the first layer 710 and the second layer 712 may be through stitching, bonding, an adhesive, interlooping when the material 700 is a knit construction (i.e., a double-knit material), interweaving when the material 700 comprises a woven construction, entanglement when the material 700 comprises a nonwoven construction, and the like.

[0053] The material 700 has an outermost-facing surface 714 such as the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110, where the outermost-facing surface 714 comprises an outermost-facing surface of the first layer 710. The material 700 also has one or more inner-facing surfaces such as inner-facing surface 716 and inner-facing surface 718. In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the inner-facing surface 718 comprises the innermost-facing surface of the material 700. FIG. 7A further depicts an egress point 720 and a cable 722. The egress point 720 extends through a thickness of the first layer 710 and the second layer 712 such that it forms a through-passage through the material 700. In other example aspects, the egress point 720 may extend through the thickness of the first layer 710 but may not extend through the second layer 712. The cable 722 may comprise, for example, one of the cables depicted in FIGS. 2-4 (e.g., cable 134a). Before exiting the egress point 720, the cable 722 extends along the inner-facing surface 716 of the first layer 710. Described differently, the cable 722 is positioned in a space between the first layer 710 and the second layer 712. Aspects herein also contemplate that the cable 722 may instead, extend along the inner-facing surface 718 of the second layer 712. In examples, the cable 722 may not be secured to the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718), and in other examples, the cable 722 may be secured to the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718) at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like.

[0054] When the material 700 comprises a double knit construction, the cable 722 may be inlaid along one or more courses of the first layer 710 and / or the second layer 712 and either secured via, for example, one or more tuck stitches or may remain floating and unsecured to the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718). Alternatively, when the material 700 comprises a double knit construction, the cable 722 may be incorporated after knitting and may either remain a float unsecured to the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718) or may be secured to the inner-facing surface 716 and / or the inner-facing surface 718 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like.

[0055] At the egress point 720, the cable 722 traverses a path from the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718) to the outermost-facing surface 714. Once the cable 722 has exited the egress point 720, the cable 722 begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 714 of the material 700. In examples, the cable 722 may not be secured to the outermost-facing surface 714, and in other examples, the cable 722 may be secured to the outermost-facing surface 714 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like. When the material 700 comprises a double knit construction, the cable 722 may be inlaid during the knitting process along one or more courses of the first layer 710 and either be secured to the outermost-facing surface 714 with, for example, one or more tuck stitches or may be inlaid to form a float that is not secured to the outermost-facing surface 714. Alternatively, when the material 700 comprises a double knit construction, the cable 722 may be incorporated after knitting and may either remain a float unsecured to the outermost-facing surface 714 or may be secured to the outermost-facing surface 714 along one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like.

[0056] FIG. 7B depicts a cross-section view of a second example configuration for an ingress point such as, for example, one of the ingress points depicted in FIGS. 2-4 (e.g., ingress point 224a). FIG. 7B depicts an ingress point 724 and the cable 722. In the example shown in FIG. 7B, the ingress point 724 extends through the thickness of the first layer 710 and the second layer 712 such that it forms a through-passage through the material 700. In other example aspects, the ingress point 724 may extend through the thickness of the first layer 710 but may not extend through the second layer 712. Before entering the ingress point 724, the cable 722 extends along the outermost-facing surface 714 of the material 700. In examples, the cable 722 may not be secured to the outermost-facing surface 714, and in other examples and as described with respect to FIG. 7A, the cable 722 may be secured to the outermost-facing surface 714 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like. At the ingress point 724, the cable 722 traverses a path from the outermost-facing surface 714 to the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718). Once the cable 722 exits the ingress point 724, the cable 722 begins extending over the inner-facing surface 716 of the material 700. Stated differently, once the cable 722 exits the ingress point 724, the cable 722 begins extending between the first layer 710 and the second layer 712. In another example, once the cable 722 exits the ingress point 724, the cable 722 may extend along the inner-facing surface 718 of the second layer 712. After exiting the ingress point 724 and when extending along the inner-facing surface 716 or inner-facing surface 718, the cable 722 may not be secured to the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718) in some examples and may be secured to the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718) in other examples in any of the manners described with respect to FIG. 7A.

[0057] Aspects herein contemplate that the upper 110 may be formed from more than two layers of material (e.g., three layers of material, four layers of material, and the like). In these examples, a cable in a cable grouping may extend along an outermost-facing surface after exiting an egress point that extends through the layers, and the cable may extend along an inner-facing surface of one or more of the layers after entering an ingress point that extends through one or more of the layers.

[0058] FIG. 8 depicts a flow diagram of an example method 800 of manufacturing an article of footwear such as the article of footwear 100. The method 800 may include forming an upper such as the upper 110. In example aspects, the upper may be formed through a knitting process on a knitting machine (e.g., weft knitting machine, warp knitting machine, circular knitting machine, and the like). In aspects herein, uppers, e.g., knitted uppers, can be formed to have a sock-like construction or a bootie-like construction that extends substantially fully around a wearer's foot and that is directly attached to a midsole and / or outsole, or can be formed as a flat upper component, e.g., one having a curved or butterfly shape that is connected to a midsole and / or outsole with a strobel connection or another form of underfoot connection and / or that includes an some form of underfoot seam. When formed through a knitting process, the upper may comprise a single knit construction or a double knit construction having one or more stitch types. In other example aspects, the upper may be formed through a weaving process on a weaving machine. When the upper comprises a nonwoven construction, the upper may be formed through an entanglement process including needle entanglement, a hydrojet entanglement process, and the like. The nonwoven construction may also be formed through thermally or chemically bonding fibers together. The upper may also be formed using other types of materials such as leathers, synthetic leathers, polymer skins, and the like where these materials may be stitched together, bonded together, secured using adhesives, and the like.

[0059] At a step 801, a first cable grouping, such as the first cable grouping 134 is positioned on an upper such as the upper 110. When the upper comprises a knit construction (e.g., knit construction 111), the first cable grouping may be positioned during the actual knitting process used to form the upper. For example, the first cable grouping may be inlaid along one or more courses of the knit construction and secured using, for example tuck stitches. Alternatively, or in addition to, the cables in the first cable grouping may be inlaid as floats that are generally not secured to the underlying knit textile. In other example aspects, the first cable grouping may be positioned after the upper is knitted. For example, the cables in the first cable grouping may be threaded through one or more holes in the knit construction. This may occur in a post-knitting step. The holes in the knit construction may form the egress and ingress points described above. The holes may comprise engineered holes in the knit construction formed through, for example, a transfer stitch sequence, the holes may comprise holes in a knitted mesh structure, and / or the holes may comprise the inherent openings formed between the interlooped yarns.

[0060] The first cable grouping extends over an outermost-facing surface of the upper, such as the outermost-facing surface 114. Each cable in the first cable grouping includes an egress point, such as egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c where the respective cable begins extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper. In examples aspects, a distance between the biteline and the egress point for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping is different. For example, with respect to FIG. 2, the distance 232 is different than the distance 234. Each cable in the first cable grouping further includes an ingress point, such as ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c where the respective cable no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface of the upper. In example aspects, a distance between at least two adjacent egress points for the first cable grouping may be greater than a distance between at least two adjacent ingress points for the first cable grouping. For example, with respect to FIG. 2, the distance 228 is greater than the distance 230. At a step 812, a sole structure, such as the sole structure 112, is secured to the upper.

[0061] In aspects, an upper as described herein can be a circular knitted upper or a flat knitted upper formed to have a sock-like construction with an underfoot portion (e.g., that is substantially continuous or that includes an underfoot seam). In some aspects, a circular or sock-like knitted upper can be formed as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,931,762, issued on Aug. 23, 2005. In particular, a circular knitting machine can be used to form a tube-like structure (e.g., tube-like upper) having at least an opening at a collar area. In aspects, the upper can be secured to a sole structure, e.g., such as sole structure 112, in a form-fitting fashion by adhesion, molding, sewing, welding, or any other suitable method of attachment, e.g., such that a ridge, or biteline, is substantially eliminated and the upper lies flat on the sole structure.

[0062] The following clauses represent example aspects of concepts contemplated herein. Any one of the following clauses may be combined in a multiple dependent manner to depend from one or more other clauses. Further, any combination of dependent clauses (clauses that explicitly depend from a previous clause) may be combined while staying within the scope of aspects contemplated herein. The following clauses are examples and are not limiting.

[0063] Clause 1. An article of footwear comprising: a sole structure; and an upper secured to the sole structure at a biteline, the upper having an outermost-facing surface and an opposite inner-facing surface, the upper comprising: a first cable grouping extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper between the biteline and a throat area of the upper, each cable in the first cable grouping comprising an egress point where the respective cable begins extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper, wherein a distance between the biteline and the egress point for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping is different.

[0064] Clause 2. The article of footwear according to clause 1, wherein at the egress point, the respective cable traverses a path from the inner-facing surface of the upper to the outermost-facing surface of the upper.

[0065] Clause 3. The article of footwear according to any of clause 1 through 2, wherein each cable in the first cable grouping further comprises an ingress point where the respective cable no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface of the upper.

[0066] Clause 4. The article of footwear according to clause 3, wherein a distance between the biteline and the ingress point for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping is different.

[0067] Clause 5. The article of footwear according to clause 3, wherein a distance between the biteline and the ingress point for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping is substantially the same.

[0068] Clause 6. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 3 through 5, wherein at the ingress point, the respective cable begins traversing a path from the outermost-facing surface of the upper to the inner-facing surface of the upper.

[0069] Clause 7. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 3 through 6, wherein a distance between at least two adjacent egress points as measured in a toe-to-heel direction of the article of footwear is greater than a distance between at least two adjacent ingress points as measured in the toe-to-heel direction.

[0070] Clause 8. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 3 through 7, wherein the first cable grouping forms a loop structure between exiting the egress point for the first cable grouping and entering the ingress points for the first cable grouping.

[0071] Clause 9. The article of footwear according to clause 8, wherein the upper further comprises a lace, and wherein the lace extends through the loop structure.

[0072] Clause 10. An article of footwear comprising: a sole structure; and an upper secured to the sole structure at a biteline, the upper having an outermost-facing surface and an opposite inner-facing surface, the upper comprising: a first cable grouping extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper between an area adjacent the biteline and a throat area of the upper, each cable in the first cable grouping having a first end that corresponds to an egress point where the respective cable begins extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper and a second end that corresponds to an ingress point where the respective cable no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface of the upper, wherein a distance between the biteline and a first egress point for a first cable in the first cable grouping is different from a distance between the biteline and a second egress point for a second cable in the first cable grouping.

[0073] Clause 11. The article of footwear according to clause 10, wherein the upper comprises a knit construction.

[0074] Clause 12. The article of footwear according to clause 11, wherein the distance between the biteline and the first egress point for the first cable is at least five to ten knit wales greater than or less than the distance between the biteline and the second egress point for the second cable.

[0075] Clause 13. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 11 through 12, wherein the egress points and the ingress points for the respective cables in the first cable grouping are integrally formed openings in the knit construction of the upper.

[0076] Clause 14. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 11 through 12, wherein the knit construction of the upper comprises a mesh structure having a plurality of openings, and wherein at least some openings of the plurality of openings form the egress point and the ingress points for the respective cables in the first cable grouping.

[0077] Clause 15. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 11 through 14, wherein a distance between the biteline and a first ingress point for the first cable in the first cable grouping is at least five to ten knit wales greater than or less than a distance between the biteline and a second ingress point for the second cable in the first cable grouping.

[0078] Clause 16. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 11 through 14, wherein a distance between the biteline and a first ingress point for the first cable in the first cable grouping is within one to two wales of a distance between the biteline and a second ingress point for the second cable in the first cable grouping.

[0079] Clause 17. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 10 through 16, wherein the distance between the biteline and the first egress point for the first cable in the first cable grouping is less than a distance between the biteline and a first ingress point for the first cable in the first cable grouping.

[0080] Clause 18. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, the method of manufacturing comprising: securing an upper to a sole structure at a biteline; and positioning a first cable grouping on the upper such that the first cable grouping extends over an outermost-facing surface of the upper, each cable in the first cable grouping comprising an egress point where the respective cable begins extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper, wherein a distance between the biteline and the egress point for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping is different.

[0081] Clause 19. The method of manufacturing the article of footwear according to clause 18, wherein each cable in the first cable grouping further comprises an ingress point where the respective cable no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface of the upper.

[0082] Clause 20. The method of manufacturing the article of footwear according to clause 19, wherein a distance between at least two adjacent egress points as measured in a toe-to-heel direction of the article of footwear is greater than a distance between at least two adjacent ingress points as measured in the toe-to-heel direction.

[0083] Aspects of the present disclosure have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0084] It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0013]Aspects herein are directed to an article of footwear, an upper for an article of footwear, and methods of manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear where the upper includes at least a first cable grouping extending over an outermost-facing surface of the upper where the first cable grouping may be used to reinforce an aperture in a throat area of the upper and / or to retain a lace that is used to secure the upper to a foot of a wearer. In examples, each cable in the first cable grouping includes a first end and a second end. The first end of each of the respective cables corresponds to an egress point where the respective cable begins extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper. At the egress point, the respective cable traverses a path from an inner-facing surface of the upper to the outermost-facing surface of the upper. In example aspects, the egress points for the cables in the first cable grouping are variably offset from a biteline of the article of ...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This non-provisional application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 779,709, filed on Mar. 28, 2025, and titled “UPPER WITH CABLE SEGMENTS HAVING EGRESS POINTS AT VARYING LOCATIONS.” The entire contents of this priority application are herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] Cables, also known as tensile strands, generally comprise high tenacity strands and / or strands that have a relatively higher resistance to stretch than other materials used to form an upper of an article of footwear. In some examples, the cables may form a loop structure that reinforces an aperture in a throat area of the upper where the loop structure and the aperture are configured to receive a lace. Tension applied to the lace when a wearer dons the article of footwear is transmitted to the cable in addition to the aperture, which reduces the wear-and-tear on the aperture. In traditional articles of footwear, the cable segments on the heel-facing side (rearward side) of the loop structure generally have the same length. This configuration may not be ideal when the cable segments on the heel-facing side of the loop structure experience different levels of tension when a wearer, for example, tightens the lace when securing the upper to the wearer's foot.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Examples of aspects herein are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an example article of footwear having cable groupings that form loop structures in accordance with aspects herein;

[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of a first cable grouping on the article of footwear of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects herein;

[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up view of a second cable grouping on the article of footwear of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects herein;

[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up view of a third cable grouping on the article of footwear of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects herein;

[0008] FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of a first example upper for the article of footwear of FIG. 1 where the first example upper includes a first cable configuration in accordance with aspects herein;

[0009] FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of a second example upper for the article of footwear of FIG. 1 where the second example upper includes a second cable configuration in accordance with aspects herein;

[0010] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate cross-section views of an egress point and an ingress point respectively for a cable in a cable grouping, wherein the upper comprises a single layer material in accordance with aspects herein;

[0011] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate cross-section views of an egress point and an ingress point respectively for a cable in a cable grouping, wherein the upper comprises a double layer of materials in accordance with aspects herein; and

[0012] FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method of manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear, wherein the upper comprises at least a first cable grouping in accordance with aspects herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Aspects herein are directed to an article of footwear, an upper for an article of footwear, and methods of manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear where the upper includes at least a first cable grouping extending over an outermost-facing surface of the upper where the first cable grouping may be used to reinforce an aperture in a throat area of the upper and / or to retain a lace that is used to secure the upper to a foot of a wearer. In examples, each cable in the first cable grouping includes a first end and a second end. The first end of each of the respective cables corresponds to an egress point where the respective cable begins extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper. At the egress point, the respective cable traverses a path from an inner-facing surface of the upper to the outermost-facing surface of the upper. In example aspects, the egress points for the cables in the first cable grouping are variably offset from a biteline of the article of footwear. Stated differently, distances between the biteline and the egress point for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping are different.

[0014] When the upper comprises a knit construction, the distance between the biteline and a first egress point for a first cable within the first cable grouping may be at least five to ten knit wales greater than or less than the distance between the biteline and a second egress point for a second cable within the first cable grouping. In examples where the upper comprises a knit construction, the egress points for the first cable grouping may comprise integrally formed openings in the upper (e.g., openings formed through a loop transfer stitch sequence). In aspects where the upper comprises a knit mesh structure with a plurality of openings, at least some of the mesh openings may form the egress points for the cables within the first cable grouping.

[0015] The second end of each of the respective cables corresponds to an ingress point where the respective cable no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface of the upper. At the ingress point, the respective cable begins traversing a path from the outermost-facing surface of the upper to the inner-facing surface of the upper. In some example aspects, the distances between the biteline and the ingress points for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping are different. In other example aspects, the distances between the biteline and the ingress points for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping may be the same (e.g., within ±2 mm of each other).

[0016] When the upper comprises a knit construction, in one example, the distance between the biteline and a first ingress point for the first cable within the first cable grouping may be five to ten knit wales greater than or less than the distance between the biteline and a second ingress point for the second cable within the first cable grouping. In another example, the distance between the biteline and the first ingress point for the first cable may be within one to two wales of the distance between the biteline and the second ingress point for the second cable. Similar to what was discussed with respect to the egress points, the ingress points may comprise integrally formed holes in the knit construction, or the ingress points may comprise openings within a knit mesh structure.

[0017] The cables within the first cable grouping form a loop structure between exiting the cables' egress points and entering the cables' ingress points. In examples, the loop structure may be positioned at or near a throat area of the upper. The loop structure may include a heel-facing (rearward) side generally formed by the cables as they extend from the egress points located at or near the biteline to an apex of the loop structure and a toe-facing (forward side) generally formed by the cables as they extend from the apex of the loop structure toward the ingress points located at or near the biteline. The upper may further comprise a lace that extends through the loop structure. When the upper includes apertures in the throat area, the lace may extend through both the aperture and the loop structure. The lace may be used to help secure the upper to a foot of a wearer. In typical examples of when a wearer dons an article of footwear, the wearer exerts tension on the lace by pulling on the lace ends. This tensioning force is transmitted down the cables within the first cable grouping to one or more of the egress points and the ingress points for the cables within the first cable grouping. At the egress points and the ingress points, at least some of the tensioning force is transferred to the material of the upper as the cables traverse the path between the outermost-facing surface and the inner-facing surface.

[0018] In examples, it may be determined that, for example, a first cable within the first cable grouping may experience a greater amount of tensioning force compared to a second cable within the first cable grouping. In this example, the distance between the loop structure (e.g., an apex of the loop structure) and at least the egress point for the first cable may be greater than the distance between the loop structure and the egress point for the second cable. By having the first cable travel a greater distance over the outermost-facing surface of the upper compared to the second cable, the force transmitted by the pulling action of the wearer may be dissipated to a greater extent before being transferred to the material of the upper at the egress point for the first cable. In examples, variably offsetting the distances between the egress points and the biteline (e.g., an inferior region of the upper) based on the amount of tensioning force experienced by the different cables within the first cable grouping may decrease the amount of wear-and-tear (e.g., stretching, tearing, weakening) experienced by the upper at the egress points and may prolong the useable life of the article of footwear.

[0019] Continuing with the above example, the distance between the loop structure (e.g., an apex of the loop structure) and at least the ingress point for the first cable may be greater than the distance between the loop structure and the ingress point for the second cable. This may also help to dissipate the tensioning force experienced by the first cable since the first cable travels a greater distance over the outermost-facing surface of the upper compared to the second cable before reaching the first ingress point. Thus, in some examples, variably offsetting the distances between the ingress points and the biteline based on the amount of tensioning force experienced by the different cables within the first cable grouping may also decrease the amount of wear-and-tear (e.g., stretching, tearing, weakening) experienced by the upper at the ingress points and may prolong the useable life of the article of footwear. In some examples, it may be determined that the cables that form the toe-facing side of the loop structure generally experience approximately the same amount of tensioning force due to the particular way the wearer tensions the lace (described further below). In this example, the ingress points for the first cable grouping may be approximately equidistant from the biteline.

[0020] In example aspects, the amount of tensioning force experienced by the material of the upper at the egress points for the first cable grouping may be greater than the amount of tensioning force experienced by the material of the upper at the ingress points for the first cable grouping. This may be due to the typical pulling action of the wearer when tightening the lace. For example, in a typical case, the wearer begins tightening the lace by pulling the lace ends towards an ankle area of the wearer. This action generally transmits a greater amount of force or tension to the heel-facing side of the loop structure compared to the toe-facing side of the loop structure. To compensate for the relatively greater amount of tension experienced by the heel-facing side of the loop structure, the spacing between adjacent egress points in a toe-to-heel direction may be increased relative to the spacing between adjacent ingress points in the toe-to-heel direction. Stated differently, the tensioning force experienced by the material of the upper at the egress points may be distributed across a greater area (e.g., a larger distance traversed on the outer-facing surface of the upper), which may further reduce the amount of wear-and-tear experienced by the upper at the egress points. By contrast, since the tensioning force experienced by the material of the upper at the ingress points may be relatively less due to the smaller amount of tension experienced at the toe-facing side of the loop structure, the spacing between adjacent ingress points as measured in the toe-to-heel direction may be less than the spacing between adjacent egress points. Dissipating tension over greater distances or larger areas can help reduce the pressure on discrete areas of a wearer's foot and thus help improve comfort, wearability, and fit.

[0021] As used herein, an article of footwear generally includes a sole structure secured to an upper. The article of footwear described herein may comprise a running shoe, a baseball shoe, a basketball shoe, a cycling shoe, a football shoe, a tennis shoe, a soccer shoe, a training shoe, a walking shoe, a hiking shoe, and the like. The concepts described herein may also be applied to other footwear types that are considered non-athletic such as dress shoes, loafers, sandals, and work boots. As used herein, the article of footwear may be divided into different general regions. A forefoot region generally includes portions of the article of footwear that correspond to the toes and joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges. The forefoot region may terminate in a toe area. A midfoot region generally includes portions of the article of footwear corresponding with an arch area and an instep area of the foot. A heel region generally corresponds with rear portions of the foot including the calcaneus bone. The heel region may terminate in a heel area. The article of footwear described herein may include a lateral side that corresponds with an outside area of the foot (i.e., the surface that faces away from the other foot) and a medial side that corresponds with an inside area of the foot (i.e., the surface that faces toward the other foot). The different regions and sides described above are intended to represent general areas of footwear to aid in the following discussion and are not intended to demarcate precise areas. The different regions and sides may be applied to the article of footwear as a whole, to the upper, and to the sole structure. The term “biteline” as used herein is generally where the upper starts to be secured to a sole structure including a midsole structure.

[0022] The term “outer-facing surface” as used herein means a surface of the upper or article of footwear that faces toward the external environment. In some aspects, the outer-facing surface may mean the outermost-facing surface of the upper or article of footwear such that the outermost-facing surface is exposed to the external environment. The term “inner-facing surface” as used herein means a surface of the upper or article of footwear that faces toward a void for receiving the wearer's foot. In some aspects, the inner-facing surface may mean the innermost-facing surface of the upper or article of footwear such that the innermost-facing surface is in direct or near contact with a wearer's foot. The term “interior to” when referring to one object's relation to another object, means closer to the void for receiving the wearer's foot, and the term “exterior to” when referring to one object's relation to another object means closer to an external environment. Positional terms such as “superior” and “inferior” are in relation to the sole structure of the article of footwear positioned on a flat (e.g., non-tilted), planar surface.

[0023] The term “knit” or “knit construction” refers to a textile piece that is formed from at least one yarn that is manipulated (e.g., with a flat knitting machine, a circular knitting machine, or through another process) to form a plurality of intermeshed loops (also known as interlooping) that define courses and wales. The term “course” as used herein, refers to a predominantly horizontal row of knit loops (in an upright textile as it is knit on the knitting machine) that is produced by adjacent needles during the same knitting cycle. The course may comprise one or more stitch types, such as a knit stitch, a missed stitch, a tuck stitch, a transfer stitch, a rib stitch, and the like as these terms are known in the art of knitting. The term “wale” as used herein, is a predominantly vertical column of intermeshed or interlooped knit loops, generally produced by the same needle at successive (but not necessarily all) courses or knitting cycles. The term “inlaid” as used herein refers to the process of incorporating a non-knitted cable into the knit construction during the same knitting cycle as used to form the knit construction. In some aspects, the inlaid cable may extend through one or more loops of the knit construction and may be secured to the knit construction using, for example tuck stitches. In other examples, the inlaid cable may be floated on a surface of the knit construction.

[0024] The term “cable(s)” as used herein may have the configuration of a multi-filament yarn, a filament (e.g., a monofilament yarn), thread, rope, webbing, cable, or chain, for example. The cable may comprise a material having a high tenacity, such as a tenacity of at least 5 grams / denier or greater. In some aspects, the tenacity of the cable may be greater than the material(s), including yarns, used to form the upper. Further, in some examples the cable may exhibit greater stretch-resistance than the material(s) used to form the upper and may be formed from a variety of engineered filaments that are utilized for high tensile strength applications, including glass, aramids (e.g., para-aramid and meta-aramid), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and liquid crystal polymer. The term “tensile strand” may also be used in lieu of “cable” herein.

[0025] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an example article of footwear 100. The side view is from a lateral side of the article of footwear 100, but a side view from a medial side of the article of footwear 100 may be substantially the same. As such, discussion of features in relation to the lateral side of the article of footwear 100 are also applicable to the medial side of the article of footwear 100. The article of footwear 100 includes an upper 110 that is secured to a sole structure 112 at a biteline 113. The upper 110 includes an outermost-facing surface 114 and an inner-facing surface (not readily seen in the views but should be understood to be opposite the outermost-facing surface 114). In example aspects, some or all portions of the upper 110 may be formed from a knit construction as indicated by arrow 111. In this aspect, the courses run in a toe-to-heel direction and the wales generally extend in a sole structure-to-throat area direction. While knit textiles may offer many benefits, such as breathability, versatility, and flexibility, knit textiles may be more susceptible to stretching when an undesired amount of tensioning force is applied. In other example aspects, some or all portions of the upper 110 may be formed from materials such as leather materials, synthetic leather materials, woven textiles, polymer skins, nonwoven textiles, and the like. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

[0026] The article of footwear 100 includes a forefoot region 116 having a toe end 117, a midfoot region 118, and a heel region 120 having a heel end 121. A toe-facing direction or toe-facing side for the article of footwear 100 is indicated by arrow 123, and a heel-facing direction or a heel-facing side for the article of footwear 100 is indicated by arrow 125. The article of footwear 100 includes an ankle collar 122 defining an opening to a void 124 for receiving a wearer's foot, a throat area 126, and a tongue 128. In examples, the tongue 128 may be integrally formed with the upper 110, or the tongue 128 may comprise a separate element that is secured to the upper 110 in, for example, a manufacturing step.

[0027] In one example aspect and as shown in FIG. 1, the article of footwear 100 includes apertures 130 located on the lateral side and the medial side of the throat area 126. Aspects herein also contemplate that the article of footwear 100 does not include apertures. The article of footwear 100 may also include a lace 132 that may be used to adjustably tighten the throat area 126 and help secure the upper 110 to a wearer's foot. As described below, in one example, the lace 132 may extend through the apertures 130 when the upper 110 includes apertures.

[0028] In example aspects, the upper 110 includes at least a first cable grouping 134, a second cable grouping 136, and a third cable grouping 138. The number of cable groupings depicted in FIG. 1 is illustrative, and aspects herein contemplate less cable groupings than shown or more cable groupings than shown. Each of the first, second, and third cable groupings 134, 136, and 138 may comprise two or more cables (e.g., from two to ten cables), and the number of cables in each of the first, second, and third cable groupings 134, 136, and 138 may be the same or different. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first cable grouping 134 includes three cables, the second cable grouping 136 includes three cables, and the third cable grouping 138 includes three cables. As described, the cables in the first, second, and third cable groupings 134, 136, and 138 may comprise a high tenacity yarn or strand and / or may comprise a strand having a greater resistance to stretch than the materials and / or yarn(s) used to form the upper 110, such as the yarn(s) interlooped to form the knit construction 111.

[0029] In aspects, one or more anchor pieces may be integrated into articles of footwear described herein, e.g., the article of footwear 100. The anchor pieces (not shown) may be integrated on the lateral side, on the medial side, or on both and may include a rigid material (e.g., plastic or another rigid polymer-based material). The anchor pieces can include a plurality of apertures that allow groups of cables, e.g., the first cable grouping 134, the second cable grouping 136, and the third cable grouping 138, and / or the fourth cable grouping 140 to be extended through any of the plurality of apertures to secure, e.g., the first cable grouping 134, the second cable grouping 136, the third cable grouping 138, and / or the fourth cable grouping 140 is a particular location or locations.

[0030] FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the first cable grouping 134. The description of the first cable grouping 134 may be generally applicable to the second and third cable groupings 136 and 138 with differences between the cable groupings 134, 136, and 138 described herein. The first cable grouping 134 may include cable 134a, cable 134b, and cable 134c. The cables 134a, 134b, and 134c may comprise segments of a single, continuous cable in one aspect. In another aspect, the cables 134a, 134b, and 134c may comprise separate, disparate cables. Each of the cables 134a, 134b, and 134c includes a first end, such as first end 133 for the cable 134a, first end 135 for the cable 134b, and first end 137 for the cable 134c. The first end 133 for the cable 134a is located at egress point 216a, the first end 135 for the cable 134b is located at egress point 216b, and the first end 137 for the cable 134c is located at egress point 216c. Each of the cables 134a, 134b, and 134c also includes a second end, such as second end 139 for the cable 134a, second end 141 for the cable 134b, and second end 143 for the cable 134c. The second end 139 for the cable 134a is located at ingress point 224a, the second end 141 for the cable 134b is located at ingress point 224b, and the second end 143 for the cable 134c is located at ingress point 224c.

[0031] With respect to the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c, the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c represent the locations on the upper 110 at which the respective cables 134a, 134b, and 134c begin extending over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 after traversing a path from the inner-facing surface of the upper 110 to the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110. With respect to the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c, the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c represent the locations on the upper 110 at which the respective cables 134a, 134b, and 134c no longer extend over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper and begin traversing a path from the outermost-facing surface 114 to the inner-facing surface of the upper 110. The location and / or path of the cables 134a, 134b, and 134c on the inner-facing surface of the upper 110 are indicated in dashed lines. Between the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c and the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c for the respective cables 134a, 134b, and 134c, the first cable grouping 134 is free-floating and is not secured to the underlying material of the upper 110. In other example aspects, the first cable grouping 134 may be secured to the material of the underlying upper 110 at one or more locations.

[0032] In examples, the first cable grouping 134 may include a first segment 210 extending over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 from the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c located at or adjacent the biteline 113 (e.g., within about 0 mm to about 5 cm of the biteline 113) (e.g., an inferior region of the upper) as depicted in FIG. 1 toward the throat area 126 of the upper 110 (e.g., a superior region of the upper) and terminating in a loop structure 220a. As depicted in FIG. 2, the loop structure 220a surrounds or at least partially encircles the aperture 130 in the upper 110. Additionally, the lace 132 extends through both the aperture 130 and the loop structure 220a, although aspects herein contemplate that the lace 132 may extend through just the loop structure 220a and not an aperture. The first segment 210 extends a first distance 214 over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110. In example aspects, the first distance 214 may comprise an average of first distance 214a for the cable 134a, first distance 214b for cable 134b, and first distance 214c for cable 134c. As indicated for the first distance 214a, the first distance 214a is measured from the first end 133 located at the egress point 216a for the cable 134a to the location at which the cable 134a turns back on itself to form a second segment 218 of the first cable grouping 134 (i.e., at an apex 221a of the loop structure 220a). The first distance 214b is measured from the first end 135 located at the egress point 216b for the cable 134b to the location at which the cable 134b turns back on itself to form the second segment 218 of the first cable grouping 134 (i.e., at the apex 221a of the loop structure 220a). The first distance 214c is measured from the first end 137 located at the egress point 216c for the cable 134c to the location at which the cable 134c turns back on itself to form the second segment 218 of the first cable grouping 134 (i.e., at the apex 221a of the loop structure 220a).

[0033] In addition to the first segment 210 and the loop structure 220a, the first cable grouping 134 also includes the second segment 218. The second segment 218 extends from the apex 221a of the loop structure 220a, over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110, and toward the biteline 113. The second segment 218 extends a second distance 222 over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110. In example aspects, the second distance 222 may comprise an average of second distance 222a for the cable 134a, second distance 222b for the cable 134b, and second distance 222c for the cable 134c. As indicated for the second distance 222a, the second distance 222a is measured from the second end 139 located at the ingress point 224a for the cable 134a to the location at which the cable 134a turns back on itself (i.e., the apex 221a of the loop structure 220a) to form the first segment 210 of the first cable grouping 134. The second distance 222b is measured from the second end 141 located at the ingress point 224b for the cable 134b to the location at which the cable 134b turns back on itself to form the first segment 210 of the first cable grouping 134 (i.e., the apex 221a of the loop structure 220a). The second distance 222c is measured from the second end 143 located at the ingress point 224c for the cable 134c to the location at which the cable 134c turns back on itself to form the first segment 210 of the first cable grouping 134 (i.e., the apex 221a of the loop structure 220a). In example aspects, the first segment 210 forms a heel-facing side (rearward side) of the loop structure 220a, and the second segment 218 forms a toe-facing side (forward side) of the loop structure 220a.

[0034] In aspects, the second distance 222 is different from the first distance 214. For example, as depicted with respect to the first cable grouping 134, the second distance 222 is less than the first distance 214. As such, the length of the first segment 210 over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 may be greater than the length of the respective second segment 218 over the outermost-facing surface 114. Because the second distance 222 is less than the first distance 214, the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c are located superior to the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c with respect to the biteline 113. As described below, this configuration may be based on the direction of the tensioning force applied to a lace by a typical wearer. In other examples, and as shown with respect to the third cable grouping 138 in FIG. 1, the second distance 222 may be greater than the first distance 214. Because the second distance 222 is greater than the first distance 214, the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c are generally located inferior to the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c with respect to the biteline 113. In still other examples, the first distance 214 and the second distance 222 may be approximately the same such that the average distance of the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c from the biteline 113 may be generally equal to the average distance of the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c from the biteline 113.

[0035] In the cable configuration depicted in FIG. 2, the greater distance travelled by the first segment 210 over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 (i.e., the first distance 214) compared to the second segment 218 (i.e., the second distance 222) may reflect the unequal distribution of tension applied to the heel-facing side 125 of the loop structure 220a compared to the toe-facing side 123 of the loop structure 220a when a wearer tightens the lace 132 by pulling the lace ends towards the wearer's ankle. For instance, by having the first segment 210 extend over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 a greater distance than the second segment 218, the tensioning force transmitted by the pulling action of the wearer on the lace 132 may be dissipated to a greater extent before being transferred to the material of the upper 110 at the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c. In examples, this may decrease the amount of wear-and-tear (e.g., stretching, tearing, or weakening) experienced by the upper 110 at the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c and may prolong the useable life of the article of footwear 100. Because the toe-facing side 123 of the loop structure 220a and the second segment 218 may generally experience less tensioning force when the wearer tightens the lace 132, the distance over which the second segment 218 extends (i.e., the second distance 222) before the cables 134a, 134b, and 134c enter the material of the upper 110 at the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c may be smaller than the first segment 210. Stated differently, a relatively smaller distance for the second segment 218 may be generally sufficient to help dissipate the tensioning force before the force is transferred to the material of the upper 110 by way of the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c.

[0036] In example aspects, and as shown in FIG. 2, a distance between at least two adjacent egress points of the egress points 216a, 216b, and / or 216c and the biteline 113 may vary. For example, the egress point 216a may be a distance 232 from the biteline 113, and the egress point 216b may be a distance 234 from the biteline 113, where the distance 232 for the egress point 216a is different from the distance 234 for the egress point 216b. In this example, the distance 232 for the egress point 216a is less than the distance 234 for the egress point 216b, meaning that the first distance 214a over which the cable 134a extends on the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 is greater than the first distance 214b over which the cable 134b extends. In some example aspects, it may be determined that a particular cable, such as, for example, cable 134a may experience a greater amount of tensioning force when tension is applied to the loop structure 220a as compared to, for example, the cable 134b. Thus, a longer first distance (e.g., first distance 214a) may be needed to help dissipate the tensioning force before the cable 134a enters the material of the upper 110 at the egress point 216a. This results in the distance 232 between the egress point 216a and the biteline 113 being less than the distance 234 between the egress point 216b and the biteline 113. When the upper 110 comprises a knit construction (e.g., knit construction 111), the distance 232 between the biteline 113 and the egress point 216a may be at least five to ten knit wales different than the distance 234 between the biteline 113 and the egress point 216b as shown in FIG. 2.

[0037] The ability to more effectively dissipate tensioning forces transferred to the upper 110 through tensioning the lace 132 may be particularly useful for uppers 110 formed at least partially with a knit construction. While knit textiles may offer many benefits, such as breathability, versatility, and flexibility, knit textiles may be more susceptible to stretching when an undesired amount of tensioning force is applied. By offsetting the distances that the cables traverse along the outer-facing portion of the upper 110, tension from the cables can be more evenly or uniformly distributed across a larger area of the upper 110 which can help to dissipate more tension prior to transferring the remaining tension to the upper 110 at the point of ingress. This can help reduce wear-and-tear due from forces absorbed by the upper 110, especially for uppers 110 formed with a knit construction which have a natural ability to stretch. Additionally, avoiding direct contact with a wearer's foot by placement of the cable groupings on the outer-facing surface of the upper 110 can help improve comfort and ease of wearability

[0038] As further depicted in FIG. 2, in some example aspects, the distance between at least two adjacent ingress points of the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c and the biteline 113 is substantially the same (e.g., within ±3 mm of each other). For example, the ingress point 224a for the cable 134a is a distance 240 from the biteline 113. The ingress point 224b for the cable 134b is a distance 242 from the biteline 113, where the distance 240 is substantially the same as the distance 242. When the upper 110 comprises a knit construction (e.g., knit construction 111), the distance 240 between the biteline 113 and the ingress point 224a may be within one to two wales of the distance 242 between the biteline 113 and the ingress point 224b. As described further below, aspects herein also contemplate that the distances between at least two adjacent ingress points and the biteline 113 may vary.

[0039] With respect to the configuration of the first cable grouping 134 shown in FIG. 2, the amount of tensioning force experienced by the material of the upper 110 at the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c for the first segment 210 may be further decreased by increasing the spacing (i.e., the distance 228) between adjacent cables (cables 134a, 134b, and 134c) at or near the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c in the toe-to-heel direction relative to the spacing (i.e., the distance 230) between adjacent cables (cables 134a, 134b, and 134c) at or near the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c. Stated differently, the tensioning force experienced by the material of the upper 110 at the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c may be distributed across a greater area which may further reduce the amount of wear-and-tear experienced by the upper 110 at the egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c. By contrast, since the tensioning force experienced by the material of the upper 110 at the ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c for the second segment 218 may be relatively less, the spacing between adjacent ingress points (i.e., the distance 230) as measured in the toe-to-heel direction may be less than the spacing between adjacent egress points.

[0040] FIG. 3 depicts a close-up view of the second cable grouping 136 comprising cable 136a, cable 136b, and cable 136c. FIG. 3 is provided to illustrate how the ingress points for a particular cable grouping may be variably offset from the biteline 113 in addition to the egress points for the particular cable grouping being variably offset from the biteline 113. As shown in FIG. 3, the second cable grouping 136 comprises egress point 310a at which the cable 136a begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110, egress point 310b at which the cable 136b begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 114, and egress point 310c at which the cable 136c begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 114. The egress points 310a, 310b, and 310c are variably offset from the biteline 113. In aspects, the distance between a particular egress point and the biteline 113 such as distance 314 for the egress point 310b and distance 316 for the egress point 310c may be based on an amount of tensioning force experienced by a particular cable within the second cable grouping 136 as described above.

[0041] Similar to the first cable grouping 134, the second cable grouping 136 includes a first segment 318 that extends from the egress points 310a, 310b, and 310c located at or near the biteline 113 and toward the throat area 126 where it terminates in an apex 221b of a loop structure 220b. The second cable grouping 136 further includes a second segment 320 that extends from the apex 221b of the loop structure 220b to ingress point 312a at which the cable 136a no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110, ingress point 312b at which the cable 136b no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface 114, and ingress point 312c at which the cable 136c no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface 114.

[0042] As depicted, one or more of the ingress points 312a, 312b, and 312c are variably offset from the biteline 113. For example, the ingress point 312a for the cable 136a is located at distance 322 from the biteline 113. The ingress points 312 for the cable 136b (which is adjacent to the cable 136a) is located at distance 324 from the biteline 113 where the distance 324 is different from the distance 322. In example aspects, the distances 322 and 324 may be based on a tensioning force imparted to, for example, the cable 136a and 136b when a wearer tensions the lace 132. As previously described, in aspects where the tensioning force is determined to be greater for a particular cable, the distance over which the cable extends over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 may be relatively greater to help dissipate the tensioning force before the force is transferred to the material of the upper 110 at the ingress points 312a, 312b, and 312c. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the distance 322 is less than the distance 324, and the cable 136a extends a greater distance over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110. The configuration shown in FIG. 3 is illustrative and different configurations are contemplated herein based on, for example, tensioning forces determined for the different cable 136a, 136b, and 136c. When the upper 110 comprises a knit construction (e.g., knit construction 111), the distance 322 between the biteline 113 and the ingress point 312a is at least five to ten wales different than the distance 324 between the biteline 113 and the ingress point 312b.

[0043] FIG. 4 depicts a close-up view of the third cable grouping 138 comprising cables 138a, 138b, and 138c. FIG. 4 is provided to illustrate how, in some example aspects, the ingress points for a particular cable grouping may be located inferior to the egress points (i.e., closer to the biteline 113). As shown in FIG. 4, the third cable grouping 138 comprises egress point 410a at which the cable 138a begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110, egress point 410b at which the cable 138b begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 114, and egress point 410c at which the cable 138c begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 114. The egress points 410a, 410b, and 410c are variably offset from the biteline 113 as discussed herein.

[0044] The third cable grouping 138 includes a first segment 414 that extends from the egress points 410a, 410b, and 410c located at or near the biteline 113 and toward the throat area 126 where it terminates at an apex 221c of a loop structure 220c. The third cable grouping 138 further includes a second segment 416 that extends from the apex 221c of the loop structure 220c to ingress point 412a at which the cable 138a no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110, ingress point 412b at which the cable 138b no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface 114, and ingress point 412c at which the cable 138c no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface 114.

[0045] In some examples and as shown in FIG. 4, one or more of the ingress points 412a, 412b, and / or 412c may be located closer to the biteline 113 compared to one or more of the egress points 410a, 410b, and / or 410c. For example, a distance 420 between the ingress point 412b for the cable 138b and the biteline 113 may be less than a distance 418 between the egress point 410b for the cable 138b and the biteline 113. Stated differently, the cable 138b may extend a longer distance 422 over the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110 as measured from the apex 221c of the loop structure 220c to the ingress point 412b compared to distance 424 measured from the apex 221c of the loop structure 220c to the egress point 410b. In some example aspects, this configuration may be used when a greater tensioning force is exerted on the toe-facing side 123 of the loop structure 220c compared to the heel-facing side 125 of the loop structure 220c. This may be due, for example, to the particular lacing configuration used with the lace 132, actions taken by a wearer when tightening the lace 132, closure systems (e.g., BOA® closure systems) used to tighten the lace 132, and the like.

[0046] The configuration of the cables shown in FIGS. 1-4 is illustrative and different configurations are contemplated herein. The different configurations may include a different number of cables within each cable grouping, fewer or more cable groupings, different locations for the egress points, different locations for the ingress points, and the like. Moreover, the configuration of the cables may be the same or different for the lateral side of the article of footwear 100 and the medial side of the article of footwear 100.

[0047] FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of a first example upper 500 for the article of footwear 100 and depicts a first cable configuration used to form the cable groupings discussed herein. In this example, multiple different cables, such as cable 510 and cable 512 are used to form a first cable grouping 514, a second cable grouping 516, and a third cable grouping 518 on a medial side 502 of the upper 500. Cables 520 and 522 are used to form a fourth cable grouping 524, a fifth cable grouping 526, and a sixth cable grouping 528 on a lateral side 504 of the upper 500. With respect to, for example, the first cable grouping 514, the cable 510 extends from a periphery 530 of the upper 500 toward a throat area 532 of the upper 500 where it loops around aperture 534 (making a similar loop as the loop structure 220) before extending back toward the periphery 530. At the periphery 530, the cable 510 loops toward a toe end 536 of the upper 500 as indicated by arrow 511 before following a similar looping pattern to form the second cable grouping 516. Similarly, the cable 512 extends from the periphery 530 of the upper 500 toward the throat area 532 where it also loops around the aperture 534 before extending back toward the periphery 530 and making a loop toward the toe end 536 as indicated by the arrow 511 to begin to form the second cable grouping 516. The second and third cable groupings 516 and 518 are formed in a similar manner from the cables 510 and 512. A similar looping pattern is used to form the fourth, fifth, and sixth cable groupings 524, 526, and 528 from the cable 520 and the cable 522. Thus, in this example, each cable grouping is made up of several different cables.

[0048] FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of a second example upper 550 for the article of footwear 100 and depicts a second cable configuration used to form the cable groupings discussed herein. In this example, a single, continuous cable forms the cable groupings on a medial side 551 of the upper 550, and another single, continuous cable forms the cable groupings on a lateral side 553 of the upper 550. With respect to the medial side 551 of the upper 550, a cable 552 is used to form a first cable grouping 554. On the lateral side 553, a cable 556 is used to form a second cable grouping 558. With respect to the first cable grouping 554, the cable 552 extends from a periphery 560 of the upper 550 toward a throat area 562 of the upper 550 where it loops around aperture 564 before extending back toward the periphery 560. The cable 552 then loops back toward a heel area 566 of the upper 550 as indicated by arrow 549 before again extending from the periphery 560 toward the throat area 562, around the aperture 564, and back towards the periphery 560. This looping sequence can occur any number of times to form the desired number of cables in the first cable grouping 554. After completing the first cable grouping 554, the cable 552 loops toward a toe end 568 of the upper 550 as indicated by arrow 555 and starts to form another cable grouping (not numbered). This looping pattern is repeated to form the second cable grouping 558 on the lateral side 553 of the upper 550. Thus, in this example, each cable grouping on the medial side 551 or the lateral side 553 of the upper 550 is formed from a single, continuous cable.

[0049] FIG. 6A depicts a cross-section view of a first example configuration for an egress point such as, for example, one of the egress points depicted in FIGS. 2-4 (e.g., egress point 216a). FIG. 6A depicts a single-layer material 600 used to form an upper such as the upper 110. The material 600 has an outermost-facing surface 610 such as the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110, and an inner-facing surface 612. In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the inner-facing surface 612 comprises the innermost-facing surface of the material 600. FIG. 6A further depicts an egress point 614 and a cable 616. The egress point 614 extends through a thickness of the material 600 such that it forms a through-passage. The cable 616 may comprise, for example, one of the cables depicted in FIGS. 2-4 (e.g., cable 134a). Before exiting the egress point 614, the cable 616 extends along the inner-facing surface 612. In examples, the cable 616 may not be secured to the inner-facing surface 612, and in other examples, the cable 616 may be secured to the inner-facing surface 612 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like. When the material 600 comprises a single-layer knit construction, the cable 616 may be inlaid during the knitting process along one or more courses and be secured at one or more locations along the inner-facing surface 612 with, for example, a tuck stitch, or the cable 616 may be inlaid to form a float that is not secured to the inner-facing surface 612. Alternatively, when the material 600 comprises a single-layer knit construction, the cable 616 may be incorporated after knitting and may either remain a float unsecured to the inner-facing surface 612 or may be secured to the inner-facing surface 612 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like.

[0050] At the egress point 614, the cable 616 traverses a path from the inner-facing surface 612 to the outermost-facing surface 610. Once the cable 616 has exited the egress point 614, the cable 616 begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 610 of the material 600. In examples, the cable 616 may not be secured to the outermost-facing surface 610, and in other examples, the cable 616 may be secured to the outermost-facing surface 610 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like. When the material 600 comprises a single-layer knit construction, the cable 616 may be inlaid during the knitting process along one or more courses and be secured at one or more locations along the outermost-facing surface 610 with, for example, a tuck stitch or may be inlaid to form a float that is not secured to the outermost-facing surface 610. Alternatively, when the material 600 comprises a single-layer knit construction, the cable 616 may be incorporated after knitting and may either remain a float unsecured to the outermost-facing surface 610 or may be secured to the outermost-facing surface 610 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like.

[0051] FIG. 6B depicts a cross-section view of a first example configuration for an ingress point such as, for example, one of the ingress points depicted in FIGS. 2-4 (e.g., ingress point 224a). FIG. 6B depicts an ingress point 618 and the cable 616. The ingress point 618 extends through the thickness of the single-layer material 600 such that it forms a through-passage. Before entering the ingress point 618, the cable 616 extends along the outermost-facing surface 610. As stated with respect to FIG. 6A, the cable 616 may not be secured to the outermost-facing surface 610, and in other examples, the cable 616 may be secured to the outermost-facing surface 610 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like. As the cable 616 extends along the outermost-facing surface 610, it traverses a path from the outermost-facing surface 610 to the inner-facing surface 612 via the ingress point 618, and extends along the inner-facing surface 612 of the material 600, the cable may float unsecured or be secured to the material 600 in any of the manners described in FIG. 6A.

[0052] FIG. 7A depicts a cross-section view of a second example configuration for an egress point such as, for example, one of the egress points depicted in FIGS. 2-4 (e.g., egress point 216a). FIG. 7A depicts a double-layer material 700 comprising a first layer 710 and a second layer 712 used to form an upper such as the upper 110. The first layer 710 and the second layer 712 may comprise the same material or the first layer 710 may comprise a first material and the second layer 712 may comprise a second material different from the first material. The first layer 710 and the second layer 712 may not be secured to each other in some example aspects. In other example aspects, the first layer 710 and the second layer 712 may be secured to each other at one or more portions. The securement of the first layer 710 and the second layer 712 may be through stitching, bonding, an adhesive, interlooping when the material 700 is a knit construction (i.e., a double-knit material), interweaving when the material 700 comprises a woven construction, entanglement when the material 700 comprises a nonwoven construction, and the like.

[0053] The material 700 has an outermost-facing surface 714 such as the outermost-facing surface 114 of the upper 110, where the outermost-facing surface 714 comprises an outermost-facing surface of the first layer 710. The material 700 also has one or more inner-facing surfaces such as inner-facing surface 716 and inner-facing surface 718. In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the inner-facing surface 718 comprises the innermost-facing surface of the material 700. FIG. 7A further depicts an egress point 720 and a cable 722. The egress point 720 extends through a thickness of the first layer 710 and the second layer 712 such that it forms a through-passage through the material 700. In other example aspects, the egress point 720 may extend through the thickness of the first layer 710 but may not extend through the second layer 712. The cable 722 may comprise, for example, one of the cables depicted in FIGS. 2-4 (e.g., cable 134a). Before exiting the egress point 720, the cable 722 extends along the inner-facing surface 716 of the first layer 710. Described differently, the cable 722 is positioned in a space between the first layer 710 and the second layer 712. Aspects herein also contemplate that the cable 722 may instead, extend along the inner-facing surface 718 of the second layer 712. In examples, the cable 722 may not be secured to the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718), and in other examples, the cable 722 may be secured to the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718) at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like.

[0054] When the material 700 comprises a double knit construction, the cable 722 may be inlaid along one or more courses of the first layer 710 and / or the second layer 712 and either secured via, for example, one or more tuck stitches or may remain floating and unsecured to the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718). Alternatively, when the material 700 comprises a double knit construction, the cable 722 may be incorporated after knitting and may either remain a float unsecured to the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718) or may be secured to the inner-facing surface 716 and / or the inner-facing surface 718 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like.

[0055] At the egress point 720, the cable 722 traverses a path from the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718) to the outermost-facing surface 714. Once the cable 722 has exited the egress point 720, the cable 722 begins extending over the outermost-facing surface 714 of the material 700. In examples, the cable 722 may not be secured to the outermost-facing surface 714, and in other examples, the cable 722 may be secured to the outermost-facing surface 714 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like. When the material 700 comprises a double knit construction, the cable 722 may be inlaid during the knitting process along one or more courses of the first layer 710 and either be secured to the outermost-facing surface 714 with, for example, one or more tuck stitches or may be inlaid to form a float that is not secured to the outermost-facing surface 714. Alternatively, when the material 700 comprises a double knit construction, the cable 722 may be incorporated after knitting and may either remain a float unsecured to the outermost-facing surface 714 or may be secured to the outermost-facing surface 714 along one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like.

[0056] FIG. 7B depicts a cross-section view of a second example configuration for an ingress point such as, for example, one of the ingress points depicted in FIGS. 2-4 (e.g., ingress point 224a). FIG. 7B depicts an ingress point 724 and the cable 722. In the example shown in FIG. 7B, the ingress point 724 extends through the thickness of the first layer 710 and the second layer 712 such that it forms a through-passage through the material 700. In other example aspects, the ingress point 724 may extend through the thickness of the first layer 710 but may not extend through the second layer 712. Before entering the ingress point 724, the cable 722 extends along the outermost-facing surface 714 of the material 700. In examples, the cable 722 may not be secured to the outermost-facing surface 714, and in other examples and as described with respect to FIG. 7A, the cable 722 may be secured to the outermost-facing surface 714 at one or more locations by stitching, embroidery, bonding, adhesives, and the like. At the ingress point 724, the cable 722 traverses a path from the outermost-facing surface 714 to the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718). Once the cable 722 exits the ingress point 724, the cable 722 begins extending over the inner-facing surface 716 of the material 700. Stated differently, once the cable 722 exits the ingress point 724, the cable 722 begins extending between the first layer 710 and the second layer 712. In another example, once the cable 722 exits the ingress point 724, the cable 722 may extend along the inner-facing surface 718 of the second layer 712. After exiting the ingress point 724 and when extending along the inner-facing surface 716 or inner-facing surface 718, the cable 722 may not be secured to the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718) in some examples and may be secured to the inner-facing surface 716 (or the inner-facing surface 718) in other examples in any of the manners described with respect to FIG. 7A.

[0057] Aspects herein contemplate that the upper 110 may be formed from more than two layers of material (e.g., three layers of material, four layers of material, and the like). In these examples, a cable in a cable grouping may extend along an outermost-facing surface after exiting an egress point that extends through the layers, and the cable may extend along an inner-facing surface of one or more of the layers after entering an ingress point that extends through one or more of the layers.

[0058] FIG. 8 depicts a flow diagram of an example method 800 of manufacturing an article of footwear such as the article of footwear 100. The method 800 may include forming an upper such as the upper 110. In example aspects, the upper may be formed through a knitting process on a knitting machine (e.g., weft knitting machine, warp knitting machine, circular knitting machine, and the like). In aspects herein, uppers, e.g., knitted uppers, can be formed to have a sock-like construction or a bootie-like construction that extends substantially fully around a wearer's foot and that is directly attached to a midsole and / or outsole, or can be formed as a flat upper component, e.g., one having a curved or butterfly shape that is connected to a midsole and / or outsole with a strobel connection or another form of underfoot connection and / or that includes an some form of underfoot seam. When formed through a knitting process, the upper may comprise a single knit construction or a double knit construction having one or more stitch types. In other example aspects, the upper may be formed through a weaving process on a weaving machine. When the upper comprises a nonwoven construction, the upper may be formed through an entanglement process including needle entanglement, a hydrojet entanglement process, and the like. The nonwoven construction may also be formed through thermally or chemically bonding fibers together. The upper may also be formed using other types of materials such as leathers, synthetic leathers, polymer skins, and the like where these materials may be stitched together, bonded together, secured using adhesives, and the like.

[0059] At a step 801, a first cable grouping, such as the first cable grouping 134 is positioned on an upper such as the upper 110. When the upper comprises a knit construction (e.g., knit construction 111), the first cable grouping may be positioned during the actual knitting process used to form the upper. For example, the first cable grouping may be inlaid along one or more courses of the knit construction and secured using, for example tuck stitches. Alternatively, or in addition to, the cables in the first cable grouping may be inlaid as floats that are generally not secured to the underlying knit textile. In other example aspects, the first cable grouping may be positioned after the upper is knitted. For example, the cables in the first cable grouping may be threaded through one or more holes in the knit construction. This may occur in a post-knitting step. The holes in the knit construction may form the egress and ingress points described above. The holes may comprise engineered holes in the knit construction formed through, for example, a transfer stitch sequence, the holes may comprise holes in a knitted mesh structure, and / or the holes may comprise the inherent openings formed between the interlooped yarns.

[0060] The first cable grouping extends over an outermost-facing surface of the upper, such as the outermost-facing surface 114. Each cable in the first cable grouping includes an egress point, such as egress points 216a, 216b, and 216c where the respective cable begins extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper. In examples aspects, a distance between the biteline and the egress point for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping is different. For example, with respect to FIG. 2, the distance 232 is different than the distance 234. Each cable in the first cable grouping further includes an ingress point, such as ingress points 224a, 224b, and 224c where the respective cable no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface of the upper. In example aspects, a distance between at least two adjacent egress points for the first cable grouping may be greater than a distance between at least two adjacent ingress points for the first cable grouping. For example, with respect to FIG. 2, the distance 228 is greater than the distance 230. At a step 812, a sole structure, such as the sole structure 112, is secured to the upper.

[0061] In aspects, an upper as described herein can be a circular knitted upper or a flat knitted upper formed to have a sock-like construction with an underfoot portion (e.g., that is substantially continuous or that includes an underfoot seam). In some aspects, a circular or sock-like knitted upper can be formed as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,931,762, issued on Aug. 23, 2005. In particular, a circular knitting machine can be used to form a tube-like structure (e.g., tube-like upper) having at least an opening at a collar area. In aspects, the upper can be secured to a sole structure, e.g., such as sole structure 112, in a form-fitting fashion by adhesion, molding, sewing, welding, or any other suitable method of attachment, e.g., such that a ridge, or biteline, is substantially eliminated and the upper lies flat on the sole structure.

[0062] The following clauses represent example aspects of concepts contemplated herein. Any one of the following clauses may be combined in a multiple dependent manner to depend from one or more other clauses. Further, any combination of dependent clauses (clauses that explicitly depend from a previous clause) may be combined while staying within the scope of aspects contemplated herein. The following clauses are examples and are not limiting.

[0063] Clause 1. An article of footwear comprising: a sole structure; and an upper secured to the sole structure at a biteline, the upper having an outermost-facing surface and an opposite inner-facing surface, the upper comprising: a first cable grouping extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper between the biteline and a throat area of the upper, each cable in the first cable grouping comprising an egress point where the respective cable begins extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper, wherein a distance between the biteline and the egress point for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping is different.

[0064] Clause 2. The article of footwear according to clause 1, wherein at the egress point, the respective cable traverses a path from the inner-facing surface of the upper to the outermost-facing surface of the upper.

[0065] Clause 3. The article of footwear according to any of clause 1 through 2, wherein each cable in the first cable grouping further comprises an ingress point where the respective cable no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface of the upper.

[0066] Clause 4. The article of footwear according to clause 3, wherein a distance between the biteline and the ingress point for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping is different.

[0067] Clause 5. The article of footwear according to clause 3, wherein a distance between the biteline and the ingress point for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping is substantially the same.

[0068] Clause 6. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 3 through 5, wherein at the ingress point, the respective cable begins traversing a path from the outermost-facing surface of the upper to the inner-facing surface of the upper.

[0069] Clause 7. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 3 through 6, wherein a distance between at least two adjacent egress points as measured in a toe-to-heel direction of the article of footwear is greater than a distance between at least two adjacent ingress points as measured in the toe-to-heel direction.

[0070] Clause 8. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 3 through 7, wherein the first cable grouping forms a loop structure between exiting the egress point for the first cable grouping and entering the ingress points for the first cable grouping.

[0071] Clause 9. The article of footwear according to clause 8, wherein the upper further comprises a lace, and wherein the lace extends through the loop structure.

[0072] Clause 10. An article of footwear comprising: a sole structure; and an upper secured to the sole structure at a biteline, the upper having an outermost-facing surface and an opposite inner-facing surface, the upper comprising: a first cable grouping extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper between an area adjacent the biteline and a throat area of the upper, each cable in the first cable grouping having a first end that corresponds to an egress point where the respective cable begins extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper and a second end that corresponds to an ingress point where the respective cable no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface of the upper, wherein a distance between the biteline and a first egress point for a first cable in the first cable grouping is different from a distance between the biteline and a second egress point for a second cable in the first cable grouping.

[0073] Clause 11. The article of footwear according to clause 10, wherein the upper comprises a knit construction.

[0074] Clause 12. The article of footwear according to clause 11, wherein the distance between the biteline and the first egress point for the first cable is at least five to ten knit wales greater than or less than the distance between the biteline and the second egress point for the second cable.

[0075] Clause 13. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 11 through 12, wherein the egress points and the ingress points for the respective cables in the first cable grouping are integrally formed openings in the knit construction of the upper.

[0076] Clause 14. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 11 through 12, wherein the knit construction of the upper comprises a mesh structure having a plurality of openings, and wherein at least some openings of the plurality of openings form the egress point and the ingress points for the respective cables in the first cable grouping.

[0077] Clause 15. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 11 through 14, wherein a distance between the biteline and a first ingress point for the first cable in the first cable grouping is at least five to ten knit wales greater than or less than a distance between the biteline and a second ingress point for the second cable in the first cable grouping.

[0078] Clause 16. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 11 through 14, wherein a distance between the biteline and a first ingress point for the first cable in the first cable grouping is within one to two wales of a distance between the biteline and a second ingress point for the second cable in the first cable grouping.

[0079] Clause 17. The article of footwear according to any of clauses 10 through 16, wherein the distance between the biteline and the first egress point for the first cable in the first cable grouping is less than a distance between the biteline and a first ingress point for the first cable in the first cable grouping.

[0080] Clause 18. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, the method of manufacturing comprising: securing an upper to a sole structure at a biteline; and positioning a first cable grouping on the upper such that the first cable grouping extends over an outermost-facing surface of the upper, each cable in the first cable grouping comprising an egress point where the respective cable begins extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper, wherein a distance between the biteline and the egress point for at least two adjacent cables in the first cable grouping is different.

[0081] Clause 19. The method of manufacturing the article of footwear according to clause 18, wherein each cable in the first cable grouping further comprises an ingress point where the respective cable no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface of the upper.

[0082] Clause 20. The method of manufacturing the article of footwear according to clause 19, wherein a distance between at least two adjacent egress points as measured in a toe-to-heel direction of the article of footwear is greater than a distance between at least two adjacent ingress points as measured in the toe-to-heel direction.

[0083] Aspects of the present disclosure have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0084] It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0013]Aspects herein are directed to an article of footwear, an upper for an article of footwear, and methods of manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear where the upper includes at least a first cable grouping extending over an outermost-facing surface of the upper where the first cable grouping may be used to reinforce an aperture in a throat area of the upper and / or to retain a lace that is used to secure the upper to a foot of a wearer. In examples, each cable in the first cable grouping includes a first end and a second end. The first end of each of the respective cables corresponds to an egress point where the respective cable begins extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper. At the egress point, the respective cable traverses a path from an inner-facing surface of the upper to the outermost-facing surface of the upper. In example aspects, the egress points for the cables in the first cable grouping are variably offset from a biteline of the article of ...

Claims

1-9. (canceled)10. An article of footwear comprising:a sole structure; andan upper secured to the sole structure at a biteline, the upper having an outermost-facing surface and an opposite inner-facing surface, the upper comprising:a first cable grouping extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper between an area adjacent the biteline and a throat area of the upper, each cable in the first cable grouping having a first end that corresponds to an egress point where the respective cable begins extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper and a second end that corresponds to an ingress point where the respective cable no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface of the upper, wherein a distance between the biteline and a first egress point for a first cable in the first cable grouping is different from a distance between the biteline and a second egress point for a second cable in the first cable grouping.

11. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the upper comprises a knit construction.

12. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the distance between the biteline and the first egress point for the first cable is at least five to ten knit wales greater than or less than the distance between the biteline and the second egress point for the second cable.

13. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the egress points and the ingress points for the respective cables in the first cable grouping are integrally formed openings in the knit construction of the upper.

14. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the knit construction of the upper comprises a mesh structure having a plurality of openings, and wherein at least some openings of the plurality of openings form the egress point and the ingress points for the respective cables in the first cable grouping.

15. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein a distance between the biteline and a first ingress point for the first cable in the first cable grouping is at least five to ten knit wales greater than or less than a distance between the biteline and a second ingress point for the second cable in the first cable grouping.

16. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein a distance between the biteline and a first ingress point for the first cable in the first cable grouping is within one to two wales of a distance between the biteline and a second ingress point for the second cable in the first cable grouping.

17. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the distance between the biteline and the first egress point for the first cable in the first cable grouping is less than a distance between the biteline and a first ingress point for the first cable in the first cable grouping.18-20. (canceled)21. The article of footwear of claim 10, wherein each of the cables of the first cable grouping is a segment of a single, continuous cable.

22. The article of footwear of claim 21, wherein the upper further comprises a second cable grouping formed from a second single, continuous cable located on the opposite inner-facing surface of the upper.

23. An article of footwear comprising:a sole structure; andan upper secured to the sole structure at a biteline, the upper having an outermost-facing surface and an opposite inner-facing surface, the upper comprising:a first cable grouping extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper between an area adjacent the biteline and a throat area of the upper, each cable in the first cable grouping having a first end that corresponds to an egress point where the respective cable begins extending over the outermost-facing surface of the upper and a second end that corresponds to an ingress point where the respective cable no longer extends over the outermost-facing surface of the upper, wherein a distance between the biteline and a first egress point for a first cable in the first cable grouping is different from a distance between the biteline and a second egress point for a second cable in the first cable grouping, and wherein a distance between the biteline and a first ingress point for the first cable is different from a distance between the biteline and a second ingress point for the second cable.

24. The article of footwear of claim 23, wherein the upper comprises a knit construction.

25. The article of footwear of claim 24, wherein the egress points and the ingress points for the respective cables in the first cable grouping are integrally formed openings in the knit construction of the upper.

26. The article of footwear of claim 23, wherein the distance between the biteline and the first egress point is at least five to ten knit wales greater than or less than the distance between the biteline and the second egress point.

27. The article of footwear of claim 23, wherein the distance between the biteline and the first ingress point is at least five to ten knit wales greater than or less than the distance between the biteline and the second ingress point.

28. The article of footwear of claim 23, wherein the cables of the first cable grouping are segments of a single, continuous cable.

29. The article of footwear of claim 23, wherein the cables of the first cable grouping are segments of a single, continuous cable inlaid into a knit construction of the upper.

30. The article of footwear of claim 29, wherein the upper further comprises a second cable grouping formed from a second single, continuous cable located on the opposite inner-facing surface of the upper.

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