Article of footwear having an upper with knitted elements

• US 10,231,503 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2017
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Greene, Pamela S., Aveni, Michael A., Lyke, Christopher James, Farris, Bryan N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Prange, Sharon M
• Application Number:
  US15/404,635
• Publication Number:
  US 20170119084A1
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 36 45, 36 49, 36 586, 36 69, 36 71, 36 72 B, 36 92, 36102, 36105
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/04 braided, knotted, knitted or crocheted
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0205 characterised by the material material of the lining A43B23/07, material of toe stiffeners or heel stiffeners A43B23/08
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0235 Different layers of different material
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/025 assembled by stitching
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/026 Laminated layers
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/028 Resilient uppers, e.g. shock absorbing
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/26 Tongues for shoes
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0031 provided with a pocket, e.g. for keys or a card
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/20 Ankle-joint supports or holders
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/22 specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 21/207 Wearing apparel or garment blanks
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/0241 enhancing mechanical properties
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/043 Footwear

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a collar element for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method comprises knitting the collar element comprising a tubular structure defining an interior cavity and a plurality of floating yarns within the cavity. The method further comprises securing the collar element to an upper of the article of footwear. A method of manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear having a collar element is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear, the upper having an ankle opening that provides access to a void, the method comprising:

knitting an upper comprising at least an interior surface and an exterior surface adjacent the ankle opening,

knitting a collar element comprising a tubular structure defining an interior cavity having a plurality of floating yarns within the cavity,

wherein knitting the collar element includes forming a flange that extends outward from the tubular structure, and

wherein the flange extends seamlessly outward from a location in which an interior surface and an exterior surface of the collar element are seamlessly joined, and

wherein the collar element is formed of unitary knit construction and is formed as a separate component from other portions of the upper,

securing the collar element to at least one of the exterior surface and the interior surface of the upper.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of securing includes placing the flange between the interior surface and exterior surface of the upper.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the flange is secured to at least one of the interior surface and exterior surface of the upper.