Article Of Footwear Having An Upper With Cord Elements

• US 20130019500A1
• Filed: 07/18/2011
• Published: 01/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Greene, Pamela S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,844,167 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/50.1
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/04 Plastics, rubber or vulcanised fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/122 characterised by the outsole or external layer
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/125 characterised by the midsole or middle layer
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/181 Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/187 Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/223 Profiled soles
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0245 characterised by the constructive form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/025 assembled by stitching
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/026 Laminated layers
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0265 having different properties in different directions
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/027 with a part of the upper particularly flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0275 with a part of the upper particularly rigid, e.g. resisting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 1/00 Shoe lacing fastenings garment fastening devices A41F
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 1/04 with rings or loops

Abstract

The embodiments relate to an article of footwear and method of manufacturing that includes a first layer and a second layer configured to form a plurality of tunnels configured to receive a cord system. The manufacturing includes steps of placing a first layer, placing a cord on the first layer, securing the cord on the first layer, placing a second layer on the first layer and the cord, attaching the second layer to the first layer, and detaching the cord from the first layer. When the cord is secured with a thread, the thread may be removed by dissolving or cutting. The attaching of the second layer to the first layer can be completed by stitching or thermal welding, for example.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, the method comprising:

placing a cord on a first layer;

securing the cord to the first layer;

placing a second layer on the first layer, with the cord being disposed between the first layer and the second layer;

attaching the second layer to the first layer to form a plurality of tunnels, the cored being located in the tunnels;

detaching at least a portion of the cord from the first layer; and

incorporating the first layer, the second layer, and the cord into an upper of the article of footwear.

2. The method of manufacturing an article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising cutting the first layer and the second layer into a shape of a component of the upper.

3. The method of manufacturing an article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the step of securing the cord includes stitching with a thread.

4. The method of manufacturing an article of footwear according to claim 3, wherein the step of detaching includes removing the thread by dissolving the thread.

5. The method of manufacturing an article of footwear according to claim 3, wherein the step of detaching includes removing the thread by cutting the thread

6. The method of manufacturing an article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the step of attaching includes stitching with a thread.

7. The method of manufacturing an article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the step of attaching includes thermal welding the second layer to the first layer.

8. The method of manufacturing an article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the steps of securing and attaching include stitching with threads formed from different materials.

9. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, the method comprising:

placing a cord on a first layer;

stitching the cord to the first layer with a first thread;

placing a second layer on the first layer, wherein the cord is disposed between the second layer and the first layer;

attaching the second layer to the first layer, wherein the second layer and first layer are configured to form a plurality tunnels for receiving the cord;

removing the first thread;

forming a loop from a portion of the cord, the loop being disposed outside of the plurality of tunnels;

incorporating the first layer, the second layer, and the cord into an upper of the article of footwear; and

extending a lace through the loop.

10. The method of manufacturing an article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein the cord is stitched to the first layer using an embroidery machine.

11. The method of manufacturing an article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein the tunnels are configured in a crossed pattern.

12. The method of manufacturing an article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein the tunnels are configured in a zigzag pattern.

13. The method of manufacturing an article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein the tunnels are configured in a forefoot portion of the upper.

14. The method of manufacturing an article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein the tunnels are configured in a midfoot portion of the upper.

15. The method of manufacturing an article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein the tunnels are configured in a heel portion of the upper.

16. An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper comprising:

a first layer;

a second layer fixed to the first layer to create a tunnel system comprising a plurality of tunnels;

at least one cord, wherein the cord is configured to be received by the tunnel system and wherein the cord is capable of moving longitudinally through the tunnel system; and

a lacing system in a lacing region, wherein cord elements of the cord are configured to form a plurality of loops to weave through the lacing system, two or more of the plurality of loops being formed by a single cord, and the cord elements being exposed from the tunnel system in at least one region of the upper.

17. The article of footwear according to claim 16, wherein a first portion of cord is configured to cross over a second portion of the cord.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 16, wherein the cord elements are exposed in the lacing region.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 16, wherein the cord elements are exposed in a region corresponding to the sole structure.

20. The article of footwear according to claim 16, wherein the cord elements of the cord are capable of moving laterally through the tunnel system.