Article of footwear having an upper with a matrix layer
First Claim
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1. A method of manufacturing a first article of footwear and a second article of footwear, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming a first polymer element with a first mold, the first polymer element defining a plurality of first apertures with an elongate configuration;
securing the first polymer element to a first sole structure to form at least a portion of a first upper, the first sole structure having a first length;
forming a second polymer element with the first mold, wherein the second polymer element is substantially identical to the first polymer element; and
securing the second polymer element to a second sole structure to form at least a portion of a second upper, the second sole structure having a second length that is greater than the first length of the first sole structure.
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Abstract
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure. The upper includes a matrix structure that defines a plurality of apertures. The apertures may have an elongate configuration to impart differences in the extensibility of the upper in different directions. For example, the matrix layer may be formed from a plurality of segments that cross each other to define the apertures. A method of manufacturing the article of footwear is also disclosed.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing a first article of footwear and a second article of footwear, the method comprising the steps of:
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forming a first polymer element with a first mold, the first polymer element defining a plurality of first apertures with an elongate configuration; securing the first polymer element to a first sole structure to form at least a portion of a first upper, the first sole structure having a first length; forming a second polymer element with the first mold, wherein the second polymer element is substantially identical to the first polymer element; and securing the second polymer element to a second sole structure to form at least a portion of a second upper, the second sole structure having a second length that is greater than the first length of the first sole structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of manufacturing a first article of footwear comprising:
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forming a first matrix structure from a first mold, the first matrix structure defining a plurality of segments that cross each other to define a plurality of intersections and apertures, at least a portion of the intersections each defining a first angle and a second angle, the first angle being an acute angle oriented in a substantially vertical direction, and the second angle being an obtuse angle oriented in a substantially horizontal direction; forming a first upper including the first matrix structure, the first upper extending along at least one of a medial side and a lateral side of the first article of footwear, wherein the first upper further includes at least one lace-receiving opening defined by at least two segments of the first matrix structure and a cord; and securing the first upper to a first sole structure. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of manufacturing a first article of footwear comprising:
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forming a first matrix structure from a first mold, the first matrix structure defining a plurality of segments that cross each other to define a plurality of intersections and apertures, at least a portion of the intersections each defining a first angle and a second angle, the first angle being an acute angle oriented in a substantially vertical direction, and the second angle being an obtuse angle oriented in a substantially horizontal direction; forming a first upper including the first matrix structure, the first upper extending along at least one of a medial side and a lateral side of the first article of footwear, wherein the first upper further includes at least one lace-receiving opening defined by at least two segments of the first matrix structure and a cord; and securing the first upper to one of a first sole structure having a first size or a second sole structure having a second size that is different than the first size.
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Specification