Article of footwear having an upper incorporating a tensile strand with a cover layer
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, the method comprising:
- securing a plurality of separated sections of strand along an exterior surface of an upper of the article of footwear;
wherein the step of securing the plurality of separated sections of strand further includes the steps of;
simultaneously laying each separated section of strand and an associated separated section of cover layer against the exterior surface of the upper of the article of footwear, each of the plurality of separated sections of strand having the configuration of a one-dimensional material, and each separated section of strand being positioned between the associated separated section of cover layer and the exterior surface, and each separated section of strand being substantially parallel to the exterior surface for a distance of at least five centimeters; and
bonding each associated separated section of cover layer to the exterior surface to secure each separated section of strand to the upper.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An article of footwear may have a sole structure and an upper that includes a foundation element, a strand, and a cover layer. The strand is positioned adjacent to an exterior surface of the foundation element and substantially parallel to the exterior surface for a distance of at least five centimeters. The cover layer extends along the strand for the distance of at least five centimeters, and the strand is positioned between the cover layer and the foundation element. In some configurations, the cover layer has a pair of edges on opposite sides of the strand, the strand is substantially centered between the edges of the cover layer for the distance of at least five centimeters, and areas of the exterior surface are exposed beyond the edges of the cover layer.
96 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, the method comprising:
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securing a plurality of separated sections of strand along an exterior surface of an upper of the article of footwear; wherein the step of securing the plurality of separated sections of strand further includes the steps of; simultaneously laying each separated section of strand and an associated separated section of cover layer against the exterior surface of the upper of the article of footwear, each of the plurality of separated sections of strand having the configuration of a one-dimensional material, and each separated section of strand being positioned between the associated separated section of cover layer and the exterior surface, and each separated section of strand being substantially parallel to the exterior surface for a distance of at least five centimeters; and bonding each associated separated section of cover layer to the exterior surface to secure each separated section of strand to the upper. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear, the method comprising:
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providing a foundation element having an interior surface and an opposite exterior surface, the foundation element forming at least a portion of the upper of the article of footwear; locating at least two strands against the exterior surface of the foundation element, the at least two strands having a configuration of a one-dimensional material and being substantially parallel to the exterior surface for a distance of at least five centimeters; locating an associated cover layer against each strand of the at least two strands and the exterior surface of the foundation element, each strand of the at least two strands being positioned between an inner surface of each associated cover layer and the exterior surface of the foundation element, each cover layer having a pair of edges on opposite sides of each strand of the at least two strands, the strand being substantially centered between the pair of edges of the associated cover layer for the distance of at least five centimeters, and areas of the exterior surface of the foundation element being exposed beyond the pair of edges of the associated cover layer; and bonding each associated cover layer to the exterior surface to secure the position of each of the at least two strands on the upper. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear, the method comprising:
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providing a foundation element having an interior surface and an opposite exterior surface, the foundation element forming at least a portion of the upper of the article of footwear; locating a first strand adjacent to the exterior surface of the foundation element, the first strand being substantially parallel to the exterior surface for a first distance of at least five centimeters; locating a first cover layer against the first strand and the exterior surface of the foundation element, the first cover layer extending along and secured to the first strand for the first distance of at least five centimeters, the first strand being positioned between an inner surface of the first cover layer and the exterior surface of the foundation element; locating a second strand adjacent to the exterior surface of the foundation element, the second strand being substantially parallel to the exterior surface for a second distance of at least five centimeters, the second strand crossing over the first strand such that the first strand is positioned between the exterior surface of the foundation element and the second strand; locating a second cover layer against the second strand and at least a portion of the exterior surface of the foundation element, the second cover layer extending along and secured to the second strand for the second distance of at least five centimeters, the second strand being positioned between an inner surface of the second cover layer and at least a portion of the exterior surface of the foundation element; bonding the first cover layer and the second cover layer to the exterior surface. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification