Article of footwear having an upper incorporating a knitted component
First Claim
1. An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper comprising:
- a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction, the knitted component including a first area and a second area, the first area including a first knitted layer and a second knitted layer that are at least partially coextensive with each other;
at least one tubular structure disposed on the first area of the knitted component, the at least one tubular structure comprising the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer that are overlapping and joined to each other along opposite edges to define sides of a tube;
a yarn having a configuration of a one-dimensional material, the yarn extending through at least a portion of a length of the tube;
wherein the tube formed by the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer has a unitary knit construction so as to be a one-piece element with the remaining portion of the knitted component;
wherein the second area of the knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction with the first area; and
wherein the second area has a higher knit density than the first area.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An article of footwear has an upper that includes a knitted component and a sole structure secured to the upper. The knitted component may define a tube formed of unitary knit construction, and a strand may extend through a length of the tube. As another example, the knitted component may have a pair of at least partially coextensive knitted layers formed of unitary knit construction, and a plurality of floating yarns may extend between the knitted layers. In some configurations, the knit type or yarn type may vary in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. Additionally, the knitted component may incorporate a thermoplastic yarn that is fused in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. A flat knitting process or a variety of other knitting processes may be utilized to form the knitted component.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper comprising:
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a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction, the knitted component including a first area and a second area, the first area including a first knitted layer and a second knitted layer that are at least partially coextensive with each other; at least one tubular structure disposed on the first area of the knitted component, the at least one tubular structure comprising the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer that are overlapping and joined to each other along opposite edges to define sides of a tube; a yarn having a configuration of a one-dimensional material, the yarn extending through at least a portion of a length of the tube; wherein the tube formed by the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer has a unitary knit construction so as to be a one-piece element with the remaining portion of the knitted component; wherein the second area of the knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction with the first area; and wherein the second area has a higher knit density than the first area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper comprising:
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a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction, the knitted component having an outer surface and an inner surface that is opposite the outer surface; and a yarn having a configuration of a one-dimensional material, at least a portion of the yarn being substantially enclosed within the knitted component between the outer surface and the inner surface; wherein the knitted component includes a first area and a second area, wherein the second area of the knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction with the first area, and wherein the second area has a higher knit density than the first area; wherein the at least a portion of the yarn extends across the first area of the knitted component; wherein the at least a portion of the yarn is spaced apart from the second area of the knitted component; wherein the first area includes a first knitted layer and a second knitted layer that are at least partially coextensive with each other; further comprising at least one tubular structure disposed on the first area of the knitted component, the at least one tubular structure comprising the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer that are overlapping and joined to each other along opposite edges to define sides of a tube; wherein the tube formed by the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer has a unitary knit construction so as to be a one-piece element with the remaining portion of the knitted component; wherein the first knitted layer at least partially defines the outer surface of the knitted component; wherein the second knitted layer at least partially defines the inner surface of the knitted component; and wherein the at least a portion of the yarn is received within the tube. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification