Knitted component having tensile strand for adjusting auxetic portion
First Claim
1. A knitted component, the knitted component comprising:
- a knit element that includes an auxetic portion that is configured to move between a first position and a second position as the knitted component stretches; and
a tensile strand formed with the knit element;
wherein the auxetic portion has an area when in the first position;
wherein the tensile strand engages the knit element proximate the auxetic portion;
wherein the tensile strand is configured to be manipulated for selectively changing the area of the auxetic portion to vary a stretch characteristic of the knitted component; and
wherein the tensile strand is inlaid within one of a course and a wale of the knit element.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and is configured to stretch. The knitted component includes a knit element that includes an auxetic portion configured to move between a first position and a second position as the knitted component stretches. The knitted component also includes a tensile strand formed of unitary knit construction with the knit element. The auxetic portion has an area when in the first position. The tensile strand engages the knit element proximate the auxetic portion. The tensile strand is configured to be manipulated for selectively changing the area of the auxetic portion to vary a stretch characteristic of the knitted component.
130 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A knitted component, the knitted component comprising:
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a knit element that includes an auxetic portion that is configured to move between a first position and a second position as the knitted component stretches; and a tensile strand formed with the knit element; wherein the auxetic portion has an area when in the first position; wherein the tensile strand engages the knit element proximate the auxetic portion; wherein the tensile strand is configured to be manipulated for selectively changing the area of the auxetic portion to vary a stretch characteristic of the knitted component; and wherein the tensile strand is inlaid within one of a course and a wale of the knit element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An article of footwear comprising:
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a sole structure; and an upper that is attached to the sole structure, the upper including a stretchable knitted component, the knitted component comprising; a knit element that includes an auxetic portion that is configured to move between a first position and a second position as the knitted component stretches; and a tensile strand formed with the knit element; wherein the auxetic portion has an area when in the first position; wherein the tensile strand engages the auxetic portion; wherein the tensile strand is configured for selectively changing the area of the auxetic portion to vary a stretch characteristic of the knitted component; wherein the tensile strand includes a first end, a second end, and a middle section extending between first end and second end; and wherein at least one segment of the middle section engages an outer boundary of the auxetic portion and is inlaid through the auxetic portion. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A knitted component, the knitted component comprising:
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a knit element that includes an auxetic portion that is configured to move between a first position and a second position as the knitted component stretches, the auxetic portion having a border; and a tensile strand that is inlaid within the knit element; wherein the auxetic portion has an area when in the first position; wherein the tensile strand extends across the auxetic portion and engages a first location and a second location of the border; and wherein the tensile strand is configured for selectively moving the first location relative to the second location to change the area of the auxetic portion to vary a stretch characteristic of the knitted component. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification