Article of footwear incorporating a trimmed knitted upper

• US 9,924,757 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2016
• Issued: 03/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Droege, John, Podhajny, Daniel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAYS, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US15/131,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20160295951A1
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 36 45, 36 47, 36 84, 36 9 R, 33 3, 33 4, 33 5, 33 6, 33 2307, 33 12, 700134, 700131, 700132
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/04 braided, knotted, knitted or crocheted
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/02 Uppers; Boot legs
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0205 characterised by the material material of the lining A43B23/07, material of toe stiffeners or heel stiffeners A43B23/08
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0235 Different layers of different material
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0255 assembled by gluing or thermo bonding
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0275 with a part of the upper particularly rigid, e.g. resisting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/086 made of impregnated fabrics, plastics or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/0089 with means to identify the size of the shoe
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 1/00 Shoe lacing fastenings garment fastening devices A41F
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/123 with laid-in unlooped yarn, e.g. fleece fabrics with elastic weft yarn D04B1/18
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/0113 One surface including hollow piping or integrated straps, e.g. for inserts or mountings
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/0243 enhancing functional properties
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/032 Flat fabric of variable width, e.g. including one or more fashioned panels
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2501/043 Footwear

Abstract

An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper that is connected to the sole structure. The upper includes a flat knitted component formed of unitary knit construction. The flat knitted component includes a trim region that defines a trimmed outer edge of the flat knitted component. The trimmed outer edge is disposed proximate to the sole structure. The trimmed outer edge defines a first dimension of the flat knitted component that corresponds to a first foot size. The trim region further defines a trim line that is spaced from the trimmed outer edge in an inboard direction on the flat knitted component. The trim line defines a second dimension of the flat knitted component that corresponds to a second foot size.

Claims

1. An upper associated with one of a first foot size and a second foot size, the upper comprising:

a knitted component comprising a trim region that defines a trimmed outer edge of the knitted component;

wherein the trimmed outer edge of the knitted component is associated with a first dimension of the upper that corresponds to the first foot size;

wherein the trim region further comprises a trim line that is spaced from the trimmed outer edge in an inboard direction on the knitted component;

wherein the trim line defines a second dimension of the upper that corresponds to the second foot size, the second foot size being smaller than the first foot size; and

wherein the knitted component further comprises at least one fusible strand that is disposed proximate the trimmed outer edge, the at least one fusible strand being configured to prevent unravelling of the knitted component at the trimmed outer edge.

2. The upper of claim 1, wherein the upper further comprises a skin layer attached to the knitted component.

3. The upper of claim 1, wherein the knitted component comprises a knit element and at least one tensile strand;

wherein the knit element comprises the trim region;

wherein the at least one tensile strand further comprises an inlaid portion that is inlaid within the knit element and an exposed portion that is exposed from the knit element;

wherein the exposed portion of the at least one tensile strand is disposed adjacent to the trimmed outer edge and is configured to be manipulated for moving and adjusting the inlaid portion relative to the knit element; and

wherein the exposed portion is spaced from the trimmed outer edge in the inboard direction on the knitted component.

4. The upper of claim 3, wherein the inlaid portion is a first inlaid portion, the at least one tensile strand further comprising a second inlaid portion that is inlaid within the knit element;

and

wherein the exposed portion of the at least one tensile strand extends continuously between the first inlaid portion and the second inlaid portion.

5. The upper of claim 3, wherein the knit element comprises a first layer and a second layer;

wherein the first layer and the second layer overlay each other and are disconnected in the trim region;

wherein the first layer and the second layer cooperate to define the trimmed outer edge; and

wherein the exposed portion of the at least one tensile strand is disposed between the first layer and the second layer in the trim region.

6. The upper of claim 3, wherein the knit element comprises a body that is at least partially bordered by the trim region;

wherein the knit element comprises a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer and the second layer overlay each other and are connected in the body;

wherein the first layer extends away in an outboard direction from the body and the second layer to define the trim region and the trimmed outer edge; and

wherein the exposed portion of the at least one tensile strand is disposed on the first layer within the trim region.

7. The upper of claim 1, wherein the upper further comprises a collar located in a heel region of the upper.

8. The upper of claim 1, wherein the upper further comprises a plurality of lace-receiving elements.

9. The upper of claim 1, wherein the upper further comprises a plurality of protruding areas.

10. The upper of claim 1, wherein the upper further comprises a strobel that comprises a sole region of the upper and a sockliner that extends over the strobel.

11. The upper of claim 1, wherein the upper further comprises a seam where a medial side and a lateral side of the upper are joined.

12. An upper configured to fit a foot size, the upper comprising:

a knitted component comprising;

a knit element comprising a trim region that defines a trimmed outer edge of the knitted component, wherein the trimmed outer edge is trimmed to a predetermined dimension, the predetermined dimension corresponding to the foot size; and

a tensile strand comprising an inlaid portion that is inlaid within the knit element, the tensile strand further comprising an exposed portion that is exposed from the knit element;

wherein the exposed portion is disposed adjacent to the trimmed outer edge;

wherein the exposed portion is configured to be manipulated for moving and adjusting the inlaid portion relative to the knit element; and

wherein the exposed portion is spaced from the trimmed outer edge in an inboard direction on the knit element.

13. The upper of claim 12, wherein the inlaid portion is a first inlaid portion, the tensile strand further comprising a second inlaid portion that is inlaid within the knit element;

and

wherein the exposed portion extends continuously between the first inlaid portion and the second inlaid portion.

14. The upper of claim 12, wherein the knit element comprises a first layer and a second layer;

wherein the first layer and the second layer overlay each other and are disconnected in the trim region;

wherein the first layer and the second layer cooperate to define the trimmed outer edge; and

wherein the exposed portion is disposed between the first layer and the second layer in the trim region.

15. The upper of claim 12, wherein the knit element further comprises a body that is at least partially bordered by the trim region;

wherein the knit element comprises a first layer and a second layer;

wherein the first layer and the second layer overlay each other and are connected in the body;

wherein the first layer extends away in an outboard direction from the body and the second layer to define the trim region and the outer edge; and

wherein the exposed portion of the tensile strand is disposed on the first layer within the trim region.

16. A knitted component configured to be integrated into an upper of an article of footwear, the knitted component comprising:

a knit element comprising a body and a trim region; and

a tensile strand comprising an inlaid portion that is inlaid within the knit element and an exposed portion that is exposed from the knit element;

wherein the body of the knit element defines at least a portion of the upper;

wherein the trim region defines an outer edge of the knit element;

wherein the outer edge of the knit element at least partly defines a first dimension of the knit element;

wherein the trim region comprises a first predetermined trim line and the trim region configured to be trimmed along the first predetermined trim line to reduce the first dimension to a second dimension;

wherein the trim region also comprises a second predetermined trim line and the trim region configured to be trimmed along the second predetermined trim line to reduce the second dimension to a third dimension;

wherein the exposed portion of the tensile strand is disposed adjacent to the outer edge of the knit element;

wherein the exposed portion of the tensile strand is configured to be manipulated for moving and adjusting the inlaid portion relative to the knit element; and

wherein the exposed portion of the tensile strand is spaced from the outer edge of the knit element in an inboard direction on the knit element.

17. The knitted component of claim 16, wherein the upper is configured to fit one of a first foot size and a second foot size, the first foot size being larger than the second foot size;

wherein the second dimension corresponds to the first foot size; and

wherein the third dimension corresponds to the second foot size.

18. The knitted component of claim 16, wherein the outer edge comprises at least one indentation, and wherein the first predetermined trim line is located within the trim region so as to remove the at least one indentation when the trim region is trimmed.