Article Of Footwear Incorporating A Knitted Component With An Integral Knit Tongue

• US 20130239438A1
• Filed: 02/28/2013
• Published: 09/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fabdesigns, Inc., Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Dua, Bhupesh, Huffa, Bruce, Shaffer, Benjamin A., Meir, Adrian
• Granted Patent: US 9,510,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/84
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/04 braided, knotted, knitted or crocheted
• 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 23/0245 characterised by the constructive form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0265 having different properties in different directions
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/04 Uppers made of one piece; Uppers with inserted gussets
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/26 Tongues for shoes
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/123 with laid-in unlooped yarn, e.g. fleece fabrics with elastic weft yarn D04B1/18
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/22 specially adapted for knitting goods of particular configuration
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 1/24 wearing apparel
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 15/56 for flat-bed knitting machines
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 7/28 with stitch patterns
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/0113 One surface including hollow piping or integrated straps, e.g. for inserts or mountings
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/0241 enhancing mechanical properties
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2403/02411 with a single array of unbent yarn, e.g. unidirectional reinforcement fabrics
• 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

Articles of footwear are described that incorporate a knitted component that has an upper and an integral knit tongue. The integral knit tongue is formed of unitary knit construction with the upper and extends through a throat area of the knitted component. The integral knit tongue includes raised elements formed of unitary knit construction with the tongue. Methods of manufacturing a knitted component for an article of footwear may include knitting the upper and the integral knit tongue during a knitting process on a knitting machine.

Claims

1. An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the article of footwear incorporating a knitted component comprising:

a portion of the knitted component defining the upper, the upper including a portion of at least one of an exterior surface of the knitted component and an opposite interior surface of the knitted component, the interior surface defining a void for receiving a foot; and

an integral knit tongue formed of unitary knit construction with the upper and extending through a throat area of the knitted component; and

wherein the integral knit tongue is joined to a forward portion of the throat area and at least along a portion of a lateral side and a medial side of the throat area of the knitted component extending from the forward portion to an ankle opening of the upper.

2. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the integral knit tongue and a portion of the upper include at least one course having a common yarn.

3. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the upper and a portion of the integral knit tongue are formed from a common knit structure.

4. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the knitted component further comprises at least one raised element that is formed of unitary knit construction with the upper and the integral knit tongue.

5. The article of footwear recited in claim 4, wherein the knitted component includes at least two raised elements disposed on each of the lateral side and the medial side of the throat area of the upper and extending a height above the exterior surface of the knitted component.

6. The article of footwear recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one raised element further comprises at least one lace aperture configured to receive a lace.

7. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the integral knit tongue comprises at least a partially integral portion and a free portion;

the partially integral portion being of unitary knit construction with the upper at the forward portion of the throat area and at least along the portion of the lateral side and the medial side of the throat area of the knitted component; and

the free portion being of unitary knit construction with the partially integral portion at a rearward portion of the integral knit tongue and remaining unattached to the remaining portions of the knitted component.

8. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the upper comprises a first type of yarn;

and

wherein the integral knit tongue comprises a second type of yarn, the second type of yarn being different from the first type of yarn.

9. The article of footwear recited in claim 8, wherein the second type of yarn is an elastic yarn.

10. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the knitted component comprises at least two knit element layers, the at least two knit element layers including:

a first knit element layer comprising a portion of the knitted component associated with the exterior surface; and

a second knit element layer comprising a portion of the knitted component associated with the interior surface; and

wherein the second knit element layer further includes the integral knit tongue.

11. The article of footwear recited in claim 10, wherein at least a first portion of the first knit element layer and the second knit element layer are decoupled along the throat area of the knitted component.

12. The article of footwear recited in claim 11, wherein at least a second portion of the first knit element layer and the second knit element layer are joined along the throat area of the knitted component.

13. A knitted component for an article of footwear, the knitted component comprising:

a portion of the knitted component defining the upper, the upper including a portion of at least one of an exterior surface of the knitted component and an opposite interior surface of the knitted component, the interior surface configured to define a void for receiving a foot; and

an integral knit tongue formed of unitary knit construction with the upper and extending through a throat area of the knitted component; and

wherein the integral knit tongue is joined to a forward portion of the throat area and at least along a portion of a lateral side and a medial side of the throat area of the knitted component extending from the forward portion to an ankle opening of the upper.

14. The knitted component recited in claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the integral knit tongue and a portion of the upper include at least one course having a common yarn.

15. The knitted component recited in claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the upper and a portion of the integral knit tongue are formed from a common knit structure.

16. The knitted component recited in claim 13, further comprising at least one raised element that is formed of unitary knit construction with the upper and the integral knit tongue.

17. The knitted component recited in claim 16, comprising at least two raised elements disposed on each of a lateral side and a medial side of the upper and extending a height above the exterior surface of the knitted component.

18. The knitted component recited in claim 13, wherein the integral knit tongue comprises at least a partially integral portion and a free portion;

the partially integral portion being of unitary knit construction with the upper at the forward portion of the throat area and at least along the portion of the lateral side and the medial side of the throat area of the knitted component; and

the free portion being of unitary knit construction with the partially integral portion at a rearward portion of the integral knit tongue and remaining unattached to the remaining portions of the knitted component.

19. The knitted component recited in claim 13, wherein the upper comprises a first type of yarn;

and

wherein the integral knit tongue comprises a second type of yarn, the second type of yarn being different from the first type of yarn.

20. The knitted component recited in claim 19, wherein the second type of yarn is an elastic yarn.

21. A knitted component for an article of footwear, the knitted component comprising:

an upper and an integral knit tongue formed of unitary knit construction with the upper and extending through a throat area of the knitted component;

the knitted component comprising at least two knit element layers, including;

a first knit element layer comprising a portion of an exterior surface of the knitted component; and

a second knit element layer comprising a portion of an interior surface of the knitted component, the interior surface disposed opposite to the exterior surface and the interior surface being configured to define a void for receiving a foot; and

wherein the integral knit tongue is joined to a forward portion of the throat area and at least along a portion of a lateral side and a medial side of the throat area of the knitted component extending from the forward portion to an ankle opening of the upper.

22. The knitted component recited in claim 21, wherein the second knit element comprises the integral knit tongue.

23. The knitted component recited in claim 21, wherein at least a first portion of the first knit element layer and the second knit element layer are decoupled along the throat area of the knitted component.

24. The knitted component recited in claim 23, wherein at least a second portion of the first knit element layer and the second knit element layer are joined along the throat area of the knitted component.

25. The knitted component recited in claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the integral knit tongue and a portion of the upper include at least one course having a common yarn.

26. The knitted component recited in claim 21, further comprising at least one raised element that is formed of unitary knit construction with the upper and the integral knit tongue.

27. The knitted component recited in claim 26, wherein the first knit element layer comprises the at least one raised element.