Knitted component with inserted elements

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11969047-B2
Application number	US-202016899924-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 12, 2020
Priority date	Jun 19, 2019
Publication date	Apr 30, 2024
Grant date	Apr 30, 2024

Abstract

An article of footwear may include a knitted component that at least partially forms an upper. The knitted component may include a first knit layer and a second knit layer, the first knit layer being separable from the second knit layer such that a pocket is located between the first knit layer and the second knit layer. A cable may be located at least partially within the channel. A cable guide may additionally be located at least partially within the channel, where the cable guide includes at least one curved surface for contacting the cable. The cable may extend around the at least one curved surface such that the cable changes directions within the channel.

First claim

We claim:

1. An article of footwear, comprising:
a knitted component at least partially forming an upper for the article of footwear,
wherein the knitted component comprises a first knit layer and a second knit layer, the first knit layer being separable from the second knit layer such that a pocket is located between the first knit layer and the second knit layer, wherein the pocket comprises a tubular structure forming a channel and is defined by the first knit layer and the second knit layer;
a cable located at least partially within the pocket; and
a cable guide located at least partially within the pocket,
wherein the cable guide includes at least one curved surface for contacting the cable,
wherein a first portion of the cable extends around the at least one curved surface such that the cable changes direction within the pocket,
wherein a second portion of the cable is external to the cable guide and is located at least partially within the channel of the tubular structure of the pocket.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the first knit layer is secured to the second knit layer via a knit course extending along an edge of the pocket.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the cable guide includes a groove comprising the at least one curved surface for contacting the cable.

4. The article of footwear of claim 3 , wherein the cable guide includes a deformable clip configured to retain the cable within the groove.

5. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first knit layer, the second knit layer, and the cable guide comprises a thermoplastic material, and wherein the thermoplastic material is at least partially fused to secure the cable guide to at least one of the first knit layer and the second knit layer.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1 , further comprising a second cable guide and a third cable guide, wherein the cable extends in a serpentine pattern from the cable guide, to the second cable guide, and to the third cable guide, and wherein the serpentine pattern of the cable is retained between the first knit layer and the second knit layer of the knitted component.

7. The article of footwear of claim 6 , wherein the cable guide and the third cable guide are located on a first side of a throat area of the article of footwear, and wherein the second cable guide is located on a second side of the throat area such that the serpentine pattern of the cable crosses the throat area.

8. The article of footwear of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator that is mechanically coupled to an exposed portion of the cable, wherein the actuator is configured to move the cable relative to the cable guide during an actuation state.

9. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein an exposed portion of the cable is exposed at an opening of the pocket located at a perimeter edge of the knitted component.

10. An article of footwear, comprising:
a knitted component at least partially forming an upper for the article of footwear,
wherein the knitted component comprises a first knit layer and a second knit layer, the first knit layer being separable from the second knit layer such that a pocket is located between the first knit layer and the second knit layer, wherein the pocket comprises a tubular structure forming a channel and is defined by the first knit layer and the second knit layer;
a sole structure secured to the knitted component,
a cable located at least partially within the pocket; and
a cable guide located at least partially within the pocket,
wherein a first portion of the cable extends around the cable guide within the pocket, and
wherein a second portion of the cable is external to the cable guide and is located at least partially within the channel of the tubular structure.

11. The article of footwear of claim 10 , wherein the first knit layer is secured to the second knit layer via a knit course extending along an edge of the pocket.

12. The article of footwear of claim 10 , wherein the cable guide includes a groove comprising the at least one curved surface for contacting the cable.

13. The article of footwear of claim 12 , wherein the cable guide includes a deformable clip configured to retain the cable within the groove.

14. The article of footwear of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first knit layer, the second knit layer, and the cable guide comprises a thermoplastic material, and wherein the thermoplastic material is at least partially fused to secure the cable guide to at least one of the first knit layer and the second knit layer.

15. An article of footwear, comprising:
a knitted component at least partially forming an upper for the article of footwear,
wherein the knitted component comprises a first knit layer and a second knit layer, the first knit layer being separable from the second knit layer such that a continuous pocket comprising multiple portions is located between the first knit layer and the second knit layer;
a cable located at least partially within the continuous pocket; and
a first cable guide located at least partially within a first portion of the continuous pocket and a second cable guide located at least partially within a second portion of the continuous pocket,
wherein a third portion of the continuous pocket comprises a tube connecting the first portion of the continuous pocket and the second portion of the continuous pocket,
wherein the cable extends within the continuous pocket around the first cable guide, through the tube of the third portion, and to the second cable guide.

16. The article of footwear of claim 15 , further comprising a third cable guide located in a fourth portion of the continuous pocket, wherein the cable extends, within the continuous pocket, in a serpentine pattern from the first cable guide, to the second cable guide, and to the third cable guide, and wherein the first cable guide, the second cable guide, and the third cable guide are located on one of a medial side or a lateral side of the upper.

17. The article of footwear of claim 15 , wherein the tube is formed by the first knit layer and the second knit layer.

18. The article of footwear of claim 17 , wherein the first knit layer overlaps and is at least partially coextensive with the second knit layer.

19. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the cable includes an exposed portion.

20. The article of footwear of claim 19 , wherein the cable is movable relative to the at least one curved surface of the cable guide via manipulation of the exposed portion.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Meir Adrian
• Molyneux James

Classifications

• A43B1/04 Primary

  braided, knotted, knitted or crocheted · CPC title

• A43B23/024

  Different layers of the same material · CPC title

• A43C11/008

  Combined fastenings, e.g. to accelerate undoing or fastening · CPC title

• A43C11/165

  characterised by a spool, reel or pulley for winding up cables, laces or straps by rotation · CPC title

• A43B23/0245

  characterised by the constructive form · CPC title