Uppers and sole structures for articles of footwear

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9241536-B2
Application number	US-201314040038-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 27, 2013
Priority date	Sep 27, 2013
Publication date	Jan 26, 2016
Grant date	Jan 26, 2016

Abstract

Sole structures and uppers for articles of footwear are described that includes features to enhance footwear flexibility, dexterity, natural motion feel, and/or tackiness. Such articles of footwear may provide enhanced properties and feel for use in skateboarding and other activities.

First claim

We claim:

1. An upper for an article of footwear, comprising:
a mesh layer; and
a first textile member joined to the mesh layer, wherein the first textile member includes:
a first textile layer including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface includes a first hot melt adhesive layer, and
a second textile layer including a first surface and second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface of the second textile layer includes a second hot melt adhesive layer, wherein the first hot melt adhesive layer contacts the second hot melt adhesive layer to thereby join the first textile layer with the second textile layer, and wherein the first surface of the second textile layer and the mesh layer are free of adhesive therebetween such that they are in direct contact with one another.

2. An upper according to claim 1 , wherein the first textile member is joined to the mesh layer at less than an entire interfacing surface area of the mesh layer and the first textile member so that some overlapping portions of the mesh layer are movable relative to the first textile member.

3. An upper according to claim 1 , wherein the first textile member is provided at a toe area of the upper.

4. An upper according to claim 1 , wherein the first textile member is provided at a lateral heel area of the upper.

5. An upper according to claim 1 , wherein the first textile member is provided at a medial heel area of the upper.

6. An upper according to claim 1 , wherein the first textile layer is made from natural or synthetic leather, and wherein the second textile layer is made from natural or synthetic leather.

7. An upper according to claim 1 , wherein at least one edge of the first textile layer extends beyond at least one edge of the second textile layer.

8. An upper according to claim 1 , wherein the second textile layer is at least partially located between the mesh layer and the first textile layer.

9. An upper according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first textile layer and the second textile layer is made from a suede material.

10. An upper according to claim 1 , wherein the first textile member is provided at a toe area of the upper, and wherein the upper further comprises:
a second textile member joined to the mesh layer, wherein the second textile member is separated from the first textile member and is located at a heel area of the upper, and wherein the second textile member includes:
a third textile layer including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface of the third textile layer includes a first hot melt adhesive layer, and
a fourth textile layer including a first surface and second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface of the fourth textile layer includes a second hot melt adhesive layer, wherein the first hot melt adhesive layer of the second textile member contacts the second hot melt adhesive layer of the second textile member to thereby join the third textile layer with the fourth textile layer.

11. An upper according to claim 10 , wherein the second textile member is located at a medial heel area of the upper.

12. An upper according to claim 11 , further comprising:
a third textile member joined to the mesh layer, wherein the third textile member is separated from the first textile member and is located at a lateral heel area of the upper, and wherein the third textile member includes:
a fifth textile layer including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface of the fifth textile layer includes a first hot melt adhesive layer, and
a sixth textile layer including a first surface and second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface of the sixth textile layer includes a second hot melt adhesive layer, wherein the first hot melt adhesive layer of the third textile member contacts the second hot melt adhesive layer of the third textile member to thereby join the fifth textile layer with the sixth textile layer.

13. An upper according to claim 12 , wherein the third textile member is joined with the second textile member at a rear heel area of the upper.

14. An upper according to claim 1 , wherein a lower lateral side edge of the second textile layer has a first slot defined in it, wherein the first slot is located at a forefoot area of the upper where a wearer's foot will bend the upper.

15. An upper according to claim 14 , wherein a lower medial side edge of the second textile layer has a second slot defined in it, wherein the second slot is located at a forefoot area of the upper where a wearer's foot will bend the upper.

16. An upper according to claim 1 , wherein a lower medial side edge of the second textile layer has a first slot defined in it, wherein the first slot is located at a forefoot area of the upper where a wearer's foot will bend the upper.

17. An upper according to claim 1 , wherein an upper lateral side edge of the second textile layer has a first slot defined in it.

18. An upper according to claim 17 , wherein the upper lateral side edge of the second textile layer has a second slot defined in it, wherein the second slot is located closer to a heel area of the upper than the first slot.

19. An upper according to claim 1 , wherein the first textile member further includes a third textile layer including a first surface and second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface of the third textile layer includes a third hot melt adhesive layer, wherein the first hot melt adhesive layer contacts the third hot melt adhesive layer to thereby join the first textile layer with the third textile layer.

20. An upper according to claim 19 , wherein the second textile layer and the third textile layer are spaced apart from one another and are engaged with a single, continuous piece of the first textile layer.

21. An upper according to claim 20 , wherein each of the second textile layer and the third textile layer is located in a forefoot region of the upper.

22. An upper according to claim 19 , wherein the second textile layer and the third textile layer are spaced apart from one another.

23. An article of footwear, comprising:
an upper including (a) a mesh layer and (b) a first textile member joined to the mesh layer, wherein the first textile member includes:
a first textile layer including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface includes a first hot melt adhesive layer, and
a second textile layer including a first surface and second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the second surface of the second textile layer includes a second hot melt adhesive layer, wherein the first hot melt adhesive layer contacts the second hot melt adhesive layer to thereby join the first textile layer with the second textile layer wherein the first surface of the second textile layer and the mesh layer are free of adhesive therebetween such that they are in direct contact with one another; and

a sole structure engaged with the upper.

24. An article of footwear according to claim 23 , wherein the sole structure includes:
a first sole portion having a first exposed bottom surface area;
a second sole portion having a second exposed bottom surface area; and
an elongated double curved channel located between the first exposed bottom surface area an

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Smaldone Patricia L
• Vanatta Dylan S

Classifications

• A43B23/0295

  Pieced uppers · CPC title

• A43B23/0215

  Plastics or artificial leather · CPC title

• A43B23/0265

  having different properties in different directions · CPC title

• A43B23/085

  made of leather · CPC title

• A43B23/0205 Primary

  characterised by the material (material of the lining A43B23/07, material of toe stiffeners or heel stiffeners A43B23/08) · CPC title