Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] Not Applicable.

Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research or Development

[0002] Not Applicable.

Appendix

[0003] Not Applicable.

Background

Field

[0004] This disclosure pertains to a shoe upper.

SUMMARY

[0005] One aspect of the disclosure pertains to a shoe including a knit upper and a sole secured to the upper. The knit upper has a knitted element. The knitted element is formed of a unitary one-piece construction during a knitting process on a knitting machine. The knitted element includes a knitted tongue region, a knitted upper heel region, a knitted upper lateral midfoot region, a knitted upper medial midfoot region, a knitted upper metatarsal region, a knitted upper lateral ball region, a knitted upper medial ball region, and a knitted upper toe region. The upper metatarsal region includes a knitted upper lateral metatarsal region and a knitted upper medial metatarsal region. The upper has a knitted upper lateral side region and a knitted upper medial side region. The upper lateral side region includes the upper lateral midfoot region, the upper lateral metatarsal region and the upper lateral ball region. The upper medial side region includes the upper medial midfoot region, the upper medial metatarsal region, and the upper medial ball region. The upper toe region is seamlessly knitted with the upper medial and lateral ball regions during the knitting process, the upper medial and lateral ball regions are seamlessly knitted with the upper metatarsal region during the knitting process, and the upper metatarsal region are seamlessly knitted with the upper lateral and medial midfoot regions during the knitting process. The knitted element includes a circular vamp oxford pattern. The circular vamp oxford pattern includes portions of at least the upper toe region, the upper lateral and medial ball regions, the upper lateral and medial metatarsal regions, and the upper lateral and medial midfoot regions. The upper toe region, the upper lateral and medial ball regions, and the upper lateral and medial metatarsal regions collectively are knitted with the circular vamp oxford pattern during the knitting process.

The circular vamp oxford pattern is knit with a first knit structure, a second knit structure, and a third knit structure. The first knit structure has a smaller gauge than the second and third knit structures, and the third knit structure has a larger gauge than the second knit structure. The first knit structure is seamlessly knit with the second knit structure, and the second knit structure is seamlessly knit with the third knit structure. The first knit structure is present in the upper toe region, the upper lateral and medial ball regions, the upper lateral and medial metatarsal regions, and the upper lateral and medial midfoot regions. The third knit structure is present in the upper heel region, the upper lateral and medial midfoot regions, and the upper lateral and medial metatarsal regions. The first and third knit structures are separated by the second knit structure.

[0006] Another aspect of the disclosure pertains to a method of manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear. The method includes knitting with a knitting machine to form a knitted element of the upper such that the knitted element is of unitary one-piece construction. The knitted element includes a knitted tongue region, a knitted upper heel region, a knitted upper lateral midfoot region, a knitted upper medial midfoot region, a knitted upper metatarsal region, a knitted upper lateral ball region, a knitted upper medial ball region, and a knitted upper toe region. The upper metatarsal region includes a knitted upper lateral metatarsal region and a knitted upper medial metatarsal region. The upper has a knitted upper lateral side region and a knitted upper medial side region. The upper lateral side region includes the upper lateral midfoot region, the upper lateral metatarsal region and the upper lateral ball region. The upper medial side region includes the upper medial midfoot region, the upper medial metatarsal region, and the upper medial ball region. The upper toe region is seamlessly knitted with the upper medial and lateral ball regions during the knitting process, the upper medial and lateral ball regions are seamlessly knitted with the upper metatarsal region during the knitting process, and the upper metatarsal region are seamlessly knitted with the upper lateral and medial midfoot regions during the knitting process. The knitted element includes a circular vamp oxford pattern. The circular vamp oxford pattern includes portions of at least the upper toe region, the upper lateral and medial ball regions, the upper lateral and medial metatarsal regions, and the upper lateral and medial midfoot regions. The upper toe region, the upper lateral and medial ball regions, and the upper lateral and medial metatarsal regions collectively are knitted with the circular vamp oxford pattern during the knitting process. The circular vamp oxford pattern is knit with a first knit structure, a second knit structure, and a third knit structure. The first knit structure has a smaller gauge than the second and third knit structures, and the third knit structure has a larger gauge than the second knit structure. The first knit structure is seamlessly knit with the second knit structure, and the second knit structure is seamlessly knit with the third knit structure. The first knit structure is present in the upper toe region, the upper lateral and medial ball regions, the upper lateral and medial metatarsal regions, and the upper lateral and medial midfoot regions. The third knit structure is present in the upper heel region, the upper lateral and medial midfoot regions, and the upper lateral and medial metatarsal regions. The first and third knit structures are separated by the second knit structure.

[0007] A further aspect of the disclosure pertains to a shoe including a knit upper and a sole secured to the upper. The knit upper has a knitted element. The knitted element is formed of a unitary one-piece construction during a knitting process on a knitting machine. The knitted element includes a knitted tongue region, a knitted upper heel region, a knitted upper lateral midfoot region, a knitted upper medial midfoot region, a knitted upper metatarsal region, a knitted upper lateral ball region, a knitted upper medial ball region, and a knitted upper toe region. The upper metatarsal region includes a knitted upper lateral metatarsal region and a knitted upper medial metatarsal region. The upper has a knitted upper lateral side region and a knitted upper medial side region. The upper lateral side region includes the upper lateral midfoot region, the upper lateral metatarsal region and the upper lateral ball region. The upper medial side region includes the upper medial midfoot region, the upper medial metatarsal region, and the upper medial ball region. The upper toe region is seamlessly knitted with the upper medial and lateral ball regions during the knitting process, the upper medial and lateral ball regions are seamlessly knitted with the upper metatarsal region during the knitting process, and the upper metatarsal region are seamlessly knitted with the upper lateral and medial midfoot regions during the knitting process. The knitted element includes a circular vamp oxford pattern. The circular vamp oxford pattern is portions of at least the upper toe region, the upper lateral and medial ball regions, the upper lateral and medial metatarsal regions, and the upper lateral and medial midfoot regions. The upper toe region, the upper lateral and medial ball regions, and the upper lateral and medial metatarsal regions collectively re knitted with the circular vamp oxford pattern during the knitting process. The circular vamp oxford pattern includes a medial band of stitching and a lateral band of stitching. The upper metatarsal region, and the upper lateral and medial midfoot regions collectively are knitted with the medial and lateral band of stitching. The circular vamp oxford pattern is knit with a first knit structure, a second knit structure, and a third knit structure. The first knit structure is seamlessly knit with the second knit structure, and the second knit structure is seamlessly knit with the third knit structure. The first knit structure is adjacent to the second knit structure, and the third knit structure is adjacent to the second knit structure opposite the first knit structure. The first knit structure differs from the second knit structure at a boundary with the second knit structure and is closer to the toe end than the second knit structure. The third knit structure differs from the second knit structure at a boundary with the second knit structure and is closer to the heel end than the second knit structure. The first knit structure is present in the upper toe region, the upper lateral and medial ball regions, the upper lateral and medial metatarsal regions, and the upper lateral and medial midfoot regions. The third knit structure is present in the upper heel region, the upper lateral and medial midfoot regions, and the upper lateral and medial metatarsal regions. The first and third knit structures are separated by the second knit structure, and the second knit structure is present in the medial and lateral band of stitching.

[0008] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure, as well as the operation of the embodiments described herein, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a medial perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a shoe of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 2 is a medial side view of the shoe shown in Figure 1.

[0011] Figure 3 is a lateral side view of the outsole shoe shown in Figure 1. [0012] Figure 4 is a top view of the shoe shown in Figure 1.

[0013] Reference numerals in the written specification and in the drawing figures indicate corresponding items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] An embodiment of a shoe in accordance with the present disclosure is indicated by reference numeral 20 in Figures 1-4. The shoe 20 includes a sole, generally indicated at 22, a knit upper, generally indicated at 24, and a chassis member, generally indicated at 26. The sole 22 and chassis member 26 are secured to the upper 24. The shoe 20 extends forward from a heel end 28 to a toe end 30. The knit upper 24 has a knitted element 32.

[0015] The knitted element 32 is formed of a unitary one-piece construction during a knitting process on a knitting machine. The knitted element 32 includes a knitted tongue region 34, a knitted upper heel region 36, a knitted upper lateral midfoot region 38, a knitted upper medial midfoot region 40, a knitted upper metatarsal region 42, a knitted upper lateral ball region 44, a knitted upper medial ball region 46, and a knitted upper toe region 48. The upper metatarsal region 42 includes a knitted upper lateral metatarsal region 50 and a knitted upper medial metatarsal region 52. The upper has a knitted upper lateral side region 54 and a knitted upper medial side region 56. The upper lateral side region 54 includes the upper lateral midfoot region 38, the upper lateral metatarsal region 50, and the upper lateral ball region 44. The upper medial side region 56 includes the upper medial midfoot region 40, the upper medial metatarsal region 52, and the upper medial ball region 46. The upper toe region 48 is seamlessly knitted with the upper medial and lateral ball regions 46, 44 during the knitting process. The upper medial and lateral ball regions 46, 44 are seamlessly knitted with the upper metatarsal region 42 during the knitting process. The upper metatarsal region 42 is seamlessly knitted with the upper lateral and medial midfoot regions 38, 40 during the knitting process. The seamless knitting of the various regions provides a bootie like construction and including an integrated tongue. The knitted element 32 includes a circular vamp oxford pattern 58. The circular vamp oxford pattern 58 includes portions of at least the upper toe region 48, the upper lateral 44 and medial ball regions 46, the upper lateral 50 and medial metatarsal regions 52, and the upper lateral 38 and medial midfoot regions 40.

[0016] In the construction of the shoe 20, the upper toe region 48, the upper lateral 44 and medial ball regions 46, and the upper lateral 50 and medial metatarsal regions 52 collectively are knitted with the circular vamp oxford pattern 58 during the knitting process.

[0017] The circular vamp oxford pattern 58 is knit with a first knit structure 60, a second knit structure 62, and a third knit structure 64. The first knit structure 60 has a smaller gauge than the second 62 and third knit structures 64. The third knit structure 64 has a larger gauge than the second knit structure 62. The first knit structure 60 is seamlessly knit with the second knit structure 62, and the second knit structure 62 being seamlessly knit with the third knit structure 64. The first knit structure 60 is present in the upper toe region 48, the upper lateral 44 and medial ball regions 46, the upper lateral 50 and medial metatarsal regions 52, and the upper lateral 38 and medial midfoot regions 40. The third knit structure 64 is present in the upper heel region 36, the upper lateral 38 and medial midfoot regions 40, and the upper lateral 50 and medial metatarsal regions 52. The first 60 and third knit structures 64 are separated by the second knit structure 62. For example and without limitation, the first knit structure 60 is adjacent to and borders the second knit structure 62. Also, the third knit structure 64 is adjacent to and borders the second knit structure 62 on a side opposite the first knit structure 60.

[0018] The circular vamp oxford pattern 58 comprises a medial band of stitching 66 and a lateral band of stitching 68. The upper metatarsal region 42, and the upper lateral 38 and medial midfoot regions 38 collectively are knitted with the medial 66 and lateral band of stitching 68. The medial band of stitching 66 comprises a curved line having two inflection points 70, 72 and extends rearward and downward from the knitted tongue region 34. The medial band of stitching 66 may further comprise a third inflection point between the two inflection points. The lateral band of stitching 68 comprises a curved line having two inflection points 74, 76 and extends rearward and downward from the knitted tongue region 34. The lateral band of stitching 68 may further comprise a third inflection point between the two inflection points.

[0019] In one embodiment, the medial 66 and lateral band of stitching 68 comprise the second knit structure 62. The first knit structure 60 is toeward of the medial and lateral band of stitching. The third knit structure 64 is heelward of the medial and lateral band of stitching. The second knit structure 62 comprises a jersey stitch and the first 60 and third knit structures 64 comprise pointelle stitches. In alternative embodiments, other types of stitches may be used in one or more of the knit structures. The differing gauges, locations of the knit structures, and/or stitch type of the knit structures provide differing levels of support and give in different corresponding regions. This increases the comfort of the wearer.

[0020] Both the medial 66 and lateral band of stitching 68 are knitted with broguing 78. The broguing 78 may provide ventilation and/or increased flexibility. The medial 66 and lateral band of stitching 68 meet at a forward most portion 80 adjacent the knitted tongue region 34. The forward most portion 80 is centered transversely between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe 20. In alternative embodiments, the forward most portion 80 is biased to either the medial side or the lateral side.

[0021] In some embodiments, the shoe 20 includes the chassis member 26 and/or a heel counter 82. The chassis member 26 is coupled to the outsole 22 and is coextensive with the outsole 22 longitudinally and transversely. The chassis member 26 includes a heel portion 84 extending over a portion of the heel counter 82. The heel counter 82 extends over a portion of the knitted upper heel region 36. The heel portion 84 of the chassis member 26 and the heel counter 82 are adapted and configured to stiffen the upper in the knitted upper heel region 36. For example, and without limitation, the heel counter 82 is constructed of leather and adds stiffness in the heel region 36. The chassis member 26 may be made of any suitable material such as leather, thermosplastic polyurethane, or the like.

[0022] The knitted element 32 may be knitted with one or more yams, such as polyester yams, nylon yams, cotton yams, and spandex yams. In one embodiment, the knitted element 32 is knitted of polyester covered spandex yam and hot melt yam, such that of the finished knitted element, the polyester covered spandex yam constitutes at least 50% by mass (and more preferably at least 60% by mass), and the hot melt yam constitutes at least 15% by mass (and more preferably at least 20% by mass but not more than 30% by mass). The hot melt yam is knitted with the polyester covered spandex yam during the knitting process. Preferably, the polyester covered spandex yam has a linear density of between about 120 denier and about 180 denier, and the hot melt yam has a linear density of between about 80 denier and about 120 denier. In addition to the polyester covered spandex yam and the hot melt yam, the knitted element 20 may be knitted with stretch yam, with the stretch yam preferably constituting at least 5% by mass of the knitted upper. If stretch yam is included, it is preferably limited (but need not be limited) to the topline area of the knitted element 32 to provide a stretch function primarily in the ankle region of the upper 24 of the shoe 20.

Preferably, the polyester covered spandex yam includes a double layer of polyester. Also preferably, the stretch yam is spandex yam. In another embodiment, the knitted

element 32 is formed by knitting hot melt yam with polyester yam during the knitting process such that polyester yam constitutes at least 50% by mass of the knitted element and the hot melt yam constitutes at least 15% by mass of the knitted element. [0023] A method of constructing the shoe 20 includes knitting the upper 24 to include the knitted element 32 as described herein. For example and without limitation, the upper 24 may be knitted using a knitting machine such as a CNC knitting machine. The knitted upper 24 may then be placed around a last and heated such that the upper takes the shape of the last. The heating causes the hot melt yam to affix to a second yam or the type described herein. The heel counter 82 is coupled to the upper 24 by stitching, adhesive, or the line. The chassis member 26 is coupled to the upper 24 using stitching, adhesive, or the like. The chassis member 26 overlies the heel counter 82.

[0024] In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the shoe of the disclosure has several advantages over the prior art.

[0025] As various modifications could be made in the constmctions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. For example, the wedge shoe may be any type of wedge shoe, such as a wedge sandal, a wedge pump, an open-toe wedge, a platform wedge, etc. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents

[0026] It should also be understood that when introducing elements in the present disclosure in the claims or in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, the terms“comprising,”“including,” and“having” are intended to be open-ended and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, the term “portion” should be construed as meaning some or all of the item or element that it qualifies. Moreover, use of identifiers such as first, second, and third should not be construed in a manner imposing any relative position or time sequence between limitations.