Article of footwear including a monofilament knit element with a fusible strand

摘要

An article of footwear including a full monofilament upper is described. The full monofilament upper incorporates a knitted component including a monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element is formed by knitting with a monofilament strand. The monofilament knit element is formed of unitary knit construction with the remaining portions of the knitted component, including peripheral portions that are knit using a natural or synthetic twisted fiber yarn. An inlaid tensile element can extend through the knitted component, including portions of the monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element may be knitted with a monofilament strand according to a variety of knit structures. A fusible strand may be knit with the monofilament knit element. Upon heating, the fusible strand can combine and surround the monofilament strand within the monofilament knit element.

主权项

1. An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper including a knitted component comprising:
a monofilament knit element formed by at least one monofilament strand, the monofilament knit element forming a substantial majority of the upper and extending through at least a portion of each of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear; at least one course of the monofilament knit element including a fusible strand; wherein the monofilament knit element comprises alternating courses including (1) the at least one monofilament strand and the fusible strand, and (2) the at least one monofilament strand without the fusible strand in the upper such that a first course comprising the at least one monofilament strand and the fusible strand is continuous with a second course comprising the at least one monofilament strand without the fusible strand, and the second course is continuous with a third course comprising the at least one monofilament strand and the fusible strand; and wherein the second course is disposed between the first course and the third course.