Article of footwear incorporating tensile strands and securing strands

摘要

An article of footwear may have a sole structure and an upper that includes a foundation element, a tensile strand, and a securing strand. The tensile strand is located adjacent to an exterior surface of the foundation element and substantially parallel to the exterior surface for a distance of at least five centimeters. The securing strand joins or secures the tensile strand to the foundation element. Although the thicknesses may vary, a thickness of the tensile strand may be at least three times the thickness of the securing strand. In some configurations, a backing strand may also assist with joining the securing strand to the foundation element.

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, the method comprising:
laying a plurality of first strands against an exterior surface of an upper of the article of footwear, the plurality of first strands being positioned substantially parallel to the exterior surface for a distance of at least five centimeters; and stitching over each first strand of the plurality of first strands with a second strand to secure the second strand to the exterior surface at a plurality of locations on opposite sides of each first strand of the plurality of first strands; wherein the step of laying includes orienting the plurality of first strands to extend downward from a lace area of the upper to an area where a sole structure joins to the upper; wherein the lace area of the upper includes at least one lace aperture extending through from the exterior surface to an interior of the upper; and the step of laying further includes orienting the plurality of first strands to radiate outward from said at least one lace aperture to the area where the sole structure joins to the upper.