阅读说明：本技术 包括针织部件和拉片元件的鞋面 (Upper including knitted component and pull tab element ) 是由 特拉维斯·贝里安 布莱恩·N·法里斯 阿德里安·梅厄 诺亚·墨菲-莱因赫兹 于 2017-11-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请涉及包括针织部件和拉片元件的鞋面。一方面,本公开提供了一种物品,在一些实施方案中,该物品可以是用于鞋类物品的鞋面。该物品可以包括针织部件,该针织部件具有第一区域和邻近第一区域的第二区域。针织部件可以包括从第一区域延伸的拉片元件,其中拉片元件和第一区域包括共同的纱线。第一区域可以包括第一弹性,并且第二区域可以包括第二弹性,其中第一弹性小于第二弹性。(The present application relates to an upper that includes a knitted component and a tab element. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an article, which in some embodiments may be an upper for an article of footwear. The article may include a knitted component having a first region and a second region adjacent the first region. The knitted component may include a tab element extending from the first region, wherein the tab element and the first region include a common yarn. The first region may comprise a first elasticity and the second region may comprise a second elasticity, wherein the first elasticity is less than the second elasticity.)

1. An upper for an article of footwear, the upper comprising:

a knitted component comprising a first knitted area, a second knitted area, and a third knitted area,

wherein each of the first, second, and third knit areas extend from a collar area of the upper to a bite line of the upper,

wherein the first, second, and third knit areas are each positioned at least partially in a heel region of the upper,

wherein the second knitted area is positioned between the first knitted area and the third knitted area such that the second knitted area is positioned in a central portion of the heel area; and is

Wherein the second knitted region includes an elasticity that is greater than an elasticity of the first knitted region and is also greater than an elasticity of the third knitted region.

2. The upper of claim 1, wherein a pull tab portion extends from the first knit area to the third knit area in the collar area of the upper.

3. The upper of claim 2, wherein an opening is positioned between the second knit region and the pull tab portion.

4. The upper of claim 1, wherein the first knitted area includes at least one first floating yarn portion extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bite line.

5. The upper of claim 4, wherein the third knitted area includes at least one second floating yarn portion extending in the direction substantially perpendicular to the bite line.

6. The upper of claim 5, wherein the high tenacity yarns form the at least one first floating yarn portion and the at least one second floating yarn portion.

7. The upper of claim 6, wherein the high tenacity yarns extend through a tab portion in the collar region of the upper.

8. The upper of claim 7, wherein the pull tab portion extends from the first knit area to the third knit area.

9. The upper of claim 7, wherein an opening is positioned between the second knitted area and the pull tab portion.

10. The upper of claim 5, wherein the second knitted area does not include threads forming the at least one first floating yarn portion and the at least one second floating yarn portion.

11. An upper for an article of footwear, the upper comprising:

a knitted component comprising a first knitted area, a second knitted area, and a third knitted area,

wherein the first, second, and third knit areas are each positioned at least partially in a heel region of the upper,

wherein the second knitted area is positioned between the first knitted area and the third knitted area such that the second knitted area is positioned in a central portion of the heel area, and

wherein a thread of high tenacity yarns extends through the first and third knit regions, and

wherein said threads of said high tenacity yarns are not included in said second knitted region.

12. The upper of claim 11, wherein the pull tab portion extends from the first knit area to the third knit area in a collar area of the upper.

13. The upper of claim 12, wherein an opening is positioned between the second knitted area and the pull tab portion.

14. The upper of claim 12, wherein the high tenacity yarns extend through the tab portion.

15. The upper of claim 11, wherein the first knitted area includes at least one first floating yarn portion extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to a bite line in the heel region.

16. The upper of claim 15, wherein the third knitted area includes at least one second floating yarn portion extending in the heel region in the direction substantially perpendicular to the bite line.

17. The upper of claim 16, wherein the strands of the high tenacity yarns form the at least one first floating yarn portion and the at least one second floating yarn portion.

18. The upper of claim 17, wherein the pull tab portion includes at least one third floating yarn portion formed from the strands of the high tenacity yarns.

19. An upper for an article of footwear, the upper comprising:

a knitted component comprising a first knitted area, a second knitted area, and a third knitted area,

wherein the first, second, and third knit areas are each positioned at least partially in a heel region of the upper,

wherein the second knitted area is positioned between the first knitted area and the third knitted area such that the second knitted area is positioned in a central portion of the heel area, and

wherein a thread of yarn forms a first floating yarn portion in the first knitted region and a second knitted portion in the second knitted region, and wherein the second knitted region does not contain the thread of the yarn.

20. The upper of claim 19, wherein a tab element extends from the first knit area to the second knit area in a collar area of the upper, and wherein the strands of the yarn extend through the tab element.

Background

Various articles are formed from textiles (textiles). For example, articles of apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, socks, footwear, jackets and other coats, underpants and other undergarments, hats and other headwear), containers (e.g., backpacks, bags), and upholstery for furniture (e.g., chairs, couches, vehicle seats) are typically formed at least in part from textiles. These textiles are typically formed by weaving (weaves) or interlooping (e.g., knitting (knit)) a yarn or yarns, typically by machining processes involving a loom or knitting machine. One particular object that may be formed from textiles is an upper for an article of footwear.

Conventional articles of footwear generally include two primary elements: an upper and a sole structure. The upper is generally secured to the sole structure and may form a void within the article of footwear for comfortably and securely receiving a foot. The sole structure is generally secured to a lower surface of the upper so as to be positioned between the upper and the ground. For example, in some articles of athletic footwear, the sole structure may include a midsole and an outsole. The midsole may be formed from a polymer foam material that attenuates ground reaction forces to relieve stresses placed on the foot and leg during walking, running, and other ambulatory activities. The outsole may be secured to a lower surface of the midsole and may form a ground-engaging portion of the sole structure that is formed of a durable and wear-resistant material.

The upper of an article of footwear generally extends over the instep and toe areas of the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around the heel area of the foot. Access to the void on the interior of the upper is typically provided through an ankle opening in the heel region of the footwear. A lacing system is often incorporated into the upper to adjust the fit of the upper and thereby facilitate entry and removal of the foot from the void within the upper. In addition, the upper may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhance adjustability of the footwear, and the upper may incorporate a heel counter (heel counter) to limit movement of the heel.

Brief description of the drawings

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an article, which in some embodiments may be an upper for an article of footwear. The article may include a knitted component having a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region. The knitted component may include a tab element (tab element) extending from the first region, wherein the tab element and the first region include a common yarn. The first region may comprise a first elasticity and the second region may comprise a second elasticity, wherein the first elasticity is less than the second elasticity.

The common yarn may be a floating yarn (floating yarn), wherein the floating yarn has a tenacity of at least 5 g/D.

The first region may extend from the tab element to an edge of a heel region of the article. The region may be configured to be located directly behind a heel of a user when the upper is incorporated into the article of footwear and when the article of footwear is in use.

The tab member may be canted (flared) such that the surface is oriented 0 ° to 60 ° relative to a plane parallel to the ground when the tab member is in a resting state.

The first side of the tab element may comprise at least 10% less courses per unit length than the second side when the tab element is measured in a flattened state (flattened state).

The knitted component may have a tongue with a top side and a bottom side, wherein the bottom side is formed of at least 30% more material than the top side such that the tongue has a tendency to flex in a direction corresponding to the top side.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knitted component having a first area. The knitted component may include a tab element extending from the first region, wherein the tab element and the first region include at least one yarn in common. The at least one common yarn may comprise a float yarn having a tenacity of at least 5 g/D.

The knitted component can include a second region adjacent to the first region, wherein the first region includes an elasticity greater than an elasticity of the second region. The second region may be configured to be located directly behind a heel of a user when the upper is incorporated into the article of footwear and when the article of footwear is in use.

The floating yarns may have a float portion having a length corresponding to at least 3needles on the needle bed. The floating yarns may have a float portion having a length corresponding to at least 8 needles on the needle bed.

The tab member may be cocked such that the surface is oriented 0 ° to 60 ° with respect to a plane parallel to the ground when the tab member is in a resting state.

The first side of the tab member may include at least 10% fewer courses per unit length measured when the tab member is in a flat condition.

The knitted component may include a tongue having a top side and a bottom side, wherein the bottom side is formed of at least 30% more material than the top side such that the tongue has a tendency to flex in a direction corresponding to the top side.

The tab element may include a first end connected to the first region and a second end connected to a third region, wherein the third region includes an elasticity greater than an elasticity of the second region, and wherein the second region is located between the first region and the third region.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of forming an article. The method can include knitting a knitted component on a knitting machine, the knitted component including a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region, and the knitted component further including a tab element extending from the first region. The tab element and the first region may comprise a common yarn. The first region may comprise a first elasticity and the second region comprises a second elasticity, wherein the first elasticity is less than the second elasticity.

The common yarn may be a float yarn, wherein the float yarn has a tenacity of at least 5 g/D.

The knitted component may be formed on a knitting machine during a single weft knitting process.

The article may be an upper for an article of footwear, and the first region may be located in a heel region of the upper.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an upper having a knitted component that includes a knit tongue having a top side facing in a first direction and an opposite bottom side, wherein the bottom side of the knit tongue is knit with more material than the top side such that the tongue has a tendency to bend in the first direction.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates an article of footwear having a tab element according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 2A-2B illustrate a portion of a knitting sequence for including a floating yarn in a knitted component according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an upper having a knit tab element and a knit region according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a knit diagram for forming a shaped knitted component according to the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Various aspects are described below with reference to the drawings, in which like elements are generally identified by like numerals. The relationship and function of the various elements may be better understood by reference to the following description. However, the aspects are not limited to those illustrated in the figures or described explicitly below. It should also be understood that the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, in some instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the aspects disclosed herein may have been omitted.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to articles formed at least in part from textiles. One example of an article is an article of apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, socks, footwear, jackets and other coats, underpants and other undergarments, hats and other headwear, etc.). The article may be an upper configured for use in an article of footwear. The upper may be used in connection with any type of footwear. Illustrative, non-limiting examples of articles of footwear include basketball shoes, cycling shoes, cross-training shoes, international football (soccer) shoes, football shoes, bowling shoes, golf shoes, hiking shoes, ski or snowboard boots, tennis shoes, running shoes, and walking shoes. The upper may also be incorporated into non-athletic footwear, such as dress shoes (dress shoes), loafers, and sandals.

As shown in fig. 1, article of footwear 100 may include a sole 102 and an upper 104. The area where the sole 102 joins the outer edge of the upper 104 may be referred to as the bite line (biteline) 106. Upper 104 may be fixedly joined to sole 102 using any suitable technique (e.g., by using adhesives, bonding, stitching, etc.). In some embodiments, sole 102 may include a midsole and an outsole. It is contemplated that sole 102 alone may be omitted and upper 104 may include a lower surface configured to directly engage the ground.

Upper 104 may include a lateral side 108, a medial side 110, a heel region 112, a midfoot region 114, and a toe region (toe region) 116. Upper 104 may additionally include a throat 118 and an ankle opening 120, ankle opening 120 being surrounded by a collar 122. Upper 104 may define a void 124 of article of footwear 100, with void 124 configured to receive and accommodate a foot of a user or wearer. Throat 118 may be generally disposed in midfoot region 114 of upper 104. Midfoot region 114 is depicted as the portion of upper 104 between heel region 112 and toe region 116. In FIG. 1, tongue 126 is optionally provided in throat 118 of article of footwear 100. Although the tongue 126 depicted in FIG. 1 is a conventional tongue, the tongue 126, if included, may be any suitable type of tongue, such as a gusseted tongue (strained tongue) or a wrap-around tongue (burrito tongue). If no tongue is included, the lateral and medial sides of throat 118 may be joined together, for example.

In some embodiments, upper 104 or other article (e.g., an article of apparel) may additionally or alternatively include a pull tab element 128. The pull tab element 128 may be located, for example, in the heel region 112 of the upper 104 and may be located adjacent the collar 122. Advantageously, the user may pull on tab member 128 to facilitate placement of the foot into void 124 of upper 104. The pull tab element 128 is depicted as including a strap or central portion with both ends secured to the heel region 112 of the upper 104, but the pull tab element 128 may additionally or alternatively include another suitable structure (e.g., a pull tab with only one end secured to the heel region 112 of the upper 104, for example).

Fig. 3 shows upper 304 in a separated state. As shown, upper 304 may be at least partially formed from knitted component 330. For example, upper 304 may be at least partially formed from a continuous and unitary knitted component 330, and in some embodiments, knitted component 330 may form substantially an entirety of upper 304. It is contemplated that knitted component 330 may be made as an integral, one-piece element during a single process, such as during a single-sided weft knitting process (e.g., using a flat knitting machine or a circular knitting machine), a single-sided warp knitting process, or any other suitable knitting process. Alternatively, knitted component 330 may be formed from a plurality of individual pieces (pieces) (where each of the plurality of pieces may be knitted), where the individual pieces may be assembled together after the knitting process (e.g., by stitching).

Upper 304 may include tensile strands associated with fastening elements (e.g., laces). The tensile strands are optional components and may form lace loops or holes to receive laces or another fastening element. The tensile strand may be a yarn, cable, rope (rope) or any other type of wire or elongate member. The tensile strand may be flexible, but it may also have a substantially fixed length measured from the first end to the second end. As such, the tensile strand may be substantially inelastic. One or more tensile strands may extend through upper 304 and/or along upper 304 in any direction. The tensile strand may limit the stretch of the knitted component. The tensile strands may preferably be embedded within the interwoven loops of knitted component 330, but it is contemplated that portions of the tensile strands may be exposed from the knitted component. See, for example, U.S. patent application publication No. 2015/0359290, U.S. patent application publication No. 2014/0237861, and U.S. patent No. 9,145,629, which are incorporated herein in their entireties.

As shown in fig. 3, a pull tab element 328 (similar to pull tab element 128 of fig. 1) may be part of knitted component 330 and may share at least one common yarn and/or at least one common course with heel region 112. The pull tab member 328 may include a first end, a second end, and a central portion. The first and second ends may be adjacent the point at which the yarn forming the pull tab element 328 begins to interweave with loops forming the heel region 112 of the knitted component 330. In some exemplary embodiments (without limitation), the length of the central portion of the tab member 328 may be between about 2mm and about 100mm when measured about the tab member 328 from the first end to the second end (e.g., about 30mm to about 65mm when used as a tab member, and more particularly, about 50mm, although other dimensions are contemplated for other functions). The central portion may be unsecured along its longitudinal length to heel region 112 (and thus also from the interwoven loops defining heel region 112). In addition, the central portion may include its own interwoven loops (e.g., loops formed on a knitting machine) that are separate from the interwoven loops that form the heel region 112. Alternatively (or additionally), the pull tab element 328 may include one or more yarns extending from the first end to the second end without interwoven loops.

Advantageously, one or more fingers (or other objects) of the user may be placed in the opening (or hole) between the central portion of the tab element 328 and the surface of the heel region 112, such that the user may pull the tab element 328 or otherwise provide force to the tab element 328. It is also contemplated that the opening (or aperture) may be located at another location and configured to receive another object, such as a lace (e.g., when pull tab element 328 is located in the throat area and configured to receive a lace). When located in heel region 112, the force applied to the pull tab element may thereby position heel region 112 of upper 304 in a suitable position with respect to the wearer's foot. Alternatively or additionally, the tab element 328 may be used as and include all aspects of the "first structure" disclosed in U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/411,633 filed on day 10-23 of 2016 and U.S. patent application No. 15/789,804 filed on day 10-20 of 2017, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Each of the features and aspects disclosed herein with respect to the tab member may also be applicable with respect to the "first structure" of those applications.

Upper 304 may also include at least one region (see, e.g., first, second, and third regions) having elasticity, strength, durability, and/or other characteristics suitable for distributing or transmitting a force applied to pull tab element 328. The first region may extend from a first end of the tab member 328 to an edge of the upper, and the third region may extend from a second end of the tab member 328 to the edge of the upper 304. Although not required, the first and third regions may be located medial and lateral, respectively, to the second region, which is configured to be located directly behind the heel of the wearer. The first region and the third region may be relatively inelastic when compared to another region of the article of footwear, such as the second region. Advantageously, the first region and/or the third region may be configured to direct a force applied to the tab element 328 to a particular location (e.g., an edge), and the second region having relative elasticity may facilitate gripping the heel of the wearer and providing comfort at the heel (which is the primary contact area between the upper 304 and the foot, as well as the general area where discomfort may occur). The at least one additional region may be located at the collar 122 or elsewhere, and may be relatively elastic when compared to the first region and/or the third region to provide a tight fit at the entrance of the cavity. The relative elasticity of the regions (and the different knitted components) can be determined by applying a known tension to the respective region (or component) (e.g., on a tensiometer), and then measuring the degree of stretch or displacement. For example, a zone or component is said to be twice as elastic when it stretches twice as much as another zone or component under the same tension (e.g., 20 pounds).

For example, when this embodiment of upper 304 is incorporated into an article of footwear, the first area and/or the third area may extend below the bite line (which may be located at reference line 206) such that the force applied to pull tab element 328 is directed toward the location where upper 304 is secured to the sole structure. To enhance the securement, at least one of the first region and the third region may be separately secured to the sole structure (e.g., by stitching, by using an adhesive, by using a mechanical clip, or by any other suitable means). Further, it is contemplated that edges of upper 304 may extend such that, when the article of footwear is in use, the edges of upper 304 are positioned under the foot of the wearer such that the weight of the wearer enhances the securement of the edges (e.g., by increasing the static friction between the first region and/or the third region relative to the sole structure).

To provide suitable strength and durability, the first region, third region, and/or pull tab element 328 may include a particular yarn, such as a yarn formed using synthetic polymer fibers. Types of yarns that can be formed using synthetic polymer fibers include filament yarns (including monofilament yarns) and spun yarns. The synthetic polymer yarns are formed from continuous, elongate filaments which may be twisted (twist) together or gathered together. The monofilament yarns are formed from individual elongated continuous filaments of synthetic polymeric material. Spun yarns are made by twisting staple fibers together to make a bonded strand. The process of forming a yarn from staple fibers typically includes carding and drawing the fibers to form a sliver (sliver), drawing and twisting the sliver to form a roving, and spinning the roving to form a wire. Multiple wires can be twisted (twisted together) to make the spun yarn thicker. The twist direction of the staple fibers and the plied yarns (plies) can affect the final properties of the yarn.

Synthetic polymer spun yarns may be formed using a single type of fiber (e.g., a single type of synthetic polymer fiber), by using a blend of more than one type of synthetic polymer fiber, and by using a blend of one or more types of synthetic polymer fibers with natural and/or regenerated fibers. Similarly, the synthetic polymeric continuous filament yarn may be formed from a single type of continuous filament of synthetic polymer, may be formed from continuous filaments formed from more than one type of synthetic polymer, or may be formed from a combination of continuous fibers formed from recycled material and synthetic polymeric continuous filaments formed from one or more types of synthetic polymer. Once formed, the filaments and spun yarns may be subjected to further processing, such as dyeing, texturing or coating with materials such as synthetic polymers, in order to modify the properties of the yarn. One method of characterizing a yarn is based on its mass density or weight per unit length. The linear mass density or weight per unit length of a yarn may be expressed in various units, including denier (D) and tex. Denier is the mass in grams per 9000 meters. The linear mass density of the filaments of a fiber can also be expressed using the Denier Per Filament (DPF). Tex is mass in grams per 1000 meters; decitex (dtex) is the mass in grams per 10,000 meters.

Tenacity is another way to characterize a yarn. As used herein, "tenacity" is understood to mean the amount of force (expressed in units of weight, e.g., pounds, grams, centenewtons, or other units) required to break a yarn (i.e., the force or point of break of the yarn) divided by the linear mass density of the yarn, e.g., expressed in (unstrained) denier, decitex, or some other measure of weight per unit length. The amount of force required to break a yarn ("break force" of a yarn) is determined by: stretching a sample of yarn subjects the sample to a known amount of force until it breaks, for example by inserting each end of the sample of yarn into a clamp on the measuring arm of an extensometer, subjecting the sample to a stretching force, and measuring the force required to break the sample using a strain-type load cell. Suitable test systems are available from Instron (Norwood, MA, usa). Yarn tenacity and yarn breaking force are different from the burst strength (bursting strength) or bursting strength (bursting strength) of a textile, which is a measure of the maximum force that can be applied to the surface of a textile before the surface breaks.

Typically, a minimum tenacity of about 1.5 grams per denier (g/D) is required in order for the yarn to withstand the forces exerted in an industrial knitting machine. The tenacity of most synthetic polymeric continuous filament yarns formed from commercial polymeric materials is typically in the range of about 1.5g/D to about 4 g/D. For example, the polyester yarns that may be used to manufacture the knit upper for an article of footwear may have a tenacity in the range of about 2.5g/D to about 4 g/D. The tenacity of a filament yarn formed from a commercial synthetic polymeric material that is believed to have high tenacity typically ranges from about 5g/D to about 10 g/D. For example, the tenacity of a commercially available cone dyed polyethylene terephthalate filament yarn from National Spinning (Washington, NC, USA) is about 6g/D, and the tenacity of a commercially available solution dyed polyethylene terephthalate filament yarn from Far Eastern New Century (Taipei, China) is about 7 g/D. The tenacity of a yarn formed from a high performance synthetic polymeric material is typically about 11g/D or more. For example, filament yarns formed from aramid typically have a tenacity of about 20g/D, and filament yarns formed from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) having a tenacity greater than 30g/D are available from Dyneema (Stanley, NC, usa) and Spectra (Honeywell-Spectra, colonal Heights, VA, usa).

In exemplary embodiments, the first region, third region, and tab element 328 may be at least partially formed (e.g., knitted) using at least one high tenacity yarn having a tenacity of at least about 5g/D, and possibly in the range of about 5g/D to about 10g/D or higher (e.g., 20g/D or higher). Other yarns may also be included, such as polyester yarns having a relatively low tenacity but other desirable characteristics (e.g., softness for comfort and cushioning, relatively high elasticity, and/or desirable adhesive characteristics). The high tenacity yarns may provide the upper 304 with the ability to receive relatively high forces at the tab elements 328 (e.g., a wearer pulling while wearing the article of footwear) without breaking or otherwise damaging. As described above, such a force may be directed by the first region and/or the third region to another region capable of withstanding the force.

It may be advantageous to provide the high tenacity yarns as embedded and/or floating yarns in one of the first region, the third region, and the pull tab element 328. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, a yarn 280 (which is preferably a high tenacity yarn having a tenacity of at least 5g/D, such as at least 7g/D, for example 10g/D or higher, but could alternatively be another type of yarn) may have loops 282 and float portions 284 extending between the loops 282. The float portions 284 do not include loops (but can pass through or cross other loops formed by other yarns in adjacent courses), and when incorporated into the knitted component, the float portions 284 can be relatively straight and nearly taut such that they limit the elasticity of the knitted component in the longitudinal direction (defined by the longitudinal axis of the yarn 280). The loops 282 may allow some extension of the yarn 280 in the longitudinal direction, but once the loops 282 are tightened, the yarn 280 may lock (i.e., prevent further elongation) the knitted component relative to the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, yarn 280 may be configured (e.g., with a particular number of loops at particular locations) to provide a suitable locking effect in at least one region of the knitted component, such as the first region, the third region, and/or the pull tab element 328. The "locking effect" may be a point at which the stiffness of yarn 280 is significantly increased (e.g., degree of stretch). That is, the stretchability may be at least 100% greater (e.g., 200%, 300%, 500%, or more) before the locking effect occurs (e.g., when less than the force required to achieve the "locking effect" is applied) than the stretchability of the same yarn after the locking effect occurs. This so-called locking effect can occur when a "slack" or relatively loose place in loop 282 becomes taut.

The float portion 284 of the yarn 280 may have any suitable length. In an exemplary embodiment, the float section 284 can have a length that corresponds to between about 3needles on the needle bed (as shown in FIG. 2A) to about 30 needles on the needle bed, such as about 5 needles on the needle bed to about 15 needles on the needle bed, and more specifically, 8 needles on the needle bed (as shown in FIG. 2B). In a complete (formed) knitted component, one skilled in the art can determine how many needles the length corresponds to by evaluating how many loops of adjacent courses formed by another yarn the float section 284 passes through. Further, the length of the float portion 284 relative to the number of loops 282 can correspond to the maximum elongation of the knitted component before the locking effect occurs (i.e., the less loops the yarn 280 has relative to its length, the less its elongation before the locking effect occurs). For example, when the first region includes floating yarns extending along its length, the first region can increase its length by about 1% to about 20%, such as about 2% to about 5% (e.g., about 3% in an exemplary embodiment), when subjected to a force and before the locking effect occurs. Advantageously, when a user pulls on tab element 328, the user may feel a slight elongation of upper 304 when a force is initiated (e.g., before the locking effect occurs, and such "stretch" may be desirable for comfort purposes), and then, once the locking effect occurs, little additional elongation occurs even though the applied force is increased, which may allow for precise control and immediate reaction of upper 304.

As illustrated in fig. 3, a knit upper 304 (which may be knit as one piece during a single knitting process) may have a tab element 328, the tab element 328 may be shaped such that: when upper 304 is incorporated into an article of footwear, bottom surface 352 is oriented at an angle toward the ground. For example, the bottom surface 352 of the tab element 328 may be the surface that is typically contacted by the wearer's fingers when the wearer applies a force to the tab element 328, and the bottom surface 352 may be oriented to distribute the force across the bottom surface 352, thereby limiting the maximum force experienced at any one location. Advantageously, discomfort and/or injury to the wearer (particularly the wearer's fingers) may be prevented as the forces are distributed over a relatively large area.

The shape of tab element 328 can be formed during the knitting process without significant post-processing steps. In one embodiment, when forming the tab element 328, the first side 354 may knit fewer courses than the second side 356 (or, at least, fewer courses per unit length measured when the knitted component is forced into a flat state). For example, the first side 354 may have about 10% to about 50% fewer courses per unit length than the second side 356, such as about 30% fewer courses per unit length. In some embodiments, first side 354 and second side 356 may have about the same total number of courses, even though first side 354 will have a greater length when tab member 328 is forced into a flattened state. As a result, the yarn on the first side 354 of the tab member 328 may be subjected to tension and/or the yarn forming the second side 356 of the tab member 328 may be subjected to compression if held flat. Thus, when there is no external force, the tab member 328 may have a natural tendency to curl away from the first side 354 and toward the second side 356, causing the tab member 328 to lift up, as shown in FIG. 3. As the tab member 328 is tilted, the surface 352 will be oriented toward the ground. The extent of this tilting tendency can be controlled by controlling the difference in the number of courses between the first side 354 and the second side 356. When there is no external force (i.e., in a resting state), and when incorporated into an article of footwear placed on a flat ground, it is contemplated that the area of surface 352 at the apex of pull tab element 328 may be oriented at an angle of about 0 ° to about 60 °, such as an angle of about 10 ° to about 30 °, with respect to a plane parallel to the ground.

The turned-up tab element 328 may be advantageous in providing a desired orientation for the surface 352. For example, when a user pulls on tab element 328, the orientation of surface 352 may correspond to a typical orientation of a user's finger. Thus, the surface area of contact between surface 352 and the finger may be relatively large when compared to an unrupturned tab element. The larger contact surface area may reduce discomfort by enlarging the distribution of force on the finger. It is contemplated that surface 352 may include certain yarns suitable for contact comfort, such as polyester yarns.

Similarly, it is contemplated that tongue 326 (or another area of knitted component 330) may include knit structure at area 327 for providing a tendency to form a curved surface. For example, in areas where a knitted component is formed on two needle beds of a knitting machine, there may be more material (e.g., more yarns and/or courses) generally associated with one side of the knitted component than the other (as measured by the yarn surface area associated with each side). This may be accomplished by providing more yarns and/or courses on one needle bed than the other needle bed, so that one side may generally have more loops than the other side. Advantageously, the embodiment of fig. 3 may provide a knit tongue 326 that, when incorporated into an article of footwear, bends upward such that it does not block the void 324 prior to insertion into the foot and, for example, provides the article of footwear with an orientation that presents a desired aesthetic appearance, even when the article of footwear is not in use. For example, when lying flat on the ground (e.g., before the knitted component is formed into the wearable shape), and when there is no external force, the end of tongue 326 may be oriented at an angle of at least 20 ° with respect to the ground, such as at least 30 °, and more particularly at least 45 °. Accordingly, when incorporated into an article of footwear, tongue 326 may be at an angle of at least 20 °, 30 °, or even 45 ° or more, relative to the portion of throat 118 located closer to toe region 116 (see fig. 1).

One sequence that may be used to form a knitted component having a tendency to bend is shown in figure 4. Although multiple yarns may be used, the sequence of fig. 4 is described as involving only a single yarn (depicted as yarn 570). Two or more of steps 5A-5H may involve a single yarn or multiple yarns having different characteristics. Some and possibly all of the yarns used in this sequence may comprise a polyester material. Furthermore, more than one yarn may be involved at each step of the sequence, and each yarn may be selected to have certain properties to select specific characteristics of the knitted component.

In fig. 4, the series of needles depicted on the front needle bed 562 may be associated with a top side of the tongue 326 of fig. 3, while the series of needles depicted on the back needle bed 560 may be associated with a bottom side of the tongue 326. Step 5A represents a threading in the left direction in which pleating is performed at every other needle on the front needle bed 562 and at every other needle on the back needle bed 560 (note that the unoccupied needles are not shown in fig. 4). Rather, in some embodiments, pleating at 1out of 3needles per 3needles, 2 out of 3needles per 3needles, or another proportion of needles may be used during this step. In step 5B, threading is now to the right, loops are formed on each of the needles of the front needle bed 562 and tucking is done at every other needle of the back needle bed 560. As shown in step 5B, pleating during this threading may be performed on each opposing needle relative to the threading represented by step 5A. The loop formed on front needle bed 562 in step 5B can form a portion of the outer surface of knitted component 330 (in fig. 3). Threading to the left again now, step 5C involves loops on each needle of the front needle bed 562, and step 5D threading to the right involves loops on each needle of the back needle bed 560.

With reference to the loops formed in the sequence shown in FIG. 4 (i.e., 8 passes over a series of 8 needles on the front needle bed 562 and a corresponding series of 8 needles on the back needle bed 560), 32 loops are formed on the front needle bed 562 and only 16 loops are formed on the back needle bed 560. Thus, substantially more material and substantially more loops may be formed to the bottom side of tongue 326 relative to the top side. In some embodiments, one side of knit element 530 can be associated with about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, or even 70% or more of the material and/or more loops as compared to the other side. Due to the additional material and additional loops on the bottom side of tongue 326 (in fig. 3), if forced into a flat state, the bottom side of tongue 326 may be relatively compressed (when compared to the top side), and the top side of tongue 326 may be relatively taut, such that tongue 326 has a tendency to form and maintain a curved shape (as shown in fig. 3). Alternatively, the tendency to bend may be enhanced by certain post-processing steps (such as steaming, which may, for example, pull on the yarns of knitted component 330), which may enhance the effect of the difference between the amounts of material forming the top and bottom sides.

All of the structures and methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms, specific aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein. The present disclosure is an example of the principles of the disclosure and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular aspects shown. Furthermore, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, use of the terms "a" or "an" is intended to include "at least one" or "one or more". For example, "one yarn" is intended to include "at least one yarn" or "one or more yarns".

Any ranges given in absolute terms or in approximate terms are intended to encompass both, and any definitions used herein are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the disclosure are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges (including all fractional and integer values) subsumed therein.

Further, the present disclosure encompasses any and all possible combinations of some or all of the various aspects described herein. It should also be understood that various changes and modifications to the aspects described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.