Knitted component with cushioning structure
Aspects herein are directed to a knitted component and articles of footwear that incorporate the same having cushioning structures, window openings, and/or tensile elements. In some aspects, the cushioning structures are positioned on an interior surface of an upper in order to protect a wearer's foot. The cushioning structures can be formed of single-jersey constructions, which cause the cushioning structures to curl, enhancing their cushioning properties. Window openings can be formed in the upper (e.g., using activatable yarns) in order to provide visual indications of the cushioning structures and/or serve as anchor points for tensile elements, which can provide structure to a lacing system.
1 . An article of footwear comprising a knitted upper, the knitted upper comprising:
a main body portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface;
a first cushioning structure integrally knit with the interior surface of the main body portion; and
a window opening in the main body portion, the window opening extending through the exterior surface and the interior surface, wherein at least a portion of the first cushioning structure is visible through the window opening when the knitted upper is viewed from an exterior of the knitted upper,
wherein a first edge of the first cushioning structure is integrally knit with the main body portion, and wherein a second edge of the first cushioning structure opposite the first edge is not integrally knit with the main body portion, and
wherein the first cushioning structure comprises a single-jersey construction, and wherein the first cushioning structure comprises a curling characteristic such that the second edge contacts at least part of the interior surface of the main body portion.
2 . The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the second edge is unsecured to the main body portion.
3 . The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the first cushioning structure forms a tubular shape.
4 . The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the first cushioning structure is positioned in a midfoot region of the upper on at least one of a medial side of the upper and a lateral side of the upper.
5 . The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the window opening comprises an edge comprising a fusible material.
6 . The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the article of footwear further comprises:
a second window opening in the main body portion of the knitted upper, the second window opening extending through the exterior surface and the interior surface;
a tensile element interwoven through the window opening and the second window opening such that the tensile element is at least partially exposed on the exterior surface of the main body portion, wherein the tensile element forms a loop superior to the window opening and the second window opening; and
a lace coupled to the article of footwear and extending through the loop.
7 . A knitted component comprising:
a first surface;
a second surface opposite the first surface;
a plurality of window openings each extending through the first surface and the second surface; and
a cushioning structure positioned on the first surface and integrally knit with the first surface, wherein the cushioning structure is visible through at least one of the plurality of window openings when viewed from a side of the knitted component corresponding to the second surface of the knitted component,
wherein the cushioning structure is formed of a single-jersey construction and further comprises a first edge that is integrally knit with the first surface and a second edge opposite the first edge, and
wherein the second edge is not integrally knit with the knitted component, and wherein the second edge contacts the first surface such that the first cushioning structure forms a tubular shape.
8 . An article of footwear comprising an upper at least partially formed from the knitted component of claim 7 .
9 . An article of apparel comprising the knitted component of claim 7 .
10 . The knitted component of claim 7 , wherein the cushioning structure comprises a first edge and a second edge, wherein the second edge contacts the first surface such that the cushioning structure forms a tubular shape.
11 . An article of footwear comprising a knitted upper, the knitted upper comprising: a first surface; a second surface opposite the first surface;
a plurality of window openings each extending through the first surface and the second surface; and a cushioning structure positioned on the first surface and integrally knit with the first surface, wherein the cushioning structure is visible through at least one of the plurality of window openings when viewed from a side of the knitted component corresponding to the second surface of the knitted component, wherein the cushioning structures comprises at least one edge that is not integrally knit with the knitted component, and wherein the at least one edge contacts the first surface.
12 . The article of footwear of claim 11 , wherein the cushioning structure is formed of a single-jersey construction and further comprises a first edge that is integrally knit with the first surface and a second edge opposite the first edge.
13 . The article of footwear of claim 12 , wherein the second edge is not integrally knit with the knitted component, and wherein the second edge contacts the first surface such that the first cushioning structure forms a tubular shape.
14 . The article of footwear of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the window openings comprises a second yarn, wherein one or more courses of the second yarn connect a first course of a first yarn to a second course of the first yarn, and wherein the second yarn is a fusible yarn.
15 . The article of footwear of claim 14 , wherein the first course of the first yarn is plated with the second yarn, and wherein the first yarn is absent from the one or more courses of the second yarn.