IP Library Granted Patent US 12709825
Granted Patent B2
US 12709825 · App. 18/339,575 · Granted Aug 18, 2026

Knitted component with cavity

Inventors: Juan L Aceves Tinajero (Beaverton, OR); William P. Halligan (Beaverton, OR)
Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
D04B1/102D04B1/24D10B2501/043
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12709825
App. No.
18/339,575
Granted
Aug 18, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A knitted component may include a course of a first yarn type and a course of a second yarn type, a first surface at least partially formed by the course of the first yarn type, and a cavity formed within the knitted component that is recessed relative to the first surface. A first float formed by the course of the second yarn type may extend across the cavity and may be exposed, and the course of the second yarn type may include a stitch that is knitted into the knitted component adjacent the float.

Claims (45)

1 . A knitted component, comprising:

a first course of a first yarn type;

a second course of a second yarn type;

a first surface at least partially formed by the first course of the first yarn type; and

a cavity formed within the knitted component,

wherein the cavity is recessed relative to the first surface,

and

wherein the cavity has a depth that gradually and continuously increases from a first side of the cavity to an opposite second side of the cavity.

2 . The knitted component of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first float formed by the second course of the second yarn type that extends across the cavity and is exposed.

3 . The knitted component of claim 2 , wherein the first float is recessed relative to the first surface.

4 . The knitted component of claim 2 , wherein the second yarn type comprises a thermoplastic polymer material.

5 . The knitted component of claim 2 , wherein the second yarn type has a tensile strength between 0.4 kg-f and 3.0 kg-f, inclusive.

6 . The knitted component of claim 2 , wherein the second yarn type has an elongation between 20% and 50%, inclusive.

7 . The knitted component of claim 2 , wherein the second yarn type comprises a water-repellant coating.

8 . The knitted component of claim 1 , wherein the first surface is an outermost surface of the knitted component.

9 . The knitted component of claim 1 , wherein the depth of the cavity is zero at the first side of the cavity and increases to a maximum depth at the second side of the cavity.

10 . The knitted component of claim 9 , wherein the maximum depth is between 1 mm and 5 mm, inclusive.

11 . The knitted component of claim 1 , wherein the depth of the cavity increases gradually and continuously in a course-wise direction of the knitted component.

12 . The knitted component of claim 1 , wherein the depth of the cavity increases gradually and continuously in a wale-wise direction of the knitted component.

13 . An article of footwear comprising an upper at least partially formed from the knitted component of claim 1 .

14 . A knitted component, comprising:

a first surface at least partially formed from a first course of a first yarn type;

a second course of a second yarn type;

a first cavity formed within the knitted component,

wherein the first cavity is recessed relative to the first surface,

and

wherein the first cavity has a first depth that gradually and continuously increases from a first side of the first cavity to a first maximum depth on an opposite second side of the first cavity; and

a second cavity formed within the knitted component,

wherein the second cavity is recessed relative to the first surface,

and

wherein the second cavity has a second depth that gradually and continuously increases from a first side of the second cavity to a second maximum depth on an opposite second side of the second cavity,

wherein the first cavity and the second cavity each comprise a recessed cavity surface defined within the knitted component.

15 . The knitted component of claim 14 , wherein the second maximum depth is greater than the first maximum depth.

16 . The knitted component of claim 14 , further comprising:

a first float formed by the second course of the second yarn type that extends across the first cavity and is exposed; and

a second float formed by a course of the second yarn type that extends across the second cavity and is exposed.

17 . The knitted component of claim 14 , wherein the first cavity has a depth of zero at the first side of the first cavity, and wherein the second cavity has a depth of zero at the first side of the second cavity.

18 . An article of footwear comprising an upper at least partially formed from the knitted component of claim 14 .

19 . An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper, comprising:

a knitted component, comprising:

a plurality of courses forming at least part of an outer-facing surface of the upper; and

a cavity comprising a recessed cavity surface defined within the knitted component, wherein the cavity is sloped such that a depth of the cavity increases gradually and continuously from a first side of the cavity to an opposite second side of the cavity.

20 . The article of footwear of claim 19 , wherein the depth of the cavity is zero at the first side of the cavity and is a maximum depth at the second side of the cavity.