FOOTWEAR UPPER INCLUDING STRAND LAYERS
An article of footwear includes a sole and an upper at least partially formed of [a textile element. The textile element includes a yarn matrix having a plurality of interlocked strands oriented in predetermined directions. A structural element may be captured within the matrix at selected locations. In operation, the matrix is stitched onto a temporary substrate. The substrate is removed and the article coupled to a sole structure to form the article of footwear.
1 . An upper for an article of footwear, the upper comprising a multilayer textile structure including:
a first layer comprising a first plurality of yarn rows, each yarn row comprising a first strand and a second strand, the first and second strands being interlocked via a plurality of stitches selectively disposed at locations along the yarn row; and
a second layer including a second plurality of yarn rows, each yarn row comprising a first strand and a second strand, the first and second strands being interlocked via a plurality of stitches selectively disposed at locations along the yarn row,
wherein a yarn row of the first plurality of yarn rows is positioned between the first strand and the second strand of a yarn row of the second plurality of yarn rows.
2 . The upper according to claim 1 , wherein each yarn row of the first plurality of yarn rows defines a secured area at each stitch location and an unsecured area between adjacent stitch locations.
3 . The upper according to claim 2 , wherein:
within the secured area, the first strand is wrapped around the second strand; and
within the unsecured area, the first strand is generally aligned with the second strand.
4 . The upper according to claim 1 , further comprising a structural element positioned between the first layer and the second layer.
5 . The upper according to claim 4 , wherein the structural element includes an eyelet operable to receive a lace.
6 . The upper according to claim 4 , wherein the structural element is a non-woven textile.
7 . The upper according to claim 1 further comprising a third layer including a yarn row comprising a first strand and a second strand, the first and second strands being interlocked via a plurality of stitches disposed at selected locations along the yarn row, wherein the first layer and the second layer are positioned between first strand and the second strand of the third layer yarn row.
8 . The upper according to claim 1 , wherein, in each of the plurality of yarn rows, the first strand differs from the second strand.
9 . The upper according to claim 1 , wherein, in each plurality of yarn rows, the first strand and the second strand are formed of nylon.
10 . The upper according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first plurality of yarn rows is oriented within the upper along a first direction; and
the second plurality of yarn rows is oriented within the upper along a second direction.
11 . The upper according to claim 1 , wherein one or more yarn rows defines a generally arcuate line possessing a predetermined radius of curvature.
12 . The upper according to claim 1 , wherein:
stitches of the first and second plurality of yarn rows cooperate to define a stitch density within the upper;
the stitch density of a first predetermined area of the upper possesses a first stitch density value; and
the stitch density of a second predetermined area of the upper possesses a second stitch density value different from the first stitch density.
13 . The upper according to claim 12 , wherein the first stitch density value is greater than the second stitch density value.
14 . The upper according to claim 1 , wherein the upper comprises:
a body defining a perimeter, the body perimeter defining a tongue opening; and
an eyelet disposed along the body perimeter proximate the tongue opening.
15 . The upper according to claim 14 further comprising a tongue coupled to the body such that the tongue is disposed within the tongue opening.
16 . The upper according to claim 15 , wherein:
the body of the upper includes a lateral body side and a medial body side; and
each of the lateral body side and the medial body side includes the first layer and second layer.
17 . The upper according to claim 1 , wherein the upper includes a first stitch type and a second stitch type.
18 . The upper according to claim 17 , wherein the first and second stitch types are selected from the group consisting of a fill stitch, a satin stitch, and a running stitch.
19 . The upper according to claim 1 , wherein the layers form a self-supported structure in which strands are not secured to a substrate.
20 . The upper according to claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of yarn rows is positioned between the first plurality of yarn rows such that:
the first strand of each yarn row of the first plurality of yarn rows passes above the first strand of each yarn row of the second plurality of yarn rows; and
the second strand of each yarn row of the first plurality of yarn rows passes below the second strand of each yarn row of the second plurality of yarns rows.