Knitted cushion regions
An upper may include a knitted component having a first surface and a second surface. The knitted component may include at least one integrally knitted cushion region located on the second surface. The cushion region may include a plurality of non-planar structures that project away from the second surface of the knitted component by at least 1 mm, and the cushion region may be located in a rearfoot region of the upper.
1. An upper, comprising:
a knitted component having an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein the knitted component comprises a cushion region integrally knitted with the knitted component;
wherein the cushion region comprises a plurality of non-planar structures that each project away from the interior surface of the knitted component to a greater extent than the non-planar structures within the plurality of non-planar structures project away from the exterior surface of the knitted component, each non-planar structure projecting away from the interior surface by at least 1 mm;
wherein the cushion region is located in a rearfoot region of the upper.
2. The upper of claim 1 , wherein the cushion region is at least partially located in a calcaneus region.
3. The upper of claim 1 , wherein the cushion region is at least partially located in an Achilles region.
4. The upper of claim 1 , wherein the cushion region has a shape with an area of at least 1,000 mm 2 .
5. The upper of claim 1 , wherein the cushion region has a geometric shape.
6. The upper of claim 1 , wherein the cushion region has a non-geometric shape.
7. The upper of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of non-planar structures are separated by a plurality of base portions.
8. The upper of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of base portions are at least partially formed from an elasticated yarn.
9. The upper of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of non-planar structures comprises tubular knit structures.
10. The upper of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of non-planar structures have an orientation parallel to a heel centerline of the upper.
11. The upper of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of non-planar structures comprises loft portions on the interior surface of the knitted component, each loft portion being positioned opposite a planar portion of the exterior surface of the knitted component.
12. The upper of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of non-planar structures comprises at least five non-planar structures.
13. The upper of claim 1 , wherein a thermoplastic polymer material comprises at least 93.5% of the weight of the knitted component.
14. The upper of claim 13 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer material is a thermoplastic polyurethane.
15. The upper of claim 1 , further comprising a second plurality of knitted elements that project from the exterior surface.
16. An article of footwear, comprising:
an upper associated with a sole structure, the upper forming a void, the upper comprising an interior surface facing the void and an opposite-facing exterior surface,
wherein the upper comprises a cushion region that is integrally knitted with a knitted component of the upper,
wherein the cushion region comprises a plurality of non-planar structures that each project away from the interior surface into the void and are configured to contact a wearer's heel, each non-planar structure projecting from the interior surface to a greater extent than the non-planar structures within the plurality of non-planar structures project away from the opposite-facing exterior surface.
17. The article of footwear of claim 16 , wherein the cushion region begins at or within 5 mm of a bite line where the upper meets the sole structure.
18. The article of footwear of claim 16 , wherein the upper comprises a tension zone configured to pull the cushion region against the wearer's heel.
19. The article of footwear of claim 18 , wherein the tension zone is located adjacent to a collar region of the upper.
20. The article of footwear of claim 18 , wherein the tension zone is located in a sub-ankle region of the upper.