IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,709,826
Granted Patent B2
US 12,709,826 · App. 18/642,535 · Granted Aug 18, 2026

Upper for an article of footwear with a lattice structure

Inventors: Monica M. Poulsen (Hillsboro, OR); Erin C. Stevens (Portland, OR)
Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
D04B1/104A43B1/04D04B1/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,709,826
App. No.
18/642,535
Granted
Aug 18, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An upper for an article of footwear may have a knitted component, where the knitted component has a first edge extending from a first side of a throat area of the upper, through a heel area of the upper, and to a second side of the throat area. At least a portion of the first edge may include a lattice structure, the lattice structuring having a first lattice band and a second lattice band, the first lattice band and the second lattice band having loops that are intermeshed in at least one location, where a plurality of first openings are located between the first lattice band and the second lattice band. At least one of the lattice bands may include a yarn having a tenacity of at least 5 g/d, and/or the first and second lattice bands may be formed from separate yarns.

Claims (39)

1 . A knitted component for an article of footwear, the knitted component comprising:

a knitted lattice structure, comprising:

a plurality of lattice bands,

wherein at least a portion of the plurality of lattice bands comprise a common knit structure, and

wherein each lattice band comprises a dimensional knit structure that is elongated and follows a non-linear path.

2 . The knitted component of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lattice bands are intersecting.

3 . The knitted component of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lattice bands define a plurality of openings that extend entirely through the knitted component.

4 . The knitted component of claim 1 , wherein the common knit structure comprises:

at least one common yarn; and/or

knitted loops that are intermeshed.

5 . The knitted component of claim 1 , wherein the knitted lattice structure comprises at least one high-tenacity yarn.

6 . The knitted component of claim 5 , wherein the high-tenacity yarn has a tenacity in a range of about 5 g/D to about 10 g/D.

7 . The knitted component of claim 1 , further comprising the article of footwear incorporating the knitted component.

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

a knitted component, comprising:

a knitted lattice structure, comprising:

a plurality of lattice bands,

wherein at least a portion of the plurality of lattice bands comprise a common knit structure, and

wherein each lattice band comprises a dimensional knit structure that is elongated and follows a non-linear path.

9 . The upper of claim 8 , wherein each lattice band of the plurality of lattice bands extends in a serpentine path and intersects adjacent lattice bands at intermittent locations.

10 . The upper of claim 8 , wherein the common knit structure comprises:

at least one common yarn; and/or

knitted loops that are intermeshed.

11 . The upper of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of lattice bands define a plurality of openings that extend entirely through the knitted component.

12 . The upper of claim 8 , wherein the knitted lattice structure comprises at least one high-tenacity yarn.

13 . The upper of claim 12 , wherein the high-tenacity yarn has a tenacity in a range of about 5 g/D to about 10 g/D.

14 . The upper of claim 8 , wherein each lattice band comprises opposite sides that are curved.

15 . The upper of claim 8 , wherein each lattice band follows a serpentine path.

16 . An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper, comprising:

a knitted component, comprising:

a knitted lattice structure, comprising:

a plurality of lattice bands,

wherein at least a portion of the plurality of lattice bands comprise a common knit structure, and

wherein each lattice band comprises a dimensional knit structure that is elongated and follows a non-linear path.

17 . The article of footwear of claim 16 , wherein the knitted lattice structure extends across a lateral side of the upper and across a medial side of the upper, and defines a plurality of openings.

18 . The article of footwear of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of openings expose portions of a liner.

19 . The article of footwear of claim 16 , wherein the knitted lattice structure extends around a heel area of the upper.

20 . The article of footwear of claim 16 , wherein the knitted lattice structure extends in a throat area of the upper.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2024
From: POULSEN, MONICA M.; STEVENS, ERIN C.
To: NIKE, INC.
Reel/Frame 067431/0861 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17875220 · Jul 27, 2022
Continuation 16397138 · Apr 29, 2019
Provisional Application 62664483 · Apr 30, 2018
Related Publication 20240271341A1 · Aug 15, 2024
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