Nike patents knitted shoe upper with mixed friction zones for better ball control
This patent describes a knitted shoe upper featuring an outer surface with alternating areas of high and low friction. The high-friction zones are made from yarns with a thermoplastic coating that extends through the material to the inner side, creating a textured pattern for better grip.
In the filing’s own words
A knitted component with a surface that includes first areas and second areas having different relative coefficient of frictions and that are formed in an alternating pattern. The first areas of the first surface are 40% to 80% of the total surface area for the first surface. The alternating pattern may be in the form of concentric shapes. The alternating pattern may have linear boundaries and curvilinear boundaries between first areas and second areas. The first areas can be formed from a first yarn having a core and a coating. The coating at least partially surrounds the core.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An article of footwear comprising: an upper comprising: a knitted component comprising an inner-facing surface of the upper and an outer-facing surface of the upper, the outer-facing surface comprising: first areas comprising a thermoformed network of interlooped yarns comprising a first yarn comprising a core and a thermoplastic polymeric composition at least partially surrounding the core; and second areas comprising a second yarn different from the first yarn, wherein the first areas have a higher coefficient of friction than the second areas for increased ball traction; wherein the first areas form an alternating pattern with the second areas such that the first areas are 40% to 80% of a total surface area of the outer-facing surface of the upper, wherein the alternating pattern extends in at least a forefoot region of the article of footwear; and wherein the inner-facing surface comprises a third area opposite to the first areas and the second areas located on the outer-facing surface, the third area including a third yarn comprising an elastic material; wherein at least a portion of the thermoformed thermoplastic polymeric composition that is thermoformed extends completely from the outer-facing surface into the inner-facing surface.
Facts
- Company
- Nike (NIKE, Inc.)
- Official title
- Knitted components and articles for improved ball control and durability
- Patent number
- US12733706B2
- Application number
- 17944803
- Filed
- Sep 14, 2022
- Granted
- Sep 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 7
- Claims
- 25
Classified under
A43B 1/04 Human necessitiesA43B 23/0205 Human necessitiesD04B 1/102 Textiles & paperD10B 2501/043 Textiles & paperMore from Nike in Clothing & sport
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.