Nike patents knit fabric with built-in cushioning tubes
Nike has filed a patent for a textile where cushioning structures are knitted directly into the fabric rather than glued on. These cushioning parts extend from the material and can curl into tubular shapes, with openings in the fabric exposing them.
In the filing’s own words
A textile includes a knitted component having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. One or more cushioning structures are integrally knit with the knitted component and extend from the first surface. One or more openings extend through the knitted component from the first surface to the second surface, with at least one opening positioned to expose at least a portion of at least one cushioning structure. In some embodiments, the cushioning structures comprise a single-jersey construction and exhibit a curling characteristic that forms a tubular shape. In further embodiments, the openings are formed using a fusible yarn and may serve as interfaces for tensioning elements. The textile may be incorporated into a variety of articles, including uppers for articles of footwear, articles of footwear, and articles of apparel.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A textile, comprising: a knitted component, comprising: a first surface; and a second surface opposite to the first surface; one or more cushioning structures integrally knit with the knitted component and extending from the first surface; and one or more openings extending through the knitted component from the first surface to the second surface, wherein the one or more openings expose at least one of the one or more cushioning structures.
Facts
- Company
- Nike (NIKE, Inc.)
- Official title
- KNITTED COMPONENT WITH CUSHIONING STRUCTURE
- Publication number
- US20260314741A1
- Application number
- 19712882
- Filed
- Jun 18, 2026
- Published
- Oct 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
A43B 1/04 Human necessitiesA43B 23/028 Human necessitiesD10B 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.