Braided shoe upper

Abstract

Described is an upper for a shoe and a method for manufacturing such an upper and such a shoe. An upper without laces includes at least one braid portion adapted to be stretched in a longitudinal direction and at least one braid-free portion. Stretching the at least one braid portion in the longitudinal direction provides an elastic restoring force.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe upper without laces comprising:
 a. at least one braid portion adapted to be stretched in a longitudinal direction;   b. at least one braid-free portion; and   c. wherein stretching the at least one braid portion in the longitudinal direction provides an elastic restoring force.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe upper of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one braid portion extends at least partly from a medial side to a lateral side of the shoe upper. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe upper of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one braid portion, when worn, extends along a region of the cuneiform bones of a foot. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe upper of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one braid portion conforms to a midfoot area of the shoe upper. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe upper of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one braid portion in a toe area of the shoe upper. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe upper of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one braid portion in a heel area of the shoe upper. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe upper of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one channel surrounding at least partly the at least one braid portion. 
     
     
         8 . A shoe upper comprising:
 a. at least one braid portion adapted to be stretched in a longitudinal direction;   b. at least one channel surrounding at least partly the at least one braid portion; and   c. wherein stretching the at least one braid portion in the longitudinal direction provides an elastic restoring force.   
     
     
         9 . The shoe upper of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one channel extends at least partly from a medial side to a lateral side of the shoe upper. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe upper of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one channel conforms to a midfoot area of the shoe upper. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe upper of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one channel and at least one braid portion in a toe area of the shoe upper. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe upper of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one channel and at least one braid portion in a heel area of the shoe upper. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe upper of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one channel comprises a width of 12 mm to 30 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe upper of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one channel is arranged on an outer surface of the shoe upper. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe upper of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one channel is an integral portion of the shoe upper. 
     
     
         16 . The shoe upper of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one braid portion comprises a plurality of braid portions, the at least one channel comprises a plurality of channels, and each channel corresponds to one of the plurality of braid portions. 
     
     
         17 . The shoe upper of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of channels is formed by a plurality of layers in at least a part of the shoe upper. 
     
     
         18 . The shoe upper of  claim 17 , wherein at least one layer comprises thermoplastic polyurethane, TPU. 
     
     
         19 . The shoe upper of  claim 17 , wherein at least one layer comprises a mesh. 
     
     
         20 . The shoe upper of  claim 17 , wherein at least one layer comprises a neoprene material. 
     
     
         21 . The shoe upper of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one braid portion is formed as at least one strap. 
     
     
         22 . The shoe upper of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one strap comprises a first synthetic yarn and a second synthetic yarn, wherein the first synthetic yarn has a different elasticity than the second synthetic yarn. 
     
     
         23 . The shoe upper of  claim 22 , wherein the second yarn extends axially along a direction of the strap. 
     
     
         24 . The shoe upper of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one braid portion is arranged in the shoe upper such that it is pre-stretched in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         25 . The shoe upper of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one braid portion is adapted to provide different elasticities in different strain ranges. 
     
     
         26 . The shoe upper of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one braid portion is adapted to be stretched up to 20% of its initial length.