Shoe components having varying modulus zones

Abstract

In one aspect, a shoe component is described. The shoe component comprises a body of continuous fabric having at least a first zone and a second zone. The first zone of the fabric has a first modulus of elasticity and the second zone of the fabric has a second modulus of elasticity that is different than the first modulus of elasticity. More than two zones can be provided per shoe component, in some cases.

1 . A shoe component comprising:
 a body of continuous fabric having at least a first zone and a second zone,
 wherein the first zone of the fabric has a first modulus of elasticity and the second zone of the fabric has a second modulus of elasticity that is different than the first modulus of elasticity; 
 wherein the first zone of the fabric has a higher modulus of elasticity than the second zone of the fabric; and 
 wherein a ratio of the first modulus of elasticity to the second modulus of elasticity is at least 2:1. 
   
     
     
         2 . The shoe component of  claims 1 , wherein:
 the body of continuous fabric further comprises a third zone;   the third zone of the fabric has a third modulus of elasticity; and   the third modulus of elasticity is different than the first modulus of elasticity and/or   the second modulus of elasticity.   
     
     
         3 . The shoe component of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the body of continuous fabric further comprises a fourth zone;   the fourth zone of the fabric has a fourth modulus of elasticity; and   the fourth modulus of elasticity is different than at least one of the first modulus of elasticity, the second modulus of elasticity, and the third modulus of activity.   
     
     
         4 . The shoe component of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the body of continuous fabric further comprises an nth zone having an nth modulus of elasticity;   the nth modulus of elasticity is different than at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth moduli of elasticity; and n is an integer greater than 4.   
     
     
         5 . The shoe component of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fabric is a knit fabric;   the first zone has a first knit construction;   the second zone has a second knit construction; and   the first knit construction and the second knit construction differ.   
     
     
         6 . The shoe component of  claim 5 , wherein the first knit construction is a plain knit construction and the second knit construction is not a plain knit construction. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe component of  claim 5 , wherein the first knit construction is a plain knit construction and the second knit construction is a double knit construction. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe component of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first zone of the fabric is formed from one or more first fibers;   the second zone of the fabric is formed from one or more second fibers; and   the one or more first fibers differ from the one or more second fibers.   
     
     
         9 . The shoe component of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more first fibers and the one or more second fibers have differing elasticity. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe component of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more first fibers and the one or more second fibers have differing tenacity. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe component of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more first fibers and the one or more second fibers have differing percent elongation at break. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe component of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more first fibers and/or the one or more second fibers are formed from a shape memory alloy configured to heat and/or massage a wearer's foot. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe component of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more first fibers and/or the one or more second fibers are formed from a shape memory polymer configured to heat and/or massage a wearer's foot. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe component of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more first fibers and/or the one or more second fibers are formed from a combination of a shape memory alloy and a shape memory polymer (SMAP) material configured to heat and/or massage a wearer's foot. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe component of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more first fibers and/or the one or more second fibers are formed from a rate- sensitive material configured to adjust a perceived stress and/or strain in response to the speed or movement of a wearer. 
     
     
         16 . The shoe component of  claim 8 , wherein the first zone of the fabric has a higher density of filaments per area than the second zone. 
     
     
         17 . The shoe component of any preceding claim, wherein the first zone of the fabric comprises one or more yarns having a tenacity that is greater than about 9 grams per denier (gpd). 
     
     
         18 . The shoe component of  claim 8 , wherein the second zone of the fabric comprises one or more yarns having a tenacity that is less than about 5 grams per denier (gpd). 
     
     
         19 . The shoe component of  claim 8 , wherein the first zone of the fabric comprises one or more yarns having a percent elongation at break that is greater than about 50%. 
     
     
         20 . The shoe component of  claim 8 , wherein the second zone of the fabric comprises one or more yarns having a percent elongation at break that is less than about 20%. 
     
     
         21 . The shoe component of  claim 8 , wherein the shoe component is a shoe upper. 
     
     
         22 . The shoe component of  claim 21 , wherein one or more of the fabric zones are disposed within a heel region, a toe region, or a wing region of the shoe upper. 
     
     
         23 . The shoe component of  claim 21 , wherein the first zone comprises a higher modulus zone and the second zone comprises a lower modulus zone, and wherein the higher modulus zone is disposed proximate the wing region and the lower modulus zone is disposed proximate the toe region. 
     
     
         24 . The shoe component of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe component is a shoe insole. 
     
     
         25 . The shoe component of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe component is a spacer fabric. 
     
     
         26 . The shoe component of  claim 25 , wherein the first zone has a higher modulus of elasticity than the second zone, and wherein the first zone is disposed proximate a heel region or a ball region of a wearer's foot. 
     
     
         27 . The shoe component of  claim 26 , wherein the second zone is disposed proximate an arch region or a toe region of the wearer' s foot. 
     
     
         28 . The shoe component of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is a continuous, seamless knit fabric. 
     
     
         29 . A method of making a shoe component, the method comprising:
 forming at least a first zone and a second zone in a continuous body of fabric, wherein the first zone has a first modulus of elasticity and the second zone has a second modulus of elasticity that is different than the first modulus of elasticity.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein forming the first and second zones comprises knitting the first and second zones. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the shoe component is a seamless component. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the shoe component formed by the method is the shoe component of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         33 . A shoe component comprising:
 a body of continuous fabric having at least a first zone having a first modulus of elasticity and a second zone having a second modulus of elasticity,   wherein the first modulus of elasticity is higher than the second modulus of elasticity,   wherein the first zone of the fabric is formed from one or more first fibers;   the second zone of the fabric is formed from one or more second fibers;   the one or more first fibers differ from the one or more second fibers, and the one or more first fibers and/or the one or more second fibers are formed from a shape memory alloy or a shape memory polymer configured to heat and/or massage a wearer's foot.