Upper for an article of footwear having angled tubular knit structures

Abstract

An upper for an article of footwear may include a first tubular knit structure, where the first tubular knit structure includes a first layer and a second layer, the first layer and the second layer being separable such that a first passage is located between the first layer and the second layer. A second tubular knit structure may be included, where the second tubular knit structure includes a third layer and a fourth layer, the third layer and the fourth layer being separable such that a second passage is located between the third layer and the fourth layer. A longitudinal direction of the first tubular knit structure may be angled at least 5 degrees relative to a longitudinal direction of the second tubular knit structure.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An upper for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a first tubular knit structure, wherein the first tubular knit structure includes a first layer and a second layer, the first layer and the second layer being separable such that a first passage is located between the first layer and the second layer; and   a second tubular knit structure, wherein the second tubular knit structure includes a third layer and a fourth layer, the third layer and the fourth layer being separable such that a second passage is located between the third layer and the fourth layer,   wherein the first tubular knit structure extends from a biteline of the upper to a throat area of the upper,   wherein the second tubular knit structure extends from the biteline of the upper to the throat area of the upper, and   wherein a longitudinal direction of the first tubular knit structure is angled at least 5 degrees relative to a longitudinal direction of the second tubular knit structure.   
     
     
         2 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of a tensile strand extends through the first passage, and wherein a second portion of the tensile strand extends through the second passage. 
     
     
         3 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein a loop of the tensile strand is located between the first portion of the tensile strand and the second portion of the tensile strand, and wherein the loop is configured for engagement to a tensioning member of a fastening system. 
     
     
         4 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 3 , wherein the loop extends from an opening providing access to a cavity of a merged tubular area located in the throat area of the upper. 
     
     
         5 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 3 , wherein the loop is located inside a cavity of a merged tubular area located in the throat area of the upper. 
     
     
         6 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first tubular knit structure and the second tubular knit structure merge at a location in or adjacent to the throat area of the upper. 
     
     
         7 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the first tubular knit structure is a first distance from the second tubular knit structure at the biteline of the upper, wherein the first tubular knit structure is a second distance from the second tubular knit structure at the throat area of the upper, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. 
     
     
         8 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein a knitted base area is located between the first tubular knit structure and the second tubular knit structure. 
     
     
         9 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the knitted base area includes a first number of courses in a first area adjacent to the upper, wherein the knitted base area includes a second number of courses adjacent to the biteline, and wherein the first number of courses is greater than the second number of courses to create the angled orientation of the first tubular knit structure relative to the second tubular knit structure. 
     
     
         10 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the first layer includes a first yarn, and wherein the first yarn is excluded from the knitted base area. 
     
     
         11 . An upper for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a first tubular knit structure, wherein the first tubular knit structure includes a first layer and a second layer, the first layer and the second layer being separable such that a first passage is located between the first layer and the second layer; and   a second tubular knit structure, wherein the second tubular knit structure includes a third layer and a fourth layer, the third layer and the fourth layer being separable such that a second passage is located between the third layer and the fourth layer,   wherein the first tubular knit structure extends from a biteline of the upper to a throat area of the upper,   wherein the second tubular knit structure extends from the biteline of the upper to the throat area of the upper,   wherein a knitted base area is located between the first tubular knit structure and the second tubular knit structure at a location adjacent to the biteline, and   wherein the first tubular knit structure and the second tubular knit structure merge at a merged tubular area located in or adjacent to the throat area of the upper.   
     
     
         12 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein a first portion of a tensile strand extends through the first passage, and wherein a second portion of the tensile strand extends through the second passage, wherein a loop of the tensile strand is located between the first portion of the tensile strand and the second portion of the tensile strand, and wherein the loop is configured for engagement to a tensioning member of a fastening system. 
     
     
         13 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the loop extends from an opening providing access to a cavity of the merged tubular area located in the throat area of the upper. 
     
     
         14 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the loop is located inside a cavity of the merged tubular area located in the throat area of the upper. 
     
     
         15 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein the knitted base area includes a first number of courses in a first area adjacent to the upper, wherein the knitted base area includes a second number of courses adjacent to the biteline, and wherein the first number of courses is greater than the second number of courses to create the angled orientation of the first tubular knit structure relative to the second tubular knit structure. 
     
     
         16 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 11 , wherein the first layer includes a first yarn, and wherein the first yarn is excluded from the knitted base area. 
     
     
         17 . An upper for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a first tubular knit structure, wherein the first tubular knit structure that includes a first layer and a second layer, the first layer and the second layer being separable such that a pocket is located between the first layer and the second layer; and   a knitted base area located adjacent to the first tubular knit structure on at least one side of the first tubular knit structure,   wherein the first layer of the first tubular knit structure includes a first yarn,   wherein the second layer of the first tubular knit structure includes a second yarn, and   wherein the first yarn is substantially excluded from the knitted base area.   
     
     
         18 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the first yarn and the second yarn include different yarn types. 
     
     
         19 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the second yarn is knitted within the knitted base area. 
     
     
         20 . The upper for the article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the first yarn includes a monofilament yarn, and wherein the second yarn includes a polyester yarn.