Knitted component with a fused area

Abstract

A knitted component comprising two yarns, forming at least a heel region of an upper for an article of footwear, where one of the yarns comprises a thermoplastic material. The outer surface may include a fused area comprising a first thermoplastic yarn. The inner surface may be at least partially formed with a second yarn and may substantially exclude the thermoplastic material. There may be a transitional area including a reduced amount of thermoplastic material relative to a fused area. The knitted component may include a cushioning material between layers of the knit element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper, comprising:   a knitted component forming at least part of the upper, the knitted component comprising:   an outer-facing surface, and   a fused area on the outer-facing surface that includes a plurality of raised dimensional structures that each extend outward a distance from the outer-facing surface of the knitted component; and   a sole structure joined to the upper.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the knitted component comprises a first layer and a second layer that are secured via a knit structure of the knitted component. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the knitted component comprises a first area that includes the fused area, and wherein the knitted component comprises a second area that is elastic. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 3 , wherein the second area is a throat area of the upper. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the fused area comprises a thermoplastic polymer material. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of raised dimensional structures are attached to the outer-facing surface of the knitted component with an adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the knitted component comprises a thermoplastic polymer material. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of raised dimensional structures are located in a toe area of the upper. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of raised dimensional structures comprises a curved shape. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of raised dimensional structures comprises an elongated shape. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of raised dimensional structures are arranged to extend across a toe area of the upper. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the fused area is thermoformed. 
     
     
         13 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper, comprising:   a knitted component forming a knitted outer surface with a fused area, wherein a plurality of raised dimensional components are formed in the fused area, each one of the plurality of raised dimensional components extending a distance outward from the knitted outer surface, and comprising an elongated shape,   a throat area that is elastic; and   a sole structure joined to the upper.   
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the fused area is water-resistant. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the fused area is waterproof. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the fused area extends along an edge adjacent to a biteline of the upper. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the throat area and a collar area of the upper exclude the fused area. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the elongated shape is curved. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of raised dimensional components are attached with an adhesive. 
     
     
         20 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 a knitted upper, comprising:
 a first knit layer comprising an inner-facing surface of the upper; and 
 a second knit layer comprising an outer-facing surface of the upper, 
   a fused area comprising a plurality of thermoformed dimensional components each extending outward a distance from the outer-facing surface of the second knit layer, and attached with an adhesive;   a tongue disposed in a throat area of the upper; and   a sole structure joined to the knitted upper.