One-way stretchable upper with a reinforcement element

Abstract

An upper for a shoe, particularly a sports shoe. The upper includes a base layer having a one-way stretchable material, in which the one-way stretchable material is stretchable in a first direction. The upper further includes at least one reinforcement element, in which the reinforcement element is arranged such as to limit the stretchability of the one-way stretchable material at least in the first direction.

1 . An upper for a sports shoe, comprising:
 a base layer comprising a one-way stretchable material, wherein the one-way stretchable material is stretchable in a first direction;   at least one reinforcement element, wherein the reinforcement element is arranged such as to limit the stretchability of the one-way stretchable material at least in the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The upper of  claim 1 , wherein the one-way stretchable material comprises a material that is essentially stretchable exclusively in the first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The upper of  claim 2 , wherein the material is essentially unstretchable in a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
         4 . The upper of  claim 3 , wherein the second direction comprises a component parallel to a direction extending from a lateral side of the upper to a medial side of the upper; wherein the second direction is essentially parallel to the direction extending from a lateral side to the medial side. 
     
     
         5 . The upper of  claim 4 , wherein the first direction comprises a component parallel to a longitudinal direction of the upper, wherein the first direction is essentially parallel the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         6 . The upper of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one reinforcement element is arranged such that the at least one reinforcement element extends at least partially into the first direction. 
     
     
         7 . The upper of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one reinforcement element is arranged such as to be located at an inner surface of the base layer. 
     
     
         8 . The upper of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one reinforcement element is arranged such that:
 at least a portion of the reinforcement element is heat bonded to the base layer; and/or   at least a portion of the reinforcement element is stitched to the base layer.   
     
     
         9 . The upper of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one reinforcement element is arranged such as to be essentially symmetrical with respect to a medial portion and a lateral portion of the upper. 
     
     
         10 . The upper of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one reinforcement element encompasses at least a portion of eyestays of the upper, wherein the at least one reinforcement element encompasses the complete eyestays of the upper. 
     
     
         11 . The upper of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one reinforcement element encompasses the eyestays as an essentially continuous segment. 
     
     
         12 . The upper of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one reinforcement element comprises at least one reinforcement band; wherein: the at least one reinforcement band extends from a region of the upper associated with eyestays to a region of the upper associated with a midsole and/or strobel; and/or the at least one reinforcement band extends from a region of the upper associated with eyestays to a region of the upper associated with a heel area. 
     
     
         13 . The upper of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one reinforcement band extends from the essentially continuous segment encompassing the eyestays of the upper. 
     
     
         14 . The upper of  claim 13 , wherein the upper comprises at least one reinforcement band and at most 20 reinforcement bands. 
     
     
         15 . The upper of  claim 14 , wherein: a width of the at least one reinforcement is at least 0.25 cm and at most 3 cm. 
     
     
         16 . The upper of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one reinforcement element comprises a non-stretchable material, the non-stretchable material comprising at least one of synthetic suede, non-stretchable textile, leather, or a polymer-based tape. 
     
     
         17 . The upper of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer comprises a woven material comprising a weft thread and a warp thread. 
     
     
         18 . The upper of  claim 17 , wherein the weft thread comprises at least one weft yarn and the warp thread comprises at least one warp yarn such that:
 the at least one weft yarn is more stretchable than the at least one warp yarn; or   the at least one warp yarn is more stretchable than the at least one weft yarn.   
     
     
         19 . The upper of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer comprises a knitted material. 
     
     
         20 . The upper of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer comprises a one-piece material and/or a unitary construction, wherein the one-piece material and/or the unitary construction is adapted such as to form a one-piece upper. 
     
     
         21 . A sports shoe comprising the upper of  claim 1 .