Warp knit component with weft inlays

Abstract

A warp knit component that includes a first front weft inlaid yarn that extends through one or more loops in a first warp knit course, and after extending through the one or more loops, the first front weft inlaid yarn extends as a float positioned on a technical face or front side of the warp knit component. After extending as the float, the first front weft inlaid yarn extends through one or more loops in a second warp knit course that is offset in the material flow direction from the first warp knit course. Using floats facilitates the advancement of the first front weft inlaid yarn in the material flow direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A warp knit component, comprising:
 a plurality of warp knit courses that form a plurality of warp knit wales; and   a first front weft inlaid yarn, wherein:
 the first front weft inlaid yarn extends through at least one loop in a first warp knit course of the plurality of warp knit courses, 
 after extending through the at least one loop in the first warp knit course, the first front weft inlaid yarn extends as a float positioned on a technical face of the warp knit component, and 
 after extending as the float, the first front weft inlaid yarn extends through at least one loop in a second warp knit course of the plurality of warp knit courses, the second warp knit course offset in a material flow direction from the first warp knit course. 
   
     
     
         2 . The warp knit component of  claim 1 , further comprising a second front weft inlaid yarn, wherein:
 the second front weft inlaid yarn extends through at least one loop in a third warp knit course of the plurality of warp knit courses,   after extending through the at least one loop in the third warp knit course, the second front weft inlaid yarn extends as a float positioned on the technical face of the warp knit component, and   after extending as the float, the second front weft inlaid yarn extends through at least one loop in a fourth warp knit course.   
     
     
         3 . The warp knit component of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first warp knit course and the second warp knit course is offset from at least one of the third warp knit course and the fourth warp knit course in a wale-wise direction. 
     
     
         4 . The warp knit component of  claim 2 , wherein the first front weft inlaid yarn is positioned on a first side of a hypothetical midline that extends in a material flow direction of the warp knit component, and wherein the second front weft inlaid yarn is positioned on a second side of the hypothetical midline. 
     
     
         5 . The warp knit component of  claim 2 , wherein the first front weft inlaid yarn is one or more of a different yarn type and a different denier than the second front weft inlaid yarn. 
     
     
         6 . The warp knit component of  claim 1 , further comprising a first back weft inlaid yarn that extends through every successive loop in the first warp knit course and a second back weft inlaid yarn that extends through every successive loop in the second warp knit course, the first back weft inlaid yarn and the second back weft inlaid yarn positioned closer to a technical back of the warp knit component as compared to the first front weft inlaid yarn. 
     
     
         7 . The warp knit component of  claim 6 , further comprising one or more intervening warp knit courses between the first warp knit course and the second warp knit course. 
     
     
         8 . The warp knit component of  claim 7 , further comprising one or more additional back weft inlaid yarns that extend through every successive loop in the one or more intervening warp knit courses. 
     
     
         9 . An upper of an article of footwear, the upper comprising:
 a warp knit component, comprising:   a plurality of warp yarns arranged to form a plurality of warp knit courses; and   a plurality of areas formed without the plurality of warp knit courses, each area comprising an integrally-formed opening that extends through the warp knit component, wherein the plurality of areas form a pattern.   
     
     
         10 . The upper of  claim 9 , wherein one or more yarns are incorporated into the warp knit component to impart zonal properties. 
     
     
         11 . The upper of  claim 9 , further comprising a tensile element incorporated into the plurality of warp yarns. 
     
     
         12 . The upper of  claim 11 , wherein the tensile element is inlaid into the warp knit component. 
     
     
         13 . The upper of  claim 11 , wherein the tensile element is inlaid through at least one of the plurality of warp knit courses. 
     
     
         14 . The upper of  claim 11 , wherein the tensile element is inlaid such that it extends in multiple directions through the warp knit component. 
     
     
         15 . The upper of  claim 9 , wherein a thermoplastic material forms a skin layer that extends across the warp knit component. 
     
     
         16 . The upper of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of warp yarns comprise at least one yarn comprising a thermoplastic material that is heat-processed such that a thermoformed network of yarns is formed. 
     
     
         17 . The upper of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one yarn comprises a core and a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises the thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         18 . The upper of  claim 17 , wherein the thermoplastic material is a thermoplastic polyurethane or a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         19 . The upper of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of warp yarns comprise a high-tenacity yarn. 
     
     
         20 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper, comprising:   a warp knit component, comprising:
 a plurality of warp yarns arranged to form a plurality of warp knit courses; and 
 a plurality of areas formed without the plurality of warp knit courses, each area comprising an integrally-formed opening that extends through the warp knit component, wherein the plurality of areas form a pattern.