Article of Footwear With Reinforced Elastic Upper

Abstract

An article of footwear is provided, which may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper may include an elastic skin material forming at least a portion of an external surface of the upper. In addition, the upper may include substantially inelastic reinforcing material selectively located adjacent portions of the elastic skin material, wherein the elastic skin material is more elastic than the substantially inelastic reinforcing material.

1 . An article of footwear including a sole structure fixedly attached to an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the upper comprising:
 an elastic skin material forming at least a portion of an external surface of the upper; and   a reinforcing material selectively located adjacent portions of the elastic skin material;   wherein the elastic skin material is more elastic than the reinforcing material;   wherein the upper includes a first eyelet configured to receive a lace;   wherein the upper includes a second eyelet configured to receive a lace;   wherein the reinforcing material includes a first strip and a second strip associated with the first eyelet and extending away from the first eyelet, the first strip and the second strip extending divergently from one another;   wherein the reinforcing material includes a third strip and a fourth strip associated with the second eyelet and extending away from the second eyelet, the third strip and the fourth strip extending divergently from one another; and   wherein the second strip and the third strip extend in a criss-cross manner with respect to one another.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing material is located on an inner side of the elastic skin material, thereby forming an internal skeletal structure. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing material is located on at least a portion of an outer side of the elastic skin material, thereby forming an external skeletal structure. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper further includes additional material selectively placed adjacent to the elastic skin material between sections of the reinforcing material. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear according to  claim 4 , wherein the additional material is a compressible foam material. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear according to  claim 4 , wherein the additional material is a wind-stopping material. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear according to  claim 4 , wherein the additional material is a water-proof material. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper further includes a perforated liner material located internally of the elastic skin material. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the sole structure includes a ground-engaging sole component having a ground-engaging lower surface and a plurality of ground engaging members extending from the lower surface of the sole component, the ground-engaging members being configured to provide traction. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the upper defines an inner cavity having a first volume in a relaxed state; and   the upper is configured to elastically expand in response to insertion of a user's foot into the cavity during use, a volume of the inserted foot being larger than the first volume, such that the inner cavity attains a second volume that is greater than the first volume.   
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper includes a lace configured to secure the article of footwear on the foot of a wearer. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing material is configured to surround an unreinforced section of the elastic skin material of the upper. 
     
     
         16 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the upper includes a third eyelet configured to receive a lace;   wherein the reinforcing material includes a fifth reinforcing strip and a sixth reinforcing strip associated with the third eyelet and extending away from the third eyelet;   wherein the fifth reinforcing strip and the sixth reinforcing strip extend divergently from one another; and   wherein the fifth reinforcing strip and the sixth reinforcing strip are both arranged in a non-overlapping fashion with respect to the fourth reinforcing strip.   
     
     
         22 . The article of footwear according to  claim 21 , wherein the fifth reinforcing strip extends substantially parallel to the fourth reinforcing strip and the sixth reinforcing strip extends divergently from the fourth reinforcing strip. 
     
     
         23 . An article of footwear including a sole structure fixedly attached to an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer, the upper comprising:
 an elastic skin material forming at least a portion of an external surface of the upper; and   a reinforcing material selectively located adjacent portions of the elastic skin material;   wherein the elastic skin material is more elastic than the reinforcing material;   wherein the upper includes a first eyelet configured to receive a lace;   wherein the upper includes a second eyelet configured to receive a lace;   wherein the reinforcing material includes a first strip associated with the first eyelet and extending away from the first eyelet, and a second strip associated with the second eyelet and extending away from the second eyelet, the first strip and the second strip extending toward the sole structure in a criss-cross manner with respect to one another.   
     
     
         24 . The article of footwear according to  claim 23 , wherein the reinforcing material is located on an inner side of the elastic skin material, thereby forming an internal skeletal structure. 
     
     
         25 . The article of footwear according to  claim 23 , wherein the reinforcing material is located on at least a portion of an outer side of the elastic skin material, thereby forming an external skeletal structure. 
     
     
         26 . The article of footwear according to  claim 23 , wherein the upper further includes additional material selectively placed adjacent to the elastic skin material between sections of the reinforcing material. 
     
     
         27 . The article of footwear according to  claim 23 , wherein the sole structure includes a ground-engaging sole component having a ground-engaging lower surface and a plurality of ground engaging members extending from the lower surface of the sole component, the ground-engaging members being configured to provide traction. 
     
     
         28 . The article of footwear according to  claim 23 , wherein:
 the article of footwear has a first volume when in a relaxed state; and   the upper is configured to elastically expand in response to insertion of a user's foot into the cavity during use, a volume of the inserted foot being larger than the first volume, such that the inner cavity attains a second volume that is greater than the first volume.