Shoe upper

Abstract

Described are shoe uppers for a shoe, in particular, for a sports shoe, with a rear section and a front section, wherein the front section is smaller graded than the rear section, and wherein the front section is more flexible than the rear section.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe upper for a shoe comprising:
 a rear section; and   a front section,   wherein the front section is smaller graded than the rear section, and wherein the front section is more flexible than the rear section.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe upper of  claim 1 , wherein the front section is smaller graded than the rear section by at least about a full shoe size. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe upper of  claim 1 , wherein the front section is smaller graded than the rear section least with respect to width. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe upper of  claim 1 , wherein the front section is more flexible in one direction than in any other direction being different thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe upper of  claim 4 , wherein the front section is more flexible in the one direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shoe upper than in another direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shoe upper. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe upper of  claim 1 , wherein the rear section is more flexible in at least two directions than in any other direction being different thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe upper of  claim 6 , wherein the rear section is more flexible in the at least two directions being perpendicular to and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shoe upper than in another direction being different from said at least two directions. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe upper of  claim 1 , wherein the rear section and the front section are sewn together. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe upper according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear section and the front section further comprise a synthetic polyurethane material. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe upper of  claim 9 , wherein the synthetic polyurethane material is applied onto a carrier material. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe upper of  claim 1 , wherein a layer that reduces flexibility is applied onto at least a portion of the front section. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe upper of  claim 11 , wherein the layer is a film of thermoplastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe upper of  claim 12 , wherein the film is applied onto the front section by welding. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe upper of  claim 1 , wherein the front section is adapted to cover a front portion of a foot during wear and the rear section is adapted to cover a rear portion of the foot during wear. 
     
     
         15 . A shoe comprising:
 a sole; and   a shoe upper comprising a rear section and a front section, wherein the front section is smaller graded than the rear section.   
     
     
         16 . The shoe according to  claim 15 , wherein the front section is more flexible than the rear section. 
     
     
         17 . The shoe according to  claim 15 , wherein the sole is graded simultaneously with the rear section of the shoe upper. 
     
     
         18 . A method for manufacturing a shoe upper for a shoe comprising:
 providing a rear section of the shoe upper;   providing a front section of the shoe upper, wherein the front section is smaller graded than the rear section, and wherein the front section is more flexible than the rear section; and   connecting the rear section and the front section.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the front section is smaller graded than the rear section by at least a full shoe size. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising punching out the rear section from a first material layer. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising punching out the front section from a second material layer. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first material layer is different from the second material layer. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the second material layer is more flexible than the first material layer. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the second material layer is more flexible in one direction than in another direction. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first material layer is more flexible in at least two directions than in any other direction being different thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising sewing the rear section together with the front section. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising applying a layer that reduces flexibility to at least one portion of the front section. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the layer is welded to the at least one portion of the front section. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising applying thermoplastic polyurethane onto a carrier material.