Article of footwear with an outer element and an inner element

Abstract

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to an article of footwear. The article of footwear may include an inner element, the inner element having an overfoot portion and an underfoot portion. The article of footwear may further include an outer element at least partially formed by a first knitted component, the outer element covering the throat area of the inner element. The article of footwear may further include a fastening element secured to the inner element in a throat area, where the fastening element is located between the inner element and the outer element, and where adjustment of the fastening element adjusts the fit of the inner element when the article of footwear is in use. The article of footwear may further include a sole structure, where the sole structure at least partially covers the underfoot portion of the inner element.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising:
 an inner element, the inner element having an overfoot portion and an underfoot portion, the overfoot portion having a throat area;   an outer element at least partially formed by a first knitted component, the outer element covering the throat area of the inner element;   a fastening system secured to the inner element in a throat area, wherein the fastening system is located between the inner element and the outer element, and wherein adjustment of the fastening system adjusts the fit of the inner element when the article of footwear is in use; and   a sole structure,   wherein the sole structure at least partially covers the underfoot portion of the inner element.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the inner element includes a second knitted component with a circular-knit structure. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein a course of the circular-knit structure extends entirely around a perimeter of a forefoot area of the inner element. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein a first zone of the first knitted component has a first elasticity, wherein a second zone of the first knitted component has a second elasticity, wherein the first elasticity is greater than the second elasticity, and wherein the first zone is located in the throat area of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening system includes a cable secured to the inner element and a fastener that is slidable along the cable in an unlocked state. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the underfoot portion of the inner element contacts a top surface of the sole structure. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the inner element includes a plurality of openings for securing to the fastening system. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 7 , wherein the openings are knit-formed openings. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the outer element extends from the throat area to a biteline of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         10 . An article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising:
 a first knitted component defining an outer element, the outer element forming an outer surface of the article of footwear in a throat area, and the outer element extending from the throat area to a biteline of the article of footwear;   a second knitted component defining an inner element, wherein the inner element includes a collar surrounding an ankle opening leading to a void of the article of footwear; and   a fastening system located in the throat area between the first knitted component and the second knitted component.   
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 10 , wherein a course of the second knitted component extends entirely around a perimeter in a forefoot area of the inner element. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 10 , wherein a first zone of the first knitted component has a first elasticity, wherein a second zone of the first knitted component has a second elasticity, wherein the first elasticity is greater than the second elasticity, and wherein the first zone is located in the throat area of the article of footwear. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 10 , wherein the fastening system includes a cable secured to the inner element and a fastener that is slidable along the cable in an unlocked state. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 10 , wherein the second knitted component includes an overfoot portion and an underfoot portion. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the underfoot portion of the second knitted component contacts a top surface of a sole structure. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 10 , wherein the inner element includes a plurality of openings for securing to the fastening system. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the openings are knit-formed openings. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 10 , wherein an average elasticity of the first knitted component is less than an average elasticity of the second knitted component. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 knitting a first knitted component on a flat knitting machine, wherein the first knitted component forms an outer element of an article of footwear, the outer element defining an outer surface of the article of footwear; and   knitting a second knitted component on a circular knitting machine, wherein the second knitted component forms an inner element of an article of footwear, the inner element defining a void of the article of footwear.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising: securing a fastening system to the second knitted component in a throat area, and covering the fastening system with the first knitted component.