Footwear comprising a dynamic material exhibiting topographic transformation

Abstract

An upper of an article of footwear including a dynamic material configured for topographic transformation to alter at least one of a fit, an insulation, or a ventilation, of the article of footwear.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a sole structure, and   an upper coupled to the sole structure,   wherein the upper comprises a dynamic material,   wherein the dynamic material is configured to exhibit a topographic transformation along a first axis in response to a tension or torgue being applied to the dynamic material along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and   wherein the topographic transformation alters at least one of a fit, an insulation, or a ventilation, of the article of footwear.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic material comprises a plurality of layers coupled by a plurality of ribs, each of the plurality of ribs being configured to fold. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein the ribs are linearly aligned. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein the ribs are radially aligned. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the layers comprises an aperture to provide the ventilation in connection with the topographic transformation. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic material comprises a plurality of angled slits configured to expand along the first axis as an auxetic structure. 
     
     
         7 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a sole structure, and   an upper coupled to the sole structure,   wherein the upper comprises a dynamic material,   wherein the dynamic material is configured to exhibit an increase in a thickness in response to an increase in length or width, and   wherein the increase in the thickness alters at least one of a fit, an insulation, or a ventilation, of the article of footwear.   
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 7 , wherein the dynamic material comprises a plurality of layers coupled by a plurality of ribs, each of the plurality of ribs being configured to fold. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the ribs are linearly aligned. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the ribs are radially aligned. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the layers comprises an aperture to provide the ventilation in connection with the increase in the thickness. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 7 , wherein the dynamic material comprises a plurality of angled slits such that the dynamic material is configured to behave as an auxetic structure. 
     
     
         13 . A dynamic material for use in the upper of an article of footwear,
 wherein the dynamic material is configured to exhibit a topographic transformation in a first plane in response to a tension or torque being applied to the dynamic material in a second plane out of the first plane, and   wherein the topographic transformation alters at least one of a fit, an insulation, or a ventilation, of the article of footwear.   
     
     
         14 . The dynamic material of  claim 13  comprising a plurality of layers coupled by a plurality of ribs, each of the plurality of ribs being configured to fold. 
     
     
         15 . The dynamic material of  claim 14 , wherein the ribs are linearly aligned. 
     
     
         16 . The dynamic material of  claim 14 , wherein the ribs are radially aligned. 
     
     
         17 . The dynamic material of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the layers comprises an aperture to provide the ventilation in connection with the topographic transformation. 
     
     
         18 . The dynamic material of  claim 13 , wherein the dynamic material comprises a plurality of angled slits configured to expand in the first plane as an auxetic structure.