Article of footwear and method of formation

Abstract

An article comprised of tape segments embroidered in place is disclosed. One embodiment includes tape segments embroidered to a self-supporting embroidered structure. Another embodiment includes tape segments embroidered together to form an embroidered lattice structure. In one embodiment, some of the tape segments may expand when exposed to heat and may be used to form cushioning regions for the article.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An upper for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a self-supporting embroidered layer; and   a plurality of tape segments attached to the embroidered layer;   wherein the plurality of tape segments are disposed in a stacked arrangement, including a first plurality of tape segments in a first layer and a second plurality of tape segments in a second layer overlaid on the first layer.   
     
     
         3 . The upper of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a fastening region disposed along a section of the upper, the fastening region including a plurality of eyelets that receive and retain a portion of a lace when the lace is directed through the eyelets;   wherein at least one tape segment couples at a first end with a corresponding eyelet of the plurality of eyelets, the at least one tape segment extends to a second end that couples with a lower periphery of the upper, and the lower periphery of the upper couples with a sole structure.   
     
     
         4 . The upper of  claim 3 , wherein a pair of tape segments couples with a single corresponding eyelet at a first end of each of the tape segments of the pair. 
     
     
         5 . The upper of  claim 2 , wherein at least tape segment of the plurality of tape segments is formed of a material that is expandable, and the at least one expandable tape segment is in an expanded condition thus forming a cushioned region of the upper. 
     
     
         6 . The upper of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of ribbon segments, the ribbon segments having a different material composition from the plurality of tape segments. 
     
     
         7 . The upper of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of ribbon segments comprises a first set of ribbon segments oriented along a first direction and a second set of ribbon segments oriented along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
         8 . The upper of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of tape segments comprises a set of parallel tape segments extending in a third direction, and the third direction forms an oblique angle with the first direction. 
     
     
         9 . The upper according to  claim 8 , wherein the first set of parallel ribbon segments are embroidered to the second set of parallel ribbon segments, and wherein the set of parallel tape segments are embroidered to the second set of parallel ribbon segments. 
     
     
         10 . An upper for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a self-supporting embroidered layer; and   a plurality of tape segments attached to the embroidered layer;   wherein at least tape segment of the plurality of tape segments is formed of a material that is expandable, and the at least one expandable tape segment is in an expanded condition thus forming a cushioned region of the upper.   
     
     
         11 . The upper of  claim 10 , wherein the cushioned region is configured to form at least a portion of a tongue of the upper. 
     
     
         12 . The upper of  claim 10 , wherein the cushioned region is configured to form at least a portion of a collar of the upper. 
     
     
         13 . The upper of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one expanded tape segment is embroidered to a surface of the embroidered layer. 
     
     
         14 . The upper according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one expanded tape segment is embroidered to the surface of the embroidered layer using an elastic thread capable of stretching as the at least one expanded tape segment expands. 
     
     
         15 . An upper for an article of footwear, comprising:
 a self-supporting embroidered layer;   a fastening region disposed along a section of the upper, the fastening region including a plurality of eyelets that receive and retain a portion of a lace when the lace is directed through the eyelets; and   a plurality of tape segments attached to the embroidered layer;   wherein at least one tape segment couples at a first end with a corresponding eyelet of the plurality of eyelets, the at least one tape segment extends to a second end that couples with a lower periphery of the upper, and the lower periphery of the upper couples with a sole structure.   
     
     
         16 . The upper of  claim 15 , wherein a pair of tape segments couples with a single corresponding eyelet at a first end of each of the tape segments of the pair. 
     
     
         17 . The upper of  claim 15 , wherein, during use of the article of footwear in which a lace is secured between eyelets at the fastening region and the lace pulls on the single corresponding eyelet, tension is directed from the eyelet to the at least one tape segment and to the lower periphery of the upper. 
     
     
         18 . The upper of  claim 15 , wherein at least tape segment of the plurality of tape segments is formed of a material that is expandable, and the at least one expandable tape segment is in an expanded condition thus forming a cushioned region of the upper. 
     
     
         19 . The upper of  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of ribbon segments, the ribbon segments having a different material composition from the plurality of tape segments. 
     
     
         20 . The upper of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of ribbon segments comprises a first set of ribbon segments oriented along a first direction and a second set of ribbon segments oriented along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
         21 . The upper of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of tape segments comprises a set of parallel tape segments extending in a third direction, and the third direction forms an oblique angle with the first direction.