Footwear upper incorporating a knitted component with sock and tongue portions

Abstract

An article of footwear including a knitted component is provided. The knitted component may include a multi-layer knit structure and a thermoplastic material that is fused. In accordance with other aspects, the knitted component may include a polymer sheet that is bonded to the knitted component.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper, comprising:
 a knitted component that integrally extends from a heel portion, along a medial side, along a lateral side, along an underfoot portion, and to a toe portion of the upper, 
 the knitted component comprising a multi-layer knit structure, and a thermoplastic material; and 
 a sole structure secured to the upper. 
   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the knitted component includes a yarn comprising the thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the knitted component integrally extends across the underfoot portion between the medial side and the lateral side. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein a cover component is joined to the knitted component. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 4 , wherein the cover component comprises a textile. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 4 , wherein the cover component comprises a polymer sheet. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 4 , wherein the cover component is joined to the knitted component by stitching. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 4 , wherein the cover component is joined to the knitted component by adhesive bonding. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 4 , wherein the cover component is joined to the knitted component by thermal bonding. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising a tongue portion that extends in a throat area of the upper. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 10 , wherein the tongue portion comprises a first knit layer and a second knit layer that are coextensive and lay against each other. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 10 , wherein the tongue portion is stitched to the knitted component. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 10 , wherein the tongue portion comprises a first yarn and the knitted component comprises a second yarn, wherein the first yarn and the second yarn differ in stretch. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the upper comprises a mesh knit structure. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the mesh knit structure comprises a plurality of holes formed in the knitted component. 
     
     
         16 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper, comprising:
 a thermoplastic material that is fused, a knitted component that extends from a heel portion, along a medial side, along a lateral side, along an underfoot portion, and to a toe portion of the upper, 
 wherein a tongue portion is stitched to the knitted component, and wherein a polymer sheet is bonded to a surface of the knitted component; and 
 a sole structure secured to the upper. 
   
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the knitted component includes a yarn comprising the thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein a toe end of the tongue portion is stitched to the knitted component. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the knitted component integrally extends across the underfoot portion between the medial side and the lateral side. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 16 , wherein the polymer sheet is adhesively bonded to the knitted component. 
     
     
         21 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper, comprising:
 a knitted component that extends from a heel portion, along a medial side, along a lateral side, along an underfoot portion, and to a toe portion, wherein the knitted component is formed with at least one yarn comprising a thermoplastic material, 
 wherein the knitted component comprises a mesh knit structure with a plurality of apertures; and 
 a polymer sheet adhesively bonded to a surface of the knitted component. 
   
     
     
         22 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of apertures are located on the medial side and on the lateral side. 
     
     
         23 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein the thermoplastic material is at least partially fused. 
     
     
         24 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein a collar of the upper comprises a knit structure that can stretch. 
     
     
         25 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein the knitted component comprises a multi-layer knit structure. 
     
     
         26 . The article of footwear of  claim 21 , wherein a tongue portion is stitched to the knitted component.