Patent ID: 9668533
Date: 2017-06-06
CPC Classifications: A43B,A43C,D04B,D10B

Claim:
1. An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper comprising: a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction, the knitted component including at least one tubular structure disposed on the upper; the at least one tubular structure comprising a first knitted layer and a second knitted layer that are at least partially coextensive with each and are joined along edges of the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer to form a tube defining an unsecured central area of the tubular structure; a strand having a configuration of a one-dimensional material, the strand extending through the unsecured central area of the tube between the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer; wherein the tube formed by the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer has a unitary knit construction so as to be a one-piece element with the upper; and the knitted component including at least one yarn formed from a thermoplastic polymer material and incorporated into one of the first knitted layer and the second knitted layer, wherein the thermoplastic polymer material is fused to at least a portion of the strand extending through the tube.