Patent ID: 9642413
Date: 2017-05-09
CPC Classifications: A43B,A43C,A43D,B29C,D04B,D10B

Claim:
1. An upper for securing to a sole structure to form an article of footwear, the upper comprising: a knitted component including a medial portion that at least partially forms a medial side of the upper, a lateral portion that at least partially forms a lateral side of the upper, and a throat portion that at least partially forms a throat area of the upper, the throat portion located between the lateral portion and the medial portion, the throat portion configured to correspond with an upper surface of a foot of a wearer, the knitted component defining a lace channel in the throat portion, the throat portion including two overlapping knit layers comprising a top knit layer and a bottom knit layer; a plurality of lace-receiving elements, each located on either the medial side or the lateral side of the upper, two of the lace-receiving elements being located adjacent to opposite ends of the lace channel; and a lace extending through the lace channel and engaging the two of the lace-receiving elements; and wherein the top knit layer and the bottom knit layer extend continuously within the throat portion from the lateral portion to the medial portion; wherein the lace channel is located in the knitted component in an area corresponding to an apex of an upper surface of a midfoot region of the foot; and wherein the lace channel is embedded within the throat portion of the knitted component and between the top knit layer and the bottom knit layer.