Patent ID: 9144269
Filing Date: 2015-09-29
Classification: A43B,B29C

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, the method comprising: locating a plurality of strands between a base layer and a cover layer, at least the base layer including a thermoplastic polymer material; heating the thermoplastic polymer material to join the cover layer to the base layer and thereby forming a tensile element that comprises the base layer, the plurality of strands, and the cover layer; placing the base layer of the tensile element adjacent to a foundation element of an upper of the article of footwear, the foundation element having an interior surface and an opposite exterior surface, the interior surface defining at least a portion of a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer; and joining the base layer of the tensile element to the exterior surface of the foundation element with the thermoplastic polymer material, at least a portion of the exterior surface of the foundation element being exposed beyond the tensile element to form an exposed surface of the upper.