Patent ID: 9032763
Filing Date: 2015-05-19
Classification: A43B,A43C,D04B,D10B

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing a knitted component for an article of footwear, the method comprising: knitting a portion of the knitted component defining an upper with a knitting machine, the upper including a portion of at least one of an exterior surface of the knitted component and an opposite interior surface of the knitted component; and knitting an integral knit tongue that is of unitary knit construction with the upper with the knitting machine, the integral knit tongue extending through a throat area of the knitted component; wherein the integral knit tongue is joined by knitting with the knitting machine to a forward portion of the throat area and at least along a portion of a lateral side and a medial side of the throat area of the knitted component extending from the forward portion to an ankle opening of the upper; wherein the integral knit tongue comprises a partially integral portion and a free portion, the method further comprising: knitting the partially integral portion with the knitting machine of unitary knit construction with the upper at the forward portion of the throat area and at least along the portion of the lateral side and the medial side of the throat area of the knitted component; and knitting the free portion with the knitting machines of unitary knit construction with the partially integral portion at a rearward portion of the integral knit tongue and remaining unattached to the remaining portions of the knitted component.