Patent ID: 9113674
Filing Date: 2015-08-25
Classification: A43B,A43C

Abstract:
1. An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper comprising: a throat area extending forward from an ankle opening of the upper towards a forefoot region, the throat area including a plurality of lateral lace-receiving elements extending along a lateral side of the upper, a plurality of medial lace-receiving elements extending along a medial side of the upper, and a forward lace-receiving element centrally positioned and extending between the lateral side and the medial side at a forward portion of the throat area adjacent to the forefoot region; a lace extending through the lateral lace-receiving elements, the medial lace-receiving elements, and the forward lace-receiving element; and a tensile strand element located within the forefoot region of the article of footwear, the tensile strand element including a plurality of strands that extend from an area on a top portion of the upper located forward of the throat area and proximal to the forward lace-receiving element and toward a forward edge of the article of footwear; wherein the tensile strand element forms a loop that defines the forward lace-receiving element, the strands extending at least partially around the loop; and wherein the tensile strand element includes at least one material layer and the strands lay adjacent to a surface of the material layer, and the material layer forms the loop that defines the forward lace-receiving element.