Patent Publication Number: US-11044965-B2

Title: Footwear ankle collar trim transition

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 14/885,590, filed on Oct. 16, 2015, entitled “Footwear Ankle Collar Trim Transition,” which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Traditionally, articles of footwear included ankle collars that are bulky and generally inflexible. Ankle collars may be particularly inflexible when an article of footwear is new. Consequently, a traditional ankle collar is generally broken-in over time to gain flexibility. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an upper of a shoe. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an upper having an ankle collar trim transition. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a lateral-side view of an article of footwear, in accordance with aspects hereof; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a lateral-side view of an upper of the article of footwear according to  FIG. 1 , in accordance with aspects hereof; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a heel-end view of the upper according to  FIG. 2 , in accordance with aspects hereof; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a partial lateral-side view of the heel region of the upper according to  FIG. 2 , in accordance with aspects hereof; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a cross-sectional view of the heel region of the upper along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 , in accordance with aspects hereof; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a close-up view of an ankle collar trim transition of the upper according to  FIG. 4 , in accordance with aspects hereof; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a close-up cross-sectional view of the ankle collar trim transition according to  FIG. 5 , in accordance with aspects hereof; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a partial top-down perspective view of the heel region of the upper, in accordance with aspects hereof; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a block diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing an article of footwear having an ankle collar trim transition, in accordance with aspects hereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different features or combinations of features similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Although the terms “step” and/or “block” might be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated. 
     At a high level, aspects described herein relate an article of footwear with regions that provide for an improved transition between materials of an upper of the article of footwear. For example, in one aspect, the present invention provides for an ankle collar trim transition that provides a transition from the resilient materials of the main portion of the upper to more flexible materials at a top portion of the ankle collar. Accordingly, in exemplary aspects, the ankle collar trim transition has an inner material, an ankle collar reinforcing material, and an upper first material. The inner material may extend to a top edge of the ankle collar. Additionally, the reinforcing material may overlap a top edge of the upper first material and retain the top edge of the upper first material in intimate contact against an outer surface of the inner material. In this way, the ankle collar may transition from a region having multiple materials to a region having only the flexible inner material, in an exemplary aspect. As a result, the present invention provides an ankle collar that is robust and comfortable. Additionally, the flexible inner material provides a comfortable surface without requiring a lengthy break-in period. 
     Other aspects herein relate to transition regions for a heel stay, which may be at the exterior of the upper, and the heel padding, which may be at the interior of the upper. Further, aspects herein relate to a method for manufacturing the article of footwear having the features described according to aspects herein. 
     Aspects herein relate to an upper of an article of footwear with various transition, reinforcing, and padding regions. In exemplary aspects, the upper may have an ankle collar trim transition with an inner material that extends from proximate a bottom edge of a heel region to a top edge of the heel region. The upper may also have an upper first material and an ankle collar reinforcing material. In some aspects, the inner material has a top edge that is superior to both of a top edge of the upper first material and a top edge of the ankle collar reinforcing material. 
     In other aspects, the upper may have a heel stay reinforcing structure. The heel stay reinforcing structure may have multiple reinforcing regions. The heel stay reinforcing regions may comprise one or more heel stay reinforcing materials. The heel stay reinforcing structure is constructed, in an exemplary aspect, such that the number of reinforcing materials and the thickness of the heel stay reinforcing structure increases from a top edge of the heel stay reinforcing structure to a bottom edge of the heel stay reinforcing structure. 
     In another aspect, the upper may have one or more heel padding regions. The one or more heel padding regions include one or more heel pads disposed beneath the inner material of the heel region. As such, enhanced padding may be provided to a wearer of the article of footwear. 
     Additional aspects herein relate to a method for manufacturing an article of footwear having an ankle collar trim transition. The method may include forming a substantially planar upper from an upper first material; coupling an inner material to a portion of the upper corresponding to an interior heel surface of the article of footwear, the inner material having a top edge extending beyond a top edge of the upper first material at an ankle collar. The method for manufacturing the article of footwear may further include coupling an ankle collar reinforcing material to an exterior heel surface of the article of footwear at the ankle collar, wherein the ankle collar reinforcing material is disposed below the top edge of the inner material and below the top edge of the upper first material. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a lateral-side view of an article of footwear  100  having an ankle collar, in accordance with aspects hereof. The construction of the article of footwear may have the basic construction of an athletic-type shoe. However, it is contemplated that concepts provided herein are applicable to other types of footwear, such as loafers, dress shoes, boots, and the like. Because much of the construction of the article of footwear  100  is the same as that of a conventional athletic shoe, the conventional features of the constructions will be described only generally herein. While the terms “medial” and “lateral” will be used herein for purposes of convenience, it is intended and understood that each term could be substituted for the other term. This substitution is, in part, to allow for a right shoe construction and a left shoe construction. 
     Additionally, relative location terminology will be utilized herein. For example, the term “proximate” is intended to mean on, about, near, by, next to, at, and the like. Therefore, when a feature is proximate another feature, it is close in proximity but not necessarily exactly at the described location, in some aspects. Terminology relating to relative positions of various features of the article of footwear is also used herein. For example, the terms “superior,” “superior to,” and “above” are intended to mean that features herein are nearer a top edge of the article of footwear than a sole of the article of footwear, as compared to other features. Additionally, the term “top” is intended to indicate a portion of a feature that is nearer the top edge of the article of footwear than the sole of the article of footwear. Accordingly, the term “bottom” refers to a portion of a feature that is nearer the sole of the article of footwear than the top edge of the article of footwear. Further, directional terminology is used herein. For example, the term “vertically” is intended to mean that a feature extends in a direction extending from the sole of the article of footwear toward the top edge of the article of footwear, or vice versa. Additionally, the term “horizontally” is intended to mean that a feature extends in a direction extending from a heel end of the article of footwear toward a toe end of the article of footwear, or vice versa. Accordingly, the term “diagonally” is intended to indicate that a feature extends both vertically and horizontally. Further, the term “edge,” as used herein refers to a terminating edge of a material and not a portion of the material, such as an apex. 
     The article of footwear  100  has a sole  102  that is constructed of resilient materials that are typically employed in the construction of soles of athletic shoes. The sole  102  can be constructed with an outsole, a midsole, and/or an insert, as is conventional. The size of the article of footwear  100  has a length that extends from a sole toe end  104  to a sole heel end  106  of the sole  102 . The sole  102  has a bottom surface  108  that functions as the traction surface of the article of footwear, and an opposite top surface  110 . The sole  102  may be coupled to an upper  200 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a lateral-side view of upper  200  of the article of footwear  100  according to  FIG. 1 , in accordance with aspects hereof. The upper  200  has a toe end  202  (e.g., forward end) and an opposite heel end  204  (e.g., rear end). The upper  200  additionally has an upper bottom edge  206  and an opposite upper top edge  208 . The upper top edge  208  may form a portion of a throat opening and an ankle opening of the upper  200 , in an exemplary aspect. Further, the upper  200  has a lateral side  210  and an opposite medial side (depicted in  FIG. 3  as medial side  212 ). The upper  200  may further have a plurality of lacing mechanisms  230  (e.g., apertures) proximate the upper top edge  208  on both the lateral side  210  and the medial side (depicted in  FIG. 3  as medial side  212 ). The plurality of lacing mechanisms  230  may additionally include a first lateral side lacing mechanism  232  and a first medial side lacing mechanism (not shown). 
     The lacing mechanisms may be an aperture through which a string or lace is intended to pass. Additional lacing mechanisms are also contemplated such as hooks, loops, integrated fibers/strings, and the like. For example, the lacing mechanisms  230  may be a lacing opening that is typically occupied by a portion of a fastener, such as lacing that closes the article of footwear upper over a midfoot opening of the article of footwear. However, in an exemplary embodiment, the lacing mechanisms  230  are an eyelet or grommet style aperture. The lacing mechanisms  230 , in a non-limiting example, are arranged in lines along the lateral side  210  and the medial side. 
     The upper  200  may be constructed with a heel region  214  that extends around the heel end  204 . In some aspects, the heel region  214  also extends upwardly from the upper bottom edge  206  to the upper top edge  208 . Further, the heel region  214  extends horizontally from the heel end  204  toward the toe end  202  on the lateral side  210  and the medial side. In some aspects, a portion of the heel region  214  extends to a portion of the upper  200  proximate the first lateral side lacing mechanism  232  and the first medial side lacing mechanism, as shown by line  2 - 2 . The heel region  214  has a heel region top edge  216  at a portion of the upper top edge  208  and a heel region bottom edge  218  at a portion of the upper bottom edge  206 . The heel region top edge  216  defines, in part, an ankle opening  220 . The ankle opening  220  provides access to an article of footwear interior. A strobel (depicted in  FIG. 5  as  207 ) may be affixed along or proximate the length of the upper bottom edge  206  and may be coupled to the sole  102 . The upper  200  may additionally have an ankle collar  222  proximate the heel region top edge  216 . The ankle collar  222  may be substantially aligned to the heel region top edge  216  and may extend around the heel end  204  to a portion of the upper  200  proximate line  2 - 2 . In some aspects, the ankle collar  222  includes a reinforcing material (as depicted hereinafter in  FIG. 5  as  506 ) that extends around the heel end  204  from the medial side to the lateral side of the upper  200 . The reinforcing material may, for example, comprise an elongate band, as will be discussed in further detail hereinafter. 
     It is contemplated that the upper  200  may be formed as an integrally manufactured article. Stated differently, the upper  200  may be formed in a unitary fashion from a common machine that utilizes varying techniques to impart structural and dimensional characteristics. Advantages of a unitarily formed upper over traditional shoe manufacturing may include reduced labor, reduced time, and greater quality control, in an exemplary aspect. The upper  200  may be constructed having different characteristics at various portions/regions of the upper  200 . For example, it is contemplated that portions of upper  200  may be formed as multi-layer density woven and/or knit regions. Additionally, the upper  200  may have multiple layers for reinforcement against ripping, tearing, unraveling, and other potentially destructive characteristics. In an exemplary aspect, the upper  200  may be formed with a high density weaving technique that may incorporate varied materials (e.g., low stretch synthetic fibers). Additionally, it is contemplated that the upper  200  may be formed with a multi-layer weaving technique. 
     In other aspects, the upper  200  may be substantially planar and may be manufactured in a sheet-like manner having varied materials (e.g., organic, synthetic), varied manufacturing techniques (e.g., differing weaving/knitting techniques), varied physical properties (e.g., modulus of elasticity, impact attenuation), and/or varied geometric properties (e.g., shape, dimension, thickness). It is further contemplated that the upper  200  may be formed in a multiple-unit operation that results in a number of similar or different uppers to be formed during a common manufacturing operation. The upper  200  may then be removed from the multi-unit collection by cutting, trimming, sheering, etching, burning, melting, and other known techniques. Because the upper  200  may have portions in which mechanical fastening (e.g., sewing, bonding, tacking, and the like) may be implemented to transform a substantially planar upper to a three-dimensional upper, properties that provide enhanced resistance to deformation may be implemented. In additional aspects, the upper  200  may also be formed with traditional cut and sew techniques and any variation thereof are contemplated as being within the scope herein. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a heel-end view of the upper  200  according to  FIG. 2 , in accordance with aspects hereof. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the heel region  214  extends horizontally from the lateral side  210  to the medial side  212  of the upper  200 . Additionally, the heel region  214  extends vertically from the heel region bottom edge  218  to the heel region top edge  216 .  FIG. 3  further depicts an ankle collar trim transition  300  at ankle collar  222 , which will be described in more detail below. The upper  200  may additionally have a heel stay reinforcing structure  400 , which will also be described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a partial lateral-side view of the heel region  214  of the upper  200  according to  FIG. 2 , in accordance with aspects hereof. In some aspects, the ankle collar trim transition  300  includes a first ankle collar trim transition region  302 , a second ankle collar trim transition region  304 , and a third ankle collar trim transition region  306 .  FIG. 4  additionally depicts the heel stay reinforcing structure  400 . The heel stay reinforcing structure  400  may include a first heel stay reinforcing region  402 , a second heel stay reinforcing region  404 , and a third heel stay reinforcing region  406 . In some embodiments, the heel stay reinforcing structure  400  extends horizontally around the heel end  204  toward line  2 - 2  and extends vertically from the upper bottom edge  206  toward the upper top edge  208 . In some aspects, the heel stay reinforcing structure  400  extends diagonally from a portion of the heel end  204  toward line  2 - 2  and the heel region top edge  216 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a cross-sectional view along line  5 - 5  of the heel region  214  of the upper  200  according to  FIG. 4 , in accordance with aspects hereof. Heel region  214  has an interior surface  500  including an inner material  504 , and an opposite exterior surface  502 . Interior surface  500  corresponds to an inside of the article of footwear  100  and the exterior surface  502  corresponds to an outside of the article of footwear  100 . As will be appreciated, the inside of the article of footwear  100  refers to a portion of the article of footwear  100  that is proximate the foot of a wearer when the article of footwear  100  is in an as-worn position. Accordingly, the outside of the article of footwear  100  is opposite the inside of the article of footwear  100 . The heel region  214 , in an example, may additionally have the inner material  504  that extends vertically from the heel region bottom edge  218  to the heel region top edge  216  and that extends horizontally from the upper lateral side  210  to the upper medial side  212 . However, it is alternatively contemplated that the inner material  504  extends from a location between the heel region bottom edge  218  and the heel region top edge  216  towards or to the heel region top edge  216 . In some aspects, the inner material  504  comprises the entirety of the interior surface  500  of the heel region  214 , but is also contemplated that the inner material  504  forms less than the entirety of the interior surface  500  of the heel region  214 . In additional aspects, the heel region  214  has an upper first material  508  adjacent to the inner material  504 . A strobel  207  (or an insole or a midsole) may be affixed to the heel region  214  proximate the heel region bottom edge  218 , such that the strobel  207  extends horizontally from the upper lateral side  210  to the upper medial side  212 . 
     In additional aspects, the heel region  214  also has an ankle collar reinforcing material  506  that extends horizontally around the heel region  214  and, in an exemplary aspect, substantially parallel to the heel region top edge  216  at the exterior surface  502  of the heel region  214 . The ankle collar reinforcing material  506  may extend around the heel end  204  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) from the medial side  212  to the lateral side  210  of the upper  200 . The ankle collar reinforcing material  506  may, for example, comprise an elongate band of a thermoplastic material that is thermally bonded with each of the inner material  504  and at least the upper first material  508 . In a non-limiting example, the ankle collar reinforcing material  506  and the other reinforcing materials described herein may be comprised of a thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”); an ethylene vinyl acetate (“EVA”); a polyolefin; synthetic or natural rubber (e.g., thermoset rubber having a sulfur or peroxide cured crosslink); silicone; cross-linked polyolefin foam (e.g., EVA, butane-based block copolymers, octane-based copolymers, mixtures thereof); thermoset polyurethane foam (e.g., polyester, polyether, polycaprolactone); or thermoset polyurethane elastomers (e.g., polyester, polyether, polycaprolactone). 
     The inner material  504  may extend to and form the heel region top edge  216 . The ankle collar reinforcing material  506  may be bonded with exterior surfaces of each of the inner material  504  and the upper first material  508 . Additionally, the ankle collar reinforcing material  506  may overlap a top edge of the upper first material  508  and retain the top edge of the upper first material  508  in intimate contact against an outer surface (shown as outer surface  526  in  FIG. 7 ) of the inner material  504 . The ankle collar reinforcing material  506  may provide structural support for an ankle collar and may be less malleable than the inner material  504 . Further, the ankle collar reinforcing material  506  may not extend all the way to the heel region top edge  216  and may extend over the top edge of the upper first material  508 . As a result, the ankle collar reinforcing material  506  may facilitate a transition between the more rigid materials of the upper  200 , for example the upper first material  508 , and the relatively less rigid inner material  504 . Accordingly, the heel region top edge  216  may comprise only the inner material  504 . As such, the inner material  504  may provide a soft and flexible engagement with an ankle of a wearer proximate the heel region top edge  216 , while the upper first material  508  and the ankle collar reinforcing material  506  may provide structural support below the heel region top edge  216 . 
     As mentioned hereinabove, the ankle collar trim transition  300  may include the first ankle collar trim transition region  302 , the second ankle collar trim transition region  304 , and the third ankle collar trim transition region  306 . In aspects herein, the first ankle collar trim transition region  302  comprises the inner material  504 , and does not comprise the upper first material  508  nor the ankle collar reinforcing material  506 . As a result, in some aspects, the first ankle collar trim transition region  302  is substantially only formed of the inner material  504 , thereby providing the soft and flexible engagement with the ankle of the wearer. Additionally, in aspects herein, the second ankle collar trim transition region  304  substantially formed from the inner material  504  and the ankle collar reinforcing material  506 , and does not comprise the upper first material  508 . In aspects herein, the third ankle collar trim transition region  306  comprises the inner material  504 , the ankle collar reinforcing material  506 , and the upper first material  508 . Consequently, in some aspects, the ankle collar trim transition  300  increases the number of materials used, and thus the reinforcing properties, as the ankle collar trim transition  300  extends from the heel region top edge  216  toward the heel region bottom edge  218 . Stated differently, the ankle collar trim transition is formed from an increasing number of layers of material extending in a downward direction towards heel region bottom edge  218 . 
     In aspects, the heel region  214  additionally includes a first heel stay reinforcing material  510  adjacent to the upper first material  508 , a second heel stay reinforcing material  512 , and a third heel stay reinforcing material  514 . As mentioned hereinabove, the heel stay reinforcing structure  400  may include one or more reinforcing regions to provide enhanced stability and durability to the heel region  214 . As can be appreciated, the types and number of reinforcing materials used at the heel stay reinforcing structure  400  may vary depending on the desired properties. The number of materials and the thickness of the heel stay reinforcing structure  400  gradually decrease as the heel stay reinforcing structure extends upwardly from the heel region bottom edge  218  toward the heel region top edge  216  at the heel end  204 . As a result, the heel stay reinforcing structure  400  provides enhanced strength, in an exemplary aspect, at a bottom portion and gradually decreases as extending upwardly. 
     In one aspect, the heel stay reinforcing structure  400  includes the first heel stay reinforcing region  402 , the second heel stay reinforcing region  404 , and the third heel stay reinforcing region  406 . In aspects herein, the first heel stay reinforcing region  402  is formed from the inner material  504 , the upper first material  508 , and the first heel stay reinforcing material  510 , and does not comprise the second heel stay reinforcing material  512  nor the third heel stay reinforcing material  514 . In additional aspects, the second heel stay reinforcing region  404  is formed from the inner material  504 , the upper first material  508 , the first heel stay reinforcing material  510 , and the second heel stay reinforcing material  512 , and does not comprise the third heel stay reinforcing material  514 . In additional aspects, the third heel stay reinforcing region  406  comprises the inner material  504 , the upper first material  508 , the first heel stay reinforcing material  510 , the second heel stay reinforcing material  512 , and the third heel stay reinforcing material  514 . Accordingly, in aspects, a top edge of the first heel stay reinforcing region  408  is superior to a top edge of the second heel stay reinforcing region  410 , and the top edge of the second heel stay reinforcing region  410  is superior to a top edge of the third heel stay reinforcing region  412 . 
     Additionally, the heel region  214  may include a first heel padding material  507  and a second heel padding material  505 . The first heel padding material  507  and the second heel padding material  505  may be employed to provide additional padding proximate the heel end  204  of the heel region  214 . The first heel padding material  507  and the second heel padding material  505  may be disposed between and coupled to the inner material  504  and the upper first material  508 . The first heel padding material  507  and the second heel padding material  505  may be incorporated in, for example, a heel padding structure (depicted in  FIG. 8  as  600 ). 
       FIG. 6  depicts a close-up view of an ankle collar trim transition  300  of the upper  200  according to  FIG. 4 , in accordance with aspects hereof. In the aspect depicted in  FIG. 6 , the ankle collar trim transition  300  is disposed between the heel region top edge  216  and an ankle collar reinforcing material bottom edge  522 . Additionally, a top edge  308  of the first ankle collar trim transition region  302  is superior to a top edge  310  (which may be a top edge of the ankle collar reinforcing material  506  as depicted in  FIG. 5 , for example) of the second ankle collar trim transition region  304 , and is superior to a top edge  312  of the third ankle collar trim transition region  306 . Further, the top edge  310  of the second ankle collar trim transition region  304  is superior to the top edge  312  of the third ankle collar trim transition region  306 . 
     As a result, the ankle collar trim transition  300  has a thickness that gradually decreases as the ankle collar trim transition  300  extends upward. Consequently, the ankle collar trim transition  300  provides enhanced flexibility at the first ankle collar trim transition region  302  relative to the second ankle collar trim transition region  304  and the third ankle collar trim transition region  306 . Additionally, the ankle collar trim transition  300  provides enhanced reinforcing properties at the second ankle collar trim transition region  304  and the third ankle collar trim transition region  306  relative to the first ankle collar trim transition region  302 . Accordingly, the ankle collar trim transition  300  facilitates a transition from the relatively more rigid materials of the upper  200  to a relatively less rigid material (for example inner material  504 , as depicted and described with reference to  FIG. 5 ) proximate the heel region top edge  216 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a close-up cross-sectional view of the ankle collar trim transition  300  according to  FIG. 5 , in accordance with aspects hereof. In aspects herein, the inner material  504  extends beyond the other materials at the ankle collar such that the first ankle collar trim transition region  302  is substantially formed from the inner material  504 . Consequently, a thickness of the ankle collar is greater at a bottom portion than at an upper portion. Additionally, the inner material  504  may be made from a material that is more flexible than the material used to make the ankle collar reinforcing material  506  and/or the upper first material  508 . This may provide for enhanced durability at the bottom portion of the ankle collar trim transition  300  while providing enhanced comfort and flexibility at the upper portion. For example, in some aspects, a top edge  516  of the inner material  504  is superior to a top edge  518  of the ankle collar reinforcing material  506  and a top edge  520  of the upper first material  508 . Further, in some aspects, the top edge  518  of the ankle collar reinforcing material  506  is superior to the top edge  520  of the upper first material  508 . Additionally, the inner material  504  may have an inner surface  524  that faces inward (toward the interior surface  500  of the heel region  214 , as depicted above in  FIG. 5 ) and an opposite outer surface  526  that faces outward (toward the exterior surface  502  of the heel region  214  as depicted above in  FIG. 5 ). Accordingly, when the article of footwear  100  is in an as-worn configuration, a junction of the top edge  516  of the inner material  504  and the inner surface  524  of the inner material  504  is adjacent to the wearer. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a partial top-down perspective view of the heel region  214  of the upper  200 , in accordance with aspects hereof. The heel region  214  may include a heel padding structure  600  at the interior surface  500 . In some aspects, the heel padding structure  600  includes a first heel padding region  602 . As such, in some aspects, the first heel padding region  602  comprises a first heel pad  604  disposed between the upper first material  508  (depicted, for example, in  FIGS. 5 and 7  as  508 ) and the inner material  504 , such that the first heel padding region  602  is covered by the inner material  504 . In some aspects, the first heel pad  604  comprises the first heel padding material (depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 7  as  507 ). In aspects herein, a top edge of the inner material  516  is superior to a top edge of the first heel padding region  606  and a bottom edge of the first heel padding region  608 . Further, the bottom edge of the first heel padding region  608  may be superior to the heel region bottom edge  218 , such that the first heel padding region  602  is disposed between the heel region top edge  216  and the heel region bottom edge  218 . In additional aspects, the first heel padding region  602  further comprises a second heel pad  610  disposed superior to a top edge of the first heel pad  612 . In some aspects, the second heel pad  610  comprises the second heel padding material (depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 7  as  505 ). Additionally, the top edge of the inner material  516  may be superior to a top edge of the second heel pad  614 , such that the second heel pad  610  is disposed between the top edge of the first heel pad  612  and the top edge of the first heel padding region  606 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a block diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing an article of footwear having an ankle collar trim transition  900 , in accordance with aspects hereof. At block  902 , the method includes forming a substantially planar upper from an upper first material. At block  904 , an inner material is coupled to a portion of the upper corresponding to an interior heel surface of the article of footwear, the inner material having a top edge extending above a top edge of the upper first material at an ankle collar. At block  906 , an ankle collar reinforcing material is coupled to an exterior heel surface of the article of footwear at the heel end, wherein the ankle collar reinforcing material is disposed below the top edge of the inner material and below the top edge of the upper first material. As shown at block  908 , the method for manufacturing an article of footwear may additionally include coupling or affixing the article of footwear to a sole. As used herein, “coupling” may refer to bonding, stitching, welding, adhering, or any other method of attaching one material or surface to another material or surface. 
     The method for manufacturing the article of footwear may further comprise coupling a first heel stay reinforcing material to an exterior surface of the upper first material. In additional aspects, the method for manufacturing the article of footwear additionally includes coupling a third heel stay reinforcing material to an exterior surface of the first heel stay reinforcing material. Further, the method may include coupling a second heel stay reinforcing material to an exterior surface of the third heel stay reinforcing material and the exterior surface of the first heel stay reinforcing material. In some aspects, a top edge of the first heel stay reinforcing material is superior to a top edge of the second heel stay reinforcing material, and the top edge of the second heel stay reinforcing material is superior to a top edge of the third heel stay reinforcing material. 
     The method for manufacturing the article of footwear may further comprise coupling a first heel pad to the upper first material at an interior surface of the upper first material at the heel region of the article of footwear. The method for manufacturing the article of footwear may further comprise coupling the inner material to the upper first material and the first heel pad such that the inner material comprises the interior heel surface of the article of footwear. In some aspects, the inner material top edge extends above a top edge of the upper first material and a top edge of the first heel pad. In additional aspects, the method for manufacturing the article of footwear further comprises coupling a second heel pad to the upper first material at the interior surface of the upper first material at the heel region of the article of footwear. Further, the second heel pad may be coupled to the upper first material at a portion of the upper first material that is superior to the first heel pad. The method for manufacturing the article of footwear may further comprise coupling the inner material to the upper first material, the first heel pad, and the second heel pad such that the inner material comprises the interior heel surface of the article of footwear. Additionally, the inner material top edge extends above the top edge of the upper first material, the top edge of the first heel pad, and a top edge of the second heel pad. 
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that aspects herein are well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible aspects may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.