Patent Publication Number: US-10779615-B2

Title: Article of footwear with sensory elements

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present embodiments relate generally to articles of footwear, and in particular to articles of footwear with uppers. 
     Articles of footwear generally include an upper and a sole assembly. The upper may be formed from a variety of materials that are stitched (sewn) or adhesively bonded together to form a space or void within the footwear in order to support and secure a foot. The sole assembly is secured to a lower portion of the upper and is generally positioned between the foot and the ground. In many articles of footwear, including athletic footwear styles, the sole assembly often incorporates an insole, a midsole, and an outsole. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, an article of footwear comprises a sole structure and an upper connected to the sole structure. The upper comprises a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of sensory elements. The first layer has a first exterior portion and a first interior portion, the second layer has a second exterior portion and second interior portion, and the plurality of sensory elements is disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The upper further comprises a plurality of sensory portions corresponding to portions of the upper in contact with the plurality of sensory elements. The upper further comprises an intermediate portion extending between the plurality of sensory portions. The second interior portion of the second layer is engaged with the first interior portion of the first layer in the intermediate portion of the upper, and the second interior portion is separated from the first interior portion in the plurality of sensory portions of the upper. 
     In another aspect, an article of footwear comprises a sole structure and an upper connected to the sole structure. The upper comprises a base portion and the upper comprises a plurality of sensory elements embedded within the base portion. The base portion has a first hardness and the plurality of sensory elements has a second hardness. The second hardness is greater than the first hardness. 
     In another aspect, an article of footwear comprises a sole structure and an upper connected to the sole structure. The upper comprises a base portion and the upper comprising a plurality of sensory elements embedded within the base portion. The positions of the plurality of sensory elements are fixed with respect to the base portion. The plurality of sensory elements is substantially incompressible. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the embodiments will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of an embodiment of an article of footwear having several sensory elements; 
         FIG. 2  is a side isometric view of the embodiment of the article of footwear shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the article of footwear shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the article of footwear shown in  FIG. 1 , showing an upper with sensory elements between first layer and second layer; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the article of footwear shown in  FIG. 1 , with sensory elements below first layer; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the article of footwear shown in  FIG. 1 , showing an upper with sensory elements between first layer and second layer; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged isometric view of an alternative embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of an another embodiment of an article of footwear having sensory elements fully embedded in an upper; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of the article of footwear shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of a heel portion of the article of footwear shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a lengthwise cross sectional view of the embodiment of the article shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a lengthwise cross sectional view of the embodiment of the article shown in  FIG. 1 , with an object contacting the article; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a wearer of the embodiment of the article of footwear in  FIG. 1 , with a ball in contact with the article; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged view of an alternate embodiment of an upper with sensory elements protruding from the second layer; 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged view of an alternate embodiment of an upper with sensory elements protruding from the first layer and the second layer; and 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged view of an alternate embodiment of an upper with several embodiments of sensory elements. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of an article of footwear  100 , or simply article  100 , having a plurality of sensory elements  200  on the article of footwear  100 . Although the embodiments throughout this detailed description depict articles configured as athletic articles of footwear, in other embodiments the articles may be configured as various other kinds of footwear including, but not limited to: hiking boots, soccer shoes, football shoes, sneakers, running shoes, cross-training shoes, rugby shoes, basketball shoes, baseball shoes as well as other kinds of shoes. Moreover, in some embodiments, articles may be configured as various kinds of non-sports related footwear, including, but not limited to: slippers, sandals, high heeled footwear, loafers as well as any other kinds of footwear. 
     Articles are generally made to fit various sizes of feet. In the embodiments shown, the various articles are configured with the same footwear size. In different embodiments, the articles could be configured with any footwear sizes, including any conventional sizes for footwear known in the art. In some embodiments, an article of footwear may be designed to fit the feet of a child. In other embodiments, an article of footwear may be designed to fit the feet of an adult. Still, in other embodiments, an article of footwear may be designed to fit the feet of a man or a woman. 
     In some embodiments, an article of footwear may include an upper and a sole system. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , article  100  has upper  102  attached to sole system  110 . Sole system  110  is secured to an upper and extends between the foot and the ground when an article is worn. In different embodiments, sole system  110  may include different components. For example, sole system  110  may include an outsole, a midsole, and/or an insole. In some cases, one or more of these components may be optional. 
     Sole system  110  may provide one or more functions for an article. For example, in some embodiments, sole system  110  may be configured to provide traction for an article. In addition to providing traction, sole system  110  may attenuate ground reaction forces when compressed between the foot and the ground during walking, running or other ambulatory activities. The configuration of sole system  110  may vary significantly in different embodiments to include a variety of conventional or non-conventional structures. In some cases, the configuration of sole system  110  can be selected according to one or more types of ground surfaces on which sole system  110  may be used. Examples of ground surfaces include, but are not limited to: natural turf, synthetic turf, dirt, as well as other surfaces. 
     Generally, upper  102  may be any type of upper. In particular, upper  102  may have any design, shape, size and/or color. For example, in embodiments where article  100  is a basketball shoe, upper  102  could be a high top upper that is shaped to provide high support on an ankle. In embodiments where article  100  is a running shoe, upper  102  could be a low top upper. In some embodiments, upper  102  could further include provisions for fastening article  100  to a foot, such as a hook and look system (Velcro, for example) and may include still other provisions found in footwear uppers. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a lacing system  101  is used for fastening article  100  after a foot enters foot receiving portion  114  of upper  102 . 
     Upper  102  may be made of one or several materials that comprise a base portion  109  of upper  102 . Base portion  109  may be configured to cover a foot and may generally form the enclosure or interior cavity that receives a foot. In some embodiments, additional elements could be integrated into base portion  109  in order to modify various properties and/or the functionality of upper  102 . Base portion  109  could also be comprised of one, two, three or more layers in various embodiments. 
     Some embodiments of upper  102  include leather, synthetic materials (such as plastic or synthetic leather), mesh, or a combination thereon. In  FIG. 1 , base portion  109  of upper  102  may be made of a leather or synthetic leather material. Base portion  109  may also include two or more layers. For example as shown in  FIG. 3 , base portion  109  of upper  102  includes first layer  103  and second layer  106 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , for purposes of reference, upper  102  may be divided into forefoot portion  10 , midfoot portion  12  and heel portion  14 . Forefoot portion  10  may be generally associated with the toes and joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges. Midfoot portion  12  may be generally associated with the metatarsals of a foot. Likewise, heel portion  14  may be generally associated with the heel of a foot, including the calcaneus bone. In addition, upper  102  may include lateral side  16  and medial side  18 . In particular, lateral side  16  and medial side  18  may be opposing sides of article  100 . Furthermore, both lateral side  16  and medial side  18  may extend through forefoot portion  10 , midfoot portion  12  and heel portion  14 . It will be understood that forefoot portion  10 , midfoot portion  12  and heel portion  14  are only intended for purposes of description and are not intended to demarcate precise regions of upper  102 . Likewise, lateral side  16  and medial side  18  (not shown) are intended to represent generally two sides of upper  102 , rather than precisely demarcating upper  102  into two halves. As shown in  FIG. 1 , article of footwear  100  is intended to be used with a left foot; however, it should be understood that the following description may equally apply to a mirror image of article of footwear that is intended for use with a right foot (not shown). 
     For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives are employed throughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. The term “lateral” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to a direction extending along a width of a component. For example, the lateral direction of upper  102  may extend between medial side  18  and lateral side  16  of upper  102 . Additionally, the term “distal” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to a direction directed away from a foot, while the term “proximal” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to a direction directed towards the foot. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives may be applied to individual components of an article, such as an upper and/or a sole structure. 
     Embodiments can include provisions to facilitate proprioception at the foot. In some embodiments, an article may include provisions that enhance a wearer&#39;s awareness of the part of an article that may be in contact with an object, such as a ball. In some embodiments, an article of footwear may include various sensory elements to enhance proprioceptive feedback. In a sport like soccer, for example, such proprioceptive feedback could allow for improved ball control and/or kicking as the wearer may be more aware of the location of the ball relative to different parts of the foot. 
     The term “sensory element” may refer to an element having a geometry and/or material properties that facilitate proprioception and/or help transmit other tactile information from an outer surface of an article to a foot. In the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 1-15 , sensory elements may generally comprise approximately spherical structures. In some embodiments, for example, sensory elements could be ball-bearings, beads or other similar structures. In other embodiments, however, sensory elements could have any other geometries that may facilitate proprioception. Examples of three-dimensional geometries for sensory elements include, but are not limited to: rectangular prisms, cubes, triangular prisms, hexagonal prisms, triangular pyramids, square pyramids, cylinders, cones, ellipsoids, oblate spheroids, tori, hour-glass geometries, three-dimensional clover geometries, regular three-dimensional shapes and irregular three-dimensional geometries as well as possibly other three-dimensional geometries. Examples of approximately two-dimensional geometries for sensory elements include, but are not limited to: discs, rings, as well as possibly other approximately two-dimensional geometries. Examples of still further geometries are discussed below and shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     Sensory elements may also be associated with various material properties or characteristics. For example, in some embodiments sensory elements may be comprised of relatively rigid or hard materials. In particular, sensory elements may be configured to resist compression or similar deformations under a predetermined level of force (e.g., the level of force commonly applied to the upper as it contacts a ball during kicks) since such deformations of the sensory elements may lead to reduced proprioception. Exemplary materials for sensory elements can include, but are not limited to: metal and/or plastics. Moreover, it may be understood that the hardness, rigidity and/or density of the material for sensory elements may be selected so that the sensory elements are relatively harder, more rigid and/or denser than adjacent portions of an upper. 
     Thus it may be understood that in at least some embodiments, sensory elements may be comprised of relatively compact material structures (ball-bearings, beads, etc.) that are relatively harder, more rigid and/or denser than surrounding portions of an article. Such a configuration, as discussed in further detail below, may allow for contact forces applied at an exterior of the upper to be transmitted directly to a foot. Specifically, the compact structure of the sensory elements provides a relatively small contact area with the contacting object (e.g., a ball) and with the foot, which helps reduce the tendency for contact forces to dissipate over larger regions of the upper. Also, the relatively high rigidity, high density and/or high hardness (in comparison to adjacent upper materials) reduces the tendency of the contact forces to dissipate due to compression. 
       FIGS. 1-6  illustrate an embodiment of article of footwear  100  having a plurality of sensory elements  200 , also referred to simply as sensory elements  200 . Sensory elements  200  are designed to indicate to a wearer of article  100  if an object (not shown) is contacting article  100 . Sensory elements  200  may further enhance the wearer&#39;s awareness of where the ball is contacting article  100 . This will be further discussed in detail below. In some embodiments, sensory elements  200  may be located in forefoot portion  10 , midfoot portion  12 , and/or heel portion  14 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , sensory elements  200  are located throughout forefoot portion  10 , midfoot portion  12 , and heel portion  14  of article  100 . 
       FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of an embodiment of article of footwear  100  having sensory elements  200 . In order to further facilitate proprioception in certain portions of article  100 , some embodiments of lacing system  101  may be offset to medial side  18  of article with respect to a central axis  800  of article  100  to allow additional sensory elements  200  on lateral side  16 . In some embodiments, lacing system  101  may be centered with respect to upper  102 . In other words, lacing system  101  may be aligned with, or lie directly over, central axis  800 . Still, in other embodiments, lacing system  101  may be offset to lateral side  16  of article of article with respect to central axis  800  to allow additional sensory elements  200  on medial side  18 . 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . Generally, lacing system  101  spans a distance  320  from front edge  120  foot receiving portion  114  to rear edge  125  of forefoot portion  10 . Forefoot portion  10  generally spans a distance  330  from rear edge  125  of forefoot portion  10  to a front edge  135  of sole structure  110 . Traditional articles of footwear have a lacing system, or other fastening system, which generally have a longer distance, or length, than distance  320  of lacing system  101  shown in  FIG. 2 . However, in order to further facilitate proprioception in certain portions of article  100 , distance  320  of lacing system  101  is approximately equal to distance  330  of forefoot portion  10  to allow additional sensory elements  200  on forefoot portion  10 . In some embodiments, distance  320  of lacing system  101  is longer than distance  330  of forefoot portion  10 . In other embodiments, distance  320  of lacing system  101  is shorter than distance  330  of forefoot portion  10  to allow further sensory elements  200  on forefoot portion  10 . 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show sensory elements  200  generally arranged in upper  102  in rows. Adjacent sensory elements  200  are generally evenly spaced apart within rows. Also, adjacent rows of sensory elements are generally evenly spaced apart. For example in  FIG. 2 , first sensory element  201  and second sensory element  202 , adjacent to first sensory element  201 , are spaced apart by first distance  301 . Also, second sensory element  202  and third sensory element  203 , adjacent to second sensory element  202 , are spaced apart by second distance  302 . In the embodiment in  FIG. 2 , first distance  301  is substantially identical to second distance  302 . In other embodiments, first distance  301  could be greater than or less than second distance  302 . Further, first sensory element  201  is spaced apart from fourth sensory element  204  by a third distance  303 , fourth sensory element  204  being in an adjacent row to that of first sensory element  201 . Also, fourth sensory element  204  is spaced apart from fifth sensory element  205  by a fourth distance  304 , fifth sensory element  205  being in an adjacent row to that of fourth sensory element  204 . In the embodiment in  FIG. 2 , third distance  303  is substantially identical to fourth distance  304 . In other embodiments, adjacent rows of sensory elements  200  may not be evenly spaced apart. 
     The embodiment in  FIGS. 1 and 2  show sensory elements  200  generally spaced evenly throughout upper  102 . Such an arrangement may allow for an approximately even degree of proprioception over much of upper  102 . In other embodiments, sensory elements  200  may be arranged in certain patterns which results in higher densities of sensory elements  200  in order to provide proprioceptive feedback targeted in specific locations of upper  102 . For example, in other embodiments, sensory elements  200  could be arranged in a circular pattern on forefoot portion  10 , midfoot  12 , and/or heel portion  14 . Still other patterns of sensory elements  200  could include, but are not limited to: linear patterns, non-linear patterns, regular patterns, irregular patterns as well as any other kinds of patterns. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  also illustrate stitching  400  along upper  102 . Stitching  400  may be used to attach first layer  103  to second layer  106  (discussed later). Stitching  400  may also be used to limit or prohibit sideways movement of sensory elements  200 . In some embodiments, stitching  400  may generally extend from forefoot portion  10  to heel portion  14 , or vice versa. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , stitching  400  extends generally from medial side  18  to lateral side  16 , or vice versa. In other embodiments, stitching  400  may generally extend in multiple directions, such as from medial side  18  to lateral side  16  and from forefoot portion  10  to heel portion  14 . 
     Some embodiments of article  100  have an upper  102  with a single layer. The single layer generally includes cavities throughout forefoot portion  10 , midfoot portion  12 , and/or heel portion  14 . The cavities are configured such that sensory elements may be inserted into upper  102  but may not be easily removed. In some embodiments, cavities are on the exterior portion of upper  102  such that an observer could see the sensory elements  200  even when a foot is inserted into article  100 . In other embodiments, cavities are on the interior portion of upper  102  such that an observer could not see the sensory elements  200  when a foot is inserted into article  100 . Also, the spacing between adjacent sensory elements and/or spacing between adjacent rows of sensory elements could vary in any manner as previously described in the earlier embodiment. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of upper  102  in order to clearly show the layered structure of upper  102 . In some embodiments, upper  102  has a first layer  103  and a second layer  106 , as well as sensory elements  200  between first layer  103  and second layer  106 . First layer  103  includes first exterior portion  104  and first interior portion  105 . First layer  103  further includes several apertures  250  corresponding to sensory elements  200 , where the apertures  250  are configured to receive sensory elements  200 . Second layer  106  includes second interior portion  107  and second exterior portion  108 . Sensory elements  200  may be held in upper  102  between first layer  103  and second layer  106  when first interior portion  105  is engaged with second interior portion  107 . 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a portion of upper  102  illustrating sensory elements between first layer  103  and second layer  106 . Here, second layer  106  is seen to form an interior cavity  420  of article  100 . For purposes of illustration, only a forefoot portion of article upper  102  is shown in  FIG. 4 , however a similar arrangement for first layer  103 , second layer  106  and sensory elements  200  may apply to the remaining portions of upper  102 . 
     In different embodiments, the thickness of one or more layers of upper  102  could vary. As indicated in  FIG. 4 , first layer  103  has first thickness  340 , and second layer  106  has second thickness  350 . In some embodiments, first thickness  340  is less than or approximately equal to second thickness  350 . In the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , first thickness  340  is greater than second thickness  350 . In this manner, first layer  103  is a robust layer of upper  102  providing protection to a foot against outdoor conditions (e.g., rain, snow) and preventing unwanted distal movement of sensory elements  200  (e.g., not allowing sensory elements to exit first layer). Further, second layer  106  may generally be a relatively thin layer to allow more room in interior cavity  420  for a foot. 
     As previously stated, in some embodiments, first layer  103  may be attached to second layer  106  by a stitching. In addition, in some embodiments, an adhesive layer (not shown) may be applied to first interior portion  105  of first layer  103  and/or second interior portion  107  of second layer  106  to adhesively connect first layer  103  to second layer  106 . It will be understood that in other embodiments, any other methods know in the art for connecting material layers could be used to attach first layer  103  and second layer  106 . As an example, an alternative embodiment could utilize ultrasonic welding methods to join first layer  103  and second layer  106 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , second layer  106  lacks any apertures. As a result, sensory elements  200  are visible on an exterior portion of upper  102  (i.e., on first exterior portion  104  of first layer), but are not visible on an interior portion of upper  102  (i.e., the portion associate with interior cavity  420 ). In some embodiments, second exterior portion  108  of second layer  106  may form bulge elements  230  created by sensory elements  200  displacing second layer  106  from first layer  103 . In other embodiments, second layer  106  may have second thickness  350  sufficiently large enough to decrease or eliminate any visible displacement of second exterior portion  108  of second layer  106 . Still, in other embodiments, fist layer  103  may have first thickness  340  sufficiently large enough to decrease or eliminate any visible displacement in first exterior portion  104  of first layer  103 . 
       FIGS. 5-6  further illustrate an enlarged section of upper  102  with sensory elements  200  fixed between first layer  103  and second layer  106 . The shape and size of the apertures in the first layer may vary according to the shape and size of the sensory elements. For example, in  FIGS. 5-6 , sensory elements  200  are generally spherical in shape, and accordingly, apertures  250  are generally circular. Of course, in other embodiments, apertures  250  could have any other shape. In some embodiments, the shapes of one or more apertures may generally be selected according to the corresponding geometry of the associated sensory elements. Generally, the size of an aperture is sufficiently smaller than the size of a sensory element such that a sensory element may partially protrude distally outward (i.e., outwardly away from a foot) with respect to an aperture but cannot escape through an aperture. In other words, a sensory element cannot traverse completely through an aperture. In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , diameter  315  of exemplary aperture  255  is smaller than diameter  305  of exemplary sensory element  205 . 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of sensory elements  200  embedded between first layer  103  and second layer  106 , with sensory elements  200  partially protruding from first layer  103 . The partial protrusion of sensory elements  200  through apertures  250  may help limit or restrict sideways movement of sensory elements  200 . Further, apertures  250  are generally co-planar with respect to first layer  103 . In other embodiments, apertures  250  may not be co-planar with respect to first layer  103 . For example in  FIG. 7 , which illustrates an isometric view of a portion of an upper according to an alternative embodiment, apertures  250  are raised with respect to first layer  103  by distance  360 . In some embodiments, distance  360  may have a height approximately in the range between 0.001 mm and 2 mm. This configuration may further limit or restrict sideways movement of sensory elements  200 . 
     An upper incorporating a plurality of sensory elements embedded within a base portion of the upper may be characterized as having a plurality of sensory portions. The term “sensory portion” as used in this detailed description and in the claims refers to portions of the upper that are in immediate contact with the plurality of sensory elements. A portion of the upper extending between the sensory portions may be referred to as an intermediate portion. Thus, the sensory portions of an upper may be associated with the specific locations on the upper where enhanced sensory information may be transmitted from the upper to a foot. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 5-6 , upper  102  may be characterized as having a plurality of sensory portions  370 . Moreover, each sensory portion may be associated with an outer periphery. For example, sensory portion  371  is seen in  FIG. 5  to have an outer periphery  372 . Likewise, the remaining plurality of sensory portions  370  each have a corresponding outer periphery. The portion of upper  102  disposed between the outer peripheries of each sensory portion comprises intermediate portion  374 . As seen in  FIG. 6 , first layer  103  and second layer  106  may be bonded or otherwise joined in intermediate portion  374 . In contrast, first layer  103  and second layer  106  may be separated in plurality of sensory portions  370 . 
     In the embodiments described in this detailed description and in the claims, structural elements of an article of footwear generally vary in hardness. For example, a first layer of upper has first hardness, a second layer of upper has second hardness and a sensory element has third harness. In some embodiments, the third harness is substantially greater than first hardness and is substantially greater than second hardness. Thus, while an upper may flex and deform, the sensory elements may not be compressed and therefore may transfer forces more directly to a foot than the layers of the upper. 
     Generally, a sensory element may be made from an elemental metal, metal alloy, plastic, or any hard material, as well as possibly other materials. The material could be selected to achieve desired proprioception and tactile forces between a foot and an object contacting the foot. In an exemplary embodiment, the materials used in making a sensory element can be selected so that the sensory elements are substantially harder than the upper layers. 
       FIGS. 8-10  illustrate another embodiment of article of footwear  600  including upper  502  attached to sole structure  610 , and further including sensory elements  700  fully embedded in upper  602 . In other words, neither first layer  603  nor second layer  606  includes apertures to receive sensory elements  700 , and therefore sensory elements  700  are not visible on an interior portion or an exterior portion of upper  602 .  FIG. 8  shows first bulge elements  730  representing portions of upper  602  where sensory elements  700  are located in upper  602 . Sensory elements  700  in  FIG. 8  are located in forefoot portion  510 , midfoot portion  512 , and heel portion  514 . In other embodiments, sensory elements  700  could be anywhere on forefoot portion  510 , midfoot portion  512 , and/or heel portion  514 . 
     Also, as seen in  FIG. 8 , article  600  includes lacing system  601 . Lacing system  601  could vary in any manner previously described in the earlier embodiment. That is, lacing system  601  could be offset to lateral side  516  or medial side  518  of article  600 , and/or lacing system  601  could vary in length in order to allow additional sensory elements  700  on forefoot portion  510 . Article of footwear  600  in  FIG. 8  is intended to be used with a left foot; however, it should be understood that the following description may equally apply to a mirror image of article of footwear that is intended for use with a right foot (not shown). 
     The fully embedded sensory elements  700  are fixed between a first layer and a second layer of an upper.  FIG. 9  illustrates an enlarged section of upper  602  having an exemplary sensory element  701  fixed between first layer  603  and second layer  606 . First layer  603  includes first exterior portion  604  and first interior portion  605 , and second layer  606  includes second interior portion  607  and second exterior portion  608 . First layer  603  is connected to second layer  606  by attaching first interior portion  605  to second interior portion  607 . Intermediate portion  725  includes portions where first interior portion  605  is engaged with second interior portion  607 . Further, attachments means of first layer  603  and second layer  606 , via first interior portion  605  and second interior portion  607 , may vary in any manner previously described in the earlier embodiment. Also, sensory elements  700  between first layer  603  and second layer  606  are generally restricted from sideways movement. 
     In the embodiment of article  600 , the spacing between adjacent sensory elements are generally equal, and adjacent rows of sensory elements are generally spaced equally apart, as shown in  FIGS. 8-10 . However, spacing between adjacent sensory elements and/or spacing between adjacent rows of sensory elements could vary in any manner as previously described in the earlier embodiment. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 9 , first bulge elements  730  and second bulge elements  731  represent exterior bulges and interior bulges, respectively, of upper  602 . The isometric cross section of  FIG. 9  is intended to show sensory elements  700  fully embedded, and located between first layer  603  and second layer  606 .  FIG. 9  further shows sensory portions  726  where sensory elements contact first layer  603  and second layer  606 , and in particular, where sensory elements  700  contact first interior portion  605  and second interior portion  607 . It should be understood sensory elements  700  are not visible upper  602 . 
       FIG. 9  also illustrates first layer  603  having first thickness  740  and second layer  606  having second thickness  750 . First thickness  740  and second thickness  750  could vary in any manner as previously described in the earlier embodiment. 
       FIGS. 11-13  illustrate the functionality of sensory elements  200  when article  100  is worn. Generally, portions of article  100 , such as forefoot portion  10 , midfoot portion  12 , and/or heel portion  14 , may be displaced when contacted by three-dimensional object  950 , or simply object  950 . Object  950  could be any object. In  FIGS. 11-13 , object  950  is a ball. Exemplary balls include soccer balls, footballs, kick balls, as well as any other kinds of balls. In the exemplary embodiment, object  950  is a soccer ball. 
     When object  950  contacts sensory elements  200 , sensory elements  200  are proximally displaced (e.g., sensory elements  200  are moved inwardly towards the interior of article  100 ). Accordingly, bulge elements  230  are proximally displaced creating contact points  1300  on foot  900 . Contact points  1300  on foot  900  generally signal, via nerves, to a wearer of article  100  what portion of article  100  is being contacted by object  950 . It should be understood that proximal displacement of sensory elements  200  signifies proximal displacement in corresponding bulge elements  230 . Further, it will be understood that “contact point” is only intended for purposes of description and not intended to demarcate a specific amount of contact or depression. However, the amount of contact or depression may be directly proportional to proximal displacement of sensory elements  200 . 
       FIG. 11  is a lengthwise cross sectional area of the embodiment in  FIG. 1 . First sensory element  1201  and second sensory element  1202  are generally located on forefoot portion  10 , and third sensory element  1203  and fourth sensory element  1204  are generally located on midfoot portion  12 . Foot  900  is disposed inside article  100 . In other embodiments, a sock covering foot  900  may also be disposed in article  100 . Contact points  1300  may nonetheless be sensed even when a sock is worn on foot  900 . 
     Second layer  106  includes bulge elements  230  created by sensory elements  200  displacing second layer  106  from first layer  103 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , foot  900 , when inserted into article  100 , contacts first bulge element  231 , second bulge element  232 , third bulge element  233 , and fourth bulge element  234 . In other embodiments, any one or all bulge elements  230  may not be in contact with foot  900  (or sock, if applicable). Any one of bulge elements  230  contacting foot  900  may apply a first contact point  1301 , or initial contact point, in an area immediately surrounding bulge elements  230  in contact with foot  900 . 
       FIG. 12  is a lengthwise cross sectional area of the embodiment in  FIG. 10 , with object  950  contacting article  100 . In particular, soccer ball  950  proximally displaces second sensory element  1202 , third sensory element  1203 , and fourth sensory element  1204 , causing second contact point  1302 , third contact point  1303 , and fourth contact point  1304 , respectively. First contact point  1301 , having no contact with object  950 , remains in an initial position. It should be understood that second contact point  1302 , third contact point  1303 , and fourth contact point  1304  are more proximally displaced into foot  900  as compared to first contact point  1301 .  FIG. 12  further illustrates varying proximal displacement, caused by object  950 , among second sensory element  1202 , third sensory element  1203 , and fourth sensory element  1204 . For example, proximal displacement of third sensory element  1203  is greater than that of second sensory element  1202  or fourth sensory element  1204 . Accordingly, third contact point  1303  is more proximally displaced than second contact point  1302  or fourth contact point  1304 . In this example, third contact point  1303  would alert wearer, without having to visibly see object  950 , that object  950  is generally centered on a portion of midfoot portion  12 , and in particular, around third sensory element  1203 . Also, the relative degrees of contact may assist the wearer in determining specifically which portion(s) of article  100  are in contact with object  950 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  clearly illustrate the modes of displacement that can be achieved by a plurality of sensory elements within an upper, according to certain embodiments. Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , when contacted by object  950 , a sensory element (e.g., third sensory element  1203 ) undergoes proximal displacement towards an interior of upper  102 . In  FIG. 12 , this proximal displacement occurs along a direction indicated as proximal and distal direction  1397 , where “proximal” is a direction toward foot  900  and “distal” is direction away from foot  900 . Generally, this proximal displacement occurs as portions of upper  102  adjacent to the sensory element are also proximally displaced. For example, in the configuration of  FIG. 12 , third sensory element  1203  is displaced by object  950  upon contact with object  950 . Third sensory element  1203 , which is constrained between first layer  103  and second layer  106 , pushes down on base portion  109  (comprised of first layer  103  and second layer  106 ). Therefore, third sensory element  1203  and the surrounding portions of base portion  109  of upper  102  are proximally displaced and may contact the foot. 
     However, in at least some embodiments such as the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , third sensory element  1203  does not move proximally with respect to base portion  109 . Instead, third sensory element  1203  is fixed in place related to base portion  109 . In particular, third sensory element  1203  is fixed within base portion  109  in a manner that prevents any relative movement of third sensory element  1203  with base portion  109 , including both proximal/distal motion and motion in a direction approximately parallel with upper  102 . 
     Still further, because sensory elements are embedded within base portion  109 , the sensory elements may generally not be displaced in any direction approximately parallel to a surface of base portion  109 . As an example, in the configuration shown in  FIG. 12 , third sensory element  1203  undergoes little to no displacement in a direction  1399 , which is a direction approximately parallel with base portion  109 . By limiting motion in directions oriented along base portion  109 , this configuration may help ensure that sensory elements are primarily displaced proximally in order to efficiently transfer sensory information from an object in contact with article  100 . 
     Generally, various kinds of information can be determined from contact with sensory elements. In some embodiments, contact from multiple sensory elements may alert a wearer to the approximate shape and/or size of the contacting object. Still further, in some embodiments, sensory information provided by the sensory elements may help a user to determine not only the location, but also the approximate trajectory of a ball, which could enhance activities such as imparting spin to a ball. 
     As previously discussed, sensory elements may be substantially harder or more rigid than at least some portions of an upper. Thus, while upper  102  may deform as a ball applies forces to the surface of upper  102 , sensory elements  200  may not be compressed or otherwise deform. This allows sensory elements to transfer forces that might otherwise be dissipated by upper  102  directly from a ball to local regions of the foot. This configuration may thus improve proprioception over configurations of an article that lack relatively hard and incompressible sensory elements embedded within an upper. 
     To further illustrate the functionality of sensory elements  200 ,  FIG. 13  illustrates a wearer  1500  using an embodiment of article of footwear  100 . When ball  950  is generally on lateral portion  16  of article  100 , wearer  1500  senses contact point  1310  on foot  900  and knows ball  950  is on lateral portion  16  without having to look down at ball  950 . Wearer  1500  may, instead, observe a teammate (not shown) to which wearer  1500  is passing. Wearer  1500  could also be observing a soccer goal (not shown) to which wearer  1500  is going to kick the ball  950 . In either example, wearer  1500  may make a move in a more efficient manner by not having to see where ball  950  is on foot  900 . It will be understood the embodiments described in this detailed description and in the claims function in a similar manner to the function described in  FIGS. 11-13 . 
     There may be other embodiments of sensory elements embedded between a first layer and a second layer. For example, the embodiments  FIGS. 14-16  illustrate different configurations of apertures and or shapes of sensory elements, which may allow for different levels of style, comfort, and/or sensitivity. It should be understood that attachment means of a first layer of an upper and second layer of an upper described in  FIGS. 14-16  may vary in any manner previously described in the earlier embodiment. 
       FIG. 14  is an enlarged cross sectional view of an upper having first layer  1603  and second layer  1606 , along with sensory elements fixed between first layer  1603  and second layer  1606 , which may be an outer layer and an inner layer, respectively, of the upper. In this embodiment, second layer  1606  has apertures  1650  allowing sensory elements  1620  to partially protrude through second layer  1606 . Sensory elements  1620  may generally contact a foot (not shown) when an upper constructed in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 14  is worn. First layer  1603  does not include apertures, and so first layer  1603  has bulge elements  1630  displacing first layer  1603  from second layer  1606 . Also, in some embodiments, apertures  1650  may be co-planar with second layer  1606 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 14 , apertures  250  are raised with respect to second layer  1606  by distance  1360 . This configuration may further limit or restrict sideways movement. Distance  1360  of raised apertures  250  may be in a range described in the earlier embodiment. 
     In other embodiments, a first layer of an upper may have apertures configured to receive sensory elements, and a second layer of an upper may have corresponding apertures also configured to receive sensory elements. For example,  FIG. 15  is an enlarged cross sectional view of an upper having first layer  1703  having first apertures  1750 , and second layer  1706  having second apertures  1751 , along with sensory elements  1720  fixed between first layer  1703  and second layer  1706 . In this embodiment, sensory elements  1720  may be visible when viewing either first layer  1703  or second layer  1706 . Also, in some embodiments, apertures  1750  and apertures  1751  may be co-planar with first layer  1703  and second layer  1706 , respectively. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 15 , apertures  1750  are raised with respect to first layer  1703  by distance  1370 , and apertures  1751  are raised with respect to second layer  1706  by distance  1380 . This configuration may further limit or restrict sideways movement. Distance  1370  and distance  1380  of raised apertures  1750  and raised apertures  1751 , respectively, may each be in a range described in the earlier embodiment. Generally, the size of the apertures described in  FIGS. 14 and 15  is sufficiently smaller than the size of a sensory element such that a sensory element may partially protrude outward from an aperture but cannot escape through an aperture. 
     An upper having a first layer and a second layer may accommodate sensory elements comprising shapes other than a spherical shape. For example,  FIG. 16  illustrates an oval-shaped sensory element  1801 , an hour-glassed shaped sensory element  1802 , a cylindrical element  1803 , or a symmetrical, clover element. For purposes of clarity, only some exemplary shapes for sensory elements are shown, and other embodiments could have sensory elements with any other shapes including any regular and/or irregular shapes. 
     The sensory elements in  FIG. 16  are fully embedded between a first layer of an upper and a second layer of an upper. An upper could include any of the embodiments of the sensory elements shown in  FIG. 16 , or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, apertures may be in the first layer and/or the second layer to allow any sensory element shown in  FIG. 16  to partially protrude from first layer and/or second layer, respectively. In that case, the size of the apertures is sufficiently smaller than the size of a sensory element such that a sensory element may partially protrude outward from an aperture but cannot escape through an aperture. 
     In different embodiments, sensory elements may be configured with a variety of surface textures and/or surface configurations. In the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 1-15 , the spherical sensory elements are seen to have a generally rounded and smooth surface geometry. In another embodiment, however, the surface of a sensory element could be textured, for example, with small dimples. In still another embodiment, the surface of a sensory element could be faceted, with the surface forming various flat faces that may be configured in various different orientations. Still other embodiments could include sensory elements with ridges, grooves, and/or various other surface textures and/or configurations. Some surface features for a sensory element could modify traction between the sensory element and an object such as a ball. Surface textures and/or configurations may be selected according to various factors, including: desired sensory element orientation, desired traction (or grip) properties of the sensory element, as well as possibly other features. 
     While various embodiments have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, the embodiments are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.