Patent Publication Number: US-10758009-B2

Title: Footwear incorporating angled tensile strand elements

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/583,884 filed on Dec. 29, 2014, which is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/847,836 filed on Jul. 30, 2010, entitled “Footwear Incorporating Angled Tensile Strand Elements”, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0023778 on Feb. 2, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,973,288, the disclosure of which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Articles of footwear generally include two primary elements: an upper and a sole structure. The upper is often formed from a plurality of material elements (e.g., textiles, polymer sheet layers, foam layers, leather, synthetic leather) that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to form a void on the interior of the footwear for comfortably and securely receiving a foot. More particularly, the upper forms a structure that extends over instep and toe areas of the foot, along medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around a heel area of the foot. The upper may also incorporate a lacing system to adjust fit of the footwear, as well as permitting entry and removal of the foot from the void within the upper. In addition, the upper may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhance adjustability and comfort of the footwear, and the upper may incorporate a heel counter. 
     The various material elements forming the upper impart different properties to different areas of the upper. For example, textile elements may provide breathability and may absorb moisture from the foot, foam layers may compress to impart comfort, and leather may impart durability and wear-resistance. As the number of material elements increases, the overall mass of the footwear may increase proportionally. The time and expense associated with transporting, stocking, cutting, and joining the material elements may also increase. Additionally, waste material from cutting and stitching processes may accumulate to a greater degree as the number of material elements incorporated into an upper increases. Moreover, products with a greater number of material elements may be more difficult to recycle than products formed from fewer material elements. By decreasing the number of material elements, therefore, the mass of the footwear and waste may be decreased, while increasing manufacturing efficiency and recyclability. 
     The sole structure is secured to a lower portion of the upper so as to be positioned between the foot and the ground. In athletic footwear, for example, the sole structure includes a midsole and an outsole. The midsole may be formed from a polymer foam material that attenuates ground reaction forces (i.e., provides cushioning) during walking, running, and other ambulatory activities. The midsole may also include fluid-filled chambers, plates, moderators, or other elements that further attenuate forces, enhance stability, or influence the motions of the foot, for example. The outsole forms a ground-contacting element of the footwear and is usually fashioned from a durable and wear-resistant rubber material that includes texturing to impart traction. The sole structure may also include a sockliner positioned within the upper and proximal a lower surface of the foot to enhance footwear comfort. 
     SUMMARY 
     An article of footwear is described below as having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes various first strands and second strands. The cutting and second strands may extend from an area proximal to lace-receiving elements to an area proximal to the sole structure. In some configurations, the first strands have a substantially vertical orientation and the second strands have a rearwardly-angled orientation. In some configurations, the first strands are located in a midfoot region of the footwear and the second strands are located in both the midfoot region and a heel region of the footwear. In some configurations, angles between the first strands and the second strands are at least 40 degrees. In some configurations, the second strands have at least fifty percent greater tensile strength than the first strands. 
     The advantages and features of novelty characterizing aspects of the invention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. To gain an improved understanding of the advantages and features of novelty, however, reference may be made to the following descriptive matter and accompanying figures that describe and illustrate various configurations and concepts related to the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a lateral side elevational view of an article of footwear. 
         FIG. 2  is a medial side elevational view of the article of footwear. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the article of footwear, as defined by section line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a lateral side elevational view of the article of footwear in a flexed configuration. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of a tensile strand element utilized in an upper of the article of footwear. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a portion of the tensile strand element, as defined in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the tensile strand element. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are a cross-sectional views of the portion of the tensile strand element, as defined by section lines  8 A and  8 B in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIGS. 9A-9J  are lateral side elevational views corresponding with  FIG. 1  and depicting further configurations of the article of footwear. 
         FIGS. 10A-10D  are cross-sectional views corresponding with  FIG. 3  and depicting further configurations of the article of footwear. 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of a tensile element. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose an article of footwear having an upper that includes tensile strand elements. The article of footwear is disclosed as having a general configuration suitable for walking or running. Concepts associated with the footwear, including the upper, may also be applied to a variety of other athletic footwear types, including baseball shoes, basketball shoes, cross-training shoes, cycling shoes, football shoes, tennis shoes, soccer shoes, and hiking boots, for example. The concepts may also be applied to footwear types that are generally considered to be non-athletic, including dress shoes, loafers, sandals, and work boots. The concepts disclosed herein apply, therefore, to a wide variety of footwear types. 
     General Footwear Structure 
     An article of footwear  10  is depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  as including a sole structure  20  and an upper  30 . For reference purposes, footwear  10  may be divided into three general regions: a forefoot region  11 , a midfoot region  12 , and a heel region  13 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Footwear  10  also includes a lateral side  14  and a medial side  15 . Forefoot region  11  generally includes portions of footwear  10  corresponding with the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges. Midfoot region  12  generally includes portions of footwear  10  corresponding with the arch area of the foot, and heel region  13  corresponds with rear portions of the foot, including the calcaneus bone. Lateral side  14  and medial side  15  extend through each of regions  11 - 13  and correspond with opposite sides of footwear  10 . Regions  11 - 13  and sides  14 - 15  are not intended to demarcate precise areas of footwear  10 . Rather, regions  11 - 13  and sides  14 - 15  are intended to represent general areas of footwear  10  to aid in the following discussion. In addition to footwear  10 , regions  11 - 13  and sides  14 - 15  may also be applied to sole structure  20 , upper  30 , and individual elements thereof. 
     Sole structure  20  is secured to upper  30  and extends between the foot and the ground when footwear  10  is worn. The primary elements of sole structure  20  are a midsole  21 , an outsole  22 , and a sockliner  23 . Midsole  21  is secured to a lower surface of upper  30  and may be formed from a compressible polymer foam element (e.g., a polyurethane or ethylvinylacetate foam) that attenuates ground reaction forces (i.e., provides cushioning) when compressed between the foot and the ground during walking, running, or other ambulatory activities. In further configurations, midsole  21  may incorporate fluid-filled chambers, plates, moderators, or other elements that further attenuate forces, enhance stability, or influence the motions of the foot, or midsole  21  may be primarily formed from a fluid-filled chamber. Outsole  22  is secured to a lower surface of midsole  21  and may be formed from a wear-resistant rubber material that is textured to impart traction. Sockliner  23  is located within upper  30  and is positioned to extend under a lower surface of the foot. Although this configuration for sole structure  20  provides an example of a sole structure that may be used in connection with upper  30 , a variety of other conventional or nonconventional configurations for sole structure  20  may also be utilized. Accordingly, the structure and features of sole structure  20  or any sole structure utilized with upper  30  may vary considerably. 
     The various portions of upper  30  may be formed from one or more of a plurality of material elements (e.g., textiles, polymer sheets, foam layers, leather, synthetic leather) that are stitched or bonded together to form a void within footwear  10  for receiving and securing a foot relative to sole structure  20 . The void is shaped to accommodate the foot and extends along the lateral side of the foot, along the medial side of the foot, over the foot, around the heel, and under the foot. Access to the void is provided by an ankle opening  31  located in at least heel region  13 . A lace  32  extends through various lace apertures  33  and permits the wearer to modify dimensions of upper  30  to accommodate the proportions of the foot. More particularly, lace  32  permits the wearer to tighten upper  30  around the foot, and lace  32  permits the wearer to loosen upper  30  to facilitate entry and removal of the foot from the void (i.e., through ankle opening  31 ). As an alternative to lace apertures  33 , upper  30  may include other lace-receiving elements, such as loops, eyelets, and D-rings. In addition, upper  30  includes a tongue  34  that extends between the interior void and lace  32  to enhance the comfort of footwear  10 . In some configurations, upper  30  may incorporate a heel counter that limits heel movement in heel region  13  or a wear-resistant toe guard located in forefoot region  11 . 
     Strand Configuration 
     Although a variety of material elements or other components may be incorporated into upper  30 , areas of one or both of lateral side  14  and medial side  15  incorporate various first strands  41  and second strands  42  that extend downward from the various lace apertures  33 . More generally, strands  41  and  42  extend from a lace region of upper  30  (i.e., the region where lace apertures  33  or other lace-receiving elements are located) to a lower region of upper  30  (i.e., the region where sole structure  20  joins with upper  30 ). Although the number of strands  41  and  42  may vary significantly,  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict two first strands  41  and two second strands  42  extending downward from each lace aperture  33  and toward sole structure  20 . Whereas first strands  41  are oriented in a generally vertical direction in an area between lace apertures  33  and sole structure  20 , second strands  42  are oriented in a rearwardly-angled direction in the area between lace apertures  33  and sole structure  20 . As discussed in greater detail below, these orientations for strands  41  and  42  assist with, for example, cutting motions (i.e., side-to-side movements of the wearer) and braking motions (i.e., slowing the forward momentum of the wearer). 
     When incorporated into upper  30 , strands  41  and  42  are located between a base layer  43  and a cover layer  44 , as depicted in  FIG. 3 . Whereas base layer  43  forms a surface of the void within upper  30 , cover layer  44  forms a portion of an exterior or exposed surface of upper  30 . The combination of first strands  41 , second strands  42 , base layer  43 , and cover layer  44  may, therefore, form substantially all of a thickness of upper  30  in some areas. 
     During activities that involve walking, running, or other ambulatory movements (e.g., cutting, braking), a foot within the void in footwear  10  may tend to stretch upper  30 . That is, many of the material elements forming upper  30  may stretch when placed in tension by movements of the foot. Although strands  41  and  42  may also stretch, strands  41  and  42  generally stretch to a lesser degree than the other material elements forming upper  30  (e.g., base layer  43  and cover layer  44 ). Each of strands  41  and  42  may be located, therefore, to form structural components in upper  30  that (a) resist stretching in specific directions or locations, (b) limit excess movement of the foot relative to sole structure  20  and upper  30 , (c) ensure that the foot remains properly positioned relative to sole structure  20  and upper  30 , and (d) reinforce locations where forces are concentrated. 
     First strands  41  extend between lace apertures  33  and sole structure  20  to resist stretch in the medial-lateral direction (i.e., in a direction extending around upper  30 ). Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , first strands  41  are oriented in a generally vertical direction in an area between lace apertures  33  and sole structure  20 . Although sides  14  and  15  of upper  30  may bulge, protrude, or otherwise extend outward to form a somewhat curved surface, first strands  41  have a generally vertical orientation and follow a relatively short path between lace apertures  33  and sole structure  20 . When performing a cutting motion (i.e., side-to-side movement of the wearer), first strands  41  assist with resisting sideways movement of the foot to ensure that the foot remains properly positioned relative to footwear  10 . That is, first strands  41  resist stretch in upper  30  that may otherwise allow the foot to roll off of sole structure  20 . Accordingly, first strands  41  resist stretch in upper  30  due to cutting motions and ensure that the foot remains properly positioned relative to footwear  10 . 
     Second strands  42  are oriented in a rearwardly-angled direction in the area between lace apertures  33  and sole structure  20 . When performing a braking motion (i.e., slowing the forward momentum of the wearer), second strands  42  assist with resisting stretch in upper  30  that may allow the foot to slide forward or separate from sole structure  20 . Second strands  42  also resist stretch in upper  30  due to flexing of footwear  10  in the area between forefoot region  11  and midfoot region  12 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , footwear  10  is depicted in a flexed configuration that occurs when the wearer is jumping or running, for example. When flexed or bent in this manner, the heel area of the foot may tend to separate from sole structure  20  or otherwise lift away from the area where sole structure  20  is secured to upper  30 . The rearwardly-angled orientation of second strands  41 , however, ensure that the heel area of the foot remains properly positioned in upper  30  and relative to sole structure  20 . Accordingly, second strands  42  resist stretch in upper  30  due to braking motions, as well as jumping and running motions that flex or otherwise bend footwear  10 . 
     First strands  41  are oriented in a generally vertical direction and second strands  41  are oriented in a rearwardly-angled direction in the area between lace apertures  33  and sole structure  20 . With regard to first strands  41 , the upper portions of first strands  41  (i.e., the portions located proximal to lace apertures  33 ) are generally aligned with the lower portions of first strands  41  (i.e., the portions located proximal to sole structure  20 ). In this configuration, the upper portions of first strands  41  are located at approximately the same distance from a front of footwear  10  as the lower portions of first strands  41 . In this configuration also, a majority of first strands  41  are wholly located in midfoot region  12 . Although first strands  41  may have a vertical orientation, the angle of first strands  41  may also have a substantially vertical orientation between zero and fifteen degrees from vertical. As utilized herein, the term “substantially vertical orientation” and similar variants thereof is defined as an orientation wherein first strands  41  are oriented between zero and fifteen degrees from vertical when viewed from a side of footwear  10  (as in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
     With regard to second strands  42 , the upper portions of second strands  42  (i.e., the portions located proximal to lace apertures  33 ) are offset from the lower portions of second strands  42  (i.e., the portions located proximal to sole structure  20 ). In this configuration, the upper portions of second strands  42  are located closer to a front of footwear  10  than the lower portions of first strands  41 . In this configuration also, a majority of second strands  42  extend from midfoot region  12  to heel region  13 . Although the orientation of second strands  42  may vary, the angle of second strands  42  may be from between twenty to more than seventy degrees from vertical. 
     Given the orientations and angles of strands  41  and  42  discussed above, the angle formed between strands  41  and  42  may range from twenty to more than sixty degrees, for example. Whereas first strands  41  assist with cutting motions, second strands  42  assist with braking motions. In order for strands  41  and  42  to assist with these different motions, the angle formed between strands  41  and  42  may be large enough to counter or otherwise resist stretch in upper  20  associated with these motions. Although the angle formed between strands  41  and  42  may range from twenty to more than sixty degrees, the angle formed between strands  41  and  42  will often be greater than 40 degrees in order to effectively assist with both cutting and braking motions. 
     As discussed in greater detail below, suitable materials for strands  41  and  42  include various filaments, fibers, yarns, threads, cables, or ropes that are formed from rayon, nylon, polyester, polyacrylic, silk, cotton, carbon, glass, aramids (e.g., para-aramid fibers and meta-aramid fibers), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, liquid crystal polymer, copper, aluminum, or steel, for example. Although strands  41  and  42  may be formed from similar materials, second strands  42  may be formed to have a greater tensile strength than first strands  41 . As an example, strands  41  and  42  may be formed from the same material, but the thickness of second strands  42  may be greater than the thickness of first strands  41  to impart greater tensile strength. As another example, strands  41  and  42  may be formed from different materials, with the tensile strength of the material forming second strands  42  being greater than the tensile strength of the material forming first strands  41 . The rationale for this difference between strands  41  and  42  is that the forces induced in upper  30  during braking motions are often greater than the forces induced in upper  30  during cutting motions. In order to account for the differences in the forces from braking and cutting, strands  41  and  42  may exhibit different tensile strengths. 
     Various factors may affect the relative tensile strengths of strands  41  and  42 , including the size of footwear  10 , the athletic activity for which footwear  10  is designed, and the degree to which layers  43  and  44  stretch. Additionally, the tensile strengths of strands  41  and  42  may depend upon (a) the number of strands  41  and  42  present in footwear  10  or in an area of footwear  10 , (b) the specific locations of individual strands  41  and  42  or groups of strands  41  and  42 , and (c) the materials forming strands  41  and  42 . Although variable, the tensile strength of second strands  42  may range from fifty to more than three hundred percent greater than the tensile strength of first strands  41 . In order to achieve different tensile strengths between strands  41  and  42 , different materials or thicknesses of materials may be utilized for strands  41  and  42 , for example. As an example of suitable materials, first strands  41  may be formed from a bonded nylon 6.6 with a breaking or tensile strength of 3.1 kilograms and a weight of 45 tex (i.e., a weight of 45 grams per kilometer of material) and second strands  42  may be formed from a bonded nylon 6.6 with a breaking or tensile strength of 6.2 kilograms and a tex of 45. In this configuration, the tensile strength of second strands  42  is one hundred percent greater than the tensile strength of first strands  41 . 
     Tensile Strand Element 
     A tensile strand element  40  that may be incorporated into upper  30  is depicted in  FIG. 5 . Additionally, a portion of element  40  is depicted in each of  FIGS. 6-8B . Element  40  may form, for example, a majority of lateral side  14 . As a result, element  40  has a configuration that (a) extends from upper to lower areas of lateral side  14  and through each of regions  11 - 13 , (b) defines the various lace apertures  33  in lateral side  14 , and (c) forms both an interior surface (i.e., the surface that contacts the foot or a sock worn by the foot when footwear  10  is worn) and an exterior surface (i.e., an outer, exposed surface of footwear  10 ). A substantially similar element may also be utilized for medial side  15 . In some configurations of footwear  10 , element  40  may only extend through a portion of lateral side  14  (e.g., limited to midfoot region  12 ) or may be expanded to form a majority of lateral side  14  and medial side  15 . That is, a single element having the general configuration of element  40  and including strands  41  and  42  and layers  43  and  44  may extend through both lateral side  14  and medial side  15 . In other configurations, additional elements may be joined to element  40  to form portions of lateral side  14 . 
     Base layer  43  and cover layer  44  lay adjacent to each other, with strands  41  and  42  being positioned between layers  43  and  44 . Strands  41  and  42  lie adjacent to a surface of base layer  43  and substantially parallel to the surface of base layer  43 . In general, strands  41  and  42  also lie adjacent to a surface of cover layer  44  and substantially parallel to the surface of cover layer  44 . As discussed above, strands  41  and  42  form structural components in upper  30  that resist stretch. By being substantially parallel to the surfaces of base layer  43  and cover layer  44 , strands  41  and  42  resist stretch in directions that correspond with the surfaces of layers  43  and  44 . Although strands  41  and  42  may extend through base layer  43  (e.g., as a result of stitching) in some locations, areas where strands  41  and  42  extend through base layer  43  may permit stretch, thereby reducing the overall ability of strands  41  and  42  to limit stretch. As a result, each of strands  41  and  42  generally lie adjacent to a surface of base layer  43  and substantially parallel to the surface of base layer  43  for distances of at least twelve millimeters, and may lie adjacent to the surface of base layer  43  and substantially parallel to the surface of base layer  43  throughout distances of five centimeters or more. 
     Base layer  43  and cover layer  44  are depicted as being coextensive with each other. That is, layers  43  and  44  may have the same shape and size, such that edges of base layer  43  correspond and are even with edges of cover layer  44 . In some manufacturing processes, (a) strands  41  and  42  are located upon base layer  43 , (b) cover layer  44  is bonded to base layer  43  and strands  41  and  42 , and (c) element  40  is cut from this combination to have the desired shape and size, thereby forming common edges for base layer  43  and cover layer  44 . In this process, ends of strands  41  and  42  may also extend to edges of layers  43  and  44 . Accordingly, edges of layers  43  and  44 , as well as ends of strands  41  and  42 , may all be positioned at edges of element  40 . 
     Each of base layer  43  and cover layer  44  may be formed from any generally two-dimensional material. As utilized with respect to the present invention, the term “two-dimensional material” or variants thereof is intended to encompass generally flat materials exhibiting a length and a width that are substantially greater than a thickness. Accordingly, suitable materials for base layer  43  and cover layer  44  include various textiles, polymer sheets, or combinations of textiles and polymer sheets, for example. Textiles are generally manufactured from fibers, filaments, or yarns that are, for example, either (a) produced directly from webs of fibers by bonding, fusing, or interlocking to construct non-woven fabrics and felts or (b) formed through a mechanical manipulation of yarn to produce a woven or knitted fabric. The textiles may incorporate fibers that are arranged to impart one-directional stretch or multi-directional stretch, and the textiles may include coatings that form a breathable and water-resistant barrier, for example. The polymer sheets may be extruded, rolled, or otherwise formed from a polymer material to exhibit a generally flat aspect. Two-dimensional materials may also encompass laminated or otherwise layered materials that include two or more layers of textiles, polymer sheets, or combinations of textiles and polymer sheets. In addition to textiles and polymer sheets, other two-dimensional materials may be utilized for layers  43  and  44 . Although two-dimensional materials may have smooth or generally untextured surfaces, some two-dimensional materials will exhibit textures or other surface characteristics, such as dimpling, protrusions, ribs, or various patterns, for example. Despite the presence of surface characteristics, two-dimensional materials remain generally flat and exhibit a length and a width that are substantially greater than a thickness. In some configurations, mesh materials or perforated materials may be utilized for either or both of layers  43  and  44  to impart greater breathability or air permeability. 
     First strands  41  and second strands  42  may be formed from any generally one-dimensional material. As utilized with respect to the present invention, the term “one-dimensional material” or variants thereof is intended to encompass generally elongate materials exhibiting a length that is substantially greater than a width and a thickness. Accordingly, suitable materials for strands  41  and  42  include various filaments, fibers, yarns, threads, cables, or ropes that are formed from rayon, nylon, polyester, polyacrylic, silk, cotton, carbon, glass, aramids (e.g., para-aramid fibers and meta-aramid fibers), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, liquid crystal polymer, copper, aluminum, and steel. Whereas filaments have an indefinite length and may be utilized individually as strands  41  and  42 , fibers have a relatively short length and generally go through spinning or twisting processes to produce a strand of suitable length. An individual filament utilized in strands  41  and  42  may be formed form a single material (i.e., a monocomponent filament) or from multiple materials (i.e., a bicomponent filament). Similarly, different filaments may be formed from different materials. As an example, yarns utilized as strands  41  and  42  may include filaments that are each formed from a common material, may include filaments that are each formed from two or more different materials, or may include filaments that are each formed from two or more different materials. Similar concepts also apply to threads, cables, or ropes. The thickness of strands  41  and  42  may also vary significantly to range from less than 0.03 millimeters to more than 5 millimeters, for example. Although one-dimensional materials will often have a cross-section where width and thickness are substantially equal (e.g., a round or square cross-section), some one-dimensional materials may have a width that is greater than a thickness (e.g., a rectangular, oval, or otherwise elongate cross-section). Despite the greater width, a material may be considered one-dimensional if a length of the material is substantially greater than a width and a thickness of the material. As discussed above as an example, first strands  41  may be formed from a bonded nylon 6.6 with a breaking or tensile strength of 3.1 kilograms and a weight of 45 tex and second strands  42  may be formed from a bonded nylon 6.6 with a breaking or tensile strength of 6.2 kilograms and a tex of 45. 
     As examples, base layer  43  may be formed from a textile material and cover layer  44  may be formed from a polymer sheet that is bonded to the textile material, or each of layers  43  and  44  may be formed from polymer sheets that are bonded to each other. In circumstances where base layer  43  is formed from a textile material, cover layer  44  may incorporate thermoplastic polymer materials that bond with the textile material of base layer  43 . That is, by heating cover layer  44 , the thermoplastic polymer material of cover layer  44  may bond with the textile material of base layer  43 . As an alternative, a thermoplastic polymer material may infiltrate or be bonded with the textile material of base layer  43  in order to bond with cover layer  44 . That is, base layer  43  may be a combination of a textile material and a thermoplastic polymer material. An advantage of this configuration is that the thermoplastic polymer material may rigidify or otherwise stabilize the textile material of base layer  43  during the manufacturing process of element  40 , including portions of the manufacturing process involving laying strands  41  and  42  upon base layer  43 . Another advantage of this configuration is that a backing layer (see backing layer  48  in  FIG. 10D ) may be bonded to base layer  43  opposite cover layer  44  using the thermoplastic polymer material in some configurations. This general concept is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,122,616, which was filed on Jul. 25, 2008 under U.S. application Ser. No. 12/180,235, entitled “Composite Element With A Polymer Connecting Layer”, and issued on Feb. 28, 2012, such prior application being entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     Based upon the above discussion, element  40  generally includes two layers  43  and  44  with strands  41  and  42  located between. Although strands  41  and  42  may pass through one of layers  43  and  44 , strands  41  and  42  generally lie adjacent to surfaces of layers  43  and  44  and substantially parallel to the surfaces layers  43  and  44  for more than twelve millimeters and even more than five millimeters. Whereas a variety of one dimensional materials may be used for strands  41  and  42 , one or more two dimensional materials may be used for layers  43  and  44 . 
     Further Footwear Configurations 
     The orientations, locations, and quantity of strands  41  and  42  in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are intended to provide an example of a suitable configuration for footwear  10 . In other configurations of footwear  10 , various strands  41  and  42  may be absent, or additional strands  41  and  42  may be present to provide further structural components in footwear  10 . In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , two first strands  41  and two second strands  42  are associated with each lace aperture  33 . Referring to  FIG. 9A , a single cutting strand  41  and braking strand  42  extends outward from each lace apertures  33 . A configuration wherein three first strands  41  and second strands  42  are associated with each lace aperture  33  is depicted in  FIG. 9B . Although the same number of strands  41  and  42  may be associated with each lace aperture  33 ,  FIG. 9C  depicts a configuration wherein two first strands  41  and one braking strand  42  extends from each lace aperture  33 . Moreover, the number of strands  41  and  42  may vary among the various lace apertures  33 , as depicted in  FIG. 9D , or some lace apertures  33  may not be associated with strands  41  and  42 , as depicted in  FIG. 9E . Accordingly, the number of strands  41  and  42  may vary considerably. 
     In the various configurations discussed above, strands  41  and  42  extend from lace apertures  33 . Although strands  41  and  42  may contact or be in close relation to lace apertures  33 , strands  41  and  42  may also extend from areas that are proximal to lace apertures  33 . Referring to  FIG. 9F , for example, upper portions of strands  41  and  42  are located between or to the side of lace apertures  33 . Although strands  41  and  42  cooperatively provide a suitable system for footwear  10 , additional strands may also be present in footwear  10 . For example,  FIG. 9G  depicts various longitudinal strands  45  as extending between forefoot region  11  and heel region  13 . In the various configurations discussed above, first strands  41  are generally parallel to each other and second strands  42  are generally parallel to each other. Referring to  FIG. 9H , however, first strands  41  angle with respect to each other and second strands  42  angle with respect to each other. Although strands  41  and  42  may generally be linear, a configuration wherein portions of strands  41  and  42  are wavy or otherwise non-linear is depicted in  FIG. 9I . As discussed above, strands  41  and  42  may resist stretch in upper  30 , but the non-linear areas of strands  41  and  42  may allow some stretch in upper  30 . As strands  41  and  42  straighten due to the stretch, however, strands  41  and  42  may then resist stretch in upper  30 . 
     Footwear  10  is disclosed as having a general configuration suitable for walking or running. Concepts associated with footwear  10 , may also be applied to a variety of other athletic footwear types. As an example,  FIG. 9J  depicts footwear  10  as having the configuration of a basketball shoe. 
     Various aspects relating to strands  41  and  42  and layers  43  and  44  in  FIG. 3  are intended to provide an example of a suitable configuration for footwear  10 . In other configurations of footwear  10 , additional layers or the positions of strands  41  and  42  with respect to layers  43  and  44  may vary. Referring to  FIG. 10A , cover layer  44  is absent such that at least strands  42  are exposed on an exterior of upper  30 . In this configuration, adhesives or a thermoplastic polymer material that infiltrates base layer  43 , as discussed above, may be utilized to secure strands  42  to base layer  43 . In some configurations, strands  42  may rest loosely against base layer  43 . In  FIG. 3 , base layer  43  is substantially planar, whereas cover layer  44  protrudes outward in the areas of strands  42 . Referring to  FIG. 10B , both of layers  43  and  44  protrude outward due to the presence of strands  42 . In another configuration, depicted in  FIG. 10C , additional layers  46  and  47  are located to form an interior portion of upper  30  that is adjacent to the void. Although layers  46  and  47  may be formed from various materials, layer  46  may be a polymer foam layer that enhances the overall comfort of footwear  10  and layer  47  may be a moisture-wicking textile that removes perspiration or other moisture from the area immediately adjacent to the foot. Referring to  FIG. 10D , an additional set of strands  42  is located on an opposite side of base layer  43 , with a backing layer  48  extending over the additional set of strands  42 . This configuration may arise when an embroidery process is utilized to locate strands  41  and  42 . 
     A tensile element  50  that may be utilized in place of strands  41  and  42  is depicted in  FIG. 11 . Tensile element  50  is formed from two joined polymer members. One of the polymer members forms a plurality of first strands  51 , and the other polymer member forms a plurality of second strands  52 . Moreover, the polymer members are joined to form the various lace apertures  33 . Accordingly, structures other than strands  41  and  42  may be utilized to assist with cutting motions and braking motions. 
     The running style or preferences of an individual may also determine the orientations, locations, and quantity of strands  41  and  42 . For example, some individuals may have a relatively high degree of pronation (i.e., an inward roll of the foot), and having a different configuration of strands  41  and  42  may reduce the degree of pronation. Some individuals may also prefer greater stretch resistance during cutting and braking, and footwear  10  may be modified to include further strands  41  and  42  or different orientations of strands  41  and  42  on both sides  14  and  15 . Some individuals may also prefer that upper  30  fit more snugly, which may require adding more strands  41  and  42  throughout upper  30 . Accordingly, footwear  10  may be customized to the running style or preferences of an individual through changes in the orientations, locations, and quantity of strands  41  and  42 . 
     Manufacturing Method 
     A variety of methods may be utilized to manufacture upper  30  and, particularly, element  40 . As an example, an embroidery process may be utilized to locate strands  41  and  42  relative to base layer  43 . Once strands  41  and  42  are positioned, cover layer  44  may be bonded to base layer  43  and strands  41  and  42 , thereby securing strands  41  and  42  within element  40 . This general process is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,698, which was filed on May 25, 2006 under U.S. application Ser. No. 11/442,679, entitled “Article Of Footwear Having An Upper With Thread Structural Elements”, and issued on Jun. 16, 2009, such prior application being entirely incorporated herein by reference. As an alternative to an embroidery process, other stitching processes may be utilized to locate strands  41  and  42  relative to base layer  43 , such as computer stitching. Additionally, processes that involve winding strands  41  and  42  around pegs on a frame around base layer  43  may be utilized to locate strands  41  and  42  over base layer  43 . Accordingly, a variety of methods may be utilized to locate strands  41  and  42  relative to base layer  43 . 
     Footwear comfort is generally enhanced when the surfaces of upper  30  forming the void have relatively smooth or otherwise continuous configurations. In other words, seams, protrusions, ridges, and other discontinuities may cause discomfort to the foot. Referring to  FIG. 3 , base layer  43  has a relatively smooth aspect, whereas cover layer  44  protrudes outward in the areas of strands  42 . In contrast,  FIG. 10B  depicts a configuration wherein base layer  43  and cover layer  44  protrude outward in the areas of strands  42 . In general, the configuration of  FIG. 3  may impart greater footwear comfort due to the greater smoothness to the surface forming the void within upper  30 . A process disclosing a manner of forming a relatively smooth aspect to base layer  43  is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,388,791, which was filed on Apr. 7, 2009 under U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/419,985, entitled “Method For Molding Tensile Strand Elements”, and issued on Mar. 5, 2013, such prior application being entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     CONCLUSION 
     The invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying figures with reference to a variety of configurations. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the configurations described above without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.