Patent Description:
The upper of the article of footwear generally extends over the instep and toe areas of the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around the heel area of the foot and in some instances under the foot. Access to the void in the interior of the upper is generally provided by an ankle opening in and/or adjacent to a heel region of the footwear. A lacing system is often incorporated into the upper to adjust the fit of the upper, thereby facilitating 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 of the footwear, and the upper may incorporate other structures such as, for example, a heel counter to provide support and limit movement of the heel.

<CIT> discloses a method of knitting a knitted component for an upper of an article of footwear is provided. The method may include performing a pass of at least one yarn feeder along the longitudinal axis relative to first and second needle beds, feeding at least one yarn with the at least one feeder during the pass, forming, during the pass, a plurality of first loops with the first needles to define a first portion of the knitted component, and forming, during the pass, a plurality of second loops with the second needles to define a second portion of the knitted component.

<CIT> discloses a tension member guide that is configured to direct or route a tension member about a path of an article includes a cover member and a guide member that is partially covered by the cover member. The cover member is attachable to the article and includes a pair of slits or incisions. The guide member is folded along a longitudinal length to form a loop or channel within which the tension member may be inserted. The guide member is positioned in relation to the cover member so that opposing end portions of the loop or channel are inserted through the slits or incisions such that the opposing end portions are positioned on an opposite side of the cover member from a remainder of the guide member.

The objective technical problem to be solved may be considered to consist in overcoming or at least reducing the disadvantages according to the prior art. The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. A tensioning system is provided according to the subject matter of claim <NUM>. An upper and an article of footwear are provided according to the subject matter of claims <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to uppers configured for use in an article of footwear and/or other articles, such as articles of apparel. When referring to articles of footwear, the disclosure may describe basketball shoes, running shoes, biking shoes, cross-training shoes, football shoes, golf shoes, hiking shoes and boots, ski and snowboarding boots, soccer shoes, tennis shoes, and/or walking shoes, as well as footwear styles generally considered non-athletic, including but not limited to dress shoes, loafers, and sandals.

A knitted component (which may be included in an article of apparel, an upper for an article of footwear or another article) may include an adjustable tensioning cable and a knitted component forming at least a portion of an exterior surface of the upper (or other article). The knitted component may include at least one knit anchor having an channel for receiving the tensioning cable, where the tensioning cable extends through the channel, and where the channel of the at least one anchor extends along an arc.

The tensioning system includes a tensioning cable and a knitted component that may comprise at least one knit anchor having an channel for receiving the tensioning cable, where the tensioning cable extends through the channel, and wherein the channel of the at least one anchor extends along an arc.

The tensioning system includes a tensioning cable and a knitted component having a knit element and at least three inlaid strands that are inlaid within the knit element. The at least three inlaid strands each have an exposed portion that is exposed on a surface of the knit element, where a channel is defined between the exposed portions of the at least three inlaid strands and the surface of the knit element, and where the tensioning cable extends through the channel.

<FIG> is an illustration showing an article of footwear <NUM> having an upper <NUM>, where the upper <NUM>. The upper <NUM> may be formed as any suitable type of textile (e.g., a woven or non-woven textile) or another suitable material, and in some examples the textile(s) may be formed as a knitted component <NUM> through the mechanical manipulation of yarns (as described in more detail below).

The upper <NUM> may be secured to a sole structure <NUM>. The area where the sole structure <NUM> joins the upper <NUM> may be referred to as a biteline <NUM>. The upper <NUM> may be joined to the sole structure <NUM> in a fixed manner using any suitable technique, such as through the use of an adhesive, by sewing, etc. The sole structure <NUM> may define the bottom surface of a void for receiving and accommodating a user's foot. The void may be accessible through an ankle opening <NUM>.

The upper <NUM> may include a lateral side <NUM> and a medial side <NUM>. A throat area <NUM> may be included between the lateral side <NUM> and the medial side <NUM>, and the throat area <NUM> may be positioned to cover the top (dorsal) surface of the foot during typical use. A midfoot area <NUM> of the upper <NUM> may be located between a heel area <NUM> and a toe area <NUM>. The throat area <NUM> may be primarily located in the midfoot area <NUM>. In some examples, an optional tongue may be disposed at least partially in the throat area <NUM>. The tongue may be any type of tongue, such as a gusseted tongue or a burrito tongue. If a tongue is not included (or in combination with a tongue), the lateral and medial sides of the throat area <NUM> may be joined together.

As stated above, at least a portion of the upper <NUM> may be formed with a knitted component (or another suitable textile component). For example, the upper <NUM> may be formed primarily as an integral one-piece element during a knitting process, such as a weft knitting process (e.g., with a flat knitting machine or circular knitting machine), a warp knitting process, or any other suitable knitting process. That is, the knitting process on the knitting machine may substantially form the knit structure of the knitted components without the need for significant post-knitting processes or steps. Alternatively, the knitted component <NUM> may be formed separately as distinct integral one-piece elements and then the respective elements attached (e.g., via sewing).

Forming the upper with a knitted component <NUM> may impart advantageous characteristics including, but not limited to, a particular degree of elasticity (for example, as expressed in terms of Young's modulus), breathability, bendability, strength, moisture absorption, weight, abrasion resistance, and/or a combination thereof. These characteristics may be accomplished by selecting a particular single layer or multi-layer knit structure (e.g., a ribbed knit structure, a single jersey knit structure, or a double jersey knit structure), by varying the size and tension of the knit structure, by using one or more yarns formed of a particular material (e.g., a polyester material, a relatively inelastic material, or a relatively elastic material such as spandex), by selecting yarns of a particular size (e.g., denier), and/or a combination thereof. The weight of the upper <NUM>, and thus the overall weight of the article of footwear <NUM>, may be reduced with respect to alternative components typically used in footwear. The component <NUM> may also provide desirable aesthetic characteristics by incorporating yarns having different colors, textures or other visual properties arranged in a particular pattern. The yarns themselves and/or the knit structure formed by one or more of the yarns of the knitted components may be varied at different locations to provide different knit portions with different properties (e.g., a portion forming the throat area <NUM> of the first knitted component <NUM> may be relatively elastic while a portion forming the heel area <NUM> or another area may be relatively inelastic).

In some examples, the first knitted component <NUM> may incorporate one or more materials with properties that change in response to a stimulus (e.g., temperature, moisture, electrical current, magnetic field, or light). For example, as described in more detail below, the first knitted component <NUM> may include yarns formed of a thermoplastic polymer material (e.g., a polyurethane, polyamide, polyolefin, and/or nylon) that transitions from a solid state to a softened or liquid state when subjected to certain temperatures at or above its melting point and then transitions back to the solid state when cooled. The thermoplastic polymer material may provide the ability to heat and then cool a portion of the first knitted component <NUM> to thereby form an area of bonded or continuous material (herein referred to as a "fused area") that exhibits certain advantageous properties including a relatively high degree of rigidity, strength, and water resistance, for example.

The lacing pattern of the article of footwear <NUM> includes a tensioning system <NUM> to move the upper <NUM> between a loosened state and a tightened state (e.g., to adjust the geometry of upper <NUM> to tighten the upper <NUM> around the foot of a user). In some examples, the tensioning system <NUM> may be a shoelace. The tensioning system <NUM> is a more advanced system involving at least one adjustable (e.g., movable) tensioning cable <NUM> that extends through a series of anchors <NUM> coupled to (or part of) the upper <NUM>, along with a device used for applying a tension force to at least a portion of the tensioning cable <NUM> to thereby cause the upper <NUM> to move into its tightened state. For example, certain examples of tensioning systems that may be used are described in <CIT>, and entitled "DYNAMIC LACING SYSTEM,".

The tensioning cable <NUM> may be highly lubricious such that the total friction force (i.e., static friction force) between the tensioning cable <NUM> and the anchors <NUM> is low enough that a user (or tightening device) can effectively tighten the upper <NUM> by applying a tension force to the tensioning cable <NUM> (e.g., lower than about <NUM> pounds, such as lower than about <NUM> pounds in certain exemplary examples), but high enough such that device does not unintentionally loosen. Further, the tensioning cable <NUM> may have a low modulus of elasticity and a high tensile strength such that it is substantially non-extensible (e.g., due to formation from one or more fibers having a low modulus of elasticity and/or a high tensile strength). For instance, the fibers/strands forming the tensioning cable <NUM> may include high modulus polyethylene fibers having a high strength-to-weight ratio and a low elasticity. Additionally or alternatively, the tensioning cable <NUM> be formed from a molded monofilament polymer and/or a woven steel (and/or other metal) with or without other lubrication coating. In some examples, the tensioning cable <NUM> includes multiple strands of material woven together.

<FIG> shows a top view of the article of footwear <NUM> having a similar tensioning system <NUM>. The tensioning cable <NUM> is routed through various openings or channels <NUM> formed by the upper <NUM> (and/or the sole structure <NUM>). For instance, in the ankle or heel area <NUM>, the lateral side <NUM> and/or the medial side <NUM> of the upper <NUM> may include a passage <NUM> between an interior surface and an exterior surface of the knitted component <NUM> for guiding portions of the tensioning cable <NUM> to another location, such as to the location <NUM> in the heel area <NUM>. The passage <NUM> may be formed by knitting a tubular structure (as described in more detail below), for example. The location <NUM> may provide an exposed portion <NUM> of the tensioning cable <NUM> (or element coupled to the tensioning cable <NUM>) to provide an interface to a user for tightening the tensioning system <NUM>, which is described in detail in in <CIT>.

The anchors <NUM> with the channels <NUM> for receipt of the tensioning cable <NUM> may be formed with particular knit structures (e.g., tubular structures or exposed inlaid strands) of the knitted component <NUM>. The anchors <NUM> may be located where the tensioning cable <NUM> changes directions, for example in the throat area <NUM> and/or along the medial side <NUM> and lateral sides <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. The anchors <NUM> may be located on an exterior surface <NUM> of the knitted component <NUM>. The tensioning cable <NUM> may be routed through anchors <NUM>. For instance, the tensioning cable <NUM> may alternate across the throat area <NUM> in a zig-zag pattern such that a first portion <NUM> of the tensioning cable <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> of the tensioning cable <NUM> each communicate with both the lateral and medial sides of the throat area <NUM>. In this configuration, tightening the tensioning cable <NUM> will cause the lateral and medial sides of the throat area <NUM> to be pulled together, thus tightening the upper <NUM> around the foot (or otherwise changing the upper's geometry).

In some examples, the anchors <NUM> may be formed with knit structures. That is, the anchors <NUM> may be fully formed with the remainder of the knitted component <NUM> without the need for attaching separate anchor components after the knitting process. For example, the anchors <NUM> may be formed with a knitted channel (e.g., a curved channel) formed with a tubular knit structure (as described in more detail below), a specific pattern/orientation of exposed portions of inlaid strands (also as described in more detail below), and/or any other suitable knit structure. Advantageously, forming the knit anchors <NUM> with knit structures of the knitted component <NUM> may provide the knit anchors <NUM> with enhanced durability relative to other examplessince no adhesive, sewn seams, etc. are needed. Further, including the knit anchors <NUM> as integral parts of the knitted component <NUM> may enhance the ability for distributing forces through the knitted component <NUM> in a particular engineered manner. Further, including the knit anchors <NUM> during the knitting process may save manufacturing steps (e.g., a post-knit attachment step), thus increasing manufacturing efficiency and decreasing the types of materials needed (such as adhesives). Alternatively, the anchors <NUM> could be formed of non-knit components (e.g., plastic or metal components with associated openings), or separately-knitted components, that are secured to the knitted component <NUM> after the knitting process.

<FIG> is an illustration showing an example of a knit anchors <NUM>, where the knit anchors <NUM> are formed by a curved tubular knit structure. The curved tubular knit structure may be formed by a tubular knitting process where a knit layer formed on a first bed of the knitting machine remains separable from (e.g., not locked to) a knit layer formed on a second needle bed for a plurality of courses (as described in more detail below). For example, referring to <FIG> (showing an a close-up view of one knit anchor <NUM>) a first layer <NUM> of the anchor <NUM>, which may define the exterior surface <NUM> of the knitted component <NUM>, may be formed on a first needle bed (e.g., with a single-jersey or similar knit structure). A second layer <NUM> of the anchor <NUM>, which may define an inner surface of the knitted component <NUM>, may be formed on a second needle bed of a knitting machine (e.g., with a single-jersey or similar knit structure). The edges <NUM>, <NUM> of the anchor <NUM> (which extend along the anchor's length) may be locations where a course at the end of the tubular knit structure (in the knitting direction) utilizes both needle beds, thus locking the first layer <NUM> and the second layer <NUM> together. In the resulting knitted component <NUM>, a channel may be formed between the first layer <NUM> and the second layer <NUM> of the anchor <NUM>, and that same channel may be used for receipt of the tensioning cable <NUM>.

The curve of the anchor <NUM> may be advantageous for reducing the overall friction force caused by contact between the anchor <NUM> and the tensioning cable <NUM>, and specifically between inward-facing surfaces of the knitted component <NUM> within the channel of the anchor <NUM> and an outerdiameter surface of the tensioning cable <NUM>. In some examples, the radius of the anchor may be at least about <NUM>, such as at least about <NUM>, and such as at least about <NUM> in certain exemplary examples. Different anchors <NUM> may have different radii, and the radius of each of the anchors <NUM> may be optimized based on the relative positions of the anchors <NUM> (e.g., to determine the position and direction-of-extension of the tensioning cable <NUM>), the desired friction coefficient between the anchors <NUM> and the tensioning cables <NUM>, etc..

<FIG> illustrates a knitting technique and sequence for forming the curved anchor <NUM>. As shown, a base area <NUM> of the knitted component <NUM>, which may be the knit portions surrounding the anchor <NUM>, may be formed with portions of courses utilizing both a first needle bed (corresponding to top loops) and a second needle bed (corresponding to bottom loops). In the figure, the base area <NUM> is formed of a double-jersey knit structure (e.g., utilizing all needles on the top and bottom needle beds of the knitting machine), but this structure is shown as an example only and other two-bed knit structures are contemplated (e.g., an"edge-<NUM>" structure as is known in the art).

In contrast, the layers of the anchor <NUM> may be formed with a single-bed structure (or another structure forming a tubular construction, such as a more-advanced double-bed structure utilizing transfers). For example, a first course 146a extending across the anchor <NUM> may include a tubular portion 148a formed on a first needle bed of a knitting machine (e.g., a front bed). A second course 146b may include a tubular portion 148b on a second needle bed of the knitting machine (e.g., a back bed). The courses may alternate (or otherwise selectively switch) between utilizing the first needle bed and the second needle bed, and the loops on the first and second needle beds may remain detached for a selected period of time (e.g., a selected number of courses) to thereby form a tubular structure, as is known in the art.

To obtain the curve, the needles used to form the tubular portion <NUM> may change during knitting. For example, the first course 146a may have the tubular structure 148a at a first location, a second course 146b that is adjacent to (and potentially interlooped with) the first course 146a may have a tubular structure 148b at a second location, where the first location and the second location are offset on the needle bed and thus in the course-wise direction. This may be accomplished by utilizing a different set of consecutive needles on the needle bed to form the respective tubular structures 148a, 148b. For example, the section tubular structure 148b may be shifted one needle (or more) to the right during its respective formation relative to the first tubular structure 148a. More particularly, at a first end <NUM> of the anchor <NUM>, a first series of needles 156a may be utilized to form the tubular knit structure of the knit anchor <NUM> (e.g., the first layer <NUM> and the second layer <NUM> shown in <FIG>). At a middle portion <NUM> of the knit anchor, a second series of needles 156b may be used to form the tubular knit structure, where the second series of needles 156b is offset relative to the first series of needles 156a (and, notably, the first series of needles 156a and the second series of needles 156b may have at least one needle in common). In other words, the tubular structure is "shifted" right on the needle bed of a knitting machine from the perspective of <FIG>. Similarly, a third course 146c may have a tubular structure 148c that is further offset in the course-wise direction. This may continue until reaching the apex of the curve (which may occur at a midpoint of the middle portion <NUM> or other location) along the length of the knit anchor <NUM>, when the tubular portions of the course <NUM> begin to shift back to the left. It is noted that "left" and "right" are used in this description for illustrative purposes only, and the directions could be switched, the curve could extend in multiple directions, multiple curves could be included, etc..

While the tubular knit structure forming the knit anchor <NUM> in <FIG> has a constant, or substantially constant width, the width could vary along the length of the knit anchor <NUM> by varying the number of needles of each (or at least one) needle bed of the knitting machine that form the tubular knit structure. In some examples, additional elements (i.e., in addition to the tubular knit structure) may be included in the knitted component <NUM> to enhance the strength and durability of the knit anchor <NUM>, and/or to distribute forces experienced at the knit anchor <NUM> (e.g., through communication with the tensioning cable <NUM>). One example of such an element is at least one inlaid strand, such as the three inlaid strands <NUM> depicted in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the inlaid strands <NUM> extend around the outer perimeter of the channel <NUM> of the knit anchor <NUM>. The inlaid strands may be formed with a substantially inelastic material such that they do not substantially stretch when subjected to forces experienced during normal footwear use. This may provide reduced stretch of the layers of the knit anchor <NUM>, decrease the potential for breakage of a knit anchor <NUM>, etc. Further, the inlaid strands <NUM> may extend to particular locations of the knitted component <NUM> that are configured (e.g., sized, shaped, located, and have particular structural characteristics) to distributed forces received through the knit anchor <NUM> to locations that are strong and durable (e.g., locations beneath the foot, at the sole structure, and/or where particularly durable knit structures are located), locations where such forces will not irritate the foot of a wearer, etc. Particular methods of forming a knitting component with an inlaid strand that may be utilized in this example are described in detail in <CIT>.

A knit anchor could alternatively, or additionally, be formed of a knit structure other than a tubular knit structure. For example, <FIG> is an illustration showing a knit anchor <NUM> that is formed by a plurality of inlaid strands <NUM> with corresponding exposed portions <NUM>. There is no tubular knit structure in <FIG> (but in other examples, a tubular knit structure may be used in combination with inlaid strands). The inlaid strands <NUM> extend through a knit element <NUM>, where the knit element <NUM> is defined by the plurality of intermeshed loops of the knitted component <NUM>, and wherein the inlaid strands <NUM> of the knitted component <NUM> include at least one floating portion (e.g., a non-looped portion) that is inlaid within a course of the knit element <NUM> such that they between courses of the knit element <NUM> (as described in <CIT>).

The channel <NUM> of the knit anchor <NUM> in the depicted embodiment according to the claimed invention of <FIG> is defined as the pathway formed for receiving a tensioning cable <NUM> located between the exterior surface <NUM> of the knit element <NUM> (e.g., the surface defined by the intermeshed loops of the knit element <NUM>) and the exposed portions <NUM> of the inlaid strands <NUM>. The channel <NUM> can be utilized for any of the applications described with respect to the examples above, such as for receipt of a tensioning cable <NUM> of an article of footwear or another article. Thus, when the tensioning cable <NUM> is deployed through the channel <NUM> of the knit anchor <NUM>, the tensioning cable <NUM> extends between the exposed portions <NUM> of the inlaid strands <NUM> and the exterior surface <NUM> of the knitted component <NUM> (i.e. , beneath the exposed portions <NUM> of the inlaid strands <NUM> but above the exterior surface <NUM> from the perspective of <FIG>). To provide space for the tensioning cable <NUM>, a certain amount of slack may be incorporated into the inlaid strands <NUM> during the knitting process. Such slack may not be required when the inlaid strands <NUM> are elastic (which is optional), and/or when the knit element <NUM> is elastic and/or compliant enough to receive the tensioning cable <NUM> without slack in the inlaid strands <NUM> (e.g., due to the bottom portion of the channel <NUM> stretching or otherwise adapting its geometry to accommodate the tensioning cable <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the channel <NUM> is curved, but a curve is optional. In other embodiments, the channel <NUM> may have any suitable shape. For example, the channel <NUM> may be linear (e.g., perpendicular relative to the course-wise direction), angled relative to the course-wise direction, may form a linear or curved zig-zagging shape, may have an irregular shape, etc..

To form the curved knit anchor <NUM> of <FIG>, the exposed portions <NUM> of the inlaid strands <NUM> may be selectively exposed on the surface <NUM> of the knit element <NUM>. For example, a first inlaid strand 260a may have an exposed portion 262a that is located at a first location along the course-wise direction (left-to-right in <FIG>), the second inlaid strand 260b may have an exposed portion 262b that is located at a second location along the course-wise direction, where the first location and the second location are offset along the course-wise direction. Similarly, the third inlaid strand 260c, fourth inlaid strand 260d, fifth inlaid strand 260e, and sixth inlaid strand 260f may be selectively located on the exterior surface <NUM> of the knit element <NUM> such that the channel <NUM> is located and oriented as desired. While six inlaid strands <NUM> form the channel <NUM> in the depicted embodiment, more or less than six may be included.

Advantageously, by utilizing multiple inlaid strands <NUM> to form the channel <NUM>, the distribution of forces throughout the knitted component <NUM> may be dispersed. For example, referring to <FIG>, when a tension and/or lateral force is applied to the tensioning cable <NUM>, a force will be transferred to the knitted component <NUM>. Each of the inlaid strands <NUM> may absorb a portion of that force. The inlaid strands <NUM> may extend through the knitted component <NUM> in a desired directions to distribute that force in a particular manner. For example, each of the inlaid strands <NUM> may have an end that is fixed to a sole structure of an article of footwear to distribute the force to that sole structure. Since multiple inlaid strands <NUM> are used (in this embodiment), no single inlaid strand will absorb all of the force from the tensioning cable, but instead each of the inlaid strands <NUM> will absorb only a portion of that force (e.g., averaging out to <NUM>/<NUM> of the force per inlaid strand, though some may absorb more force than others). Advantageously, by distributing the forces among more than one inlaid strand, the chance of breakage of an inlaid strand may be reduced. Further, the tension within each of the inlaid strands <NUM> may be reduced relative to other embodiments, which may avoid concentrated "hot spots" that are prone to causing irritation to a wearer when the knitted component is incorporated into an article of footwear or apparel.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a knitting sequence for forming the knit anchor of <FIG>. The six courses of <FIG> may correspond with the six courses incorporating the six inlaid strands of <FIG>. While no courses are located in-between those with inlaid strands in <FIG>, it is contemplated that they may exist (with or without inlaid strands).

Referring to <FIG>, a first course 268a may include a first knit structure <NUM> utilizing two needle beds surrounding a second knit structure <NUM> utilizing only one needle bed. The first inlaid strand 260a may be inlaid within the first course 268a. Since the first inlaid strand 260a is substantially surrounded by loops where the first knit structure <NUM> is located, it may remain between faces of the finished fabric in those locations (e.g., not exposed) when the knitting process is complete. In contrast, since loops exist on only one side of the first inlaid strand 260a where the second knit structure <NUM> is located, the fist inlaid strand 260a may be exposed on the exterior surface <NUM> of the knit element <NUM> in this location. This exposed segment of the first inlaid strand 260a may correspond with the first exposed portion 262a shown in <FIG>.

Similarly (and still referring to <FIG>), the remaining courses <NUM> may include respective exposed portions. To form the curved shape of the knit anchor, the needles of the knitting machine used to form the second knit structure <NUM> (where the inlaid strands are exposed on a surface) may vary. For example, the series of needles used to form the exposed segment of the second inlaid strand 260b may be offset relative to the series of needles used to form the exposed segment of the first inlaid strand 260a (and, notably, these two series of needles may have at least one needle in common). The other courses may be formed similarly, and the second knit structure <NUM> may be selectively located along the course-wise direction to form the desired channel path.

While the exposed segments of the courses <NUM> are depicted as having the same length, this is not always the case. For example, one exposed segment may be longer than another. Additionally or alternatively, while each of the courses <NUM> includes one inlaid strand, more than one inlaid strand may be inlaid within at least one of the courses <NUM> to enhance the strength of the channel <NUM>. Further, the inlaid strand of the courses <NUM> (or at least two of the courses) may be the same elongated strand (e.g., that is inlaid back-and-forth through the knit element <NUM>), but in other examples, each of the inlaid strands <NUM> may be distinct strands.

<FIG> is an illustration of a tensioning system <NUM> for an article, such as an article of apparel or an article of footwear. For example, the tensioning system <NUM> of may be included in the throat area of an article of footwear (where laces are typically located), in a waistband, sleeve, hood, collar, or other suitable area of an article of apparel where adjustment/tightening is desired, or within any other suitable article. The tensioning system may include two primary components: (<NUM>) a knitted component <NUM> (which may include the knit element <NUM> along with a plurality of inlaid strands <NUM>, as shown) and (<NUM>) a tensioning cable <NUM>, which may be deployed through a channel <NUM> of the knitted component <NUM> after (or during) the knitting process. As described in more detail below, applying tension to the tensioning cable <NUM> may cause the knitted component <NUM> to respond by adjusting its geometry to accomplish a variety of functions. For example, if the tensioning system <NUM> is incorporated into an article of footwear, applying tension to the tensioning cable <NUM> may cause the article of footwear to tighten around a foot. Similarly, if the tensioning system <NUM> is incorporated into an article of apparel, the article of apparel may adjust its geometry in response to applying a tension to the tensioning cable <NUM> to adjust tightness of the article of apparel around a body party or otherwise adjust the fit of the article of apparel. The article of <FIG> include three separate tensioning systems, and more or less than three may be included (e.g., it may be desirable to include only one in an article of footwear). In <FIG>, the tensioning system <NUM> utilizes channels <NUM> formed by exposed portions of inlaid strands <NUM>, similar to the embodiment of <FIG>. Oher examples are also contemplated. For example one or more curved tubular knit structures (e.g., as described with reference to <FIG>) may be utilized to form channel(s) for receipt of the tensioning cable <NUM>.

<FIG> are illustrations depicting the operation of the tensioning system <NUM> of <FIG>. For example, in <FIG>, the tensioning system <NUM> is shown in a default state where no external tension or force is applied to the tensioning cable <NUM>. As shown, four knit anchors <NUM> are included (which may incorporate any of the knit or non-knit structures described herein (or other structures) along with the related aspects). In the default state of <FIG>, the article (which may be a knitted component) has a first width W1. Upon application of a tension force T1 to at least one end of the tensioning cable <NUM>, the tensioning cable <NUM> may force the knit anchors <NUM> towards an axis extending between the knit anchors <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Assuming no other forces are involved (e.g., an opposite force against the surface of a foot within an article of footwear, for example), the force upon the knit anchors <NUM> caused by tension in the tensioning cable <NUM> may decrease a dimension of the article, in this case the width (from W1 to W2).

While the overall width of the article in <FIG> was adjusted due to the operation of the tensioning system <NUM>, it is also contemplated that only certain portions of the article will change in geometry. For example, if the outer portion <NUM> is elastic, and the edges <NUM> are secured to another object, the tensioning system may pull the knit anchors <NUM> towards each other without changing the article's width. When this occurs, the outer portion <NUM> may be stretched to accommodate the change in size of the tensioning system <NUM>. Similar aspects may be utilized to tighten or otherwise adjust the fit of an article of apparel or an upper of an article of footwear.

<FIG> is an illustration showing an upper for an article of footwear that incorporates inlaid strands in accordance with certain embodiments above, such as the embodiment of <FIG>. Notably, many inlaid strands are included, and each inlaid strand includes many exposed portions. Advantageously, the exposed portions of the inlaid strands may be utilized to form one or more knit anchors. Further, it is contemplated that the particular exposed portions may be selectable among many, or even all, of the exposed portions, which may provide a level of customization regarding how a tensioning system is implemented. For example, if the tensioning system is simply a shoelace, a user may select which exposed portions of the inlaid strands are used as an interface with that shoelace. Similarly, if the tensioning system is more advanced, it may be adjusted to select particular exposed portions as forming a knit anchor based on user preference, size, function (e.g., particular sport), etc..

<FIG> is an illustration showing an alternative example of an anchor <NUM> (with a tensioning cable <NUM> extending therethrough), which may be utilized with any of the examples described above. The primary difference between the anchor <NUM> and the above-described knit anchors is that the anchor <NUM> is formed via strands <NUM> that are incorporated into the article of footwear after the knitted component <NUM> is formed. In other words, the anchor <NUM> is not part of the knitted component <NUM> (as it is not formed on the knitting machine or via knit), and thus it is not a "knit anchor. " Instead, the strands <NUM> are deployed through openings <NUM> of the knitted component <NUM> during a post-knitting assembly step. In this embodiment, the anchor <NUM> is formed with two strands <NUM>, but more or less than two strands may be included. Further, it is contemplated that a separate friction-reducing component may be included (not shown), such as a pulley, a metal orifice with a smooth, friction-reducing surface, etc. (and such elements could also be included with the knit anchors described above).

Claim 1:
A tensioning system (<NUM>), comprising:
a tensioning cable (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
a knitted component (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having a knit element (<NUM>) and at least three inlaid strands (<NUM>, <NUM>) that are inlaid within the knit element (<NUM>),
wherein the at least three inlaid strands (<NUM>, <NUM>) each have an exposed portion (<NUM>) that is exposed on a surface of the knit element (<NUM>),wherein a channel (<NUM>, <NUM>) is defined between the exposed portions (<NUM>) of the at least three inlaid strands (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the surface of the knit element (<NUM>), and
wherein the tensioning cable (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extends through the channel (<NUM>, <NUM>)
wherein the tensioning system (<NUM>) is characterized in that the tensioning cable (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extends through the channel (<NUM>, <NUM>) beneath the at least three exposed portions (<NUM>), wherein the at least three exposed portions (<NUM>) are each straight and extend parallel to each other.