Patent ID: 8667711

Claim:
An article of footwear, comprising: a base layer configured to form an upper, the upper including a forefoot portion, a heel portion and a midfoot portion disposed between the forefoot portion and the heel portion; a threading layer including at least one thread group comprising a plurality of threads disposed on the base layer in the midfoot portion, the threading layer including a threading perimeter that defines an outer boundary of the threading layer adjacent to a lacing region of the upper, wherein the at least one thread group includes a first end portion disposed at the threading perimeter and a second end portion spaced apart from the first end portion and the threading perimeter, the at least one thread group extending radially outward from the first end portion towards the second end portion such that the plurality of threads are spaced further apart at the second end portion than at the first end portion; a connecting layer configured to bond the threading layer to the base layer; the connecting layer including a first portion and a second portion, the connecting layer having an approximately U-shape extending between a medial side and a lateral side of the upper; and wherein the first portion is configured to cover the threading layer and wherein the second portion is configured to extend away from the threading perimeter of the threading layer and cover a portion of the upper.