Nike, Inc.

Nike Innovate C.v.

Chikao Ichikawa

Robert M Bruce

Eun Kyung Lee

James Y Yoo

Tina M Casillas

Michihiro Ichikawa

Adam R Farmer

Christina Peters

A method of manufacturing a braided footwear upper is provided. The method includes braiding a two-layer, single-tube structure with a first end that couples a first braided layer to a second braided layer, and second end that couples the first braided layer to the second braided layer of the tubular braided structure. The first end is proximate the second end. At least one yarn from the first end, and at least one yarn from the second end are braided with at least one draw yarn. The draw yarn is braided to be easily removable, such that the first end is selectively de-coupled from the second end. When the draw yarn is removed, the double-layer tubular braided structure is expandable to form a larger diameter tubular braided structure.

Double layer, single tube braid for footwear upper

Aspects herein are directed to braided articles and methods for their manufacture. The braided articles may include articles of footwear having braided uppers. The article of footwear may comprise a sole and a braided upper comprising a toe portion having a toe seam, a heel portion comprising a seamless braided structure, and a throat portion. The toe portion may comprise a base yarn. The throat portion may comprise a stretch yarn. Additionally, the heel portion may comprise both the stretch yarn and the base yarn.

Braided articles and methods for their manufacture

Aspects herein are directed to braided articles and methods for their manufacture. The braided articles may include articles of footwear having braided uppers. The braided uppers may include a base yarn and a high performance yarn. The high performance yarn may form a braided structure within the braided upper. The braided structure may be continuously braided to provide continuous support to a wearer's foot when the article of footwear is worn as intended, by a wearer. Additionally, the high performance yarn may be configured to exit the braided upper and re-enter the braided upper to form a plurality of arcuate loops along the throat area of the braided article of footwear for accommodating a lace for further adjustment of the fit of the article of footwear on the wearer's foot, when worn.

Aspects herein are directed to braided articles and methods for their manufacture. The braided articles may include articles of footwear having braided uppers. The braided uppers may include a base yarn and a high performance yarn. The high performance yarn may form a braided structure within the braided upper. The braided structure may be continuously braided to provide continuous support to a wearer's foot when the article of footwear is worn as intended, by a wearer.

An upper for an article of footwear is provided, having a braided structure comprising a first yarn having a first cross-sectional shape and a second yarn having a second cross-sectional shape different than the first cross-sectional shape. The first cross-sectional shape comprises an outer surface parallel to an inner surface in a rectangular orientation. Additionally, the first yarn is oriented such that at least a portion of the outer surface comprises the first side of the first yarn and at least a portion of the inner surface comprises the second side of the first yarn.

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Gunma, Japan

Chikao Ichikawa