Shoe Having Knit Wingtip Upper

What is this patent about?

’262 is related to the field of footwear, specifically shoes with knit uppers. Knit uppers are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to provide a lightweight, breathable, and customizable fit. Traditional shoe manufacturing often involves cutting and sewing multiple pieces of material together, which can be labor-intensive and generate waste. Knit uppers offer the potential to reduce waste and streamline the manufacturing process.

The underlying idea behind ’262 is to create a knit shoe upper with integrated design elements, specifically a wingtip pattern and broguing , using different knit structures in a single, seamless piece. This is achieved by strategically varying the knit type (e.g., jersey stitch and pointelle stitch) to create distinct visual and functional zones within the upper. The broguing, traditionally created by punching holes in leather, is instead formed directly during the knitting process.

The claims of ’262 focus on a method of manufacturing a shoe and the resulting shoe itself. The key elements include a knit upper made from a single piece of material, regions of jersey stitch and pointelle stitch knit, a boundary line between these regions, and a line of broguing adjacent to that boundary. The claims emphasize the seamless knitting of different regions of the upper and the integration of these features during the knitting process.

In practice, the shoe upper is manufactured using a CNC knitting machine that can precisely control the stitch type and yarn placement. The machine creates the entire upper in one go, seamlessly joining the toe, ball, metatarsal, and midfoot regions. The jersey stitch area, typically in the toe region, provides a tighter, more solid structure, while the pointelle stitch area, often in the metatarsal region, offers increased breathability and flexibility. The broguing is formed by creating small holes directly within the knit structure during the knitting process.

This approach differs from traditional shoe manufacturing methods that involve cutting and sewing separate pieces of material. By using a single piece of knit material and integrating design elements directly into the knitting process, ’262 reduces manufacturing steps, minimizes waste, and allows for greater design flexibility. The combination of different knit structures and integrated broguing provides both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits, such as improved breathability and a customized fit.