CN110522118B

CN110522118B - Article of footwear incorporating a lenticular weaving structure

Info

Publication number: CN110522118B
Application number: CN201910791597.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 阿德里安·梅厄; 丹尼尔·A·波德哈尼
Original assignee: Nike Innovate CV USA
Current assignee: Nike Innovate CV USA
Priority date: 2014-09-30
Filing date: 2015-04-22
Publication date: 2022-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2035-04-22
Also published as: CN205512684U; CN110522118A; CN106136452B; CN106136452A; CN114668214A; CN204763685U

Abstract

The present invention relates to an article of footwear incorporating a lenticular pattern. An article of footwear is provided that includes an upper incorporating a knitted component having color changing properties. The color changing properties may be created by one or more lenticular knit structures disposed throughout an upper of the article of footwear. The lenticular weaving structure is formed of unitary weaving construction with the remainder of the weaving component. The lenticular pattern has portions formed with different yarns. Different yarns on portions of the lenticular weaving structure create a visual effect that changes the color of the article of footwear according to the viewing angle.

Description

Article of footwear incorporating a lenticular weaving structure

This application is a divisional application filed on 2015, 4-22, application No. 201510191848.1, entitled "article of footwear incorporating a lens knit structure".

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to an article of footwear, and in particular, to an article of footwear incorporating a knitted component.

Background

Conventional articles of footwear generally include two primary elements: an upper and a sole structure. The upper is secured to the sole structure and forms a void on the interior of the footwear for comfortably and securely receiving a foot. The sole structure is secured to a lower area of the upper so as to be positioned between the upper and the ground. For example, in athletic footwear, the sole structure may include a midsole and an outsole. The midsole often includes a polymer foam material that attenuates ground reaction forces during walking, running, and other ambulatory activities to reduce stresses on the foot and leg. In addition, the midsole may include fluid-filled chambers, plates, moderators, or other elements that further attenuate forces, enhance stability, or influence the motions of the foot. The outsole is secured to a lower surface of the midsole and provides a ground-engaging portion of the sole structure that is formed of a durable and wear-resistant material, such as rubber. The sole structure may also include a sockliner positioned within the void and proximate a lower surface of the foot to enhance footwear comfort.

The upper generally extends over the instep and toe areas of the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot, under the foot, and around the heel area. In some articles of footwear, such as basketball shoes and boots, the upper may extend upward and around the ankle to provide support or protection to the ankle. Access to the void on the interior of the upper is generally provided by an ankle opening in the heel region of the footwear. A lacing system is often incorporated into the upper to adjust the fit of the upper, thereby allowing the foot to be inserted into and removed from the void within the upper. The lacing system also allows the wearer to modify certain dimensions of the upper (particularly girth) to accommodate feet having different dimensions. 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 a heel counter to limit movement of the heel.

A variety of material elements (e.g., textiles, polymer foams, polymer sheets, leather, synthetic leather) are conventionally utilized in manufacturing the upper. For example, in athletic footwear, the upper may have multiple layers, each layer including various joined material elements. As an example, the material elements may be selected to impart stretch-resistance, wear-resistance, flexibility, air-permeability, compression, comfort, and moisture-absorption (moisture-wicking) to different areas of the upper. To impart different properties to different areas of the upper, the material elements are often cut to the desired shape and then joined together, often using stitching or adhesive bonds. Furthermore, material elements are often connected in a layered configuration to impart multiple properties to the same region. As the number and type of material elements incorporated into the upper increases, the time and expense associated with transporting, stocking, cutting, and joining the material elements also increases. Waste materials from the cutting and stitching processes also accumulate to a greater degree as the number and type of material elements incorporated into the upper increases. In addition, uppers with a greater number of material elements may be more difficult to recycle than uppers formed from fewer types and numbers of material elements. Accordingly, by reducing the number of material elements used for the upper, waste may be reduced, thereby increasing manufacturing efficiency and recycling of the upper.

Disclosure of Invention

Various configurations of an article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper. The upper may incorporate a knitted component. The knitted component may include color changing properties resulting from one or more lenticular knit structures (lenticule structures) disposed throughout the upper of the article of footwear. The lenticular weaving structure is formed of unitary weaving construction with the remainder of the weaving component.

1) In one aspect, the present invention provides an article of footwear including an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper. The upper incorporates a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction. The knitted component includes at least one lenticular knitted structure including a first portion and a second portion disposed on opposite sides of the lenticular knitted structure. The knitted component also includes a base portion disposed adjacent to the at least one lenticular knitted structure. The at least one lenticular weaving structure extends away from the base portion on an exterior surface of the upper. A first portion of the at least one lenticular woven structure is associated with a first visual effect when the footwear upper is viewed from a first viewing angle, and a second portion of the at least one lenticular woven structure is associated with a second visual effect when the footwear upper is viewed from a second viewing angle, the second viewing angle being different from the first viewing angle.

2) The article of footwear of 1), wherein the first portion of the at least one lenticular weaving structure is formed using a first yarn and the second portion of the at least one lenticular weaving structure is formed using a second yarn, the first yarn and the second yarn having different properties.

3) The article of footwear of any of 1) to 2), wherein the first yarn and the second yarn have one or more of a different yarn type, a different color, a different texture, and a different denier.

4) The article of footwear of any of claims 1) to 3), wherein the first yarn substantially produces the first visual effect when the upper is viewed from the first perspective and the second yarn substantially produces the second visual effect when the upper is viewed from the second perspective.

5) The article of footwear of any of claims 1) to 4), wherein the knitted component further comprises a plurality of lenticular knit structures.

6) The article of footwear of any of 1) through 5), wherein the plurality of lenticular weaving structures includes a first lenticular weaving structure having the first portion formed using a first yarn and the second portion formed using a second yarn and a second lenticular weaving structure having the first portion formed using the first yarn, the second portion formed using the second yarn, and an upper portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the upper portion formed using a third yarn.

7) The article of footwear of any of claims 1) to 6), wherein one or more of the second lenticular knit structures are located in a first region on the knitted component, and a remainder of the knitted component includes a plurality of the first lenticular knit structures.

8) The article of footwear of any of 1) through 7), wherein the first yarn, the second yarn, and the third yarn are different colors.

9) The article of footwear of any of 1) through 8), wherein the upper portion creates a third visual effect visible from both the first and second perspectives.

10) In another aspect, the present invention provides a knitted component for incorporation into an article. The knitted component includes a plurality of lenticular knitted structures. Each of the lenticular weaving structures includes a first portion formed using a first yarn on one side of the lenticular weaving structure and a second portion formed using a second yarn arranged on an opposite side of the lenticular weaving structure. The first yarn and the second yarn are different. The knitted component also includes a base portion disposed between adjacent lenticular knitted structures. The first portion, the second portion, and the base portion are formed of unitary knit construction with the knitted component. A first portion of the lenticular pattern is associated with a first visual effect when the knitted component is viewed from a first perspective, and a second portion of the at least one lenticular pattern is associated with a second visual effect when the knitted component is viewed from a second perspective, the second perspective being different from the first perspective.

11) The knitted component of any one of 1) to 10), wherein the base portion is formed using a different yarn than the first yarn and the second yarn; and is

Wherein the base portion comprises at least one course connected to: (a) at least one course of said first yarn forming said first portion, and (b) at least one course of said second yarn forming said second portion.

12) The knitted component of any of 1) through 11), wherein each of the plurality of lenticular knit structures has a configuration of a tubular rib structure including hollow unsecured regions disposed between overlapping knit layers of the tubular rib structure.

13) The knitted component of any of 1) through 12), wherein at least one of the plurality of lenticular knit structures further includes a tensile element disposed within the hollow unsecured region.

14) The knitted component of any of 1) through 13), wherein the plurality of lenticular knitted structures includes a first lenticular knitted structure and a second lenticular knitted structure, the first lenticular knitted structure having the first portion formed using the first yarn and the second portion formed using the second yarn, and the second lenticular knitted structure having the first portion formed using the first yarn, the second portion formed using the second yarn, and an upper portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the upper portion formed using a third yarn.

15) The knitted component of any of 1) through 14), wherein the upper portion creates a third visual effect visible from both the first and second perspectives.

16) In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a knitted component for incorporation into an article. The method includes knitting a base portion of the knitted component; knitting a first portion of the lenticular knit structure using a first yarn; and knitting a second portion of the lenticular knit structure using a second yarn. The second yarn is different from the first yarn. The lenticular woven structure is formed such that the first portion and the second portion are arranged on opposite sides of the lenticular woven structure, and the lenticular woven structure extends away from the base portion in a vertical direction. A first portion of the lenticular pattern is associated with a first visual effect when the knitted component is viewed from a first perspective, and a second portion of the at least one lenticular pattern is associated with a second visual effect when the knitted component is viewed from a second perspective, the second perspective being different from the first perspective.

17) The method of any of claims 1) through 16), wherein the base portion, the first portion, and the second portion are formed of unitary knit construction during a knitting process.

18) The method of any of 1) to 17), wherein the method further comprises knitting an upper portion of the lenticular knit structure disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the upper portion being knit using a third yarn.

19) The method of any of 1) to 18), wherein the upper portion produces a third visual effect visible from both the first and second viewing angles.

20) The method of any of 1) through 19), further comprising embedding a tensile element within the lenticular braided structure.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the embodiments will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the following claims.

Drawings

The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of an article of footwear incorporating a knitted component having a lenticular knitted structure;

FIG. 2 is a medial side view of an exemplary embodiment of an article of footwear incorporating a knitted component having a lenticular knitted structure;

FIG. 3 is a lateral side view of an exemplary embodiment of an article of footwear incorporating a knitted component having a lenticular knitted structure;

FIG. 4 is a top front view of an exemplary embodiment of an article of footwear incorporating a knitted component having a lenticular knitted structure;

FIG. 5 is a representative view of an exemplary embodiment of a knitted component of an article of footwear having a lenticular knitted structure, as viewed from a first perspective;

FIG. 6 is a representative view of an exemplary embodiment of a knitted component of an article of footwear having a lenticular knitted structure, as viewed from a second perspective;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a knitting machine configured to produce a knitted component;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary process of knitting a lenticular knit structure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration showing an embodiment of a method of making an embodiment of a knitted component forming a base portion;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration showing an embodiment of a method of making an embodiment of a knitted component forming a first portion of a lenticular knitted structure;

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration showing an embodiment of a method of making an embodiment of a knitted component forming a second portion of a lenticular knitted structure;

FIG. 12 is a schematic knit illustration of an embodiment of a knitted component incorporating a lenticular knit structure;

FIG. 13 is a schematic knit illustration of an embodiment of a knitted component incorporating a lenticular knitted structure including inlaid tensile elements;

FIG. 14 is a representative view of a cross section of a knitted component incorporating lenticular knitted structures;

FIG. 15 is a representative view of a cross section of a knitted component incorporating a lenticular knitted structure including inlaid tensile elements;

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear incorporating a knitted component having a lenticular knitted structure with regions associated with three colors;

FIG. 17 is a medial side view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear incorporating a knitted component having a lenticular knitted structure;

FIG. 18 is a lateral side view of an exemplary embodiment of an article of footwear incorporating a knitted component having a lenticular knitted structure with regions associated with three colors;

FIG. 19 is a top front view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear incorporating a knitted component having a lenticular knitted structure with areas associated with three colors;

FIG. 20 is a schematic knit illustration of an alternative embodiment of a knitted component incorporating a lenticular knit structure having three colors;

FIG. 21 is a schematic knit illustration of an embodiment of a knitted component incorporating a lenticular knit structure having three colors with inlaid tensile elements; and

FIG. 22 is a representative view of a cross section of a knitted component incorporating lenticular knitted structures having three colors.

Detailed Description

The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose various concepts related to a knitted component and the manufacture of a knitted component. Although the knitted component may be used in a variety of products, an article of footwear incorporating one or more knitted components is disclosed below as an example. In addition to footwear, knitted components may be used in other types of apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, socks, jackets, undergarments), athletic equipment (e.g., golf bags, baseball and football gloves, soccer ball restriction structures), containers (e.g., backpacks, bags), and seating for furniture (e.g., chairs, ottomans, car seats). The knitted component may also be used in bed coverings (e.g., sheets, blankets), table coverings, towels, flags, tents, sails, and parachutes. The knitted component may be used as technical fabrics for industrial purposes, including structures for automotive and aerospace applications, filter materials, medical fabrics (e.g., bandages, swabs, grafts), geotextiles for reinforcing embankments, agrotextiles for crop protection, and industrial apparel for protection or insulation against heat and radiation. Accordingly, the knitted components and other concepts disclosed herein may be incorporated into a variety of products for both personal and industrial purposes.

Fig. 1-22 illustrate exemplary embodiments of an article of footwear having an upper including a knitted component (including a lenticular knitted structure) incorporated therein and associated methods of manufacture. The upper incorporates a knitted component that includes one or more lenticular knitted structures that provide color changing properties to the upper and the article of footwear. The individual features of any of the knitted components described herein may be used in combination or may be provided separately in different configurations for an article of footwear. Further, any of the features may be optional and may not be included in any particular embodiment of the knitted component.

For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives are used throughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. The term "longitudinal" as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to a direction extending the length or long axis of an article. In some cases, the longitudinal direction may extend from a forefoot region to a heel region of the article. Also, the term "transverse" as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to a direction extending the width or minor axis of the article. In other words, the transverse direction may extend between the inner side and the outer side of the article. Furthermore, the term "vertical" as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to a direction that is generally perpendicular to the lateral and longitudinal directions. For example, in a case where the article is flatly placed on the floor surface, the vertical direction may extend upward from the floor surface. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives may be applied to various components of an article, including an upper, a knitted component, and portions thereof, and/or a sole structure.

Fig. 1-6 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an article of footwear 100 (also referred to simply as article 100). In some embodiments, article of footwear 100 may include sole structure 110 and upper 120. Although article 100 is illustrated as having a general configuration suitable for running, concepts associated with article 100 may also be applied to a variety of other athletic footwear types, including soccer shoes, baseball shoes, basketball shoes, cycling shoes, soccer shoes, tennis shoes, training shoes, walking shoes, and hiking boots, for example. The concepts may also be applied to types of footwear that are generally considered to be non-athletic, including dress shoes, loafers, sandals, and work boots. Accordingly, the concepts disclosed with respect to article 100 may be applied to a wide variety of footwear types.

For reference purposes, article 100 may be divided into three general regions: forefoot region 10, midfoot region 12, and heel region 14, as shown in fig. 1, 2, and 3. Forefoot region 10 generally includes portions of article 100 corresponding with the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges. Midfoot region 12 generally includes portions of article 100 corresponding with an arch area of the foot. Heel region 14 generally corresponds with rear portions of the foot, including the calcaneus bone. Article 100 also includes a lateral side 16 and a medial side 18, with lateral side 16 and medial side 18 extending through each of forefoot region 10, midfoot region 12, and heel region 14 and corresponding with opposite sides of article 100. More specifically, lateral side 16 corresponds with an outer side area of the foot (i.e., a surface that faces away from the other foot), and medial side 18 corresponds with an inner side area of the foot (i.e., a surface that faces toward the other foot). Forefoot region 10, midfoot region 12, and heel region 14, as well as lateral side 16 and medial side 18, are not intended to demarcate precise areas of article 100. Rather, forefoot region 10, midfoot region 12, and heel region 14, and lateral side 16 and medial side 18 are intended to represent general areas of article 100 to aid in the following discussion. In addition to article 100, forefoot region 10, midfoot region 12, and heel region 14, as well as lateral side 16 and medial side 18 may also be applied to sole structure 110, upper 210, and various elements thereof.

An exemplary coordinate system describing the embodiment of article 100 shown in fig. 1-15 is illustrated in fig. 4, where longitudinal direction 2 extends along article 100 between forefoot region 10 to heel region 14 of article 100, lateral direction 4 extends along article 100 between lateral side 16 and medial side 18, and vertical direction 6 extends along article 100 between sole structure 110 and the top of article 100.

In an exemplary embodiment, sole structure 110 is secured to upper 120 and extends between the foot and the ground when article 100 is worn. In some embodiments, sole structure 110 may include one or more components, including a midsole, an outsole, and/or a sockliner or insole. In an exemplary embodiment, sole structure 110 may include an outsole secured to a lower surface of upper 120 and/or a base portion configured to secure sole structure 110 to upper 120. In one embodiment, the outsole may be formed of a wear-resistant rubber material that is textured to impart traction. Although this configuration for sole structure 110 provides an example of a sole structure that may be used with respect to upper 120, a variety of other conventional or nonconventional configurations for sole structure 110 may also be used. Accordingly, in other embodiments, the features of sole structure 110 or any sole structure used with upper 120 may vary.

For example, in other embodiments, sole structure 110 may include a midsole and/or an insole. The midsole may be secured to a lower surface of the upper, and in some cases, may be formed from a compressible polymer foam element (e.g., 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 other instances, the midsole may incorporate plates, moderators, fluid-filled chambers, lasting elements, or motion control members that further attenuate forces, enhance stability, or influence the motion of the foot. In still other cases, the midsole may be primarily formed from a fluid-filled chamber located within the upper and positioned to extend under a lower surface of the foot to enhance the comfort of the article.

In some embodiments, upper 120 defines a void within article 100 for receiving and securing a foot relative to sole structure 110. The void is shaped to receive the foot and extends along a lateral side of the foot, along a medial side of the foot, over the foot, around the heel, and under the foot. Upper 120 includes an exterior surface 121 and an opposite interior surface 122. The exterior surface faces outward and away from article 100, while the interior surface faces inward and defines a majority or a relatively large portion of the void within article 100 for receiving a foot. In addition, the interior surface may rest against the foot or a sock covering the foot. Upper 120 may also include a collar (collar)142 located in at least heel region 14 and forming a throat opening 140. Access to the void is provided by a throat opening 140. More particularly, the foot may be inserted into upper 120 through throat opening 140 formed by collar 142, and the foot may exit upper 120 through throat opening 140 formed by collar 142. In some embodiments, instep region 150 extends forward from collar 142 and throat opening 140 in heel region 14, over an area corresponding with an instep of the foot in midfoot region 12, to an area adjacent forefoot region 10.

In some embodiments, upper 120 may include a throat portion disposed through instep area 150 between lateral side 16 and medial side 18 of upper 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the throat portion may be integrally attached to portions of upper 120 that pass through instep area 150 along the lateral and medial sides, and formed of unitary knit construction with portions of upper 120 that pass through instep area 150 along the lateral and medial sides. Accordingly, as shown in the figures, upper 120 may extend substantially continuously across instep area 150 between lateral side 16 and medial side 18. In other embodiments, the throat portion may be broken through instep area 150 along the lateral side and the medial side such that the throat portion is movable within an opening between the lateral portion and the medial portion on opposite sides of instep area 150, thereby forming a tongue.

In some embodiments, lace 152 extends through a plurality of lace-receiving members 154 in upper 120 and allows the wearer to modify dimensions of upper 120 to accommodate foot sizes. In some embodiments, lace 152 may extend through lace receiving members 154 disposed along either side of instep region 150. More particularly, lace 152 allows the wearer to tighten upper 120 around the foot, and lace 152 allows the wearer to loosen upper 120 to facilitate entry and removal of the foot from the void (i.e., through throat opening 140). In addition, the throat portion of upper 120 in instep area 150 extends under lace 152 to enhance the comfort of article 100. Lace 152 is illustrated in fig. 1 with article 100, while in the remaining figures, lace 152 has been omitted for purposes of clarity. In additional configurations, upper 120 may include additional elements such as (a) a heel counter (heel counter) in heel region 14 that enhances stability, (b) a toe guard in forefoot region 10 formed from a wear-resistant material, and (c) logos, trademarks, and placards with care instructions and material information.

Many conventional footwear uppers are formed from multiple material elements (e.g., textiles, polymer foams, polymer sheets, leather, synthetic leather) that are joined, for example, by stitching or bonding. Rather, in some embodiments, a majority of upper 120 is formed from knitted component 130, which will be discussed in greater detail below. For example, knitted component 130 may be manufactured by a flat knitting (flat knitting) process and extend through each of forefoot region 10, midfoot region 12, and heel region 14 along both lateral side 16 and medial side 18, over forefoot region 10, and around heel region 14. In an exemplary embodiment, knitted component 130 forms substantially all of upper 120, including exterior surface 121, and a majority or a relatively large portion of interior surface 122, thereby defining a portion of the void within upper 120. In some embodiments, knitted component 130 may also extend under the foot. In other embodiments, however, a midsole (strobel sock) or thin sole-like piece of material is secured to knitted component 130 to form an attachment portion of upper 120 that extends under the foot for attachment with sole structure 110.

Moreover, in this embodiment, seam 160 extends substantially vertically in a downward direction from collar 142 along lateral side 16 toward sole structure 110 to connect edges of knitted component 130. In other embodiments, the seam 160 may be disposed on the medial side 18 in a substantially similar manner. In still other embodiments, seam 160 may instead extend vertically from collar 142 in a downward direction through heel region 14 at the rear of article 100 toward sole structure 110.

Although a seam may be present in knitted component 130, a majority of knitted component 130 has a substantially seamless configuration. Furthermore, knitted component 130 may be formed of unitary knit construction. As used herein, a knitted component (e.g., knitted component 130) is defined as being formed from a "unitary knit construction" when formed as a one-piece element by a knitting process. That is, the knitting process generally forms the various features and structures of knitted component 130 without requiring additional significant manufacturing steps or processes. Unitary knit constructions may be used to form knitted components having structures or elements that include one or more courses of yarn, cord, or other knit material connected such that the structures or elements include at least one common course (i.e., share a common yarn) and/or include substantially continuous courses between each of the structures or elements. With this arrangement, a one-piece element of unitary braided construction is provided.

Although portions of knitted component 130 may be connected to one another after the knitting process (e.g., edges of knitted component 130 are connected together), knitted component 130 is still formed of unitary knit construction because the unitary knit construction is formed as a one-piece knit element. Moreover, knitted component 130 remains formed of unitary knit construction when other elements (e.g., laces, logos, trademarks, and placards with care instructions and material information, structural elements) are added after the knitting process.

In various embodiments, any suitable knitting process may be used to produce knitted component 130 formed of unitary knit construction, including, but not limited to: a warp knitting or weft knitting process, including a flat knitting process or a circular knitting process or any other knitting process suitable for providing a knitted component. Examples of various configurations of knitted components and methods for forming knitted component 130 in unitary knit construction are described in U.S. patent nos. 6,931,762 to Dua; U.S. patent No. 7,347,011 to Dua et al; U.S. patent No. 8,490,299 to Dua et al; and Huffa et al, U.S. patent No. 8,839,532, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. In an exemplary embodiment, a flat knitting machine knitting process may be used to form knitted component 130, as will be described in greater detail.

In various embodiments, an article of footwear may be provided with an upper incorporating a knitted component having color changing properties. Generally, the color change property refers to a characteristic of an element that develops different colors depending on the viewing angle of the element. In an exemplary embodiment, the color changing properties may be provided to the article of footwear using a visual effect similar to or stimulated by lenticular printing techniques. Lenticular printing involves the use of lenses to cause changes in the visible image or pattern when viewed from different perspectives. This lenticular printing technique can be used to create simple animations and visual effects for advertising and other purposes.

In some embodiments, the knitted component may be provided with color shifting properties through the use of a lenticular knitted structure. The lenticular pattern is configured to present at least two different colors to a viewer when the lenticular pattern is viewed from different viewing angles. For example, the lenticular weaving structure may cause the knitted component to appear a first color when viewed from a first viewing angle, but cause the knitted component to appear a second color different from the first color when viewed from a second viewing angle different from the first viewing angle. With this configuration, the lenticular knit structure may change the visual color appearance of the knitted component as the knitted component and/or viewer moves relative to the article of footwear. The change in viewing angle associated with such movement of the knitted component and/or the viewer causes the lenticular knitted structure to appear a different color to the viewer, thereby creating a color changing property to the knitted component and the article of footwear.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of knitted component 130 may be provided with color shifting properties by incorporating one or more lens knit structures 132. In this embodiment, the lens weave structure 132 may be in the form of a tubular rib structure. In some cases, the tubular rib structure may be a non-planar structure that extends away from a surface of knitted component 130 and defines a hollow tube formed in knitted component 130 by coextensive and overlapping knit layers that approximate to form a tube. In other cases, the tubular rib structure may include additional components disposed within the tube, as will be described in greater detail below.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of knitted component 130 may include areas extending between lens knit structures 132 on outer surface 121 of knitted component, i.e., areas located between adjacent tubular rib structures forming lens knit structures 132. In an exemplary embodiment, base portion 136 of knitted component 130 is disposed between lens knitted structures 132. In some cases, base portion 136 may be flexible, elastic, and resilient and assist in stretching knitted component 130.

The properties that a particular type of yarn will impart to the regions of knitted component 130 depend, in part, on the materials that form the various filaments and fibers within the yarn. For example, cotton provides a soft hand, natural aesthetics, and biodegradability. The elastic fiber and the stretched polyester each provide considerable stretchability and recovery, with the stretched polyester also providing recyclability. Rayon provides high luster and moisture absorption. The yarns also provide high moisture absorption in addition to insulating properties and biodegradability. Nylon is a durable and wear resistant material with relatively high strength. Polyester is a hydrophobic material that also provides relatively high durability. In addition to materials, other aspects of the yarns selected for knitted component 130 may affect properties of upper 120. For example, the yarns forming knitted component 130 may include individual filaments that are each formed from a different material. Further, the yarn may include filaments that are each formed of two or more different materials, such as a bicomponent yarn in which the filaments have a sheath-core configuration or two halves formed of different materials. The different degrees of twist and curl, as well as the different deniers, may also affect the properties of upper 120. Accordingly, the two materials forming the yarn and other aspects of the yarn may be selected to impart a variety of properties to separate areas of upper 120.

In some configurations of knitted component 130, the material forming the yarns may be non-fusible or fusible. For example, the non-fusible yarns may be formed substantially of a thermoset polyester material and the fusible yarns may be formed at least in part of a thermoplastic polyester material. This process may have the effect of stiffening or rigidifying the structure of knitted component 30 when the fusible yarns are heated and fused to the non-fusible yarns. Furthermore, connecting portions of non-fusible yarns with fusible yarns may have the effect of fixing or locking the relative position of the non-fusible yarns within knitted component 130, thereby imparting stretch resistance and stiffness. That is, portions of the non-fusible yarns may not slide relative to one another when fused with the fusible yarns, thereby preventing buckling or permanent stretching of knitted component 130 due to relative movement of the knitted structure. Another feature of using fusible yarns in portions of knitted component 130 relates to limiting unraveling if a portion of knitted component 130 becomes damaged or one of the non-fusible yarns breaks. Accordingly, a region of knitted component 130 may be provided with both fusible yarns and non-fusible yarns within the knit structure.

In an exemplary embodiment, lens knit structure 132 may provide color shifting properties to knitted component 130 by combining two or more types of yarns used to knit lens knit structure 132. For example, in embodiments in which the lenticular pattern 132 is in the form of a tubular rib structure, different portions of the lenticular pattern 132 may include different types of yarn along each side of the tubular rib structure. In one embodiment, a first portion 133 of the lenticular pattern 132 disposed on one side of the tubular rib structure may be woven using a first yarn, and a second portion 134 of the lenticular pattern 132 disposed on an opposite side of the tubular rib structure may be woven using a second yarn different from the first yarn. In some cases, the type of yarn may change color to provide color changing properties to knitted component 130. In other cases, the type of yarn may vary in texture or denier to provide color shifting properties to knitted component 130.

Referring to fig. 1, in this embodiment, knitted component 130 includes a plurality of lens knit structures 132 in the form of tubular rib structures extending across a portion of forefoot region 10, midfoot region 12, and heel region 14 approximately in a lateral direction between lateral side 16 and medial side 18. Each lenticular braided structure 132 includes a first portion 133 and a second portion 134, the first portion 133 being disposed on one side of the tubular rib structure facing forefoot region 10 at a front portion of article 100, and the second portion 134 being disposed on an opposite side of the tubular rib structure facing heel region 14 at a back or rear portion of article 100. With this configuration, the color changing properties of knitted component 130 caused by lens knitted structure 132 may change when article 100 is viewed from different perspectives.

Further, in an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of knitted component 130 may include lens knit structures 132 having different orientations. For example, in areas of knitted component 130 disposed on lateral side 16 and medial side 18 proximate heel region 14, lenticular knitted structure 132 transitions from being oriented approximately along the lateral direction to being oriented approximately along the longitudinal direction. Medial side 18 may be viewed with particular reference to the medial side view shown in fig. 2, and lateral side 16 may be viewed with particular reference to the lateral side view shown in fig. 3. As a result of this different orientation, the lenticular braided structure 132 in these regions may include a first portion 133 and a second portion 134, the first portion 133 being disposed on a side of the tubular rib structure that faces vertically downward toward the sole structure 110 at the bottom of the article 100, the second portion 134 being disposed on an opposite side of the tubular rib structure that faces vertically upward toward the collar 142 and throat opening 140 at the top of the article 100. With this configuration, the color changing properties of knitted component 130 caused by lens knitted structure 132 may change when article 100 is viewed from different perspectives.

Furthermore, due to the different orientation of the lenticular braided structures 132 arranged approximately along the longitudinal direction, the viewing angle of the visible color shifting properties may be different from the viewing angle of the lenticular braided structures 132 arranged approximately along the transverse direction. With this configuration, different regions of knitted component 130 and article 100 may have color changing properties throughout various viewing angles such that as article 100 and/or a viewer move relative to one another, different regions of knitted component 130 appear to change color individually or at different times during the movement.

Fig. 5-6 illustrate two representative views of the color changing properties of knitted component 130 caused by lenticular knitted structure 132 when article 100 is viewed from two different viewing angles. In this embodiment, knitted component 130 includes a lenticular knitted structure 132 having a first portion 133 formed using a first yarn and a second portion 134 formed using a second yarn. As mentioned above, in various embodiments, the first yarn and the second yarn may be of different types that provide different visual effects. For example, in this embodiment, the first yarn may be associated with a first color and the second yarn may be associated with a second color different from the first color. However, in other embodiments, the first yarn and the second yarn may be of a type having different characteristics that may cause a visual color change effect.

Referring now to fig. 5, in this embodiment, article 100 is viewed by a viewer from a first viewing angle 500. The first perspective 500 is disposed approximately at the front of the article 100 and is oriented at least partially along the longitudinal direction of the article 100. From first perspective 500, article 100 exhibits knitted component 130 that appears to have a first color. In an exemplary embodiment, the first color is the same as the first yarn used to weave first portion 133 of lenticular weaving structure 132. That is, from the first perspective 500, the first portion 133 of each lenticular braided structure 132 is aligned so as to face the viewer. With this orientation, the first yarns used to form the first portion 133 of the lenticular braided structure 132 are visible from the first viewing angle 500, while the second yarns used to form the second portion 134 of the lenticular braided structure 132 are disposed on the opposite side and are shielded from view from the first viewing angle 500. In this case, the properties (i.e., type, color, texture, denier, etc.) of the first yarn forming first portion 133 of lenticular knitted structure 132 are primarily responsible for the visual effect of knitted component 130 that causes it to appear the first color from first perspective 500.

Referring now to fig. 6, in this embodiment, article 100 is viewed by a viewer from a second viewing angle 600. The second perspective 600 is different from the first perspective 500 shown in fig. 5 and may be oriented at least partially along a longitudinal direction of the article 100 that is disposed approximately behind the article 100. From second perspective 600, article 100 appears to have knitted component 130 appear to have a second color that is different from the first color that appears to a viewer from first perspective 500. In an exemplary embodiment, the second color is the same as the second yarn used to weave the second portion 134 of the lenticular weaving structure 132. That is, from the second perspective 600, the second portion 134 of each lenticular braided structure 132 is aligned so as to face the viewer. With this orientation, the second yarn used to form the second portion 134 of the lenticular braided structure 132 is visible from the second viewing angle 600, while the first yarn used to form the first portion 133 of the lenticular braided structure 132 visible from the first viewing angle 500 is now disposed on the opposite side and is shielded from view from the second viewing angle 600. In this case, the properties (i.e., type, color, texture, denier, etc.) of the second yarn forming second portion 134 of lenticular knitted structure 132 are primarily responsible for the visual effect of knitted component 130 that causes it to appear the second color from second perspective 600. With this configuration, the color changing properties of knitted component 130 may be provided by lens knit structure 132.

Further, in some embodiments, base portion 136 of knitted component 130 may be visible from each of first perspective 500 and second perspective 600. The base portion 136 may be formed using a yarn type (including yarn color) substantially similar to either the first yarn or the second yarn forming the first portion 133 or the second portion 134 of the lenticular weaving structure 132. Using this configuration, the type of yarn used to form base portion 136 may also be assisted by providing a visual effect of the first color or the second color to knitted component 130 from first perspective 500 or second perspective 600. However, in other embodiments, the base portion 136 may be formed using a different yarn type (including a different yarn color) than either of the first or second yarns forming the first or

second portions

133, 134 of the lenticular weaving structure 132. With this configuration, the base portion 136 can provide a visual effect that contrasts with either the first color or the second color.

In still other embodiments, the lenticular braided structures 132 may be closely spaced such that the base portion 136 is not initially visible in part or in whole from either of the first or second viewing angles 500, 600. However, upon stretching knitted component 130, base portion 136 may be revealed between adjacent lenticular knitted structures 132. Thus, in these embodiments, the base portion 136 may be formed using yarn types (including yarn colors) that are highly contrasting with the yarn types or colors of the first or second yarns forming the first or

second portions

133 or 134 of the lenticular weaving structure 132. For example, in one embodiment, the base portion 136 may be formed using yarns having reflective or retroreflective properties.

Knitted component 130 may be manufactured using any suitable machine, implement, and technique using the configurations described above. For example, in some embodiments, knitted component 130 may be automatically manufactured using a knitting machine, such as knitting machine 700 shown in fig. 7. Knitting machine 700 may be of any suitable type, such as a flat knitting machine. However, it will be understood that knitting machine 700 may have another type in different embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in the embodiment of fig. 7, knitting machine 700 may include a front needle bed 701 having a plurality of front needles 703 and a back needle bed 702 having a plurality of back needles 704. The anterior needles 703 may be arranged in a common plane and the posterior needles 704 may be arranged in a different common plane that intersects the plane of the anterior needles 703. The front needle bed 701 and the back needle bed 702 may be angled with respect to each other. In some embodiments, the front needle bed 701 and the back needle bed 702 may be angled such that they form a V-bed. Knitting machine 700 may also include one or more feeders configured to move on the front needle bed 701 and the back needle bed 702. In fig. 7, a first type of feeder 720 and a second type of feeder 722 are indicated. Knitting machine 700 also includes a carriage 730 that moves across the needle beds and assists in moving the feeder relative to the needle beds. In this embodiment, knitting machine 700 is illustrated with a plurality of feeders 720 of a first type and at least one feeder 722 of a second type. As first type of feeder 720 moves, feeder 720 may deliver a yarn to front needles 703 and/or rear needles 704 to form a knitted component including knitted component 130 using the yarn for one or more of looping, tucking, or floating. When the second type of feeder 722 moves, the second type of feeder 722 may deliver the yarn to the front needle 703 and/or the rear needle 704 for one or more of loop forming, tucking, or float spinning. In some embodiments, second type of feeder 722 may be a combination feeder that may be otherwise configured to inlay a yarn. In an exemplary embodiment, second type of feeder 722 may deliver tensile elements 724 to inlay within knitted component 130.

A pair of rails comprising a front rail 710 and a back rail 711 may extend above and parallel to the intersection of the front needle bed 701 and the back needle bed 702. The rail may provide an attachment point for the feeder. Front rail 710 and rear rail 711 may each have two sides, including a front side 712 and a rear side 714. Each of the front side 712 and the back side 714 can accommodate one or more feeders. As depicted, the rear rail 711 includes two feeders 720 on opposite sides, and the front rail 710 includes a feeder 722. Although two rails are depicted, additional configurations of knitting machine 700 may incorporate additional rails to provide attachment points for more feeders.

The feeder can move along the front rail 710 and the rear rail 711 to supply yarn to the needles. As shown in fig. 7, the feeder is provided with yarn for knitting by routing the yarn through yarn guides 728 to one or more conduits of the feeder. Although not depicted, additional conduits may be used to provide yarn to the feeder in a substantially similar manner. A suitable knitting machine that includes a conventional feeder and a combination feeder for knitting machine 700 and an associated method of knitting using the machine to form a knitted component is described in U.S. patent No. 8,522,577 to Huffa, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Fig. 8 illustrates an exemplary process 800 of knitting a knitted component (including knitted component 130 with lenticular knitted structure 132) to include lenticular knitted structure. In one embodiment, process 800 may include one or more steps that may be repeated to form a complete knitted component. The sequence of steps is exemplary, and in other embodiments, additional or different steps not shown in fig. 8 may be included to knit the knitted component. In a first step 802, base portion 136 of knitted component 130 may be knitted using a first yarn. Next, at step 804, the first portion 133 of the tubular rib structure forming the lens knit structure 132 may be knit using a second yarn. At step 806, the second portion 134 of the tubular rib structure forming the lenticular weaving structure 132 may be woven using a third yarn. As noted above, in an exemplary embodiment, the second yarn used at step 804 and the third yarn used at step 806 may be different types of yarns (including yarns having different characteristics including, but not limited to, color, texture, denier, or other qualities) to provide knitted component 130 with the color shifting properties caused by lenticular knitted structure 132.

In some embodiments, the first yarn used at step 802 to form the base portion 136 may be different from one or both of the second and third yarns. In other embodiments, the first yarn used at step 802 may be similar to either of the second and third yarns.

In some embodiments, tensile elements 724 may be incorporated, inlaid, or extended into one or more tubular rib structures during the overall braided construction of knitted component 130. In other words, tensile elements 724 may be incorporated during knitting process 800 of knitted component 130. As shown in fig. 8, process 800 may include an optional step 808 to inlay the tensile elements within one or more of the tubular rib structures forming lens weave structure 132. In some embodiments, tensile element 724 may be located within an unsecured area of the channel within the tubular rib structure forming lens braid structure 132. In various embodiments, one or more tensile elements 724 may be incorporated into knitted component 130. For example, in the embodiment shown in fig. 1, tensile element 724 may be utilized to form lace receiving members 154, with lace receiving members 154 forming loops to receive lace 152 through instep area 150. Tensile element 724 may also provide support to knitted component 130 by resisting deformation, stretching, or otherwise providing support to the foot of a wearer during running, jumping, or other movements.

Using this configuration, process 800 may be used to form a plurality of base portions 136 and a plurality of lens knit structures 132 disposed throughout a portion or substantial majority of knitted component 130 to be incorporated into upper 120 of article 100. In general, base portion 136 of knitted component 130 may be a connecting portion between one or more elements and/or components of knitted component 130. Base portion 136 is formed of unitary knit construction with the remainder of knitted component 130 and may help to join the various portions together as a one-piece knit element. Knitted component 130 may include any suitable number of base portions 136. In various embodiments, base portion 136 may be an area of knitted component 130 that includes one knit layer. In some embodiments, base portion 136 may extend between a portion of knitted component and another portion of knitted component 130. In one embodiment, the base portion 136 may extend between one tubular rib structure and another tubular rib structure forming adjacent lens weave structures 132. In various embodiments, base portion 136 may extend between one tubular rib structure and another portion of knitted component 130. In another embodiment, base portion 136 may extend between one tubular rib structure and an edge of knitted component 130. A suitable configuration of base portion 136 may be in the form of a reticulated region described in co-pending and commonly owned U.S. patent application serial No. 62/057264[ attorney docket No. 51-3901], filed 9, 30, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

As described above, in some embodiments, lens knit structure 132 may be formed as a tubular rib structure that is an area of knitted component 130 constructed from two or more coextensive and overlapping knit layers. The knit layers may be portions of knitted component 130 formed of a knit material such as a thread, yarn, or cord, and two or more knit layers may be formed of unitary knit construction in such a manner as to form a tube or channel (considered a tubular rib structure) in knitted component 130. While the sides or edges of the knit layers forming the tubular rib structure may be secured to other layers, the central region is typically unsecured to form a void between the two layers of knit material forming each knit layer. In some embodiments, the central region of the tubular rib structure may be configured such that another element (e.g., a tensile element) may be located between and pass through the void between the two woven layers forming the tubular rib structure. Suitable tubular rib structures, including or not including inlaid tensile elements, that may be used to form lens braided structure 132 are described in co-pending and commonly owned U.S. patent application serial No. 62/057264[ attorney docket No. 51-3901], filed 9, 30, 2014, which is incorporated by reference above.

Fig. 9-11 illustrate a series of representative views of a knitting process 800 for forming a portion of knitted component 130 using knitting machine 700. Additional steps or processes not shown herein may be utilized to form a complete knitted component to be incorporated into an upper of an article of footwear, including upper 120 of article 100. Moreover, only a relatively small section of knitted component 130 may be shown to better illustrate the knit structure of one or more portions of knitted component 130. Moreover, the scale or size of one or more elements of braiding machine 700 and braided component 130 may be enlarged to better illustrate the braiding process.

It should be appreciated that although knitted component 130 is formed between front needle bed 701 and back needle bed 702, for purposes of illustration, in FIGS. 9-11 knitted component 130 is shown adjacent to front needle bed 701 and back needle bed 702 to (a) be more visible during discussion of the knitting process, and (b) show the position of portions of knitted component 130 relative to each other and the needle beds. For purposes of clarity, the anterior and posterior needles are not depicted in fig. 9-11. Also, although one rail and a limited number of feeders are depicted, additional rails, feeders, and conduits may be used. Accordingly, the general structure of braiding machine 700 is simplified for the purpose of explaining the braiding process.

Referring to fig. 9, a portion of a knitting machine 700 is shown. In this embodiment, knitting machine 700 may include a first feeder 900, a second feeder 902, and a third feeder 904. In other embodiments, additional or fewer feeders may be used and may be located on either the front or rear sides of front rail 710 and/or rear rail 711. In this embodiment, first yarn 901 passes through first feeder 900 from a spool (not shown), and an end of first yarn 901 extends outward from a dispensing tip (dispensing tip) at the end of first feeder 900. Any type of yarn (e.g., wires, threads, ropes, belts, cables, warps, or ropes) may be passed through first feeder 900. A second yarn 903 similarly passes through the second feeder 902 and extends outwardly from the dispensing tip at the end of the second feeder 902. In the exemplary embodiment, a third yarn 905 also similarly passes through the third feeder 904 and extends outwardly from the dispensing tip at the end of the third feeder 904. In some embodiments, first yarn 901, second yarn 903, and third yarn 905 may be used to form one or more portions of knitted component 130, as will be discussed further below.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of first yarn 901, second yarn 903, and third yarn 905 may be a different yarn type associated with a different characteristic (including, but not limited to: color, texture, denier, or other quality) to provide knitted component 130 with color shifting properties caused by lenticular knitted structure 132. In fig. 9, first feeder 900 may knit base portion 136 of knitted component 130 using first yarn 901. Each pass of the first feeder 900 across the

needle beds

701, 702 of the knitting machine 700 produces a course of intermeshed loops formed by the first yarn 901. Multiple passes of first feeder 900 may be used to knit base portion 136 having a desired number of courses. Next, in accordance with step 804 of process 800, fig. 10 illustrates second feeder 902 using second yarn 903 to form first portion 133 of the tubular rib structure, forming one side of lens knit structure 132. Second feeder 902 may similarly make multiple passes to knit a desired number of courses with second yarn 903 to form first portion 133.

After the desired number of courses of second yarn 903 have been knit by second feeder 902, knitting process 800 may proceed to step 806 to knit second portion 134. As shown in fig. 11, the third feeder 904 is used to knit a third yarn 905 to form one or more courses that form the second portion 134 of the tubular rib structure, forming the opposite side of the lens knit structure 132. Optional step 808 of tessellating the tensile elements may then be performed to place the tensile elements 724 within the tubular rib structure.

Figures 9-11 have been used to illustrate an exemplary knitting process 800 without specific consideration of the order in which knitting is performed with respect to any particular set of needles associated with the front needle bed 701 and/or the back needle bed 702. Fig. 12 and 13 illustrate an exemplary knitting or looping diagram of a sequence for knitting each section (including base section 136, first section 133, and second section 134) of knitted component 130 with respect to a particular needle bed that may be used to form each section. It should be noted, however, that fig. 12 and 13 illustrate one exemplary configuration for implementing process 800. Other configurations may be readily obtained to form other lens weave structures to provide color changing properties to an article in accordance with the principles of the invention described herein.

In one embodiment of the first knitting scheme 1200 shown in fig. 12, the base portion 136 may be formed from a first yarn 901 using the back needle bed 702, then the first portion 133 of the lenticular knitted structure 132 is formed from a second yarn 903, and the second portion 134 of the lenticular knitted structure 132 is formed from a third yarn 905 using a combination of the back needle bed 702 and the front needle bed 701, and another base portion 136 may be formed from the first yarn 901 using the back needle bed 702. The following discussion describes the knitting process schematically illustrated in fig. 12-13, and it will be understood that the front needle bed 701 and the back needle bed 702 referred to in this discussion are schematically illustrated in fig. 7.

Referring again to FIG. 12, after the final course 1202 of the base portion 136 is formed using the first yarn 901, a linking course 1204 may be formed extending between the back needle bed 702 and the front needle bed 701. Next, one or more courses may be knitted on the front needle bed 701. For example, the course forming the first portion 133 of the lenticular knitting structure 132 may be formed in a similar manner as the course 1206 knitted on the front needle bed 701 using the second yarn 903. Immediately following, after the final course 1208 of the first section 133 is knitted on the front needle bed 701 using the second yarn 903, additional courses forming the second section 134 of the lenticular knitted structure 132 may be formed in a similar manner on the front needle bed 701 using the third yarn 905 into a course 1210. After the desired number of courses forming the second portion 134 are knitted on the front needle bed 701, the third yarn 905 may be used to knit the course 1212 using the back needle bed 702. For example, course 1212 may form the last course of the second portion 134 of the lens weave structure 132 that closes the tubular rib structure and forms the hollow channel. After the course 1212 completes the lenticular weaving structure 132, another set of courses 1214 may be formed extending between the back needle bed 702 and the front needle bed 701 that loop with the previous courses on the front needle bed 701 and the back needle bed 702. By using a knit stitch at the welt course 1214 extending between the back needle bed 702 and the front needle bed 701, the third yarn 905 forming the second portion 134 of the lenticular knitted structure 132 may be prepared for association with another course using the back needle bed 702 to form another base portion 136 from the first yarn 901 by transferring the knitted component 130 to the back needle bed 702 at step 1216 and repeating the process described above until the knitted component 130 is completed.

In various embodiments, a different number of courses may be knitted on one or both of the front needle bed 701 and the back needle bed 702 in order to change the shape and/or size of the tubular rib structure forming the lenticular knitted structure 132. In some cases, by increasing or decreasing the number of courses knitted on the back needle bed 702 and/or the front needle bed 701, the size of the tubular rib structure can be enlarged or reduced accordingly. In other cases, the shape of the tubular rib structure can be changed by increasing the number of courses knitted on one (relative to the other) of the back needle bed 702 or the front needle bed 701. For example, by increasing the number of courses knitted on back needle bed 702, the shape of the tubular rib structure may be changed to round the curvature on inner surface 122 of knitted component 130 similar to the curvature on outer surface 121 of knitted component 130. Further, the extent or amount of first portion 133 and/or second portion 134 may be similarly modified by increasing or decreasing the number of courses each knitted using second yarn 903 and/or third yarn 905.

For example, by increasing the number of courses that use second yarn 903 to form first portion 133 and/or by decreasing the number of courses that use third yarn 905 to form second portion 134, the color changing properties provided to knitted component 130 by a lenticular knitted structure having this configuration may be varied in order to increase the number of viewing angles associated with visual effects or colors from first portion 133 and/or decrease the number of viewing angles associated with visual effects or colors from second portion 134. That is, a lenticular weaving structure having a first portion that is larger than a second portion will have more viewing angles associated with the visual effect caused by the first portion (than the second portion), assuming a greater degree of second yarn forming the resulting lenticular weaving structure.

In the exemplary weave pattern 1200 described with respect to fig. 12, the lens weave structure 132 is formed as a hollow tubular rib structure. In other embodiments, the tensile elements may be inlaid within an unsecured central region of one or more lens weave structures 132 forming a tubular rib structure. Fig. 13 illustrates an exemplary weave diagram 1300 for forming a lens weave structure 132 including an inlaid tensile element 724. As shown in fig. 13, the process is substantially similar to that shown in the weave diagram 1200 for forming the lens weave structure 132 of the hollow tubular rib structure as illustrated in fig. 12.

However, in the process of FIG. 13, after the courses 1212 are formed on the back needle bed 702, the tensile elements 724 are inlaid within a portion of the tubular rib structure forming the lens knit structure 132 at an inlay step 1302. Tensile element 724 may be inlaid at step 1302 using an associated inlay method described in united states patent No. 8,522,577 to combination feeder and Huffa (incorporated by reference above).

After tensile elements 724 are inlaid 1302 within lens weave structure 132, the process shown in weave diagram 1300 proceeds in a substantially similar manner as in weave diagram 1200. That is, another welt course 1214 may be formed extending between the back needle bed 702 and the front needle bed 701, the another welt course 1214 making a loop with the previous course on the front needle bed 701 and the back needle bed 702. By using a drop stitch at the welt course 1214 extending between the back needle bed 702 and the front needle bed 701, the third yarn 905 forming the second portion 134 of the lenticular knitted structure 132 may be prepared for association with another course forming another base portion 136 from the first yarn 901 using the back needle bed 702 by transferring the knitted component 130 to the back needle bed 702 at step 1216 and repeating the process described above until the knitted component 130 is completed. Using this configuration, lens braided structure 132 including inlaid tensile element 724 is formed with tensile element 724 contained within hollow unsecured areas within a tubular rib structure extending along the length of lens braided structure 132.

In other embodiments, the formation of knitted component 130 may be similar, but entails stitching using a needle bed, e.g., the knitting process shown in fig. 12 and 13 may be performed using an opposing needle bed such that base portion 136 may be formed using front needle bed 701, and the remaining steps shown in fig. 12 and 13 may be performed in the same order using a needle bed that is opposite the illustrated needle bed. Other methods of using one or more needle beds of knitting machine 700 to form base section 136 and lenticular knit structure 132 (including first section 133 and second section 134) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on the above description.

Figures 14 and 15 illustrate representative views of cross-sections of knitted component 130 incorporating lenticular knitted structure 132. Fig. 14 illustrates a representative view 1400 of a portion of knitted component 130 incorporating lenticular knitted structure 132 with hollow unsecured areas 1410. As shown in this embodiment, each lenticular weaving structure 132 includes a first portion 133 formed using a second yarn 903 and a second portion 134 formed using a third yarn 905. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one course of the first portion 133 formed using the second yarn 903 is looped around at least one course of the second portion 134 formed using the third yarn 905. With this configuration, first portion 133 and second portion 134 are formed of unitary knit construction. The base portion 136 of the knitted component 130 is spaced between the lens knit structures 132 and separates each of the lens knit structures 132. The base portion 136 is formed from first yarn 901 (as described above) and is also formed from unitary knit construction with the first and

second portions

133, 134 on respective sides of the lenticular knit structure 132.

The configuration of lenticular knitted structure 132 including first portion 133 formed by second yarn 903 on one side of the tubular rib structure and second portion 134 formed by third yarn 905 on the opposite side of the tubular rib structure provides color shifting properties to knitted component 130. As mentioned above, in one or more embodiments, the second yarn 903 and the third yarn 905 can be of different types that provide different visual effects. For example, in this embodiment, the second yarn 903 may be associated with a first color and the third yarn 905 may be associated with a second color different from the first color. However, in other embodiments, the second yarn 903 and the third yarn 905 may be of a type having different properties that may cause a visual color change effect.

The color changing nature of knitted component 130 provided by lenticular knitted structure 132 will be described with reference to representative view 1400. In this embodiment, when knitted component 130 is viewed from first perspective 1402, first portion 133 formed by third yarn 905 is initially and generally presented toward the viewer. Thus, from first perspective 1402, first portion 133 of lenticular knitted structure 132 may provide a primary overall visual effect of knitted component 130 to a viewer. In this case, the characteristics associated with third yarn 905 forming first portion 133 provide a visual effect, such as the color of second yarn 903.

In contrast, when knitted component 130 is viewed from a second perspective 1404 that is different from first perspective 1402, the viewer is presented with a different visual effect. In this embodiment, when knitted component 130 is viewed from second perspective 1404, second portion 134 formed by third yarn 905 is initially and generally presented toward the viewer. Thus, from second perspective 1404, second portion 134 of lenticular knitted structure 132 may provide a primary overall visual appearance of knitted component 130 to a viewer. In this case, the characteristics associated with the third yarn 905 forming the second portion 134 provide a visual effect, such as the color of the third yarn 905 being different from the color of the second yarn 903. As previously mentioned, in other embodiments, the different visual effect provided between the second yarn 903 and the third yarn 905 may include other characteristics, including but not limited to: yarn type, denier, texture, or other property that produces a different visual effect.

With this configuration of lenticular knitted structure 132 on knitted component 130, the color changing properties of upper 120 and/or article 100 may be provided such that a viewer observes a change in the visual effect of upper 120 and/or article 100 as the viewing angle changes, for example, as the viewing angle changes between first viewing angle 1402 and second viewing angle 1404. Moreover, as mentioned above, in some embodiments, base portion 136 may be formed using first yarn 901, which may be similar to or different than either or both of second yarn 903 and third yarn 905, to cooperate or contrast with first portion 133 and/or second portion 134 of lenticular knitted structure 132 to further assist in the visual effect provided to knitted component 130.

Referring now to fig. 15, a representative view 1501 of a portion of knitted component 130 incorporating lenticular knitted structure 132 having unsecured areas 1410 including tensile elements 724 is illustrated. In this embodiment, each of lens weave structures 132 includes an inlaid tensile element 724 that extends through unsecured area 1410 within the interior of the tubular rib structure forming lens weave structure 132. As shown in fig. 15, each lens knitted structure 132 includes an attached tensile element 724. However, in other embodiments, tensile elements 724 may be disposed in only selected lenticular knitted structures 132 located in specific areas or regions of knitted component 130. For example, as shown in fig. 1, tensile elements 724 may be included in lens knit structure 132 positioned along instep area 150 to provide lace-receiving members 154 that form loops to receive lace 152. In still other embodiments, tensile element 724 may be omitted.

Previous embodiments of knitted component 130 illustrate lenticular knitted structure 132 having two portions formed using different yarns to provide color changing properties to upper 120 and article 100. In other embodiments, a lenticular woven structure may be formed that includes additional portions formed using another type of yarn than both yarns forming the first and second portions of the lenticular woven structure. Fig. 16-22 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an article of footwear 1600 including a lenticular weaving structure having three portions formed using different yarns.

An exemplary coordinate system for describing the exemplary embodiment of article 1600 shown in fig. 16-22 is illustrated in fig. 19, where longitudinal direction 2 extends along article 1600 between forefoot region 10 to heel region 14 of article 1600, lateral direction 4 extends along article 1600 between lateral side 16 and medial side 18, and vertical direction 6 extends along article 1600 between sole structure 110 and the top of article 1600.

In some embodiments, article 1600 includes an upper 1620, where upper 1620 includes substantially similar components to the components associated with upper 120 described above. For example, upper 1620 may include throat opening 140 surrounded by collar 142 and may be joined along seam 160 as described above. Similarly, upper 1620 may include an exterior surface 121 and an interior surface 122 associated with an exterior and an interior, respectively, of article 1600. Upper 1620 may be joined or secured to sole structure 110 to complete article of footwear 1600.

In an exemplary embodiment, upper 1620 incorporates a knitted component 1630 that includes a first lenticular knitted structure 1632, the first lenticular knitted structure 1632 having two portions formed from two different yarns in a substantially similar manner as described above to form lenticular knitted structure 132, and the first lenticular knitted structure 1632 being substantially similar to lenticular knitted structure 132 described above. In an exemplary embodiment, knitted component 1630 also includes at least one region 1602 having a second lenticular knitted structure 1638, the second lenticular knitted structure 1638 having three portions formed from three different yarns. Further, in this embodiment, the knitted component 1630 includes a base portion 1636, the base portion 1636 being disposed between one or more of the first lens knitted structure 1632 and/or the second lens knitted structure 1638. In one embodiment, base portion 1636 may be formed in a substantially similar manner as described above for forming base portion 136, and substantially similar to base portion 136 described above.

Referring to fig. 16, in this embodiment, the knitted component 1630 includes regions 1602 with one or more second lenticular knitted structures 1638, while the remainder of the knitted component 1630 includes the first lenticular knitted structure 1632. Although this embodiment illustrates a single region 1602 with a second lenticular knitted structure 1638, it is understood that additional or different regions located on other regions or portions of knitted component 1630 may be provided. Further, in some embodiments, regions 1602 may be selected to act as markers, logos, patterns, or other visual effects that differ from the remainder of knitted component 1630.

In an exemplary embodiment, first lenticular braided structure 1632 may provide color shifting properties to knitted component 1630 by incorporating one or more types of yarns used to knit first lenticular braided structure 1632. For example, in embodiments in which the lenticular braided structure 1632 is in the form of a tubular rib structure, different portions of the first lenticular braided structure 1632 may include different types of yarn along each side of the tubular rib structure. In one embodiment, a first portion 1633 of the first lenticular braided structure 1632 disposed on one side of the tubular rib structure may be braided using a first yarn and a second portion 1634 of the first lenticular braided structure 1632 disposed on the opposite side of the tubular rib structure may be braided using a second yarn different from the first yarn. In some cases, the type of yarn may change color to provide color changing properties to knitted component 1630. In other cases, the type of yarn may vary in texture or denier to provide color shifting properties to knitted component 1630.

In some embodiments, knitted component 1630 also includes regions 1602 with second lens knitted structure 1638. As with the first lenticular woven structure 1632, the second lenticular woven structure 1638 may similarly provide color shifting properties to the woven component 1630 by incorporating one or more types of yarn used to weave the lenticular woven structure 1638. For example, in embodiments in which the second lenticular woven structure 1638 is in the form of a tubular rib structure, different portions of the second lenticular woven structure 1638 may similarly include different types of yarn along each side of the tubular rib structure, including a first portion 1633 of the second lenticular woven structure 1638 disposed on one side of the tubular rib structure woven with a first yarn, and a second portion 1634 of the second lenticular woven structure 1638 disposed on an opposite side of the tubular rib structure woven with a second yarn different from the first yarn. In this embodiment, the second lens braided structure 1638 also includes an upper portion 1637, the upper portion 1637 being disposed on top of the tubular rib structure, formed using a third yarn that is different from both the first and second yarns used for each of the first and

second portions

1633, 1634. Using this configuration, the second lens braided structure 1638 may present a third visual effect to the braided component 1630 caused by the upper portion 1637 that is different from the visual effect presented by the first portion 1633 and/or the second portion 1634 disposed along the sides of the second lens braided structure 1638 and the first lens braided structure 1632.

In one embodiment, the area 1602 with the second lenticular woven structure 1638 may be located approximately in a portion of the forefoot region 10 and/or the midfoot region 12 and offset toward the lateral side 16 of the article 1600. With this configuration, region 1602 may exhibit a third visual effect to a viewer when article 1600 and upper 1620 are viewed from a perspective that includes at least a portion of lateral side 16, while region 1602 does not exhibit the third visual effect to the viewer when article 1600 and upper 1620 are viewed from a perspective that is primarily along medial side 18. For example, as shown in the medial side view illustrated in fig. 17, the region 1602 is not visible from the medial side 18. However, as shown in the lateral side view illustrated in fig. 18, the region 1602 is visible from the lateral side 16. Similarly, when article 1600 and upper 1620 are viewed from a top or front view illustrated in fig. 19, regions 1602 are also visible to a viewer. With this configuration, regions 1602 including second lens knit structure 1638 may be selectively provided on various portions of knitted component 1630. However, in different embodiments, region 1602 or additional regions may be located on different portions of upper 1620 as desired to create different color changing properties for those portions of upper 1620.

As mentioned above, the first lens weave structure 1632 may be formed in a substantially similar manner to the lens weave structure 132 described above and particularly shown with reference to the weave diagrams 1200 and 1300 in fig. 12 and 13. The knitting process used to knit the second lenticular braided structure 1638 may include many similar steps as the first lenticular braided structure 1632 and/or the lenticular braided structure 132. In contrast, however, a third yarn may be used to form upper portion 1637 of second lenticular knitted structure 1638 to present a third visual effect to knitted component 1630. Fig. 20-21 illustrate an exemplary knitting or looping illustration of the sequence in which each portion of knitted component 1630 (including base portion 1636, first portion 1633, second portion 1634, and upper portion 1637) is knitted with respect to a particular needle bed that may be used to form each portion. It should be noted, however, that figures 20 and 21 illustrate one exemplary configuration for implementing a knitting process for forming knitted component 1630. Other configurations are readily available in accordance with the principles of the invention described herein to form other lens weave structures to provide color changing properties to an article.

In one embodiment of the third knitting scheme 2000 represented in fig. 20, a base portion 1636 may be formed from the first yarn 901 using the back needle bed 702, then a first portion 1633 of the second lenticular knitted structure 1638 is formed from the second yarn 903, and a second portion 1634 of the second lenticular knitted structure 1638 is formed from the third yarn 905 using the combination of the back needle bed 702 and the front needle bed 701, and another base portion 1636 may be formed from the first yarn 901 using the back needle bed 702. The following discussion describes the knitting process schematically illustrated in fig. 20-21, and it will be understood that the front needle bed 701 and the back needle bed 702 referred to in this discussion are schematically illustrated in fig. 7.

Referring again to FIG. 20, after the final course 2002 of the base portion 1636 is formed using the first yarn 901, a welt course 2004 may be formed extending between the back needle bed 702 and the front needle bed 701. Next, one or more courses may be knitted on the front needle bed 701. For example, the courses forming the first portion 1633 of the second lenticular knitted structure 1638 may be formed in a similar manner as the courses 2006 knitted on the front needle bed 701 using the second yarn 903. Immediately following knitting of the final course 2008 of the first portion 1633 using the second yarn 903 on the front needle bed 701, the course forming the upper portion 1637 of the second lenticular knitted structure 1638 may be formed in a similar manner as course 2010 using the fourth yarn 907.

After the desired number of courses forming upper portion 1637 are knitted using fourth yarn 907, additional courses forming second portion 1634 of second lenticular knitted structure 1638 may be formed on the front needle bed 701 as courses 2012 using third yarn 905 in a similar manner. After the desired number of courses forming the second portion 1634 are knitted on the front needle bed 701, the third yarn 905 may be used to knit the course 2014 using the back needle bed 702. For example, course 2014 may form a closed tubular rib structure of the second portion 1634 of the second lens braided structure 1638 and form the last course of the hollow channel. After the course 2014 completes the second lens knit structure 1638, another cuff course 2016 may be formed extending between the back needle bed 702 and the front needle bed 701, the cuff course 2016 looping over the front needle bed 701 and the back needle bed 702 with respect to the previous course. By using a drop needle at a welt course 2016 extending between the back needle bed 702 and the front needle bed 701, the third yarn 905 forming the second portion 1634 of the second lenticular knitted structure 1638 can be prepared for association with another course using the back needle bed 702 to form another base portion 1636 from the first yarn 901 by transferring the knitted component 1630 to the back needle bed 702 at step 2018 and repeating the process described above until the knitted component 1630 is completed.

In various embodiments, a different number of courses may be knitted on one or both of the front needle bed 701 and the back needle bed 702 in order to change the shape and/or size of the tubular rib structure forming the second lens knitted structure 1638, as described above with respect to the lens knitted structure 132.

In the exemplary weave pattern 2000 described with respect to fig. 20, the second lens weave structure 1638 is formed as a hollow tubular rib structure. In other embodiments, tensile elements may be inlaid within an unsecured central region of one or more second lens weave structures 1638 forming a tubular rib structure in a manner similar to first lens weave structure 1632 and/or lens weave structure 132. Fig. 21 illustrates an exemplary weave diagram 2100 for forming a second lens weave structure 1638 that includes an inlaid tensile element 724. As shown in fig. 21, the process is substantially similar to that shown in the weave diagram 2000 for forming the second lens weave structure 1638 into a hollow tubular rib structure as illustrated in fig. 20.

However, in the process of FIG. 21, after the courses 2014 are formed on the back needle bed 702, the tensile elements 724 are inlaid within a portion of the tubular rib structure forming the second lens knit structure 1638 at an inlaying step 2102. Tensile element 724 may be inlaid at step 2102 using an associated inlay method described in united states patent No. 8,522,577 to combination feeder and Huffa (incorporated by reference above).

After the tensile element 724 is inlaid 2102 within the second lens weave structure 1638, the process illustrated in weave diagram 2100 proceeds in a substantially similar manner as in weave diagram 2000. That is, another set of course 2016 may be formed extending between the back needle bed 702 and the front needle bed 701, the another set of course 2016 looping over the front needle bed 701 and the back needle bed 702 with respect to the previous course. By using a drop needle at the welt course 2016 extending between the back needle bed 702 and the front needle bed 701, the third yarn 905 forming the second portion 1634 of the second lenticular knitted structure 1638 can be prepared to associate with another course forming another base portion 1636 from the first yarn 901 using the back needle bed 702 by transferring the knitted component 1630 to the back needle bed 702 at step 2018 and repeating the process described above until the knitted component 1630 is completed. Using this configuration, the second lens braided structure 1638 including the inlaid tensile element 724 is formed with the tensile element 724 contained within hollow unsecured areas within a tubular rib structure extending along the length of the second lens braided structure 1638.

Fig. 22 illustrates a representative view 2200 of a cross-section of a portion of a knitted component 1630 incorporating a second lens knitted structure 1638. For example, view 2200 may be a portion of a knitted component associated with region 1602. In this embodiment, a portion of the knitted component 1630 incorporates a second lens knitted structure 1638 with a hollow unsecured area 2210. It is understood that the second lens weave structure 1638 including the inlaid tensile element 724 may have a substantially similar structure as the inlaid tensile element 724 located in the hollow unsecured area 2210. As shown in this embodiment, each second lenticular weaving structure 1638 includes a first portion 1633 formed using second yarn 903 and a second portion 1634 formed using third yarn 905. In addition, in contrast to the first lenticular woven structure 1632, the second lenticular woven structure 1638 also includes an upper portion 1637 formed using the fourth yarn 907.

In an exemplary embodiment, the upper portion 1637 is located at the top of the tubular rib structure forming the second lens braided structure 1638. In some embodiments, upper portion 1637 formed using fourth yarn 907 may be disposed between first portion 1633 and second portion 1634. That is, at least one course of first portion 1633 formed using second yarn 903 is looped with at least one course of upper portion 1637 formed using fourth yarn 907, and at least one course of second portion 1634 formed using third yarn 905 is also looped with at least one course of upper portion 1637 formed using fourth yarn 907. With this configuration, each of first portion 1633, upper portion 1637, and second portion 1634 are formed of unitary knit construction. The base portion 1636 of the knitted component 1630 is spaced between the second lens knitted structures 1638 and separates each of the second lens knitted structures 1638. Base portion 1636 is formed from first yarn 901 (as described above), and is also formed of unitary knit construction with first portion 1633 and second portion 1634 on respective sides of second lenticular braided structure 1638.

The configuration of second lenticular braided structure 1638, including first portion 1633 formed by second yarn 903 on one side of the tubular rib structure and second portion 1634 formed by third yarn 905 on the opposite side of the tubular rib structure, provides color shifting properties to the braided component 1630. Further, an upper portion 1637 of second lenticular knitted structure 1638 formed on top of the tubular rib structure by fourth yarn 907 may provide an additional visual effect to knitted component 1630. As mentioned above, in various embodiments, the second yarn 903 and the third yarn 905 may be of different types that provide different visual effects. For example, in this embodiment, the second yarn 903 may be associated with a first color and the third yarn 905 may be associated with a second color different from the first color. However, in other embodiments, the second yarn 903 and the third yarn 905 may be of a type having different properties that may cause a visual color change effect. Further, the fourth yarn 907 may be of a different type than either or both of the second yarn 903 and the third yarn 905.

The color changing nature of knitted component 1630 provided by second lens knitted structure 1638 will be described with reference to representative view 2200. In this embodiment, when knitted component 1630 is viewed from first perspective 2202, first portion 1633 formed by second yarn 903 is initially and generally presented toward the viewer. Thus, from first perspective view 2202, first portion 1633 of second lenticular braided structure 1638 may provide a primary overall visual effect of braided component 1630 to a viewer. In this case, the characteristics associated with second yarn 903 forming first portion 1633 provide a visual effect, such as the color of second yarn 903.

In contrast, when knitted component 1630 is viewed from a second perspective 2204 that is different from first perspective 2202, the viewer is presented with a different visual effect. In this embodiment, when knitted component 1630 is viewed from second perspective 2204, second portion 1634 formed by third yarn 905 is initially and generally presented toward the viewer. Thus, from the second perspective 2204, the second portion 1634 of the second lenticular braided structure 1638 may provide a primary overall visual effect of the braided component 1630 to a viewer. In this case, the characteristics associated with third yarn 905 forming second portion 1634 provide a visual effect, such as the color of third yarn 905 being different from the color of second yarn 903. As previously mentioned, in other embodiments, the different visual effect provided between the second yarn 903 and the third yarn 905 may include other characteristics, including but not limited to: yarn type, denier, texture, or other property that produces a different visual effect.

Using this configuration of second lens braided structure 1638 on braided component 1630 and similar components forming first lens braided structure 1632, the color changing properties of upper 1620 and/or article 1600 may be provided such that a viewer observes a change in the visual effect of upper 1620 and/or article 1600 as the viewing angle changes, e.g., as the viewing angle changes between first viewing angle 2202 and second viewing angle 2204. In contrast to the first lenticular woven structure 1632 and the lenticular woven structure 132 shown in the representative view 1400 described above, the second lenticular woven structure 1638 is configured to provide a third visual effect caused by the upper portion 1637 formed using the fourth yarn 907.

As shown in fig. 22, when the knitted component 1630 is viewed from a third perspective 2206 (which views the top of the second lenticular knitted structure 1638 from an approximately vertical direction), a third visual effect produced by the upper portion 1637 of the second lenticular knitted structure 1638 may be visible. However, since the upper portion 1637 is positioned on top of the second lens braided structure 1638, the upper portion 1637 is also visible when the braided component 1630 is viewed from either or both of the first viewing angle 2202 and the second viewing angle 2204. That is, the third visual effect provided by upper portion 1637 formed using fourth yarn 907 may remain substantially constant across multiple viewing angles. For example, from the first perspective 2202, the second perspective 2204, and the third perspective 2206, the same visual effect produced by the upper portion 1637 is visible. With this configuration, second lenticular woven structure 1638 may provide a visual effect within region 1602 of woven component 1630 that remains substantially unchanged through multiple viewing angles.

Further, in some embodiments, base portion 1636 may be formed using first yarn 901 that is similar to or different than second yarn 903, third yarn 905, and/or fourth yarn 907 to cooperate or contrast with first portion 1633, upper portion 1637, and/or second portion 1634 of second lenticular knitted structure 1638 to further assist in the visual effect provided to knitted component 1630.

While various embodiments have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, the embodiments are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims. As used in the claims, "any of … (an of)" when referring to a preceding claim is intended to mean (i) any claim, or (ii) any combination of two or more claims that are referenced.

Claims

1. A knitted component for bonding to an upper of an article of footwear, the knitted component comprising:

a first lenticular woven structure and a second lenticular woven structure on a front side of the woven component, wherein the first lenticular woven structure and the second lenticular woven structure extend longitudinally along a first direction; and

a base portion positioned between the first lens knit structure and the second lens knit structure, the first lens knit structure and the second lens knit structure extending away from the base portion on an exterior surface of the upper;

wherein the first lenticular pattern comprises a first side and an opposing second side, wherein both the first side and the second side extend longitudinally along the first direction, and wherein the first side has a first color and the second side has a second color different from the first color,

wherein the base portion stretches to move from a default state to an extended state when a force is applied to the knitted component in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, and

wherein the knitted component further includes a tensile element disposed in at least one of the first lenticular knitted structure and the second lenticular knitted structure.

2. The knitted component of claim 1, wherein the second lenticular knitted structure has a first side with a third color and a second side with a fourth color different from the third color.

3. The knitted component of claim 2, wherein the third color is the same color as the first color, and wherein the fourth color is the same color as the second color.

4. The knitted component of claim 1, wherein the base portion has a greater stretch capability than the first lenticular knitted structure and the second lenticular knitted structure.

5. The knitted component of claim 1,

wherein in the default state a first region of the front surface of the base portion is hidden from visual observation from a first observation perspective, and

wherein in the extended state the first region of the front surface is revealed to a visual observation from the first perspective of observation.

6. The knitted component of claim 1, wherein the base portion is associated with a third color that is different from at least one of the first color and the second color.

7. The knitted component of claim 6, wherein the base portion is formed using a third yarn, the third yarn having the third color.

8. The knitted component of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first lens knit structure and the second lens knit structure is formed from a knitted tubular rib structure.

9. The knitted component of claim 1, wherein the first side of the first lenticular knitted structure is formed using a first yarn and the second side of the first lenticular knitted structure is formed using a second yarn, the first yarn and the second yarn having the first color and the second color, respectively.

10. The knitted component of claim 1, wherein the first lenticular knit structure and the second lenticular knit structure extend away from a surface of the base portion.

11. A knitted component for bonding to an upper of an article of footwear, the knitted component comprising:

wherein the first lenticular braided structure includes a first side and an opposing second side, wherein both the first side of the first lenticular braided structure and the second side of the first lenticular braided structure extend longitudinally along the first direction, and wherein the first side has a first color and the second side has a second color different from the first color.

12. The knitted component of claim 11, wherein the second lenticular knitted structure includes a first side and an opposing second side, wherein the first side of the second lenticular knitted structure and the second side of the second lenticular knitted structure both extend longitudinally along the first direction, and wherein the first side of the second lenticular knitted structure has a third color and the second side of the second lenticular knitted structure has a fourth color that is different than the third color.

13. The knitted component of claim 12, wherein the third color is the same color as the first color, and wherein the fourth color is the same color as the second color.

14. The knitted component of claim 11,

15. A method for forming a knitted component joined to an upper of an article of footwear, the method comprising:

forming a first lenticular pattern structure and a second lenticular pattern structure on a front side of the knitted component, wherein the first lenticular pattern structure and the second lenticular pattern structure extend longitudinally along a first direction; and

forming a base portion of the knitted component, the base portion positioned between the first lenticular knitted structure and the second lenticular knitted structure, the first lenticular knitted structure and the second lenticular knitted structure extending away from the base portion on an exterior surface of the upper,

wherein the method further comprises disposing a tensile element in at least one of the first lenticular braided structure and the second lenticular braided structure.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second lenticular weaving structure has a first side with a third color and a second side with a fourth color different from the third color.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the third color is the same color as the first color, and wherein the fourth color is the same color as the second color.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the base portion has a greater stretch capability than the first lens weave structure and the second lens weave structure.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,