SHOE WITH A COMBINATION OF LIGHTWEIGHT UPPER CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shoe upper which comprises first and second upper elements that are joined to form a foot-receiving chamber for accommodating a foot of a wearer, wherein the second upper element forms a footbed and wherein the second upper element comprises at least a first set of wings protruding from the lateral and medial sides of the second upper element, wherein the first set of wings comprise a first merging area configured to attach the first upper element to the second upper element.

Claims

1. A shoe upper, comprising: a first upper element; and a second upper element including a footbed; and wherein the second upper element comprises at least a first set of wings protruding from lateral and medial sides of the footbed, wherein the first set of wings are joined together along a first edge to form a heel area of the shoe upper, and wherein a second edge of the first set of wings are joined to the first upper element to form a foot-receiving chamber for accommodating a foot of a wearer.

2. The shoe upper of claim 1, wherein the first set of wings extend beyond a heel area.

3. The shoe upper of claim 1, wherein the edge comprises a lateral outer edge of the first set of wings extending from a ball area to the heel area.

4. The shoe upper of claim 1, wherein the second upper element further comprises at least a second set of wings protruding from lateral sides of the footbed, wherein the second set of wings is located in a toe area of the second upper element.

5. The shoe upper of claim 4, wherein the first set of wings and/or the second set of wings are integrally formed with the footbed of the second upper element.

6. The shoe upper of claim 5, wherein the second set of wings further comprise third edge extending laterally from the toe area to a ball area.

7. The shoe upper of claim 6, wherein the first upper element is joined to the second upper element second at the second edge and at the third edge to form the foot-receiving chamber.

8. The shoe upper of claim 6, wherein the second edge of the first set of wings is secured to the second wings and to the first upper element.

9. The shoe upper of claim 4, wherein the first set of wings and/or the second set of wings are arranged symmetrically relative to a centered longitudinal axis of the second upper element.

10. The shoe upper of claim 6, further comprising at least one reinforcement element on at least one wing of the first set of wings or the second set of wings adapted to at least selectively reinforce the respective first edge or the second edge or the third edge or the heel area.

11. The shoe upper of claim 10, wherein the at least one reinforcement element is made from a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

12. The shoe upper of claim 6, wherein the first upper element and the second upper element are joined together by stitching and/or by welding the first edge or the second edge or the third edge of the respective set of wings.

13. The shoe upper of claim 1, further comprising: a longitudinal reinforcing element fastened to the first upper element and/or the second upper element extending from a right lateral side around the heel area to a left lateral side, and wherein the longitudinal reinforcing element is adapted to provide support for the heel area of the foot of the wearer.

14. The shoe upper of claim 1, wherein the first upper element and/or the second upper element is made at least partially from a sandwich mesh, wherein the sandwich mesh is adapted such that a seam, arising from joining together the first upper element and the second upper element by stitching, is located below a surface of the sandwich mesh.

15. The shoe upper of claim 1, wherein the first upper element is additionally reinforced with a mesh element provided in the shape of the first upper element.

16. A shoe, comprising: the shoe upper of claim 1.

17. A method for manufacturing a shoe upper, comprising: providing first and second upper elements, wherein the second upper element comprises at least a first set of wings protruding from the lateral and medial sides of the second upper element, and wherein each wing comprises a first edge and a second edge; transforming the wings from a planar orientation into a three-dimensional orientation, towards the first upper element; joining the first edge of each of the first set of wings to form the heel area; and joining the second edge together to the first upper element such that the first upper element and the second upper element are joined together upwards from a ball area of the shoe upper to the heel area of the shoe upper.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second upper element has a second set of wings, each wing has a third edge, wherein the method further comprises: joining the third edge together to the first upper element along the third edge such that the first upper element and the second upper element are joined together from the toe to a quarter portion.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: integrally forming the second upper element with a footbed wherein the first set of wings and the second set of wings protrude from the footbed.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: providing the first upper element and/or the second upper element is made at least partially from a sandwich mesh; and joining together the first upper element and the second upper element with stitching, wherein the stitching is located below a surface of the sandwich mesh material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0116] Aspects of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures in the following. These figures show:

[0117] FIG. 1: Illustrative overview of an exemplary shoe upper;

[0118] FIGS. 2A-2B: Illustration of a first upper element and a second upper element according to an embodiment;

[0119] FIGS. 3A-3D: Illustration of an exemplary assembly process of a shoe upper according to an embodiment;

[0120] FIGS. 4A-4B: Overview of additional optional components for a first upper element of a shoe upper according to an embodiment;

[0121] FIGS. 5A-5C: Overview of additional optional components for a second upper element of a shoe upper according to an embodiment;

[0122] FIGS. 6A-6B: Overview of additional optional components for a shoe upper according to an embodiment;

[0123] FIGS. 7A-7F: Illustration of a shoe upper (and shoe) according to an embodiment;

[0124] FIGS. 8A-8D: Illustration of an exemplary shoe upper assembly according to an embodiment comprising a heel blinker;

[0125] FIGS. 9A-9D: Illustration of an exemplary shoe upper according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0126] In the following, embodiments and variations of the present invention are described in more detail by means of a shoe upper, in particular, a shoe upper for a sports shoe. It is, however, emphasized that the present invention is not limited to this and that also combinations of the embodiments may be possible.

[0127] FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of a shoe upper to support the understanding of the nomenclature of the different areas of a shoe upper as used throughout this application.

[0128] An exemplary shoe upper 1 comprises a bottom face 2, which, in some embodiments, can act as an (outer) sole of the shoe upper 1. The bottom face 2 may refer to a face which is averted from the wearer of the shoe and may thus point towards a street along which the wearer of the shoe may move.

[0129] The shoe upper 1 further comprises a toe area 3 in which the toes of the foot of the wearer may be located when the shoe upper 1 is worn. The toe area 3 may also be understood as a front side of the shoe upper.

[0130] On a respective opposing side of the shoe upper 1, i.e., on a back side of the shoe upper 1, a heel area 4 is located. In the heel area 4, the Achilles' heel of the foot of the wearer may be accommodated when the shoe upper 1 is worn.

[0131] The toe area 3 and the heel area 4 are opposing with respect to a transverse axis T, which may be substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis L, wherein the transverse axis T (not visible in FIG. 1) is located at half the longitudinal extension of the longitudinal axis L. The longitudinal axis L may be associated with the length direction of the shoe upper 1, along which, the shoe upper 1 may extend whereas the transverse axis may be understood as referring to the width (e.g., a horizontal shortest distance from a distal surface of the shoe upper 1 to a proximal surface of the shoe upper 1) of the shoe upper 1 which may be measured transversal (neglecting manufacturing uncertainties) to the longitudinal axis L.

[0132] The shoe upper 1 further comprises a quarter portion 5 which is located at a region in which an ankle (e.g., the malleolar bone) of the foot of the wearer may be located when the shoe upper 1 is worn. Quarter portion 5 is located on a left lateral side of the shoe upper 1 and is located on a right lateral side of the shoe upper 1.

[0133] The shoe upper 1 further comprises a vamp portion 6, wherein the vamp portion 6 is adapted to accommodate a midfoot area of the foot of the wearer when shoe upper 1 is worn. Vamp portion 6 is located on a left lateral side of the shoe upper 1 and on a right lateral side of the shoe upper 1.

[0134] The shoe upper 1 further comprises a first upper element 7 and a second upper element 8. The first upper element 7 may be adapted such that it at least partially forms the vamp portion 6 and such that it at least partially forms the quarter portion 5 of the shoe upper 1.

[0135] The first upper element 7 and the second upper element 8 are joined together in a first merging area 9a (and in a first merging area 9b disposed on a respective opposing lateral side of the shoe upper 1) extending diagonally upwards from a ball area 10 of the shoe upper 1 to an upper heel area 4 of the shoe upper 1.

[0136] The first upper element 7 may comprise (at least one) eyelets 11, adapted to receive a shoelace 12.

[0137] FIG. 2A depicts an exemplary embodiment of the second upper element 8. Second upper element 8, as seen from a top-view and in a non-assembled state of the shoe upper 1 is preferably provided in the shape of a foot sole S of the foot of the wearer. In this context, FIG. 2A shows the second upper element 8 as it is worn on a left foot of the wearer.

[0138] Second upper element 8 comprises a first set of (e.g., two) wings 13a and 13b protruding from lateral and medial sides of the second upper element 8. The first set of two wings 13a and 13b protrudes in the heel area 4 of the shoe upper 1.

[0139] Each of the wings of the first set of two wings 13a and 13b is provided with a respective first merging area 9a and a respective first merging area 9b along which the second upper element 8 is joined together first upper element 7 (not depicted in FIG. 2A). In some embodiments, the first merging areas 9a and 9b may essentially relate to the edge of the wings (e.g., at an outermost location of the wings) of the first set of two wings 13a and 13b. Additionally or alternatively, the first merging areas 9a and 9b may also extend across at least a portion of each of the wings of the first set of two wings 13a and 13b.

[0140] Each of the wings of the first set of two wings 13a and 13b may, in some cases, be provided with a respective second merging area 14a and a respective second merging area 14b which predominantly extend along a respective edge on a right side of the shoe upper and on a respective edge on a left side of the shoe upper.

[0141] In the exemplary embodiment, each of the wings of the first set of wings 13a and 13b is further equipped with a reinforcement element in form of a thermoplastic polyurethane, TPU, element T1 and T2. The TPU elements T1 and T2 are adapted to reinforce the respective first merging areas 9a and 9b of the first set of two wings 13a and 13b. Additionally or alternatively, the TPU elements T1 and T2 may also be used to provide the shoe upper with a design element. To emphasize the effect of an optical distinction, TPU elements T1 and/or T2 may be provided with a color that differs from the color of the first upper element and/or the second upper element such that the shoe upper may be provided with an accent of color.

[0142] The second upper element 8 further comprises a second set of two wings 15a and 15b, preferably in the toe area 3 of the shoe upper. The second set of two wings 15a and 15b are arranged on opposing lateral sides of the second upper element 8.

[0143] Each of the two wings of the second set of two wings 15a and 15b comprises a respective third merging area 18a and a respective third merging 18b. The third merging areas 18a and 18b may be implemented identical to the first merging areas 9a and 9b and the second merging areas 14a and 14b as described above.

[0144] FIG. 2B shows a side-to-side view of the second upper element 8 (bottom face 2) and the first upper element 7. The second upper element 8 is implemented identical to the second upper element 8 as described beforehand with reference to FIG. 2A.

[0145] The first upper element 7 is in this example adapted to form the vamp portion 6 and the quarter portion 5 of the shoe upper 1 and is thus also adapted to form the upper portion of shoe upper 1. The first upper element 7 comprises first merging portions 17a and 17b, located on opposing sides of the shoe upper 1, which are be adapted to be joined together with the respective first merging areas 9a and 9b of the second upper element 8. More specifically, merging portion 17a may be adapted to be joined together with the first merging area 9a of the second upper element 8 whereas merging portion 17b may be adapted to be joined together with the first merging area 9b of the second upper element 8.

[0146] The first upper element 7 may further comprise second merging portions 19a and 19b on opposing sides of the shoe upper 1. Second merging portions 19a and 19b may be adapted to be joined together with the third merging areas 18a and 18b of the second upper element 8. More specifically, second merging portion 19a is adapted to be joined together with the third merging area 18a and the second merging portion 19b is adapted to be joined together with the third merging area 18b.

[0147] The first upper element 7 further comprises one or more eyelets 11, wherein the one or more eyelets 11 are adapted to receive a shoelace (not depicted in FIG. 2B) to further tighten the shoe upper 1 when worn by the wearer. The eyelet 11 may be formed by an embroidery process, eyelet hole punching and/or tongue stitching or other such conventional means in the art.

[0148] FIGS. 3A-3D show steps of an exemplary assembly process of the shoe upper 1 according to aspects as described herein.

[0149] FIG. 3A shows a top-view onto a superposition of the first upper element 7 placed on the second upper element 8, wherein the second upper element 8 has been rotated by 180° along its longitudinal axis (upside down) as compared the orientation of the second upper element 8 depicted in FIG. 2B. Moreover, FIG. 3A intends to depict an exemplary size ratio of the first upper element 7 and the second upper element 8 in direct comparison.

[0150] In the arrangement of the first upper element 7 and the second upper element 8, as shown in FIG. 3A, it can be seen that the second set of two wings 15a and 15b may be directly located adjacent to the second merging portions 18a and 18b of the first upper element 7 for joining together the respective wings of the second set of two wings 15a and 15b and the second merging portions 18a and 18b.

[0151] Moreover, in the depicted top-view, the wings of the first set of two wings 13a and 13b may be located adjacent to the first merging portions 17a and 17b in the heel area 4.

[0152] FIG. 3B shows an exemplary assembly step (which may occur subsequent to the assembly step as described with reference to FIG. 3A, above) of the assembly process of the shoe upper 1 in which the shoe upper 1 has be transformed into a 3-dimensional-like shape.

[0153] In the assembly stage, as depicted in FIG. 3B, the right wing 15b of the second set of two wings 15a and 15b of the second upper element 8 is joined together with a respective right merging portion 19b of the first upper element 7.

[0154] For illustration purposes, the (left) wing 15a of the second set of two wings 15a and 15b is not joined together with its respective merging portion 19a of the first upper element 7.

[0155] In FIG. 3B, the wings of the second set of two wings 13a and 13b of the second upper element 8 are not joined together with the respective first merging portions 17a and 17b (of the first upper element 7) in the heel area 4. It is noted that in FIG. 3B, the second upper element 8 has been turned upside down (as compared to the illustration in FIG. 2B (right hand-side) in preparation to the assembly of the shoe upper.

[0156] FIG. 3C shows an exemplary (subsequent) assembly step of the assembly process of the shoe or the shoe upper 1. Notably, FIG. 3C shows a view onto the bottom face 2 of the shoe upper 1.

[0157] In the depicted stage of the assembly process, the first upper element 7 and the second upper element 8 are joined together at least in the toe area 3. Moreover, in FIG. 3C, the first upper element 7 is also joined together with the second upper element 8 along the first merging areas 9a and 9b (not shown in FIG. 3C), at least in the quarter portion 5. In FIG. 3C, also the second merging areas 14a and 14b (not shown in FIG. 3C) are joined together with the first upper element 7 and the third merging areas 18a and 18b (not shown in FIG. 3C) are joined together with the first upper element 7. In FIG. 3C, the first merging areas 9a, 9b, the second merging areas 14a and 14b and the third merging areas 18a and 18b are implemented as stitching lines.

[0158] In the depicted stage of the assembly process, at least the TPU element T1 is (not yet) joined together with TPU element T2?.

[0159] FIG. 3D shows an (final) exemplary step of the assembly process of the shoe upper 1, which may occur subsequent to the step of the assembly process as outlined with reference to FIG. 3C, above.

[0160] In particular, FIG. 3D depicts a view onto the heel area 4 of the shoe upper 1, wherein the first TPU element T1 and the second TPU element T2 are joined together in an exemplary in the first merging areas 9a, 9b, which may, inter alia, extending from a bottom portion of the heel area 4 to an upper portion of the heel area 4 of the shoe upper 1. The first merging areas 9a and 9b area joined together by means of stitch line 20.

[0161] FIGS. 4A and 4B show exemplary embodiments of optional components the first upper element 7 of the shoe upper 1 may be provided with. Said components may be used to provide the shoe upper 1 with additional, desired functional properties as will further be described below. It is noted that the components described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B below may be implemented into the shoe upper 1 in a no-sew arrangement (in which no sewing/stitching is required and wherein the respective components are joined together, e.g., by heat pressing) and/or by sewing/stitching. It is further noted that any of the optional components as described below may exclusively be included into the shoe upper 1 or may be combined with each other. Each of the components as described below may be congruent to the first upper element 7 or may only cover certain portions of the first upper element 7.

[0162] Notably, FIG. 4A shows optional components for the first upper element 7 which may provide the first upper element 7 with additional stiffness, strength resistance, breathability or with an optical distinction (e.g., arising from a different color of the respective component and/or a different material (composition) of the respective component).

[0163] More specifically, the first upper element 7 may be provided with a TPU element 21 which may be in the shape of a skeleton of the first upper element 7.

[0164] Additionally, or alternatively, it may also be possible that the first upper element 7 is provided with a mesh element 22. The mesh element 22 may advantageously provide the first upper element 7 with increased breathability and wearing comfort (as the mesh element 22 may act as a cushioning element against, e.g., eyelet 11 (not shown in FIG. 4A) and/or a shoelace which may be prevented from being in direct contact with a foot of the wearer of the shoe upper 1).

[0165] Additionally, or alternatively, it may also be possible that the first upper element 7 is provided with a synthetic suede and/or a hot melt, for example, cooper II flex layer 23 (to support bonding). In particular, the usage of synthetic suede may provide the respective portions of the first upper element 7 (at which the suede is located) with additionally stability, e.g., with respect to tear strength, abrasion resistance, etc. In some cases, synthetic suede may also be used for increased thermal insulation such that a hypothermic state of the foot of the wearer may be avoided. In some cases, synthetic suede may also be used as an optical distinction element of the first upper element 7, e.g., due to its color and/or material appearance.

[0166] FIG. 4B shows further optional components to be implemented in the first upper element 7, which may preferably provide the first upper element 7 with increased stability and/or optical distinction. Any of the components shown in FIG. 4B may exclusively be implemented in the first upper element 7 or combined with one or more of the optional components described with reference to FIG. 4A, above.

[0167] In some cases, the first upper element 7 may be provided with a contour element 24 which may preferably be provided in the shape of the contour (outer circumferential shape) of the first upper element 7. The contour element 24 may be an integrally formed piece or may be composed of one or more separate parts. The contour element 24 may be provided in a single color.

[0168] In some cases, the first upper element 7 may alternatively or additionally be provided with a contour element 25 which is provided in more than one color which may match the respective colors of the first upper element 7 in regions in which the contour element 25 may joined together with the first upper element 7.

[0169] Contour elements 24 and 25 may be made from TPU, a plastic material and/or any other suitable material.

[0170] FIGS. 5A-5C show an exemplary embodiment of the second upper element 8, wherein the second upper element 8 is provided with means for increasing the stability and/or to provide the second upper element 8 with an optical distinction. It is emphasized that the embodiments outlined herein may be exclusively used for the assembly of the shoe upper 1 or may be combined with one or more of the embodiments as described elsewhere herein.

[0171] FIG. 5A shows the second upper element 8, implemented as described herein, and which may be made from a mesh material. The second upper element 8 may optionally be provided with TPU elements T1 and T2.

[0172] The second upper element 8 may additionally be provided with TPU element 26 (right hand-side of FIG. 5A). TPU element 26 may preferably be joined together with the second upper element 8 at the bottom face 2 (not shown in FIG. 5A) of the second upper element 8. In some scenarios, the TPU element 26 may also be joined together with the second upper element 8 at a respective upper face (e.g., facing towards the foot of the wearer of the second upper element 8 is worn as the shoe upper 1) of the second upper element 8.

[0173] The TPU element 26 is provided in a shape to match the contour of the second upper element 8. The TPU element 26 preferably extends from the edge 27 of the second upper element 8 towards the center 28 of the second upper element 8, preferably for not more than 15 mm.

[0174] FIG. 5B shows the bottom side of the shoe upper 1, according to an embodiment described herein, wherein the second upper element 8 has been provided with the TPU element 26 on the bottom face 2. The TPU element 26 may be joined together with the second upper element 8 by a primer and/or a glue. The TPU element may prevent any adhesives from entering the inside-bottom of the shoe upper 1 and to increase the bonding strength and/or stability of the shoe upper 1.

[0175] FIG. 5C shows an exemplary embodiment of the second upper element 8 in which the TPU elements T1 and T2 have been attached to the second upper element 8.

[0176] Similar to the first upper element 7, also the second upper element 8 may be provided with a respective contour element 29 which may be provided in the shape of an outer contour of the second upper element 8. Besides from the shape of the contour element 29, the contour element 29 may be implemented identical to the contour elements 24 or 25 as described with reference to FIG. 4B, above.

[0177] FIGS. 6A and 6B show an exemplary embodiment how the first upper element 7 and the second upper element 8 may be joined together comprising the step of heat pressing/rubber molding.

[0178] FIG. 6A shows three rubber elements 30a-30c which are adapted to be arranged on the respective locations of at least the first merging areas 13a and 13b and/or the third merging areas 18a and 18b such that the first upper element 7 and the second upper element 8 may be joined together on an upper side of the shoe upper 1 and in the toe area 3 such that the toes of the wearer of the shoe upper preferably do not come into contact with the respective third merging areas 18a and 18b which supports an aspect of the invention that the inventive shoe upper 1 does not require a Strobel arrangement.

[0179] It may be possible that rubber element 30a is exclusively used for joining together the first upper element 7 and the second upper element 8 or that the rubber element 30a is used in addition to a sewing/stitching procedure for joining together the first upper element 7 and the second upper element 8 such as to, e.g., reinforce the stitching, to provide the shoe upper 1 with an optical distinction and/or to protect the stitching against potential abrasion.

[0180] FIG. 6B shows an exemplary manufacturing step of how the rubber elements 30a-30c may be attached to the shoe upper 1.

[0181] In the exemplary case, shoe upper 1 is placed in a heat press 31. At least the rubber element 30a (shown adjacent to the shoe upper 1 in FIG. 6B) may, in a subsequent step, then be placed at the desired location of shoe upper 1 at which it is supposed to be attached to the shoe upper 1 (notably, rubber element 30a may be placed at the third merging areas 18a and 18b). By closing the heat press 31, and at least heating the upper heat press element, rubber element 30a (as an example) may be heated and at least partially be molten (such that rubber element 30a may become deformable and may stick to the desired location on the shoe upper 1).

[0182] FIGS. 7A-7F show an exemplary embodiment the shoe upper 1 provided with the aforementioned rubber elements 30a-30c in various perspectives.

[0183] FIG. 7A shows the toe area 3 and the vamp portion 6 of shoe upper 1 as seen from an elevated lateral view. FIG. 7A shows rubber element 30a wound, and preferably heat pressed, about the toe-most portion of the toe area 3 in which the third merging areas 18a and 18b are located.

[0184] FIG. 7B shoes the shoe upper 1 as depicted in FIG. 7A from an elevated medial view.

[0185] FIG. 7C shoes the shoe upper 1 as depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B and shows the toe area 3 and (partially) vamp portion 6 in a lateral side view.

[0186] In particular, FIG. 7C shows a portion of rubber element 30a and of rubber element 30b. Rubber element 30b is arranged adjacent to the first merging area 9a, which in FIG. 7C, is exemplarily depicted as a line, preferably a stitching line. It is stressed that first merging area 9a extends diagonally upwards from a ball area 10 of the shoe upper 1 to an upper heel area (not shown in FIG. 7C) of the shoe upper 1. In a preferred embodiment, at least the first merging 9a further extends along a respective edge on a left/medial side of the shoe upper 1 (in the second merging area 14b) towards the toe area 3 of the shoe upper 1.

[0187] FIG. 7D shows the shoe upper 1 as depicted in FIGS. 7A-7C and shows the toe area 3 and (partially) vamp portion 6 as seen from a medial side view.

[0188] FIG. 7D further shows first merging area 9b which is located on an opposing side of the first merging area 9a of the shoe upper 1, relative to a longitudinal line of the shoe upper 1. First merging area 9b may be implemented identically to the first merging area 9a. The rubber element 30c may be located adjacent to the first merging area 9b and may be implemented identical to the rubber element 30b.

[0189] FIG. 7E (lower right-hand side of FIG. 7E) shows the shoe upper 1 in an elevated skewed view as seen from a lateral side. In some cases, the shoe upper 1 may additionally or alternatively to the aspects described above be provided with a longitudinal reinforcing element 32 which may be wrapped around the heel area 4 and attached to two opposing sides of the shoe upper 1. The reinforcing element 32 may be adapted similar to rubber-like elements known from climbing shoes (in a respective heel area 4). The longitudinal reinforcing element 32 may be attached to the shoe upper 1 by at least one of gluing, heat pressing, sewing, etc.

[0190] The shoe upper 1, depicted in the lower right-hand side of FIG. 7E, may further be provided with a heel blinker 33, wherein the upper most portion of the heel blinker 33, which is protruding from a throat opening 34 of the shoe upper 1, is folded to the outer surface of the shoe upper 1.

[0191] The shoe upper 1 shown in the upper left hand-side of FIG. 7E further depicts the bottom face 2 of the shoe upper 1 in a skewed elevated view and shows the longitudinal reinforcing element 32 which may also extend to a portion of the bottom face 2 of the shoe upper 1, up to the ball area 10, of the shoe upper 1.

[0192] FIG. 7F shows the shoe upper 1 as seen from an elevated perspective view onto the heel area 4 of the shoe upper 1. In this view, it can be seen that the heel blinker 33 is at least partially wrapped over the longitudinal reinforcing element 32. In this view also TPU element T2 is visible.

[0193] FIGS. 8A-8D show the implementation of the heel blinker 33 with which the shoe upper 1 may optionally be provided with. Providing the shoe upper 1 with the heel blinker 33 may be combined with other components the shoe upper 1 may be provided with as described herein. A heel blinker 33 may be used to provide the shoe upper 1 with additional stability in the heel area 4 of the shoe upper 1 and/or for optical distinction.

[0194] FIG. 8A shows an exemplary embodiment of the heel blinker 33, which, in a preferable embodiment, may be made from a synthetic suede element 33a. In a preferred embodiment, and as depicted in FIG. 9A, the heel blinker 33 may additionally be provided with a cooper II flex element 33b.

[0195] FIG. 8B shows an exemplary assembly step how the heel blinker 33 may be inserted into the shoe upper 1. In FIG. 8B, heel blinker 33 is formed into a curved shape and then inserted into the shoe upper 1 (through a throat opening 34). Heel blinker 33 may preferably inserted into the shoe upper 1 such that at least a portion of the synthetic suede element 32a is protruding out of the throat opening 34 the shoe upper 1 at the heel area 4.

[0196] FIG. 8C shows a view into the shoe upper 1 and along the longitudinal axis of the shoe upper 1 onto the heel blinker 33, after the heel blinker 33 has been inserted into the shoe upper 1.

[0197] FIG. 8C further shows the inner surface 35 of the shoe upper 1 which, in FIG. 8C, is made from a mesh material and which corresponds to an upper face of the second upper element 8.

[0198] FIG. 8D shows an exemplary assembly step how the heel blinker 33 may be joined together with the shoe upper 1, preferably by heat pressing. FIG. 8D (left hand-side) shows an exemplary heat press 31 which may be adapted to receive the heal area 4 of the shoe upper 1 by means of a shoe upper holding structure 35.

[0199] Heel blinker 33 may then be joined together with the shoe upper 1 by moving the heat press 31 downwards onto the heel area 4 of the shoe upper 1 to heat press the respective parts in the heel area 4.

[0200] In a subsequent step (FIG. 8D, right hand-side), force applying element 36 may engage with the heel area 4 of the shoe upper 1.

[0201] This process may further be used to ensure a curved heel area 4. The process of curving the heel area 4 may be understood as a two-step process: in a first step, the heating process, the material used to form the heel area 4 may be made soft and malleable as a result of the applied heat. A subsequent second step, a cold step, may then be applied to fix the final curved shape of the heel area 4.

[0202] FIGS. 9A-9D show another exemplary embodiment of the shoe upper 1.

[0203] FIG. 9A shows an illustration of an exemplary shoe (comprising the shoe upper 1 formed by the first upper element 38 and the second upper element 37) according to the embodiment as seen from a medial point of view (left hand-side) and as seen from a top-view (right hand-side).

[0204] In some cases, the shoe upper 1, according to this embodiment, may be provided such that the bottom face of the second upper element 37, which may be in contact with an asphalt during wearing of the shoe upper 1, may be provided such that no additional (outer) sole is required (left hand-side of FIG. 9A). Alternatively, the shoe may comprise the shoe upper 1 and bottom face 2 attached thereto (right hand-side of FIG. 9A). The former implementation may support a further weight reduction and may thus facilitate a light-weight shoe whereas the latter may provide additional cushioning and thus increased prevention against injuries of the joints of the athlete.

[0205] The heel area 4 of the shoe upper 1 is further provided, in the depicted exemplary embodiment, by a heel element 39 which is wrapped around the heel area 4 from a lateral side of the shoe upper 1 to a medial side of the shoe upper 1. The heel area 4 may be used to provide the shoe upper 1 with additional dimensional stability. More specifically, the heel element 39 at least partially fulfill the task of a conventionally used heel counter and may at least contribute to a stiffening of the heel area 4. This may minimize a heel movement during running (in particular, during the phases of landing and push-off) and may thus advantageously contribute to the stability of the foot of the wearer when wearing the shoe (upper). A further side-effect of heel element 39 may be seen in a further weight reduction of the shoe upper (e.g., as compared to a potential usage of a conventional heel counter).

[0206] FIGS. 9B and 9C show a detailed view onto the heel element 39 as seen from the front (FIG. 9B) and as seen from the back (FIG. 9C).

[0207] FIG. 9D shows a further illustration of the shoe upper 1 as seen in a skewed elevated view from the heel area 4 of the shoe upper 1. The illustration depicts a view into the throat 34 of the shoe upper 1 towards the toe area 3 of the shoe upper 1.