US 11,918,076 B2
Method for manufacturing an article of footwear and articles of footwear so formed
Erasmo Rodriguez, Boston, MA (US); Brian J. Christensen, Centerville, MA (US); Brian Hamilton, North Billerica, MA (US); Ricardo Vestuti, Providence, RI (US); and Brenna Donnelly, Jamaica Plain, MA (US)
Assigned to Reebok International Limited, Altrincham (GB)
Filed by Reebok International Limited, London (GB)
Filed on Feb. 13, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/789,652.
Prior Publication US 2021/0251340 A1, Aug. 19, 2021
Int. Cl. A43B 23/22 (2006.01); A43B 23/02 (2006.01); A43B 23/04 (2006.01); A43D 25/047 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 23/22 (2013.01) [A43B 23/025 (2013.01); A43B 23/026 (2013.01); A43B 23/042 (2013.01); A43D 25/047 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for manufacturing an article of footwear, comprising:
arranging a three-dimensional upper on a last;
placing a plurality of elongated support structures on the three-dimensional upper arranged on the last using an automated placement assembly, wherein the plurality of elongated support structures comprises a first support structure and a second support structure spatially separated from the first support structure, and wherein placing the plurality of elongated support structures comprises:
terminating an end portion of the first elongated support structure at a perimeter edge of the three-dimensional upper,
placing a first free end portion of the second elongated support structure at a location spaced away from any perimeter edge of the three-dimensional upper and spaced away from a bottom of the upper, and
placing a second free end portion of the second elongated support structure at a location spaced away from any perimeter edge of three-dimensional upper and spaced away from the bottom of the upper; and
heating the plurality of elongated support structures to secure the plurality of elongated support structures to the upper.