Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper coupled to the sole structure. The upper includes a dynamic textile structure capable of expansion and contraction, the textile structure including a first textile layer, a second textile layer, and a support framework including a plurality of anchor strands possessing stretch and recovery, where each of the first textile layer and the second textile layer is coupled to an anchor strand of the plurality of anchor strands at an anchor point.

Abstract: An article of apparel includes a composite material. The composite material includes a pliable first layer and a resilient second layer, where the first and second layers are secured to each other via a patterned strand network. In forming the composite material, the second layer is stretched and maintained under tension while the first layer is secured to the second layer via the patterned strand network. The tension on the second layer is then released, resulting in contraction of the second layer in relation to the first layer and an outward buckling or protrusion of the first layer in relation to the second layer to form protruding cells along the composite material that are bounded by portions of the patterned strand network. The patterned strand network can be formed using embroidery with one or more auxetic patterns in the stitching.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a panel for an article of apparel includes stretching a base layer from a resting configuration to a stretched configuration. The method further includes coupling a reinforcement layer to the base layer when the base layer is in the stretched configuration. Thereafter, the method includes applying an auxetic or near auxetic structure to the reinforcement layer when the base layer is in the stretched configuration, the auxetic structure including a plurality of interconnected members defining a repeating pattern of void. The base layer is then released to allow the base layer to return to the resting configuration.

Abstract: A strap system designed to cushion applied tensile force is disclosed. The strap system includes an expandable member configured to deform under the applied tension force and a restriction member that influences the deformation pattern of the expandable member. For example, the restriction member may limit the amount of stretch experienced by the expandable member. The strap system may be incorporated as shoulder straps into a backpack to reduce pressure to the back and shoulders typically experienced by a wearer.

Abstract: A bag is disclosed herein in the form of a backpack. The backpack comprises a bag portion and at least one shoulder strap coupled to the bag portion. The least one shoulder strap includes an elastic upper broad strap portion connected to an inelastic lower broad strap portion. The upper broad strap portion defines a corrugated structure having a plurality of parallel ridges and furrows. The upper broad strap portion is also configured to stretch between a relaxed position and a stretched lockout position. A lockout webbing is coupled to the upper broad strap portion at a plurality of connection locations along the upper broad strap portion. Loops in the lockout webbing are formed between the connection locations when the upper broad strap portion is in the relaxed position. The lockout webbing is fully extended when the upper broad strap portion is in the stretched lockout position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a panel for an article of apparel includes stretching a base layer from a resting configuration to a stretched configuration. The method further includes coupling a reinforcement layer to the base layer when the base layer is in the stretched configuration. The method also includes applying an auxetic structure to the reinforcement layer when the base layer is in the stretched configuration. The auxetic structure includes a plurality of interconnected members defining a repeating pattern of voids, and each void has a reentrant shape. The method further includes releasing the base layer to allow the base layer to return to the resting configuration.

Abstract: A woven textile structure is formed by weaving a first woven layer including first yarns and weaving a second woven layer including first yarns, where the woven layers are arranged in a stacked manner and are separated from each other. During the weaving of the first and second woven layers, second yarns are inserted along an intermediate span in the weft direction of the woven textile structure, where the second yarns are elongated to an elongated length during the insertion in the weft direction. First yarns of the first woven layer are interlaced with first yarns of the second woven layer and a second yarn of the intermediate span at a plurality of interlacing locations along the woven textile structure so as to define stitches at each interlacing location, where each stitch joins the first woven layer with the second woven layer.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole defining a length direction and a width direction of the article of footwear. An upper is connected to the sole and includes at least one panel having a plurality of layers that are secured together by an embroidery stitching pattern. The plurality of layers include a first layer arranged outward from a second layer, wherein a plurality of cells are formed on the first layer by the embroidery stitching pattern such that a perimeter of each cell is defined along the embroidery stitching pattern. An outer surface of the first layer is buckled such that an interior portion defined within the perimeter of each cell bulges outward on the first layer of the upper. A plurality of gripping pads are disposed on the outer surface of the first layer. Each of the gripping pads are arranged on the interior portion of each of the plurality of cells.

Abstract: A woven textile structure is formed by weaving a first woven layer including first yarns and weaving a second woven layer including first yarns, where the woven layers are arranged in a stacked manner and are separated from each other. During the weaving of the first and second woven layers, second yarns are inserted along an intermediate span in the weft direction of the woven textile structure, where the second yarns are elongated to an elongated length during the insertion in the weft direction. First yarns of the first woven layer are interlaced with first yarns of the second woven layer and a second yarn of the intermediate span at a plurality of interlacing locations along the woven textile structure so as to define stitches at each interlacing location, where each stitch joins the first woven layer with the second woven layer.

Abstract: An article of apparel includes a composite material. The composite material includes a pliable first layer and a resilient second layer, where the first and second layers are secured to each other via a patterned strand network. In forming the composite material, the second layer is stretched and maintained under tension while the first layer is secured to the second layer via the patterned strand network. The tension on the second layer is then released, resulting in contraction of the second layer in relation to the first layer and an outward buckling or protrusion of the first layer in relation to the second layer to form protruding cells along the composite material that are bounded by portions of the patterned strand network. The patterned strand network can be formed using embroidery with one or more auxetic patterns in the stitching.

Abstract: An article of apparel includes a composite material. The composite material includes a pliable first layer and a resilient second layer, where the first and second layers are secured to each other via a patterned strand network. In forming the composite material, the second layer is stretched and maintained under tension while the first layer is secured to the second layer via the patterned strand network. The tension on the second layer is then released, resulting in contraction of the second layer in relation to the first layer and an outward buckling or protrusion of the first layer in relation to the second layer to form protruding cells along the composite material that are bounded by portions of the patterned strand network. The patterned strand network can be formed using embroidery with one or more auxetic patterns in the stitching.

Abstract: A backpack includes a bag portion and at least one shoulder strap coupled to the bag portion. The at least one shoulder strap includes a non-elastic first strap portion coupled to an elastic second strap portion. The second strap portion is auxetic or near auxetic such that a Poisson's ratio of the second strap portion is less than a Poisson's ratio of the first strap portion.

Abstract: A woven textile structure is formed by weaving a first woven layer including first yarns and weaving a second woven layer including first yarns, where the woven layers are arranged in a stacked manner and are separated from each other. During the weaving of the first and second woven layers, second yarns are inserted along an intermediate span in the weft direction of the woven textile structure, where the second yarns are elongated to an elongated length during the insertion in the weft direction. First yarns of the first woven layer are interlaced with first yarns of the second woven layer and a second yarn of the intermediate span at a plurality of interlacing locations along the woven textile structure so as to define stitches at each interlacing location, where each stitch joins the first woven layer with the second woven layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a panel of composite material for an article of footwear is disclosed herein. The method includes stretching a resilient first layer from a resting configuration to a stretched configuration. The method further includes engaging a second layer with the first layer when the first layer is in the stretched configuration. The first and second layers are then embroidery stitched to couple the layers together. The embroidery stitching provides a stitch network forming a plurality of cell units on the composite material. In at least one embodiment, the cell units are re-entrant in shape and form an auxetic structure. After embroidery stitching the first and second layers, the first layer is released from the stretched configuration and returns to an unstretched/contracted state. When the resilient layer returns to the contracted state, bulges are formed in each of the cell units by the second layer.

Abstract: An article of apparel includes a first layer and a second layer. An auxetic structure penetrates the first layer. The auxetic structure includes a plurality of interconnected members forming an array of cell units. Each of the plurality of interconnected members form cell walls with interior recesses defined within the cell walls. The second layer is coupled to the first layer via the auxetic structure.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes at least one panel comprised of a composite material. The composite material includes a plurality of layers that are secured together according to a predetermined embroidery stitching pattern. The panel includes a first layer having a maximum elongation in a length direction of the article of footwear, and a second layer having a maximum elongation in a width direction of the article of footwear. The composite material also includes additional layers coupled to the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: A woven textile structure is formed by weaving a first woven layer including first yarns and weaving a second woven layer including first yarns, where the woven layers are arranged in a stacked manner and are separated from each other. During the weaving of the first and second woven layers, second yarns are inserted along an intermediate span in the weft direction of the woven textile structure, where the second yarns are elongated to an elongated length during the insertion in the weft direction. First yarns of the first woven layer are interlaced with first yarns of the second woven layer and a second yarn of the intermediate span at a plurality of interlacing locations along the woven textile structure so as to define stitches at each interlacing location, where each stitch joins the first woven layer with the second woven layer.

Abstract: An article of apparel includes a base layer defined by a Poisson's ratio, and a polymer structure coupled to the base layer. The polymer structure is configured to lower the Poisson's ratio of the base layer. The polymer structure includes a plurality of interconnected members forming an array of cell units. The plurality of interconnected members form cell walls with interior recesses defined within the cell walls.

Abstract: A method for making an article of apparel includes applying an auxetic structure to a first layer such that the auxetic structure penetrates the first layer. The auxetic structure includes a plurality of interconnected members forming an array of cell units. Each of the plurality of interconnected members form cell walls with interior recesses defined within the cell walls. The method further comprises coupling a second layer to the first layer via the auxetic structure.