An article of footwear includes an upper that is at least partially formed from a base layer and thread sections that lie adjacent a surface of the base layer. The thread sections are positioned to provide structural elements that, for example, restrain stretch in directions corresponding with longitudinal...http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US20070271822?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20070271822 - Article of footwear having an upper with thread structural elements 
