Article of footwear

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12317949-B2
Application number	US-202117538368-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 30, 2021
Priority date	Aug 20, 2019
Publication date	Jun 3, 2025
Grant date	Jun 3, 2025

Abstract

A method for using an article of footwear while sitting in a chair capable of transitioning between at least first, second, and third states. The article of footwear includes an outsole. The outsole includes a medial wrap-up, a lateral wrap-up, and a heel wrap-up. The method includes positioning the article of footwear in a first footwear state while sitting in a chair first state. The method further includes positioning the article of footwear in a second footwear state while sitting in a chair second state. When in the second footwear state, the medial wrap-up deforms relative to the first footwear state. The method further includes positioning the article of footwear in a third footwear state while sitting in a chair third state. When in the third footwear state, the heel wrap-up deforms relative to the first footwear state.

First claim

We claim:

1. A method for using an article of footwear while sitting in a chair capable of transitioning between at least first, second, and third states, wherein an orientation of the chair is different in each of the at least first, second, and third states, the article of footwear comprising an outsole, the outsole including a medial wrap-up, a lateral wrap-up, and a heel wrap-up, the method comprising:
providing the article of footwear to a user; and
providing the chair to the user,
wherein the article of footwear is configured to be positioned in a first footwear state while sitting in a chair first state,
wherein the article of footwear is configured to be positioned in a second footwear state while sitting in a chair second state, wherein a different amount of force is applied to the medial wrap-up in the first footwear state and the second footwear state such that the medial wrap-up deforms relative to the first footwear state,
wherein the article of footwear is configured to be positioned in a third footwear state while sitting in a chair third state, wherein a different amount of force is applied to the heel wrap-up in the first footwear state and the third footwear state such that the heel wrap-up deforms relative to the first footwear state,
wherein the article of footwear further comprises a medial side and a lateral side, wherein the outsole further comprises a forefoot support surface, a heel support surface, and a midfoot bridge that connects the forefoot support surface and the heel support surface, and wherein the midfoot bridge is positioned proximate the medial side, and
wherein the forefoot support surface, the heel support surface, and the midfoot bridge define a notch proximate the lateral side.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the chair is a gaming chair, and wherein the gaming chair comprises:
a seat; and
first and second legs, the first and second legs extending from the seat,
wherein the first leg comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, a first curved portion connecting the first portion to the second portion, and a second curved portion connecting the second portion to the third portion.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein when the gaming chair is in the first chair state and the article of footwear is in the first footwear state, the first curved portion of the gaming chair contacts the ground.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein when the gaming chair is in the third chair state and the article of footwear is in the third footwear state, the second curved portion of the gaming chair contacts the ground.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein in the first footwear state, the lateral wrap-up deforms relative to the second footwear state.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein, when in the second footwear state, the medial wrap-up receives increased force, relative to the first footwear state, and wherein, when in the third footwear state, the heel wrap-up receives increased force, relative to the first footwear state.

7. A method for using an article of footwear comprising an outsole, the outsole including a medial wrap-up, a lateral wrap-up, and a heel wrap-up, the method comprising:
providing the article of footwear to a user,
wherein the article of footwear is configured to be positioned in a first footwear state,
wherein the article of footwear is configured to be positioned in a second footwear state, wherein the medial wrap-up receives increased force relative to the first footwear state,
wherein the article of footwear is configured to be positioned in a third footwear state, wherein the heel wrap-up receives increased force relative to the first footwear state,
wherein when the article of footwear is in the first footwear state, the lateral wrap-up receives increased force relative to the second footwear state,
wherein the outsole further includes a forefoot support surface, a heel support surface, and a midfoot bridge, the midfoot bridge connecting the forefoot support surface and the heel support surface, and the midfoot bridge being positioned proximate a medial side of the article of footwear, and
wherein the forefoot support surface, the heel support surface, and the midfoot bridge define a notch that extends from the lateral side to the medial side, such that the notch extends across a longitudinal center axis of the article of footwear.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the article of footwear further comprises a lateral side, and wherein the forefoot support surface, the heel support surface, and the midfoot bridge define a notch proximate the lateral side.

9. The method of claim 7 , further including the step of sitting in a chair capable of transitioning between at least first, second, and third chair states, wherein an orientation of the chair is different in each of the at least first, second, and third chair states, and wherein the chair comprises:
a seat; and
first and second legs, the first and second legs extending from the seat,
wherein the first leg comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, and
wherein a first curved portion connects the first portion to the second portion, and a second curved portion connects the second portion to the third portion.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein when the chair is in the first chair state and the article of footwear is in the first footwear state, the first curved portion of the chair contacts the ground.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein when the chair is in the third chair state and the article of footwear is in the third footwear state, the second curved portion of the chair contacts the ground.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein, when in the second footwear state, the medial wrap-up deforms relative to the first footwear state.

13. The method of claim 7 , wherein, when in the third footwear state, the heel wrap-up deforms relative to the first footwear state.

14. A system for use with electronic gaming, comprising:
a gaming chair, the gaming chair comprising a seat, a first leg, and a second leg, the first and second legs extending from the seat, the first leg comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, a first curved portion connecting the first portion to the second portion, and a second curved portion connecting the second portion to the third portion; and
an article of footwear comprising an outsole, the outsole including a medial wrap-up, a lateral wrap-up, and a heel wrap-up, wherein the medial wrap-up, the lateral wrap-up, and the heel wrap-up extend upward from an outer perimeter defined by the remainder of the outsole such that the medial wrap-up, the lateral wrap-up, and the heel wrap-up are configured to surround a portion of a side of a foot of a user,
wherein the outsole further includes a forefoot support surface, a heel support surface, and a midfoot bridge, the midfoot bridge connecting the forefoot support surface and the heel support surface, and the midfoot bridge being positioned proximate a medial side of the article of footwear, and
wherein the forefoot support surface, the heel support surface, and the midfoot bridge define a notch.

15. A method for using an article of footwear comprising an outsole, the outsole including a medial wrap-up, a lateral wrap-up, and a heel wrap-up, the method comprising:
providing the article of footwear to a user,
wherein the article of footwear is configured to be positioned in a first footwear state,
wherein the article of footwear is configured to be positioned in a second footwear state, wherein a different amount of force is applied to the medial wrap-up in the first f

Assignees

• Puma SE

Inventors

• Johnson Charles
• Girard Romain
• Redon Arnaud

Classifications

• A43B13/145

  Convex portions, e.g. with a bump or projection, e.g. 'Masai' type shoes · CPC title

• A47C15/004

  Seating furniture for specified purposes not covered by main groups A47C1/00 or A47C9/00 · CPC title

• A47C3/029

  with curved rocking members resting on the floor · CPC title

• A43B13/14

  characterised by the constructive form · CPC title

• A43B23/0245

  characterised by the constructive form · CPC title