IP Library Granted Patent US 12,317,949
Granted Patent B2
US 12,317,949 · App. 17/538,368 · Granted Jun 3, 2025

Article of footwear

Inventors: Charles Johnson (Nuremberg, DE); Romain Girard (Lauf an der Pegnitz, DE); Arnaud Redon (Nuremberg, DE)
Assignee: PUMA SE
A43B1/04A43B3/0036A43B7/14A43B13/14A43B13/145A43B23/0205A43B23/0245A47C3/029A47C15/004
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,317,949
App. No.
17/538,368
Granted
Jun 3, 2025
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (54)

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 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, wherein the heel wrap-up deforms relative to the first footwear state,

wherein when the article of footwear is in the first footwear state, 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 lateral wrap-up deforms 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.

16. The method of claim 15 , 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.

17. The method of claim 16 , 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.

18. The method of claim 17 , 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.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2021
From: JOHNSON, CHARLES; GIRARD, ROMAIN; REDON, ARNAUD
To: PUMA SE
Reel/Frame 058251/0145 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 16546148 · Aug 20, 2019
Related Publication 20220087366A1 · Mar 24, 2022
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