Segmented sole for footwear

US12426672B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lululemon Athletica Canada Inc. · CA

Inventors

• Mark Arthur Oleson · Baltimore, US
• Michael Andrew Notrica · Portland, US
• Christopher Ka-Yin LAM · Portland, US
• Donald Taylor Johnston · Portland, US
• Peter Rueegger · Portland, US
• Simon Luthi · Lake Oswego, US
• Michael Steszyn · Portland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 28, 2020
• Grant date: Sep 30, 2025
• Expiry date: May 10, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A43D2200/60
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A segmented sole for an article of footwear comprises a forefoot region, a heel region, and a segmentation zone disposed between the forefoot and heel region. The segmentation zone includes a plurality of segments separated from each other and from the forefoot and heel by a plurality of sipes, cuts, or gaps. The segmented sole produces bending along a segmentation axis disposed along an arch of a wearer of an article of footwear including the sole, allowing for arch support and natural foot movement.