TEAM SHOE SET WITH DIFFERING UPPER CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

A set of shoes for use by members of a team. The shoes allow for a uniform appearance in a team environment by way of substantially similar uppers, while providing individualized performance specifications, with respect to support and breathability, for each upper. The substantially similar appearance of the upper may be due to material overlays, stitch patterns, color scheme and/or perforations and may be based on team criteria. The uppers are materially different from each other due to internal or external supports, material types and/or breathability. The substantially similar upper provides a uniform appearance for the team. The individualized performance specifications of each upper provide the comfort, performance and/or safety preferences desired by each player.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a set of articles of footwear according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a lateral side view of one shoe from the set of articles of footwear shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a lateral side view of a second shoe from the set of articles of footwear shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a lateral side view of a third shoe from the set of articles of footwear that could be included as part of the set of articles of footwear shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 are perspective and side views of articles of footwear according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another arrangement of the set of articles of footwear according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a lateral side view of one shoe from a set of articles of footwear according to this second arrangement.

FIG. 4B is a lateral side view of a second shoe taken from a set of articles of footwear according to this second arrangement.

FIG. 4C is a lateral side view of a third shoe from a set of articles of footwear that could be included as part of a set of articles of footwear according to the second arrangement.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of yet another arrangement of a set of articles of footwear according to aspects of the present invention.

Claims

1. A team set of shoes comprising: a first pair of shoes and a second pair of shoes;the first pair of shoes having an upper including an appearance type and performance specifications, wherein the performance specifications include support characteristics and breathability characteristics;the second pair of shoes having an upper including an appearance type and performance specifications, wherein the performance specifications include support characteristics and breathability characteristics;wherein the upper of the first pair includes an appearance type substantially similar to the appearance type of the second pair and materially different characteristics with respect to at least one of support and breathability.

2. The team set of shoes of claim 1, wherein the appearance type of the uppers includes a substantially similar color scheme and different material types and the first and second pair of shoes includes identical soles.

3. The team set of shoes of claim 1, wherein the first pair of shoes includes an external support strap and the second pair of shoes is void of a similar support strap.

4. The team set of shoes of claim 3, wherein the support strap is fixedly attached to the upper at one end.

5. The team set of shoes of claim 3, wherein the support strap continues the pattern formed by overlays on the upper of the first pair of shoes.

6. The team set of shoes of claim 1, wherein the first pair of shoes includes an additional internal support and the second pair of shoes is void of a similar internal support.

7. The team set of shoes of claim 1, further including a third pair of shoes, the third pair having an upper with an appearance type substantially similar to the appearance type of uppers of the first and second pairs.

8. The team set of shoes of claim 7, wherein the third pair includes characteristics with respect to at least one of support and breathability that are materially different from the characteristics of the uppers of the first and second pairs.

9. The team set of shoes of claim 8, wherein the third pair include a material type different from at least one of the first and second pairs.

10. The team set of shoes of claim 1, wherein the first and second pairs of shoes are contained in a kit.

11. The team set of shoes of claim 1 further comprising at least three pairs of shoes, each of the three pairs having an upper with an appearance type and performance specifications including support and breathability characteristics, wherein the appearance type of the upper of each of the three pairs is substantially similar and wherein the characteristics with respect to support and breathability of at least two pairs are materially different from the characteristics of the other pairs.

12. The team set of shoes of claim 11, further including at least five pairs of shoes, wherein the uppers of each of the at least five pairs are substantially similar and wherein the performance specifications of each of the at least five pairs are materially different from all other pairs.

13. A method of providing a set of shoes to multiple players on a team, the method comprising: identifying an upper having an appearance type and performance specifications for multiple players on the team;providing a set of shoes having uppers with substantially similar appearance types and materially different performance specifications based on the identified performance specifications.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of identifying the substantially similar upper appearance type based on properties relating to the team.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the providing step further includes providing at least five pairs of shoes having uppers with substantially similar appearance types and materially differing in performance specifications.

16. A team set of shoes, comprising: a first pair of shoes and a second pair of shoes;the first pair of shoes having an upper, the upper including an appearance type and performance specifications, and a sole;the second pair of shoes having an upper, the upper including an appearance type and performance specifications, and a sole;wherein the upper of the first pair includes an appearance type substantially similar to the appearance type of the second pair;and wherein the first pair further includes an internal support and the second pair is void of a similar internal support.

17. The team set of shoes of claim 16, wherein the first pair further includes an external support strap, fixedly attached to the upper at one end and continuing the pattern formed by overlays on the upper, and the second pair is void of a similar external support strap.

18. The team set of shoes of claim 16, wherein the first and second pair are formed of different material types.

19. The team set of shoes of claim 16, wherein the sole of the first pair is different from the sole of the second pair.

20. The team set of shoes of claim 16, wherein the first and second pairs of shoes are contained in a kit.