US20020029494A1 - Removable and interchangeable shoe tongue - Google Patents

Removable and interchangeable shoe tongue Download PDF

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Publication number
US20020029494A1
US20020029494A1 US09/949,403 US94940301A US2002029494A1 US 20020029494 A1 US20020029494 A1 US 20020029494A1 US 94940301 A US94940301 A US 94940301A US 2002029494 A1 US2002029494 A1 US 2002029494A1
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Prior art keywords
tongue
shoe
indicia
disposed
strip
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US09/949,403
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Ina Small
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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43FOOTWEAR
    • A43BCHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B23/00Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
    • A43B23/24Ornamental buckles; Other ornaments for shoes without fastening function
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43FOOTWEAR
    • A43BCHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B23/00Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
    • A43B23/26Tongues for shoes
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43FOOTWEAR
    • A43BCHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/0036Footwear characterised by the shape or the use characterised by a special shape or design
    • A43B3/0078Footwear characterised by the shape or the use characterised by a special shape or design provided with logos, letters, signatures or the like decoration
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43FOOTWEAR
    • A43BCHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/24Collapsible or convertible
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43FOOTWEAR
    • A43BCHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/24Collapsible or convertible
    • A43B3/242Collapsible or convertible characterised by the upper
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43FOOTWEAR
    • A43CFASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
    • A43C11/00Other fastenings specially adapted for shoes
    • A43C11/20Fastenings with tightening devices mounted on the tongue

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a removable and interchangeable shoe tongue.
  • Most shoes are made with an opening having a tongue originating near the front of the shoe which allows a person to more easily insert a foot into the shoe.
  • the shoe's tongue protects the foot from the elements and/or protects a person's instep from fastening means which may be present above the tongue.
  • the shoe's tongue usually runs along the instep up to the point where the person's shin meets the foot at or about the ankle line.
  • Shoes with tongues are constructed such that the tongue is permanently attached to the shoe, i.e. the tongue cannot be removed without causing damage or destroying the shoe.
  • a removable tongue allows a person to change the aesthetic appearance of the shoe by exchanging one tongue for another.
  • a removable tongue makes cleaning the shoe easier, as the areas of the shoe below the laces or other fastening means is often times the most difficult to access for cleaning and/or polishing.
  • the present invention is a detachable tongue for a shoe.
  • the shoe has an upper covering, disposed on a sole, which defines an instep opening and an ankle opening communicating therewith.
  • the instep opening has a fore end near the front of the shoe and an aft end adjacent the ankle opening.
  • the openings permit insertion of a person's foot in the shoe such that the instep opening is adjacent the person's instep when the foot is in the shoe.
  • the detachable tongue is an elongated strip of material having fore and aft ends which is disposed in the instep opening such that the fore and aft ends of the strip substantially align with the fore and aft ends of the instep opening, respectively.
  • the shoe with the detachable tongue includes a fastener at the fore end of the strip to attach the tongue to the upper covering near the fore end of the instep opening.
  • the fastener for the detachable tongue includes a fabric fastener defining a hook and loop fastening system, one or more buttons, a snap system, a hook and eye system, a zipper, and a string system.
  • the fastener can be hidden from view such as by locating it on an underside of the upper covering.
  • the detachable tongue can include cushioning.
  • FIG. 1A diagrammatically illustrates a shoe with a removable tongue
  • FIG. 1B diagrammatically illustrates the removable tongue separate from the shoe
  • FIG. 1C diagrammatically illustrates an interchangeable tongue
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B diagrammatically illustrate a shoe with a removable tongue having a fabric fastener
  • FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a partial view of a shoe with a removable tongue having a zipper fastener
  • FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a partial view of a strap or string system fastener between the removable tongue and a shoe
  • FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the removable tongue
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a partial view of a button system fastener between the interchangeable tongue and the upper covering of the shoe
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a partial view of a hook and eye fastening system between the detachable tongue and the shoe.
  • FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8 C illustrate the detachable tongue with various indicia.
  • the present invention relates to a detachable tongue for a shoe.
  • the detachable tongue can be utilized on all types of shoes with an instep area accommodating a flexible material utilized for fastening and removing the shoes.
  • the detachable tongue can be used for dress shoes, deck shoes, tennis shoes, cleats, or other athletic shoes.
  • the detachable tongue permits the wearer to customize the shoes by replacing one tongue for another.
  • the members of a sporting team could replace the tongues on their shoes to have their team insignia, logo or mascot displayed on the tongue of their shoes.
  • FIG. 1A diagrammatically illustrates a shoe 20 with a removable or detachable tongue 12 .
  • the shoe 20 illustrated in FIG. 1A is a tennis shoe-style athletic shoe, commonly referred to as a sneaker.
  • the shoe does not have a shoe string or lace threaded through its eyelets 26 .
  • the tongue 12 protrudes upward through the instep opening 30 defined by the upper covering 32 of the shoe.
  • the upper covering 32 refers to the entire upper portion of the shoe, which would include what is traditionally referred to as the shoe's vamp, tip, collar, quarter, foxing and mudguard.
  • the upper covering 32 is attached to the sole 34 and defines an instep opening 30 and an ankle opening 36 communicating therewith.
  • the instep opening 30 has a fore end 40 near the front of the shoe, an aft end 42 adjacent the ankle opening 36 , and two opposing sides 44 , 46 .
  • the instep opening 30 and ankle opening 36 are large enough to permit insertion of a person's foot in the shoe 20 .
  • the shoe's tongue 12 is disposed within the instep opening 36 and typically covers a person's instep, that is, the upper surface of the arched middle portion of the foot in front of the ankle joint. Similar items are identified by similar reference numbers throughout the drawings.
  • the detachable tongue 12 is an elongated strip of material having fore and aft ends 50 , 52 which is disposed in the instep opening 36 such that the fore and aft ends of the strip 50 , 52 substantially align with the fore and aft ends of the instep opening 40 , 42 , respectively.
  • the strip or detachable tongue 12 can be made of any material suitable for the particular type of shoe and known by those skilled in the art, such as leather, cloth, canvas, vinyl, or a combination thereof.
  • the detachable tongue 12 includes cushioning 58 (see FIG. 5) which can be a synthetic sponge material, for example, or similar material.
  • FIGS. 1B and 1C diagrammatically illustrate two interchangeable, detachable tongues 12 .
  • Tongue 12 in FIG. 1B includes indicia 14 in the form of a star.
  • Tongue 12 in FIG. 1C illustrates a star and stripes indicia 14 , 16 .
  • the shoe 20 with the detachable tongue 12 includes one or more fasteners at the fore end of the strip to attach the tongue to the upper covering 32 near the fore end 40 of the instep opening 30 .
  • FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1 C illustrate the use of a snap system to removably fasten the tongue 12 to the upper covering 32 .
  • two snaps 60 , 62 are disposed on the fore end 50 of strip 12 .
  • the snaps 60 , 62 correspond to the snap counterparts 70 , 72 (shown in dashed circles) located on the underside or beneath the upper covering 32 at the fore end 40 of the instep opening 30 .
  • This embodiment allows the fastening means to be hidden from view.
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B diagrammatically illustrate another embodiment of the shoe 20 and detachable tongue 12 in which the fastening means between the interchangeable tongue 12 and upper covering 32 is a fabric fastener 22 .
  • the fabric fastener 22 defines a hook and loop fastening system in which a strip of fabric having small hooks is affixed to one surface and another strip of fabric having miniature loops is affixed to the other surface, such that a mechanical bond is formed when the two strips come in contact with each other.
  • one part of the fabric fastener system 22 is attached to the underside of the upper covering 32 at the fore end 40 of the instep opening and the other part of the fabric fastener 10 is attached to the fore end 50 of the detachable tongue 12 .
  • FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a partial view of another embodiment of the fastening system between the shoe 20 and a corresponding detachable tongue 12 .
  • the tongue 12 in FIG. 3 is attached or fastened to the shoe 20 by a zipper system 74 in which the fore end 50 of the strip and the two opposing sides 54 , 56 are connected to the instep opening 30 . A portion of the aft end 52 of the strip is not attached.
  • the zipper system 74 can also be utilized to connect only a portion of the tongue 12 to the upper covering 32 .
  • the zipper 74 can be used to connect only the fore end 50 of the tongue 12 to the upper covering 32 at the fore end 40 of the instep opening 30 .
  • two zipper systems can be utilized to fasten the tongue 12 to either of the upper covering opposing sides 44 ′, 46 ′.
  • FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a partial view of another embodiment of the fastener between the detachable tongue 12 and shoe 20 .
  • a string or lace system is utilized in which the detachable tongue 12 is laced to the fore end of the upper covering 32 .
  • the laces 76 are held taut or fastened through the use of a buckle 78 .
  • the strings or laces 76 can also be tied together as regular shoe laces are traditionally tied.
  • FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates a partial view of a button fastening system.
  • buttons 80 , 80 ′ are attached to the tongue 12 .
  • the buttons substantially align with button slits 82 , 82 ′, respectively.
  • the buttons also serve to change the appearance of the shoe through the indicia 14 marking the surface of the button.
  • FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates a partial view of one embodiment of a hook and eye fastening system.
  • the detachable tongue 12 includes small hooks 84 , 84 ′ which latch on to small eyelets or loops 86 , 86 ′ attached to the shoe's upper covering.
  • fasteners that can be utilized to securely attach the tongue 12 to the upper covering 32 of the shoe 20 commonly known by those skilled in the art.
  • the previously described hook and eye system could be used throughout the tongue.
  • the fabric hook and loop system described earlier can be used in conjunction with small straps.
  • the fasteners included in the drawings are merely exemplary, and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the detachable tongue 12 from the perspective of reference line 5 ′ 5 ′′ in FIG. 4.
  • the detachable tongue in FIG. 5 is constructed with three layers.
  • the outer layers 48 , 48 ′ are made on leather or similar material commonly used to construct shoes.
  • the inner layer 58 is made of a cushioning material, such as a synthetic sponge material to add comfort.
  • the detachable tongue 12 allows the wearer to interchange one tongue for another to change the look, and sometimes the style of the shoe.
  • the shoe 20 and interchangeable, detachable tongues 12 depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1 C have indicia 14 , 16 , 18 .
  • the shoe 20 includes a star 18 on the side of the upper covering 32 .
  • the tongue 12 in FIG. 1B includes a star 14 at the aft end 52 of the strip.
  • the interchangeable tongue 12 in FIG. 1C includes a double-star 14 and stripes 16 .
  • the wearer or owner of the shoe could attach a tongue with the wearer's indicia, for example, the wearer's initials or name. See indicia 14 in FIG. 8C.
  • Several members of a team could change the tongues of their shoes to include indicia bearing the team's letters, colors, mascot, etc. See indicia 14 in FIG. 8B.
  • Children's shoes could include several tongues bearing favorite cartoon characters.
  • the tongue can also include trademark indicia or be used to advertise a particular brand as illustrated in FIG. 8A.

Abstract

The present invention is a detachable tongue for a shoe. The shoe has an upper covering, disposed on a sole, which defines an instep opening and an ankle opening communicating therewith. The instep opening has a fore end and an aft end. The detachable tongue is an elongated strip of material having fore and aft ends which is disposed in the instep opening. The shoe with the detachable tongue includes means for removably fastening the strip to the upper covering at the instep opening. The fastening means includes fasteners such as a fabric fastener defining a hook and loop fastening system, one or more buttons, a snap system, a hook and eye system, a zipper, and a string system. In one embodiment the detachable tongue is removably disposed on the upper covering of the shoe at the fore end of the instep opening such that the fastener is hidden from view.

Description

  • This is a regular patent application based upon provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/231,871 filed Sep. 12, 2000, now pending.[0001]
  • The present invention relates to a removable and interchangeable shoe tongue. [0002]
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Most shoes are made with an opening having a tongue originating near the front of the shoe which allows a person to more easily insert a foot into the shoe. The shoe's tongue protects the foot from the elements and/or protects a person's instep from fastening means which may be present above the tongue. The shoe's tongue usually runs along the instep up to the point where the person's shin meets the foot at or about the ankle line. Shoes with tongues are constructed such that the tongue is permanently attached to the shoe, i.e. the tongue cannot be removed without causing damage or destroying the shoe. [0003]
  • There is a need for a shoe with a removable tongue. A removable tongue allows a person to change the aesthetic appearance of the shoe by exchanging one tongue for another. In addition, a removable tongue makes cleaning the shoe easier, as the areas of the shoe below the laces or other fastening means is often times the most difficult to access for cleaning and/or polishing. [0004]
  • OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
  • It is an object of the present invention to provide a shoe with a removable tongue. [0005]
  • It is a further object of the present invention to provide an interchangeable tongue for a shoe. [0006]
  • It is a further object of the present invention to provide a removable tongue such that the shoe tongue can be removed and reattached by a simple method. [0007]
  • It is another object of the present invention to provide an interchangeable tongue for a shoe with indicia such that the shoe can be customized for a particular purpose or event. [0008]
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention is a detachable tongue for a shoe. The shoe has an upper covering, disposed on a sole, which defines an instep opening and an ankle opening communicating therewith. The instep opening has a fore end near the front of the shoe and an aft end adjacent the ankle opening. The openings permit insertion of a person's foot in the shoe such that the instep opening is adjacent the person's instep when the foot is in the shoe. The detachable tongue is an elongated strip of material having fore and aft ends which is disposed in the instep opening such that the fore and aft ends of the strip substantially align with the fore and aft ends of the instep opening, respectively. The shoe with the detachable tongue includes a fastener at the fore end of the strip to attach the tongue to the upper covering near the fore end of the instep opening. The fastener for the detachable tongue includes a fabric fastener defining a hook and loop fastening system, one or more buttons, a snap system, a hook and eye system, a zipper, and a string system. The fastener can be hidden from view such as by locating it on an underside of the upper covering. The detachable tongue can include cushioning.[0009]
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [0010]
  • FIG. 1A diagrammatically illustrates a shoe with a removable tongue; [0011]
  • FIG. 1B diagrammatically illustrates the removable tongue separate from the shoe; [0012]
  • FIG. 1C diagrammatically illustrates an interchangeable tongue; [0013]
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B diagrammatically illustrate a shoe with a removable tongue having a fabric fastener; [0014]
  • FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a partial view of a shoe with a removable tongue having a zipper fastener; [0015]
  • FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a partial view of a strap or string system fastener between the removable tongue and a shoe; [0016]
  • FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the removable tongue; [0017]
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a partial view of a button system fastener between the interchangeable tongue and the upper covering of the shoe; [0018]
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a partial view of a hook and eye fastening system between the detachable tongue and the shoe; and [0019]
  • FIGS. 8A, 8B and [0020] 8C illustrate the detachable tongue with various indicia.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • The present invention relates to a detachable tongue for a shoe. The detachable tongue can be utilized on all types of shoes with an instep area accommodating a flexible material utilized for fastening and removing the shoes. For example, the detachable tongue can be used for dress shoes, deck shoes, tennis shoes, cleats, or other athletic shoes. The detachable tongue permits the wearer to customize the shoes by replacing one tongue for another. For example, the members of a sporting team could replace the tongues on their shoes to have their team insignia, logo or mascot displayed on the tongue of their shoes. [0021]
  • FIG. 1A diagrammatically illustrates a [0022] shoe 20 with a removable or detachable tongue 12. The shoe 20 illustrated in FIG. 1A is a tennis shoe-style athletic shoe, commonly referred to as a sneaker. The shoe does not have a shoe string or lace threaded through its eyelets 26. The tongue 12 protrudes upward through the instep opening 30 defined by the upper covering 32 of the shoe. The upper covering 32 refers to the entire upper portion of the shoe, which would include what is traditionally referred to as the shoe's vamp, tip, collar, quarter, foxing and mudguard. The upper covering 32 is attached to the sole 34 and defines an instep opening 30 and an ankle opening 36 communicating therewith. The instep opening 30 has a fore end 40 near the front of the shoe, an aft end 42 adjacent the ankle opening 36, and two opposing sides 44, 46. The instep opening 30 and ankle opening 36 are large enough to permit insertion of a person's foot in the shoe 20. The shoe's tongue 12 is disposed within the instep opening 36 and typically covers a person's instep, that is, the upper surface of the arched middle portion of the foot in front of the ankle joint. Similar items are identified by similar reference numbers throughout the drawings.
  • The [0023] detachable tongue 12 is an elongated strip of material having fore and aft ends 50, 52 which is disposed in the instep opening 36 such that the fore and aft ends of the strip 50, 52 substantially align with the fore and aft ends of the instep opening 40, 42, respectively. The strip or detachable tongue 12 can be made of any material suitable for the particular type of shoe and known by those skilled in the art, such as leather, cloth, canvas, vinyl, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the detachable tongue 12 includes cushioning 58 (see FIG. 5) which can be a synthetic sponge material, for example, or similar material.
  • FIGS. 1B and 1C diagrammatically illustrate two interchangeable, [0024] detachable tongues 12. Tongue 12 in FIG. 1B includes indicia 14 in the form of a star. Tongue 12 in FIG. 1C illustrates a star and stripes indicia 14, 16.
  • In one embodiment, the [0025] shoe 20 with the detachable tongue 12 includes one or more fasteners at the fore end of the strip to attach the tongue to the upper covering 32 near the fore end 40 of the instep opening 30. FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C illustrate the use of a snap system to removably fasten the tongue 12 to the upper covering 32. In FIGS. 1B and 1C, two snaps 60, 62 are disposed on the fore end 50 of strip 12. The snaps 60, 62 correspond to the snap counterparts 70, 72 (shown in dashed circles) located on the underside or beneath the upper covering 32 at the fore end 40 of the instep opening 30. This embodiment allows the fastening means to be hidden from view.
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B diagrammatically illustrate another embodiment of the [0026] shoe 20 and detachable tongue 12 in which the fastening means between the interchangeable tongue 12 and upper covering 32 is a fabric fastener 22. The fabric fastener 22 defines a hook and loop fastening system in which a strip of fabric having small hooks is affixed to one surface and another strip of fabric having miniature loops is affixed to the other surface, such that a mechanical bond is formed when the two strips come in contact with each other. In FIG. 2A, one part of the fabric fastener system 22 is attached to the underside of the upper covering 32 at the fore end 40 of the instep opening and the other part of the fabric fastener 10 is attached to the fore end 50 of the detachable tongue 12.
  • FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a partial view of another embodiment of the fastening system between the [0027] shoe 20 and a corresponding detachable tongue 12. The tongue 12 in FIG. 3 is attached or fastened to the shoe 20 by a zipper system 74 in which the fore end 50 of the strip and the two opposing sides 54, 56 are connected to the instep opening 30. A portion of the aft end 52 of the strip is not attached. The zipper system 74 can also be utilized to connect only a portion of the tongue 12 to the upper covering 32. For example, the zipper 74 can be used to connect only the fore end 50 of the tongue 12 to the upper covering 32 at the fore end 40 of the instep opening 30. Likewise, two zipper systems can be utilized to fasten the tongue 12 to either of the upper covering opposing sides 44′, 46′.
  • FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a partial view of another embodiment of the fastener between the [0028] detachable tongue 12 and shoe 20. In FIG. 4, a string or lace system is utilized in which the detachable tongue 12 is laced to the fore end of the upper covering 32. The laces 76 are held taut or fastened through the use of a buckle 78. The strings or laces 76 can also be tied together as regular shoe laces are traditionally tied.
  • FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates a partial view of a button fastening system. In FIG. 6, [0029] buttons 80, 80′ are attached to the tongue 12. The buttons substantially align with button slits 82, 82′, respectively. Besides fastening the tongue 12 to the upper covering 32 of the shoe, the buttons also serve to change the appearance of the shoe through the indicia 14 marking the surface of the button.
  • FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates a partial view of one embodiment of a hook and eye fastening system. The [0030] detachable tongue 12 includes small hooks 84, 84′ which latch on to small eyelets or loops 86, 86′ attached to the shoe's upper covering.
  • There are numerous fasteners that can be utilized to securely attach the [0031] tongue 12 to the upper covering 32 of the shoe 20 commonly known by those skilled in the art. For example, the previously described hook and eye system could be used throughout the tongue. Also, the fabric hook and loop system described earlier can be used in conjunction with small straps. The fasteners included in the drawings are merely exemplary, and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the [0032] detachable tongue 12 from the perspective of reference line 55″ in FIG. 4. The detachable tongue in FIG. 5 is constructed with three layers. The outer layers 48, 48′ are made on leather or similar material commonly used to construct shoes. The inner layer 58 is made of a cushioning material, such as a synthetic sponge material to add comfort.
  • The [0033] detachable tongue 12 allows the wearer to interchange one tongue for another to change the look, and sometimes the style of the shoe. For example, the shoe 20 and interchangeable, detachable tongues 12 depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C have indicia 14, 16, 18. The shoe 20 includes a star 18 on the side of the upper covering 32. The tongue 12 in FIG. 1B includes a star 14 at the aft end 52 of the strip. The interchangeable tongue 12 in FIG. 1C includes a double-star 14 and stripes 16. By taking out one tongue and replacing it with another with different indicia, the shoe can be customized. The wearer or owner of the shoe could attach a tongue with the wearer's indicia, for example, the wearer's initials or name. See indicia 14 in FIG. 8C. Several members of a team could change the tongues of their shoes to include indicia bearing the team's letters, colors, mascot, etc. See indicia 14 in FIG. 8B. Children's shoes could include several tongues bearing favorite cartoon characters. The tongue can also include trademark indicia or be used to advertise a particular brand as illustrated in FIG. 8A.
  • The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the present invention.[0034]

Claims (32)

What is claimed is:
1. A detachable tongue for a shoe, said shoe having an upper covering disposed on a sole, said upper covering defining an instep opening and an ankle opening communicating therewith, said instep opening having a fore end and an aft end, said detachable tongue comprising:
an elongated strip of material having fore and aft ends adapted to be disposed in said instep opening; and
means for removably fastening said fore end of said strip to said upper covering near said fore end of said instep opening.
2. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fastening means is disposed at the strip fore end.
3. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fastening means is a fastener from the group of a fabric fastener defining a hook and loop fastening system, one or more buttons, a snap system, a hook and eye system, a zipper, and a string system.
4. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fastening means is disposed at the strip fore end and beneath said upper covering such that said fastening means is hidden from view.
5. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elongated strip of material includes cushioning.
6. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fastening means permits said strip to be removed.
7. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 1 wherein said strip is one of a plurality of strips adapted to be interchanged.
8. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 1 wherein said strip bears indicia including indicia from the group of advertising indicia, wearer indicia, team member indicia, and trademark indicia.
9. A shoe, comprising:
a sole;
an upper covering disposed on said sole, said upper covering defining an instep opening and an ankle opening communicating therewith, said instep opening having a fore end and an aft end;
a detachable tongue having fore and aft ends, said tongue removably disposed in said instep opening; and
means for removably fastening said fore end of said tongue with said upper covering near said fore end of said instep opening.
10. A shoe as claimed in claim 9 wherein said fastening means are disposed at the tongue fore end and the instep opening fore end.
11. A shoe as claimed in claim 9 wherein said fastening means is a fastener from the group of a fabric fastener defining a hook and loop fastening system, one or more buttons, a snap system, a hook and eye system, a zipper, and a string system.
12. A shoe as claimed in claim 9 wherein said fastening means are disposed at the tongue fore end and on an underside of said upper covering.
13. A shoe as claimed in claim 9 wherein said tongue includes cushioning.
14. A shoe as claimed in claim 9 wherein said fastening means permits said tongue to be removed.
15. A shoe as claimed in claim 9 wherein said tongue is one of a plurality of tongues adapted to be interchanged.
16. A shoe as claimed in claim 9 wherein said tongue bears indicia including indicia from the group of advertising indicia, wearer indicia, team member indicia, and trademark indicia.
17. A detachable tongue for a shoe, said shoe having an upper covering disposed on a sole, said upper covering defining an instep opening and an ankle opening communicating therewith, said instep opening having a fore end, an aft end, and side walls, said detachable tongue comprising:
an elongated strip of material having a fore end, an aft end, and opposing side walls, said strip adapted to be disposed in said instep opening; and
one or more fasteners disposed on said strip at one or more locations from the group consisting of a fore end location and opposing side wall locations, for removably fastening said said strip to said upper covering.
18. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 17 wherein said one or more fasteners is disposed at the strip fore end.
19. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 17 wherein said one or more fasteners is disposed at the strip fore end and one of the strip side walls.
20. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 17 wherein said one or more fasteners is disposed at the strip fore end and both of the opposing side walls.
21. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 17 wherein said one or more fasteners is disposed at both of the opposing side walls.
22. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 17 wherein said one or more fasteners is a fastener from the group of a fabric fastener defining a hook and loop fastening system, one or more buttons, a snap system, a hook and eye system, a zipper, and a string system.
23. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 17 wherein said one or more fasteners is disposed on the strip and beneath said upper covering such that said one or more fasteners is hidden from view.
24. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 17 wherein said elongated strip of material includes cushioning.
25. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 17 wherein said strip is one of a plurality of strips adapted to be interchanged.
26. A detachable tongue as claimed in claim 17 wherein said strip bears indicia including indicia from the group of advertising indicia, wearer indicia, team member indicia, and trademark indicia.
27. A shoe, comprising:
a sole;
an upper covering disposed on said sole, said upper covering defining an instep opening and an ankle opening communicating therewith, said instep opening having a fore end, an aft end and opposing side walls;
a detachable tongue having a fore end, an aft end, and opposing side walls, said tongue removably disposed in said instep opening; and
one or more fasteners disposed on said tongue at one or more locations from the group consisting of a fore end location and opposing side wall locations.
28. A shoe as claimed in claim 27 wherein said one or more fasteners is a fastener from the group of a fabric fastener defining a hook and loop fastening system, one or more buttons, a snap system, a hook and eye system, a zipper, and a string system.
29. A shoe as claimed in claim 27 wherein said one or more fasteners is disposed on said tongue and on an underside of said upper covering.
30. A shoe as claimed in claim 27 wherein said tongue includes cushioning.
31. A shoe as claimed in claim 27 wherein said tongue is one of a plurality of tongues adapted to be interchanged.
32. A shoe as claimed in claim 27 wherein said tongue bears indicia including indicia from the group of advertising indicia, wearer indicia, team member indicia, and trademark indicia.
US09/949,403 2000-09-12 2001-09-07 Removable and interchangeable shoe tongue Abandoned US20020029494A1 (en)

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US6574887B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2003-06-10 U-Turn Sports Co, Llc Footwear with reversible tongue
WO2003086130A1 (en) 2002-04-11 2003-10-23 U Turn Sports Co., Llc Footwear with reversible tongue
US20040177532A1 (en) * 2003-03-10 2004-09-16 Lawrence Kevin J. Favorite sports team footwear construction
US20050217146A1 (en) * 2003-05-13 2005-10-06 Jones Lindell B Footwear with reversible tongue
US20060288614A1 (en) * 2004-02-04 2006-12-28 Tonkel Raymond F Footwear with pivotal and/or rotatable tongue
WO2007126991A2 (en) * 2006-03-31 2007-11-08 Nike, Inc Convertible dance shoe
US7318290B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2008-01-15 U Turn Sports Co., Llc. Footwear with reversible tongue
US20080086914A1 (en) * 2004-04-23 2008-04-17 Podi, L.L.C. Interchangeable Footwear Component
US20080189985A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2008-08-14 Cox Donald R Tongue for footwear with changeable overlays
US7412785B1 (en) * 2004-09-13 2008-08-19 Edward Navasky Decorative vamp system
US7464488B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2008-12-16 U Turn Sports, Co Llc. Reversible footwear strap
EP2052635A1 (en) * 2007-10-25 2009-04-29 Rossignol Lange S.R.L. Method of decorating sports footwear by painting
US20090282608A1 (en) * 2008-05-09 2009-11-19 Mark Terrence Owens Removable-replaceable-chaneable wearable style and or design
US7669352B2 (en) 2007-03-30 2010-03-02 Jerry Stefani Interchangeable component shoe system
US20100180469A1 (en) * 2009-01-22 2010-07-22 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear with a customizable upper
US20100184349A1 (en) * 2009-01-16 2010-07-22 Rita Hernandez Toy for mounting on a child's shoe
US7891120B1 (en) * 2007-07-12 2011-02-22 Randy Neihoff Cover for a shoe tongue
US20110247242A1 (en) * 2010-04-13 2011-10-13 Mor Koren Schwartz Asymmetrical footwear having a configuration that is continuous from one shoe to another
US8161664B1 (en) * 2004-09-08 2012-04-24 Andrew Curran Dawson Pant-leg-covers for modified footwear, conventional footwear, and other foot-receiving apparatuses
USD668442S1 (en) 2010-12-30 2012-10-09 Sport Maska Inc. Skate boot tongue
FR2980081A1 (en) * 2011-09-15 2013-03-22 Oumou Barry Device for changing e.g. external appearance of e.g. ballet shoe, according to user's desire, has buttons assembled together to form assembly so as to exert interchangeable decoration on shoe when pattern is hung above by user
WO2014031091A1 (en) * 2012-08-20 2014-02-27 In Eden Properties, Llc (Company) Shoes with a fashion design mounting base material for use with interchangeable fashion design attachments
US20140173944A1 (en) * 2012-12-20 2014-06-26 Edison Nation, Llc Fastener for childrens footwear
US9119441B2 (en) 2010-12-30 2015-09-01 Sport Maska Inc. Skate boot tongue
US20170238645A1 (en) * 2016-02-24 2017-08-24 Vida Shoes International Inc. Customizable shoe
USD795564S1 (en) * 2015-12-01 2017-08-29 Nike, Inc. Shoe upper
ITUA20161971A1 (en) * 2016-03-24 2017-09-24 Andrea Acciaresi SHOE MAKING EQUIPPED WITH A REMOVABLE FRONT SHOE.
US20170318906A1 (en) * 2016-05-03 2017-11-09 Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, Llc Flexible fastening system for shoe tongue footwear
US20170347745A1 (en) * 2016-06-01 2017-12-07 Nike, Inc. Printing over stitching
US20180084866A1 (en) * 2015-04-17 2018-03-29 Intricate Forte, Inc. Heel pad having a malleable member and method of use
US20180199670A1 (en) * 2017-01-17 2018-07-19 William I. CRAVEN Removable shoe lace replacement overlay and method of using same
USD836304S1 (en) 2016-01-18 2018-12-25 Mister Jamerson Shoe
US20190037963A1 (en) * 2017-08-02 2019-02-07 Sport Maska Inc. Skate with removable tongue
CN109619765A (en) * 2018-12-25 2019-04-16 温州慧谷产品设计有限公司 A kind of correction flap prevents askew device
US20190142112A1 (en) * 2017-11-13 2019-05-16 Nike, Inc. Hinged removable footwear tongue
US11096448B1 (en) * 2020-04-05 2021-08-24 Raenelle Hodge Hidden connection interchangeable tongue
USD953718S1 (en) 1991-07-25 2022-06-07 Intricate Forte, Inc. Heel pad for a shoe
US11388954B2 (en) 2015-04-17 2022-07-19 Intricate Forte, Inc. Heel pad having a malleable member and method of use
JP7261519B1 (en) 2022-09-06 2023-04-20 株式会社ティーワン shoes
USD985243S1 (en) 2013-11-12 2023-05-09 Riomar Ip, Llc Shoe device
US20230233055A1 (en) * 2022-01-27 2023-07-27 Stomp Patent Llc Shoe bottom cleansing apparatus

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US7464488B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2008-12-16 U Turn Sports, Co Llc. Reversible footwear strap
US6574887B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2003-06-10 U-Turn Sports Co, Llc Footwear with reversible tongue
US7318290B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2008-01-15 U Turn Sports Co., Llc. Footwear with reversible tongue
CN100435683C (en) * 2002-04-11 2008-11-26 U型旋转运动器材有限责任公司 Footwear with reversible tongue
WO2003086130A1 (en) 2002-04-11 2003-10-23 U Turn Sports Co., Llc Footwear with reversible tongue
US20040177532A1 (en) * 2003-03-10 2004-09-16 Lawrence Kevin J. Favorite sports team footwear construction
US7284343B2 (en) 2003-05-13 2007-10-23 U Turn Sports, Co Llc. Footwear with reversible tongue
US20050217146A1 (en) * 2003-05-13 2005-10-06 Jones Lindell B Footwear with reversible tongue
US20060288614A1 (en) * 2004-02-04 2006-12-28 Tonkel Raymond F Footwear with pivotal and/or rotatable tongue
US7757414B2 (en) 2004-02-04 2010-07-20 U Turn Sports Co. LLC Footwear with pivotal and/or rotatable tongue
US20080086914A1 (en) * 2004-04-23 2008-04-17 Podi, L.L.C. Interchangeable Footwear Component
US20100083538A1 (en) * 2004-04-23 2010-04-08 Podi, L.L.C. Interchangeable Footwear Component
US7614165B2 (en) 2004-04-23 2009-11-10 Podi, L.L.C. Interchangeable footwear component
US8161664B1 (en) * 2004-09-08 2012-04-24 Andrew Curran Dawson Pant-leg-covers for modified footwear, conventional footwear, and other foot-receiving apparatuses
US7412785B1 (en) * 2004-09-13 2008-08-19 Edward Navasky Decorative vamp system
US7685739B2 (en) 2006-03-31 2010-03-30 Nike, Inc. Convertible dance shoe
WO2007126991A2 (en) * 2006-03-31 2007-11-08 Nike, Inc Convertible dance shoe
WO2007126991A3 (en) * 2006-03-31 2008-02-07 Nike Inc Convertible dance shoe
US20080189985A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2008-08-14 Cox Donald R Tongue for footwear with changeable overlays
US20110209361A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2011-09-01 Cox Donald R Tongue for footwear with changeable overlays
US7669352B2 (en) 2007-03-30 2010-03-02 Jerry Stefani Interchangeable component shoe system
US20110023326A1 (en) * 2007-03-30 2011-02-03 Jerry Stefani Interchangeable component shoe system
US8028441B2 (en) 2007-03-30 2011-10-04 Jerry Stefani Interchangeable component shoe system
US7891120B1 (en) * 2007-07-12 2011-02-22 Randy Neihoff Cover for a shoe tongue
EP2052635A1 (en) * 2007-10-25 2009-04-29 Rossignol Lange S.R.L. Method of decorating sports footwear by painting
US20090282608A1 (en) * 2008-05-09 2009-11-19 Mark Terrence Owens Removable-replaceable-chaneable wearable style and or design
US20100184349A1 (en) * 2009-01-16 2010-07-22 Rita Hernandez Toy for mounting on a child's shoe
US20100180469A1 (en) * 2009-01-22 2010-07-22 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear with a customizable upper
US9894956B2 (en) 2009-01-22 2018-02-20 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear with a customizable upper
US8950087B2 (en) * 2009-01-22 2015-02-10 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear with a customizable upper
US20110247242A1 (en) * 2010-04-13 2011-10-13 Mor Koren Schwartz Asymmetrical footwear having a configuration that is continuous from one shoe to another
US8881429B2 (en) * 2010-04-13 2014-11-11 Mor Koren Schwartz Asymmetrical footwear having a configuration that is continuous from one shoe to another
USD668442S1 (en) 2010-12-30 2012-10-09 Sport Maska Inc. Skate boot tongue
US10136696B2 (en) 2010-12-30 2018-11-27 Sport Maska Inc. Skate boot tongue
US9119441B2 (en) 2010-12-30 2015-09-01 Sport Maska Inc. Skate boot tongue
FR2980081A1 (en) * 2011-09-15 2013-03-22 Oumou Barry Device for changing e.g. external appearance of e.g. ballet shoe, according to user's desire, has buttons assembled together to form assembly so as to exert interchangeable decoration on shoe when pattern is hung above by user
WO2014031091A1 (en) * 2012-08-20 2014-02-27 In Eden Properties, Llc (Company) Shoes with a fashion design mounting base material for use with interchangeable fashion design attachments
US20140173944A1 (en) * 2012-12-20 2014-06-26 Edison Nation, Llc Fastener for childrens footwear
USD985243S1 (en) 2013-11-12 2023-05-09 Riomar Ip, Llc Shoe device
US11388954B2 (en) 2015-04-17 2022-07-19 Intricate Forte, Inc. Heel pad having a malleable member and method of use
US20180084866A1 (en) * 2015-04-17 2018-03-29 Intricate Forte, Inc. Heel pad having a malleable member and method of use
USD795564S1 (en) * 2015-12-01 2017-08-29 Nike, Inc. Shoe upper
USD836304S1 (en) 2016-01-18 2018-12-25 Mister Jamerson Shoe
US11109636B2 (en) * 2016-02-24 2021-09-07 Vida Shoes International Inc. Customizable shoe
US20170238645A1 (en) * 2016-02-24 2017-08-24 Vida Shoes International Inc. Customizable shoe
ITUA20161971A1 (en) * 2016-03-24 2017-09-24 Andrea Acciaresi SHOE MAKING EQUIPPED WITH A REMOVABLE FRONT SHOE.
US20170318906A1 (en) * 2016-05-03 2017-11-09 Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, Llc Flexible fastening system for shoe tongue footwear
CN109310176A (en) * 2016-06-01 2019-02-05 耐克创新有限合伙公司 Cross the printing of suture
US11903447B2 (en) 2016-06-01 2024-02-20 Nike, Inc. Printing over stitching
US20170347745A1 (en) * 2016-06-01 2017-12-07 Nike, Inc. Printing over stitching
US10624412B2 (en) * 2016-06-01 2020-04-21 Nike, Inc. Printing over stitching
US20180199670A1 (en) * 2017-01-17 2018-07-19 William I. CRAVEN Removable shoe lace replacement overlay and method of using same
US20210282502A1 (en) * 2017-08-02 2021-09-16 Sport Maska Inc. Skate with removable tongue
US11039664B2 (en) * 2017-08-02 2021-06-22 Sport Maska Inc. Skate with removable tongue
US20190037963A1 (en) * 2017-08-02 2019-02-07 Sport Maska Inc. Skate with removable tongue
US10512303B2 (en) * 2017-11-13 2019-12-24 Nike, Inc. Hinged removable footwear tongue
US20190142112A1 (en) * 2017-11-13 2019-05-16 Nike, Inc. Hinged removable footwear tongue
CN109619765A (en) * 2018-12-25 2019-04-16 温州慧谷产品设计有限公司 A kind of correction flap prevents askew device
US11096448B1 (en) * 2020-04-05 2021-08-24 Raenelle Hodge Hidden connection interchangeable tongue
US20230233055A1 (en) * 2022-01-27 2023-07-27 Stomp Patent Llc Shoe bottom cleansing apparatus
JP7261519B1 (en) 2022-09-06 2023-04-20 株式会社ティーワン shoes

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