Abstract: A skate including a tongue mounted to a boot of the skate. The tongue has an upper end and a lower end, and a medial edge and a lateral edge, and a longitudinal center axis of the tongue extends between the upper and lower ends and is spaced equidistantly between segments of the medial and lateral edges. The longitudinal center axis divides the tongue into a medial segment and a lateral segment. The medial and lateral segments are asymmetrical about the longitudinal center axis.

Abstract: A footwear article includes a tongue and a tongue reinforcer, which helps the tongue maintain a shape and position when the tongue is subjected to forces or adjustments, such as from other footwear-article elements or from a wearer. For example, the tongue reinforcer may help the tongue maintain a shape and position when a wearer is inserting his or her foot into the footwear article or when medial and/or lateral quarters press inward on the tongue.

Abstract: A footwear article includes a tongue and a tongue reinforcer, which helps the tongue maintain a shape and position when the tongue is subjected to forces or adjustments, such as from other footwear-article elements or from a wearer. For example, the tongue reinforcer may help the tongue maintain a shape and position when a wearer is inserting his or her foot into the footwear article or when medial and/or lateral quarters press inward on the tongue.

Abstract: A footwear article includes a tongue and a tongue reinforcer, which helps the tongue maintain a shape and position when the tongue is subjected to forces or adjustments, such as from other footwear-article elements or from a wearer. For example, the tongue reinforcer may help the tongue maintain a shape and position when a wearer is inserting his or her foot into the footwear article or when medial and/or lateral quarters press inward on the tongue.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, shoes having elastic tongue-securing straps.

Abstract: A footwear article includes a tongue and a tongue reinforcer, which helps the tongue maintain a shape and position when the tongue is subjected to forces or adjustments, such as from other footwear-article elements or from a wearer. For example, the tongue reinforcer may help the tongue maintain a shape and position when a wearer is inserting his or her foot into the footwear article or when medial and/or lateral quarters press inward on the tongue.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, shoes having elastic tongue-securing straps.

Abstract: Described are shoes with a rigid heel portion, and a collar arranged above the rigid heel portion. The collar includes a first collar portion and a second collar portion, the first collar portion and the second collar portion are configured to partially engage an ankle of a wearer of the shoe on a lateral side, a medial side, and a rear side of the ankle when worn. The first collar portion is more flexible than the rigid heel portion, and the second collar portion is more flexible than the first collar portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper that includes a knitted component and a sole structure secured to the upper. The knitted component may define a tube formed of unitary knit construction, and a strand may extend through a length of the tube. As another example, the knitted component may have a pair of at least partially coextensive knitted layers formed of unitary knit construction, and a plurality of floating yarns may extend between the knitted layers. In some configurations, the knit type or yarn type may vary in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. Additionally, the knitted component may incorporate a thermoplastic yarn that is fused in different regions of the knitted component to impart different properties. A flat knitting process or a variety of other knitting processes may be utilized to form the knitted component.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, shoes having elastic tongue-securing straps.

Abstract: A knitted component including a knit element and a gusseted tongue is incorporated into an upper of an article of footwear. The knit element defines a portion of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper, with the interior surface defining a void for receiving a foot. The knit element and the gusseted tongue are formed together as a knitted component during a knitting process as a one-piece element. The gusseted tongue is formed of unitary knit construction with the knit element and is joined with the knit element in an instep area of the upper. The knitting process includes steps of forming portions of the knitted component, transferring portions of the knitted component to opposite needle beds, shifting needle beds along a lateral direction to cause portions to overlap, and joining the overlapped portions by knitting to form the gusseted tongue.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of articles of footwear or foot-receiving devices having inner and outer tongues, such as double tongue snowboarding boots, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, an article of footwear or foot-receiving device (e.g., snowboarding boot, etc.) generally includes a housing member at least partially defining a chamber for receiving a foot. An inner tongue is coupled to the housing member. An outer tongue is coupled to at least one of the inner tongue and the housing member. Other aspects of the present disclosure relates to methods. An exemplary method of wearing an article of footwear (e.g., snowboarding boot, etc.) generally includes tucking a portion of a wearer's pants leg generally between inner and outer tongues of the snowboarding boot. Another example method includes inserting a foot through an opening of a housing member of a foot-receiving device (e.g., snowboarding boot, etc.), that also includes first and second tongues.

Abstract: An article of footwear with an insert system is disclosed. The insert system can include an insert that may be introduced to a side portion of the upper. The insert is configured to adjust properties of a side portion of an upper. The insert system can include a lateral insert configured to be inserted into an upper and associated with an inner surface of the lateral side portion. The system can also include a medial insert configured to be inserted into the upper and associated with an inner surface of the medial side portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a tongue. The tongue includes a medial portion, a lateral portion, a central portion, a top portion and an upper perimeter portion. The lateral portion, the central portion and the upper perimeter portion include holes. The top portion and medial portion are substantially solid portions without holes. Each portion of the tongue corresponds to a different pressure zone along a foot in order to provide differential cushioning and support against pressure applied by a fastening system.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, shoes having elastic tongue-securing straps.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear includes a knitted component having unitary knit construction. The knitted component has a base portion configured to be disposed adjacent the sole structure. The knitted component also includes one or more side portions that extend from the base portion. Furthermore, the knitted component can have at least a first edge and a second edge that are joined at a seam to define a void that receives a foot. Additionally, the upper can include a tensile strand that extends through a passage defined between an exterior surface and an interior surface of the base portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear for snowboarding includes a tongue with adjustable stiffness. The tongue includes a flexible intermediate portion and the flexibility of the intermediate portion can be controlled by a tension control system. As the tension control system applies increased tension to the tongue, the flexibility of the intermediate portion is decreased, which increases the overall stiffness of the tongue.

Abstract: An article of footwear may include a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction. The knitted component includes a sock portion and a tongue portion. The sock portion has a hollow structure (a) forming an ankle opening in a heel region of the footwear and (b) extending between the heel region and a forefoot region of the footwear to define a void within the footwear for receiving a foot. The tongue portion has an elongate configuration (a) extending through at least a portion of a length of a throat area of the upper and (b) including two knit layers that lay adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A shoe having an upper with a tongue and an outer shell in which the tongue has a bulging extension on the medial side, in which the outer surface of the tongue has a connector that is aligned with a connector on the inner surface of the outer shell. When the connectors are aligned together, the tongue is secured to the outer shell.

Abstract: A skate shoe is disclosed having a shoe sole, a shoe upper, and a protective cover over the shoe upper shoelaces to prevent premature wear and failure thereof, while offering a smooth sliding interface across the shoe upper for skating activities. The shoelace cover comprises an inner tongue and outer tongue sandwiching the shoelaces therebetween, while the shoe upper terminates above the outer tongue and a lateral strap secures over the assembly. The strap originates from the outside portion of the shoe upper and is secured along the shoe upper interior portion, offering an interface across the strap and the secured outer tongue enclosed within the shoe upper that is adept at sliding along a skateboard griptape without having discontinuities and exposing the shoelaces to contact with the skateboard. The inner and outer tongue pivot from the shoe throat line and secure at their distal ends when in use.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a tongue. The tongue includes a medial portion, a lateral portion, a central portion, a top portion and an upper perimeter portion. The medial portion and the top portion have similar thicknesses, which are greater than the thicknesses of the lateral portion, the central portion and the upper perimeter portion. The central portion is the thinnest portion of the tongue. Each portion of the tongue corresponds to a different pressure zone along a foot in order to provide differential cushioning and support against pressure applied by a fastening system.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a tongue. The tongue includes a medial portion, a lateral portion, a central portion, a top portion and an upper perimeter portion. The lateral portion, the central portion and the upper perimeter portion include holes. The top portion and medial portion are substantially solid portions without holes. Each portion of the tongue corresponds to a different pressure zone along a foot in order to provide differential cushioning and support against pressure applied by a fastening system.

Abstract: A skate boot includes a tongue configured to reduce or relieve pressure on the superficial tendons of the anterior region of a skater's foot. The tongue has an outer portion, an inner portion, and one or more channels, grooves, or openings formed in the inner portion or outer portion. The one or more channels, grooves, or openings are positioned to overlie one or more of the superficial tendons in the anterior region of a skater's foot.

Abstract: Waterproof, breathable, stretch-recoverable composites are described herein. They are utilizable within footwear assemblies and exhibit stretchability in at least one direction by at least about 35% at 4 lbs force and exhibit at least about 80% recovery. The composites also exhibit a minimum compression of about 1 mm under a 10 kPa load and recovery of at least about 90% when load is removed.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising a plurality of strips is disclosed. The connections between continuous portions of the article can be strengthened by weaving a plurality of strips through apertures disposed in one or more continuous portions. One continuous portion may include a tongue portion of an article. The attachment of the tongue portion to a front of an article may be strengthened by weaving a plurality of strips through apertures.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-permeable tongue for shoes (1) which adapts to an individual instep and can be connected to shoes, the tongue comprising the following: a flexible yet rigid tongue part (1), which substantially represents the outwardly facing upper face of the tongue and which has an elongate tongue shape having a proximal end (2) and a distal end (3) and substantially consists of a rigid, solid material; and padding (14), which is arranged beneath the rigid tongue part (1) toward a foot in order to protect the foot from pressure points by the rigid tongue part (1) after the shoe has been fastened; the rigid tongue part (1) being characterized in that an inner elongate slot (6; 6a; 6b), and extending therefrom inner transverse slots (7), are introduced into the tongue part substantially in the center along the longitudinal axis of the rigid tongue part (1), whereby rigid segments, which in their interior are not interrupted by the elongate slot (6; 6a, 6b) or by transverse slots (7), are produc

Abstract: The shoe tongue centralizer assembly includes a binding post and a centralizer band which, together prevent the tongue of any type of laced shoe, boot or other footwear from significant movement either laterally or longitudinally in the footwear.

Abstract: A tongue for a shoe is disclosed, especially a sports shoe, having at least one closure passage which is arranged on the outside of an upper region of the tongue when the shoe is in use, and a closure receiving pocket, which is arranged at the back of the closure passage towards a user. A shoe provided with such a tongue is also disclosed.

Abstract: A boot includes an upper formed of articulating panels that permit portions of the boot to move in substantial independence from one another in response to loads experienced by the boot. The boot generally comprises a sports boot that is positioned around a wearer's foot for coupling to an external appliance, such as a snowboard, wakeboard, skating appliance (such as a blade or wheels), or any other appliance.

Abstract: An article of footwear can receive an insert having ball control elements. The ball control elements protrude through a tongue of the upper to engage other surfaces. The inserts may be purchased separately from the article of footwear and interchanged to be used in a variety of conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe with a sole unit, where the sole unit includes a recess for removably receiving a housing of an electronic assembly, for example, an electronic pedometer, an accelerometer, or a speed sensor. Further, the invention relates to a housing for receiving an electronic assembly, for example, a pedometer, an accelerometer, or a speed sensor, where the housing has an outer shape corresponding to the shape of a recess formed in a shoe sole.

Abstract: Textile Components, such as upper members for articles of footwear, include: (a) a first portion having a first edge, wherein the first edge includes a first portion of material engaged with a first seam support material via a first thermoplastic material; (b) a second portion having a second edge, wherein the second edge includes a second portion of material engaged with a second seam support material via a second thermoplastic material; and (c) structure to engage the first and second edges in an abutting edge joint (such as a zig-zag stitch). The resulting textile components may be lightweight and breathable (e.g., due to use of lightweight upper fabric), having a comfortable fit (e.g., due to the abutting edge joint), while still providing a strong, stable, and durable construction (e.g., due to the presence of the seam support member(s)).

Abstract: A shoe closure system includes a plurality of fasteners corresponding to the pairs of eyelets in a shoe. Each fastener includes any elongated elastic member and releasably engageable male and female fastening devices secured to opposite ends of the elongated elastic member. The fastening devices and the elongated elastic member are cross-sectionally dimensioned to pass through the eyelets in the shoe. The male and female fastening devices are passed down through the eyelets in a respective pair of eyelets and are connected to one another at positions above the tongue of the shoe. The elasticity of the elongated elastic member holds the shoe in a comfortably closed position on the foot without having to tie the laces on the shoe. The elongated elastic member can be provided with indicia corresponding to a brand name, team name or logo.

Abstract: A retaining apparatus that is attached to a toe portion of a shoelace section of a laced shoe for securing loops and loose ends of a shoelace. The apparatus is fabricated of a substrate having an engagement surface and an external surface. The substrate is apportioned via a lateral midline into a fixed securing section and a free securing section. The fixed section includes a fastening configuration for securing the apparatus to the shoe. The fastening configuration can be an elongated tubular structure, a pair of loops, an attachment strap, or other fastening configuration. A first coupling interface portion is disposed upon the engagement surface of the fixed securing section and a mating coupling interface portion is disposed upon the engagement surface of the free securing section. The coupling interface engages the free section with the fixed section entrapping the loop and free ends of the shoelace.

Abstract: A ski boot includes a base shell; a sole; an upper shell that has at least a fastening clip and that is articulated to the base shell with pins provided in the region of the malleoli; an inner boot, wherein the base shell defines a slot having two strips coupled one to the other with a gaiter and is provided with at least one fastening device; a first tongue joined to the base shell in the proximity of a tip thereof, the first tong being manufactured from a material of differentiated rigidities, the portion of the first tongue in the area of the free end having a lower rigidity that the portion joined to the base shell; and a removable second tongue configured to cover the first tongue and having a greater rigidity than the first tongue.

Abstract: A shoe is provided including a sole, an upper with a transverse aperture, and a cover piece, wherein the cover piece covers the transverse aperture and is affixed to the shoe at medial and lateral ends of the cover piece, and wherein the transverse aperture compresses without compression of the cover piece when the sole bends along a hinged metatarsophalangeal portion when transitioning from a stance phase to a swing phase.

Abstract: The present invention employs chimneys and chimneys structures to move or vent heat and moisture away from the foot and out of the microclimate of the shoe. The chimneys define pathways that utilize convection and other principles to cool and dry the foot. The chimneys and chimney structures can have many different configurations, and can be positioned anywhere desired in the upper. For example, chimneys can be positioned on the sidewalls of the upper, in the tongue, or both. Chimneys and chimney structures can also be used with form-fitting foot coverings such as socks or leggings, or used with other apparel. Specialized footbeds can also be employed with footwear chimneys to evacuate hot, moist air away from the underside of the foot and towards the chimneys.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a tongue. The tongue includes a top layer and a bottom layer. The top layer is attached to a portion of an upper. The bottom layer is attached to the top layer at a distance that is staggered from where the top layer is attached to the upper. An intermediate layer of cushioning material is optionally provided between the top layer and the bottom layer. Alternatively, the top layer of the tongue is formed integrally from the material of a portion of the upper. The bottom layer is attached to the top layer with the optional intermediate layer of cushioning material disposed in between. The staggered attachment of the top and bottom layers of the tongue provides a smooth surface in contact with a foot of a wearer on the inside of the article of footwear and presents a stitchless visible tongue to the wearer on the outside of the article of footwear.

Abstract: The present invention uses a particular configuration of intermediate stitches between eyelets and elastic connection to provide supplemental support for shoelaces. The intermediate stitches also called inter eyelet stitches provide connection between the shoe and a tongue for supplemental support. The elastic connection additionally provides connection between the shoe and the tongue. The laces having received the stitch support can then be omitted, or styled in a variety of different configurations according to fashion requirements. The intermediate stitches preferably are placed between the third and fourth eyelet, between the first and second eyelet, and below the first eyelet. The elastic connection is preferably configured by the top eyelet also called the fifth eyelet connecting to the tongue.

Abstract: An article of footwear may incorporate various elements that are at least partially formed through a knitting process, such as a circular knitting process or a flat knitting process. Examples of the elements include tongue elements, collar elements, and collar-throat elements. In some configurations, the elements include compressible areas and flange areas. The compressible areas may include free yarn sections that impart compressibility, and the flange areas may be utilized to join the components to the article of footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear is provided and includes a sole structure and an upper structure attached to the sole structure. The upper structure includes a vamp separated into medial and lateral portions, a tongue, and a lace. The tongue includes a main body portion and a first lace-retention feature attached to the main body portion. The main body portion has a first end attached to the medial and lateral portions, a second end that is moveable relative to the upper structure, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The first lace-retention feature includes a first opening that receives the lace in a first direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles with cavities capable of receiving objects as a result of extending an opening into a cavity capable of receiving the objects. For example, the opening in an article of footwear can be extended into the toe box to allow for the easier insertion and removal of a foot. The present invention also relates to systems that permit the article to be secured to the object after it has been inserted.

Abstract: A shoe having an upper with a tongue and an outer shell in which the tongue has a bulging extension on the medial side, in which the outer surface of the tongue has a connector that is aligned with a connector on the inner surface of the outer shell. When the connectors are aligned together, the tongue is secured to the outer shell.

Abstract: A tongue for a skate boot and a skate boot having a tongue comprising at least one exposed structural molded foam body, and a plurality of apertures and/or grooves defined therein along a longitudinal axis. The tongue can also be releasably connected to the skate boot to allow a skate owner to change the tongue for another tongue more adapted to the skate owner's specific needs in different circumstances.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a tongue. The tongue includes a medial portion, a lateral portion, a central portion, a top portion and an upper perimeter portion. The medial portion and the top portion have similar thicknesses, which are greater than the thicknesses of the lateral portion, the central portion and the upper perimeter portion. The central portion is the thinnest portion of the tongue. Each portion of the tongue corresponds to a different pressure zone along a foot in order to provide differential cushioning and support against pressure applied by a fastening system.

Abstract: Improved foot-receiving apparatuses that may include: a housing somewhat defining an interior (16) for receiving a foot, and having an external periphery; and at least one Pant-Leg-Cover (XX1) disposed substantially outside of the external periphery of the housing, where the Pant-Leg-Cover (XX1) extends upward from a fixable lower portion (A1) joined to the housing to a free upper portion (D1) movable relative to the housing, where a pant leg (99) can be at least accommodated, secured, and utilized between the housing and the Pant-Leg-Cover. The consumer may have the option to freely join or un-join the Pant-Leg-Cover with the housing to at least change the aesthetic appearance of the apparatus, e.g. depending on personal preference. This specification describes numerous embodiments that will create a sustainable competitive advantage for a select corporation.

Abstract: A padded shoe, such as a kicking boot, is disclosed that is lightweight and padded for use in mixed martial arts and other related activities. The padded shoe may be formed from a flexible, resilient sole having a substantially smooth surface; a shoe upper, wherein at least a portion of the shoe upper has padding; an ankle padding structure extending from the shoe upper that is adapted to cover the medial malleolus of a wearer; a padded tongue and other components. The sole may be formed from a material having a shore durometer reading between about 40 and about 60 such that the shoe is lightweight yet provides appropriate support.

Abstract: A padded shoe for use in mixed martial arts and similar activities. The padded shoe may have a flexible, resilient sole; a shoe upper adjoined to the sole, wherein at least a portion of the shoe upper has padding disposed therein; an inner padded tongue attached to the shoe upper; an outer padded tongue attached to the shoe upper; and an engagement structure for securing the outer padded tongue to the shoe upper, the engagement structure being located substantially under the outer padded tongue such that the outer padded tongue substantially covers the engagement structure. The wearer can strike a target with the shoe, and the target and the wearer are protected from injury caused by direct impact with at least one of the engagement structure and the wearers instep. A bladder containing air or a gel-like material can be included in at least one of the inner and outer padded tongues.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a construction of a shoe that includes a tongue that has a first fastener attached along a portion of either a medial side or a lateral side of the tongue. Additionally, a stretchable member is attached near a portion of the medial side or the lateral side of the tongue that is opposite of the first fastener. The first fastener is attachable to the upper near the location of the first fastener on the tongue. Similarly, the stretchable member is attached to the upper near the location of the stretchable member on the tongue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tongue for shoes comprising: a basic structure of an essentially non-elastic material, having a top side facing away from a foot, and a bottom side facing the foot; a retaining device on the top side of the basic structure, wherein the retaining device is structured such that it can fixedly accommodate at least one pulling element; and a padding on the bottom side of the basic structure, wherein the basic structure is designed such that across the entire surface, the tongue can lie form-fittingly on the foot, and that both on the right and the left side, the tongue is pre-molded according to the anatomy of the dorsum of the foot, and wherein in the tongue a plurality of perforation is provided. The present invention further relates to an interlocking system for shoes, which includes same tongue.