Phat tongueTM

Abstract

A supplemental tongue for an athletic or casual high top or low top lace up or loafer type shoe and referred to herein as a Phat tongue. The inventive Phat tongue includes a cushioned pad adapted for insertion into and removal from the shoe. The Phat tongue is designed for insertion into and removal from the shoe beneath a conventional tongue thereof. Consequently, the Phat tongue rests between the conventional tongue and a foot of a wearer. In the illustrative embodiment, the Phat tongue includes a shell made of cloth on which a decorative pattern is disposed on one side thereof. The cushioned pad is substantially planar and contoured to facilitate insertion into the shoe. In a first illustrative embodiment, the cushioned pad is hexagonal ball and a second illustrative embodiment, the cushioned pad is oval in shape. A loop is provided to facilitate insertion and removal and a hook and loop type fastener is provided to secure the Phat tongue in place against sock. The present teachings enable the construction of a novel shoe assembly comprising a heel portion; a cloth upper portion secured to the heel; a tongue disposed in the cloth upper portion; and a cushioned pad adapted for insertion into and removal from the shoe, the cushioned pad being disposed between the tongue and a foot of a wearer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/279,297, filed Mar. 29, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to clothing. More specifically, the present invention relates to footwear.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Many children, teenagers and young adults currently favor what is loosely known as the “Hip-Hop” trend in fashion. In accordance with the Hip-Hop style, clothing is made very large as compared to typical traditional clothing and is designed to fit very loosely or baggy in order to create an oversized youth fashion appearance.

[0006] In keeping with this fashion statement, many young people often wear their shoes either untied or very loosely tied along with baggy pants and/or oversized shirts. In order to maintain a snug fit when their shoes are untied or loosely tied, many young people often stuff a small piece of cloth or balled-up sock underneath the tongues of their shoes.

[0007] Unfortunately, it is often difficult to find just the right amount of material to stuff underneath the tongues of the shoes. Further, the makeshift pieces of cloth, sock and other materials often unravel during wear creating an inconvenience and a safety hazard.

[0008] Accordingly, a need exists in the art for an improved article of clothing or a method for maintaining a snug fit of an untied or loosely tied shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The need the art is addressed by the Phat tongue of the present invention. The inventive Phat tongue includes a cushioned pad adapted for insertion into and removal from the shoe beneath a conventional tongue thereof. Consequently, the Phat tongue rests between the conventional tongue and a foot or sock of a wearer.

[0010] In the illustrative embodiment, the Phat tongue includes a shell made of cloth on which a decorative pattern is disposed on one side thereof. The cushioned pad is substantially planar and contoured to facilitate insertion into the shoe. In a first illustrative embodiment, the cushioned pad is hexagonal and in a second illustrative embodiment, the cushioned pad is oval in shape. A loop is provided to facilitate insertion and removal and a hook and loop type fastener is provided to secure the Phat tongue in place against a sock.

[0011] The present teachings enable the construction of a novel shoe assembly comprising a heel portion; a cloth upper portion secured to the heel; a tongue disposed in the cloth upper portion; and a cushioned pad adapted for insertion into and removal from the shoe, the cushioned pad being disposed between the tongue and a foot or sock of a wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention with an illustrative environment shown in phantom.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of the illustrative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention with an illustrative environment shown in phantom.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the illustrative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention with an illustrative environment shown in phantom.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a front view of the illustrative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of the illustrative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the illustrative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the alternative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 10 is an elevational side view of the Phat tongue of the present invention in disassembled relation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Illustrative embodiments and exemplary applications will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to disclose the advantageous teachings of the present invention.

[0023] While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention with an illustrative environment shown in phantom. FIG. 2 is a side view of the illustrative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention with an illustrative environment shown in phantom. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the Phat tongue 10 is a cushioned, rectangular pad designed to be worn under the conventional tongue 102 of an untied or loosely tied athletic or casual shoe 100 (either high-top, low-top, or tie-up shoes). The Phat tongue allows for a comfortable fit along with a fashionable appearance. The Phat tongue may also be worn purely for comfort during regular wear or sporting activities.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the illustrative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention with an illustrative environment shown in phantom. As shown in FIG. 3, the Phat tongue 10 includes a cushioned pad 12 surrounded by a shell 14. As discussed more fully below, the cushioned pad may be made of a variety of durable and flexible cushioned materials including quilt stuffing, sponge, foam, or any other suitable material. The exterior shell 14 of the Phat tongue 10 can be made of any soft and pliable cloth, nylon or other suitable material. As discussed more fully below, the pad 14 is inserted into a pocket provided in the shell 14 before it is sewn closed. In the middle of the top of the Phat tongue 10, a small string loop 16 is sewn into the seam thereof. Preferably, the loop 16 is just large enough to comfortably fit over the index finger of an average adult.

[0026] To use the Phat tongue 10, one merely inserts it into a shoe 100 while slipping the shoe on. Once the shoe is on, the Phat tongue can be adjusted upward by pulling on the loop 16. The Phat tongue 10 can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes with varying degrees of thickness depending upon personal taste. In the illustrative embodiment, the Phat tongue 10 has base dimensions of five inches in length, four inches in width and two inches in depth. In the best mode, three exterior edges are sewn together with a single stitch and one edge is folded over fabric causing the Phat tongue 10 to take on a convex shape along its edges. In the illustrative embodiment, the Phat tongue numeral 10 tapers down from its two-inch thickness to “V” or “U” shaped edges. This is shown more clearly in FIGS. 4-9 below.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a front view of the illustrative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a side view of the illustrative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the illustrative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention. The embodiment of FIGS. 4-6 is an elongated hexagon in shape.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a rear view of the alternative embodiment of the Phat tongue of the present invention. The alternative embodiment of FIGS. 7-9, on the other hand, is oval in shape. In both embodiments, note the provision of a hook and loop type fastener strip 20 and 20′ on the rear surface 19 and 19′ thereof, respectively.

[0029] FIG. 10 is an elevational side view of the Phat tongue of the present invention in disassembled relation. An illustrative process of fabricating the Phat tongue is as follows:

[0030] 1. Cut out a front facing panel of shell 18 from desired material in desired shape. (As mentioned above, the front surface 18 of the shell 14 may be made of a variety of materials including without limitation a bandanna pattern scarf material, various types of denim material, mesh long nylon material overlaid: white double knit polyester, air mesh nylon or any of a number of a wide variety of materials in a wide variety of colors.

[0031] 2. Cut out a back-facing panel 19 of the shell 14 from a desired material in a desired shape.

[0032] 3. Vertically fold over the back-facing panel so that opposite edges of the panel line up.

[0033] 4. Sew a seam along the fold of the back-facing panel.

[0034] 5. Lay the front face 18 of the shell 14 down on a flat surface.

[0035] 6. Cut a five-inch length of braided cord.

[0036] 7. Loop the cord and lay it over the top center edge of the front facing panel 18 (that is now laid face down) so that a two-inch loop protrudes over the top edge of the front facing panel 18.

[0037] 8. Hold the loop 16 in place and fasten the loop to the front facing panel 18 with a short seam momentarily.

[0038] 9. Lay the back facing panel 19 on top of the front facing panel 18 so that the outer edges of the back facing panel 19 line up with the outer edges of the front facing panel 18 and the seamed edges of the back facing panel 19 overlap approximately one inch.

[0039] 10. Sew a seam around the entire outer edge of the shell 14.

[0040] 11. Cutout foam in a desired shape and size. In the best mode, the foam should be open cell urethane foam of 1.8 density from a one-inch thick foam sheet or roll.

[0041] 12. Turn shell 14 over so that the backside of the front facing panel 18 faces up.

[0042] 13. Place the foam cutout 12 on top of the backside of the front facing panel 18 so that the edges of the foam and the shell 14 line up.

[0043] 14. Turn the shell 14 inside out over the foam cut out so that the foam cut out is enclosed inside the shell and the front outside surface of the shell panel now faces out.

[0044] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present teachings enable the construction of a novel shoe assembly comprising a heel portion; a cloth upper portion secured to the heel; a tongue disposed in the cloth upper portion; and a cushioned pad adapted for insertion into and removal from the shoe, the cushioned pad being disposed between the tongue and a foot of a wearer.

[0045] Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof.

[0046] It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

[0047] Accordingly,

Claims

1. A supplemental tongue for a shoe comprising:

a cushioned pad adapted for insertion into and removal from said shoe and

means for inserting said pad into and removing said pad from said shoe beneath a tongue of said shoe whereby said pad rests between said tongue and a foot of a wearer.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said cushioned pad includes a shell.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said shell is made of cloth.

4. The invention of claim 3 further including a decorative pattern disposed on a first side of said shell.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said cushioned pad is substantially planar.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said cushioned pad is contoured.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said cushioned pad is contoured to facilitate insertion into said shoe.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said cushioned pad is hexagonal in shape.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said cushioned head is an elongate hexagon in shape.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said means for inserting said pad is an upper portion thereof.

11. The invention of claim 1 wherein said means for removing said pad is a loop attached to the top thereof.

12. The invention of claim 1 further including means for securing said pad in a position.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein said means for securing said pad is a hook and loop fastener.

14. The invention of claim 13 wherein said fastener is secured to a front surface thereof.

15. The invention of claim 13 wherein said fastener is secured to a rear surface thereof.

16. The invention of claim 1 wherein said pad is oval in shape.

17. A shoe assembly comprising:

a heel portion;

a cloth upper portion secured to said heel;

a tongue disposed in said cloth upper portion; and

a cushioned pad adapted for insertion into and removal from said shoe, said cushioned pad being disposed between said tongue and a foot of a wearer.

18. A method of securing a shoe to a foot including the steps of:

loosening any strings or fasteners associated with said shoe so that a first tongue thereof is free to pivot about a point of attachment thereof to said shoe;

inserting a foot into said loosened shoe; and

inserting a second tongue into said shoe between the foot and the first tongue thereof, said second tongue including a preformed cushioned pad.