AIR-PERMEABLE TONGUE FOR SHOES, COMPRISING A RIGID YET FLEXIBLE TONGUE PART

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 produced between said elongate slots and transverse slots, and whereby narrowed and thus flexible material webs (5) are also produced at connecting points between the rigid segments, wherein, by means of said material webs, the rigid tongue part (1) can be deformed and adapt to the instep, and being further characterized in that the padding (14) has an inner elongate slot (14b), which is substantially congruent with the elongate slot (6; 6a, 6b) in the rigid tongue part (1).

Description

The present invention refers to a tongue for shoes according to the preamble of claim 1, which is substantially a rigid, stable tongue which nevertheless evenly distributes a pressure caused by shoelaces over the instep and which has a padding directed towards the instep and preferably at least one ventilation channel.

STATE OF THE ART

Existing tongues for shoes insufficiently take into account the anatomy of the instep and of the foot in terms of continuous form fit and non-positive connection and in terms of an even distribution of force over the instep. Either the tongues are soft, causing increased pressure forces at the sites of the shoelaces, or the tongues are rigid and stiff, which is inadequate to an individual shape of the instep, leading to pressure sores. Especially hiking shoes and shoes for walking long distances also over uneven ground, which have to be tied somewhat faster, frequently cause pressure sores and pain, in dependence on the shape of the tongue and of the instep.

From DE2323417, an air-permeable, rigid tongue for shoes is known which adapts to an individual instep but where, however, the padding does not correspond to the ventilation of the tongue part. Furthermore, from DE20209836U1, DE69404408T2 and DE69909510T2, shoe tongues with a rigid tongue part are known as well which, however, do not have a congruent padding. Post-published WO2010/128037 by the same applicant discloses a shoe whose tongue does not comprise transverse slits extending from the elongate slit.

The PCT/EP2010 056 022 of the same applicant, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference, for instance describes an improved tongue and lacing system for shoes which has an improved form fit and an improved even distribution of pressure over the foot, wherein the shoe can be completely opened with an opening of the shoelaces and opening and tying can be performed easily. In case of fast tying and with instep shapes which strongly differ from the norm, the distribution of pressure over the instep can still be optimized, easily leading to pressure sores and pain in the present form.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a tongue for shoes which eliminates the disadvantages of the state of the art, exhibiting a structure which is both rigid and stable for distribution of pressure by tying and at the same time adapts to the individual instep, thus evenly distributing the pressure over the individually shaped insteps and ensuring a good fit in the shoe. The tongue according to the invention also has a centering function, such that displacement on the instep is avoided.

Another object of the invention is to preferably provide a ventilation function for the shoe within the tongue.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The above objects and further objects to be gathered from the description are achieved by an air-permeable tongue for shoes according to the independent claim 1.

According to the invention, a preferred embodiment of an air-permeable tongue for shoes is provided which consists of a rigid tongue made of a relatively firm material and which is deformable in segments thanks to respective slits with remaining connection points, and which therefore elastically adapts in segments to an instep with an individual shape. In this manner, pressure forces exerted on rigid tongue segments by external tying are substantially evenly transferred to the instep without causing constrictions. On the other hand, the tongue comprises a padding directed toward the foot which smoothly distributes the pressure forces of the rigid tongue segments over the foot. According to the invention, the padding is provided with an inner longitudinal slit directed and congruent with an inner longitudinal slit of the rigid tongue so as to provide a ventilation path for water vapor from the interior of the shoe.

In another preferred embodiment of the air-permeable tongue, the rigid tongue comprises a rigid exterior tongue part and a rigid interior tongue part arranged below it, which parts are mutually spaced by spacing elements and thus together form a ventilation channel between the rigid exterior tongue part and the rigid interior tongue part. The ventilation channel is connected to the ambient air by at least one perforation of the exterior tongue part at its distal end so as to cause a chimney effect by the cold air from outside along the ventilation channel, so that water vapor is withdrawn from the foot beneath the rigid interior tongue part upwards to the proximal end via the ventilation channel.

Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

Preferred embodiments are presented in the following drawings and described in the detailed description, but are not intended to limit the present invention.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a rigid tongue part of a tongue for a shoe, having lateral slits, an interior longitudinal slit, interior transverse slits connected to it and openings in the elastic material.

FIG. 2 is a top view of another embodiment of a rigid tongue part of a tongue for a shoe, having lateral slits, an interior longitudinal slit, interior transverse slits connected to it and openings in the tongue part.

FIG. 3 is a top view of another embodiment of a rigid tongue part of a tongue for a shoe, having lateral slits, an interior longitudinal slit, two lateral interior longitudinal slits and interior transverse slits connected to them.

FIG. 4a is a perspective view according to FIG. 3, wherein the proximal end face of the tongue is visible.

FIG. 4b is a lateral view of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4a from the end face of the tongue with the tongue flattened so that substantially only the planar composite structure of the tongue at the proximal end face is visible.

FIG. 5 is an explosion view from the top on to the embodiment of FIG. 1, with a tongue-shaped padding shown below it.

FIG. 6 is an explosion view from the top on to the main parts of another embodiment of a tongue, consisting of a first rigid tongue part (top), a second rigid tongue part with cylindrical spacing elements applied on it (center) and a padding (bottom).

FIG. 7a is a lateral view according to FIG. 6, wherein the proximal end face of the tongue with open channels between the first rigid tongue part and the second rigid tongue part is visible.

FIG. 7b is a perspective view according to FIG. 6, in which the proximal end face of the tongue is visible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment according to the present invention showing a rigid tongue part 1 as a main component of a tongue for shoes, preferably having longitudinal and substantially axially symmetrical shape with reference to a sagittal longitudinal axis of the tongue. Preferably, there are differences in the axial symmetry, corresponding to differences between a left and a right foot. Thus, advantageously, the tongue according to the invention can be embodied as a left or a right tongue.

The rigid tongue part 1 has an upper, proximal end 2 and a lower, distal end 3. Preferably, in the upper third of the proximal end 2, lateral slits 4 are applied on both sides, which guarantee, in combination with a preferably applied upper inner transverse slit 8, increased flexibility of the rigid tongue part 1 at flexible material bridges 5 remaining therebetween.

Preferably, also in the lower, distal third of the rigid tongue part 1, lateral slits 4, in particular two lateral slits on the left and on the right, are applied, which leave a bridge 5 of material directed along the longitudinal axis, which bridge is dimensioned such that also in the lower third of the tongue, sufficient flexibility of the rigid tongue part 1 is guaranteed. In practice, during wearing of the shoe, the lateral slits 4 guarantee that the tongue and accordingly the rigid tongue part 1 can individually adapt to a curved shape along the height of the instep, which is made more difficult in mechanical terms by the fact that the tongue or the rigid tongue part 1, respectively, are curved about their longitudinal axis and must snugly adhere to the instep which slopes downward on both sides. This means that the tongue must have both a curvature about its longitudinal axis, corresponding to the instep sloping downward on both sides, and nevertheless have a flexibility along its longitudinal axis, corresponding to the contour line of the instep. In dependence on the shoe and on its use, the lateral slits 4 can preferably have a substantially widening toward the outside and a triangular shape.

Preferably, parts of the material bridges 5 are embodied such that they have a lower thickness of material than the rest of the rigid tongue part 1 so that in these areas, both flexibility is increased and the danger of breakage is reduced.

In the center and along the longitudinal axis of the rigid tongue part 1, an interior longitudinal slit 6 of a certain width, extending preferably from the distal third to the proximal third along the central longitudinal axis, is applied. The function of the interior longitudinal slit 6 is on the one hand to provide the rigid tongue part 1 with more flexibility about its longitudinal axis so that it can better adjust to the instep which slopes down on both sides from its sagittal contour line. On the other hand, the longitudinal slit 6 effects in combination with interior transverse slits 7 extending from the longitudinal slit on both sides, and in particular with four interior transverse slits 7, that the sole or the otherwise the rigid tongue part 1, respectively, can better adapt to any anatomical protrusions of the instep so as to prevent pressure sores. The interior transverse slits 7 extending laterally from the longitudinal slit 6, which can preferably extend up to the very ends of the lateral edges, provide the otherwise rigid tongue part 1 with a corresponding flexibility at the sites of the interior transverse slits also along its longitudinal axis.

The recesses incorporated in the tongue part 1, such as preferably the interior longitudinal slit 6, the interior transverse slits 7, the upper interior transverse slit 8 and the lateral slits 4, result in segments along the otherwise rigid tongue part 1, which are interconnected quite flexibly by remaining narrowed material bridges 5 and which can be spread apart. Thus, a tongue structure with a rigid tongue part 1, as described in the above embodiment, is both stable and non-stretchable along its longitudinal axis and nevertheless flexibly deformable so as to adapt to the individual shape of the instep. Additional embodiments with a larger or lesser number of the above-mentioned longitudinal and transverse recesses are conceivable and to be adapted to the individual shoe.

As a material for the structure described above, preferably an elastic plastic which nevertheless has a high stiffness is used. Polyurethane plastics with a Shore hardness from about 45 to about 55 are particularly preferred. However, carbon fiber composite materials, steel plastic composite plates or the like can also be used as the basic material.

Another preferred embodiment of a rigid tongue part 1 according to the present invention provides for the recesses applied, such as in this example the interior longitudinal slit 6, the interior transverse slits 7, the upper interior longitudinal slit 8 and the lateral recesses 4 or parts thereof to be filled with a different material, preferably an elastic material, such as for instance soft and stretchable PU plastics with a Shore hardness of about 25 to about 35. The elastic material which is accordingly located, for instance, in the interior longitudinal slit 6, is provided with openings 9 so as to allow ventilation of the foot in the shoe and under the tongue. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment an additional perforation 17 (not shown in FIG. 1) could be provided in the distal third and along the rigid tongue part 1, such as e.g. partially shown in FIG. 6, for ventilation of the foot.

In any case, under the rigid tongue part 1 described above, a padding 14 having an interior longitudinal slit 14a (see also FIGS. 5 and 6) is arranged which is substantially congruent with the interior longitudinal slit 6 of the rigid tongue part 1. The interior longitudinal slit 14a of the padding 14 forms, with the padding 14 surrounding the interior longitudinal slit 14a and with the elastic material, a cavity opening downwards through which water vapor can escape from the interior of the shoe and through the openings 9 in the elastic material, as can be seen in FIG. 1.

The padding 14 supports a soft and substantially even distribution of pressure of the different above-described segments of the rigid tongue part 1 over the instep. Since the instep has anatomical protrusions mainly along the contour line of the sagittal instep, the padding 14 is preferably thicker in these places. Accordingly, a preferred padding 14 is particularly thick in the middle along the longitudinal axis of the tongue, laterally of the interior longitudinal slit 14a, and increasingly thin towards the lateral edges. It is also conceivable for the padding 14 to substantially have the shape of the rigid tongue part 1, but to additionally comprise lateral lugs which are folded upward onto the tongue part 1 and are there sewed, adhesively bonded or similar. Furthermore, a preferred embodiment of the tongue has, in addition to the at least one rigid tongue part 1 and the padding 14, a coating which can have both an aesthetic and a practical function. For instance, the coating can preferably be embodied such as to be water- and dirt-repellent and easily washable and to have an agreeable appearance. A coating of leather would be conceivable as well in case the air-permeable tongue according to the invention is used in an elegant shoe.

In total, the padding 14 and the flexibility and ability of the surface of the rigid tongue part 1 to be deformed, caused by the recesses in the rigid tongue part 1, guarantees a good adaptation to the instep and therefore also an even distribution of pressure. Due to the relatively stiff material of the rigid tongue part 1, shoelaces exerting pressure on the tongue do not cause pressure sores on the instep.

Another embodiment, according to the present invention, provides, following the tongue structure described above, for an integration of a Tanka, such as described, for instance, in PCT/EP2010 056 022 which has a closure function for lacing. The Tanka can be accommodated in the opening 10.

FIG. 2 shows a different, but similar embodiment of a rigid tongue part 1 according to the present invention and as shown in FIG. 1, in which, however, additional openings 11 are provided near the longitudinal axis so as to further improve the ventilation of the foot. In this case, the interior longitudinal slit 14b of the padding 14 must be formed accordingly so as to communicate with the additional openings 11 for air circulation to the outside air. According to the invention, it is also conceivable to additionally provide the air-permeable tongue, as shown in FIG. 1, with the openings 9.

FIG. 3 shows another, but similar embodiment of a rigid tongue part 1 according to the present invention and as shown in FIG. 1 or 2, in which, however, the interior slits are arranged differently. The rigid tongue part 1 has at its center along its sagittal longitudinal axis a relatively wide and long interior longitudinal slit 6 at the center of which two interior transverse slits extend which, in turn, terminate in lateral longitudinal slits 61 and 62 extending in parallel to the interior longitudinal slit 6 to the left and to the right thereof. This results in flap-like segments S1, S2, S3, S4 of the tongue part 1 which can easily be folded upward and outward, especially in the center of the otherwise rigid tongue part 1 or tongue, respectively, so as to provide space to a protrusion of an anatomical shape of the foot. In this manner, the pressure is distributed more evenly over the entire instep and punctual pressures are prevented. In the preferred embodiment of the rigid tongue part 1 according to FIG. 3, the segments S1 and S2 as well as S3 and S4, interrupted by the transverse slits 7, are elastically interconnected and slightly reinforced by elastic connecting elements 12 which are preferably applied adhesively.

FIG. 4a shows the same embodiment of the rigid tongue part 1 as FIG. 3, but in a more perspective view. At the proximal end 2 of the rigid tongue part 1, a proximal end face 13 of the rigid tongue part 1 and the end face of the padding 14 arranged parallel thereto and below it are shown. The tongue part 1 and the padding 14 arranged parallel to it and below it are preferably mutually adhered, riveted, vulcanized, sewed or otherwise connected, in a substantially planar manner.

FIG. 4b shows a lateral view of the proximal end 2 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4a, wherein the tongue is drawn straight or bent strait along its sagittal longitudinal axis so that no rear parts of the upper rigid tongue part 1 or the lower padding 14 can be seen which would be visible in case of a flexion.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective explosion view of the rigid tongue part 1 according to the present invention and as shown in FIG. 1, wherein however the existing filling material in the recesses is not shown in the drawing, and below it the padding 14, also in the form of a tongue. Similar to the rigid tongue part 1, the padding 14 has an interior longitudinal slit 14b of a certain width along its sagittal central axis, the interior longitudinal slit 14b being substantially congruent with the interior longitudinal slit 6. The function of the interior longitudinal slit 14b is first to be infinitely elastic, i.e. flexible, in this place, and therefore not to limit the extension of the rigid tongue 1. The second function of the interior longitudinal slit 14b is to allow air circulation and a breathing of the foot. A preferred embodiment of a padding 14 also provides for a breathable material which may also be perforated so as to further improve breathability of the foot.

FIG. 6 shows in an explosive and slightly perspective view an embodiment of a structure of a tongue according to the present invention, wherein the rigid tongue part 1 substantially consists of two parts, a first rigid tongue part 1a and a second rigid tongue part 1b. In this preferred embodiment, the first rigid tongue part 1a and the second rigid tongue part 1b substantially have the same shape with an interior longitudinal slit 6a and 6b, respectively. On the lower, second tongue part 1b, however, spacing elements 15 are applied which, in case of a tying of the shoe, leading to a mutual compression of the first rigid tongue part 1a against the second rigid tongue part 1b, maintain them spaced and thus form a ventilation channel for the interior of the shoe or the tongue, respectively. The interior longitudinal slits 6a and 6b are substantially congruent with the interior longitudinal slit 14b.

In this embodiment, it is advantageous to use an air-permeable lower second rigid tongue part 1b directed toward the foot which is either porous itself, has ventilation slits or recesses which can perform the function of ventilating the foot. According to the invention, an improved withdrawal of the water vapor from the above-mentioned ventilation channel can preferably be achieved by providing perforations 17 in the distal portion of the first upper tongue part 1a, which aspirate colder air so that a chimney effect in connection with the at least one channel 16 described below is caused. In this manner, air and water vapor are exchanged between the foot and the ambient air.

FIG. 7a shows a lateral view of the proximal side of the tongue structure according to the embodiment in FIG. 6. The rigid tongue part 1, consisting of the first rigid tongue part 1a and the second rigid tongue part 1b and the padding 14, is shown. The first rigid tongue part 1a lies flat over the second rigid tongue part 1b, wherein inbetween in the center and along the longitudinal axis of the tongue they are kept spaced by spacing elements 15. In this manner, several open channels 16 between the first rigid tongue part 1a and the second rigid tongue part 1b are created.

FIG. 7b shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the tongue according to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7a with the proximal end 2 and the distal end 3 of the rigid tongue part 1 and the channels 16 for the ventilation. The lateral slits 4 each have inner ends 4b which are slightly enlarged, as shown. The padding 14 is not shown in this view.

In such an embodiment according to the present invention, it is also conceivable to form the first rigid tongue part 1a and the second rigid tongue part 1b such that the spacing elements 15 are integral parts of the first 1a and the second tongue part 1b. It is also conceivable to provide integral channels for ventilation in said tongue parts 1a and 1b instead of integral spacing elements.

Other possible embodiments are described in the following claims.

The reference numbers in the claims are for better comprehensibility, but do not limit the claims to the forms shown in the figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

• 1 rigid tongue part
• 1a first rigid tongue part
• 1b second rigid tongue part
• 2 proximal end
• 3 distal end
• 4 lateral slits
• 4b inner end of the lateral slits
• 5 material bridges
• 6, 6a, 6b interior longitudinal slit
• 7 interior transverse slits
• 8 upper interior transverse slit
• 9 openings
• 10 opening for a Tanka
• 11 openings
• 12 elastic connecting element
• 13 proximal end face
• 14 padding
• 14b interior longitudinal slit of the padding
• 15 spacing element
• 16 open channels
• 17 perforations
• 61, 62 interior lateral longitudinal slits
• S1, S2, S3, S4 segments

Claims

1. Air-permeable tongue for shoes (1) which adapts to an individual instep and can be connected to shoes, the tongue comprising wherein the rigid tongue part (1) is characterized in that

a flexible but rigid tongue part (1), representing substantially the upper side of the tongue facing outwards and having a longitudinal tongue shape with a proximal end (2) and a distal end (3) and consisting substantially of a rigid, firm material, and

a padding (14) arranged below the rigid tongue part (1) and directed towards a foot in order to protect the foot from pressure sores caused by the rigid tongue part (1) after tying of the shoe,

therein, substantially at the center along the longitudinal axis of the rigid tongue part (1), an interior longitudinal slit (6; 6a, 6b) and interior transverse slits (7) extending therefrom are applied, producing rigid segments which in their interior are not interrupted by the longitudinal slit (6; 6a, 6b) or by transverse slits (7) and producing, also at the connecting sites between the rigid segments, narrowed and therefore flexible material bridges (5) by means of which the rigid tongue part (1) is deformable and can therefore adapt to the instep, and in that the padding (14) has an interior longitudinal slit (14b) which is substantially congruent with the longitudinal slit (6; 6a, 6b) of the rigid tongue part (1).

2. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to claim 1, the rigid tongue part (1) having lateral slits (4) with reference to the longitudinal axis of the rigid tongue part (1) on both outer sides so as to make the rigid tongue part (1) and therefore the tongue flexible at these sites, preferably a lateral slit (4) being applied in the upper, proximal third of the rigid tongue part (1) on the right and on the left and a lateral slit (4) being applied in the lower, distal third of the rigid tongue part (1) on the right and on the left.

3. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to claim 1 or 2, the rigid tongue part (1) having one or more interior lateral longitudinal slits (61, 62), parallel to the interior longitudinal slit (6; 6a, 6b), the interior longitudinal slit (6; 6a, 6b), the interior lateral longitudinal slits (61, 62) and the transverse slits (7) having different widths so that the rigid tongue part (1) is flexible in two directions at the same time and can be both tapered and expanded at the sites of the slits.

4. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the areas of the material bridges (5) have a lower material strength than the overall material strength of the rigid tongue part (1), so as to avoid breaking of the material bridges (5).

5. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the interior longitudinal slit (6) of the rigid tongue part (1) is formed along the central longitudinal axis of the rigid tongue part (1) and starts substantially below the proximal end (2) of the rigid tongue part (1) and terminates above the distal end (3) of the rigid tongue part (1) and wherein starting from the interior longitudinal slit (6), interior transverse slits (7) extend to respective edges of the rigid tongue part (1).

6. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the rigid tongue part (1) has one or more openings (9, 11) and/or perforations (17) which provide a ventilation function for the shoe and/or which can partly also be used, for sewing, riveting, adhesive bonding or the like to other parts of the tongue and/or the shoe.

7. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the rigid tongue part (1) consists of a stiff, but flexible material, such as a plastic or a metal or a composite material of both, wherein for a plastic, preferably a PU material with a Shore hardness of about 45 to about 55, ABS or a carbon fiber composite material is used.

8. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the interior longitudinal slit (6) and the interior transverse slits (7) of the rigid tongue part (1) are filled with a different, elastic and softer material than that of the rigid tongue part (1), such as preferably with an elastic, stretchable, soft PU material with a Shore hardness of about 25 to about 35.

9. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the rigid tongue part (1) has a recess and/or a fastening possibility for a Tanka at its proximal end (2).

10. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the padding (14) is also embodied tongue-like and substantially adapted to the rigid tongue part (1), the padding (14) thickening from the lateral edges of the tongue toward the interior longitudinal slit (14b) of the padding (14).

11. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the interior longitudinal slit (14b) of the padding (14) extends from a distal quarter to a proximal quarter of tongue and/or wherein the padding (14) consists of an air-permeable material.

12. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the padding (14) is fastened by injection-molding to the bottom of the rigid tongue part (1) and/or extends around the rigid tongue part (1) from its bottom face to its upper face and preferably therefore substantially encloses the rigid tongue part (1) in its entirety.

13. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of the preceding claims, the rigid tongue part (1) comprising a first rigid tongue part (1a) and a second rigid tongue part (1b), the first rigid tongue part (1a) and the second rigid tongue part (1b) substantially having a same shape and being kept spaced in a flat on top of each other manner by spacing elements (15) therebetween in the center and along the longitudinal axis of the tongue, so as to produce in this manner one or more channels for ventilation towards the proximal end (2) of the tongue between the first rigid tongue part (1a) and the second rigid tongue part (1b).

14. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to claim 13, wherein the first rigid tongue part (1a) and the second rigid tongue part (1b) below it are shaped such that placed on top of each other, they form at least one channel therebetween for ventilation purposes which is guided preferably from the distal end (3) to the proximal end (2) of the tongue, the second rigid tongue part (1b) directed towards the foot having openings (9, 11) through which air and water vapor can circulate between the foot and an ambient air.

15. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the one or more channel(s) communicate with the ambient air for ventilation through perforations (17) applied at the distal end in the first rigid tongue part (1a) and/or wherein the one or more channel(s) of the rigid tongue part (1) is/are open towards the ambient air at the proximal end (2) for ventilation.

16. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of the preceding claims, with a right tongue for a right shoe and a left tongue for a left shoe accordingly being shaped differently.

17. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to claim 8, if dependent on claim 3, wherein the interior lateral longitudinal slits (61, 62) of the rigid tongue part (1) are filled with the elastic and softer material than that of the rigid tongue part (1), such as preferably with the elastic, stretchable, soft PU material having a Shore hardness of about 25 to about 35.

18. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the rigid tongue part (1, 1a, 1b) and the padding (14) are partially or entirely covered by a covering consisting preferably of leather, imitation leather, fabric or a different material having a preferably aesthetic surface.

19. Air-permeable tongue for shoes according to at least one of claims 8 through 18, the elastic and softer material being provided with openings (9).