SHOE TONGUE STABILIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

An apparatus for stabilizing a tongue of a shoe is described. The shoe has a pair of facings that at least partially envelope the tongue. The apparatus includes a cord having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the cord having an attachment mechanism for attaching to the tongue of the shoe. The apparatus further includes a toggle connected with the distal end of the cord, the toggle being configured to attach to one of the pair of facings.

Description

BACKGROUND

An important aspect of footwear, if not the most important aspect, is fit. A proper fit of a shoe on a person's foot is critical to the comfort, wear, performance and utility of the shoe. This is of particular importance in footwear such as running shoes, cross-trainers, and other active wear shoes.

While different styles and brands of footwear vary in their construction, most include an outsole, a midsole on top of the outsole, and an upper connected to the midsole. The upper can typically include a toe box, a heel counter, a tongue, and a pair of facings that are connected together over the tongue. The facings can be connected by lacing that is threaded through an arrangement of eyelets through a peripheral portion of each facing. The eyelets can either be holes or apertures in the facings, or can include a metal grommet or eyelet punch. Further, the eyelets can be fabric loops that are sewn to each facing, such as with outdoor footwear like hiking boots or the like.

One major source of a lack of proper fit of a shoe, and therefore discomfort for the wearer, is that the tongue will often slide out of place. Usually the tongue will slide laterally toward an outer side of the wearer's foot, especially given the contour of an average foot to angle down and outwardly from a midpoint. Sometimes the tongue may gather up and slide down forward on the wearer's foot.

Many systems have been devised for attempting to inhibit “tongue slide” which leads to discomfort and inadequate fit. These systems can include a loop sewn into an outer surface of the tongue, which is then threaded by the lacings used to tighten the facings together. Or, some shoes include an elastic fabric or cloth that is sewn at both an edge of the tongue and an inner portion of each facing. Still other systems have been developed, but none of these conventional systems for inhibiting tongue slide have proven effective, both from a performance and a manufacturing standpoint. Further, many of these systems will not allow the shoe to be put on or taken off with ease. What is needed is a cost- and performance-effective system and method for preventing tongue slide in shoes when worn by a wearer.

SUMMARY

This document presents a system and method for shoe tongue stabilization.

In one aspect, an apparatus for stabilizing a tongue of a shoe having a pair of facings that at least partially envelope the tongue includes a cord having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the cord having an attachment mechanism for attaching to the tongue of the shoe. The apparatus further includes a toggle connected with the distal end of the cord, the toggle being configured to attach to one of the pair of facings.

In another aspect, a footwear includes a sole and an upper attached to the sole. The upper includes a tongue and a pair of facings that at least partially envelope the tongue. The footwear further includes a cord having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the cord having an attachment mechanism for attaching to the tongue of the shoe. The footwear further includes a toggle connected with the distal end of the cord, the toggle being configured to attach to one of the pair of facings.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects will now be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a shoe tongue stabilization apparatus in accordance with implementations described herein;

FIG. 2 shows a shoe tongue stabilization system in accordance with alternative implementations;

FIG. 3 illustrates two shoe tongue stabilization apparatuses attached to a tongue of a shoe;

FIG. 4 illustrates two shoe tongue stabilization apparatuses attached to a tongue of a shoe in an “X” configuration;

FIG. 5 shows a shoe having a tongue and a tongue stabilization mechanism;

FIG. 6 shows a shoe tongue with a tongue stabilization mechanism;

FIG. 7 illustrates a tongue stabilization mechanism having an attachment mechanism at a proximal end and an eyelet interface at a distal end.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document describes apparatuses, systems and methods for stabilizing a shoe tongue, in order to inhibit tongue slide from occurring while a wearer is wearing a shoe with the tongue. By inhibiting tongue slide, either laterally or toward the toe, the apparatuses, systems and methods described herein can improve comfort, wear, performance and utility of the shoe, and in a cost-effective manner. Further, the apparatuses and systems described herein are simple to manufacture and either retrofit existing shoes, or be added to newly-manufactured shoes.

FIG. 1 shows a shoe tongue stabilization apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 includes a cord 102 having a proximal end 104 for attaching to a tongue of a shoe (not shown), and a distal end 106. The distal end 106 of the cord 102 includes a toggle 108 that is sized and configured such that the toggle 108 can be inserted through an eyelet of a facing of a shoe.

The cord 102 can be elastic or inelastic. In some implementations, the cord 102 is formed of a weave or lace that provides a limited or measured amount of elasticity. For instance, the cord 102 can be formed of cotton, nylon, Dynema®, or any other natural or synthetic strand of material. In other implementations, the cord 102 can be formed of an elastic core material with a sheath of a cloth material. In still yet other implementations, the cord 102 can be formed of a plastic, a metal, such as a wire or a band, or any other material.

The cord 102 can have a length of approximately 1 inch, but can also be 0.5 to 1.5 inches, or in yet other implementations can be 0.25 to 2.5 inches in length. If the cord 102 is formed of an elastic material or construction, the cord 102 can extend and stretch to 50% to 400% of its length at rest.

The proximal end 104 for attaching to the tongue of the shoe can include any of a number of attachment mechanisms, including but not limited to, glues, snaps, hook and loop mechanisms, staples, rivets, screws and bolts, or the like. Further, the proximal end 104 of the cord 102 can include a hook for engaging a similar or corresponding hook or receptacle on the tongue. For instance, the proximal end 104 of the cord 102 can include the hook or the loop portion of a hook and loop mechanism, while the tongue can include the loop or hook portion respectively. The proximal end 104 of the cord 102 can be attached anywhere on the tongue, but is preferably attached to an upper portion of the tongue.

The toggle 108 connected with the distal end 106 of the cord 102 can be a full or partial cylindrical member, wrapped around fabric at the distal end 106 of the cord 102. The toggle 108 can have a diameter so as to fit through an eyelet of a facing of the shoe, either alone or with a lace that is already threaded through the eyelet. The toggle 108 can be a rod or member formed of plastic or a coating over the distal end of the cord, which can be rolled onto itself.

FIG. 2 shows a shoe tongue stabilization apparatus such as in FIG. 1, but having one of a hook and loop connection system 120 for connecting to a tongue of a shoe. The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 shows the hook component of the hook and loop connection system, while the loop component can be sewn, glued, or otherwise attached to the tongue of the shoe as a connecting region. In some implementations, only an inner side of the tongue needs the tongue stabilization apparatus. In other implementations, both sides include the tongue stabilization apparatus. The hook or loop component of the hook and loop connection system 120 can also be glued, sewn, snapped, or otherwise attached to a proximal end of the cord. The cord can be elastic for a comfort application, or may be inelastic for a performance application in which the shoe, as well as the tongue, might experience severe forces.

As shown in FIG. 3, two shoe tongue stabilization apparatuses 200 can be attached to a tongue 202 of a shoe (not shown). In some implementations, only one tongue stabilization apparatus 200 need be attached to a tongue 202 of the shoe, on a side of the tongue 202 that faces an inner area of the wearer's foot. FIG. 4 illustrates two shoe tongue stabilization apparatuses attached to a tongue of a shoe in an “X” configuration.

FIG. 5 shows a shoe having a tongue and a tongue stabilization mechanism. FIG. 6 shows a shoe tongue with a tongue stabilization mechanism. FIG. 7 illustrates a tongue stabilization mechanism having an attachment mechanism at a proximal end and an eyelet interface at a distal end.

Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for stabilizing a tongue of a shoe having a pair of facings that at least partially envelope the tongue, the apparatus comprising:

a cord having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the cord having an attachment mechanism for attaching to the tongue of the shoe; and

a toggle connected with the distal end of the cord, the toggle being configured to attach to one of the pair of facings.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cord is elastic.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cord has a length between 0.5 inches and 1.5 inches.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism include one of a hook or loop of a hook and loop mechanism.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the toggle is sized and adapted to fit through an eyelet on the one of the pair of facings.

6. Footwear comprising

a sole;

an upper attached to the sole, the upper comprising a tongue and a pair of facings that at least partially envelope the tongue;

a cord having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the cord having an attachment mechanism for attaching to the tongue of the shoe; and

a toggle connected with the distal end of the cord, the toggle being configured to attach to one of the pair of facings.

7. The footwear in accordance with claim 6, wherein the cord is elastic.

8. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein the cord has a length between 0.5 inches and 1.5 inches.

9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein the attachment mechanism include one of a hook or loop of a hook and loop mechanism.

10. The apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein each of the pair of facings includes a set of eyelets, and wherein the toggle is sized and adapted to fit through one of the set of eyelet on the one of the pair of facings.