Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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s FOOTWEAR WITH REVERSIBLE TONGUE
Technical Field
This invention relates generally to footwear, and more specifically
pertains to footwear in general, wherein the tongue or gusset is
reversible, to provide a shoe which furnishes differing styles, and
io utilitarian uses, to the benefit of its wearer.
Background Art
Obviously, numerous styles of footwear, constructed of various
components, for achieving a multitude of purposes, have long been
considered in the prior art. Most of these types of innovations have
is been in the area of running or athletic shoes, which has been
substantially in vogue for the past three decades, wherein various styles
of modifications to the soles, to make them more resilient, or add to the
efficiency of the runner, and various types of modifications to the
structure of the shoe itself, such as even adding pockets to the side or
20 within the tongue or gusset of the shoe, have been considered in the
prior art. For example, see the patent to Adamik, Patent No. 4,372,060,
relating to this type of technology, and their modifications.
The current invention seeks further modifications to the structure
of footwear, in order to add to the variations on usage of the shoe,
25 enhance it's styling, and enhance the attractiveness of the footwear, by
providing alternative uses and applications to various components of the
footwear itself.
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Summary Of The Invention
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
device for attaching a shoe to a tongue comprising a ball and socket
attachment
comprising a ball portion attached to the tongue and a socket portion attached
to
the shoe wherein the ball is rotatably secured within the socket such that the
tongue may be rotated about a first axis without deformation while still
attached to
the shoe to alternatively expose a first and second side of the tongue.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a device for attaching a shoe to a tongue comprising a ball and
socket
attachment comprising a ball portion comprising a ball attached to one of the
shoe
and tongue, and a socket portion defining a socket attached to the other of
the
shoe and tongue, wherein the ball is rotatably secured within the socket such
that
the tongue may be rotated about a first axis without deformation while still
attached to the shoe to alternatively expose a first and second side of the
tongue.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an article of footwear comprising a tongue and a vamp, and a device
for
attaching the tongue to the vamp, the device comprising a ball portion
comprising
a ball attached to one of the vamp and tongue, and a socket portion defining a
socket attached to the other of the vamp and tongue, wherein the ball is
rotatably
secured within the socket such that the tongue may be rotated about a first
axis
without deformation while still attached to the vamp to alternatively expose a
first
and second side of the tongue.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a boot comprising a sole, a vamp and a segmented tongue wherein the
segmented tongue comprises an upper portion and a lower portion and the upper
portion is attached to the lower portion by a device that allows the upper
portion of
the tongue to be rotated with respect to the lower portion of the tongue to
display
alternating sides of the upper portion of the tongue, wherein the device
comprises
a ball and socket attachment comprising a ball portion comprising a ball
attached
to one of the upper portion and the lower portion, and a socket portion
defining a
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socket attached to the other of the upper portion and the lower portion,
wherein
the ball is rotatably secured within the socket such that the upper portion
may be
rotated about a first axis while attached to the lower portion of the tongue.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a shoe comprising a sole, a vamp and a tongue portion wherein the
tongue portion is attached to the vamp by a linking means that allows the
tongue
portion to be rotated with respect to the vamp to display alternating sides of
the
tongue portion, said linking means tapering to a flat attachment upon said
tongue
portion and said vamp, and said linking means including a ball and socket.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a shoe having a vamp and a tongue, and having a linking means
connected between an upper part of the vamp and a lower part of the tongue,
said
tongue having an upper and lower surface, said linking means comprising a
flexible material and having sufficient inherent twistability and inherent
flexibility to
allow the linking means to be twisted, and enable the tongue to be turned from
its
upper to its lower surface without removal of the tongue from the upper part
of the
vamp, and said tongue being permanently affixed to the shoe vamp through said
linking means.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a shoe having a vamp and a tongue, and having a linking means
connected between the upper part of the vamp to a lower part of the tongue,
said
tongue having an upper and lower surface, said linking means comprising a
flexible material and having sufficient inherent twistability and inherent
flexibility to
allow the linking means to be twisted, and enable the tongue to be turned from
its
upper to its lower surface without removal of the tongue from the upper part
of the
vamp, said tongue being permanently affixed to the shoe vamp through said
linking means, and said tongue having one of differing coloration, indicia, or
appearance on its upper surface, as distinguished from its lower surface,
whereby
the tongue can be turned through twisting of its linking means, so as to
expose
either its upper or lower surfaces during usage.
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According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a shoe comprising a sole, an upper and a collar wherein the collar is
attached to the upper by a retaining means, and is rotatable with respect to
the
upper to allow alternating sides of the collar to be displayed, wherein said
retaining means comprises a ball and socket attachment comprising a ball
portion
comprising a ball attached to one of the collar and the upper, and a socket
portion
defining a socket attached to the other of the collar and the upper, wherein
the ball
is rotatably secured within the socket to enable the collar to be rotated
about a first
axis while still attached to the upper to enable the alternating sides of the
collar to
be displayed.
This invention contemplates the formation of footwear in general,
including the running or athletic shoe type, but the concepts of this
invention may
be embodied within any type of shoe, as will be readily determined upon
reviewing
this invention. The footwear includes, but not limited to, the usual style of
shoe
having a sole, vamp, quarter portions, counter, and a tongue or gusset secured
therein. In the preferred embodiment, the gusset will be of a reversible type,
where the tongue can be turned to expose one surface, which may have a
stylized
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and attractive surface provided thereon, or the tongue may be reversed, to
furnish
an entirely different appearance to the shoe, when worn.
This invention can pertain to an athletic shoe, casual and dress
shoes, hikers or boots.
Means are provided to accommodate the reversing of the tongue,
and to hold it to the upper vamp portion of the shoe, but which can be readily
turned, simply upon opening of its fastening feature, or clasp, which normally
holds the tongue in position, while the shoe is being worn. In addition, the
tongue
or gusset may, but not necessarily, include an internal pocket, that may be
readily
available for opening, preferably along the upper edge of the tongue, and into
which personal items, such as a key or coin may be inserted. The tongue will
contain closure means, to provide for its secure retention when closed, so as
to
prevent the loss of such personal items, and assure their safety. The tongue
may
further be fabricated, on one surface, with a transparent covering, at least
approximate its upper edge, and overlying the formed pocket, so that even the
contents of the pouch or pocket may be observable, if this is the desire of
the
wearer.
The concept of this invention is to provide a link between the shoe
gusset or tongue, and the upper vamp portion of the shoe, so that the wearer
may
reverse the tongue, as desired, for revealing other coloration, indicia, or
design. It
provides versatility to the usage of the shoe. Such a linkage means could
comprise a short link of cord, it may be an elastic cord, or perhaps could
comprise
a swivel clasp, or any type of other form of clasp, having some degree of
flexibility,
and which may be twisted or turned. In addition, it may include a clasp,
formed of
two parts that may swivel, and be interconnected between the upper vamp, and
the bottom of the shoe gusset, to accommodate such turning motion.
Furthermore,
the clasp may be separable, through the exertion of some amount of force, so
that
the gusset may be removed, and another one relocated, to add further dexterity
and versatility to the usage of this invention. In order to prevent the
unauthorized
removal, or
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the displacement of the gussets, for the shoes, as for example, when
displayed for sale, the pulling force required to separate the clasp may
be excessive, up to seventy to eighty pounds or more of pressure, or it
may only require a slight amount of force, to separate the clasp, at the
desire of the manufacturer, the retailer, and even the user, once the
io shoes are placed in usage. It is also likely that the tongue may be a
compound, or more, style of tongue, having a swivel means between
each of the sections of the tongue or gusset, to allow for turning, of just
segments, of the tongue, along its heighth.
It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide a
reversible tongue for footwear.
An object of some embodiments of the invention is to provide a reversible
tongue that may have different styles of appearance upon either of its
surfaces,
so that the tongue can be reversed, and completely change the
appearance and attractiveness of the shoe, to the interest of the
footwear owner. For example, the consumer can coordinate with team
colors, fashion trends, and the like.
Still a further object of some embodiments of the invention is to provide
footwear, in the category of walking shoes, running shoes, loafers, beach
shoes,
slippers, sandals, casual or dress shoes, boots, hikers, and even
athletic shoes, which may comprise either baseball, football, track,
soccer, basketball, and any of the variety of other athletic sports that
incorporate particular styled shoes, incorporating the reversible tongue
of this invention which adds to the versatility of the appearance and
usage of the subject footwear.
Another object of some embodiments, in view of the foregoing, may
be an athletic shoe with a reversible tongue so that the coloration on one
surface of the tongue may be used, for example, for home games, while
the opposite side may be of a differing. color, for away games.
Some embodiments may provide a pocket for the gusset of this type of
footwear so that personal items may be safely stored therein.
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Some embodiments may provide means for securing
personal items of the wearer of the defined shoe, so that safety
can be assured even while using the shoe for athletic events, or for
running, but prevent the untimely loss of contained items, such as a key
or coin, while participating in.strenuous activities.
Some embodiments may provide a transparent covering
for a pocketed tongue, for this type of footwear, so that the
contained items may be observed therein, while the shoe is worn.
Some embodiments may provide a novel swivel that can
be used for applying the reversible tongue to the upper central
is portion of the shoe vamp, to stably hold the tongue in place, while the
shoe is being worn.
These and other objects may become more apparent to those
skilled in the art upon reviewing the summary of this invention and upon
undertaking a study of the description of its preferred embodiment, in
view of the drawings.
Brief Description Of Drawings
Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side view of a shoe, such as
a running shoe, containing a reversible tongue;
Fig. 2 is a top view of the partial shoe, showing the upper vamp,
reversible tongue, clasp holding the tongue to the footwear, and
cooperating with lacing to secure the shoe upon the foot of it's wearer;
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the reversible tongue of Figure 2;
Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the opposite surface of the reversible
tongue;
Fig. 5 is a view of the opened clasp;
Fig. 6 shows the clasp in the process of being snapped into
closure;
Fig. 7 shows the reversible tongue containing a pocket in its
upper half, and which may be secured by Velcro, or the like, into closure;
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Fig. 8 is a side view of a modified more casual shoe having a
different style of means for connecting the reversible tongue to the shoe
vamp;
Fig. 9 shows an elastic type of clasp, which is in the form of an
elastic band that can insert through the top of the vamp and either
to temporarily or permanently connect with the reversible tongue;
Fig. 10 shows how the elastic band may be reversed, into a figure
eight configuration, for reversing its permanently held gusset or tongue
in place;
Fig. 11 is a top view of a partial shoe, showing the upper vamp,
reversible tongue, ball and socket attachment holding the tongue to the
footwear, and cooperating with lacing to secure the shoe upon the foot
of its wearer;
Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the ball and socket attachment
according to the preferred embodiment;
Fig. 13 is a side partially sectional view of the ball and socket
attachment according to the preferred embodiment;
Fig. 14 is a front view of a ball portion according to the preferred
embodiment;
Fig. 15 is a bottom view of a ball portion according to the
preferred embodiment;
Fig. 16 is a right side view of socket ball portion according to the
preferred embodiment;
Fig. 17 is a top view of the partial shoe, showing the upper vamp,
reversible tongue, and a link holding the tongue or gusset to the
footwear, for providing the reversible feature;
Fig. 18 is a side view of an open-toed sandal implementing a
reversible tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 19 is a side view of a closed-toed sandal implementing a
reversible tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention;
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Fig. 20 is a side view of an open-toed sandal implementing a
reversible tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein
the vamp portion surrounds only a single toe of the wearer;
Fig. 21 is a side view of a shoe implementing a reversible tongue
according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the tongue is made
from a stretchable material to eliminate the need for shoestrings;
Fig. 22 is a side view of a shoe implementing a reversible tongue
according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the tongue is made
from a stretchable material to eliminate the need for shoestrings and having a
lower cut clog-type back portion;
Fig. 23 is a side view of a sandal implementing a reversible double
tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein such that
four possible color combinations can be shown on a single sandal;
Fig. 24 is a side view of a shoe implementing a reversible tongue
according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the vamp portion
of
the ball and socket attachment is enlarged to cover or constitute an extended
portion of the vamp;
Fig. 25 is a side view of a shoe implementing a reversible collar
portion attached to the shoe upper according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 26 is a side view of a boot implementing a reversible upper
tongue portion according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 27 is a side view of a boot implementing a reversible tongue
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 28 is a side view of a shoe implementing a reversible tongue
wherein the eyelets have implemented scalloping in order to show more surface
of
the tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention;
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Fig. 29 is a side view of a roller skate implementing a reversible
tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 30 is a side view of an inline skate implementing a reversible
tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention.
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Best Mode For Carrying Out The Invention
In referring to the drawings, in particular Fig. 1, a shoe 1 is shown
incorporating the usual components including the sole 2, its vamp 3, the
quarter portions 4, and a counter 5. Also, as can be noted, the
reversible tongue 6 is also disclosed. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the
io reversible tongue 6 is applied by means of a clasp 7 to the upper central
portion of vamp 3, and cooperates to hold the tongue 6 in place,
whichever side of the reversible tongue is desired to be exposed
upwardly, when the footwear is worn. In addition, the clasp, when
holding the tongue in place, cooperates to embrace the lower strand 8 of
1s the shoe string, which further then extends through the various eyelets
9, for lacing the shoe in place upon the foot, as is well known.
Obviously, it is not absolutely necessary in' this invention to have the
string 8 go through the clasp 7, and it need not necessarily do so, for the
reversible tongue to be held in position upon the upper edge of the
20 shown vamp.
The tongue is reversible, and may contain some indicia,
coloration or a trademark, upon it's top surface, as can been seen at 10,
as noted in Fig. 3. The snap 11 that cooperates with the clasp, for
holding the reversible tongue in position, is shown at the lower segment
25 of the reversible tongue 6. In addition, the opposite side of the
reversible tongue 6 can be seen in Fig. 4, and it may = contain other
indicia, or styling, along its surface, as may be desired by the footwear
designer, or the shoe owner, as may be of interest. This can be applied
to the upper portion 12 of the reversible tongue, or along its entire upper
30 surface, as noted.
Obviously, while the preferred embodiment shows means for
clasping through snaps the reversible tongue to the upper center portion
of the shoe vamp, as noted in Fig. 2, it is just as likely that, instead of
using a clasp 7, the reversible tongue may snap directly to the upper
35 edge of the vamp, having a snap upon both lower surfaces of the
reversible tongue, so that it can be snapped directly to the vamp,
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regardless which surface of the reversible tongue is desired to be
arranged upwardly, simply through the efforts of the footwear owner, by
releasing the tongue, reversing it, and snapping it back into a fixed
position, relative to the shoe vamp. Or, the tongue might be held by
other means of connection, such as by a tie means, a Velcro strip or any
io other means for securement, for firmly holding the tongue in place,, for
use in displaying whatever surface of the tongue is desired to be shown.
Fig. 5 and 6 show one example of a type of clasp 7 that may be
employed. The clasp comprises a length of flexible material, and may
even be resilient, and inserts through a slot 13 provided in the upper
central portion of the vamp 3, as noted. The clasp may then be folded
over, and connect with the male part of the snap, that is secured
approximate to the lower edges, on both sides, of the tongue 6, as can
be seen at 11, and which snap into the female components of the
snaps, as shown at 14, as can be seen.
Another feature of some embodiments of the invention is to furnish the
reversible tongue 6 with a pocket or pouch, as can be seen in Fig. 7. The
upper
segment, or the entire pocket, may be formed of a pair of liners of
material, such as can be seen at 15 and 16, have a spacing there
between, stitched around the edges up to the proximate point of the
pocket's opening, as at 17. Then, means for securing the upper
peripheral edges of the pocket may be provided, such as through the
use of the hook and pile fastener means 18, or Velcro, that is affixed to
the upper interior edges of both of the liners 15 and 16, to furnish
closure to the formed pocket.
As previously reviewed, one upper surface of the tongue 6 may
include some indicia, or styling, as noted at 10, may include the display
of the trademark, or other stylization, as can be noted. The opposite
side, or lower side 12 of the pocket, may also be somewhat reinforced,
as seen, but it may be fabricated to a different style or it may be
formed, at that region, of a transparent or clear material, so that the
contents of the pocket are readily observed when the tongue may be
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fastened to the footwear with the layer 12 comprising the upper surface
of the reversible tongue, reversed in a manner as previously described.
This may add to the enhanced attractiveness of the footwear, having a
reversible tongue with a transparent pocket provided therein, for use
for holding personal items, or the wearer may decide to put a
io photograph under the transparent liner, so as to allow it to be readily
observable, while the shoes are worn, by the owner.
Figs. 8 through 10 each disclose another method for holding the
reversible tongue in place, in this particular instance, upon a more
casual type of footwear. As noted, the footwear 19 in Fig. 8, at its upper
vamp portion, has an aperture 20 located therethrough. Through this
aperture 20 there is located a type of clasping means, in this particular
instance, a band, which may be made of a more elastomeric, resilient, or
elastic material, as noted at 21. Preferably, the band, as shown in Fig.
10, may be continuous, as noted.
Thus, where it has some resiliency, or is elastic in texture, it may
easily be reversed, by twisting, as noted, so that the tongue or gusset
can be easily reversed, as previously described in this application, to
attain the attributes of the reversing feature of this invention.
Furthermore, the tongue will be permanently adhered to the vamp, so
that the tongues Cannot be shoplifted, or inadvertently removed, as for
example, when displayed in the store, which might be done with the
snap type of connection, as previously explained. Hence, this method of
attachment adds more permanency to the structure of the reversible
tongue when used in combination with the shown shoe. Furthermore,
the. upper part of the vamp, as at 22, may be slightly elevated, to extend
off of the instep of a foot, so that whatever bulk is generated through the
reversing of the band, in holding the tongue in place, will not bind
against the foot, ,and add discomfort thereat. These are examples as to
how the reversible tongue may be used in combination with footwear, of
any, style, to provide the attributes as explained herein. Where the
aperture 20 is provided, there may be a grommet furnished, to prevent
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s any tearing of the vamp at that location, and to provide longevity of
usage of the shoe,: and its reversible tongue, by the owner.
As can be seen in Fig. 11, the reversible tongue 23, is attached to
the vamp 24 applied by means of the ball and socket attachment 25.
In referring to Figs. 12 and 13, the ball and socket attachment 25
to comprises a ball portion 26, and a socket portion 27 attached to the
vamp 24, as previously shown. This provides a swivel connection for a
preferred embodiment. The ball portion 26 is preferably both movable
between a position shown by said ball portion, and a position shown by
the ball portion 26' in phantom, and rotatable within the socket portion
is 27, as can be understood.
As a result, the tongue 23 is fully rotatable about an axis A. as noted,
and restricted rotation or pivot about the axis B perpendicular to the
plane of Fig. 13, as through an angle C, and therefore orients the gusset
generally in its upright position, but frees it sufficiently forwardly, to
pivot
20 or rotate, as desired by the user.
The axis B can be described as roughly perpendicular to the axis A.
The ball portion 26 is preferably made from a resilient polymeric
material. In addition, as previously explained, it may be desired to
provide a basis for separation of the ball portion, from within the socket,
25 when the user desires to change gussets, and that force can be either
minimal, or perhaps even at a high strength, so that during shipment,
storage, or display upon the market, the gussets cannot be too easily
removed, by unauthorized persons, until such time as the pair of shoes
are sold.
30' In referring to Fig. 14, the ball portion 26 comprises the ball 41, as
shown, a flat attachment portion 28 and a rounded attachment portion
29, as noted. The rounded attachment portion 29 is attached to the ball
41 by a generally cylindrical neck portion 30. The tongue 23 may be
either a singular or laminar piece of material, made from a fabric, a
35 polymer, or leather, or the like. The flat attachment portion 28 is
attached to the tongue by an adhesive, by sewing, or otherwise
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attaching the flat attachment portion 28 to the tongue 23, by any means
known in the art. If the tongue 23 is a laminar piece, that flat attachment
portion 28 of the ball portion 26 is preferably attached to the tongue
between the laminar layers to minimize visibility. The preferred method
of attachment differs depending upon the material of the tongue 23.
to Referring back to Figs. 12 and 13, the socket portion 27
preferably comprises a socket 31. The top portion of the socket is
defined by a cavity 32 at the bottom of the slot 33 for accepting the ball
41, as can be noted. The bottom portion 27, of the socket, includes flat
attachment extensions 34 that are used to attach the top and bottom
portions, of the entire clasp, or swivel, to the vamp 24 of the shoe.
Similar to the tongue or gusset 23, the vamp may be either a singular or
laminar piece of material made from a fabric, a polymer, or leather, or
the like. The portions 34 and 28 may be attached to the vamp 24 in a
similar manner as the ball portion 26 is attached to the tongue or gusset
23, as explained.
The upper portion 31 of the socket, in defining its bore 32, has some
element.of flexibility, that allows the ball portion 26, and more specifically
its ball 41, to be moved into or out of the socket, as can be understood.
in addition, since the upper portion 31 of the socket portion has that
angular opened relationship, as shown by the angle C, the ball portion
26 can be moved' into the various positions, forwardly of the shoe, to
allow the reversible tongue to be pivoted slightly forwardly, to facilitate
its
reversal when manipulated in the manner as described herein.
In addition, the diameter of the bore may be selected such that
'the ball 41 may be forcibly removed from its socket 27, by resiliently
deflecting the top part 31 or 35 of the socket, as can be noted.
Alternatively, it can be provided that the ball 41 is not removable from
the bore 32. In this instance, it can be seen that the socket 27 may be
formed of two halves, one comprising the top part 35, and the back part
36, which may be adhesively or otherwise secured together, to form a
permanent socket 27, as noted. Thus, to provide for a permanent mount
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of the ball 41 within the socket bore 32, the ball 41 must be placed within
the socket 32 before the top and bottom parts 35 and 36 are attached to
one another. Or,, as previously explained, there may be some slight
resiliency in the upper part 35, to allow the ball 41 to be forcibly removed
from the socket, when it is desired to separate the tongue or gusset from
to the shoe, as noted. In either instance, it is preferred that the ball 41,
and
hence the tongue 23, have sufficient clearance to allow for the tongue to
be rotatable by means of its ball 41 within the socket bore 32, in order to
expose a second side of the tongue 23, as can be understood. In this
manner, the tongue 23 may have first and second sides, of differing
color, material, designs, and/or displaying indicia, and may be
alternatively displayed by the user by mere rotation of the tongue 12, in
the spirit of this invention. See also Fig. 15 and 16.
It is further just as likely that the ball and socket connection could
be replaced with a bayonet style of locking device. For example, with a
bayonet style of swivel locking device, the tongue may be pivoted in one
direction, to expose its upper surface from above the shoe, or it may be
pivoted in a 1800 degree direction, to expose the bottom portion of the
shoe tongue. But, at the mid point or 90 degree turn, a stem extending
off of the ball portion may obtain clearance from the socket for removal
of the top part of the bayonet lock, and the tongue, from the vamp and
socket. Or, one of those bead style of ball and socket connectors, such
as currently available for use in the construction of a necklace, bracelet,
or the like, could be adapted for use for swively connecting the tongue or
gusset to the vamp portion of the footwear.
The concept of this invention may be generally paraphrased by
reviewing Fig. 17. Essentially, the essence of the invention is to provide
some linking means, as at 37, that holds the tongue 38 to the upper
portion 39 of the shoe vamp 40. Hence, that linking means may be any
one of the swivels, and elastic cord, a flexible rubber or polymer, or an
elastic means, that allows the tongue to be reversed in its setting.
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And, as previously explained, the concept of the invention is to also
provide, when a swivel is used, one that may possibly be separable, so
that the tongue can actually be removed, and replaced with a substitute
gusset, for adding further design and coloration to the footwear, when
worn.
to Obviously, the reversible tongue can be formed of a variety of
materials, whether it be fabric, polymer, leather, transparent acrylic or
polyethylene, any as such materials which add to the attractiveness of
the shoe, but at the same time, provide reasonable strength and
sturdiness to withstand the constant and repeat usage.
is Referring to Fig. 18, there is shown a variation of the present
concept of a reversible tongue as implemented in a sandal 40. The
sandal 40 comprises a sole portion 42, a vamp portion 44 and a tongue
portion 46. The tongue portion 46 is attached to the vamp portion 44 by
a retaining means 48, described above. The tongue portion 46 is further
20 removably attached to the vamp portion 44, such as by a snap 50.
However, the.present invention is not limited by a snap and other types
of known attachment devices could be implemented, such as a hook and
look material attached to the tongue portion 46 and the vamp portion 44.
The sandal of Fig. 19 is similar in most respects to the,sandal of
25 Fig. 18 except that the vamp portion 44 is enlarged to cover the toes of a
wearer to resemble a clog-type shoe. In the configuration of Fig.. 19, the
vamp portion 46 is preferable sized to allow a larger amount of the
tongue portion 46 to be visible.
The sandal of Fig. 20 is similar in many respects to the sandal of
3o Fig. 18 except that the vamp portion 44 comprises, three separate
portions- namely a front vamp portion 52 and two side vamp portions 54.
The front vamp portion 52 is large enough only to cover the big toe of
the wearer. The side vamp portion extends from the sole 42 in order to
attach to the tongue portion 46.
35 Additionally, the shoe of Fig. 20 implements a hook and loop attachment
as described above with respect to Fig. 18 in order to attach the tongue
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portion 46 to the vamp portion 44, although as discussed above, other
known attachment methods can be used.
Obviously, the style of sandal as shown herein could just as
easily be modified, and constructed, for use for domestic purposes, such
as for use as a slipper, or the like, around the household.
In Fig. 21, there is shown a slip-on type shoe 56 implementing a
sole 58, a vamp 60, a tongue 62 and a retaining means 64, as described
above. The tongue 62 is made from known stretchable or resilient-type
material and is attached by hook and loop type material to the vamp 60
where the vamp 60 and tongue 62 overlap. When the wearer wears the
shoe of Fig. 21, the stretchable tongue will stretch to provide a tight fit of
the shoe to maintain it on the foot of.the wearer. In Fig. 22, there is
shown a slip-on type shoe 56 as in Fig. 21 that implements a low-rise
heel 61.
In Fig. 23, a sandal 63 is shown that has a sole portion 64 and a
vamp portion 66. What is referred to as the tongue portion 68, although
it does not fulfill the traditional purpose of a tongue, is attached to the
vamp 66 with hook and loop 'material, snaps or the other known
attachment methods.
The tongue portion 68 is made of a front tongue portion 70 and a
rear tongue 'portion 72 attached by a retaining means 74, described
above. The tongue portion 68 may be completely removed from the
vamp 66.
In Fig. 24, there is shown an athletic-type shoe 76 having a vamp
78, tongue 80 and a sole 82. The tongue 80 is maintained in position,
and the shoe held to the wearer, by. shoelaces 84. The tongue 80 is
further attached to the vamp 78 by a retaining means 86, described
above, allowing the tongue 80 to be rotatably attached to the vamp 78 to
display alternate sides of the tongue 80.
The type of athletic shoes that can utilize the subject matter of
this invention' includes football shoes, soccer shoes, track shoes,
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5 baseball shoes, and any other type of athletic shoe for which a tongue
portion is provided; and is capable of being reversed in its application.
Obviously, shoes of the foregoing category may also include
boots that may be used' for hiking, work, or for any other variety of
purposes for which footwear of this type is employed. For example, one
io surface of the hunting or hiking boots may have an attractive
appearance to it, while the opposite surface may be waterproofed, to
facilitate their usage when walking through moist or rain laden areas,
such as while hunting or fishing.
In Fig. 25, the shoe 76 of Fig. 24 is shown with the tongue 80
15 directly attached to the vamp 78, but having a retaining means 88
attached to an upper portion 90 of the shoe 76 and a collar portion 92 of
the shoe 76. The collar portion 92 is also preferably attached to the
shoe upper 94 by hook and loop material, snaps or another known
attachment method.
In this manner, the shoe collar 92 can have different colors and/or
designs on opposite sides thereof. When the wearer wishes to display a
particular side of the collar 92, the wearer unattaches the hook and loop
material, rotates the collar 92 180 degrees with, respect to the shoe
upper 94, and re-shapes the resilient collar so that it may be reattached
via the hook and loop material.
It will be readily recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that a
shoe may be constructed having both the tongue 80 attached to the
vamp 78 by a retaining means 86 and the collar 92 attached to the shoe
upper 94 by a retaining means 88 on a single shoe. While the shoe of
3o Fig. 25 has been described as attaching the collar 92 to the shoe upper
94 with hook and loop material or other known attachment methods, it
should be recognized that collar 92 the could be left unattached to the
upper except through the retaining means 88 and instead maintained in
position by the shoelaces that thread through both the upper 94 or vamp
78 and through shoelace holes 96 within the collar 92.
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In Fig. 26, there is shown a boot 100 having a sole 102, a vamp
104 and a segmented tongue 106. The segmented tongue 106
comprises a first, upper portion 110 and a second, lower portion 108.
The upper portion 110 is attached to the lower portion 108 by a retaining
means 112, described above. The retaining means 112 allows the
io upper portion 108 of the tongue 106 to be rotated with respect to the
lower portion 108 without unattachment from the lower portion 108 to
display alternate sides of the upper portion 110 of the tongue 106.
In Fig. 27, the boot of Fig. 26 is shown without a segmented
tongue 106 but a single one-piece tongue 114 attached to the vamp 1.04
is with the retaining means 112 such that instead of alternating displaying
only the upper portion 110 of the tongue 106, the wearer may alternately
display opposing sides of the entire tongue 114. It will be readily
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a boot. or shoe could
combine the features of Figs. 26 and 27 to provide a boot or shoe with a
20 segmented tongue-and two retaining means whereby.both the upper and
lower portions of the tongue can be selectively rotated and outwardly
displayed.
It is further likely that from viewing the embodiments for the
invention as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, that the tongue or gusset could
25 be formed as two or more components.
For example, there may be the upper ' portion 110, the lower
portion 1,08, of the segmented tongue, and the portion 108 may be
formed in a manner similar to FIG. 27, where there may be a second
retaining or swivel means 112, at the bottom of the lower portion 108, as
3o disclosed therein. Thus, the tongue may be pivoted twice, both at its
upper portion, and the lower portion, to reveal their back sides, as may
be desired.
The concept of a reversible tongue that does' not require the
tongue to be removed from the shoe in order to be reversed can
35 similarly be applied to dress-type shoes. In Fig. 28, there is provides a
dress-type shoe 116 with a sole 118, a vamp 120 and a tongue 122.
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The tongue 122 rotatably attached to the vamp 120 by a retaining
means 124 described above. As above, the retaining means 124 allows
alternate sides of the tongue to be displayed.
In the case of the present dress-type shoe 116, the tongue 122
may be colored or styled upon its alternate sides to change the
io character of the shoe from a more formal shoe to a more casual shoe' at
the desire of the wearer. The tongue 122 may or may not be further
attached to an upper 126 of the shoe 116 by hook and loop material or
other known attachment methods. Furthermore, the upper of the shoe
116 is provided with scalloping 128 in order to display more of the
, tongue 122.
In Figs. 29 and 30, there are provide a roller skate 130 and an
inline skate .132, respectively. The skates each have a wheeled base
portion 134, a vamp 136 that is typically made from a hard plastic
material, and a tongue 138 attached to the vamp 136 by a retaining
means 140, describe above. In the same manner as before, the'
retaining means 140 allows the tongue 138 to be rotated to alternately
display opposite sides of the tongue 138 without removal of the tongue
138 from the skate.
Variations or modifications to the subject matter of this invention
may occur to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the disclosure as
provided therein. Such variations, within the spirit of this development,
are intended to be encompassed within the scope of any invention as
provided herein.
The description of the preferred embodiment as. set forth herein is .
3o done so for illustrative purposes only.
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