Leisure shoe

Described is a shoe (10) including an upper member (12) attached to a bottom sole member (14), the upper member (12) has a opening (16) therein in which is located a foot securing member (18) and a decorative tongue member (24), which decorative tongue member is fixedly attached at a first end (26) to the opening in the upper member, and a distal end (25) of the decorative tongue member which is unattached to the upper member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards a leisure shoe such as a tennis shoe which through the construction of the shoe can add decorative enhancements thereby increasing the marketability of the shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In leisure shoes and in particular athletic shoes or sneakers, the ability to have functional as well as decorative footwear is particularly important for successful marketing of such shoes.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,947 describes a decorative shoe tongue simulating and lace securing device wherein a decorative attachment is inserted into an ordinary sneaker. The decorative attachment can be readily removed and substituted by use of other attachments such as that shown inFIG. 1of the patent.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,913 describes a double tongue, double locking vamp assembly which utilizes a hook and loop type fastening means, such as that marketed under the trademark Velcro for tightly connecting the tongue with an athletic shoe.

The object, advantages and features of the present invention are directed to utilizing a separate decorative tongue member that is an integral component of the footwear where the footwear also has the usual locking or belting or securing mechanism for engaging a foot.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described is a shoe comprising an upper member attached to a bottom sole member, the upper member has a opening therein in which is located a foot securing member and a decorative tongue member, which decorative tongue member is fixedly attached at a first end to the opening in the upper member, and a distal end of the decorative tongue member which is unattached to the upper member.

The present invention is also concerned with a tennis shoe comprising an upper member attached to a bottom sole member, the upper member has a opening therein in which is located a foot securing member and a decorative tongue member, which is fixedly attached at a first end to the opening in the upper member, and a distal end of the decorative tongue member which is unattached to the upper member.

The present invention is also concerned with a leisure shoe comprising an upper member attached to a bottom sole member, the upper member has a opening therein in which is located a foot securing member and a decorative tongue member, which is fixedly attached at a first end to the opening in the upper member, and a distal end of the decorative tongue member which is unattached to the upper member.

The invention is also concerned with a method of manufacturing the shoe of the present invention by attaching an upper member to a bottom sole member, the upper member having an opening therein in which is located a foot securing member and attaching a decorative tongue member to the opening, which decorative tongue member is fixedly attached at a first end to the opening of the upper member and a distal end of the decorative tongue member which is unattached to the upper member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention as described herein takes into account the drawings as further included therein. These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description of the invention.

The intent of the present invention is to utilize the advantages of a shoe which includes an “Expressive-Billboard” feature. The Expressive-Billboard feature of the present invention refers to the decorative tongue member attached to the body of the shoe. The decorative tongue or Expressive-Billboard portion of the shoe is an integral component of the footwear where the footwear also has the usual locking or belting or securing mechanism for engaging a foot. The attached decorative tongue member provides advantages to the individual wearing the leisure shoe.

The first advantage to the leisure shoe is that it provides a secured decorative tongue member for the individual wearing the shoe. This enables the individual wearing the shoe to express their emotions, feelings and desires through the shoes on their feet. If the individual chooses, the decorative tongue member can be changed quickly and easily by removing the tongue-cover (sheath) and replacing it with a different one. The tongue covers (sheath) slip over the decorative tongue member and are secured by an elastomeric tie at the base of the sheath. The second advantage to the decorative tongue member of the shoe is that it is connected near the bottom half of the decorative tongue. This is advantageous because it allows the decorative tongue member to be worn outside of a long pant leg. Furthermore, the individuals pant leg rests between the decorative tongue member and the bottom sole member of the shoe. This allows the decorative tongue member to stand out from the rest of the shoe, further expressing the individuals' desires.

One embodiment of the invention is a leisure shoe10having an upper member12attached to a bottom sole member14. The upper member has an opening16. The foot of a wearer fits within the opening16. The opening has an elastomeric foot securing member/first tongue18which holds the foot in place. The use of an elastomeric member18is best shown inFIGS. 1 and 2with laces20securing the tongue18in place. The laces fit within eyelets22.

The illustrated embodiment has a second additional tongue24which is decorative in nature and which is generally cantilevered in place namely that is secured at a first end26to the front portion28of the upper member and an unattached distal end25. The tongue24can take on a variety of compositions such as elastomeric member30as shown inFIG. 2. The tongue24may be secured in place and fits within a decorative sheath32. Alternatively, the tongue itself could be solidly and securely attached to the upper member at reference numeral26and the decorative sheath slips over the tongue and is held in place by an elastomeric tie at the base of the sheath. The tongue24has sufficient rigidity associated with it for it to remain in an upright position with respect to the remainder of the shoe upper and remain close to the upper portion of the shoe satisfactorily covering the opening of the shoe.

As seen inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the tongue24can be located above or below the laces. The figures illustrate how tongue24begins below a portion of the laces20at the first end. The figures further show how the unattached distal end25extends upward and aback from the first end to extend through and above a remaining portion of the laces20′. Further fromFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the unattached distal end extends upward and along top of the remaining portion of the laces20′. The figures illustrate the unattached distal end extending above the remaining portion of the laces, which creates a visible length of space behind the unattached distal end25and above the remaining portion of the laces20′.

The consumers decide how they prefer their tongue24to be positioned. The different positions of the tongue provide various advantages to the consumer. For example, as mentioned above, a pant leg of the consumer can rest behind the tongue24and above the bottom sole member of the footwear. The illustrated position of the unattached distal end is at least one position that accommodates or rests a pant leg of the consumer. From the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the consumer's pant leg can rest in the visible length of space behind the unattached distal end25and above the remaining portion the laces20′. In other words, the consumer's pant leg rests between the unattached distal end25and the remaining portion of the laces20′. As a result, and as mentioned above, the additional tongue24stands out from the rest of the shoe.

The illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 6clearly shows how a pant leg99can rest behind the tongue24and above the remainder of the shoe. As a result and as described above, tongue24stands out from the rest of the shoe.

FIG. 1indicates that the laces20may likewise secure the tongue24in place at the attachment of the tongue to the upper member at26. As illustrated, a portion of the laces20touch an outward most surface of tongue24to help secure the tongue during usage of the shoe. Furthermore, fromFIG. 1, the remaining portion of the laces20′ are used to secure the foot securing member18over the foot of the wearer.

An alternative to the use of laces to hold the tongue24in place is that shown inFIG. 3. For convenience, the applicant has utilized the same reference numerals ofFIGS. 1 and 2inFIG. 3except that they are now preceded by a “1”. The shoe110ofFIG. 3has an upper member112and a bottom sole member114with the additional tongue124. The tongue125is placed on top of the opening116. An elastomeric foot securing member140is used in place of laces20and tongue18fromFIGS. 1 and 2. The tongue124is likewise shown as being an elastomeric member130fitting within the decorative sheath132optionally with a securing band133. The additional tongue is secured to the upper body by being sewn in place at126in the front foot upper portion128and has distal end125, unattached to the opening.

FIG. 3further illustrates that the tongue124lies above the foot securing member140.FIG. 3andFIG. 5also show how the first end126of the tongue124is joined to the shoe near the opening and the front portion of the upper member128. The tongue includes an unattached distal end125. As seen in the illustrated embodiments, the unattached distal end extends upward and aback from the first end. As mentioned in above paragraphs, the shoe can rest a pant leg of a wearer behind the unattached distal end to help the distal end stand out from the rest of the shoe.

In order to facilitate a more varied decoration for the tongue24, replaceable sheath50can fit over the tongue24or124to give more variation in styles for the tongue. An elastomeric tie52can be sewn in the lower portion of the sheath50. WhileFIG. 5shows that the elastomeric holding member140is a rubberized stretch element, any well known elastomeric member for securing a foot could be used in its place.

It should also be appreciated that any variety of closure mechanisms for holding a foot in place can be used in the opening such as belts, buckles and the like.

While the forms of the invention herein disclosed constitute presently preferred embodiments, many others are possible. It is not intended herein to mention all of the possible equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms used herein are merely descriptive rather than limiting, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, the decorative tongue can take on many shapes and sizes depending on social and artistic and functional design.