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; 6   a;    6   b ), 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; 6   a,    6   b ) 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 ( 14   b ), which is substantially congruent with the elongate slot ( 6; 6   a,    6   b ) in the rigid tongue part ( 1 ).

Description:
[0001]    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 
       [0002]    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. 
         [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    Another object of the invention is to preferably provide a ventilation function for the shoe within the tongue. 
       DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    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 . 
         [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    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. 
         [0010]    Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims. 
         [0011]    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 
         [0012]      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. 
           [0013]      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. 
           [0014]      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. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view according to  FIG. 3 , wherein the proximal end face of the tongue is visible. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4   b  is a lateral view of  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4   a  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. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an explosion view from the top on to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , with a tongue-shaped padding shown below it. 
           [0018]      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). 
           [0019]      FIG. 7   a  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. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7   b  is a perspective view according to  FIG. 6 , in which the proximal end face of the tongue is visible. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      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. 
         [0022]    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. 
         [0023]    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. 
         [0024]    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. 
         [0025]    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. 
         [0026]    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. 
         [0027]    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. 
         [0028]    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. 
         [0029]    In any case, under the rigid tongue part  1  described above, a padding  14  having an interior longitudinal slit  14   a  (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  14   a  of the padding  14  forms, with the padding  14  surrounding the interior longitudinal slit  14   a  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 . 
         [0030]    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  14   a , 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. 
         [0031]    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. 
         [0032]    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 . 
         [0033]      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  14   b  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 . 
         [0034]      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 S 1 , S 2 , S 3 , S 4  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 S 1  and S 2  as well as S 3  and S 4 , interrupted by the transverse slits  7 , are elastically interconnected and slightly reinforced by elastic connecting elements  12  which are preferably applied adhesively. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4   a  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. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4   b  shows a lateral view of the proximal end  2  of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4   a , 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. 
         [0037]      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  14   b  of a certain width along its sagittal central axis, the interior longitudinal slit  14   b  being substantially congruent with the interior longitudinal slit  6 . The function of the interior longitudinal slit  14   b  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  14   b  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. 
         [0038]      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  1   a  and a second rigid tongue part  1   b . In this preferred embodiment, the first rigid tongue part  1   a  and the second rigid tongue part  1   b  substantially have the same shape with an interior longitudinal slit  6   a  and  6   b , respectively. On the lower, second tongue part  1   b , 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  1   a  against the second rigid tongue part  1   b , maintain them spaced and thus form a ventilation channel for the interior of the shoe or the tongue, respectively. The interior longitudinal slits  6   a  and  6   b  are substantially congruent with the interior longitudinal slit  14   b.    
         [0039]    In this embodiment, it is advantageous to use an air-permeable lower second rigid tongue part  1   b  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  1   a , 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. 
         [0040]      FIG. 7   a  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  1   a  and the second rigid tongue part  1   b  and the padding  14 , is shown. The first rigid tongue part  1   a  lies flat over the second rigid tongue part  1   b , 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  1   a  and the second rigid tongue part  1   b  are created. 
         [0041]      FIG. 7   b  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the tongue according to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7   a  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  4   b  which are slightly enlarged, as shown. The padding  14  is not shown in this view. 
         [0042]    In such an embodiment according to the present invention, it is also conceivable to form the first rigid tongue part  1   a  and the second rigid tongue part  1   b  such that the spacing elements  15  are integral parts of the first  1   a  and the second tongue part  1   b . It is also conceivable to provide integral channels for ventilation in said tongue parts  1   a  and  1   b  instead of integral spacing elements. 
         [0043]    Other possible embodiments are described in the following claims. 
         [0044]    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 
       [0000]    
       
           1  rigid tongue part 
           1   a  first rigid tongue part 
           1   b  second rigid tongue part 
           2  proximal end 
           3  distal end 
           4  lateral slits 
           4   b  inner end of the lateral slits 
           5  material bridges 
           6 ,  6   a ,  6   b  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 
           14   b  interior longitudinal slit of the padding 
           15  spacing element 
           16  open channels 
           17  perforations 
           61 ,  62  interior lateral longitudinal slits 
         S 1 , S 2 , S 3 , S 4  segments