Patent Publication Number: US-2023157416-A1

Title: Shoe Having Elastic Lace(s) and Looping Element

Description:
The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/499,130, filed Sep. 27, 2014 (U.S. Pat. No. 9,131,751), which in turn is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/107,180, filed May 13, 2011 (U.S. Pat. No. 8,869,432). The foregoing applications are incorporated by reference herein as though set forth herein in full. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to shoes, such as casual shoes and other types of footwear. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A variety of different shoe styles exist. However, improvements in shoe designs remain continuously desirable. For example, certain consumers are always looking for unique combinations of aesthetics and functionality in their footwear. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses these needs by providing shoes in which a plurality of elastic straps secure the shoe&#39;s tongue to other portions of the shoe&#39;s structure, thereby facilitating ease-of-use, as well as enabling additional shoe styles and additional ways to wear conventional-looking shoes. 
     Thus, one embodiment of the invention is directed to a shoe that includes: (a) a sole; (b) an upper, extending above the sole, that includes a front section, a left side, a right side, a rear section, and a tongue that originates from the front section and extends rearwardly between the left side and the right side; (c) a left elastic strap that extends from a left side of the tongue and: (1) extends through a loop that is securely attached to the left side of the upper and has a distal end securely attached to the sole, and/or (2) has its distal end securely attached to the left side of the upper; and (d) a right elastic strap that extends from a right side of the tongue and: (1) extends through a loop that is securely attached to the right side of the upper and has a distal end securely attached to the sole, and/or (2) has its distal end securely attached to the right side of the upper, with the left elastic strap having a proximal end fixedly attached to the left side of the tongue and the right elastic strap having a proximal end fixedly attached to the right side of the tongue. 
     The foregoing summary is intended merely to provide a brief description of certain aspects of the invention. A more complete understanding of the invention can be obtained by referring to the claims and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following disclosure, the invention is described with reference to the attached drawings. However, it should be understood that the drawings merely depict certain representative and/or exemplary embodiments and features of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The following is a brief description of each of the attached drawings. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a portion of a shoe according to a first representative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a sectional view of a shoe according to the first representative embodiment of the present invention, taken across the cutline shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of a portion of a shoe according to a second representative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a sectional view of a shoe according to the second representative embodiment of the present invention, taken across the cutline shown in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a portion of a shoe according to a third representative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a sectional view of a shoe according to the third representative embodiment of the present invention, taken across the corresponding cutline shown in  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a sectional view of a portion of the right side of an upper, together with an attached loop and a strap passing through the loop, according to the third representative embodiment of the present invention, taken across the corresponding cutline shown in  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of a portion of a shoe according to a fourth representative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  9    is a sectional view of a shoe according to the fourth representative embodiment of the present invention, taken across the cutline shown in  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of a portion of a shoe according to a fifth representative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  11    is a sectional view of a shoe according to the fifth representative embodiment of the present invention, taken across the cutline shown in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  12    is a top plan view of a piece of composite material that includes a plurality of elastic straps that are joined together using a different kind of material, e.g., to facilitate attachment of such elastic straps to different portions of a shoe. 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of a shoe according to a sixth representative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of a shoe according to a seventh representative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of a shoe according to a eighth representative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective view of a shoe according to a ninth representative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  17    is a perspective view of a shoe according to a tenth representative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of a shoe according to an eleventh representative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  19    is a perspective view of a shoe according to a twelfth representative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  20    is a perspective view of a shoe tongue according to a variation on the twelfth representative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  21    is a perspective view of a shoe according to a thirteenth representative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  22    is a perspective view of a shoe according to a fourteenth representative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  23    is a perspective view of a portion of a shoe that employs a latching mechanism for tightening laces according to a modified version of the fourteenth representative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     In the preferred embodiments, the present invention concerns a shoe having one or more elastic straps that are securely (and, more preferably, fixedly) attached to each side of the shoe&#39;s tongue at their proximal ends and securely attached to a different portion of the shoe at their distal ends. As used herein, the expression “fixedly attached” means incapable of translational movement relative to each other at the attachment point, and the expression “securely attached” means not readily detachable. 
     The following paragraphs and attached drawings discuss and illustrate certain specific representative embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments generally pertain to a casual shoe, such as a low-top canvas sneaker. However, the structures of the present invention can be used in conjunction with any other kind of shoe or other item of footwear (collectively referred to as “shoes” herein). Although the attached drawings more clearly illustrate the elastic strap(s) on the right side of the shoe for each of these specifically described embodiments, in the preferred embodiments the configuration of the left-side elastic strap(s) is at least approximately a mirror image of the configuration of the right-side elastic strap(s) (or at least is similar, although reversed, as compared to the right-side configuration). 
       FIGS.  1  and  2    illustrate a shoe  10  according to a first representative embodiment of the present invention. As shown, shoe  10  includes a sole  12  and an upper  15 . As with conventional shoes, sole  12  can be formed as a unitary piece or can include plural different layers that have been bonded, molded and/or otherwise joined together. Such different layers can include any or all of: a sock layer that makes contact with the wearer&#39;s foot, an insole immediately beneath the sock layer or forming the inner surface of the sole  12  in the event that a sock layer is not provided, an outsole that contacts the ground in ordinary use, and/or a midsole disposed between the insole and the outsole. 
     The upper  15  includes a rear section  17 , a left side  18 , a right side  20  and a front section (not shown) to which a tongue  22  is attached. As with conventional shoes, tongue  22  extends rearwardly from the front section of the shoe&#39;s upper  15 , between and somewhat underneath the left side  18  and the right side  20 . Each of left side  18  and right side  20  preferably also includes a plurality of eyelets  24  (e.g., comprised of plastic or metal grommets) through which shoelaces (not shown) may be threaded. 
     Shoe  10  also includes a plurality of relatively thin elastic straps  26  extending (preferably in an approximately parallel orientation to each other) from each side of tongue  22  (preferably at an approximately right angle to the tongue  22 ). In the present embodiment, the proximal end of each of such elastic straps  26  is fixedly attached to its corresponding side of the tongue, preferably along the outer one-third (⅓) or outer one-quarter (¼) of the tongue&#39;s width. More specifically, in the present embodiment the proximal end of each of the elastic straps  26  is attached to the underside of the tongue  22 , e.g., through the use of stitching, adhesive material or any combination of the two. However, as discussed below and illustrated in the other drawings, in alternate embodiments, any of the elastic straps according to the present invention instead may be attached to the top side or between layers of the tongue  22 . Although four elastic straps  26  are shown on each side of tongue  22  in  FIG.  1   , any other number instead may be used. In any event, such elastic straps  26  preferably are distributed across the length of tongue  22 , or at least its rear half. In certain embodiments, use of plural elastic straps (e.g., straps  26 ) along each side of tongue  22  can, in certain respects, provide results that are similar to lacing. 
     In the present embodiment, the distal ends of the elastic straps  26  on each side of the tongue  22  are securely attached to an elongated attachment strip  28 , e.g., through the use of stitching, adhesive material, one or more attachment joints (e.g., mechanical joints that permit rotation and/or pivoting), or any combination of the foregoing. In addition, e.g., elastic straps  26  may be attached to either side of attachment strip  28  or may be attached between two layers that make up attachment strip  28 . Preferably, attachment strip  28  also is relatively thin, elongated and elastic (although, more preferably, it is thicker, wider and/or otherwise provides greater elastic tension than elastic straps  26 ), but is oriented at an approximately right angle to the elastic straps  26  (i.e., parallel to the corresponding left side  18  or right side  20  of the shoe&#39;s upper  15 ). The bottom edge of attachment strip  28  preferably is securely attached to the shoe sole  12 , e.g., by stitching and/or gluing it to the top surface of shoe sole  12  or by inserting it between adjacent layers of the sole  12  prior to attaching them together. In addition, or instead, the top edge, bottom edge and/or midsection of attachment strip  28 , or any portion thereof, may be securely attached to the corresponding left side  18  or right side  20  of the shoe&#39;s upper  15 . In any event, the use of an attachment strip (such as attachment strip  28 ) according to the present invention often can provide a kind of free-floating structure for the elastic straps (e.g., straps  26 ). 
       FIGS.  3  and  4    illustrate a shoe  40  according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Shoe  40  includes a plurality of elastic straps  46  that extend from each side of the shoe&#39;s tongue  22  and attach to an attachment strip  48 . However, in the present embodiment, elastic straps  46 , although extending from different points along a respective side of tongue  22 , converge and attach to attachment strip  48  at a single point. Otherwise, elastic straps  46  and the considerations pertaining to them may be the same as for elastic straps  26 , described above. Similarly, attachment strip  48  and the considerations pertaining to it may be the same as for attachment strip  28 , described above. Although only two elastic straps  46  are shown in  FIG.  3    extending from each side of tongue  22 , any other number instead may be used. For embodiments that include more than two elastic straps  46  on each side of tongue  22 , all of such elastic straps  46  may converge to a single point, or subsets (e.g., adjacent pairs) of the elastic straps  46  may converge to different points (e.g., with multiple attachments strips  48 , one for each such point, or with a single elongated attachment strip  48 ). Finally, the techniques, options and considerations for attaching the elastic straps  46  and attachment strip  48  may be the same as those discussed above for elastic straps  26  and attachment strip  28 , respectively. It is noted that in this particular embodiment, elastic straps  46  are illustrated in  FIG.  4    as being attached to the top side of tongue  22 , although they could instead be attached in any of the other ways described herein. 
     Another embodiment of a shoe  60  according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS.  5 - 7   . In shoe  60 , an elastic strap  66  extends from each side of tongue  22  and through a loop  67  that itself preferably is securely attached to the corresponding left side  18  or right side  20  of the shoe&#39;s upper  15  (preferably the top portion of such left side  18  or right side  20 , near the eyelets  24 , just beneath the tongue  22  and/or in the upper two thirds or even in the upper one third of the distance between the shoe&#39;s sole  12  and the bottom edge of the tongue  22 ). The proximal end of each such elastic strap  66  preferably is fixedly attached to the corresponding side of tongue  22  (e.g., in any of the ways described above for elastic straps  26 ), and the distal end of each such elastic strap  66  preferably is securely attached to the shoe&#39;s sole  12  (e.g., using stitching and/or adhesive material, and/or in any of the other ways described above for attaching attachment strip  28  to shoe sole  12  or for attaching elastic straps  26  to attachment strip  28 ). It is noted that elastic strap  66  is illustrated in  FIG.  6    as being attached to tongue  22  between adjacent layers that make up tongue  22 , so the elastic strap  66  extends from the middle of tongue  22 ; however, any of the other attachment techniques described herein instead may be used. Although only a single elastic strap  66  and loop  67  is illustrated in the drawings on each side of tongue  22 , any other number instead may be used. Similarly, when using multiple elastic straps  66  on each side of tongue  22 , each such elastic strap  66  may be provided with its own loop  67 , or a single elongated loop may be provided for multiple (e.g., all) elastic straps  66  on the same side of the tongue  22 . In any event, in the preferred embodiments loop  67  preferably is made of a thin, smooth, flexible fabric material, so as to not interfere with the wearer&#39;s comfort, while simultaneously allowing its corresponding elastic strap(s)  66  to easily slide through it. 
       FIGS.  8  and  9    illustrate a further embodiment of a shoe  80  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, shoe  80  includes a plurality of elastic straps  86  extending from each side of the shoe&#39;s tongue  22 . Elastic straps  86  (and the considerations pertaining to them) can be similar or identical to elastic straps  26  that were described above, but rather than having their distal ends attached to an attachment strip (as with shoe  10 ), the distal ends of elastic straps  86  instead preferably are securely attached to the corresponding left side  18  or right side  20  of the shoe&#39;s upper  15 . Such attachment can be effected, e.g., using stitching and/or adhesive material, and the point(s) at which some or all (i.e., at least one and, more preferably, a majority, all or substantially all) of such elastic straps  86  attach to left side  18  or right side  20  of the shoe&#39;s upper  15  preferably are in the upper two thirds or, more preferably, in the upper one third of the distance between the shoe&#39;s sole  12  and the bottom edge of the tongue  22 . 
       FIGS.  10  and  11    illustrate a still further embodiment of a shoe  100  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, on each side of the tongue  22  an elastic strap  106  preferably is fixedly attached to the tongue  22  at its proximal and preferably is securely attached to the shoe&#39;s sole  12  at its distal end. However, in alternate embodiments, the proximal and distal ends of each strap  106  may be attached in any of the other ways described herein. Also, any portion of any of the straps  106  may be attached to the corresponding left side  18  or right side  20  of the shoe&#39;s upper  15 . Although only a single wide elastic strap  106  is shown in  FIG.  10    on each side of tongue  22 , any other number of elastic straps  106  instead can be used. 
     In certain embodiments discussed above, elements are described as being attached to the left side  18  or right side  20  of the shoe&#39;s upper  15 . Preferably, each such attachment is to the inner surface of such left side  18  or right side  20 . 
     In each of the embodiments described above, elastic straps are used to pull or hold a shoe&#39;s tongue in a down (or at least lower) position. In certain embodiments, the aggregate tension provided by such elastic straps is strong enough (e.g., using a small number of wider and/or higher-tension straps or a larger number of narrower and/or somewhat lower-tension straps) to hold the shoe onto the wearer&#39;s foot. As a result, it can be possible for the wearer to slide his or her foot into the shoe without tying the shoelaces, or even to wear the shoe without shoelaces at all. Not only does this approach provide for greater convenience, but it also can provide the wearer with a means to make different kinds of fashion statements, e.g., wearing shoes with the laces untied or wearing shoes that have lace-up eyelets  24  but no laces through them. 
     Also, in some of the embodiments described above, plural elastic straps extend from each side of the shoe&#39;s tongue  22 . In these embodiments some or all of the adjacent individual elastic straps (on one or both sides of the tongue  22 ) can be replaced by a single piece of material, such as a single piece of uniformly elastic material. Alternatively, such adjacent individual elastic straps can be replaced by a single piece of material  120 , as illustrated in  FIG.  12   , having plural straps of elastic material  122  (e.g., arranged in a parallel or approximately parallel configuration) joined together with a different kind of material  124  (e.g. a mesh-like material or other material having a lower-tension elasticity). Optionally, material  120  also has stronger and/or reinforced strips  125  along its sides where the piece of material  120  is stitched or otherwise attached (e.g., along one edge  125 , to the tongue  22  and, along the other edge  125 , to the corresponding left side  18  or right side  20  of the shoe&#39;s upper  15  or to the shoe&#39;s sole  12 ). Although shown in  FIG.  12    as a rectangular piece, material  120  instead can be formed in any other shape, e.g., with edges that conform to the shape of the tongue  22  on one side and conform to the shape of the junction between the sole  12  and corresponding left side  18  or right side  20  of the shoe&#39;s upper  15  on the other. In any event, using such a piece of material  120  often can facilitate assembly of the shoe when plural elastic straps are desired on each side of the tongue  22 . 
     Further Embodiments 
     Another shoe  140  according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIG.  13   . As shown, shoe  140  includes a sole  142  and an upper  145 . Upper  145 , in turn, includes a tongue  146  and one or more elastic lace(s)  147  that extend over and across the tongue  146  from a left side  148  to a right side  149  (or vice versa) of the approximately U-shaped forefoot opening in the upper  145  (under which the tongue  146  is disposed). In certain embodiments, each illustrated segment of elastic lace  147  (such as segment  147 A) is in fact a separate segment of lace  147 , extending just one time from left side  148  to right side  149  of the illustrated opening, and with its ends (e.g., lace end  150 A) securely attached to the corresponding left and right sides of the upper  145  (e.g., having been stitched and/or glued at or near the edges of sides  148  and  149 ). In alternate embodiments, a single segment of elastic lace  147  (such as lace segment  147 B) crosses over the tongue  146  two or more times, e.g., with the elastic lace segment  147 B looping around a static or rotatable element  150 B that is disposed inside of, or embedded within (e.g., between layers of), the upper  145 . Such an alternate configuration, in which a single segment of lace  147  crosses the tongue  146  (or, in the present embodiment, correspondingly, the forefoot opening above it) sometimes can allow for easier construction of the shoe  140 , particularly when trying to adjust the elastic lace(s)  147  so as to have a desired amount of tension (e.g., when shoe  140  is in its default state, as illustrated in  FIG.  13   ). In addition, using a rotatable looping element  150 B often can reduce friction and, e.g., thereby allow a looped lace  147 B to be more easily pulled into, and then subsequently maintained in, a more constant amount of tension throughout its entire length. 
     Attaching flexible lace(s)  147  close to the edges of forefoot opening sides  148  and  149  often can provide for greater comfort and ease-of-use by avoiding having such lace(s)  147  extend for any significant distance within the interior of shoe  140 , which could make it difficult for the wearer to properly insert his or her foot without interference from such lace(s)  147  and/or could uncomfortably press against the wearer&#39;s foot when the shoe  140  is being worn. Thus, in the present embodiments, the lace(s)  147  is/are attached, either fixedly (e.g., with respect to lace  147 A) or slidably (e.g., with respect to lace  147 B) close to the edge(s) of forefoot opening side(s)  148  and  149 , as applicable. More preferably, they are attached above the tongue  146  so that the tongue  146  acts as a barrier between the lace(s)  147  and the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     Another variation, which addresses such potential problems while simultaneously permitting the subject lace(s)  147  to be anchored close to the base of the shoe  140 , is to run the lace(s)  147  (e.g., lace  147 C) between layers of the upper  145 , e.g., starting at an opening  152  within an inner layer of upper  145  (when upper  145  is constructed of plural layers, i.e., at least one inner layer and one outer layer), with opening  152  preferably being close to the edge of the corresponding forefoot opening side  148  or  149 . In this way, the lace(s)  147  can be slidably attached to upper  145  at their respective opening(s) (e.g., opening  152 ), near the edges of forefoot opening sides  148  and  149 , and also can be fixedly attached to the upper  145  at a lower point (e.g., closer to the sole  142 ) or else can even be fixedly attached to the sole  142  itself. Still further, as shown in FIG.  13 , any one or any combination of these or other configurations (e.g., for routing and/or attaching laces  147 ) can be used within a single shoe  140 , or even for a single lace segment  147  (e.g., with one end fixedly attached close to the edges of sides  148  and  149 , a middle portion looped around an element  150 B, and its other end fed through an opening  152  in an inner wall of upper and then fixedly attached lower on the upper  145  or to the sole  142 ). In any event, in the current embodiment, the individual elastic laces  147  (or at least segments of laces  147 ) cross over each other within the forefoot opening of the upper  145 , as shown. 
     The lace(s)  147  discussed in the preceding embodiments represent one type of elastic strap that can be used for securing an upper to a wearer&#39;s foot. Generally speaking, lace(s)  147  will be relatively narrow and often tubular-shaped, often meaning that any contact with the wearer&#39;s foot will be somewhat noticeable, if not actually uncomfortable. 
     Partially to accommodate such contact, shoe  170 , shown in  FIG.  14    instead uses a relatively wide, flat strap  177  (e.g., straps  177 A-C, collectively referred to as straps  177  or sometimes individually as a strap  177 ). As shown, shoe  170  includes a sole  172 , an upper  175  and a tongue  176 . Elastic straps  177  extend over and across the tongue  176  from a left side  178  to a right side  179  of the approximately U-shaped forefoot opening in the upper  175 , under which the tongue  176  is disposed. After crossing such opening, in the current embodiment straps  177  initially extend along the interior surface of the sidewall of upper  175  and then passes through an opening  182 , so as to run along the outside of the sidewall of the upper  175  for a certain distance before reentering the interior of the upper  175  (through another opening  182 ). This weaving out of and then back into the upper  175  can be repeated one or more additional times before, e.g., a given strap  177  fixedly attaches to the rest of the shoe  170  (e.g., by being stitched and/or glued to a lower portion of the upper  175 , e.g., near the sole  172 , or even to the shoe&#39;s sole  172  itself). In the current embodiment, individual elastic straps  177  (or at least segments of such straps  177 ) cross over each other within the forefoot opening of the upper  175 , as shown. Although not shown, a similar or identical structure to that shown in  FIG.  14    preferably is provided on the right side of the shoe  170 , with the strap(s)  177  partially extending along the interior of the upper  175  and partially extending along its exterior. 
     Certain benefits of such a structure include the ability to more fully secure the upper  175  around the wearer&#39;s foot while simultaneously providing a sufficient level of comfort and greater uniformity of pressure on the wearer&#39;s foot (as compared to most conventional shoes in which all or almost all of the holding forces are provided across the top of the wearer&#39;s foot. In certain more-specific embodiments, the main body of the upper  175  is made of a cloth, fabric or other highly flexible and/or pliable material, which is able to more closely conform to the wearer&#39;s foot as a result of the tension provided by strap(s)  177 . 
     Similar to shoe  140 , each of straps  177 A-C can be implemented as a single, discrete strap segment or, alternatively, an individual strap  177  (such as strap  177 B) can be looped back, e.g., around a static or rotatable looping element  180  (disposed on the outside of or, as shown in  FIG.  14   , within the interior of the shoe  170 ), so as to cross over the tongue  176  two or more times. More preferably, any such looping element  180  is cylindrically shaped in order to accommodate the present broad, flat elastic straps  177  being used. 
     According to a still further embodiment, shoe  200 , shown in  FIG.  15   , includes elastic laces  147  (or at least segments of laces  147 ) extending over and across the shoe&#39;s tongue  206 , similar to shoe  140  shown in  FIG.  13   . However, in shoe  200  the laces  147  are woven inside and outside of the sidewalls of the shoe&#39;s upper  205  through openings  202 , similar to the manner in which the straps  177  (discussed above) are woven through openings  182  in the sidewalls of the upper  175  of shoe  170 . In the present embodiment, cross-laces  207 , which cross the laces  147  between adjacent pairs of such openings  202  exterior to the sidewall of the shoe&#39;s upper  205  (e.g., on the interior sides of such laces  147 , on their exterior sides, or with some inside and some outside), in order to help anchor laces  147  and/or to provide a desired aesthetic effect. In the present embodiment, these cross-laces  207  are just short lace segments (e.g., attached to the interior of the sidewall of upper  205  and/or extending between layers of such sidewalls), e.g., just a little longer than necessary to traverse the corresponding openings  202 . However, in alternate embodiments they can extend longer and even be extensions of other laces  147  (e.g., redirected by looping the corresponding laces  147  around a looping structure disposed on the interior of the upper  205 ). 
     According to a still further embodiment, shoe  220 , shown in  FIG.  16   , is similar to shoe  170 , shown in  FIG.  14   , but instead of the straps  177  crossing over each other, they run parallel (or approximately parallel) to each other when passing over tongue  176  (e.g., across the forefoot opening) and when woven through openings (e.g., slits)  182  in the sidewalls of the upper  225  of shoe  220 . 
     In the preceding embodiments discussed in relation to  FIGS.  13 - 16   , each subject shoe is illustrated as being a kind of sneaker or athletic shoe. However, such depictions should not be understood as limiting. Similar kinds of strap configurations can be applied to any other type of shoe. 
     For instance, shoe  240  (shown in  FIG.  17   ) also involves a sequence of elastic straps  177  (such as straps  177 F&amp;G) that extend from the side edges of the tongue  241  and then are woven through openings  182  in the sidewall of the upper  245  of shoe  240 . However, in this embodiment, shoe  240  is of a loafer style and, rather than extending across a forefoot opening, as in the previous embodiments, straps  177  attach to the tongue  241  (more specifically, in the current embodiment, the side edges of the tongue  241 ) of shoe  240 . In the present embodiment, straps  177  are sewn in between layers of material that make up tongue  241 , and each extends all the way from the left side of the shoe  240  to its right side. However, in alternate embodiments separate left-side and right-side straps (e.g., each attaching to the corresponding side of tongue  241 ) are used. In any event, as with some of the previous embodiments, straps  177  are woven through openings  182 , so as to partially run along the inside surface of the sidewalls of upper  245  and to partially run along its outside surface, ultimately attaching to a position near the bottom of upper  245  or to the sole  242  (with some or all of such straps  177  attaching on the inside and/or the outside of shoe  240 ). 
       FIG.  18    illustrates another shoe  260  in the loafer style. In this embodiment, however, an elastic web  267  extends from each side edge (e.g., left edge  263 ) of the tongue  261 . As shown, web  267  includes a first set of elastic segments (typically parallel or at least approximately parallel to each other) oriented in one direction and a second set of elastic segments (also, typically parallel or at least approximately parallel to each other) oriented in a second (e.g., orthogonal) direction that together form a web or mesh-like structure. In the present embodiment, with reference to the left side of shoe  260  (which is shown in  FIG.  18   ), the segments in the first set attach at one end to the left longitudinal edge  263  and at the other end to points along the bottom of the sidewall of upper  265  and/or to points on sole  262 , and the segments in the second set attach at one end to the left vertical (or approximately vertical) edge  264  of the toe cap  265 A and at the other end to the rearmost segment in the first set. 
     As depicted in  FIG.  18   , web  267  is disposed entirely on the outside of the upper  265 , and there exists a gap between the toe cap  265 A and the rear portion  265 B of the upper  265 . However, in alternate embodiments web  267  is disposed entirely within upper  265  or partly inside of and partly outside of upper  265  (e.g., using a weaving structure, as discussed above in connection with some of the previous embodiments), and/or rear portion  265 B is extended so as to contact (e.g., attach to) toe cap  265 A. Also, in the present embodiment web  267  consists only of crossing first and second segments, which collectively define a grid of openings. However, in alternate embodiments such segments are attached to or embedded within an elastic sheet material, which can function as a support substrate (e.g., with the first and second crossing segments providing most of the strength and with the sheet material primarily providing a decorative or aesthetic effect, such as by covering the openings that otherwise would exist in its absence). 
     Shoe  280  (shown in  FIG.  19   ) is similar to shoe  220 , discussed above, but rather than using flat elastic straps  177 , shoe  280  instead uses plural (in this specific embodiment, three) sections (or strips) of elastic web  267  (e.g., strips  267 A&amp;B), e.g., of the type of material discussed in the immediately preceding embodiment. Also, shoe  280  has a lower upper than shoe  220 , although either style of shoe can be used in either embodiment, or in any of the other embodiments discussed herein, for that matter. Similar to shoe  220 , in the present embodiment, such strips of web  267  cross over the top of the tongue  286  (e.g., across the forefoot opening) and then are woven inside and outside of the sidewalls of upper  285  through slits or openings  182 . 
     In the immediately preceding embodiment, the strips of elastic web  267  run across the top surface of the tongue  286 . However, in a somewhat modified variation on the preceding embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  20   , such strips instead either attach to or emerge from (e.g., forming a center layer of the tongue  286 ) the side edge of the tongue  286 . Otherwise, the configuration of shoe  280  can be the same in  FIG.  20    as depicted in  FIG.  19   . 
     A still further shoe  300  is illustrated in  FIG.  21   . As shown, similar to some of the previous embodiments, shoe  300  also incorporates an elastic web  267 . However, in this embodiment the web  267  material is provided in the shape of an “X”, with its crossing portion disposed over the top of the tongue  306  (within the forefoot opening), and with its extending portions (two on each side) passing underneath a strip of material  308  that borders the forefoot opening (in the present embodiment, a U-shaped strip  308 , with a segment on each of the left and right sides and an adjoining segment forward of the forefoot opening) and then reemerging and running along the outside surface of the sidewall of upper  305 , ultimately attaching to the bottom portion of the upper  305  or to the sole  302 . Although the present configuration provides multiple anchor points for the X-shaped elastic web  267  (e.g., beneath strip  308  and where the distal ends of the elastic web  267  attached to the upper  305  or the shoe sole  302 ), in alternate embodiments other configurations are used (e.g., with different sections inside of and/or outside of the upper  305 ). 
     In the foregoing embodiments, one or more (preferably multiple) elastic straps or straps segments (e.g., in the form of laces  147 , flat strips  177  or a web  267 ) cross over the shoe&#39;s tongue and/or attach to it. Although the foregoing embodiments are preferred, any of the types of straps described above can be used in any of the configurations discussed above. 
     A still further shoe  330  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG.  22   . Generally speaking, shoe  330  appears similar to conventional lace-up shoes, with a row of eyelets  332  on each side of the forefoot opening under which the tongue  336  extends, and with a lace  337  (e.g., having a circular cross-section) woven back and forth between such eyelets  332  so that it crosses itself a plurality of times, e.g., in the manner of a conventional shoelace. Unlike a conventional shoe, however, lace  337  preferably is fixedly attached to the upper  335  of the shoe  330 , e.g., at or near the topmost eyelets (i.e., eyelet  332 A and the opposite eyelet on the right side of the shoe  330 ). In the present embodiment, lace  337  is stitched at position  339  on the interior of the sidewall of the upper  335 , just prior to exiting through eyelet  332 A, and then lace  337  just hangs loosely along the exterior of the sidewall of upper  335 . This configuration provides the wearer with the carefree look of not having tied the shoelace  337  and, in fact, is more convenient for the wearer because no tying is required. At the same time, because lace  337  is elastic it can still secure the shoe  332  the wearer&#39;s foot and a still open up to accommodate insertion and removal of the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     In the foregoing embodiment, the lace  337  preferably is fixedly attached to each side of the shoe  330  in a permanent manner (i.e., permanent relative to ordinary everyday use, e.g., stitched). In a somewhat modified version, shown in  FIG.  23   , rather than being fixedly attached. In such a permanent manner, lace  337  instead is fixedly attached to the upper  335  only when desired by the wearer (e.g., by default) but also can be slid relative to the upper  335  as and when desired by the wearer (e.g., without substantial effort). More specifically, in this particular variation a clamping mechanism  340  is attached to the upper  335  just outside of each of the topmost eyelets (e.g., eyelet  332 A). By default, clamping mechanism  340  clamps onto the lace  337 . However, by pressing spring-loaded release buttons  342 , the clamping force is released so that lace  337  can freely slide, forward or backward, through clamping mechanism  340 . 
     In certain more-specific embodiments, the clamping surfaces on the interior of mechanism  340  have angled teeth so that lace  337  is capable of being pulled outwardly even when the clamping force is being applied, and the clamping mechanism  340  is fixedly attached (e.g., stitched and/or glued) to the upper  335 . As a result of this configuration, the user can tighten the laces simply by pulling on them, and then can loosen them by pressing buttons  342 . 
     However, in still further variations, clamping mechanism  340  is simply held in place by the forces exerted by the lace  337  and the opposing surface of the sidewall of the upper  335  (e.g., with clamping mechanism  340  being larger than eyelet  332 A). In even further variations, clamping mechanism  340  is disposed on the interior surface of the sidewall of the upper  335  (e.g., and fixedly attached to such surface). Also, although elastic laces  337  are preferred in the present embodiment, non-elastic laces also can be used in conjunction with the present clamping mechanism  340  (e.g., because clamping mechanism  340  can provide a simple method to increase and/or release tension in the lace  337 , rather than relying on elastic forces). 
     It is noted that each of  FIGS.  14 - 23    mainly show the left side of a particular shoe. Preferably, for each such embodiment, the right side of the shoe is substantially the mirror image of the right side, or at least has the same kind of structures (e.g., the same kinds of interactions between the straps and the shoe&#39;s upper) as depicted for the subject shoe&#39;s left side. 
     In the foregoing embodiments, elastic straps are used. However, as discussed above, the present invention also provides additional features (e.g., looping elements and/or tensioning elements) that can be used in conjunction with non-elastic straps, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     Also, in some of the foregoing embodiments different types of straps partially extend along the outside of the sidewall of the shoe&#39;s upper, between adjacent slits in the upper. In a modified configuration, the upper is completely open between such slits (e.g., having small rectangular windows or openings) and the strap(s) are simply visible through such openings. In such a modified configuration, the strap(s) preferably fixedly attach to one or more points on the interior of the upper&#39;s sidewalls. 
     Additional Considerations. 
     In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the disclosure explicitly set forth herein or in the attached drawings, on the one hand, and any materials incorporated by reference herein, on the other, the present disclosure shall take precedence. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the disclosures of any applications or patents incorporated by reference herein, the disclosure having the most recent priority date shall take precedence. 
     Unless clearly indicated to the contrary, words such as “optimal”, “optimize”, “minimize”, “best”, as well as similar words and other words and suffixes denoting comparison, in the above discussion are not used in their absolute sense. Instead, such terms ordinarily are intended to be understood in light of any other potential constraints, such as user-specified constraints and objectives, as well as cost and processing constraints. 
     Several different embodiments of the present invention are described above, with each such embodiment described as including certain features. However, it is intended that the features described in connection with the discussion of any single embodiment are not limited to that embodiment but may be included and/or arranged in various combinations in any of the other embodiments as well, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
     In the discussions above, the words “include”, “includes”, “including”, and all other forms of the word should not be understood as limiting, but rather any specific items following such words should be understood as being merely exemplary. 
     References herein to a “criterion”, “multiple criteria”, “condition”, “conditions” or similar words which are intended to trigger, limit, filter or otherwise affect processing steps, other actions, the subjects of processing steps or actions, or any other activity or data, are intended to mean “one or more”, irrespective of whether the singular or the plural form has been used. For instance, any criterion or condition can include any combination (e.g., Boolean combination) of actions, events and/or occurrences (i.e., a multi-part criterion or condition). 
     Similarly, in the discussion above, functionality sometimes is ascribed to a particular module or component. However, functionality generally may be redistributed as desired among any different modules or components, in some cases completely obviating the need for a particular component or module and/or requiring the addition of new components or modules. The precise distribution of functionality preferably is made according to known engineering tradeoffs, with reference to the specific embodiment of the invention, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
     Thus, although the present invention has been described in detail with regard to the exemplary embodiments thereof and accompanying drawings, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various adaptations and modifications of the present invention may be accomplished without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in the drawings and described above. Rather, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the claims appended hereto.