Abstract:
A shoe comprising a retractable lace protector for protecting the laces thereon. The lace protector has a deployed and a stowed position. In a deployed position, the lace protector can be disposed in a substantially parallel manner and adjacent to the upper side of the tongue of the shoe and in a substantially overlying manner to the laces thereof. In a stowed position, the lace protector can be disposed in a substantially parallel manner and adjacent to the lower side of the tongue of the shoe. The shoe can further comprise one or more fastening elements to detachably affix the lace protector in one or both of the deployed position and the stowed position. The shoe can further comprise a lace guard pocket for storing the lace protector in the stowed position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a shoe with a device for protecting the laces thereon, and in particular, to an athletic shoe with a device for protecting the laces that can be retracted and stowed inside the shoe when not in use. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Numerous factors have led the worldwide market for athletic shoes to become a multi-billion dollar industry. So profitable and prolific are athletic shoes that a specific type of shoe exists for nearly every sport on the planet. These shoes vary widely in their materials and features to tailor their performance characteristics to, among other things, the demands of specific sports, playing surfaces, and/or the ball or object used. 
         [0005]    For instance, to increase traction in soft ground, or otherwise low traction conditions, cleats have been developed. Cleats are athletic shoes that have studs or projections molded or screwed into the sole of the shoe. Cleats tend to dig into soft soil and provide extra traction by decreasing the surface area of the sole that is in contact with the ground, thus increasing the surface pressure exerted thereon. Due to this increased surface pressure, the soles of cleats tend to be molded from a rigid material, such as hard plastic, to protect the user&#39;s foot from the equal and opposite upward pressure exerted by the cleat. 
         [0006]    On the other hand, basketball shoes tend to have relatively smooth rubber soles with extended, or high-top, uppers. The smooth rubber sole provides excellent traction on the smooth hardwood surface of a basketball court. Rather than using a conventional low-top upper that ends just below the ankle of the user, basketball shoes tend to have uppers and laces that extend several inches above the user&#39;s ankle. This can help provide extra support to counteract the high traction levels available; and can prevent injuries, such as twisted, sprained, or broken ankles. 
         [0007]    Some athletic shoes, especially those used in sports played on dirt, or partially dirt, fields, include a lace guard. The lace guard has conventionally been a flap provided on the upper end of the tongue, i.e., the end of the tongue not attached to the shoe, which can be folded up to allow the user to tie the shoe, and then flipped down to cover and protect the laces of the shoe. This can protect the laces of the shoe from, for example, mud, dirt, and water. This can be particularly useful when, for example, a baseball runner slides into base. Protecting the laces can extend the life of the laces and generally provides a more pleasant experience for the user. 
         [0008]    There are players, however, who prefer shoes without lace guards. Lace guards can, for example, flap when the user is running, which some users find distracting. For instance, baseball players who specialize in stealing bases tend to prefer shoes without lace guards because the lace guards can flap during the sprint from one base to another. Other users simply prefer the aesthetics of a shoe without a lace guard or prefer not to have to lift the flap to tie their shoes. 
         [0009]    Conventionally, therefore, users that prefer not have a lace guard have been forced to pick shoes that are manufactured without lace guards, or to remove the lace guards from shoes that are. Unfortunately, this means that some users are limited to those shoes without lace guards regardless of how well the shoes with lace guards may fit or perform. On the other hand, users may simply choose, for example, to cut the lace guard off with a pair of scissors. Unfortunately, this can have an adverse effect on the life, performance, and aesthetics of the shoe. 
         [0010]    What is needed, therefore, is a shoe with a lace guard that can be used in the conventional manner, i.e., to cover the laces of the shoe during use, yet stowed in an unobtrusive fashion when so desired. The lace guard should be easily affixable in either a deployed or a stowed position. Additionally, the lace guard should be a simple and cost-effective solution to this common problem. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention relates generally to a shoe with a retractable lace guard for protecting the laces of the shoe during use. The lace guard can be used in a deployed position, in which the lace guard is parallel to and adjacent an outer portion of a tongue on the shoe. In other embodiments, the lace guard can be moved to a stowed position, in which the lace guard is substantially parallel to and adjacent an inner portion of the tongue of the shoe. In some embodiments, the present invention can also include a lace guard pocket for storing the lace guard in the stowed position. In some embodiments, the lace guard pocket can be located on the inside of the tongue. In other embodiments, the inside and the outside of the tongue can be formed from separate pieces and attached such that they form the lace guard pocket. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the present invention can be an athletic shoe with a sole, an upper attached to the sole for housing the foot of a user, a tongue with a first end, a second end, an inner side, and an outer side, the second end of the tongue attached to the upper, a lace guard, for protecting a set of laces on an athletic shoe, hingeably attached to the first end of the tongue such that in a deployed position the lace guard is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel to the outer side of the tongue and in a stowed position the lace guard is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel to the inner side of the tongue, and a lace guard pocket for housing the lace guard in the stowed position. 
         [0013]    In other embodiments, the lace guard pocket can be disposed on the inner side of the tongue. In some embodiments, the inner side and the outer side of the tongue can be separate pieces attached to form the lace guard pocket. In an exemplary embodiment, the shoe can have a first fastening element and a second fastening element for removably attaching the lace guard to the outer side of the tongue in the deployed position. In some embodiments, the first and second fastening elements can be made of a hook and loop material. In other embodiments, the shoe can further include a first fastening element and a third fastening element for removably attaching the lace guard to the lace guard pocket in the stowed position. In an exemplary embodiment, the third fastening element can comprise a hook and loop material. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the present invention can be an athletic shoe comprising a sole, an upper attached to the sole for housing the foot of a user, a tongue with a first end, a second end, an inner side, and an outer side, the second end of the tongue attached to the upper, a lace guard for protecting a set of laces on an athletic shoe and hingeably attached to the first end of the tongue, the lace guard moveable between a first position and a second position, such that in the first position the lace guard is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel to the outer side of the tongue and in the second position the lace guard is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel to the inner side of the tongue, a lace guard pocket disposed on the inner side of the tongue for housing the lace guard in the second position, a first fastening element disposed on a second side of the lace guard, a second fastening element connectable to the first fastening element and disposed proximate the upper side of the tongue for detachably affixing the lace guard in the first position, and a third fastening means connectable to the first fastening means and disposed proximate the lower side of the tongue for detachably affixing the lace guard in the second position. 
         [0015]    In still other embodiments, the lace guard can have a first attachment arm and a second attachment arm for hingeably attaching the lace guard to the first end of the tongue. In still other embodiments, the first attachment arm and the second attachment arm can also have a cutout. In some embodiments, the cutout can have substantially the same profile as the first end of the tongue. In an exemplary embodiment, the first, second, and third fastening elements can be made from a hook and loop material. In still other embodiments, the third fastening element can be disposed inside the lace guard pocket. 
         [0016]    In yet another embodiment, the present invention can be a method for providing an athletic shoe comprising providing a sole, providing an upper for housing a foot of a user, providing a tongue with a first end, a second end, an inner side, and an outer side, providing a lace guard for protecting a set of laces on the shoe, providing a lace guard pocket for housing the lace guard in a second position, attaching the upper to the sole, attaching the second end of the tongue to the upper, hingeably attaching the lace guard to the first end of the tongue such that in a first position the lace guard is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel to the outer side of the tongue and in a second position the lace guard is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel to the inner side of the tongue, and attaching the lace guard pocket to the inner side of the tongue for housing the lace guard in the second position. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the present invention can also be a method further comprising providing a first fastening element, providing a second fastening element, attaching the first fastening element to a second side of the lace guard, and attaching a second fastening element to the outer side of the tongue for detachably affixing the lace guard to the outer side of the tongue in the first position. In still other embodiments, the present invention can further be a method comprising, providing a first fastening element, providing a third fastening element, attaching the first fastening element to a second side of the lace guard, and attaching a third fastening element to the lower side of the tongue for detachably affixing the lace guard to the lower side of the tongue in the second position. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the first fastening element and the second fastening element can comprise a hook and loop material. In an exemplary embodiment, the third fastening element can be disposed inside the lace guard pocket. In still other embodiments, the lace guard can have one or more attachment arms for hingeably attaching the lace guard to the first end of the tongue. In yet another embodiment, the lace guard further comprising a rigid material for protecting the foot of the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective, front view of a shoe with a device for protecting laces, shown in a deployed position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective, front view of a shoe with the device for protecting laces, in an upright position to show a second side of the device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective, rear view of a shoe with the device for protecting laces, in an upright position to illustrate a lace guard pocket disposed on an inner side of a tongue of the shoe, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective, rear view of a shoe with the device for protecting laces, in a stowed position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of embodiments of the invention, they are explained hereinafter with reference to implementations in illustrative embodiments. Embodiments of the invention are described in the context of a shoe with a retractable lace guard, and in particular, to an athletic shoe with a retractable lace guard. Additionally, embodiments of the invention relate to a method for providing such a shoe. 
         [0024]    Embodiments of the invention, however, are not solely limited to use with athletic shoes. Rather, embodiments of the invention can be used whenever protection for laces on shoes and/or boots is needed or desired. The present invention may also be used on, for example and not limitation, work boots to prevent dirt from soiling and wearing the laces thereon. 
         [0025]    The material described hereinafter as making up the various elements of the present invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the invention, for example. 
         [0026]    Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, the present invention of  FIG. 1  is a shoe  100  that provides a device for protection of laces  112  thereon. In some embodiments, the shoe  100  can comprise a sole  105 , an upper  110 , laces  112 , and a tongue  115 . The tongue  115  of the shoe can further comprise a first end  125 , a second end  120 , an outer side  130 , and an inner side (not shown.) In some embodiments, the sole  105  can be attached to the lower portion of the upper  110 . The second end  120  of the tongue  115  can then be affixed to the upper  110  in the conventional manner. In some embodiments, the shoe  100  can further comprise a lace guard  140 . Is some embodiments, the lace guard  140  can be hingeably affixed to the first end  125  of the tongue  115 . 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lace guard  140  can have a deployed position. So, for example, in the deployed position, the lace guard  140  can be disposed in a substantially adjacent and parallel manner to the outer side  130  of the tongue  115  such that the laces  112  of the shoe  100  are disposed between the lace guard  140  and the tongue  115 . This can provide a covering for the laces  112  of the shoe  100  and can prevent them from becoming, for example, dirty or wet. This can make the laces  112  easier to tie and can extend lace  112  life. 
         [0028]    In an exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIG. 2 , the lace guard  140  can comprise a first attachment arm  245  and a second attachment arm  250 . In additional embodiments, the attachment arms  245 ,  250  can further comprise a cut-out  247  to enable the lace guard  140  to lay substantially flat on the tongue  115  of the shoe  100 . In some embodiments, the cut-out  247  can be a semi-circle. In other contemplated embodiments, the lace guard  140  can attach directly to the tongue  115  obviating the need for the attachment arms  245 ,  250 . 
         [0029]    In still other embodiments, the lace guard  140  can further comprise a first fastening element  260  located on a second side  244  of the lace guard  140 . In additional embodiments, the outer side  130  of the tongue  115  can further comprise a second fastening element  265 . See  FIG. 2 . This can enable the lace guard  140  to be removably secured to the outer side  130  of the tongue  115  of the shoe  100 . In other words, when the lace guard  140  is in the deployed position, i.e. parallel to and adjacent the outer side  130  of the tongue  115 , the lace guard  140  can be detachably affixed to the tongue  115  by detachably connecting the first fastener  260  to the second fastener  265 . This can prevent the lace guard  140  from flopping or otherwise interfering with the use of the shoe  100 . 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the inner side  335  of the tongue  115  can further comprise a lace guard pocket  355 . See,  FIG. 3 . The lace guard pocket  355  can provide a convenient storage location for the lace guard  140  when the lace guard  140  is in the stowed position. In some embodiments, the lace guard pocket  355  can present a smooth surface to the user on the inner side  335  of the tongue  115  when the lace guard  140  is in the stowed position. In some embodiments, the lace guard pocket  355  can present substantially the same profile as the lace guard  140  for improved fit. In other embodiments, the lace guard pocket  355  can be a simple rectangular pocket, though additional configurations are contemplated. 
         [0031]    In other embodiments, shown in  FIG. 4 , the lace guard  140  can have a stowed position. In the stowed position, the lace guard  140  can be disposed in a substantially adjacent and parallel manner to the inner side  335  of the tongue  115 . In this configuration, the shoe  100  can have substantially the same look, fit, and feel of a shoe  100  without a lace guard  140 . This can enable the shoe  100  to perform in substantially the same manner as a shoe  100  without a lace guard  140 . 
         [0032]    In still other embodiments, the lace guard pocket  355  can further comprise a third fastening element  470  located on the inside of the lace guard pocket  355 . When the lace guard  140  is in the stowed position, i.e., parallel to and adjacent the inner side  335  of the tongue  115 , the lace guard can be inserted into the lace guard pocket  355  and detachably affixed thereto utilizing the first fastening element  260  and the third fastening element  470 . This can secure the lace guard  140  in the stowed position and prevent the lace guard  140  from interfering with the performance of the shoe  100 . The fastening elements  260 ,  265 ,  470  can be, for example and not limitation, hook and loop, hook and eye, buttons, snaps, magnets, buckles, or zippers. 
         [0033]    So, for example and not limitation, the user who desires a lace guard  140  can insert a foot into the shoe  100 , place the lace guard  140  in a substantially vertical position, and tie the laces  112 . See,  FIG. 3 . The user can then flip the lace guard  140  down into the deployed position, see,  FIG. 1 , and secure the lace guard  140  to the outer side  130  of the tongue  115  using the first and second fastening elements  260 ,  265 . In this position the lace guard  140  is secured from unwanted movement and protects the laces  112 . 
         [0034]    On the other hand, a user who prefers not to use the lace guard  140  can simply fold the lace guard  140  over and toward the inner side  335  of the tongue  115 . See,  FIG. 4 . In some embodiments, the user can then place the lace guard  140  into the lace guard pocket  355  for convenient stowage. In still other embodiments, the user can further secure the lace guard  140  in the lace guard pocket using the first and third fastening elements  260 ,  470 . In this position, the shoe  100  performs substantially the same as a shoe without a lace guard  140 . 
         [0035]    In still other embodiments, the lace guard pocket  355  can be disposed inside, rather than on, the tongue  115  of the shoe  100 . In other words, in some embodiments, the outer side  130  and the inner side  335  of the tongue  115  can be separate pieces sewn, or other wise attached, to form a pocket inside the tongue  115  with an opening on the first end  125  of the tongue  115 . This can enable the user to insert the lace guard  140  into the pocket formed by the outer side  130  and the inner side  335  of the tongue  115 . For some players, this can be a more desirable because it can provide a smooth surface on the inner side  335  of the tongue  115 , and thus can present a smooth surface to the top of the player&#39;s foot. In some embodiments, the lace guard pocket  355  can further comprise a fastening element  470  to retain the lace guard  140  in the lace guard pocket  355 . 
         [0036]    Embodiments of the present invention can enable the shoe  100  to be used with the lace guard  140  in the deployed ( FIG. 1 ) or stowed position ( FIG. 4 ) depending on user preferences and/or conditions. In some embodiments, the lace guard  140  and/or attachment arms  245 ,  250  can be manufactured from substantially the same materials as those used for the shoe  100 . In other embodiments, the lace guard  140 , and/or attachment arms  245 ,  250 , can be manufactured from different materials to suit a specific application. 
         [0037]    Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. While the invention has been disclosed in several forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions, especially in matters of shape, size, materials, and arrangement of parts, can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the following claims. Therefore, other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.