EP1496767B1 - Footwear with reversible tongue - Google Patents

Footwear with reversible tongue Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1496767B1
EP1496767B1 EP02789485A EP02789485A EP1496767B1 EP 1496767 B1 EP1496767 B1 EP 1496767B1 EP 02789485 A EP02789485 A EP 02789485A EP 02789485 A EP02789485 A EP 02789485A EP 1496767 B1 EP1496767 B1 EP 1496767B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tongue
vamp
shoe
footwear
attached
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP02789485A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1496767A4 (en
EP1496767A1 (en
Inventor
Lindell B. Jones
Raymond F. Tonkel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
U Turn Sports Co LLC
Original Assignee
U Turn Sports Co LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/122,995 external-priority patent/US6574887B2/en
Application filed by U Turn Sports Co LLC filed Critical U Turn Sports Co LLC
Publication of EP1496767A1 publication Critical patent/EP1496767A1/en
Publication of EP1496767A4 publication Critical patent/EP1496767A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1496767B1 publication Critical patent/EP1496767B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
    • A43B23/26—Tongues for shoes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
    • A43B23/24—Ornamental buckles; Other ornaments for shoes without fastening function
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B1/00—Footwear characterised by the material
    • A43B1/0027—Footwear characterised by the material made at least partially from a material having special colours
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B1/00—Footwear characterised by the material
    • A43B1/0072—Footwear characterised by the material made at least partially of transparent or translucent materials
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/0031—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use provided with a pocket, e.g. for keys or a card
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/0036—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use characterised by a special shape or design
    • A43B3/0078—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use characterised by a special shape or design provided with logos, letters, signatures or the like decoration
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/10—Low shoes, e.g. comprising only a front strap; Slippers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/12—Sandals; Strap guides thereon
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/24—Collapsible or convertible
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/24—Collapsible or convertible
    • A43B3/242—Collapsible or convertible characterised by the upper
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
    • A43B5/16—Skating boots
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
    • A43B7/12—Special watertight footwear
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43C—FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
    • A43C3/00—Hooks for laces; Guards for hooks
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43C—FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
    • A43C7/00—Holding-devices for laces
    • A43C7/02—Flaps; Pockets

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to footwear, and more specifically pertains to footwear in general, wherein the tongue or gusset is reversible, to provide a shoe which furnishes differing styles, and utilitarian uses, to the benefit of its wearer.
  • the current invention seeks further modifications to the structure of footwear, in order to add to the variations on usage of the shoe, enhance ifs styling, and enhance the attractiveness of the footwear, by providing alternative uses and applications to various components of the footwear itself.
  • a footwear comprising the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from US 5 659 979 or US 2002/0029494 A1 , said documents comprising a footwear having a detachable tongue.
  • the indicia on opposite surfaces of the tongue may be different from each other.
  • the footwear includes, but not limited to, the usual style of shoe having a sole, vamp, quarter portions, counter, and a tongue or gusset secured therein.
  • the gusset will be of a reversible type, where the tongue can be turned to expose one surface, which may have a stylized and attractive surface provided thereon, or the tongue may be reversed, to furnish an entirely different appearance to the shoe, when worn.
  • This invention can pertain to an athletic shoe, casual and dress shoes, hikers or boots
  • the concept of this invention is to provide a link between the shoe gusset or tongue, and the upper vamp portion of the shoe, so that the wearer may reverse the tongue, as desired, for revealing other coloration, indicia, or design. It provides versatility to the usage of the shoe.
  • a linkage means could comprise a short link of cord, it may be an elastic cord, or perhaps could comprise a swivel clasp, or any type of other form of clasp, having some degree of flexibility, and which may be twisted or turned.
  • it may include a clasp, formed of two parts that may swivel, and be interconnected between the upper vamp, and the bottom of the shoe gusset, to accommodate such turning motion.
  • the clasp may be separable, through the exertion of some amount of force, so that the gusset may be removed, and another one relocated, to add further dexterity and versatility to the usage of this invention.
  • the pulling force required to separate the clasp may be excessive, up to seventy to eighty pounds or more of pressure, or it may only require a slight amount of force, to separate the clasp, at the desire of the manufacturer, the retailer, and even the user, once the shoes are placed in usage.
  • the tongue may be a compound, or more, style of tongue, having a swivel means between each of the sections of the tongue or gusset, to allow for turning, of just segments, of the tongue, along its heighth.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a reversible tongue that may have different styles of appearance upon either of its surfaces, so that the tongue can be reversed, and completely change the appearance and attractiveness of the shoe, to the interest of the footwear owner. For example, the consumer can coordinate with team colors, fashion trends, and the like.
  • Still a further object of this invention to provide footwear, in the category of walking shoes, running shoes, loafers, beach shoes, slippers, sandals, casual or dress shoes, boots, hikers, and even athletic shoes, which may comprise either baseball, football, track, soccer, basketball, and any of the variety of other athletic sports that incorporate particular styled shoes, incorporating the reversible tongue of this invention which adds to the versatility of the appearance and usage of the subject footwear.
  • another object in view of the foregoing, may be an athletic shoe with a reversible tongue so that the coloration on one surface of the tongue may be used, for example, for home games, while the opposite side may be of a differing color, for away games.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a pocket for the gusset of this type of footwear so that personal items may be safely stored therein.
  • Still another object of this invention is to provide means for securing personal items of the wearer of the defined shoe, so that safety can be assured even while using the shoe for athletic events, or for running, but prevent the untimely loss of contained items, such as a key or coin, while participating in strenuous activities.
  • Yet another object of this invention is to provide a transparent covering for a pocketed tongue, for this type of footwear, so that the contained items may be observed therein, while the shoe is worn.
  • Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel swivel that can be used for applying the reversible tongue to the upper central portion of the shoe vamp, to stably hold the tongue in place, while the shoe is being worn.
  • a shoe 1 is shown incorporating the usual components including the sole 2, its vamp 3, the quarter portions 4, and a counter 5.
  • a reversible tongue 6 is also disclosed.
  • the reversible tongue 6 is applied by means of a clasp 7 to the upper central portion of vamp 3, and cooperates to hold the tongue 6 in place, whichever side of the reversible tongue is desired to be exposed upwardly, when the footwear is worn.
  • the clasp when holding the tongue in place, cooperates to embrace the lower strand 8 of the shoe string, which further then extends through the various eyelets 9, for lacing the shoe in place upon the foot, as is well known.
  • the tongue is reversible, and may contain some indicia, coloration or a trademark, upon it's top surface, as can been seen at 10, as noted in Fig. 3 .
  • the snap 11 that cooperates with the clasp, for holding the reversible tongue in position, is shown at the lower segment of the reversible tongue 6.
  • the opposite side of the reversible tongue 6 can be seen in Fig. 4 , and it may contain other indicia, or styling, along its surface, as may be desired by the footwear designer, or the shoe owner, as may be of interest. This can be applied to the upper portion 12 of the reversible tongue, or along its entire upper surface, as noted.
  • the reversible tongue may snap directly to the upper edge of the vamp, having a snap upon both lower surfaces of the reversible tongue, so that it can be snapped directly to the vamp, regardless which surface of the reversible tongue is desired to be arranged upwardly, simply through the efforts of the footwear owner, by releasing the tongue, reversing it, and snapping it back into a fixed position, relative to the shoe vamp.
  • the tongue might be held by other means of connection, such as by a tie means, a Velcro strip or any other means for securement, for firmly holding the tongue in place, for use in displaying whatever surface of the tongue is desired to be shown.
  • Fig. 5 and 6 show one example of a type of clasp 7 that may be employed.
  • the clasp comprises a length of flexible material, and may even be resilient, and inserts through a slot 13 provided in the upper central portion of the vamp 3, as noted.
  • the clasp may then be folded over, and connect with the male part of the snap, that is secured approximate to the lower edges, on both sides, of the tongue 6, as can be seen at 11, and which snap into the female components of the snaps, as shown at 14, as can be seen.
  • the upper segment, or the entire pocket may be formed of a pair of liners of material, such as can be seen at 15 and 16, have a spacing there between, stitched around the edges up to the proximate point of the pocket's opening, as at 17. Then, means for securing the upper peripheral edges of the pocket may be provided, such as through the use of the hook and pile fastener means 18, or Velcro, that is affixed to the upper interior edges of both of the liners 15 and 16, to furnish closure to the formed pocket.
  • one upper surface of the tongue 6 may include some indicia, or styling, as noted at 10, may include the display of the trademark, or other stylization, as can be noted.
  • the opposite side, or lower side 12 of the pocket may also be somewhat reinforced, as seen, but it may be fabricated to a different style or it may be formed, at that region, of a transparent or clear material, so that the contents of the pocket are readily observed when the tongue may be fastened to the footwear with the layer 12 comprising the upper surface of the reversible tongue, reversed in a manner as previously described.
  • This may add to the enhanced attractiveness of the footwear, having a reversible tongue with a transparent pocket provided therein, for use for holding personal items, or the wearer may decide to put a photograph under the transparent liner, so as to allow it to be readily observable, while the shoes are worn, by the owner.
  • Figs. 8 through 10 each disclose a method according to the invention for holding the reversible tongue in place, in this particular instance, upon a more casual type of footwear.
  • the footwear 19 in Fig. 8 at its upper vamp portion, has an aperture 20 located therethrough.
  • a type of clasping means in this particular instance, a band, which may be made of a more elastomeric, resilient, or elastic material, as noted at 21.
  • the band as shown in Fig. 10 , may be continuos, as noted.
  • the upper part of the vamp may be slightly elevated, to extend off of the instep of a foot, so that whatever bulk is generated through the reversing of the band, in holding the tongue in place, will not bind against the foot, and add discomfort thereat.
  • the reversible tongue may be used in combination with footwear, of any style, to provide the attributes as explained herein.
  • the aperture 20 there may be a grommet furnished, to prevent any tearing of the vamp at that location, and to provide longevity of usage of the shoe, and its reversible tongue, by the owner.
  • the reversible tongue 23 is attached to the vamp 24 applied by means of the ball and socket attachment 25.
  • the ball and socket attachment 25 comprises a ball portion 26, and a socket portion 31 attached to the vamp 24, as previously gown.
  • This provides a swivel connection for a preferred embodiment.
  • the ball portion 26 is preferably both movable between a position shown by said ball portion, and a position shown by the ball portion 26' in phantom, and rotatable within the socket portion 31, as can be understood.
  • the tongue 23 is fully rotatable about an axis A, as noted, and restricted rotation or pivot about the axis B perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 13 , as through an angle C, and therefore orients the gusset generally in its upright position, but frees it sufficiently forwardly, to pivot or rotate, as desired by the user.
  • the axis B can be described as roughly perpendicular to the axis A.
  • the ball portion 26 is preferably made from a resilient polymeric material.
  • the ball portion 26 comprises the ball 27, as shown, a flat attachment portion 28 and a rounded attachment portion 29, as noted.
  • the rounded attachment portion 29 is attached to the ball 27 by a generally cylindrical neck portion 30.
  • the tongue 23 may be either a singular or laminar piece of material, made from a fabric, a polymer, or leather, or the like.
  • the flat attachment portion 28 is attached to the tongue by an adhesive, by sewing, or otherwise attaching the flat attachment portion 28 to the tongue 23, by any means know in the art. If the tongue 23 is a laminar piece, that flat attachment portion 28 of the ball portion 26 is preferably attached to the tongue between the laminar layers to minimize visibility.
  • the preferred method of attachment differs depending upon the material of the tongue 23.
  • the socket portion 31 preferably comprises a socket.
  • the top portion of the socket is defined by a cavity 32 at the bottom of a slot 33 for accepting the ball 27, as can be noted.
  • the bottom portion, of the socket includes flat attachment extensions 34 that are used to attach the top and bottom portions, of the entire clasp, or swivel, to the vamp 24 of the shoe.
  • the vamp may be either a singular or laminar piece of material made from a fabric, a polymer, or leather, or the like.
  • the portions 34 and 28 may be attached to the vamp 24 in a similar manner as the ball portion 26 is attached to the tongue or gusset 23, as explained.
  • the upper portion of the socket in defining its bore 32, has some element of flexibility, that allows the ball portion 26, and more specifically its ball 27, to be moved into or out of the socket, as can be understood.
  • the upper portion of the socket portion 31 has that angular opened relationship, as shown by the angle C, the ball portion 26 can be moved into the various positions, forwardly of the shoe, to allow the reversible tongue to be pivoted slightly forwardly, to facilitate is reversal when manipulated in the manner as described herein.
  • the diameter of the bore may be selected such that the ball 27 may be forcibly removed from its socket, by resiliently deflecting the top part 35 of the socket, as can be noted.
  • the ball, 27 is not removable from the bore 32.
  • the socket may be formed of two halves, one comprising the top part 35, and the back part 36, which may be adhesively or otherwise secured together, to form a permanent socket, as noted.
  • the ball 27 must be placed within the socket before the top and back parts 35 and 36 are attached to one another.
  • the ball 27, and hence the tongue 23 have sufficient clearance to allow for the tongue to be rotatable by means of its ball 27 within the socket bore 32, in order to expose a second side of the tongue 23, as can be understood.
  • the tongue 23 may have first and second sides, of differing color, material, designs, and/or displaying indicia, and may be alternatively displayed by the user by mere rotation of the tongue, in the spirit of this invention. See also Fig. 15 and 16 .
  • the ball and socket connection could' be replaced with a bayonet style of locking device.
  • the tongue may be pivoted in one direction, to expose its upper surface from above the shoe, or it may be pivoted in a 180° degree direction, to expose the bottom portion of the shoe tongue. But, at the mid point or 90° degree turn, a stem extending off of the ball portion may obtain clearance from the socket for removal of the top part of the bayonet lock, and the tongue, from the vamp and socket.
  • one of those bead style of ball and socket connectors such as currently available for use in the construction of a necklace, bracelet, or the like, could be adapted for use for swively connecting the tongue or gusset to the vamp portion of the footwear.
  • linking means may be any one of the swivels, and elastic cord, a flexible rubber or polymer, or an elastic means, that allows the tongue to be reversed in its setting.
  • the concept of the invention is to also provide, when a swivel is used, one that may possibly be separable, so that the tongue can actually be removed, and replaced with a substitute gusset, for adding further design and coloration to the footwear, when worn.
  • the reversible tongue can be formed of a variety of materials, whether it be fabric, polymer, leather, transparent acrylic or polyethylene, any as such materials which add to the attractiveness of the shoe, but at the same time, provide reasonable strength and sturdiness to withstand the constant and repeat usage.
  • a variation of the present concept of a reversible tongue as implemented in a sandal 40 comprises a sole portion 42, a vamp portion 44 and a tongue portion 46.
  • the tongue portion 46 is attached to the vamp portion 44 by a retaining means 48, described above.
  • the tongue portion 46 is further removably attached to the vamp portion 44, such as by a snap 50.
  • the present invention is not limited by a snap and other types of known attachment devices could be implemented, such as a hook and look material attached to the tongue portion 46 and the vamp portion 44.
  • the sandal of Fig. 19 is similar in most respects to the sandal of Fig. 18 except that the vamp portion 44 is enlarged to cover the toes of a wearer to resemble a clog-type shoe.
  • the vamp portion 46 is preferable sized to allow a larger amount of the tongue portion 46 to be visible.
  • the sandal of Fig. 20 is similar in many respects to the sandal of Fig. 18 except that the vamp portion 44 comprises three separate portions- namely a front vamp portion 52 and two side vamp portions 54.
  • the front vamp portion 52 is large enough only to cover the big toe of the wearer.
  • the side vamp portion extends from the sole 42 in order to attach to the tongue portion 46.
  • the shoe of Fig. 20 implements a hook and loop attachment as described above with respect to Fig. 18 in order to attach the tongue portion 46 to the vamp portion 44, although as discussed above, other known attachment methods can be used.
  • the style of sandal as shown herein could just as easily be modified, and constructed, for use for domestic purposes, such as for use as a slipper, or the like, around the household.
  • a slip-on type shoe 56 implementing a sole 58, a vamp 60, a tongue 62 and a retaining means 64, as described above.
  • the tongue 62 is made from known stretchable or resilient-type material and is attached by hook and loop type material to the vamp 60 where the vamp 60 and tongue 62 overlap.
  • the stretchable tongue will stretch to provide a tight fit of the shoe to maintain it on the foot of the wearer.
  • Fig. 22 there is shown a slip-on type shoe 56 as in Fig. 21 that implements a low-rise heel 61.
  • a sandal 63 is shown that has a sole portion 64 and a vamp portion 66.
  • What is referred to as the tongue portion 68 is attached to the vamp 66 with hook and loop material, snaps or the other known attachment methods.
  • the tongue portion 68 is made of a front tongue portion 70 and a rear tongue portion 72 attached by a retaining means 74, described above.
  • the tongue portion 68 may be completely removed from the vamp 66.
  • FIG. 24 there is shown an athletic-type shoe 76 having a vamp 78, tongue 80 and a sole 82.
  • the tongue 80 is maintained in position, and the shoe held to the wearer, by shoelaces 84.
  • the tongue 80 is further attached to the vamp 78 by a retaining means 86, described above, allowing the tongue 80 to be rotatably attached to the vamp 78 to display alternate sides of the tongue 80.
  • the type of athletic shoes that can utilize the subject matter of this invention includes football shoes, soccer shoes, track shoes, baseball shoes, and any other type of athletic shoe for which a tongue portion is provided; and is capable of being reversed in its application.
  • shoes of the foregoing category may also include boots that may be used for hiking, work, or for any other variety of purposes for which footwear of this type is employed.
  • one surface of the hunting or hiking boots may have an attractive appearance to it, while the opposite surface may be waterproofed, to facilitate their usage when walking through moist or rain laden areas, such as while hunting or fishing.
  • Fig. 25 the shoe 76 of Fig. 24 is shown with the tongue 80 directly attached to the vamp 78, but having a retaining means 88 attached to an upper portion 90 of the shoe 76 and a collar portion 92 of the shoe 76.
  • the collar portion 92 is also preferably attached to the shoe upper 94 by hook and loop material, snaps or another known attachment method.
  • the shoe collar 92 can have different colors and/or designs on opposite sides thereof.
  • the wearer When the wearer wishes to display a particular side of the collar 92, the wearer unattaches the hook and loop material, rotates the collar 92 180 degrees with respect to the shoe upper 94, and re-shapes the resilient collar so that it may be reattached via the hook and loop material.
  • a shoe may be constructed having both the tongue 80 attached to the vamp_78 by a retaining means 86 and the collar 92 attached to the shoe upper 94 by a retaining means 88 on a single shoe. While the shoe of Fig. 25 has been described as attaching the collar 92 to the shoe upper 94 with hook and loop material or other known attachment methods, it should be recognized that collar 92 the could be left unattached to the upper except through the retaining means 88 and instead maintained in position by the shoelaces that thread through both the upper 94 or vamp 78 and through shoelace holes 96 within the collar 92.
  • a boot 100 having a sole 102, a vamp 104 and a segmented tongue 106.
  • the segmented tongue 106 comprises a first, upper portion 110 and a second, lower portion 108.
  • the upper portion 110 is attached to the lower portion 108 by a retaining means 112, described above.
  • the retaining means 112 allows the upper portion 108 of the tongue 106 to be rotated with respect to the lower portion 108 without unattachment from the lower portion 108 to display alternate sides of the upper portion 110 of the tongue 106.
  • Fig. 27 the boot of Fig. 26 is shown without a segmented tongue 106 but a single one-piece tongue 114 attached to the vamp 104 with the retaining means 112 such that instead of alternating displaying only the upper portion 110 of the tongue 106, the wearer may alternately display opposing sides of the entire tongue 114.
  • a boot or shoe could combine the features of Figs. 26 and 27 to provide a boot or shoe with a segmented tongue and two retaining means whereby both the upper and lower portions of the tongue can be selectively rotated and outwardly displayed.
  • the tongue may be pivoted twice, both at its upper portion, and the lower portion, to reveal their back sides, as may be desired.
  • a reversible tongue that does' not require the tongue to be removed from the shoe in order to be reversed can similarly be applied to dress-type shoes.
  • Fig. 28 there is provides a dress-type shoe 116 with a sole 118, a vamp 120 and a tongue 122.
  • the tongue 122 rotatably attached to the vamp 120 by a retaining means 124 described above.
  • the retaining means 124 allows alternate sides of the tongue to be displayed.
  • the tongue 122 may be colored or styled upon its alternate sides to change the character of the shoe from a more formal shoe to a more casual shoe at the desire of the wearer.
  • the tongue 122 may or may not be further attached to an upper 126 of the shoe 116 by hook and loop material or other known attachment methods.
  • the upper of the shoe 116 is provided with scalloping 128 in order to display more of the tongue 122.
  • a roller skate 130 and an inline skate 132 there are provide a roller skate 130 and an inline skate 132, respectively.
  • the skates each have a wheeled base portion 134, a vamp 136 that is typically made from a hard plastic material, and a tongue 138 attached to the vamp 136 by a retaining means 140, describe above.
  • the retaining means 140 allows the tongue 138 to be rotated to alternately display opposite sides of the tongue 138 without removal of the tongue 138 from the skate.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
EP02789485A 2002-04-11 2002-11-06 Footwear with reversible tongue Expired - Lifetime EP1496767B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US122995 2002-04-11
US10/122,995 US6574887B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2002-04-11 Footwear with reversible tongue
US10/222,313 US20020194749A1 (en) 2001-04-24 2002-08-15 Footwear with reversible tongue
US222313 2002-08-15
PCT/US2002/035694 WO2003086130A1 (en) 2002-04-11 2002-11-06 Footwear with reversible tongue

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1496767A1 EP1496767A1 (en) 2005-01-19
EP1496767A4 EP1496767A4 (en) 2007-03-07
EP1496767B1 true EP1496767B1 (en) 2012-01-11

Family

ID=29253981

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02789485A Expired - Lifetime EP1496767B1 (en) 2002-04-11 2002-11-06 Footwear with reversible tongue

Country Status (13)

Country Link
US (1) US20020194749A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP1496767B1 (zh)
JP (1) JP4155925B2 (zh)
KR (1) KR100930750B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN100435683C (zh)
AU (1) AU2002352514A1 (zh)
CA (1) CA2481279C (zh)
DE (1) DE02789485T1 (zh)
ES (1) ES2234450T1 (zh)
MX (1) MXPA04009900A (zh)
TR (1) TR200500845T3 (zh)
TW (1) TWI252740B (zh)
WO (1) WO2003086130A1 (zh)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7117614B2 (en) * 2003-02-06 2006-10-10 U Turn Sports Co., Llc Footwear with pivotal and/or rotatable tongue
GB2405571B (en) * 2003-09-02 2006-10-25 Tariq Mirza A shoe and accessories therefor
US8065818B2 (en) * 2005-06-20 2011-11-29 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear having an upper with a matrix layer
US7802380B2 (en) * 2006-09-28 2010-09-28 Converse Inc. Shoe construction with double tongue
US7975403B2 (en) * 2007-10-09 2011-07-12 Mercury International Trading Corporation Footwear with pivoting tongue
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AU2002352514A1 (en) 2003-10-27
CN100435683C (zh) 2008-11-26
TWI252740B (en) 2006-04-11
TR200500845T3 (tr) 2005-08-22
ES2234450T1 (es) 2005-07-01
CA2481279A1 (en) 2003-10-23
EP1496767A4 (en) 2007-03-07
EP1496767A1 (en) 2005-01-19
CA2481279C (en) 2011-08-23
CN1625352A (zh) 2005-06-08
JP4155925B2 (ja) 2008-09-24
US20020194749A1 (en) 2002-12-26
WO2003086130A1 (en) 2003-10-23
KR100930750B1 (ko) 2009-12-09
MXPA04009900A (es) 2005-06-20
KR20050016339A (ko) 2005-02-21
DE02789485T1 (de) 2005-07-14
JP2006500969A (ja) 2006-01-12
TW200304781A (en) 2003-10-16

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