Air-permeable tongue for shoes, comprising a rigid yet flexible tongue part

Abstract

The invention relates to an air-permeable tongue for shoes (1) which adapts to an individual instep and can be connected to shoes, the tongue comprising the following: a flexible yet rigid tongue part (1), which substantially represents the outwardly facing upper face of the tongue and which has an elongate tongue shape having a proximal end (2) and a distal end (3) and substantially consists of a rigid, solid material; and padding (14), which is arranged beneath the rigid tongue part (1) toward a foot in order to protect the foot from pressure points by the rigid tongue part (1) after the shoe has been fastened; the rigid tongue part (1) being characterized in that an inner elongate slot (6; 6a; 6b), and extending therefrom inner transverse slots (7), are introduced into the tongue part substantially in the center along the longitudinal axis of the rigid tongue part (1), whereby rigid segments, which in their interior are not interrupted by the elongate slot (6; 6a, 6b) or by transverse slots (7), are produced between said elongate slots and transverse slots, and whereby narrowed and thus flexible material webs (5) are also produced at connecting points between the rigid segments, wherein, by means of said material webs, the rigid tongue part (1) can be deformed and adapt to the instep, and being further characterized in that the padding (14) has an inner elongate slot (14b), which is substantially congruent with the elongate slot (6; 6a, 6b) in the rigid tongue part (1).

Description

[0001]The present invention refers to a tongue for shoes according to the preamble of claim 1, which is substantially a rigid, stable tongue which nevertheless evenly distributes a pressure caused by shoelaces over the instep and which has a padding directed towards the instep and preferably at least one ventilation channel.STATE OF THE ART[0002]Existing tongues for shoes insufficiently take into account the anatomy of the instep and of the foot in terms of continuous form fit and non-positive connection and in terms of an even distribution of force over the instep. Either the tongues are soft, causing increased pressure forces at the sites of the shoelaces, or the tongues are rigid and stiff, which is inadequate to an individual shape of the instep, leading to pressure sores. Especially hiking shoes and shoes for walking long distances also over uneven ground, which have to be tied somewhat faster, frequently cause pressure sores and pain, in dependence on the shape of the tongue a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]According to the invention, a preferred embodiment of an air-permeable tongue for shoes is provided which consists of a rigid tongue made of a relatively firm material and which is deformable in segments thanks to respective slits with remaining connection points, and which therefore elastically adapts in segments to an instep with an individual shape. In this manner, pressure forces exerted on rigid tongue segments by external tying are substantially evenly transferred to the instep without causing constrictions. On the other hand, the tongue comprises a padding directed toward the foot which smoothly distributes the pressure forces of the rigid tongue segments over the foot. According to the invention, the padding is provided with an inner longitudinal slit directed and congruent with an inner longitudinal slit of the rigid tongue so as to provide a ventilation path for water vapor from the interior of the shoe.

Problems solved by technology

Existing tongues for shoes insufficiently take into account the anatomy of the instep and of the foot in terms of continuous form fit and non-positive connection and in terms of an even distribution of force over the instep.

Either the tongues are soft, causing increased pressure forces at the sites of the shoelaces, or the tongues are rigid and stiff, which is inadequate to an individual shape of the instep, leading to pressure sores.

Especially hiking shoes and shoes for walking long distances also over uneven ground, which have to be tied somewhat faster, frequently cause pressure sores and pain, in dependence on the shape of the tongue and of the instep.

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