Phat tongueTM

Abstract

A supplemental tongue for an athletic or casual high top or low top lace up or loafer type shoe and referred to herein as a Phat tongue. The inventive Phat tongue includes a cushioned pad adapted for insertion into and removal from the shoe. The Phat tongue is designed for insertion into and removal from the shoe beneath a conventional tongue thereof. Consequently, the Phat tongue rests between the conventional tongue and a foot of a wearer. In the illustrative embodiment, the Phat tongue includes a shell made of cloth on which a decorative pattern is disposed on one side thereof. The cushioned pad is substantially planar and contoured to facilitate insertion into the shoe. In a first illustrative embodiment, the cushioned pad is hexagonal ball and a second illustrative embodiment, the cushioned pad is oval in shape. A loop is provided to facilitate insertion and removal and a hook and loop type fastener is provided to secure the Phat tongue in place against sock. The present teachings enable the construction of a novel shoe assembly comprising a heel portion; a cloth upper portion secured to the heel; a tongue disposed in the cloth upper portion; and a cushioned pad adapted for insertion into and removal from the shoe, the cushioned pad being disposed between the tongue and a foot of a wearer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A supplemental tongue for a shoe comprising: 
 a cushioned pad adapted for insertion into and removal from said shoe and    means for inserting said pad into and removing said pad from said shoe beneath a tongue of said shoe whereby said pad rests between said tongue and a foot of a wearer.    
     
     
         2 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said cushioned pad includes a shell.  
     
     
         3 . The invention of  claim 2  wherein said shell is made of cloth.  
     
     
         4 . The invention of  claim 3  further including a decorative pattern disposed on a first side of said shell.  
     
     
         5 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said cushioned pad is substantially planar.  
     
     
         6 . The invention of  claim 5  wherein said cushioned pad is contoured.  
     
     
         7 . The invention of  claim 6  wherein said cushioned pad is contoured to facilitate insertion into said shoe.  
     
     
         8 . The invention of  claim 7  wherein said cushioned pad is hexagonal in shape.  
     
     
         9 . The invention of  claim 8  wherein said cushioned head is an elongate hexagon in shape.  
     
     
         10 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said means for inserting said pad is an upper portion thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said means for removing said pad is a loop attached to the top thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The invention of  claim 1  further including means for securing said pad in a position.  
     
     
         13 . The invention of  claim 12  wherein said means for securing said pad is a hook and loop fastener.  
     
     
         14 . The invention of  claim 13  wherein said fastener is secured to a front surface thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The invention of  claim 13  wherein said fastener is secured to a rear surface thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said pad is oval in shape.  
     
     
         17 . A shoe assembly comprising: 
 a heel portion;    a cloth upper portion secured to said heel;    a tongue disposed in said cloth upper portion; and    a cushioned pad adapted for insertion into and removal from said shoe, said cushioned pad being disposed between said tongue and a foot of a wearer.    
     
     
         18 . A method of securing a shoe to a foot including the steps of: 
 loosening any strings or fasteners associated with said shoe so that a first tongue thereof is free to pivot about a point of attachment thereof to said shoe;    inserting a foot into said loosened shoe; and    inserting a second tongue into said shoe between the foot and the first tongue thereof, said second tongue including a preformed cushioned pad.