Expandable tongue for articulated boots

Abstract

Articulated footwear having an expandable tongue including a first non expandable lower tongue portion, an expandable tongue portion and a second, non expandable upper tongue portion, wherein the expandable tongue portion is disposed between the lower tongue portion and the upper tongue portion.

1 . An expandable tongue for articulated footwear comprising: 
 (a) a first non expandable lower tongue portion;    (b) an expandable tongue portion; and    (c) a second, non expandable upper tongue portion,    wherein said expandable tongue portion is disposed between said lower tongue portion and said upper tongue portion.    
     
     
         2 . An expandable tongue as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said expandable tongue portion has accordion-like folds.  
     
     
         3 . An expandable tongue as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said expandable tongue portion is made of a flexible material.  
     
     
         4 . An expandable tongue as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said flexible material is rubber.  
     
     
         5 . An expandable tongue as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said expandable tongue portion can compress to 0.5 inches or expand to 2.5 inches.  
     
     
         6 . An expandable tongue as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said expandable tongue portion is non stretchable material connecting said upper and lower tongue portions whereby said non stretchable material forms an expandable zone.  
     
     
         7 . An expandable tongue as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said articulated footwear is a figure skate boot.  
     
     
         8 . An expandable tongue as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said articulated footwear is a ski boot.  
     
     
         9 . An expandable tongue as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said articulated footwear is basketball footwear.  
     
     
         10 . An expandable tongue as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said articulated footwear is volleyball footwear.  
     
     
         11 . Articulated footwear comprising: 
 (a) a foot portion;    (b) a cuff portion; and    (c) a tongue having a lower portion adapted to fit in said foot portion and an upper portion adapted to fit in said cuff portion, and wherein said upper portion of said tongue is connected to said lower portion by an expandable portion,    wherein said cuff portion and said foot portions are distinct and said cuff portion is attached to an upper part of said foot portion through an articulated joint permitting said cuff portion to partially rotate around said articulated joint thereby to alter an angle formed between said cuff portion and said foot portion, and wherein said tongue extends between said foot portion and said cuff portion, said expandable portion adapted to permit said upper portion of said tongue to flex relatively to said lower portion, said flexing occurring in said expandable portion.    
     
     
         12 . Articulated footwear as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said expandable portion has accordion-like folds.  
     
     
         13 . Articulated footwear as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said expandable portion is made of a flexible material.  
     
     
         14 . Articulated footwear as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said flexible material is rubber.  
     
     
         15 . Articulated footwear as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said expandable portion can compress to 0.5 inches or expand to 2.5 inches.  
     
     
         16 . Articulated footwear as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said expandable portion is non stretchable material connecting said upper and lower portions whereby said non stretchable material forms an expandable zone.  
     
     
         17 . Articulated footwear as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said articulated footwear is a figure skate boot.  
     
     
         18 . Articulated footwear as claimed in claim  111  wherein said articulated footwear is a ski boot.  
     
     
         19 . Articulated footwear as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said articulated footwear is basketball footwear.  
     
     
         20 . Articulated footwear as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said articulated footwear is volleyball footwear.