Method and apparatus for protecting a foot

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for protecting a foot of a user. The apparatus may be applied to an article of footwear having laces worn by the user or may be integral therewith. The apparatus comprises a first tongue guard portion engageable with a first portion of said laces so as to lie adjacent thereto and a second tongue guard portion pivotally supported from the first tongue guard portion and biased so as to lie adjacent to a second portion of the laces. The first and second tongue guard portions may comprise a rigid exterior shell and an interior cushioning layer disposed thereunder. The method comprises securing the first tongue plate to the article of footwear so as to lie adjacent to the first portion of the laces and biasing the second tongue so as to lie adjacent to a second portion of the laces.

1 . An apparatus for protecting a foot of a user, the user wearing an article of footwear having laces, the apparatus comprising:
 a first tongue guard portion engageable with a first portion of said laces so as to lie adjacent thereto; and   a second tongue guard portion pivotally supported from said first tongue guard portion so as to lie adjacent to a second portion of said laces.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second tongue guard portion is biased against said article of footwear. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and second tongue guard portions have shapes corresponding to the shape of the first and second portions of said laces. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of said first and second tongue guard portions comprise a rigid exterior shell and an interior cushioning layer disposed thereunder. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said shells of said first and second tongue guard portions are molded. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first tongue guard portion is locatable between said tongue and laces of said article of footwear. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second tongue guard portion is biased against an exterior of said laces of said article of footwear. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second tongue guard portion is locatable between said tongue and laces of said article of footwear. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and second plates are connected by a flexible connector. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  where said flexible connector is resilient. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said flexible connector comprises an elasticized fabric. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first tongue portion is affixed to said article of footwear. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first tongue portion is connectable to said article of footwear by a connector. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said connector comprises at least one bore extending through said first tongue guard portion at a first end thereof so as to pass said laces therethrough, said second tongue guard portion being supported from an opposed second end of said first tongue guard portion. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said connector comprises a flexible member extending between said article of footwear and a first end of said first tongue guard portion. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a third tongue guard portion pivotally supported from said second tongue plate so as to lie adjacent to a third portion of the laces. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first tongue guard portion is locatable over said laces and further includes side skirts extending to opposite sides of said article of footwear so as to enclose said article of footwear therein. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first portion of said laces is disposed closer to a toe of the article of footwear than said second portion of said laces. 
     
     
         19 . An article of footwear having laces and a first tongue guard portion located to lie adjacent to a first portion of said laces and a second tongue plate pivotally supported from said first tongue guard portion so as to lie adjacent to a second portion of said laces. 
     
     
         20 . A method for protecting a foot of a user comprising securing a first tongue plate to an article of footwear having laces adjacent a first portion of said laces so as to lie adjacent to the first portion of the laces and biasing a second tongue plate pivotally supported by the first tongue plate so as to lie adjacent to a second portion of the laces.