Fastener for childrens footwear

Abstract

A fastening system for a shoe for a child includes a tongue and at least a pair of fastening arms. The tongue includes one or more features of a selected character. Each of the pair of fastening arms is configured as an appendage of the selected character and is attached to the tongue. Each fastening arm is adapted to extend though a corresponding eyelet in a body portion of the shoe and to be fastened in a manner such that the fastening arms appear to be embracing the tongue.

1 . A fastening system for a shoe for a child, the fastening system comprising:
 a tongue including one or more features of a selected character; and   at least a pair of fastening arms, each configured as an appendage of the selected character and attached to the tongue;   wherein each fastening arm is adapted to extend though a corresponding eyelet in a body portion of the shoe and to be fastened in a manner such that the fastening arms appear to be embracing the tongue.   
     
     
         2 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more features includes a face of the selected character. 
     
     
         3 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening arms are adapted to be fastened with hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         4 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening arms are configured as arms of the selected character. 
     
     
         5 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening arms are configured as legs of the selected character. 
     
     
         6 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the tongue includes a moisture wicking material for added breathability. 
     
     
         7 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening arms are attached to opposite sides of the tongue. 
     
     
         8 . A shoe for a child, comprising:
 a shoe body;   a tongue attached at its base to the shoe body, the tongue including one or more features of a selected character; and   at least a pair of fastening arms, each configured as an appendage of the selected character and attached to the tongue;   wherein each fastening arm is adapted to extend though a corresponding eyelet in the shoe body and to be fastened in a manner such that the fastening arms appear to be embracing the tongue.   
     
     
         9 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more features includes a face of the selected character. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the fastening arms are adapted to be fastened with hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the fastening arms are configured as arms of the selected character. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the fastening arms are configured as legs of the selected character. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the tongue includes a moisture wicking material for added breathability. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe of  claim 8 , further comprising a tail of the selected character as part of a sole of the shoe. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the fastening arms are attached to opposite sides of the tongue. 
     
     
         16 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the fastening arms are aligned with one another such that one of the fastening arms is fastenable over another of the fastening arms. 
     
     
         17 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the fastening arms is elastic. 
     
     
         18 . A method of fastening a shoe on a child's foot, the method comprising:
 providing a shoe having a shoe body and a tongue attached at its base to the shoe body, the tongue including one or more features of a selected character;   placing the shoe body around a child's foot;   positioning a first fastening arm, configured as an appendage of the selected character and attached to the tongue, through a first eyelet in the shoe body and across at least a portion of the tongue;   fastening the first fastening arm to at least one of the tongue and the shoe body;   positioning a second fastening arm, configured as an appendage of the selected character and attached to the tongue, through a second eyelet in the shoe body and across at least a portion of the tongue; and   fastening the second fastening arm to at least one of the tongue, the shoe body, and the first fastening arm.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more features includes a face of the selected character. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second fastening arms are fastened with hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         21 .- 24 . (canceled)