Shoe lace protector

Abstract

The purpose of this device is to secure, contain, and protect the tied shoelaces found on the majority of shoes in today's world. Especially in the case of children, elderly, or athletes, the shoelaces frequently come undone. At best, this can be a nuisance to have to bend over and re-tie them every so often. At worst, untied laces can cause the wearer to trip and possibly injure him/herself. This device prevents any such instances from occurring by ensconcing the tied laces in a cocoon of sorts, never allowing them to come undone or bounce around haphazardly.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A shoelace protector comprising:
 a shoe tongue;   a neck attached to said shoe tongue;   a main body connected to said shoe tongue by said neck;   a pair of wings connected to said main body; and   a pair of inner flaps, and an outer flap connected to said main body.   
     
     
         2 . A shoelace protector of  claim 1  wherein said tongue, neck, main body, wings and flaps are formed of flexible material. 
     
     
         3 . A shoelace protector of  claim 1  wherein said main body has a hole to receive the shoelaces. 
     
     
         4 . A shoelace protector of  claim 1  wherein said wings comprise of sleeves and end-pockets. 
     
     
         5 . A shoelace protector of  claim 4  wherein said sleeves and end-pockets are formed of stretchable elastic material. 
     
     
         6 . A shoelace protector of  claim 1  wherein said wings and flaps contain regions of fastener material which engage and adhere to opposing surface. 
     
     
         7 . A method of protecting shoelaces comprising the steps of:
 selecting a shoelace protector comprising a shoe tongue, a neck attached to said shoe tongue, a main body connected to said shoe tongue by said neck, a pair of wings connected to said main body, a pair of inner flaps, and an outer flap connected to said main body;   placing shoe tongue into shoe, between throat of shoe and wearer's foot;   folding main body at neck, over throat of shoe;   pulling shoelaces through hole of main body, and tying shoelaces into a bow knot;   inserting tied shoelaces through sleeves of wings, and enclosing inside end-pockets of wings;   folding wings over main body, and attaching with fastener material;   folding inner flaps upon wings, and attaching with fastener material; and   folding outer flap upon inner flaps, and attaching with fastener material.