Apparatus for securing a footwear tongue

Abstract

An apparatus for securing a tongue of footwear in a fixed position. The apparatus includes a first panel and a second panel. The first panel includes a slot for slidably encircling the tongue folded in an upward direction. The slot squeezes and bundles the tongue to secure the tongue in the fixed position. The first panel moves along a longitudinal axis of the tongue. The second panel extends from a proximal end of the first panel. The apparatus serves as a substitute tongue for the footwear, supports the original tongue of the footwear in the fixed position, and allows accessories and other devices to be accommodated in and around the footwear.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for securing a tongue of footwear in a fixed position, the apparatus comprising:
 a first panel comprising a slot adapted to slidably encircle the tongue folded in an upward direction, wherein the slot is adapted to squeeze and bundle the tongue to secure the tongue in the fixed position, and wherein the first panel is adapted to move along a longitudinal axis of the tongue; and   a second panel extending from a proximal end of the first panel;   wherein the apparatus is configured in a wedge shape, wherein thickness of the first panel is greater than thickness of the second panel, and wherein thickness of the apparatus tapers along a longitudinal direction from the first panel towards the second panel.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel and the second panel comprise one or more receptacles, wherein the receptacles comprise recesses or holes, and wherein the receptacles are configured to accommodate plain protrusions and threaded protrusions of an accessory. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the accessory is attached to the receptacles on either the upper surface of the apparatus or on the lower surface of the apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to move along a longitudinal axis of the tongue. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the accessory comprises a battery pack and a light source. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the battery pack comprises battery terminals, and wherein the battery terminals are connected to LED lights and motors mounted on the accessory. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the accessory comprises a flange comprising a hole, and wherein a lace of the footwear is inserted through the hole to fasten the accessory to the footwear and the apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein width of the first panel tapers along a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction to form an arrowhead shape. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the slot has a shape that generally resembles a house-shaped pentagon. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is made of one or more of a plastic material, a composite material, a metal, and an alloy.