Footwear with tongue foam

Abstract

An article of footwear, having a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, an upper including a medial side, a lateral side opposite the medial side, and an intermediate portion between the medial side and the lateral side, a fastening system coupled to the medial side and lateral side of the upper, the fastening system configured to tighten the article of footwear around a foot of a wearer, a tongue disposed in the intermediate portion and extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a tongue foam piece. In some embodiments, the width of the tongue foam piece is tapered to be wider toward the first end portion and narrowed toward the second end portion.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 a first end portion;   a second end portion opposite the first end portion;   an upper including a medial side, a lateral side opposite the medial side, and an intermediate portion between the medial side and the lateral side;   a fastening system coupled to the medial side and lateral side of the upper, the fastening system configured to tighten the article of footwear around a foot of a wearer;   a tongue disposed in the intermediate portion and extending between the first end portion and the second end portion; and   a tongue foam piece.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the tongue foam piece is disposed on the tongue at the second end portion of the tongue. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the tongue foam piece is disposed on an underside of the tongue such that the tongue foam piece is configured to be disposed between the tongue and a foot of a wearer. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the tongue foam piece is tapered. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 4 , wherein a width of the tongue foam piece is tapered to be wider toward the first end portion and narrowed toward the second end portion. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the tongue foam piece is at least one of a polyurethane foam or a thermoplastic polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the tongue foam piece is coupled to the tongue using a hot melt adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 a first end portion;   a second end portion opposite the first end portion;   an upper including a medial side, a lateral side opposite the medial side, and an intermediate portion between the medial side and the lateral side;   a fastening system coupled to the medial side and lateral side of the upper, the fastening system configured to tighten the article of footwear around a foot of a wearer, wherein the fastening system comprises a fastening mechanism, wherein the fastening mechanism is at least one of a zipper, a lace, or a hook and loop mechanism;   a tongue disposed in the intermediate portion and extending between the first end portion and the second end portion; and   a tongue foam piece, wherein the tongue foam piece has a tapered shape.   
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the tongue foam piece has a uniform thickness configured to prevent irritation by the fastening system. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the tongue foam piece is disposed under the tongue such that the tongue foam piece is on the opposite side of the tongue to the fastening mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the tongue foam piece is disposed on an underside of the tongue opposite the fastening mechanism such that the tongue foam piece is configured to contact afoot of a wearer. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the tongue foam piece is at least one of a polyurethane foam or a thermoplastic polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the tongue foam piece is coupled to the tongue using a hot melt adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the tongue foam piece has a uniform thickness. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the tongue foam piece has a tapered width such that the tongue foam piece is tapered to be wider toward the first end portion to and narrower toward the second end portion. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 15 , wherein the tongue foam piece has a tapered thickness. 
     
     
         17 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 a first end portion;   a second end portion opposite the first end portion;   an upper including a medial side, a lateral side opposite the medial side, and an intermediate portion between the medial side and the lateral side;   a tongue disposed in the intermediate portion and extending between the first end portion and the second end portion;   a tongue foam piece, wherein the tongue foam piece has a tapered width; and   a fastening system including laces, wherein the laces are coupled to the medial side and lateral side of the upper, wherein the laces are configured to be tightened and tied at the second end portion of the tongue to secure the article of footwear to a foot of a user.   
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the tongue foam piece has a tapered thickness. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the tongue foam piece is wider toward the second end portion of the tongue and narrower toward the first end portion of the tongue. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the tongue foam piece is disposed under the tongue, on an opposite surface of the tongue and laces, where the laces are configured to be tightened at the second end portion of the tongue.