Raymond F Tonkel

US Patent:

6574887, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Apr 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/122995

Inventors:

Lindell B. Jones - Wildwood MO
Raymond F. Tonkel - Sudbury MA

Assignee:

U-Turn Sports Co, LLC - Westerfield MO

International Classification:

A43B 2326

US Classification:

36 54, 36 501, 36136, 36100

Abstract:

Footwear, incorporating a reversible a tongue, wherein one side or the other of the tongue may be adhered for pivot to the upper central vamp portion of the shoe, to display that side during wearing of the shoe, or turned, to provide a variation in the styling of the shoe. The tongue may further contain a pouch or pocket, secured by any type of fastening device such as Velcro that allows ready access into the tongue, for deposit or removal of personal items. One or more of the surfaces of the formed pocket, in the tongue, may be formed of a transparent or clear material, to allow any personal item deposited therein to be readily viewed.

US Patent:

6904706, Jun 14, 2005

Filed:

Feb 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/771196

Inventors:

Lindell B. Jones - Chesterfield MO, US
Raymond F. Tonkel - Sudbury MA, US

Assignee:

U Turn Sports Co., LLC Mo LLC. - Chesterfield MO

International Classification:

A43B003/12
A43B003/10
A43B005/08
A43B003/24

US Classification:

36 115, 36 75, 36 81, 36101

Abstract:

Footwear, in the category of a sandal, and which may include a thong, slide-on, clog, or related structured sandal, wherein one side or the other of a tongue, upper vamp, or sandal strap may be adhered to an upper part of the sandal sole, or its vamp or cross strap, so that one side of the sandal strap structure may be displayed during its wearing, and can be turned to expose its opposite surface for varying the styling of the worn sandal. The tongue, upper vamp, or strap may be secured by a fastening device, such as a swivel, that allows for turning of these components to expose a selected surface in order to vary the aesthetics and appearance of the worn sandal.

US Patent:

7028420, Apr 18, 2006

Filed:

Nov 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/720317

Inventors:

Raymond F. Tonkel - Sudbury MA, US

Assignee:

U-Turn Sports Co. LLC (Mo. Corp) - Wildwood MO

International Classification:

A43B 3/12
A43B 3/24

US Classification:

36100, 36 115

Abstract:

A shoe, sandal, beach shoe, or other form of footwear, integrates a slot within its sole structure, as this footwear is assembled, and within the slot is a continuous band, that may form part of the shoe vamp, strapping, or related structure, and which vamp or band may be turned, for displaying different coloration or designs, texture, or means for providing support, massaging, or stimulation, of the foot, as through interiorly protruding tips, or to form and dispose apertures that furnish ventilation and aeration to the foot thereunder, all in order to change the aesthetics of the footwear at the desire of the user. In addition, to add to the structural integrity of the constructed shoes, a part of the vamp or its strapping, may extend upwardly, and have a loop formed therein, or even loop back on itself, and which may embrace the upper part of the changeable vamp, to facilitate its retention, and structural configuration, when the vamp is turned, to vary its appearance.

US Patent:

7117614, Oct 10, 2006

Filed:

Feb 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/771610

Inventors:

Raymond F. Tonkel - Sudbury MA, US

Assignee:

U Turn Sports Co., LLC - Wildwood MO

International Classification:

A43B 3/24
A43B 23/26

US Classification:

36100, 36 54, 36136, 36 115

Abstract:

A revolving tongue for application to footwear provided a central pivot point that rotatably connects to a crossbar of the footwear, the crossbar extending between the lateral openings of the shoe, at upper edges of the shoe quarter portions. The tongue may be rotated, to disclose variations in coloration material and design for the shoes, as applied. A pivot pin or other connector secures the tongue, approximately centrally, to the crossbar, a guide may be provided at the lower or lateral edges of the circular tongue, secured within the shoe, to act as a guide to retain the tongue for its circular motion. In addition, openings may be provided within the upper quarter portions of the shoe, so the tongue coloration can show therethrough, and change, as the tongue is being pivoted for a different setting, and in addition, can also provide for aeration of the foot, at such location.

US Patent:

7257906, Aug 21, 2007

Filed:

Dec 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/017251

Inventors:

Lindell B. Jones - Wildwood MO, US
Raymond F. Tonkel - Sudbury MA, US

Assignee:

U Turn Sports Co, LLC - Wildwood MO

International Classification:

A43B 7/08

US Classification:

36 3R, 36 54

Abstract:

The present invention pertains to footwear where the tongue may be reversed in order to open and close vents in the upper of a shoe. Secondarily, the reversible tongue changes the aesthetics, coloration, indicia, or other appearance of the footwear. A shoe has an upper upon a sole. On the sides of the upper, generally vertical stripes have vent between them. The reversible tongue has a symmetric shape and it rotates upon a longitudinal axis. Placed within the upper upon a swivel, the tongue rotates to extend across the vents to close them and to retreat from the vents to open them. In rotating, the tongue changes the coloration, indicia, design, or other appearance aspects of the shoe. Rotation of the tongue occurs with shoe laces loosened or with removal of a foot from the shoe.

US Patent:

7284343, Oct 23, 2007

Filed:

Jun 1, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/142621

Inventors:

Lindell B. Jones - Chesterfield MO, US
Raymond F. Tonkel - Sudbury MA, US

Assignee:

U Turn Sports, Co LLC. - Wildwood MO

International Classification:

A43B 23/26
A43B 3/24

US Classification:

36 54, 36100, 36136

Abstract:

Footwear, incorporating a reversible a tongue, wherein one side or the other of the tongue may be adhered for pivot to the upper central vamp portion of the shoe, to display that side during wearing of the shoe, or turned, to provide a variation in the styling of the shoe. The tongue may further contain a pouch or pocket, secured by any type of fastening device such as Velcro that allows ready access into the tongue, for deposit or removal of personal items. One or more of the surfaces of the formed pocket, in the tongue, may be formed of a transparent or clear material, to allow any personal item deposited therein to be readily viewed.

US Patent:

7318290, Jan 15, 2008

Filed:

Feb 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/780168

Inventors:

Lindell B. Jones - Chesterfield MO, US
Raymond F. Tonkel - Sudbury MA, US

Assignee:

U Turn Sports Co., LLC. - Chesterfield MO

International Classification:

A43B 23/26
A43B 3/24
A43B 5/00
A43B 23/00
A04B 3/12

US Classification:

36 54, 36 501, 36136, 36100

Abstract:

Footwear, incorporating a reversible a tongue, wherein one side or the other of the tongue may be adhered to the upper central vamp portion of the shoe, to display that side during wearing of the shoe, and can be turned to provide a variation in the styling of the shoe. The tongue may further contain a pouch or pocket, secured by any type of fastening device such as Velcro that allows ready access into the tongue, for deposit or removal of personal items. One or more of the surfaces of the formed pocket, in the tongue, may be formed of a transparent or clear material, to allow any personal item deposited therein to be readily viewed.

US Patent:

7325337, Feb 5, 2008

Filed:

Jul 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/896393

Inventors:

Donald R. Cox - Wildwood MO, US
Raymond F. Tonkel - Sudbury MA, US

International Classification:

A43B 3/24
A43B 23/00

US Classification:

36136, 36100, 36 45

Abstract:

A changeable stripe for footwear, that can be applied to any segment of the shoe, or other clothing, or even a purse or backpack, and includes a changeable stripe that is held by means of a base, or through slots provided within the shoe, so that a pull tab connecting to the ends of the stripe can be shifted in one direction or the other to disclose different surface features of the stripe, to change or vary the coloration or design of the shown stripe. The changeable stripe may be applied directly and integrally into the structure of the shoe component, or it may be held by an independent base structure and applied by stitching or adhesive to the shoe. Each stripe may have pivotal segments that allows for turning of a portion of a stripe, so as to display other coloration. Such changeable stripes can be applied to the surface of the shoe, can be applied over the vamp of a sandal, the vamp of a beach shoe, or to other clothing or items, as desired. The changeable stripe may also be held by D-rings, buckles, or clasps, to the surface of the shoe.