Patent US 5,459,947

A decorative attachment for a lace-up type shoe which simulates a fold-down shoe tongue. A tongue simulating portion, having a top surface and a bottom surface, a top end and a bottom end, substantially covers a lace and knot portion of the shoe. The tongue simulating portion is preferably tapered to be narrower at the bottom end than at the top end. A decorative indicia is silkscreened to the top surface of the tongue simulating portion, and preferably represents a foot of a mascot for an athletic team. A strap extends from the end of the tongue simulating portion and is folded under the laces of the shoe. The strap has an upper surface which lies adjacent the lower surface of the tongue simulating portion when the strap is folded under the laces of the shoe and sandwiches the laces between the bottom surface of the tongue simulating portion and the upper surface of the strap. The tongue simulating portion and the strap are cut from a single sheet of leather, canvas or plastic material. A hook and loop fastening system having first and second parts which mate with each other has the first part attached to the bottom surface of the tongue simulating portion. The second part is attached to the upper surface of the strap. The first and second parts of the hook and loop fastening system are located in a position such that a knot in the shoe laces is encircled by the hook and loop fastening system when the decorative attachment is secured in place.