Percussive devices for footwear

Abstract

Devices are disclosed that are attachable to or are integral with an existing shoe such that an audible percussive sound is heard upon impact of the shoe against a surface. Furthermore, the devices are composed of materials that minimize or avoid damage to flooring. The devices described act as substitute for conventional metallic taps or heavy wood performance shoes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to devices for producing percussive sounds in footwear. More particularly, the present invention relates to percussive devices in footwear that minimize damage to flooring during dancing, exercise or performance. [0003] 2. Background of the Invention [0004] Rhythmic dancing, and tap in particular, is a blend of the elements of African drumming and dancing and the techniques of European clog and step dancing. The rhythms of jazz music distinguish American tap dance from other kinds of dancing based on percussive footwork. The tap dance style of American theatrical dance is distinguished by percussive footwork that marks out precise rhythmic patterns on the floor. Some descriptive step names include brush, flap, shuffle, ball change, and cramp roll. [0005] The origins of tap dancing are historic. Between the 1600's and early 1800's, tap evolved from European step dances like the jig and c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The present invention provides taps fabricated from novel materials in the industry that minimize or avoid damaging floors and therefore open new venues for performance and training in tap and other percussive dance forms. The unexpected results of applying materials as described below to the bottom of shoes especially designed for producing sound has the advantage of producing such sound without the disadvantage of damaging flooring. Furthermore, the taps according to the present invention may be added to any rubber, wood or leather heels or toes of any shoe to produce rhythmic sound during walking, running or other physical activity, such as aerobics, STEP, or other routine exercise. The materials as used in various embodiments of the present invention allow for the addition of color to further enhance the choreography and visual effects of performances. Thus, the devices according to the present invention may be constructed of materials that are not damaging to floors as well as being in various colors to enhance the visual display of the performance. The exemplary taps according to the present invention were developed in contrast and in spite of the prevailing wisdom that taps should be metal to provide acceptable pleasing sound.

Problems solved by technology

This greatly restricts access and participation in this form of dancing.

Many schools and even dance schools do not allow tap dancing in particular because of the damage to floors caused by the percussive steps and the metal taps.

Thus, the conventional use of metallic taps and its acceptance as a universal standard has had the opposite effects on the development of this type of dance form, namely limiting the participation to venues that are especially equipped with specialized flooring to handle the percussion from the metallic taps.

At present, no true alternatives exist to the industry-standard metallic tap.

Those in the dance industry have accepted the limitations of the metallic tap and are limited to the strict requirements that a metallic tap needs, such as specialized flooring and specialized shoes.

These numerous nails can really damage floors that are not specifically designed to withstand percussion from such shoes.

Also, the Irish step dance shoes (taps) are made of solid, heavy wood about 1½-2 inches thick, which can also damage floors that are not designed to withstand such percussion.

But these sounds are typically made by the impact of metallic-tapped or heavy wooden shoes with the floor, which causes damage to any flooring that is not specially designed to withstand such impact.