Tap Dance Shoe Assembly, System, and Method

Abstract

A tap dance shoe system and method involving a tap shoe (1), including a sole (10), having at least one sole layer (6) and a toe portion (4), and a heel (5), having at least one heel layer (6) and a heel portion (7); a toe insert (8) disposed at the toe portion (4); a heel insert (9) disposed at the heel portion (7); a toe tap (10) disposed at the toe portion (4); a heel tap (11) disposed at the heel portion (7); a structure (12) for mounting together the inserts (8, 9) and the corresponding portions (4, 7); and a structure (13) for adjustably coupling the taps (10, 11) and the corresponding inserts (8, 9).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to shoe assemblies, systems, and methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to dance shoe assemblies, systems, and methods. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to tap dance shoe assemblies, systems, and methods.BACKGROUND ART[0002]The currently existing art involves conventional tap dance shoes which comprise a tap fastened onto the sole of a shoe by wooden screws. A disadvantage of this conventional configuration is that the wooden screws tend to unduly wear the sole at the threads with time, thereby loosening the tap from the shoe. As such, the tap dancer must frequently seek the assistance of a specialist cobbler in the area of dance shoes for replacing the soles and taps. Another disadvantage with conventional tap shoes is that, once the taps are fastened onto the soles, they are typically “hardwired” into position, i.e., in a fixed position, whereby flexibility is not afforded the tap dancer in ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]The present invention involves a simple, more effective, and user-friendly tap dance shoe assembly, system, and method which address the problems experienced in the art. The present invention accommodates dancers having feet of any size, facilitates and enhances the dancers' performance, and eliminates the need for the assistance of a specialist dance shoe cobbler.

[0005]Generally, the present invention tap assembly, comprises the following elements: an insert; a replaceable tap; a soundboard disposed between the tap and the insert; and a structure for adjustably coupling the tap and the insert, wherein the adjustable coupling structure comprises: at least one standoff disposed between the tap and the insert for damping vibration; and at least one fastener disposed through the at least one standoff, wherein the adjustable coupling structure comprises a movable angular relation between the tap and the insert for facilitating mechanical pivoting, and wherein the adjustable coupling structure comprises a translational adjustment between the tap and the insert for facilitating sonic tuning, and wherein the movable angular relation comprises at least one movement selected from a group consisting of rolling, pitching, and yawing. The soundboard can vary in thickness and material to facilitate different sounds. The insert of the present assembly is insertable into a shoe for tap dancing. This insertable feature is discussed, infra, with respect to the present system. The tap is easily replaceable by disassembling / assembling the at least one fastener.

[0008]In addition to the aforementioned advantages of the present invention, other advantages include providing user-friendly adjustment of the tap in relation to the insert using simple hand tools by the dancer, providing flexibility hitherto unknown to the tap dancer in enabling further movement of the tap, such as rolling, yawing, and pitching, as well as a combination thereof, whereby desirable nuances of sound are emitted, allowing the dancer to fine-tune the tapping sounds, allowing the dancer to easily substitute a tap of a given material and thickness for achieving a desired sound, allowing the dancer to easily substitute a soundboard of a given material and thickness for achieving a desired sound, minimizing unwanted vibrations by using the standoff element, and eliminating the misfortune of the tap loosening from the shoe, especially during a performance. Any reference herein to a tap includes the ability of it to be a replaceable tap. Other features of the present invention are disclosed, or are apparent, in the section entitled “Detailed Description of the Invention,” disclosed, infra.

Problems solved by technology

A disadvantage of this conventional configuration is that the wooden screws tend to unduly wear the sole at the threads with time, thereby loosening the tap from the shoe.

Another disadvantage with conventional tap shoes is that, once the taps are fastened onto the soles, they are typically “hardwired” into position, i.e., in a fixed position, whereby flexibility is not afforded the tap dancer in enabling any nuances of movement, such as rolling, yawing, and pitching, as well as any combination thereof.

Similar disadvantages are related to this configuration, i.e., the tendency to unduly wear at the threads with time, thereby loosening the tap from the shoe.

This being so, dancers, having feet that are of intermediate size, extra-small size, or extra-large size, are at a disadvantage and must compromise their performance by using ill-fitting taps.

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