Dance equipment for hands

Abstract

Equipment includes hand coverings, such as gloves or mittens, that are equipped with dance taps and comprise tap gloves. The tap gloves are constructed for use with a hard surface, to strike the hard surface with the tap gloves according to “hand tap dance” moves such that the tap gloves mimic the sounds made by metal-soled tap shoes when persons engage in conventional tap dancing activity on a dance floor. The equipment can be used by persons to participate in dance maneuvers using only their hands and arms.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a non-provisional patent application that claims priority from co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 446,434 filed on Feb. 24, 2011, titled “Dance Equipment For Hands”, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Dance is an activity enjoyed by many. As a recreational and social activity, dance takes many forms and has many adherents. For example, tap dance is a form of dance in which taps are worn on the soles of dance shoes, and tap dance techniques are employed so the taps make distinctive sounds during a tap dance session. Persons, on their own, may practice tap dance techniques, or may participate in group dances. Conditions can limit the opportunities for persons to participate in dance, such as the need for dance shoes and for sufficient floor space to perform the dance techniques.[0003]Opportunities for participating in dan...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]Equipment described herein is useful for providing opportunities to participate in dance under a greater variety of conditions and physical abilities. The equipment described herein permits persons to participate in dance activities, and more particularly, to mimic with their hands the tap dance steps traditionally performed in metal-soled tap shoes. The equipment described herein brings dance participation without the need for tap shoes and for large floor space. The equipment also facilitates dance participation by those of limited mobility, strength, and agility. In this way, a greater variety of persons under a greater variety of conditions can participate in dance activity.

[0007]Dancers can wear the tap gloves and participate in hand tap dance when conditions (e.g., lack of floor space) or their physical abilities (e.g. lack of mobility or strength) would otherwise preclude dance activity. The tap gloves are preferably used in conjunction with a tap dance board that can be placed on a desk or table in front of a dancer, so the dancer can strike the board with the taps of the tap gloves in time to music, singing, and the like. In this way, the tap gloves permit persons to engage in physical movement that is enjoyable and also increases socialization.

Problems solved by technology

Conditions can limit the opportunities for persons to participate in dance, such as the need for dance shoes and for sufficient floor space to perform the dance techniques.

Opportunities for participating in dance can also be limited by a person's constraints in terms of limited mobility or agility.

For example, persons with physical or neurological disabilities may not have sufficient physical strength or dexterity to engage in dance, which would otherwise be an activity for which they would welcome participation.

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