An over-the-shoe dancing apparatus

Abstract

An over-the-shoe dancing apparatus enables improved positioning and secure placement of taps. The apparatus comprises an elastomeric slipper for receiving a shoe wherein the slipper includes a longitudinal axis, an underside, a toe portion and a heel portion; at least two taps attached to the underside of the slipper; and an intermediate layer positioned between at least one of the at least two taps and the underside of the slipper; wherein a first tap of the at least two taps extends at least equal to a forward most point along the longitudinal axis of the toe portion of the slipper and a second tap of the at least two taps extends at least equal to a rearward most point along the longitudinal axis of the heel portion of the slipper.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an over-the-shoe dancing apparatus. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to an over-the-shoe dancing apparatus including attached taps for tap dancing.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]Similar to other styles of dancing, tap dancing has many recognized moves or steps that combine to create a dance routine. These dance steps vary from being basic (shuffle, ball dog, heel drop), to more advanced moves that combine elements of basic and intermediate moves in quick succession. These moves require the dancer to make specific movements of the dancer's body, particularly using their legs and feet. Tap dancing differs in at least one essential aspect from most other forms of dancing, namely the tap sound. The principal object of tap dancing is to create sound with the action of the tap on the dancer's shoe against the dance floor as the dancer creates the visual aspect of the performance. Tap dancing can b...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a slipper with a gripping means to prevent it from slipping.

Problems solved by technology

The rigid sole also limits the range of movements that the dancer can undertake.

A disadvantage to this design is that the screws often wear with time, and soles often have to be replaced to enable the screws to fit securely into the base of the hard shoe without loosening.

Due to this, tap dancers with feet of intermediate size or of abnormal shape such as thin or wide feet are required to wear ill-fitting shoes that may potentially cause minor injury or aggravation to their feet or impact the quality of their tap dancing performance or their learning experience.

Additionally, tap dancers requiring devices such as orthotic support are generally unable to wear these in their conventional tap shoe, and conventional tap shoes offer little additional support such as ankle or arch support for dancers with varying degrees of pronation.

Conventional dedicated tap shoes are often slippery, especially for beginner dancers who not only require a floor grip component but also shoe cushioning to assist with stability to limit the ankle's natural swivel.

Dedicated tap shoes are often expensive and prone to wear after repeated use, making tap dancing an expensive undertaking for beginners, parents of children who may take only a single introductory tap dancing class, and those wishing to participate only occasionally and primarily for the associated cardiovascular benefits.

To provide a less expensive tap shoe option, various tap shoe developments have been made with regard to over-the-shoe type shoe accessories with attachable taps, but these accessories tend to produce a less rich, reduced spectrum of sound from the taps due to poor positioning of the taps.

Further, these previous accessories have not been able to adequately provide for both the heel and toe taps being positioned to the full extent of the foot, reducing the number of tap movements that can be performed and adversely impacting the tap dancing experience and quality of the performance.

These previous accessories have also not been able to adequately fix the accessory to the shoe or help provide floor grip support for the tap dancer whilst wearing the accessory.

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