Ballet pointe shoe having improved heel seam and throat with concealed pre-stressed elastic band

Abstract

Embodiments of a ballet pointe show may include a pre-stressed elastic band surrounding at least a portion of the periphery of the throat of the upper. The pre-stressed elastic band in some embodiments may be interposed between an outer fabric and an inner liner of the upper to conceal the band completely from external view. The elastic band may have a cross sectional shape whose aspect ratio is greater than 3:1 so that pressure exerted on the foot of a ballet dancer by the elastic band during use is kept sufficiently low to avoid discomfort yet still provide adequate securement of the throat to the foot. Some embodiments of a ballet pointe shoe may include an improved heal seam construction which is secure and inconspicuous even though devoid of an a exterior binder strip.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending, commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 701,652 entitled: BALLET POINT SHOE HAVING TOE PLATFORM WITH MALLEABLE BUMPER which was filed on Dec. 19, 2019 to which priority is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 120 and which is in turn a continuation-in-part of co-pending, commonly owned Application No. PCT / US2019 / 58206 entitled: BALLET POINT SHOE which was filed on Oct. 25, 2019 and which designated the U.S. and at least one other country in addition to the U.S. and to which priority is also hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 120. Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) is hereby claimed to each of the following U.S. provisional patent applications for all subject matter in each commonly disclosed herein: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 794,589 entitled “Ballet Pointe Shoe” filed Jan. 19, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 925,729 entitled “Ballet Pointe Shoe” filed ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text discusses a new design for ballet pointe shoes that eliminates the need for a binding strip and increases comfort for ballerinas. The shoe has a throat with a concealed elastic band that securely holds the foot in place and reduces the risk of injury. The elastic band is pre-stressed to provide a comfortable fit and is hidden from view. This design also eliminates the need for a drawstring to adjust the shoe, reducing the chance of injury and providing better support. Overall, this new design improves the aesthetic appearance and practicality of ballet pointe shoes.

Problems solved by technology

Such maladies can be painful and may require expensive medical treatment and / or temporary or permanent limitation or cessation of dancing or other physical activities.

Some may even end the career of a dancer.

In such movements, the toe box of the pointe shoe may bear substantially all of the weight the dancer and may additionally be subjected to impact forces or other dynamic forces.

Some consider the binding strip and the free projecting ends of the drawstrings to be unsightly.

The drawstring is also disadvantageous because of the tension required to keep it in place.

By pulling the drawstring taut enough to stay on the foot, the dancer experiences discomfort and lingering pressure indentations from the drawstring.

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