U.S. patent application number 11/187331 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-16 for tap dance shoe and method of teaching tap dance.
Invention is credited to Jeanne Randall.
Application Number | 20060032085 11/187331 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35798591 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060032085 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Randall; Jeanne |
February 16, 2006 |
Tap dance shoe and method of teaching tap dance
Abstract
An improved tap dance shoe for teaching tap dancing or for use
to enhance a tap dance performance. The improved tap dance shoe has
at least one heel light and one toe light in communication with a
battery disposed inside the shoe and, respectively, with pressure
actuated switches disposed at the heel and toe of the shoe. The
switches are in operative connection with the heel tap and toe tap
so as to complete the electrical circuit with the battery. When the
dancer taps either the heel or toe tap, the respective switch will
energize the respective light to indicate that contact has been
made. The dance instructor can determine if the student is hitting
the heel or toe tap properly and the student can better see what
steps the instructor is doing. Preferably, a buckle or hook and
loop connectors are used to secure the shoe to a foot.
Inventors: |
Randall; Jeanne; (Fresno,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RICHARD A. RYAN, ATTORNEY AT LAW
8497 N. MILLBROOK AVENUE, SUITE 104
FRESNO
CA
93720
US
|
Family ID: |
35798591 |
Appl. No.: |
11/187331 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60602093 |
Aug 16, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/8.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/0005 20130101;
A43B 3/001 20130101; A43B 5/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/008.3 |
International
Class: |
A43B 5/12 20060101
A43B005/12 |
Claims
1. An improved tap dance shoe, comprising: a shoe component having
a heel section and a toe section; a first tap on a bottom side of
said shoe component; a first visual indicator on said shoe
component, said first visual indicator electrically connected to a
source of electrical power disposed in said shoe component; and a
first pressure actuated switch disposed in said shoe component,
said first switch operatively connected to said first tap and
electrically interconnecting said first visual indicator and said
source of electrical power, said first switch configured to
energize said first visual indicator upon external contact against
said first tap.
2. The tap dance shoe according to claim 1, wherein said first tap
is positioned at said heel section, and said tap dance shoe further
comprises a second tap positioned on said bottom side of said shoe
component at said toe section, said second tap operatively
connected to a second pressure actuated switch, said second switch
electrically interconnecting said source of electrical power with a
second visual indicator disposed on said shoe component, said
second switch configured to energize said second visual indicator
upon external contact against said second tap.
3. The tap, dance shoe according to claim 2, wherein said first
visual indicator is at said heel section and said second visual
indicator is at said toe section.
4. The tap dance shoe according to claim 3, wherein each of said
first visual indicator and said second visual indicator is a
light.
5. The tap dance shoe according to claim 3, wherein at least one of
said first visual indicator and said second visual indicator is
disposed in a design element on said shoe component.
6. The tap dance shoe according to claim 3, wherein each of said
first switch and said second switch comprises a piezoelectric
element.
7. The tap dance shoe according to claim 6, wherein each of said
first visual indicator and said second visual indicator is a light,
at least one of said first visual indicator and said second visual
indicator disposed in a design element on said shoe component.
8. The tap dance shoe according to claim 1, wherein said first
visual indicator is a light.
9. The tap dance shoe according to claim 1, wherein said first
switch comprises a piezoelectric element.
10. The tap dance shoe according to claim 1, wherein said first
visual indicator is disposed in a design element on said shoe
component.
11. The tap dance shoe according to claim 1 further comprising a
strap element having one or more hook and loop connectors
configured to secure said tap dance shoe to a foot.
12. The tap dance shoe according to claim 1 further comprising a
buckle to secure said tap dance shoe to a foot.
13. An improved tap dance shoe, comprising: a shoe component having
a heel section and a toe section; a first tap on a bottom side of
said shoe component at said heel section; a first light on said
shoe component, said first light electrically connected to a source
of electrical power disposed in said shoe component; a first
pressure actuated switch disposed in said shoe component, said
first switch operatively connected to said first tap and
electrically interconnecting said first light and said source of
electrical power, said first switch configured to energize said
first light upon external contact against said first tap; a second
tap on said bottom side of said shoe component at said toe section;
a second light on said shoe component, said second light
electrically connected to a source of electrical power disposed in
said shoe component; and a second pressure actuated switch disposed
in said shoe component, said second switch operatively connected to
said second tap and electrically interconnecting said second light
and said source of electrical power, said second switch configured
to energize said second light upon external contact against said
second tap.
14. The tap dance shoe according to claim 13, wherein said first
light is at said heel section and said second light is at said toe
section.
15. The tap dance shoe according to claim 13, wherein at least one
of said first light and said second light is disposed in a design
element on said shoe component.
16. A method of teaching tap dancing, comprising the steps of: a.
demonstrating a dance step by an instructor wearing a first pair of
tap dance shoes, each tap dance shoe of said first pair of tap
dance shoes having a shoe component with one or more taps on a
bottom side of said shoe component; b. viewing said dance step by a
student desiring to learn said dance step; c. performing said dance
step by said student wearing a second pair of tap dance shoes, each
tap dance shoe of said second pair of tap dance shoes having a shoe
component with one or more taps on the bottom side thereof; and d.
viewing said dance step by said instructor as performed by said
student for compliance with said demonstrating step, wherein at
least one of said first pair of tap dance shoes and said second
pair of tap dance shoes comprises one or more visual indicators
disposed on a section of said shoe component, a source of
electrical power electrically connected to said visual indicators
and a pressure switch operatively interconnecting one of said one
or more taps with one of said one or more visual indicators, said
pressure switch configured to energize one of said one or more
visual indicators when external contact is made against one of said
one or more taps.
17. The method of teaching tap dancing according to claim 16,
wherein each of said first pair of tap dance shoes and said second
pair of tap dance shoes has one or more of said visual
indicators.
18. The method of teaching tap dancing according to claim 17,
wherein each of said first pair of tap dance shoes and said second
pair of tap dance shoes has two or more taps and two or more visual
indicators, each of said taps operatively connected to one of said
two or more visual indicators and to said pressure switch so as to
indicate contact with one of said two or more taps by energizing
one of said two or more visual indicators.
19. The method of teaching tap dancing according to claim 16,
wherein at least one of said one or more visual indicators is in a
design element on said shoe component.
20. The method of teaching tap dancing according to claim 16,
wherein each of said one or more visual indicators is a light.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/602,093 filed Aug. 16, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A. Field of the Invention
[0003] The field of the present invention relates generally to
shoes that are specially configured for use in artistic and other
presentations, such as dance, and methods of teaching such
presentations. More particularly, this invention relates to such
shoes that are specially configured for tap dancing and methods of
teaching students how to tap dance. Even more particularly, the
present invention relates to such shoes that are configured with
one or more indicator lights that light up when the shoes are
properly utilized and to methods of teaching dance with such
shoes.
[0004] B. Background
[0005] As is well known, dancing is a very popular entertainment
and art form that requires the dancers to learn the various steps
of the particular style of dance. One such popular style of dancing
is tap dancing. Like most other styles of dancing, tap dancing has
a vast series of recognized moves or steps that the dancer uses and
mixes to create his or her own dance routine or which another
person, such as a choreographer, mixes to create a dance routine
for the dancer. These dance steps vary from some of the more basic
moves, such as the shuffle, flaps and cramp roll, to the more
intermediate moves, such as the paddle rolls, trills and walking
step, to the advanced moves, such as the boogie step, chug, retro
step and slides. Most of these, as well as other, dance moves
require specific movement of the dancer's body, particularly his or
her legs and feet. Like most other styles of dance, dancers
typically spend many years learning and trying to perfect the
various moves and steps that make up a tap dancer's "catalog" of
dance moves. More advanced dancers utilize the knowledge they have
gained from developed tap dance moves to create their own
moves.
[0006] Tap dancing differs in at least one very important aspect
from most other forms of dancing, namely that a principal object of
tap dancing is to create sound with the action of the dancer's shoe
against the dance floor as the dancer creates the visual aspect of
the performance. In fact, tap dancing has been compared to musical
sound, where the dancer utilizes his or her shoes as the instrument
to create the sound against the dance floor. Like a drummer's drum
sticks or a guitar player's guitar strings, the tap dance shoes a
dancers utilizes and how he or she utilizes the shoes are a very
important aspect of the way the dancer creates the "music" of tap
dancing. As well known in the field of tap dancing, how hard and
fast and where on the shoe the tap dancer hits his or her shoes
against the dance floor affects the type and intensity of sound
created by the dancer's movement.
[0007] Although there are many types of tap dance shoes currently
available, they all typically share the same general configuration,
that being a shoe portion worn on the dancer's foot and a pair of
taps on the bottom side of the shoe, one positioned at or near the
toe section of the shoe and one at or near the heel section of the
shoe. Typically, but not exclusively, the taps are metal plates
that are attached to the bottom of the shoe with screws, rivets,
adhesives or other types of connectors. One common type of taps
used for tap dance shoes is commonly known as Teletone taps. As the
dancer positions his or her foot to cause the toe or heel tap to
hit the dance floor in different motions, different tapping sounds
are produced to obtain the desired effect.
[0008] Teaching tap dancing, like most dancing instruction, usually
involves instructing a dancer or group of dancers (or would-be
dancers as the case may be) how to move their feet to obtain the
desired toe or heel contact with the dance floor. Typically, the
tap dance instructor instructs the student or students on the
desired dance and tap action and then watch and listen for the
student(s) to perform the dance step properly. As anyone who has
seen or heard tap dancing will recognize, the motion of the foot is
typically intended to be very rapid, which makes the dance
instructor's task somewhat difficult. While a very experienced
dance instructor may only need to hear what the student did to know
if he or she performed the step correctly and what they did wrong
if they did not perform the step correctly, seeing the student's
foot action is usually required to fully evaluate the student's
ability to perform the desired step. The problems with evaluating a
tap dance student's dancing is somewhat compounded when the
instructor is teaching a group of students at the same time, which
is the typical manner for at least the beginner and intermediate
students. In the group setting, the dance instructor attempts to
hear and watch what the students are doing, often while doing it as
a group, so the instructor may correct any missteps or improper
toe/heel placement. As such, the ability to accurately and quickly
see the student's foot action is a major limitation of the
presently available tap dance shoes and tap dance instruction
methods.
[0009] In addition, to watching the student's foot movements, the
dance instructor typically demonstrates the various dance steps he
or she desires the students to follow and repeat. One difficultly
with teaching tap dancing is that most of the dance steps require
rapid movement of the foot, which can be quite difficult to watch
and grasp, particularly for the new or novice dance student. While
the instructor can slow the dance step down for instructional
purposes to demonstrate each element and nuance of the dance step,
there is still the need to be able to demonstrate the combined,
rapid foot movements that make up a typical dance routine. As
stated above, the added aspect of obtaining the correct touch for
the heel and/or toe tap against the floor is one aspect of tap
dancing that makes it somewhat more difficult to learn and perform
than non-tap dance steps. Besides having to teach the foot and body
movements that make up a tap dance routine, which is similar to
other types of dance, the tap dance instructor must also teach the
student proper heel and toe tap selection and how much impact is
required to accomplish the sound desired for the particular dance
routine. Presently, there is no effective visual guide to assist
the tap dance instructor with showing the student the proper heel
and toe placement.
[0010] Shoes having visual and/or audible components, such as
lights or bells, incorporated with the shoe are well known.
Generally, the shoes have lights or sound generating mechanisms
that produce flashing lights or play a tune of some sort while the
wearer is wearing the shoe. Some of the prior art shoes have
mechanisms that are responsive to contact pressure by the wearer
against the floor or other surface. A number of such shoes and shoe
devices are the subject of previously issued patents. For instance,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,253 to McCormick describes a shoe provided with
a removable heel that has a battery disposed inside and a light
source providing illumination that is visible on the exterior of
the heel. U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,479 to Wong describes a light
flashing system for shoes that is configured to generate a pattern
of illumination for a plurality of lights on the shoe in response
to changes in inertial forces caused by movement of the shoe. U.S.
Pat. No. 5,692,324 to Goldston, et al. describes an athletic shoe
plug-in light module that has a battery and a light emitting device
for insertion into a receptacle in the sole of the athletic shoe.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,080 to Van Staden describes a musical shoe
having a plurality of piezoelectric sensor disks around the
periphery of the heel and toe section of the shoe that are each
connected to a oscillator circuit so as to produce distinctive
musical sounds when an external force is applied to that area of
the shoe. U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,300 to Kianka describes a shoe having
a speaker operatively connected to a plurality of piezoelectric
transducers that are used to produce sound when sufficient flexing
or contact occurs. In one embodiment, a sound synthesizer circuit
is provided to produce a variety of different sounds.
[0011] While the foregoing and other known prior art generally
describe shoes and shoe devices that are capable of illuminating
one or more lights on the shoe or generating sound from the shoe as
a result of contact with the ground or other surface, nothing in
the prior art utilizes such technology with tap dance shoes or for
teaching tap dancing. What is needed, therefore, is an improved tap
dance shoe and method of teaching tap dance that solves the
problems and provides the benefits described above. The preferred
improved tap dance shoe should be configured to provide the
instructor with a illuminated visual indicator of the dance
student's toe and heel placement against the dance floor. Such a
visual indicator would be an improvement over merely trying to
watch the movement of the dancer's feet and in would be in addition
to the presently available audible method of determining proper toe
and heel placement. The preferred tap dance shoe would allow the
instructor to quickly and determinatively see whether the dance
student is properly placing the heel or toe of his or her shoe
against the floor and substantially assist the student with
following the dance steps being taught by the instructor. The
preferred tap dance shoe should also be both economical to
manufacture and not require any different or special movement on
the user's part.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The tap dance shoe and method of teaching tap dance of the
present invention provides the benefits and solves the problems
identified above. That is to say, the present invention discloses
an improved tap dance shoe that provides one or more visual
indicators which indicate when the wearer is properly placing the
heel or toe of his or her foot against the dance floor. The present
invention is configured so as to be generally economical and to be
worn as a regular tap dance shoe so as to not interfere with the
dancer's normal dance movement. The improved tap dance shoe allows
the tap dance instructor to better determine whether the student is
placing the proper part of the shoe against the floor so as to
improve tap dance instruction and substantially assists the student
with following the instructor's dance steps. In addition to its use
for tap dance instruction, the tap dance shoe of the present
invention provides a visual element to a tap dance presentation
which adds to the tapping sound of the normal dance shoe.
[0013] In one general aspect of the present invention, the improved
tap dance shoe of the present invention is configured similar to
presently available tap dance shoes except that it comprises a
visual indicator on the shoe which is in electrical communication
with a battery disposed in the shoe and with a pressure actuated
switch mechanism, which is also operatively connected to the heel
or toe tap of the tap dance shoe. In the preferred embodiment of
the present invention, both the heel tap and the toe tap have a
visual indicator and a pressure actuated switch that are associated
with the taps so as to indicate external contact with the taps,
such as what occurs when the dancer taps his or her taps against
the floor. The heel tap and heel switch are in electrical
communication with a heel visual indicator and the toe tap and toe
switch are in electrical communication with a toe visual indicator.
Various types of switch mechanisms can be utilized to complete the
electrical circuit between the battery and the visual indicator
when the respective heel or toe tap contacts the floor. In the
preferred embodiment, the visual indicator is a light, such as a
light emitting diode or other light source, and the heel light is
located at or near the heel and the toe light is located at or near
the toe section of the tap dance shoe. Either or both the heel
light and the toe light can be incorporated into a design element,
such as a flower or like design, that is attached to the shoe.
Instead of the typical string ties used with current tap dance
shoes, the improved tap dance shoe can utilize a buckle mechanism
or a hook and loop mechanism to secure the tap dance shoe to the
dancer's foot.
[0014] The improved method of teaching tap dancing utilizes the
improved tap dance shoe described above. In the preferred
embodiment, both the instructor and the student are wearing the
improved tap dance shoes so that the student can watch the
instructor as he or she demonstrates the dance move the student
desires to learn. Instead of just watching the movement of the
instructor's feet to see the contact of the taps, which can be very
fast, the student can see the visual indicators lighting up to
indicate contact with the heel or toe tap. After the instructor
demonstrates the dance step, the student can attempt to perform the
same step. With the improved tap dance shoes of the present
invention on the student, the instructor can more easily see if he
or she is performing the correct sequence of taps to achieve the
desired dance step. As with the student, the instructor will not
have to rely on just the sound of the taps or the movement of the
feet. The visual indicators, preferably lights, will more quickly
and easily show if the student is properly tapping the heel or toe
tap.
[0015] Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention
is to provide an improved tap dance shoe and method of teaching tap
dance that provides the advantages discussed above and overcomes
the disadvantages and limitations which are associated with
presently available tap dance shoes and tap dance instruction.
[0016] An important objective of the present invention is to
provide an improved tap dance shoe that visually indicates whether
the heel or the toe of the tap dance shoe has been properly placed
against the floor.
[0017] It is also an important objective of the present invention
to provide an improved tap dance shoe that can be worn and used as
a standard tap dance shoe.
[0018] It is also an important objective of the present invention
to provide an improved tap dance shoe that adds a visual element to
the standard tap dance presentation.
[0019] It is also an important objective of the present invention
to provide an improved tap dance shoe that can visually indicate to
a tap dance instructor whether the student has properly placed the
desired part of the dance shoe against the dance floor.
[0020] It is also an important objective of the present invention
provide an improved tap dance shoe that can be worn by a tap dance
instructor to assist a tap dance student with following the steps
being taught by the instructor.
[0021] It is also an important objective of the present invention
to provide an improved method of teaching tap dance that utilizes
tap dance shoes having one or more visual indicators thereon to
indicate the placement of the heel or toe section of the shoe
against the floor which are worn by the instructor to teach the
desired dance steps and/or the student to show mastering of the
dance steps.
[0022] The above and other objectives of the present invention will
be explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures
and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As
set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel
features of form, construction, mode of operation and combination
of processes presently described and understood by the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments
and the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the
present invention:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a tap dance shoe
configured according to the attributes of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention showing the heel and toe taps mounted on the
bottom of the shoe;
[0025] FIG. 2 is an bottom view of the tap dance shoe of FIG. 1
showing sensor elements as a mechanism for determining contact with
the dance floor;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a side view of the improved tap dance shoe of FIG.
1 showing the indicator lights mounted thereon;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the improved tap dance
shoe utilizing a lighted sole portion at the toe and heel thereof
and a design element on the top of the toe section of the shoe;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a top view of an improved tap dance shoe utilizing
two design elements with the heel and toe visual indicators
included therewith and a single hook and loop strap to secure the
shoe to the wearer's foot;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a top view of an improved tap dance shoe similar
to that shown in FIG. 5 except with two hook and loop strap
elements; and
[0030] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of an improved tap dance
shoe utilizing a single hook and loop strap shown secured to a
wearer's foot.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] With reference to the figures where like elements have been
given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader's
understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiments
of the present invention are set forth below. The enclosed figures
and drawings are merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments
and represent several different ways of configuring the present
invention. Although specific components, materials, configurations
and uses are illustrated, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that a number of variations to the components and to the
configuration of those components described herein and in the
accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and
function of the invention set forth herein.
[0032] An improved tap dance shoe that is manufactured out of the
components and configured pursuant to the present invention is
shown generally as 10 in the figures. As shown in FIG. 1, tap dance
shoe 10 generally comprises a shoe component 12 that fits over the
dancer's foot and which has a heel section 14 and a toe section 16
corresponding to the dancer's heel and toes. Mounted on the bottom
side 18 of shoe 12 is a first or heel tap 20, mounted generally at
heel section 14, and a second or toe tap 22, mounted generally at
toe section 16. Typically, heel tap 20 and toe tap 22 are fixedly
mounted to the bottom side of shoe component 12. As known to those
skilled in the art, heel tap 20 and toe tap 22 can be made out of
metal or other materials which are suitable for producing the
tapping sound desired by the tap dancer. As also known to those
skilled in the art, shoe component 12 can be made out of leather or
a variety of other "shoe" materials and provided in any of a
variety of different configurations and styles suitable or desired
for tap dancing (i.e., Mary Jane's, men's dress shoes, etc.). In
one configuration, the improved tap dance shoe 10 of the present
invention is incorporated into a economy-type tap dance shoe that
is particularly suitable for the beginner or novice dance. However,
the improved tap dance shoe 10 of the present invention is not so
limited, as it can be used by any student taking tap dance lessons
from an instructor or utilized during a dance performance to add an
additional visual element to the dance.
[0033] To allow the dance instructor or others to visualize the
movement of the dancer's foot (shown as 23 in FIG. 7) against the
dance floor, tap dance shoe 10 of the present invention includes
pressure actuated switches 24 and 26 in shoe component 12 that are
operatively, but separately, connected to heel tap 20 and toe tap
22 to electrically interconnect a control unit 28 (if desired) and
a source of electrical power, such as battery 30 with the first or
heel visual indicator 32 and the second or toe visual indicator 34.
As set forth in more detail below, the pressure actuated switches
24 and 26 are configured to be operatively connected to heel tap 20
and toe tap 22 such that when contact is made against heel tap 20
or toe tap 22 the switches 24 and 26, respectively, energize visual
indicators 32 and 34, respectively. In that manner, when the wearer
of tap dance shoe 10 applies pressure to heel tap 20 (i.e., when
tapping), switch 24 will complete the electrical circuit between
battery 30 and heel visual indicator 32 to energize heel visual
indicator 32. Likewise, when the wearer applies pressure to toe tap
22, switch 26 will complete the electrical circuit between battery
30 and toe visual indicator 34 to energize toe visual indicator 34.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 and 7, heel visual
indicator 32 is positioned at or near heel section 14 and toe
visual indicator 34 is positioned at or near toe section 16 of shoe
component 12. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, both heel
visual indicator 32 and toe visual indicator 34 are positioned at
or near toe section 16 so that the instructor can visualize both
heel 32 and toe 34 visual indicators from the front of the student.
As known by those familiar with tap dancing, contact against heel
20 or toe 22 tap will generally occur when the dancer displaces the
respective tap against the floor while performing a dance step,
such as those described above.
[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure actuated switches 24
and 26 can comprise one or more piezoelectric sensor elements, such
as those shown in FIG. 2 (shown as dashed lines disposed below heel
tap 20 and toe tap 22), at the heel section 14 and toe section 16
of tap dance shoe 10. As known to those skilled in the art, one or
more wires, cables or other electrical connection mechanisms can
interconnect piezoelectric sensor elements 24 and 26 with a control
unit 28 (shown in FIG. 3) that is connected to battery 30. As known
in the art, piezoelectric sensor elements 24 and 26 are capable of
transmitting an electric signal in response to the application of
an external force, such as from tapping heel tap 20 or toe tap 22
of shoe 10 against the floor. Examples of such sensor elements 24
and 26 are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,080 to Van Staden and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,300 to Kianka (the disclosure of these patents
are incorporated herein by this reference). As may be desired
depending on the positions of contact which are desired to be
monitored, more than one such piezoelectric sensor elements 24 and
26 may be used at the heel section 14 and toe section 16 of shoe
10. Control unit 28 and battery 30 can be disposed in a
hollowed-out cavity of heel section 14 of shoe 10. In one
configuration, battery 30 can be inside a removable plug-in module,
as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,324 to Goldston (the
disclosure of which is incorporated in by this reference) so that
the user may replace battery 30 as needed. If desired, the control
unit 28 and battery 30 can be included as a single, removable
assembly that is disposed in a cavity located inside heel section
14 of shoe 10.
[0035] Control unit 28 is configured with appropriate circuitry
such that when pressure is applied to the pressure actuated switch,
such as piezoelectric sensor elements 24 and 26, an electric signal
is sent to visual indicators, such as heel light 32 and toe light
34, to indicate that the subject portion of tap dance shoe 10 was
hit against the floor. If more than one sensor element 24 and 26 is
used at heel section 14 and/or toe section 16, then more than one
indicator light may be used to indicate pressure applied to these
points. As shown in FIG. 3, heel light 32 may be generally located
near heel section 14 of shoe 10 and toe light 34 may be generally
located near toe section 16. In an alternative embodiment, heel
light 32 and toe light 34 are positioned together at heel section
14 and/or toe section 16 (the latter of which is shown in FIGS. 5
and 6) so that the instructor may view contact with both heel tap
20 and toe tap 22 at the same time. In this type of configuration,
it will be generally preferable to utilize different colored lights
for contact with heel tap 20 and toe tap 22 so the instructor can
easily tell the two apart. Use of different colored lights will
also generally be required when more than one position under heel
tap 20 and/or toe tap 22 are monitored. As known to those skilled
in the art, lights 32 and 34 may be light emitting diodes (LEDs),
or other low energy use and low heat generating lights, that are
mounted so as to be visible on the outer surface of shoe 12. An
example of components suitable for use with tap dance shoe 10 of
the present invention are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,479 to Wong,
the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference.
As set forth in the Kianka and Wong patents, tap dance shoe 10 may
include a switching mechanism and a variable threshold circuit that
provides power to heel light 32 and toe light 34 in a manner that
reflects the amount of pressure applied to heel tap 20 or toe tap
22. In this configuration, heel light 32 and toe light 34 would
have a variable light intensity that would reflect the amount of
pressure applied to heel tap 20 or toe tap 22 so the instructor can
determine whether the student is applying the proper or desired
amount of pressure.
[0036] As also known to those skilled in the art, as set forth in
the Goldston, et al. patent referenced above, first actuated switch
24 and/or second actuated switch 26 can comprise a electrical
contact element (not shown) that is generally positioned in spaced
apart but near abutting relationship with battery 30, for instance
positioned just below battery 30, such that when contact is made
against heel tap 20 or toe tap 22 the electrical contact element of
switch 24 or 26 will contact battery 30 in a manner that completes
the electrical circuit between battery 30 and heel visual indicator
32 or toe visual indicator 32, as appropriate. Alternatively, a
pair of opposing electrical contact elements may be disposed in
adjacent, but spaced apart relationship to each other such that
when the wearer makes contact against heel tap 20 or toe tap 22 the
two electrical contact elements contact each other and complete the
electrical circuit to energize heel 32 or toe visual indicator (as
appropriate). In either configuration, it is likely that control
unit 28 will not be needed.
[0037] With the tap dance shoe 10 of the present invention, the
dance instructor would demonstrate a particular dance move to the
student that he or she is trying to teach the student while the
student views the instructor's dance step. The student would then
perform the same dance step while the instructor viewed the
student's attempts to mimic the instructor. While the instructor is
watching, the student's performance of the dance steps will cause
the heel 20 and/or toe 22 lights to light up. When pressure is
applied to heel tap 14 or toe tap 16, the associated heel switch 24
or toe switch 26, such as the piezoelectric sensor elements
described above, would sense the pressure and cause control unit 28
to send a signal to light up the appropriate indicator light, such
as heel light 32 or toe light 34. Instead of just relying on sound,
the instructor would receive an immediate visual indication of
whether the student tapped the proper part of the tap dance shoe 10
against the dance floor. With the variable intensity system in
place, the instructor could also visually determine whether the
dance was applying the proper amount of pressure to the heel tap 20
or toe tap 22. To improve the ability of the instructor to transfer
the dance step instruction to the student, particularly with new or
novice dancers, it will be generally advisable for the instructor
to have a pair of tap dance shoes 10 incorporating the concepts of
the present invention. In this manner, when the instructor is
demonstrating the dance steps the student desires to learn, the
student will have the advantage of seeing heel visual indicator 32
and/or toe visual indicator 34 light up as the instructor
demonstrates the dance steps. The visual indicators 32 and 34,
preferably lights, will emphasize to the student whether he or she
should be contacting heel tap 20, toe tap 22 or neither against the
floor while performing the various aspects of a dance step.
[0038] Further improved tap dance shoes 10 are shown in FIGS. 4
through 7. In general, the shoes 10 shown in these figures function
as described above, with the improvements described herein. Current
tap dance shoes utilize strings, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3,
that are tied to secure the tap dance shoe 10 to foot 23. As known
to those who tap dance or teach tap dancing, the strings tend to
come untied, requiring the instruction to stop and the shoes to be
retied. To eliminate this problem, the tap dance shoe 10 of FIG. 4,
utilizes a buckle element 36 to better secure shoe 10 to the
wearer's foot 23 and has a sole light 38 that is located at or
along the bottom 18 (i.e., the sole) near the toe section 16 of
shoe 10. In FIG. 4, sole light 38 is shown along the toe section 16
of shoe 10. As those skilled in the art will know, sole light 38
can be placed elsewhere along shoe 10 and accomplish the same
benefits. The shoe 10 of FIG. 4 also shows toe light 34
incorporated into a design element 40, shown as a star, at toe
section 16. Toe light 34 or heel light 32 can be incorporated into
various types of design elements 40, which are provided for
aesthetic purposes, to accomplish the objectives of the present
invention. The tap dance shoe 10 of FIG. 5 utilizes two design
elements 40, shown as flowers, also at toe section 16 of shoe 10.
To eliminate the untied problem with using ties, but to maintain
the ease of on/off of tap dance shoe 10, the tap dance shoe 10 of
FIG. 5 utilizes a single strap member 42 having a pair of
appropriately configured and positioned hook and loop strips 44
(i.e., VELCRO) and a strap loop 46 to better secure shoe 10 to the
wearer's foot 23. The tap dance shoe of FIG. 6 utilizes a pair of
strap members 42 and strap loops 46 to provide the desired securing
mechanism and aesthetic appeal.
[0039] The features of the present invention are shown and
described in conjunction with a tap dance shoe 10 and, to a primary
extent, with regard to teaching tap dancing. As known to those
skilled in the art, the components and features of the present
invention can also be utilized, in modified fashion, with roller
blades, incline skates, roller skates, skate boards, scooters and
the like. These and other such products can also benefit by
incorporating the lighting mechanisms and features of the present
invention into the products such that when certain movement or
action is taken, one or more lights light up. As with the tap dance
shoe, this feature can be used for both aesthetic and teaching
purposes. In addition, the features of the tap dance shoe 10
described herein can be utilized for performance purposes as well
as instructional purposes. For instance, a dancer could perform a
tap dance routine in low or no light using the features of the
present invention to provide a visual display of his or her
dance.
[0040] While there are shown and described herein certain specific
alternative forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but
is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in
design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present
invention is subject to modification with regard to the dimensional
relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly,
materials, size, shape, and use. For instance, there are numerous
components described herein that can be replaced with equivalent
functioning components to accomplish the objectives of the present
invention.
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