U.S. patent application number 13/419046 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-19 for shoe strapping system.
This patent application is currently assigned to BALLET MAKERS, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Melissa Nataadiningrat. Invention is credited to Melissa Nataadiningrat.
Application Number | 20130239436 13/419046 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49156330 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130239436 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nataadiningrat; Melissa |
September 19, 2013 |
SHOE STRAPPING SYSTEM
Abstract
A strapping system for a dance shoe includes at least one
elongated strap having first and second ends connected with the
shoe upper at opposite sides thereof. At least one strap end is
removably connected with the upper via a fastening assembly
including a fastener. A plurality of connectors is provided in
longitudinally spaced relation on the upper so that the strap
fastener may be connected with a selected connector to adjust the
strap and comfortably retain the shoe on the foot of the
wearer.
Inventors: |
Nataadiningrat; Melissa;
(Oakland, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nataadiningrat; Melissa |
Oakland |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
BALLET MAKERS, INC.
Totowa
NJ
|
Family ID: |
49156330 |
Appl. No.: |
13/419046 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/50.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 11/00 20130101;
A43C 11/006 20130101; A43C 11/24 20130101; A43C 11/08 20130101;
A43B 3/0078 20130101; A43C 11/22 20130101; A43B 5/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/50.1 |
International
Class: |
A43C 11/00 20060101
A43C011/00 |
Claims
1. A shoe strapping system, comprising (a) at least one elongated
strap having first and second ends connected with an upper of a
shoe at opposite side portions thereof; (b) a fastening assembly
for removably connecting at least one of said strap ends with the
shoe upper, said fastening assembly including (1) a plurality of
connectors arranged in spaced relation on the shoe upper; and (2) a
fastener connected with said strap adjacent to said strap one end,
said fastener being removably connected with a selected connector
to adjust the strap and comfortably retain the shoe on the foot of
the wearer.
2. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 1, wherein said
strap is formed of an elastic material.
3. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 1, wherein said
strap has an adjustable length.
4. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 1, wherein said
connectors comprise a plurality of recesses.
5. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 4, wherein said
recesses comprise through openings.
6. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 5, wherein said
fastener comprises a button which passes through one of said
through openings and is retained in the shoe upper.
7. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 4, wherein said
fastener comprises a snap which is snap fit within said recess.
8. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 1, wherein said
connectors are connected with an upper edge of the shoe upper and
are spaced longitudinally along a lateral portion of the upper.
9. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 1, wherein said
connectors comprise a plurality of loops and said fastener
comprises a hook having an end portion which passes through one of
said loops and which is retained on the shoe upper.
10. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 1, wherein a
plurality of straps is provided.
11. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 1, wherein a first
end of said strap is permanently connected with a medial side of
the shoe upper and said strap includes a fastener adjustably
connected with said strap adjacent to a second end for removably
and adjustably connecting said second end with the shoe upper.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Ballet shoes use an ankle/instep strap that is typically
made of elastic material and is attached to the shoe in a variety
of fashions. In some instances, a plurality of straps is provided
for each shoe to retain the shoe on the dancer's foot and keep it
in place during dance movements. The straps are either pre-sewn to
the shoe or are packaged with the shoe for attachment according to
the desires of the wearer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] The conventional manner for fastening an ankle strap to a
ballet shoe is by stitching the strap to the upper edges of the
shoe. Variations in the locations where the straps are connected
with the shoe and in the width and thickness of the straps present
a variety of obstacles to obtaining an optimum fit of the shoe to
the dancer's foot. Thus, a dancer must try on various shoes in
order to find the shoe with the best fit. In addition, in order to
alter the fit of the shoe, a dancer may need to detach one end of a
strap from the shoe and re-attach it in a different location to
improve the fit or accommodate growth of the foot over time.
Changing the location of the pre-attached straps may permanently
damage the shoe or the user may fasten the strap in the wrong
location which prohibits the shoe from being worn properly.
[0003] Thus, there is a need for a shoe having adjustable straps so
that the shoe can be properly fitted to the dancer's foot for
improved comfort and performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to
provide a shoe strapping system including at least one elongated
strap having a first end connected with one side portion of the
upper of a shoe and a second end connected with a side portion of
the shoe upper opposite the portion where the first strap end is
connected. Preferably, at least one of the strap ends is removably
connected with the shoe upper via a fastening assembly. The
fastening assembly includes a plurality of connectors such as
button holes arranged in spaced relation on the shoe upper and at
least one fastener connected with the strap at or adjacent to the
end of the strap. The fastener is removably connected with a
selected connector in order to adjust the strap and comfortably
retain the shoe on the foot of the wearer. The strap is preferably
formed of elastic material and is also adjustable in length.
[0005] In one embodiment, the connectors are recesses such as
through openings in the edge of the shoe upper, and the fastener is
a button which passes through one of the openings for retention in
the shoe upper. The fastener may also be a snap which is snap fit
within a recess in the shoe upper.
[0006] In an alternate embodiment, the connectors are loops or
eyelets connected with the upper and the fastener is a hook having
an end portion which passes through one of the loops for retention
on the shoe upper.
[0007] The connectors are preferably provided within an upper edge
of the shoe upper and are spaced longitudinally along at least one
upper side portion of the upper. A plurality of straps may also be
provided, with each strap being adjustably connected with the shoe
to provide a custom fit of the shoe to the wearer's foot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in
the light of the accompanying drawing, in which
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a ballet shoe
including the strapping system according to the invention;
[0010] FIGS. 2 and 3 are medial and lateral plan views,
respectively, of the ballet shoe of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIGS. 4 and 5 are top and bottom plan views, respectively,
of a ballet shoe including the strapping system according to the
invention;
[0012] FIGS. 6 and 7 are front and rear plan views, respectively,
of a ballet shoe including the strapping system according to the
invention;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the fastener for the strapping
system according to the invention; and
[0014] FIG. 9 is a detailed view illustrating an alternate fastener
for the strapping system according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, there is shown an article of
footwear such as a ballet shoe 2 having a sole 4, typically of
leather, and an upper 6 formed of a soft fabric material. The sole
can be unitary in the form of a full sole or formed in one or more
section to define a split sole. FIG. 5 shows a split sole shoe. The
upper may be formed of leather, polyurethane, soft fabric, stretch,
mesh or other fabric material. The shoe has a toe portion, a heel
portion, and an arch portion between the toe and heel portions. An
opening 8 in the top of the shoe upper is provided to receive the
foot of the wearer such as a dancer. Surrounding the opening is a
stitched reinforcement lip or edge 10. A drawstring (not shown) is
preferably in included in the lip 10 of the upper.
[0016] In order to help retain the shoe on the dancer's foot, a
unique strapping system according to the invention is provided. At
least one elongated strap 12 is connected with the shoe upper. In
one embodiment, one end 12a of the strap is stitched to the upper
adjacent to the lip as shown in FIG. 1. The stitching prevents the
end 12a of the strap from being removed from the shoe. Thus, the
strap end 12a is effectively permanently connected with the shoe.
The strap may be in the form of a ribbon or other relatively broad,
flat configuration which comfortably passes over the top of the
foot as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Alternatively, the strap is formed
of an elastic material. The free end 12b of the strap includes a
fastener 14.
[0017] The portion of the shoe upper 6 opposite the portion where
the strap end 12a is stitched to the shoe contains a plurality of
recesses which are preferably through openings 16. As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3, the openings are preferably arranged in the shoe
upper just beneath the lip 10 adjacent to the opening 8 in the top
of the upper. The openings are preferably spaced longitudinally and
cooperate with the fastener 14 at or near the end of the strap to
fasten the strap to the shoe in a selected location. In this
manner, the user of the shoe can loosen or tighten a strap by
selecting the opening 16 with which the fastener is to be
connected.
[0018] It will be readily apparent that the end 12a of the strap
that is permanently connected with the shoe upper may be connected
with either side of the upper adjacent to the opening 8, with the
free end of the strap removably connected with the other side of
the upper via a fastener. Preferably, the strap is permanently
connected with the medial side of the shoe upper and removably
connected with the lateral side. In an alternate embodiment,
fasteners can be connected with both ends of the strap so that each
end is removably connected with the upper. This increases the
versatility of the strapping system and provides an optimum fit of
the shoe to the wearer's foot. In addition, while the fasteners are
preferably arranged at the ends of the straps, they may be
adjustably positioned along the strap length to further adjust the
snugness with which the strap is connected with the shoe according
to the preferences of the wearer.
[0019] While the strapping system works adequately with a single
strap, it is preferable to provide a plurality of straps 12 as
shown in FIG. 1. Each strap has one end sewn to the shoe upper and
a fastener at the free end which is connected with a recess or
opening in the opposite instep side of the upper. The straps can be
connected with the same opening 16 or with different openings as
desired by the user to provide the optimum fit, comfort and
retention properties. In a preferred embodiment, multiple straps
are provided and both ends of each strap include fasteners which
are removably connected with the shoe upper.
[0020] The fastener can take any number of forms. In the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 1-8, the fastener 14 is a button which can fit
through a selected opening 16 which is in the form of a button
hole. The button hole allows the strap button to be removably
connected with the shoe upper for adjustment. The fastener may also
take the form of a snap including a prong (not shown) which engages
a recess configured to match the configuration of the prong to
provide a snap fit connection.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 9, an alternate fastener 114 is shown.
In this embodiment, the fastener 114 is in the form of a metal or
synthetic plastic hook including an extension portion 114a which is
inserted into a loop 116 or eyelet arranged within the lip 110 of
the shoe upper. A plurality of loops is provided in spaced relation
along the upper edge of the upper. In order to improve the
appearance of the shoe, the loops are provided on the interior
surface of the shoe upper beneath the lip. Thus, the hooks and
loops are not visible from the outside of the shoe. The fasteners
114 include an opening 114b for receiving the second end 112b of
each strap 112. The length of the strap can be adjusted by
adjusting the position of the fastener opening 114b relative to the
strap.
[0022] The straps are preferably formed of an elastic material such
as nylon but may also be in the form of any taping, webbing or
suitable strapping material.
[0023] While the invention has been described for use in connection
with a ballet shoe, it may also be used in other types of dance
shoes including split sole and full sole shoes. The sole can be
formed of suede, polyurethane, leather, or synthetic rubber and the
upper can be formed of leather, canvas, or of an elastic material
such as nylon or spandex. Suitable binding materials include
elastic, cotton, and nylon. If desired, a drawstring may also be
provided in the shoe.
[0024] While the preferred forms and embodiments of the invention
have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those
of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications
may be made without deviating from the inventive concepts set forth
above.
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