U.S. patent application number 14/043231 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-02 for shoe sole and interchangeable heel.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ballet Makers, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Ballet Makers, Inc.. Invention is credited to Chang-Yen Tsai.
Application Number | 20150089833 14/043231 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52738695 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150089833 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsai; Chang-Yen |
April 2, 2015 |
SHOE SOLE AND INTERCHANGEABLE HEEL
Abstract
A shoe sole and heel assembly includes a sole, an
interchangeable heel removably connected with the sole, and at
least one locking device for fixing the heel to the sole. The sole
includes a wall extending from the heel area of the lower surface
of the sole to define a cavity. The inner surface of the wall
contains a channel. The heel includes a track extending from the
side and rear portions of the heel. The heel is arranged adjacent
to the sole with the heel track entering the sole channel. As the
heel is displaced rearwardly, the track enters the channel of the
sole and prevents vertical and lateral movement of the heel
relative to the sole. A latch on the lower surface of the sole
engages a notch on the upper surface of the heel to prevent
longitudinal displacement of the heel. The sole and heel contain
aligned threaded openings for receiving screws to secure the heel
to the sole.
Inventors: |
Tsai; Chang-Yen; (Lincoln
Park, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ballet Makers, Inc. |
Totowa |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ballet Makers, Inc.
Totowa
NJ
|
Family ID: |
52738695 |
Appl. No.: |
14/043231 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/24.5 ;
36/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 21/04 20130101;
A43B 21/06 20130101; A43B 21/20 20130101; A43B 21/36 20130101; A43B
21/42 20130101; A43B 13/37 20130101; A43B 21/03 20130101; A43B
21/025 20130101; A43B 5/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/24.5 ;
36/42 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/37 20060101
A43B013/37; A43B 5/12 20060101 A43B005/12; A43B 21/36 20060101
A43B021/36 |
Claims
1. A shoe sole and heel assembly, comprising (a) a sole including
an upper surface, a lower surface, a toe area, a heel area, and a
wall extending from said lower surface about the perimeter of said
heel area to define a cavity in said heel area; (b) a heel for
connection with said sole, said heel having an upper surface, a
lower surface, and side walls; and (c) a connection assembly for
removably connecting said heel with said sole, said connection
assembly including i. a projection extending from one of an inner
surface of said sole cavity wall or an external surface of said
heel; ii. a channel arranged in one of an external surface of said
heel or an inner surface of said cavity wall for receiving said
track when said heel is connected with said sole; and iii. at least
one locking device for fixing said heel to said sole.
2. A shoe sole and heel assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein
said locking device includes (a) a latch connected with said lower
surface of said sole; and (b) said heel upper surface including a
notch for receiving said latch whereby when said latch engages said
notch, said heel is prevented from moving relative to said
sole.
3. A shoe sole and heel assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein
said locking device further comprises at least one screw passing
through aligned threaded openings in said heel and said sole for
further fixing said heel with said sole.
4. A shoe sole and heel assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein
said locking device includes (a) a latch connected with said lower
surface of said sole; (b) said heel upper surface including a notch
for receiving said latch whereby when said latch engages said
notch, said heel is prevented from moving relative to said sole;
and (c) at least one screw passing through aligned threaded
openings in said heel and said sole for further fixing said heel
with said sole.
5. A shoe sole and heel assembly as defined in claim 1, and further
comprising a percussive tap connected with a lower surface of said
heel.
6. A shoe sole and heel assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein
said sole comprises a split sole including (a) a toe portion; (b) a
heel portion; and (c) at least one support band connecting said
sole and heel portions.
7. A shoe sole and heel assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein
said heel is hollow.
8. A heel for removable connection with a shoe sole, said heel
comprising (a) an upper surface, a lower surface and side walls;
(b) a connection assembly for removably connecting said heel with
the shoe sole, said connection assembly includes i. a projection
extending from an external surface of said heel, whereby said
projection engages with a channel arranged on a shoe sole; and ii.
at least one locking device for fixing said heel to a shoe
sole.
9. A heel as defined in claim 8, wherein said locking device
includes a notch for receiving a latch arranged on a shoe sole.
10. A heel as defined in claim 8, wherein said locking device
includes at least one screw passing through aligned threaded
openings in said heel and a shoe sole.
11. A heel as defined in claim 8, wherein said locking device
includes (a) a notch for receiving a latch arranged on a shoe sole;
and (b) at least one screw passing through aligned threaded
openings in said heel and a shoe sole
12. A heel as defined in claim 8, wherein said heel is hollow.
13. A heel as defined in claim 8, and further comprising a
percussive tap connected with a lower surface of said heel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] In tap dancing, a dancer uses a series of percussive foot
movements and placements to create sound. The sounds generated by
the dancer depend on several variables including technique, weight
placed on the foot, force exerted through the foot, type of shoe
used, material of taps used, and other variables relating to the
shoe heel, including but not limited to heel height and density.
All of these variables can be modified in some way, technique can
be learned, and weight distribution or force can be controlled by
the dancer. The greater problem to solve lies in the shoes. While
there are many brands and styles of tap shoes, dancers either have
to buy multiple pairs of tap shoes in order to produce a variety of
sounds for performances, or they have to physically alter the shoes
to create the desired weight to sound ratio. Neither of these
options allow for the dancer to have one pair of shoes that can be
quickly and safely altered as desired.
[0002] The present invention relates to a replaceable heel and to a
three part shoe sole and heel assembly which allows a dancer to
have a single shoe and one or more interchangeable heels without
changing the dance technique or heel height or risking injury to
the dancer. Such interchangeable heels can have variations that
affect the percussive quality, the appearance of a shoe, or both.
Variations can include heel material or visual or auditory
components that would be desirable to a tap dancer. Further, by
utilizing a three part sole and heel assembly, an interchangeable
heel is secured in such a way that is it stable and does not
negatively impact a dancer's balance, body mechanics, technique, or
performance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0003] Existing taps do not offer dancers the option of sound and
weight modification to adjust or enhance a performance. Current
industry methods for adding weight to the heel of a tap shoe (to
adjust the percussive quality), as well as aftermarket
modifications made by a dancer, may produce both an immediate
safety risk as well as long term stress related injury. The current
industry preferred method of adding additional weight to a tap shoe
heel is to layer leather to achieve greater density and weight.
While this method is satisfactory, it produces two potentially
undesirable problems. First, additional layers of leather add
height to the shoe, and second, layered heel leather can
delaminate.
[0004] By changing the height of the heel to the extent necessary
to achieve the desired sound, a dancer is forced into postures that
are potentially dangerous. To compensate for the additional height,
improper technique and body mechanics are used by a dancer,
impacting both a dancer's balance and executed performance which
over extended periods can lead to injury.
[0005] Delamination of the shoe heel is a form of structural
breakdown which occurs when the many glued, or otherwise secured
layers of a heel pull apart and begin to separate at the layered
attachment points. This creates another safety issue for a dancer
as the shoe heel can literally pull apart while dancing.
Additionally, the layers of secured leather can add up to four
pounds of weight to the heel, leading to stress related injuries
from improper execution of dancing techniques.
[0006] Alternatively, the percussive effect of a tap shoe can be
altered using home-made, aftermarket methods to increase the weight
of the shoe heel. To achieve this, weight is physically added to
dance shoes. Over time and with use, such alterations threaten the
structural integrity of the shoe, leading to premature breakdown of
the shoe. Further, potential injury can result as a dancer must
adjust the technique used by overcompensating for the additional
weight, and negatively impacting the aesthetic of the performance.
Still further, if the added weight shifts during execution of
dancing technique, improper landing or completion of the technique
can result in injury.
[0007] The present invention was developed in order to overcome
these and other drawbacks of prior dance shoes and more
particularly tap shoes by providing a three part sole and
interchangeable heel assembly that includes redundancy in the event
of failure of any the component parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, it is the primary object of the invention to
provide a three part dance shoe sole and heel assembly which allows
a dancer to interchange a shoe heel, thereby allowing the dancer to
specifically control for impact and vibration without changing
dance technique, changing heel height, or risking injury to the
dancer.
[0009] The assembly includes a sole having upper and lower
surfaces, toe and heel areas and a wall extending about the
perimeter of the heel area to define a cavity in the heel area. The
assembly also includes a heel having upper and lower surfaces, side
walls and anterior and posterior portions. To connect the assembly,
a track which projects outwardly from the upper posterior portion
of the heel engages a channel arranged on the inner surface of the
cavity wall. Once the heel track is fully arranged within the sole
channel, at least one locking device fixes the heel to the sole.
Locking devices include a latch and notch assembly on the sole and
heel and one or more screws. With the heel track arranged in the
sole channel, the latch and notch assembly and the crew fasteners
then prevent the heel from moving relative to the sole, thereby
reducing the likelihood of injury to a dancer due to incorrect
execution of dancing technique or structural failure of the
shoe.
[0010] The invention also relates to an interchangeable heel. By
substituting different heels, a dancer uses a single pair of shoes,
but alters the percussive or aesthetic characteristics of the shoe
heel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0011] 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:
[0012] FIGS. 1 and 2 are top and bottom perspective views,
respectively, of the shoe sole according to the invention;
[0013] FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are top, bottom, and side plan views,
respectively, of the shoe sole of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIGS. 6 and 7 are front and rear plan views, respectively,
of the shoe sole;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the shoe sole heal area taken
along line 8-8 of FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the shoe sole toe area taken
along line 9-9 of FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the shoe sole taken along
line 10-10 of FIG. 7; and
[0018] FIGS. 11 and 12 are exploded top and bottom perspective
views, respectively, of the shoe heel and tap according to the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] With reference to FIGS. 1-10, the dance shoe sole 2
according to the invention will be described. The sole includes an
upper surface 4 for receiving an upper (not shown) of the dance
shoe. The sole 2 is constructed of any suitable material, including
but not limited to leather, suede, rubber, thermoplastic
polyurethane, synthetic plastics, or polyurethane.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the lower surface 6 of the sole 2
has a toe area 8 with which is connected a percussive tap (not
shown) and a heel area 12 including a wall 14 extending from the
lower surface 6 about the perimeter of the heel area 12 to define a
cavity 16 in the heel area. The heel area 12 also includes one or
more locking mechanisms for removably connecting a heel with the
sole. As will be developed in greater detail below, these include a
channel 18 arranged in the inner surface of the wall 14, a latch
assembly 20 and one or more threaded openings 22 for receiving one
or more screws (not shown).
[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, the removable heel 24 will
now be described. The heel 24 may be solid or hollow. According to
a preferred embodiment, the heel is hollow. The heel may be
constructed of any suitable material including but not limited to
aluminum or any other metal, wood, thermoplastic polyurethane,
acrylic, leather, suede, rubber, plexi-glass, synthetic plastics,
polyurethane, and ethylene vinyl acetate. The heel is fabricated by
molding, machining, sculpting, stacking, carving, or rapid
proto-typing or any other known method.
[0022] The heel 24 has an upper surface 26, side walls 28 and
anterior 30 and posterior portions 32. A track 34 projects
outwardly from the upper posterior portion 32 of the heel. At the
upper anterior portion 30 of the heel, a notch 36 is provided which
engages the latch 20 of the sole as will be developed below. The
heel also contains a plurality of openings 38. As best shown in
FIG. 12, a tap 40 is connected with a bottom surface of the heel
via screws 42 which pass through openings 44 in the tap and into
threaded openings 46 in the heel.
[0023] In order to connect the heel 24 with the sole 2, the
posterior position 32 of the heel is inserted into the cavity 16 in
the heel area 12 of the sole. More particularly, the heel track 34
engages the sole channel 18 to align and connect the heel with the
sole. The shoe sole and heel combination provides a center balanced
medial to lateral fit and the channel and track connection prevents
the heel from shifting vertically or laterally with respect to the
sole.
[0024] When the heel track is completely arranged in the sole
channel in the heel area of the sole, the latch 20 of the sole
engages the notch 36 of the heel. The latch 20 is preferably formed
of a rigid material such as metal or synthetic plastic which may be
deflected from its natural position. Accordingly, as the heel is
connected with the sole, the notch deflects the latch until the
notch has passed by the latch which then returns to its natural
position. The engagement of the latch 20 and notch 36 prevents
longitudinal movement of the heel relative to the sole.
[0025] With the heel locked in place, the openings in the heel 38
are aligned with the threaded openings 22 of the sole. To complete
the three part assembly of the heel 24 and sole 2, screws 48 are
inserted into the sole openings from the upper surface 4 of the
sole and into the heel openings and tightened to secure the heel to
the sole. The screw connection secures the heel to the sole and
prevents any displacement of the heel relative to the sole. In
order to disassemble the heel from the sole, the connection process
is reversed. The screws 48 are first withdrawn from the heel and
sole assembly. Next, the latch 20 is depressed so that it is
released from the notch 30 in the heel. Then the heel is slid
relative to the sole until the track 34 on the heel completely
exits the channel 18 in the sole. The heel is thus disconnected
from the sole. This allows a different heel to be substituted,
thereby providing the shoe with different percussive or aesthetic
characteristics.
[0026] While the invention has been described with reference to a
tap shoe, it has applicability to other types of dance shoes, such
as ballroom or character shoes.
[0027] While the preferred forms and embodiments have been
illustrated and described, it will become 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.
* * * * *