DANCE SHOE WITH MOLDABLE FOOT COMPARTMENT

Abstract

A dance shoe comprising a foot compartment or portion thereof that is malleable at a temperature above a temperature of intended use, and when malleable, the shoe is hand moldable to a conformation desired by a user. The invention particularly relates to en pointe shoes for ballet and other forms of dance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a dance shoe according to the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the shoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the shoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the shoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a rear perspective view of the shoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of the shoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows the legs of a dancer wearing pointe shoes and standing en pointe.

FIG. 8 shows an enlargement of the encircled shank section 8-8 of FIG. 1, and is an example of a possible cross-section of a midfoot portion of a shoe according to the inventive subject matter.

FIGS. 9A-J show a set of steps that may be used to customize a shoe's toe box or arch, according to the inventive subject matter.

Claims

1. A dance shoe comprising a compartment for surrounding a foot, at least a portion of the compartment comprising a plurality of layers of material at least one of which is treated with a thermoset adhesive so that the portion of the compartment is malleable under heat above an intended temperature of use and hand moldable by a wearer to a shape desired by the wearer.

2. The dance shoe of claim 1 wherein the portion of the compartment is substantially rigid over a temperature range of from about 35 degrees C. to about 38 degrees C. and is malleable at a temperature in between about 40 degrees C and about 100 degrees C.

3. The dance shoe of claim 1 wherein the compartment comprises a toe box and the shoe is intended for use as an en pointe shoe.

4. The dance shoe of claim 3 wherein the portion of the compartment further comprises a shank portion for a midfoot.

5. The dance shoe of claim 1 wherein the shoe is malleable upon application of heat from a blow dryer and is settable by placement in a refrigerator.

6. A dance shoe according to claim 3 further comprising an elongate plastic element for supporting at least the arch of a wearer standing on a front portion of the toe box.

7. A dance shoe comprising a compartment for surrounding a foot, at least a portion of the compartment comprising a plurality of layers of material at least one of which is a thermoset plastic so that the portion of the compartment is malleable above an intended temperature of use heat and hand moldable by a wearer to a shape desired by a wearer.

8. A dance shoe comprising a rigid toe box for dancing en pointe, and an insole structurally coupled to the toe box, the insole comprising an elongate plastic element for supporting at least the arch of a wearer standing on a front portion of the toe box.

9. The dance shoe of claim 8 wherein the plastic comprises a thermoset plastic that is malleable above an intended temperature of use heat and hand moldable by a wearer to a shape desired by a wearer.

10. The dance shoe of claim 2 wherein the thermoset adhesive comprises polyurethane.

11. The dance shoe of claim 8 wherein the insole comprises polyethylene.

12. The dance shoe of claim 8 wherein the insole is dimensioned to reside from a forefoot portion of the shoe to across at least the arch of the shoe.

13. The insole of claim 11 wherein the width of the insole approximately mirrors the shape and width of the overlying region of the wearer's foot.

14. A method of making a dance shoe comprising providing a compartment for surrounding a foot, at least a portion of the compartment comprising a plurality of layers of material; and treating at least one of the layers with a thermoset adhesive so that the portion of the compartment is malleable above an intended temperature of use and hand moldable by a wearer to a shape desired by the wearer.

15. A method of making dance shoe comprising providing a compartment for surrounding a foot, at least a portion of the compartment comprising a plurality of layers of material at least one of which is a thermoset plastic so that the portion of the compartment is malleable above an intended temperature hand moldable by a wearer to a shape desired by a wearer.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the portion of the compartment is substantially rigid over a temperature range of from about 35 degrees C. to about 38 degrees C. and is malleable at a temperature in between about 40 degrees C. and about 100 degrees C.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the portion of the compartment is substantially rigid over a temperature range of from about 35 degrees C. to about 38 degrees C. and is malleable at a temperature in between about 40 degrees C. and about 100 degrees C.

18. A dance shoe comprising a compartment for surrounding a foot, at least a portion of the compartment comprising a plurality of layers of material at least one of which is treated with a thermoset adhesive so that the portion of the compartment is substantially rigid over a temperature range of from about 35 degrees C. to about 38 degrees C. and is malleable at a temperature in between about 40 degrees C. and about 100 degrees C. and wherein the portion of the compartment further comprises a midfoot portion for supporting at least the arch of a wearer standing on a front portion of the toe box.

19. The dance shoe of claim 18 wherein the midfoot portion is substantially rigid over a temperature range of from about 35 degrees C. to about 38 degrees C. and is malleable at a temperature in between about 40 degrees C. and about 100 degrees C.

20. The dance shoe of claim 19 wherein the shoe is adapted for use an en pointe shoe.