A device for protecting footwear includes a base with length less than a length of the sole of the footwear to be protected and a width greater than a width of the sole. The base has a top surface for placement adjacent the sole of the footwear and a bottom surface for abutting against a foot-driven tool. A right sidewall extends upward from the right side of the base, and a left sidewall extends upward from the left side of the base. A strap is attached to the right sidewall and the left sidewall for looping around the footwear to hold the top surface of the base adjacent the sole of the footwear. In this way, a user can impact the foot-driven tool with the device instead of the sole of the footwear thereby protecting the sole against damage, and the sidewalls prevent the device laterally sliding off the sole.

A device for protecting footwear includes a base with length less than a length of the sole of the footwear to be protected and a width greater than a width of the sole. The base has a top surface for placement adjacent the sole of the footwear and a bottom surface for abutting against a foot-driven tool. A right sidewall extends upward from the right side of the base, and a left sidewall extends upward from the left side of the base. A strap is attached to the right sidewall and the left sidewall for looping around the footwear to hold the top surface of the base adjacent the sole of the footwear. In this way, a user can impact the foot-driven tool with the device instead of the sole of the footwear thereby protecting the sole against damage, and the sidewalls prevent the device laterally sliding off the sole.

Examples of the disclosure are directed to a tap apparatus for attachment to a tap shoe. In some examples, the tap apparatus can include an upper tap portion that can be attached to the tap shoe, and a lower tap portion that covers and protects the fasteners used to attach the upper tap portion to the tap shoe. In some examples, the lower tap portion may slide onto the upper tap portion using a dovetail-like attachment mechanism. Screws or locking tabs may then be used to hold the lower tap portion in place. In some examples, the lower tap portion may be affixed to the upper tap portion using a threaded fastener, plug, or floating screw. In some examples, a tab in the upper tap portion can be retained in an aperture in the tap portion, and the lower tap portion can be pivotably engaged with the upper tap portion.

Examples of the disclosure are directed to a tap apparatus for attachment to a tap shoe. In some examples, the tap apparatus can include an upper tap portion that can be attached to the tap shoe, and a lower tap portion that covers and protects the fasteners used to attach the upper tap portion to the tap shoe. In some examples, the lower tap portion may slide onto the upper tap portion using a dovetail-like attachment mechanism. Screws or locking tabs may then be used to hold the lower tap portion in place. In some examples, the lower tap portion may be affixed to the upper tap portion using a threaded fastener, plug, or floating screw. In some examples, a tab in the upper tap portion can be retained in an aperture in the tap portion, and the lower tap portion can be pivotably engaged with the upper tap portion.

Examples of the disclosure are directed to a tap apparatus for attachment to a tap shoe. In some examples, the tap apparatus can include an upper tap portion that can be attached to the tap shoe, and a lower tap portion that covers and protects the fasteners used to attach the upper tap portion to the tap shoe. In some examples, the lower tap portion may slide onto the upper tap portion using a dovetail-like attachment mechanism. Screws or locking tabs may then be used to hold the lower tap portion in place. In some examples, the lower tap portion may be affixed to the upper tap portion using a threaded fastener, plug, or floating screw. In some examples, a tab in the upper tap portion can be retained in an aperture in the tap portion, and the lower tap portion can be pivotably engaged with the upper tap portion.

There is disclosed a shoelace protector for footwear formed by a plurality of plates arranged along a longitudinal axis. In use, the protector is connected with the laces of a shoe and extends along the laced portion of the shoe from a proximal end to a distal end of the laced portion. One or more linkages connect adjoining pairs of the plurality of plates. One or more proximal connectors are provided on the proximal edge of the proximal-most plate of the plurality of plates to connect the proximal end of the protector with an upper end of a laced portion of the shoe. One or more distal connectors are provided at or near the distal edge of the distal most plate to connect the protector with a lower end of the laced portion of the shoe.

There is disclosed a shoelace protector for footwear formed by a plurality of plates arranged along a longitudinal axis. In use, the protector is connected with the laces of a shoe and extends along the laced portion of the shoe from a proximal end to a distal end of the laced portion. One or more linkages connect adjoining pairs of the plurality of plates. One or more proximal connectors are provided on the proximal edge of the proximal-most plate of the plurality of plates to connect the proximal end of the protector with an upper end of a laced portion of the shoe. One or more distal connectors are provided at or near the distal edge of the distal most plate to connect the protector with a lower end of the laced portion of the shoe.