POINTE SHOE

Abstract

When dancing en pointe, the wearer's weight is typically supported by their toes. Pointe shoes, including a shank and a toe box, are worn to support the wearer's toes. However, the wearer's weight is mainly supported by their toes when dancing en pointe. A pointe shoe (100) is provided including a two-part fastener (110, 210) for adhering the wearer's heel and/or arch region of their foot to the shank (130) of the pointe shoe. In this way, when dancing en pointe, at least some of the wearer's weight is transferred to the toe box via the two-part fastener and the shank, such that pressure on their toes (320) is reduced.

Claims

1. A pointe shoe comprising an insole, the insole having an upper surface and a first part of a two-part fastener positioned on the upper surface; wherein the first part of the two-part fastener is positioned in a heel and/or arch region of the upper surface of the insole such that, in use, the fastener is adjacent to the heel and/or arch of a wearer's foot, the first part of the two-part fastener being releasably attachable to a second part of the two-part fastener, the second part of the two-part fastener being adhered to the wearer's foot by means of adhesive, wherein the first and second parts of the two-part fastener are co-operable, in use, to releasably adhere the insole of the pointe shoe to the wearer's heel and/or arch region, to thereby prevent the foot slipping down the shoe away from the heel region, when used en point.

2. The pointe shoe of claim 1, wherein the two-part fastener is a hook and loop fastener.

3. The pointe shoe of claim 2, wherein the first part of the two-part fastener is a hook portion of the hook and loop fastener, and the second part of the two-part fastener is a loop portion of the hook and loop fastener.

4. The pointe shoe of claim 1, wherein the two-part fastener has a fastening area of at least 1500 mm.sup.2.

5. A foot patch for use with the pointe shoe of claim 1, the foot patch for attaching to the heel and/or arch region of a wearer, the foot patch comprising the second part of the two-part fastener, wherein the foot patch is attachable, in use, to the sole of the wearer's foot.

6. The foot patch of claim 5, comprising a web.

7. The foot patch of claim 6, wherein the web comprises hypoallergenic tape.

8. The foot patch of claim 6, wherein the second part of the two-part fastener is attachable to the web.

9. The foot patch of claim 8, wherein the second part of the two-part fastener is stitched to the web.

10. The foot patch of claim 9, wherein the foot patch comprises two opposed wings arrangeable to extend up each side of the wearer's foot when attached thereto, in use.

11. The foot patch of claim 10, wherein a first of the two wings is configured to extend away from a first edge of the second part of the two-part fastener, and a second of the two wings is configured to extend away from a second edge of the second part of the two-part fastener, wherein the second edge of the two-part fastener is opposite to the first edge of the two-part fastener, and the second part of the two-part fastener is stitched to the web via two lines of stitching, wherein a first of the two lines of stitching runs substantially parallel to the first edge of the second part of the two-part fastener, and a second of the two lines of stitching runs substantially parallel to the second edge of the second part of the two-part fastener.

12. The foot patch of claim 10, wherein each wing has a curved perimeter.

13. The foot patch of claim 11, wherein each wing extends from the second part of the two-part fastener by between 20 mm and 40 mm.

14. A pointe shoe system including the pointe shoe of claim 1 and the foot patch of claim 5.

15. A method of preventing a wearer's foot from slipping relative to a pointe shoe when en pointe, the method comprising the steps of: providing a pointe shoe having an insole; providing one of a first or second part of a two-part fastener; and attaching the one of the first or second part of the two-part fastener to an upper surface of the insole.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of trimming the one of the first or second part of the two-part fastener such that a section of its perimeter substantially corresponds to a section of a perimeter of the upper surface of the insole, before attaching it to the upper surface of the insole of the pointe shoe.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of removing at least a portion of a lining material from the upper surface of the insole of the pointe shoe, before attaching the one of the first or second part of the two-part fastener to the upper surface of the insole of the pointe shoe.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: providing a foot patch comprising the other of the first or second part of the two-part fastener; attaching the foot patch to the heel and/or arch region of the wearer's foot; and releasably attaching the first and second parts of the two-part fastener together to thereby retain the location of the wearer's heel and/or arch region relative to the insole of the pointe shoe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pointe shoe including a portion of hook material;

[0039] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a first foot patch including a portion of loop material;

[0040] FIG. 3 is a view of the pointe shoe of FIG. 1 including a wearer's foot; and

[0041] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an alternative foot patch including a portion of loop material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

[0043] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. Likewise, method steps described or claimed in a particular sequence may be understood to operate in a different sequence.

[0044] Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

[0045] It is to be noticed that the term comprising, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression a device comprising means A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

[0046] Reference throughout this specification to an embodiment or an aspect means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment, in an embodiment, or in an aspect in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any one embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner with any other particular feature, structure or characteristic of another embodiment or aspect of the invention, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects.

[0047] Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0048] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0049] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

[0050] In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

[0051] The use of the term at least one may mean only one in certain circumstances. The use of the term any may mean all and/or each in certain circumstances.

[0052] The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pointe shoe 100 including a wedge-shaped toe box 120, into which the wearer's toes are placed, when worn. The pointe shoe 100 also includes a pre-arched shank 130 integral with the toe box 120. Other types of shank are contemplated. The shank 130 extends from the toe region to the heel region of the shoe. A portion of hook material 110 (of the type for connecting to a portion of loop material) is shown arranged in the heel and arch region of the shoe 100 and attached to the shank 130. It is to be understood that the portion 110 may extend only in the heel region, or only in the arch region, or in both regions. If the latter, then the portion 110 may extend across both heel and arch regions but across each region less than shown. When en pointe, the wearer of the pointe shoe 100 balances on the end 140 of the toe box 120. The pointe shoe 100 also includes a leather sole 150 attached to the shank 130. The sole 150 improves traction between the pointe shoe 100 and a floor surface. The sole 150 may be roughened by the user to increase traction between the sole 150 and the floor surface. Other components of the pointe shoe 100, such as the side quarters, binding and drawstring are not shown for clarity.

[0054] The portion of hook material 110 is adhered to the shank 130, with adhesive, in a heel and/or arch region of the shank 130. The portion of hook material 110 has a perimeter shape which substantially corresponds to the perimeter shape of the heel and/or arch region of the shank 130.

[0055] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a foot patch 200 including a portion of loop material 210 for use with the pointe shoe 100 of FIG. 1. The foot patch 200 comprises a piece of hypoallergenic tape 220, onto which the portion of loop material 210 is sewn via two parallel lines of stitching 230, 240. The two lines of stitching 230, 240 extend across a width, shown as top to bottom in FIG. 2, of the foot patch 200. The side of the tape 220 opposed to the side to which the portion of loop material 210 is sewn is self-adhesive. A removable backing paper is provided to cover the self-adhesive surface until the foot patch 200 is to be attached to a wearer's foot. The tape 220 is larger than the portion of loop material 210 in a length direction, shown as left to right in FIG. 2, and the portion of loop material 210 is positioned on the tape 220 such that the tape 220 projects out either side of the portion of loop material 210, providing two wings 250, 260. Each wing 250, 260 extends away from the portion of loop material 210 by approximately 40 mm. When the foot patch 200 is worn, the wings 250, 260 attach to the sides of the wearer's heel and/or arch region and possibly upwards towards their ankle/top of their foot. A first 230 of the two lines of stitching is positioned adjacent to a first 250 of the two wings. A second 240 of the two lines of stitching is positioned adjacent to a second 260 of the two wings. Other stitching arrangements are contemplated.

[0056] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the foot patch 200 of FIG. 2 positioned in the arch region only of a wearer's foot 300 within the pointe shoe 100 of FIG. 1.

[0057] To wear the pointe shoe 100, the wearer places their foot 300 into the pointe shoe 100 such that the sole 310 of their foot 300 is supported by the shank 130. The wearer's toes 320 are enclosed by the toe box 120. The foot patch 200 is shown attached to the wearer's sole 310 in the arch region, slightly in front of the heel 299, such that the portion of loop material 210 (the upper of the two broken lines shown in FIG. 3) is positioned in an arch region of the sole 310 of the wearer's foot 300. The first wing 250 is attached to the side of the wearer's foot. The pointe shoe 100 is sized such that the portion of hook material 110 (the lower of the two broken lines shown in FIG. 3) aligns with the portion of loop material 210 when the pointe shoe 100 is worn. The portion of hook material 110 is attached to the portion of loop material 210 such that sliding of the wearer's foot 300 relative to the shank 130 is prevented. Accordingly, when the wearer dances en pointe, such that they are balanced on the platform 140, their weight is transferred to the floor via their or arch region, the foot patch 200, the portions of hook 110 and loop 210 material, the shank 130 and the toe box 120. This reduces or eliminates the weight of the dancer being borne by their toes when dancing en pointe, leading to a reduction in pain and injury.

[0058] The portion of hook 110 material and the portion of loop material 210 may have the same length and width.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an alternative foot patch 400 including a portion of loop material 410 and four wings 450, 460, 470, 480, for use with the pointe shoe 100 of FIG. 1. Other numbers of wings are contemplated. It will be understood that the greater the number of wings provided, the greater the area of contact between the wearer's foot and the foot patch may be formed; leading to improved adherence. The foot patch 400 comprises a cross-shaped piece of hypoallergenic tape 420, onto which the portion of loop material 410 is sewn via two parallel lines of stitching 430, 440. The two lines of stitching 430, 440 extend across a width of the portion of loop material 410. The side of the tape 420 opposed to the side to which the portion of loop material 410 is sewn is self-adhesive. A removable backing paper is provided to cover the self-adhesive surface until the foot patch 400 is to be attached to a wearer's foot. The tape 420 is larger than the portion of loop material 410 in a length direction, shown as left to right in FIG. 4, and also in a height direction, shown as top to bottom in FIG. 4. The portion of loop material 410 is positioned substantially centrally on the tape 420 such that the tape 420 projects out of the four sides of the substantially square portion of loop material 410, providing the four wings 450, 460, 470, 480. Each wing 450, 460, 470, 480 extends away from the portion of loop material 410 by approximately 40 mm. When the foot patch 400 is worn, two wings 450, 460 are attached to the sides of the wearer's foot: one wing 470 attached to the wearer's sole, and the other wing 480 attached to the rear of the wearer's heel. A first 430 of the two lines of stitching is positioned adjacent to a first 450 of the two wings. A second 440 of the two lines of stitching is positioned adjacent to a second 460 of the two wings. Other stitching arrangements are contemplated.