GB2171288A - Dancing shoes - Google Patents

Abstract

A dancing shoe comprises two stiff soles spaced 1, 2 apart by a resilient member such as a spring 3. The resilient member 3 cushions the feet of the dancer on landing heavily from a jump and provides an extra upwards push for the dancer when making a jump. The upper sole 1 has a toe strap 4 and a heel strap 5, and the lower sole 2 has a toe piece 7 and a heel piece 8. A flexible skirt may be attached round the edge of the shoe to enclose the gap between the soles. The strength and number of the springs 3 may be changed, or different kinds of springs may be used in place of coil springs. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dancing shoes This invention relates to improvements in dancing shoes.

For certain kinds of dancing, especially disco dancing, the type of movements are such that it is useful for the dancer to wear shoes with particularly soft and elastic soles.

According to the present invention there is provided a shoe having first and second substantially stiff soles in spaced face to face relationship and on elastic interlayer adhering to the first and second soles.

Preferably, said elastic interlayer comprises a number of coil springs.

Preferably also, said first sole has attachment means to enable the shoe to be fixed to the foot of a user.

The attachment means may be in the form of an adjustable strap.

Aflexible skirt may be provided which is attached to the edges of both the first and second soles and encloses the space between the soles.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a dancing shoe in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional plan view of the dancing shoe of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the shoe has an upper wooden sole 1 and a lower wooden sole 2. A number of coil springs 3 are interspaced between the soles and have their upper and lower ends fixed to respective soles. The upper sole 1 is provided with a toe strap 4 and a heel strap 5 adjustable by ay of a buckle 6. The lower sole 2 has a toe piece 7 and a heel piece 8 fixed to its lower face.

To improve appearance and as a safety measure a flexible skirt may be attached round the edge of the shoe to enclose the gap between the soles. This is omitted from the drawings for clarity.

In use, a pair of the shoes are fitted to the feet of a user and held in place by the straps 4 and 5.

The resilient nature of the springs 3 means that when the shoes are used for dancing the user of the shoes will both be protected from any shock on a heavy landing and receive an extra push on making a jump.

A number of variations on the basic shoe may be made. For example the strength and number of the springs may be changed, or different kinds of springs may be used in place of the coil springs. The type of toe and heel straps used may also be varied if desired.

Further modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. A shoe having first and second substantially stiff soles in face-to-face relationship, the soles being spaced apart by a resilient member.

2. A shoe as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the resilient member is a spring.

3. A shoe as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the resilient member is a coil spring.

4. A shoe as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3, where in a plurality of resilient members are provided.

5. A shoe as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the first sole is provided with attachment means to enable the shoe to be fixed to the foot of a user.

6. A shoe as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the attachment means is in the form of an adjustable strap.

7. A shoe as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein a flexible skirt is attached to the edge of the shoe and encloses the space between the soles.

8. A shoe as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the soles are of wood.

9. A shoe substantially as herein before described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Dancing shoes This invention relates to improvements in dancing shoes. For certain kinds of dancing, especially disco dancing, the type of movements are such that it is useful for the dancer to wear shoes with particularly soft and elastic soles. According to the present invention there is provided a shoe having first and second substantially stiff soles in spaced face to face relationship and on elastic interlayer adhering to the first and second soles. Preferably, said elastic interlayer comprises a number of coil springs. Preferably also, said first sole has attachment means to enable the shoe to be fixed to the foot of a user. The attachment means may be in the form of an adjustable strap. Aflexible skirt may be provided which is attached to the edges of both the first and second soles and encloses the space between the soles. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a dancing shoe in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional plan view of the dancing shoe of Figure 1. Referring to the drawings, the shoe has an upper wooden sole 1 and a lower wooden sole 2. A number of coil springs 3 are interspaced between the soles and have their upper and lower ends fixed to respective soles. The upper sole 1 is provided with a toe strap 4 and a heel strap 5 adjustable by ay of a buckle 6. The lower sole 2 has a toe piece 7 and a heel piece 8 fixed to its lower face. To improve appearance and as a safety measure a flexible skirt may be attached round the edge of the shoe to enclose the gap between the soles. This is omitted from the drawings for clarity. In use, a pair of the shoes are fitted to the feet of a user and held in place by the straps 4 and 5. The resilient nature of the springs 3 means that when the shoes are used for dancing the user of the shoes will both be protected from any shock on a heavy landing and receive an extra push on making a jump. A number of variations on the basic shoe may be made. For example the strength and number of the springs may be changed, or different kinds of springs may be used in place of the coil springs. The type of toe and heel straps used may also be varied if desired. Further modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

1. A shoe having first and second substantially stiff soles in face-to-face relationship, the soles being spaced apart by a resilient member.

2. A shoe as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the resilient member is a spring.

3. A shoe as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the resilient member is a coil spring.

4. A shoe as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3, where in a plurality of resilient members are provided.

5. A shoe as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the first sole is provided with attachment means to enable the shoe to be fixed to the foot of a user.

6. A shoe as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the attachment means is in the form of an adjustable strap.

7. A shoe as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein a flexible skirt is attached to the edge of the shoe and encloses the space between the soles.

8. A shoe as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the soles are of wood.

9. A shoe substantially as herein before described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.