GB2293958A - Insert for ballet shoe - Google Patents

Abstract

An insert 1 for a ballet pointe shoe consists of a hollow member formed from a blank of micro-cellular material and has a section tapering from a shaped open end 10 to a substantially straight and flat closed toe end portion 2. The member comprises an upper, generally flat portion 3, a sole portion, also generally flat and extending from the closed end. A first curved side portion 5a has an extreme end extending beyond the small toe joint and a curved second side portion 6a having an end extending beyond the big toe joint. The side end portions are joined by a curved portion extending toward the toe end and providing an instep engaging portion. The side portions are joined along a seam to provide the sole portion and the seam covered by strengthening tape extending around the toe portion from the instep engaging portion. The insert, in use, alleviates pressure on the ends of the toes of the dancer and also protects the small and big toe joints. <IMAGE>

Description

INSERT FOR BALLET POINTE SHOE The present invention relates to inserts for ballet pointe shoes which act to provide protection for the toe joints and toes of a dancer during point work.

A number of proposals have been made to provide inserts for ballet shoes that alleviate the pressure on the extreme toe end portions of dancers toes in pointe work. In one example a plastic filling is contained within elastic film sheets that fills the space between the toes of the dancer and the toe end of the shoe to support the weight of the dancer over the maximum possible area.

To date inserts available have not been entirely satisfactory and damage to the toe joints, in particular the large and small toe joints, has generally been overlooked.

We have now developed a form of insert that not only alleviates pressure on the end of the toes of the dancer but also protects the toe joints, in particular the small and big toe joints and additionally provides cushioning for the ball of the foot.

Our ballet pointe shoe insert comprises a hollow member into which the toe portion of the dancer is received in use, the member having a substantially straight toe end portion from which an upper portion extends to the lower part of the foot instep , a sole portion extending beneath the ball of the foot, a first side portion extending beyond the upper and sole portions to encapsulate the little toe joint and a second side portion extending beyond the upper sole and first side portion to encapsulate the large toe joint, the member being made from a soft flexible material that provides both cushioning and impact resistance.

A suitable material for use in forming the insert consists of a polyurethane or other micro-cellular plastics or synthetic rubber material. The material preferably has a thickness of from 1 to 2mm.

Thicknesses of less than 1 mm generally do not provide adequate cushioning and material having a thickness substantially greater than 2mm produces an insert that takes up too much of the inside of the point shoe.

The insert may be strengthened by the use of a substantially inelastic tape passing lengthwise from the edge of the upper portion where it meets the instep to the edge of the sole portion around the toe and preferably across the full width of the said straight toe end portion.

The insert may be cut from a single sheet of material and the strengthening tape used to secure abutting edge portions together.

The inserts may also be formed from a micro-cellular material by injection moulding thus avoiding joins present when cut from sheet material.

Preferably also the surface of the material used in forming the insert is smooth and has low friction co-efficient for ease of use.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an insert for a left-hand pointe shoe; and Figure 2 is a blank used to make the insert of Figure 1 The insert shown in Figure 1 comprises a hollow member generally indicated at 1, having a section tapering from a shaped open end 10 to a substantially straight and flat closed toe end portion 2. The hollow member comprises an upper, generally flat, portion 3, a sole portion 4 also generally flat and extending from closed end 2. A first curved side portion 5 has an extreme end portion 5a extending to just beyond the small toe joint and a curved second side portion 6 has an extreme end portion 6a extending to just beyond the big toe joint.End portions 5a and 6a are joined by a curved portion extending toward the end 2 and providing an instep engaging portion 7.

Side portions 5 and 6 are joined along a seam 9 to provide the sole portion 4. Seam 9 is covered by portion 8a of strengthening tape 8 extending around toe portion 2 from the instep engaging portion 7.

As indicated, the insert Figure 1 may be formed from the blank shown in Figure 2. In forming the insert sides 9a and 9b are abutted to form seam 9 and portions 2b and 2c abutted against portion 2a to form the end 2, the abutted portions being secured together by means of the tape 8, 8a. The upper portion being formed by area 3 and the sole portion by areas 4a and 4b.

The instep engaging portion 7 and side portions 5 and 6 are shaped such that, in use, they are preferably fully enclosed within the point shoe and thereby are hidden from view. Clearly the dimensions of the blank from which the insert is made will vary depending on the size of the pointe shoe for which they are intended although it is not necessary that an insert is specifically dimensioned for each individual ballet shoe size.

A suitable micro-cellular material for use in forming the insert of Figure 1 is Poron 4000S manufactured by Rogers Corporation of United States of America and having a thickness of 1.5 mm.

In use the insert is placed within the point shoe and the dancer's toes inserted and the shoe pulled on over the foot, the toes of the dancer forcing the insert into the ballet shoe.

An insert of the present invention by affording protection to the toe joints and ball of the foot prevents chafing and blistering commonly suffered by dancers; the resilient nature of the micro-cellular structure cushioning the toe of the dancer when on points with the result that there is improved comfort for the dancer.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:

1. An insert for a ballet pointe shoe comprising a hollow member into which the toe portion of the dancer is received in use, the member having: a substantially straight toe end portion from which an upper portion extends to the lower part of the foot instep, a sole portion extending beneath the ball of the foot, a first side portion extending beyond the upper and sole portions to encapsulate the little toe joint, and a second side portion extending beyond the upper, sole and first side portion to encapsulate the large toe joint, the member being made from a soft flexible material that provides both cushioning and impact resistance.

2. An insert according to claim 1 formed from a polyurethane or other micro-cellular plastics or synthetic rubber material.

3. An insert according to claim 2 wherein the said meterial has a thickness of from 1 to 2 mm.

4. An insert according to any one of claims 1-3 strengthened by the use of a substantially inelastic tape passing lengthwise from the edge of the upper portion where it meets the foot instep to the edge of the sole portion around the toe end portion.

5. An insert according to claim 4 cut from a single sheet of material the strengthening tape being used to secure abutting edge portions together.

6. An insert according to any one of claims 1-3 formed from a micro-cellular material by injection moulding.

7. An insert according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the material used in forming the insert is smooth and has low friction coefficient.

8. An insert according to claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.