US2105642A

US2105642A - Sound producing device for footwear

Info

Publication number: US2105642A
Application number: US20311A
Authority: US
Inventors: Capezio Salvatore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1935-05-08
Filing date: 1935-05-08
Publication date: 1938-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 1955-01-18

Description

Jan. 1-8, 1938. s. CAPEZIO 2,105,642

SOUND PRODUCING DEVICE FOR FOOTWEAR Filed May a, 1935 INVENTOR Salvo iore COPZ|O hue rm ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 18, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE Salvatore Capezio, East Paterson, N. J.

Application May 8, 1935, Serial No. 20,311

15 Claims.

This invention relates to a sound producing device for footwear, and more particularly to a tap for dancers, optionally combinable with a jingle.

The primary object of my invention resides in the provision of a tap improved by the addition of an optionally usable jingle. Further objects are to make this addition in so inexpensive a manner that the tap may be sold without extra charge, the jingle being used or discarded at the whim of the purchaser; to so carry the jingle within the tap that the exterior of the tap is not modified and instead retains its continuous bottom surface, with consequent freedom. from the possibility of tripping or catching the jingle mechanism on the floor; and, from a different aspect, to provide jingle mechanism the moving part of which is completely enclosed or protectively housed.

Still another object of my invention is to improve the sound producing characteristics of the device both with respect to tap sounds and jingle sounds; and to this end the tap is hollowed to form a sound amplifying chamber which is left open at one end to form a sound discharge passage, and it is this chamber which is used to loosely carry and to protectively house the jingle.

The chamber is bounded by a flange having a relatively broad top surface for supporting the weight of the dancer, and in accordance with still another feature and object of my invention, the surface of this flange is sloped downwardly and inwardly from the outer edge of the tap in order to insure close contact between the tap and the shoe at the periphery of the tap.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and other objects which will hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the tap and jingle elements and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and sought to be defined in the claims; The specification is accompanied by a drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a partially sectioned side elevation of a heel tap embodying features of my invention applied to a dancing shoe;

Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the tap before application to the shoe and is taken looking in the direction of the arrows 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken in elevation through the tap in the plane of the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken in elevation through the tap, looking in the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a partially sectioned elevation of a modification designed for use on high heels;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken in the plane of the line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section similar to Fig. 6 but showing a modification;

Fig. 9 is a partially sectioned side elevation of a toe tap embodying features of my invention; and

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the same before being applied to the sole of the shoe.

Referring to the drawing and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 5, I show a heel tapl2 secured to the heel M of a shoe 16. The tap [2 may be cast of an aluminum alloy or other satisfactory light-weight metal and is hollowed on its upper surface to form a sound amplifying chamber IB bounded by a flange or side wall 20 which terminates at the forward end of the tap or at the points 22 (Fig. 3), thereby opening the forward end of the chamber l8 to form a sound discharge passage. This end may be indented at 23 when viewed in plan. Flange 20 is pierced with a series of holes 24 for fastening means here exemplified by a special form of nail 25 used to secure the tap to the heel Hi.

In accordance with my invention, the tap may be combined with a jingle here exemplified by a washer 30 dimensioned to fit within the chamber l3 and to be freely movable therein preferably both vertically and laterally. In order to hold the washer or jingle 30 within the tap, I provide an upstanding pin 32 preferably cast integrally with the tap. The jingle 30 is slipped over pin 32 before nailing the tap to the bottom of the shoe. Inasmuch as pin 32 projects upwardly to the bottom surface of the heel, the jingle is anchored in place against loss through the open forward end of the tap. The hole in washer 3|] is, of course, very much larger than pin 32, thus providing ample room for adequate movement of the washer to produce the desired jingling sound.

It will be noted that the tap is in every way a practical and serviceable tap entirely apart from the jingling feature. In fact, the pin 32 acts as an additional support to strengthen the bottom wall of the tap against any stress which might be caused by the weight of the dancer. The jingling element 30 is exceedingly inexpensive and may be and preferably is sold along with the tap without increasing the cost or necessary sales price of the tap. The purchaser then has the option of using the tap with or without the jingling feature, and

if a plain tap is desired, the washer is discarded and the tap nailed in place alone. On the other hand, when the jingle is used, the tap is itself helpful because it acts as a complete protective housing for the jingle.

The flange 20 around the periphery of the tap is preferably broad but may, if desired, be channeled, thus leaving two

narrower flanges

34 and 36. The top surface of flange 20 even if unchanneled is preferably sloped downwardly and inwardly, and this manifests itself, when the flange is channeled, by the fact that the inner wall 36 is lower than the outer wall 34. This slope at the top of flange 20 is desirable in order to insure perfect contact between the tap and the bottom of the heel around the outer periphery of the tap, or, in other words, to guard against a gap or visible space showing at the outer periphery of the tap should some irregularity on the heel bottom engage a part of the flange at the inner wall 35. The slope is preferably made moderate or slight in order that the supporting action of the inner as well as the outer wall may come into play in the event of heavy loading of the tap.

The bottom surface of thetap is preferably provided with a raised peripheral portion 38 near the rear of the tap, which tapers off somewhat toward the forward ends 40. This construction is desirable in order to provide a part on the tap which takes the blow of heel taps and the consequent wear caused thereby without marring and wearing the main polished bottom surface of the tap until after the tap has seen long use. A second step may be formed on the bottom of the tap at 52 which strengthens the tap, begins to take wear after the part 38 has been subjected to substantial wear, and which may be used to receive the name of the manufacturer.

'The heel tap may be modified for use on high heels, and such a modification is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawing. In this case the body of the tap 56 is given an external configuration comparable to that of the bottom or leather or rubber lift of a high heel 52. The heel is usually made of wood and the bottom lift is preferably removed before applying the tap- 50 in order not to vary the over-all height of the heel. The tape 50 is hollowed on its upper surface to form a sound chamber 53 bounded by a flange 54 and preferably open at the forward end 56. The top surface of flange 54 slopes downwardly and inwardly in order to insure tight contact against the bottom of the heel at the outer'periphery of the tap. Flange 54 is substantial in width, particularly so at the forward ends 58 which are perforated with holes 69 for fastening means, preferably long slender wood screws 52. A third hole is provided through the bottom of the tap for a third screw 64 which acts as a locating pin for a suit able washer-like jingle 66. The use of the wood screw 64 as a locating pin is desirable because the screw then serves a dual function in that it provides a secure mountingof the tap on theheel.

It will be-understood that the jingle 66 is so dimensioned as to be freely movable within the tap, thus producing the desired sound. It will also be understood that the open forward end of the chamber 53 serves as a sound passage for either tap or jingle sounds. Furthermore, the jingle element 66 issimply an inexpensive washer made of brass or other suitable metal, and may be delivered with the tap without extra charge, thus giving the purchaser the option of using or discarding the jingle, as desired.

In Fig. 8 I show a slight modification of the tap last described, in which a jingle 10 is located by a pin 12 driven into the heel 14- without passing through the body of the tab. The third screw for securing the tap to the heel is indicated at 16 and may be located near the rear edge of the tap. Reverting to Fig. 7, I may further point out that by giving the jingle $6 a diameter greater than the space between the broadened ends 58 of the tap flange 54, the jingle may be retained against loss without using a locating pin.

Most of the features of my invention heretofore described are applicable to toetaps as well as to heel taps, and this is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 j in which I show a cast toe tap 80 hollowed on its upper surface to form a sound amplifying chamber 82 bounded by a broad peripheral flange 84. Flange 84 terminates at the points 86 at the rear end of the tap, thus leaving the rear end of sound chamber 82 open to form a passage for better egress of sound. A locating pin 88 is cast integrally with the tap and serves to effectively hold in place a loose or movable jingle washer 95. As before, the jingle is negligible in cost and its use optional with the purchaser.

The top surface of the flange 84 is sloped downwardly and inwardly, as is most clearly shown at 92 in Fig. 9, thereby guarding against the forma tion of a visible breach or space between the tap and the shoe at the outer periphery of the tap. The flange is pierced with suitable nail holes B l through which fastening means such as the fluted nails 96 are driven.

It is believed that the mode of constructing and using as well as the many advantages of my improved combination of tap and jingle will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description thereof. It will also be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in preferred forms, many changes and modifications may be made in the structures disclosed Without departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A jingle tap comprising a metallic tap hollowed on its upper surface to form a chamber, a washer within said chamber so dimensioned as to be movable therein, and a pin passing through said washer.

2. A jingle tap comprising a metallic tap hollowed on its upper surface to form a chamber open at one end, a 'washer within said chamber so dimensioned as to be movable both vertically :1

and sidewardly therein, and a stop pin passing through said washer.

3. A tap assembly comprising a metallic tap member of generally conventional form, said tap being thin relative to its area and being adapted to be secured outside of and beneath an ordinary shoe bottom, and said tap being hollowed on its upper surface to. form a sound chamber, and having a locating pin within said chamber, said pin being adapted to retain an optionally usable jingle washer loosely in place;

4. A tap comprising a metallic tap member hollowed on its upper surface to form a chamber bounded by a peripheral flange adapted to be secured against the bottom of a shoe, said chamber being open at one end, and a locating pin for said chamber adapted to retain an optionally usable jingle washer in place. 7 v

5. A tap comprising a metallic'tap body adaptand inwardly in order to insure close'contact beed to be secured to the bottom of 'a shoe, said tween the shoe and the periphery of the tap, and

a pin in said chamber having a height such as to support the bottom wall of the tap when the tap is applied to a shoe.

6. A tap comprising a metallic tap body adapted to be secured to the bottom of a shoe, said body being hollowed on its upper surface to form a chamber bounded by a supporting flange, said flange being discontinued at one end of the tap, the top surface of the flange sloping downwardly and inwardly to insure close contact between the shoe and the periphery of the tap, holes for fastening means passing through said flange, and a locating pin for said chamber for retaining an optionally usable jingle washer in place.

'7. A heel tap comprising a metal tap body hollowed on its upper surface to form a sound amplifying chamber bounded by a supporting flange, said flange being terminated at the forward end of the tap to open the chamber, said flange being channeled and the inner side of the channel being lower than the outer side of the channel in order to insure a close flt between the outer side of the channel and a heel to which the tap is applied.

8. A heel tap comprising a metal tap body hollowed on its upper surface to form a chamber bounded by a supporting flange, said flange being terminated at the forward end of the tap, said flange being-channeled and the inner side of the channel being lower than the outer side of the channel, an optionally usable jingle washer dimensioned to be movable in said chamber, and an upright locating pin in said chamber for the jingle washer.

9. A heel tap comprising a metal tap body hollowed on its upper surface to form a chamber bounded by a supporting flange, said flange being terminated at the forward end of the tap, said flange being channeled and the inner side of the channel being lower than the outer side of the channel, an optionally usable jingle washer dimensioned to be movable in said chamber, and an upright locating pin cast integrally with the tap in said chamber for the jingle washer, the bottom of said tap being so shaped as to present a protruding bottom surface at its rear periphery.

10. A heel tap for use on high heels, said tap comprising a metallic tap body hollowed on its upper surface to form a chamber, a plurality of holes for fastening means passing through said tap, one of said holes being located at approximately the center of the chamber and receiving an attaching screw adapted to act as a retaining pin for a jingle washer, and an optionally usable jingle washer so dimensioned as to be movable in the chamber.

11. A heel tap for use on high heels, said tap comprising a metallic tap body hollowed on its upper surface to form a chamber open at its forward end and bounded by a supporting flange the top surface of which slopes inwardly and downwardly, a plurality of holes for fastening means passing through said tap, one of said holes being located at approximately the middle of the chamber and receiving an attaching screw adapted to act as a retaining pin for a jingle washer.

12. A heel tap for use on high heels, said tap comprising a metallic tap body the exterior of which is shaped like the bottom lift of a high heel, said tap being hollowed on its upper surface to form a chamber open at its forward edge and bounded by a supporting flange the top surface of which slopes inwardly and downwardly, a plurality of holes for fastening means passing through said tap, one of said holes being located at approximately the middle of the chamber and receiving an attaching screw adapted to act as a retaining pin for a jingle washer, and an optionally usable jingle washer so dimensioned as to be movable when placed in the sound chamber.

13. A toe tap comprising a tap body hollowed on its upper surface to form a chamber, a locating pin in said chamber for retaining a jingle Washer in place, and a jingle washer optionally usable in said tap and dimensioned to be movable therein.

14. A toe tap comprising a tap body hollowed on its upper surface to form a chamber open at the rear of the tap and bounded on the remaining sides by a relatively broad supporting flange, the top: surface of said flange sloping downwardly and inwardly in order to insure close contact between the periphery of the flange and the shoe bottom, a jingle washer optionally usable in said tap and dimensioned to be movable therein, and a locating pin cast integrally With said tap and projecting upwardly in said chamber for retaining the jingle washer in place.

15. A jingle tap comprising a metallic tap body adapted to be secured outside of and beneath the bottom of a shoe, said tap body being thin relative toits area and being of generally conventional form in having a periphery shaped to follow the contour of that part of the shoe bottom (toe or heel) to which it is to be attached, said tap body being hollowed on its upper surface to form a chamber open at the top and bounded by a supporting flange, said flange being cut away at one end to form a sound discharge opening, a simple one-piece disc-shaped metallic jingle loosely carried within said chamber, said jingle being smaller in dimension than the chamber and freely movable therein, the ends of the flange at the open end of the tap being turned SALVATORE CAPEZIO.