Abstract:
A tap shoe assembly is disclosed wherein both relatable elastic strap retaining means and alternative lace means are provided, so that the shoe can provide the look and feel of a laced tap shoe and elastically retained tap shoe.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    This invention relates to shoes specifically made for tap dancing, and in particular, to fastening devices for retaining the shoes on the foot of the dancer. 
         [0003]    2. Background Art 
         [0004]    In the prior art, it is known to secure tap shoes on the feet of the dancer by means of elastic straps sewn into or retained by snaps into the upper portion of the shoe across the instep or by means of shoe laces positioned to be tied across the instep. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    My invention comprises providing a tap shoe with alternative fastening means whereby the dancer can select from several fasting means on the same shoe; thereby eliminating the need to have multiple pairs of shoes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view taken from the right front of a tap shoe in accordance with my invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a right side elevation of the shoe shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the shoe shown in  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the shoe shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0010]    Referring to the Figures, a tap shoe  10  has an upper portion with two upstanding wings  11 . A fastening means comprising an elastic material  12  is disposed across the instep of the upper portion of the shoe. The elastic member  12  may be retained in the show by sewing it in place. However, in the preferred embodiment, the elastic material is retained in the shoe by releaseable snap means  14  attached to the strap and the wings  11  of the shoe. By virtue of the snap means, the elastic member can be removed from the shoe. The snap on elastic strap allows the dancer to put the shoe on and easily secure it with the snap. 
         [0011]    The shoe also has holes  16  in the wings. The holes  16  are positioned below the snaps, such that, when a shoe lace  18  is threaded through the holes and tied (to provide a means for securing the shoe on the foot of the dancer) the lace will cover the snap. 
         [0012]    By this arrangement, a dancer wishing to have a laced look and feel, can tie up the lace. The dancer has the option of leaving the elastic strap in place for further security or removing it for a different feel; and still retain the same look, since the lace, when tied, will cover the snap. 
         [0013]    In a shoe where the elastic material is sewn in, the lace cannot be pulled up as tight without bunching up the elastic material. This can be done, but will change the feel of the shoe. 
         [0014]    From what I have described, I have invented a tap shoe assembly comprising: a tap shoe having upstanding wings; snap means on each wing; and elastic strap with snaps thereon for mating with the snap means on the shoe and retaining the elastic strap there between to thereby provide a means for retaining the shoe on the foot of one wearing the shoe; a hole in each wing positioned below the snap means; and a lace for insertion through the holes to provide a means for retaining the shoe on the foot of one wearing the shoe; whereby the shoe can provide the look and feel of a laced and elastically retained tap shoe. 
         [0015]    I have also invented a method of providing the look and feel of a laced and elastically retained tap shoe, comprising the steps of providing a tap shoe having upstanding wings; providing snap means on each wing and an elastic strap with snaps thereon for mating with the snap means on the shoe and retaining the elastic strap there between to thereby provide a means for retaining the shoe on the foot of one wearing the shoe; providing a hole in each wing positioned below the snap means; and providing a lace for insertion through the holes to provide a means for retaining the shoe on the foot of one wearing the shoe. 
         [0016]    I have also invented a dual use shoe of the type described wherein the elastic material is sewn into the shoe.