Abstract:
An apparatus and method for improving the appearance of a dancer&#39;s feet. By attaching a pad that has a curved top surface to the top of a dancer&#39;s foot, the shape of the top of the dancer&#39;s foot is more aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, the arch on the bottom of the foot appears more marked. The present invention can be employed with a wide variety of dance shoes and outfits to improve the appearance of a dancer&#39;s feet. The pad is formed from a resilient and deformable material and is sized to substantially cover the top of the foot. The pad has an edge portion sized to be concealed under the border and ribbons of a dance shoe so that the existence of the pad cannot easily be detected. When worn, the shape and thickness of the pad augments the appearance of the top and bottom of the foot.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the dance arts and more particularly to improvements in the appearance of a dancer&#39;s foot. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the dance arts such as ballet, modern dance, jazz and the like, the physical attributes of the dancer are of utmost importance. Desirable physical attributes of a dancer include a small to medium sized head, a long neck, proportionate torso, long legs which “turn out,” and most importantly, beautiful feet. The single most defining characteristic of a beautiful foot for dance purposes is the shape and extent of the arch. A well defined arch is known in the art as a “banana foot,” referring to a foot with a marked arch on the bottom of the foot and a complementary smooth radius shape to the top or instep of the foot. Such a foot thus resembles the shape of a banana. 
     Sadly, the opportunities for a dancer are often limited by the dancer&#39;s lack of the physical attributes just noted, especially in the area of the feet. For example, a dancer with exceptional dance abilities but who has relatively flat feet may be denied entrance to summer programs as a child, later be denied entrance into dance programs at universities, and ultimately be denied the opportunity to dance professionally. These opportunities are lost not because of the lack of dance ability, but rather because of a lack of an aesthetically pleasing foot. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 326,728 (J. J. Georges) discloses a pad attached to the top of the foot by straps for the purpose of giving a foot covered by a shoe a comely shape and preventing it from moving or sliding in a shoe or boot. The patent teaches that the shoe covers the pad. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 147,698 (J. B. Smith) and U.S. Pat. No. 374,106 (C. H. Winter) disclose pads to improve the form of the foot and to protect the foot from the laces of the shoe. In these patents, the shoe covers the pad and assists in holding same in place. 
     Other patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 1,901,658 (F. A. Larack) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,090,573 (F. D. &#39;Alessandro) address the discomfort a woman suffers in traditional high heeled shoes by providing cushioning pads or instep protectors that fit under the vamp portion of the high heeled shoe. 
     The prior art just noted teaches covering the foot with a traditional shoe or teaches relieving rubbing and irritation of the foot caused by the vamp of a high heeled shoe. However, the prior art above does not address improving the look of a substantially uncovered foot such as that of a dancer wearing a ballet slipper or pointe shoe. Further, quite unlike the shoes disclosed by the prior art just noted, a dance or “pointe shoe” conforms to the arch of the foot, thereby providing little no support to the dancer&#39;s arch and thus revealing the true shape of the bottom of the dancer&#39;s foot. If the dancer&#39;s foot be flat, a pointe shoe will reveal it. More specifically, every time a dancer&#39;s foot is off the floor, it is pointed, thereby revealing the arch, or lack thereof. 
     What is needed is a way to improve the look of a dancer&#39;s foot that is undetectable and that does not impede the dancer&#39;s ability to perform intricate dance movements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an apparatus and method for improving the appearance of a dancer&#39;s feet. By attaching a pad that has a curved top surface to the top of a dancer&#39;s foot, the shape of the top of the dancer&#39;s foot is improved. Additionally, the arch on the bottom of the foot appears more marked. The present invention can be employed with a wide variety of dance shoes and outfits to improve the appearance of a dancer&#39;s feet. 
     In one form thereof, the invention resides in the combination of a dance shoe and a pad that is attached to the dancer&#39;s foot. The dance shoe comprises a fabric material adapted to partially cover the foot of its wearer. A flexible sole is disposed on the bottom of the fabric and is adapted to conform to the shape of the arch of the foot. The fabric material terminates in a border which further defines an open top of the shoe and which is adapted to substantially expose the top or instep of the foot. The border also defines a vamp adapted to cover the toes. The pad is formed from a resilient and deformable material and is sized to substantially cover the top of the foot. The pad has an edge portion sized to be concealed under the border, whereby, when worn, the pad is substantially uncovered by the shoe and the shape and thickness of the pad augments the appearance of the top and bottom of the foot. 
     In a preferred form, the dance shoe further comprises a ribbon which is adapted to further conceal the edge of the pad. Ideally, the edge of the pad is either covered by the ribbon from the dance shoe or the border of the dance shoe, thereby being very difficult to detect and thus giving the foot a natural looking and aesthetically pleasing appearance. The curved appearance to the top of the foot is achieved by a pad whose top surface is curved, the pad tapering in thickness from its center to the edge. 
     More preferably, the pad can be made of foam or other suitable soft, resilient and lightweight material. This material is encased in cloth or fabric having a skin color. The pad includes a stretchable band attached thereto that is adapted to be placed around the foot and hold the pad in place. 
     In another form thereof, the present invention provides a method of wearing a dance outfit to augment the appearance of a dancer&#39;s foot. According to this method, a pad is attached to the top of the foot and thereby covers a portion of the top of the foot. A tight is donned over the pad, whereby the pad is concealed by the tight. Finally, a dance shoe having a substantially open top is worn over the tight, the pad being substantially or totally uncovered by the dance shoe. In this method, the top surface of the pad defines what appears to be the top profile of the dancer&#39;s foot and the pad thus enhances the appearance of the top and bottom of the dancer&#39;s foot. 
     More preferably, the method includes covering the side edges of the pad with the border of the shoe, the front edge of the pad with the vamp of the shoe, and the back edge of the pad with a ribbon of the shoe. In this manner, the edges of the pad are totally concealed from view and the pad is thus difficult to detect. Instead, the top of the dancer&#39;s foot appears as though it were more curved than it actually is. 
     One advantage of the present invention is that it improves the appearance of a dancer&#39;s foot yet does not interfere with intricate dance maneuvers such as brisé, entrechat quatre and the like that a dancer must perform. The dancer simply puts the inventive augmentation pad on before his or her tights and then performs as usual. The pad is so comfortable and subtle that dancers forget they are wearing it. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that it can be used with a wide variety of commercially available dance shoes. The inventive pad of the present invention conveniently tucks under the border of many available dance shoes and in some shoes is in part concealed by the dance shoe&#39;s ribbon. The effect is that the dancer&#39;s foot appears more like a desirable “banana foot.” 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is its cost. The pad of the present invention can be simply and cost-effectively manufactured from a variety of suitable materials. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention is that it may afford career opportunities to a dancer with outstanding dance abilities but uncomely feet. By improving the aesthetic appearance of a dancer&#39;s feet, the present invention can remove a significant obstacle to gaining entrance into a dance school or gaining a part in a performance. A dancer using the present invention can compete with dancers who were naturally endowed with more aesthetically pleasing feet. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned and other advantages of the present invention, and the manner of obtaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a classically shaped dancer&#39;s foot wearing a traditional pointe shoe; 
     FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a dancer&#39;s foot that lacks some of the aesthetically pleasing qualities of the foot depicted in FIG. 1A, but is shown wearing the same pointe shoe as depicted in FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the dancer&#39;s foot of FIG. 1A with the foot in a different position and illustrating the sole of the foot and shoe; 
     FIG. 1D is a perspective view of a dancer&#39;s foot shown wearing a ballet slipper; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dancer&#39;s foot shown wearing a pointe shoe and illustrating in phantom lines the pad in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the dancer&#39;s foot of FIG. 2 illustrating in phantom the actual profile of the dancer&#39;s foot; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective of a dancer&#39;s foot wearing a pointe shoe taken from above and illustrating the pad in accordance with the present invention in phantom; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a pad in accordance with the present invention removed from a dancer&#39;s foot; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view in partial cross section showing a pad in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a dancer wearing tights having a pocket for receipt of a pad in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6B is a perspective view in partial cross section illustrating an alternate embodiment of a pad in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6C is a perspective view in partial cross section illustrating an alternate embodiment of a pad in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6D is a perspective view of a dancer wearing a pad which adheres directly to the skin in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 7-9 are perspective views illustrating a method of assembling a dance outfit in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIGS. 10-13 are perspective views illustrating an alternate method of assembling a dance outfit in accordance with the present invention with a convertible tight. 
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments of the present invention described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present invention. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1A, a dancer&#39;s foot  20  is depicted wearing a pointe shoe  22 . As can be seen, the dancer&#39;s arch  24  is pronounced and aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, the dancer&#39;s instep  26  or top of the foot is also well-rounded and is therefore aesthetically pleasing. In stark contrast to the foot  20  depicted in FIG. 1A, foot  28  shown in FIG. 1B would not be generally regarded as aesthetically pleasing, even though foot  28  is shown wearing the same pointe shoe  22  as in FIG.  1 A. Foot  28  has a poor or flat arch  30  and a substantially flat instep  32 . The opportunities for the dancer possessing foot  28  would probably be much more limited than the opportunities presented to the dancer possessing foot  20 , even assuming their respective dance abilities were equivalent. 
     As shown in FIG. 1C, pointe shoe  22  has sole  33  that substantially conforms to the bottom of the dancer&#39;s foot. In FIG. 1D dance shoe  34  has bifurcated soles  36  and  38  such that the fabric of shoe  34  substantially conforms to arch  24 . With any of these prior art dance shoes, the shape of the bottom of the foot will be seen by the audience watching the dancer because the bottom of the dance shoe substantially conforms to the bottom of the dancer&#39;s foot. If the foot be aesthetically pleasing, this is desirable. On the other hand, if the dancer&#39;s foot is flat or otherwise unattractive, the dance shoe will reveal it. 
     It is to be understood that the term “dance shoe” is to be construed broadly to cover pointe shoes, soft shoes and other shoes worn in dance wherein the top or instep of the foot is substantially uncovered. It is also to be understood that the term “dance routine” as used herein is to be construed broadly, ranging from an entire performance to single dance maneuvers, such as brisé, entrechat quatre and the like. 
     Turning now to FIG.  2  and FIG. 2A, it has been found that the appearance of a dancer&#39;s foot  28  wearing pointe shoe  22  may be enhanced by attaching a pad  40  of the present invention to the top or instep of the foot. FIGS. 2 and 2A depict the dancer&#39;s foot in the pointe position, the familiar ballet position in which the body is balanced on the extreme tips of the toes. For purposes of this specification, the term “attached” and derivatives thereof when used in connection with pad  40  is to be construed broadly to cover any means or method of substantially fixing in place or adhering pad  40  against the foot. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A, instep  32  has been actually physically augmented by pad  40 . Surprisingly, however, it has been found in practice that the appearance of arch  30  has also been enhanced, even though no augmentation had been performed directly upon arch  30 . It is believed that the enhanced appearance of arch  30  is achieved by the “mind&#39;s eye” viewing the entire foot as a composite and thus incorporating the augmentation of instep  32  into arch  30 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A and more particularly in FIG. 3, pointe shoe  22  includes a fabric material  42 , preferably satin, which is adapted to partially cover foot  28 . A flexible sole  44  made preferably from leather is typically sewn or glued on the bottom of fabric material  42 , as is known in the art. As mentioned above, sole  44  conforms to the shape of the arch  30  of the foot and provides little or no support therefor, such that the true shape of the arch is revealed. A shank is provided in the inside of shoe  22  (not shown), but such shank provides little support. Fabric material  42  terminates in a border  46  which further defines an open top  48  adapted to substantially expose the top or instep  32  of foot  28 , as is seen in FIG.  3 . Border  46  can be formed of a piece of fabric sewn around the periphery of opening  48 . As shown in FIG. 3, border  46  defines a vamp  50  that covers the toes of the foot. 
     Pad  40  is formed of a resilient and deformable material that is sized to cover the top or instep  32  of foot  28 . Pad  40  has an outer periphery or edge portion  52  that is concealed under border  46 , which makes the existence of pad  40  difficult to detect. Preferably, edge portion  52  is covered at least in part by ribbons  54 , thereby further concealing the existence of pad  40 . Optionally, edge portion  52  of pad  40  can be sewn into border  46  of pointe shoe  22  (not shown). Typically, however, pad  40  is formed separate from shoe  22  such that pad  40  can be used with a variety of commercially available shoes. 
     As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, pad  40  includes a foam or other material  56  encased or sewn into a fabric  58 , which is preferably of skin color to conceal the existence of pad  40 . The material  56  must be flexible and resilient, conforming to the dancer&#39;s foot, maintaining its shape, but not interfering with the dancer&#39;s intricate movements, such as brisé, entrechat quatre and the like. Material  56  should be of light weight. Many suitable materials can be used for insert  56 , such as foam having a wide variety of density, resilient polymers, open celled polymers, gel-pads, visco-elastic materials, conventional stuffings such as hair or feathers, and many other suitable materials. Optionally, pad  40  can be formed of a unitary material, thereby obviating fabric  58 . Pad  40  should be soft, lightweight, resilient, flexible and preferably washable. As shown in FIG. 5, material  56  and thus pad  40  gradually taper in a direction outwardly from the center. The taper occurs both front and back as well as side to side. The tapering thickness provides the appearance of curvature to the top of the foot that is otherwise lacking, and also makes the bottom or arch of the foot appear more pronounced. 
     Surprisingly, a “bubble effect” has been observed by virtue of the border  52  pressing down on pad  40  around its edges. That is to say, the curvature or roundness of the exposed part of pad  40  becomes more pronounced when the edges of pad  40  are pressed by border  52 . This enhances the aesthetically pleasing look of the dancer&#39;s foot. 
     Pad  40  also preferably includes an elastic band  60  which is placed around the foot and holds pad  40  in place as shown in FIG.  7 . Band  60  can be made of elastic or other suitable stretchable material. It has been found that band  60  should be of substantially the same width as the pad, itself. A wide band  60  helps keep pad  40  in place while the dancer is performing. 
     As shown in FIG. 6A, tight  62  can be formed with a pocket  64  into which pad  40 ′ can be inserted. In this embodiment, the necessity for an elastic band  60  is obviated. Also, as mentioned above, the pad may be attached to the dance shoe by sewing it to the border thereof (not shown), although this method would have the disadvantage of not allowing the tight to cover the pad and conceal it and is therefore not preferred. FIG. 6B illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein pad  40 ″ includes a second soft material  72  underneath elastic band  60 . Material  72  can be comprised of the same composition as material  56  or may be an alternate material. Material  72  can be useful in cases where extra padding is necessary for the augmentation. 
     FIG. 6C illustrates a pad  140  wherein insert material  156  is separate from fabric  158  such that material  156  can be easily removed and replaced with a different size material or material of a different composition. FIG. 6D illustrates a pad  240  that adheres directly to the skin in the area of dashed line  242  such that a band such as band  60  is not necessary. It is envisioned that certain polymers have inherently adhesive qualities such that further adhesives are not necessary to maintain pad  240  against the foot while dancing. Alternatively, pad  240  can be adhered with any of a variety of adhesives that are well known in the art. Pad  240  can be formed of a clear or translucent material. 
     FIGS. 7-9 illustrate one method in accordance with the present invention of assembling or wearing a dance outfit to augment the appearance of the dancer&#39;s foot. In FIG. 7, pad  40  is attached to foot  28  by stretching elastic band  60  and pulling pad  40  into the desired location on foot  28 . Thus, a substantial portion of the instep  32  of foot  28  is covered with pad  40 . Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a dancer&#39;s tight  62  is pulled over over the dancer&#39;s leg and thus pad  40 , whereby pad  40  is concealed by tight  62 . Finally, with reference to FIG. 9, a dance shoe  22  having a substantially open top is placed on foot  28  over tight  62  such that pad  40  is substantially or totally uncovered by dance shoe  22 . Thus, the thickness of pad  40  enhances the appearance of the top and bottom of the dancer&#39;s foot, but pad  40  is invisible to the observer who is unaware of its presence. As noted with reference to FIG. 3, the edge of pad  40  is preferably covered with border  46  of the shoe and with the ribbons  54 , further concealing the pad. To help conceal the pad, its color can be a skin color such as beige, tan, brown, bronze, etc. 
     FIGS. 10-12 illustrate a method of assembling a dance uniform with a convertible tight  66  having openings  68  on the bottom thereof such that tight  66  can be donned prior to placing pad  40  on foot  28 . As shown in FIG. 11, tight  66  is rolled up around the ankle  70  such that pad  40  can then be placed on foot  28  as shown in FIG.  12 . After, pad  40  is in place on foot  28 , tight  66  is pulled back over foot  28  and shoe  22  is then put on foot  28  as shown in FIG.  13 . 
     Once the inventive dance outfit including a pad in accordance with the present invention is assembled, the dancer may perform her dance routine in confidence that her feet appear aesthetically pleasing, yet the enhancement is concealed from the audience. 
     While a preferred embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention has been disclosed hereinabove, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.