Patent Abstract:
A protective foot cover for use in dance, exercise, or athletic applications using strategically placed thicker protective pieces in ball and toe areas of the foot in connection with an elastic material in the sole structure to allow the foot to move freely and provide less of a barrier between the foot and floor such that a dancer can better sense the floor upon which they dance. The foot cover incorporates strategically placed protective patches that provide support, protection, and comfort to the ball and toe portions of the foot. The patches are spaced from one another so that the footwear is able to move more naturally with the expansion of the foot as pressure is applied to the foot. The foot cover may be used alone, whereby the toe and heel portions of the foot are exposed, or in combination with a dance shoe providing a stretchable sole running from the arch portion to the toe portion of the foot.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/657,468, filed Mar. 1, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to footwear, and more particularly to footwear used for dancing. 
     Every culture around the world includes some form of dancing. In less advanced cultures, the dance movements may be very simple. In more advanced cultures, the form of dance may be very developed and complex, such as ballet. Regardless of the type of dance, however, all dance movements involve the use of the feet. When an individual dances, the feet are stomped, flexed and pointed, and used to jump, leap, bend, spine, turn, etc. Further, dance movements are executed on various types of floor materials. Some of these floor materials may be abrasive or tacky, which could cause foot injuries. 
     When dancing, the feet are often protected using shoes and foot coverings having padding on the sole portions thereof. Traditional dance shoes have a continuous sole running the length of the bottom of the shoe. Examples of continuous sole dance shoes include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,199,878, 5,220,735, and 6,705,026. While continuous sole dance shoes effectively protect the feet from direct exposure to a floor, such shoes have limited flexibility. The lack of flexibility makes it more difficult for a dancer to move his or her feet into the various foot positions. 
     Recently, designers have incorporated a split sole structure into dance shoes. In the split sole design, a first sole underlies the toe and ball section of the foot and a second sole, spaced from the first sole, underlies the heel section of the foot. The arch section of the foot is not supported by either the first or the second sole, but is supported by a flexible material that extends between the first and the second soles. Split sole shoe designs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,519,148 and 4,554,749, which teach a shoe or slipper that is usable in a dance application, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,076,248 and 5,682,685, which teach ballet pointe shoes having a flexible band, wrapped around the arch section of the foot. U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,124 and U.S. Patent Appln. No. 2003/0029055 illustrate a dance shoe having a diamond shaped “gusset” region covering the arch of the foot. While the above-described shoes provide enhanced flexibility during foot movement, there remains a problem with material bunching beneath the arch of the foot. Moreover, the above-described shoes do not allow the dancer to maintain a tactile awareness of the floor surface, because the material underlying the foot creates a barrier between the foot and the floor. 
     Another form of dance, commonly referred to as modern dance, is performed barefoot. Although modern dance is based upon movements found in classical ballet, the dramatic movements, completed barefoot, may cause serious foot injuries. In response to the need for some form of foot protection, a few designs have been created, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,237,652 and 6,018,888, both of which incorporate an open toe structure having a strap running between the large toe and next toe, and a heel strap. Unfortunately, both of these designs completely cover the ball section of the foot, restricting a dancer&#39;s tactile sense of the floor. Additionally, the heel strap found in both designs may press into the heel, causing discomfort. 
     A product sold under the trademark DANCE PAWS, by Dance Paws LLC of Cambridge, Mass., provides a form-fitting, toe-less sock that covers the forward half of a foot. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the form-fitting sock  20  is made of spandex and has an elastic band  22  that holds the sock  20  over a forward half of the foot. The sock  20  has a leading end  24  with five openings  26 A- 26 E—one for each toe. The sock  20  also has a trailing end  28  with a large opening for inserting the foot. The underside of the sock  20  has a single suede patch  30  attached thereto. The suede patch  30  covers the ball portion of the foot, and extends from the leading end  24  toward the trailing end  28  and between an inside  32  and an outside  34  thereof. When the sock  20  is pulled over the foot, the single suede patch  30  generally covers the ball of the foot, extending from the inside of the foot to the outside of the foot. The suede patch  30  is not elastic. As a result, the sock cannot expand and stretch in the ball region thereof for accommodating expansion and stretching of the foot during various dance maneuvers. 
     Thus, there is a need for a dance shoe or foot covering that will protect and cushion the foot. There is also a need for a dance shoe or foot covering that will not restrict or constrain the foot as the foot moves through various positions. There is also a need for a dance shoe or foot covering that enables a dancer to adequately sense the floor with the bottom of the foot. In addition, there is a need for a dance shoe or foot covering that enables the ball of the foot to stretch and expand as necessary, as well as a dance shoe or foot covering that provides more traction in certain areas and less traction in other areas. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a foot covering or dance shoe that protects the foot from injury, allows freedom of foot movement without gapping, sagging, buckling or puckering of material, and allows the foot to sense the floor beneath it. 
     It is a further object of the invention to increase the comfort of the foot covering on the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a flexible protective foot covering that easily adjusts to the size and movement of dancers&#39; feet. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a foot covering or dance shoe that has a stretchable and/or elastic underside, which allows natural foot movement and expansion to occur when weight and pressure are put on the foot, without causing pressure or restriction to the foot by the foot covering. 
     In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a foot covering includes an elastic fabric having a leading end and a trailing end having a foot opening, and first and second protective pads attached to the elastic fabric, the first and second protective pads having opposing edges. The elastic fabric desirably extends at least partially between the opposing edges of the first and second protective pads, whereby the elastic fabric is adapted to stretch between the opposing edges of the first and second protective pads. When the foot covering is pulled onto a foot, the first and second protective pads are adapted to cover a ball of a foot. The elastic fabric desirably has at least one toe opening at the leading end of the fabric. The at least one toe opening may include a first toe opening for a big toe of a foot and a second toe opening for one or more remaining toes of the foot. The foot covering may include an elastic band attached to the trailing end of the elastic fabric for holding the foot covering on a foot. 
     In certain preferred embodiments, the foot covering may include a fabric strip extending between the opposing edges of the first and second protective pads. The fabric strip may have a first end attached to the first protective pad and a second end attached to the second protective pad. At least one of the protective pads may have a first region and a second region having a tackier surface than the first region. The first region may be made of leather or suede and the second region may include rubber. 
     The elastic fabric may be made of lycra, lycra mesh, cotton lycra mesh, paper lycra, leather, leather with lycra, nylon, nylon mesh, neoprene or any elastic mesh material. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a foot covering includes a fabric having a leading end and a trailing end, the fabric having at least one toe opening at the leading end of the fabric and a foot opening at the trailing end of the fabric. The foot covering desirably includes at least one protective pad attached to the fabric, the at least one protective pad having a first region and a second region having a tackier surface than the first region. The at least one protective pad may include first and second protective pads attached to the fabric, the fabric including an elastic fabric extending at least partially between opposing edges of the first and second protective pads. The elastic fabric is adapted to stretch between the opposing edges of the first and second protective pads. The first and second protective pads are adapted to cover a ball of a foot when the foot covering is secured to the foot. 
     The foot covering may include an elastic band attached to the trailing end of the fabric for holding the foot covering on a foot. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dance shoe includes a shoe upper, a sole attached to the shoe upper, the sole including a ball region extending between an arch of the dance shoe and a toe of the dance shoe. The ball region of the sole desirably includes an elastic fabric and at least two protective pads attached to the elastic fabric, whereby the elastic fabric extends at least partially between opposing edges of the at least two protective pads so that the ball region of the sole is stretchable and expandable between the at least two protective pads. 
     The ball region of the sole is preferably adapted to cover a ball of a foot and the at least two protective pads are adapted to protect the ball of the foot. The at least two protective pads may include first and second protective pads adapted to cover a ball of a foot and a third protective pad adapted to cover a toe of the foot. The dance shoe may include a fourth protective pad adapted to cover a second toe of the foot. A fabric strip may extend between the opposing edges of the at least two protective pads. 
     At least one of the protective pads has a first region and a second region having a tackier surface than the first region. The first region may include a material selected from the group consisting of leather and suede and the second region may include rubber. The elastic fabric may be made of lycra, lycra mesh, cotton lycra mesh, paper lycra, leather, leather with lycra, nylon, nylon mesh, neoprene or any elastic mesh material. 
     In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dance shoe includes a shoe upper, and a sole attached to the shoe upper, the sole including a ball region extending between an arch of the dance shoe and a toe of the dance shoe. The ball region of the sole desirably includes a fabric and at least two protective pads attached to the fabric, whereby at least one of the protective pads has a first region and a second region having a tackier surface than the first region. The fabric may be an elastic fabric adapted to stretch and flex, the elastic fabric extending at least partially between opposing edges of the at least two protective pads so that the ball region of the sole is stretchable and expandable between the at least two protective pads. 
     According to the invention, the footwear may be in the form of a foot covering, a dance shoe, a dance sandal, a dance sneaker, a dance slipper, a gymnastic shoe, an exercise shoe, an athletic shoe or sneaker, etc. It may be used in such activities as dance, yoga, swimming, tai chi, stretching, gymnastics, Pilates, aerobics, recreational body movement, acrobatics and martial arts. 
     These and other preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following description of preferred embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  shows a bottom view of a prior art foot covering. 
         FIG. 2A  is a top view of a foot covering, in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a bottom view of the foot covering shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of the foot covering shown in  FIG. 2A , after the covering has been placed on a foot. 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of the foot covering shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  is a bottom view of the foot covering shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4  shows the foot covering of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  prior to assembly. 
         FIG. 5  shows a bottom view of a foot covering, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows the foot covering of  FIG. 5  after the foot covering has been placed on a foot. 
         FIG. 7  shows a bottom view of a foot covering, in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a side view of a dance shoe, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8B  is a top view of the dance shoe of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 8C  is a bottom view of the dance shoe of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of a dance shoe, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10A  is a side view of a dance shoe, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10B  is a top view of the dance shoe of  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 10C  is a bottom view of the dance shoe of  FIG. 10A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, a foot covering  100  includes a fabric  102  that is adapted to cover a foot. In certain preferred embodiments, the fabric is elastic, flexible, stretchable and/or breathable. In other preferred embodiments, the fabric is a mesh material having a plurality of pores  104  formed therein. The mesh material is preferably an elastic, breathable fabric. The pores  104  preferably enhance the tactile sense of a dancer when the foot covering  100  is worn over the front half of a foot. In certain preferred embodiments, the fabric  102  may be made of nylon, cotton, Lycra, and/or neoprene. 
     The foot covering  100  preferably includes an elastic band  106  attached to an edge of the mesh fabric  102 . The elastic band defines a foot opening  108  ( FIG. 2A ) through which toes and the ball of a foot may be inserted. As will be described in more detail below, after the foot covering  100  has been secured over the ball portion of a foot, the elastic band  106  preferably maintains the foot covering in place. 
     The foot covering  100  also desirably includes a label  110  that may be sewn onto the band  106 . The label  110  may include a logo or emblem  120  printed thereon. Other information may be placed on the label such as size information, a patent number, sku information, etc. 
     The foot covering  100  also preferably includes a first toe opening  122  adapted to receive a large toe on a foot and a second toe opening  124  adapted to receive the remaining four toes on a foot. In certain preferred embodiments, the second toe opening  124  is larger than the first toe opening  122 . The first and second toe openings  122 ,  124  may be generally circular or ovoid in shape, however, no particular shape is necessary for providing an adequately functioning toe opening. 
     The foot covering  100  also preferably includes a strap  126  that extends between and divides the first toe opening  122  from the second toe opening  124 . In certain preferred embodiments, the strap  124  overlaps with another section of the fabric  102  to provide a reinforced region  128  having enhanced strength or ruggedness. The strap  126  preferably has an upper end  130  that is connected with the elastic band  106  or the label  110 . In certain preferred embodiments, the upper end  130  of the strap  126  is sewn to either the elastic band  106  or the label  110  or both. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, an underside of the foot covering  100  preferably includes one or more protective pads  132 A,  132 B. The protective pads are preferably made of a material that is more rugged than the mesh fabric  102 . The protective pads  132 A,  132 B are designed to protect the ball of the foot. The protective pads  132 A,  132 B are spaced from one another so that the elastic material between the pads can flex and stretch to accommodate changes to the foot as the foot moves through various positions. In highly preferred embodiments, the protective pads may be made of leather, suede, rubber or cotton fabric. 
     In the particular embodiment shown in  FIG. 2B , the first protective pad  132 A is in registration with the first toe opening  122  that is adapted to receive the large toe of a foot. The second protective pad  132 B is in registration with the second toe opening  124  adapted to receive the remaining toes of a foot. The protective pads are preferably positioned relative to the toe openings so that they protect the ball portions of the foot associated with the toes. For example, the first protective pad is positioned relative to the first toe opening so that it covers the ball portion of the foot associated with the large toe. The exact distances between the toe openings and the protective pads may vary depending upon the size and shape of a foot. The exact geometric shape of the protective pads  132 A,  132 B may vary in response to varies factors such as the size of a foot of the particular activity to which to the foot covering will be put. 
     In the particular preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 2B , the first protective pad  132 A and the second protective pad  132 B are adapted to cover the ball portion of the foot when the foot covering is worn on a foot. The first protective pad  132 A is preferably rounder than the second protective pad  132 B. The first protective pad  132 A is preferably adapted to protect the ball portion of the foot associated with the large toe, while the second protective pad  132 B is preferably adapted to protect the ball portion of the foot associated with the remaining four toes on a foot. 
     As noted above, at least a portion of the first pad  132 A is spaced from at least a portion of the second pad  132 B, so that the elastic fabric extends at least partially between the pads. As a result, the pads are able to move away from one another to accommodate expansion, widening and/or lengthening of the foot as the foot moves into various positions. Thus, the footwear is capable of expanding as the foot expands, without pinching or restraining natural foot movement. 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  the foot covering  100  of  FIGS. 2A-2B  with a foot  134  inserted into the foot covering. When placing the foot covering  100  onto the end of the foot  134 , the elastic band  106  may be slightly stretched to enlarge the size of the foot opening  108 . All of the toes of the foot  134  and then inserted into the foot opening  108 . The large toe  136  is inserted into the first toe opening  122  and the remaining four toes  138  are inserted into the second toe opening  124 . The strap  126  preferably extends between the large toe  136  and the fourth toe  140  of the foot. After the foot covering  100  has been pulled onto the foot, the elastic band  108  preferably holds the foot covering in place on the foot. 
     Although the present invention is not limited by any particular theory of operation, it is believed that providing an elastic band that surrounds the foot just below the ball of the foot is a tremendous advance over prior art foot coverings that use ankle straps for holding the covering in place. Thus, the present invention provides less restrained movement of a foot during various dance maneuvers. In addition, the present invention provides a foot covering or dance shoe having an outsole made of an elastic material, with two or more patches secured over the elastic material, the patches being spaced from one another for allowing stretching movement between the patches. The spaced patches on the bottom of the foot covering or dance shoe allows for stretching/expansion of the fabric between the patches and natural movement of the foot as it expands and contracts. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A , in certain preferred embodiments, the foot covering  100  may include one or more straps having fasteners, buttons, Velcro or other securing means. The straps (not shown) may be incorporated with the band  106  for adjusting the size of the foot opening  108 . In other preferred embodiments, the straps may be used to adjust the fit of the foot covering  100  around the ball of the foot  134 . In more preferred embodiments, the band  106  is an elastic, closed loop that can be stretched for fitting over the ball of the foot. After the foot covering  100  has been pulled over the foot, the elasticity of the band  106  holds the band firmly to the portion of the foot immediately behind the ball of the foot. 
       FIG. 3B  shows the foot covering  100  secured over the ball of a foot. The elastic band  106  holds the foot covering snugly to the ball portion of the foot. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3B and 3C , after the foot covering  100  has been secured over the foot  134 , the first protective pad  132 A underlies the ball portion of the foot associated with the large toe  136 , and the second protective pad  132 B preferably underlies the ball portion of the foot  134  associated with the four smaller toes  138 . The opposing edges of the pads  132 A,  132 B are spaced from one another and have the elastic material  102  extending therebetween so that the ball section of the foot covering can stretch to accommodate expansion of the foot. 
       FIG. 4  shows the various elements that may be used for assembling the foot covering shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B . The foot covering  100  includes the elastic/stretchable fabric  102 . The fabric is desirably cut into a particular pattern piece that may be assembled into an item having the general configuration shown in  FIG. 2A . The fabric  102  includes an elongated edge  144  extending between a first lateral edge  146  and a second lateral edge  148 . The fabric  102  also includes a first in-seam edge  150 , a second in-seam edge  152  and an elongated neck  154  that will form the strap that extends between the large toe and the fourth toe. The pattern piece also includes a first surged edge  155  formed adjacent the first in-seam edge  150  and a second surged edge  156  formed adjacent the second in-seam edge  152 . Before the fabric  102  is assembled together to form the foot covering shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2 B, the first and second in-seam edges  150 ,  152  are cut so that the surged edges  155 ,  156  form the new exterior edge of the fabric. The first surged edge  155  forms the first toe opening for the large toe of a foot and the second surged edge  156  forms the second toe opening for the four remaining toes on a foot ( FIG. 3A ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the pattern piece also includes a first region  158  adapted to receive the first protective pad  132 A and a second region  160  adapted to receive the second protective pad  132 B. The regions  158 ,  160  may have one or more alignment markers  162  formed thereon for facilitating placement and alignment of the protective pads  132 A,  132 B on the fabric. The pads may be attached to the fabric in a number of different ways including adhesion and stitching. 
     In order to assemble the foot covering  100 , the lateral edges  146 ,  148  are brought together so that the edges are in substantial alignment with and opposed to one another. 
     The lateral edges  146 ,  148  may be attached to one another, such as by sewing or using an adhesive. However, any known means for connecting two edges of a fabric may be used. After the lateral edges  146 ,  148  have been brought together, the elongated edge  144  generally defines the foot opening shown in  FIGS. 2A and 3A . The elongated neck  154  is then placed in general alignment with the elongated edge  144 , with the lateral edges  146 ,  148  generally bisecting the neck  154 . The neck  154  is preferably sewn or adhered to the fabric piece in the vicinity of the opposing lateral edges  146 ,  148 . After the neck  154  and the lateral edges  146 ,  148  have been attached together, the foot covering has the general shape shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . As noted above, the elongated neck  154  forms the strap of the foot covering and defines a first toe opening for the large toe and a second toe opening for the four remaining toes on a foot. The elastic band (not shown) may then be sewn to the elongated edge  144  of the pattern piece. The label with the logo ( FIG. 2A ) may then be sewn over the overlapping edges of the elastic band. The protective pads  132 A,  132 B may be attached to the respective regions  158 ,  160  of the fabric. 
     In certain preferred embodiments, the foot covering shown in  FIGS. 2A-4  may be worn directly on a foot similar to underwear or a bodysuit. Thus, the foot covering may be worn alone. The foot covering may also be worn in layers, such as by first putting a sock over a foot and then putting the foot covering over the sock. In still other preferred embodiments, the foot covering can be worn inside footwear. For example, the foot covering may be placed onto the foot and then the foot may be placed into a sneaker or a dance shoe. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, a foot covering  100 ′ is made of an elastic or stretchable fabric  102 ′ and includes a first pad  132 A′ and a second pad  132 B′ that cover the ball portion of the foot. The foot covering  100 ′ includes a fabric strip  133 ′ that interconnects the first and second pads  132 A′,  132 B′. The fabric strip  133 ′ extends only partially between opposing edges  135 ′,  137 ′ of the respective first and second pads  132 A′,  132 B′. As a result, the elastic fabric  102 ′ extends between the pads so that the ball section of the foot covering can expand and stretch to accommodate expansion and stretching of the foot. The fabric strip may be integrally connected with the first and second pads, or may be attached to the first and second pads by adhesive or stitching. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , after the foot covering  100 ′ has been pulled onto a foot  138 ′, the first pad  132 A′ underlies the ball of the foot that is aligned with the big toe and the second pad  132 B′ is aligned with the ball of the foot that is aligned with the four smaller toes. The fabric strip  133 ′ interconnects the first pad  132 A′ and the second pad  132 B′. The flexible material  102 ′ extends between the two pads  132 A′ and  132 B′ so that the ball section of the foot covering can expand in response to forces from the foot. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a foot covering  100 ″ includes an elastic material  102 ″ that is able to stretch and expand in response to forces. The foot covering  100 ″ includes a first protective pad  132 A″ that covers the ball of the foot and that is aligned with the first toe opening  122 ″ and a second protective pad  132 B″ that covers the ball of the foot and that is aligned with the second toe opening  124 ″ of the foot. The second pad  132 B″ includes a first region  137 ″ that generates more traction with a floor surface and a second region  139 ″ that generates less traction than the first region. In certain embodiments, the first region  137 ″ may include a material such as rubber and the second region may include a material such as leather or suede. In certain preferred embodiments, the entire pad  132 B″ may be made of the same fabric and the first region  137 ″ may be coated with a relatively tacky/sticky material. Although the present invention is not limited by any particular theory of operation, it is believed that providing pads having one or more tacky regions will enable a dancer to have better control when dancing on a floor surface. For example, when a dancer wants to slide over the floor surface, the dancer&#39;s weight can be positioned over the less tacky sections of the pads. When a dancer wants to come to a more abrupt stop, however, the dancer&#39;s weight can be positioned over the more tacky sections of the pads. In other preferred embodiments, each pad may have two or more tackier sections that are spaced from one another. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8A-8C , in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dance shoe incorporates portions of the foot covering shown in  FIGS. 2A-7 . Referring to  FIG. 8A , a dance shoe  200  includes a shoe upper  202  having a toe region  204 , a heel region  206  and a mid-section  208  that defines a shoe opening  210 . The shoe upper may be made from any flexible fabric. Preferred fabrics for the shoe upper include leather, suede, rubber, neoprene, cotton Lycra, nylon Lycra, nylon, elastic, stretchable mesh, elastic gore, or other suitable stretchable materials. Referring to  FIGS. 8A-8C , the shoe upper preferably includes a first elastic band that extends rearwardly from the toe region  204  of the shoe upper. The first elastic band extends from the toes toward the ball portion of the foot. The first elastic band  212  wraps around the arch portion of the arc region  216  of the shoe. The elastic band  212  preferably secures the dance shoe  200  over the front end of the foot after the toes and ball portion of the foot have been inserted into the shoe opening  210 . 
     The dance shoe  200  also preferably includes a second elastic band  218  that generally covers the heel region  206  of the shoe upper. The second elastic band preferably extends from the heel region  206  to the arch region  216 . The second elastic band  218  preferably holds the heel portion of the shoe around a user&#39;s ankle. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4C , the dance shoe  200  includes a sole having a first sole region  220  and a second sole region  222 . The first sole region  220  desirably includes an elastic fabric that can stretch and then return to its original shape. The elastic fabric may be made of any material having elasticity such as leather with Lycra, Lycra, and paper Lycra. In certain preferred embodiments, the elastic material includes a mesh material  262  having a plurality of pores  264 . Although the present invention is not limited by any particular theory of operation, it is believed that the porous mesh fabric provides a dancer with a tactile sense when the shoes are worn. In other words, a dancer is able to feel the floor or substrate through the pores  264  of the mesh fabric  262 , which will undoubtedly improve control of the foot during various dance maneuvers. 
     In certain preferred embodiments, the mesh fabric is a flexible or elastic material. Preferably, the mesh fabric enables the foot to breathe through the fabric  262 . In still other preferred embodiments, the mesh fabric is a nylon mesh, a cotton Lycra mesh, neoprene or any type of elastic mesh material. The particular size of the pores may vary. In preferred embodiments, the pores are sufficiently large to provide good tactile sense, while providing a reasonable level of support to the ball and arch of a foot. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8C , one or more protective pads  232 A- 232 D are secured to the mesh fabric  262 . The pads may be secured to the interior surface of the fabric that abuts against the foot or the exterior surface of the fabric. The protective pads generally protect the underside of the foot as described above in the discussion of the foot covering shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . In the particular preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 8C , the dance shoe  200  includes a first protective pad  232 A and a second protective pad  232 B that cover the ball portion on the underside of the foot. The dance shoe also includes a third protective pad  232 C and a fourth protective pad  232 D that cover the underside of the toe region  204  of the foot. The pads are separated from one another and are able to move away from one another due to the elasticity of the material between the two or more pads. The elastic material extending between the pads allows the ball section of the foot covering to expand and widen in response to expansion of the ball portion of the foot. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8C , the second sole region  222  is covered by a sole  266  having a leading end  268  adjacent the arch  216  and a trailing end  270  at the heel of the dance shoe  200 . The sole is preferably made of a material that is more rugged than the shoe upper material. In a particular preferred embodiment, the sole  266  is preferably made of material such as leather, suede, rubber, lightweight low-density foam material such as EVA polyethylene blend, a viso-elastic polymer such as SORBOTHANE, or other shock-absorbing materials. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dance shoe  200 ′ is similar to the shoe shown in  FIGS. 8A-8C . The shoe  200 ′ includes a fabric strip  233 ′ that connects the first and second pads  232 A′ and  232 B′. The elastic material  202 ′ extends between the two pads  232 A′ so that the ball section of the shoe can expand and stretch in response to forces from a foot. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A-10C , in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dance shoe  300  includes a shoe upper  302  and a toe region  304 , a heel region  306  and a mid-section  308 . The shoe upper  302  includes a reinforcement patch  310 . The toe region  304  and lateral sides of the shoe upper in ball region of the shoe. The shoe upper may be made of any of the flexible fabrics disclosed previously herein. 
     Dance shoe  300  preferably includes a sole including first sole region  320  and second sole region  322  spaced therefrom. The underside of the dance shoe  300  in the first sole region is preferably covered with elastic or stretchable fabric such as a mesh fabric  362  having pores  364 . The mesh fabric preferably extends between the arch  316  and the toe  304  of the shoe  300 . In other preferred embodiments, the elastic fabric in the toe region of the shoe may be different than the elastic fabric in the arch region of the shoe. For example, the elastic fabric in the toe region may have more elasticity than the elastic material in the arch region. 
     The dance shoe  300  includes one or more protective pads  332  that are attached to the mesh fabric  362 . In certain preferred embodiments, the pads  332  are attached to the exterior surface of the mesh fabric. The protective pads are preferably provided in the area of the mesh fabric that extends between the leading end of the arch and the toe  304 . The protective pads  332  are preferably positioned to protect certain portions of the toes and ball of the feet. In one particular preferred embodiment, protective pads  332 A and  332 B protect the ball portion of a foot while protective pads  332 C and  332 D protect the toes of a foot. The elastic fabric extends between the opposing edges of the pads so that the ball section of the sole may expand and stretch in response to forces. In certain preferred embodiments, one or more of the pads may have one or more first regions that generates less traction with a floor surface and one or more second regions that generate more traction with a floor surface. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A and 10C , the second sole region  332  of the foot may be covered by a more traditional sole  366  made of one or more of the materials described above. The sole  366  has a leading end  368  adjacent arch  316  and a trailing end  370  that defines a heel of dance shoe  300 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10B , the shoe upper  302  may include one or more loops  372  adapted to receive a shoe lace  374  for tightening the dance shoe  300  about a foot and ankle of a user. In other preferred embodiments, one or more elastic elements may be provided around the shoe opening  376  for securing the shoe to a foot. 
     As noted above, the elastic or stretchable fabric preferably provides a dancer with sufficient tactile feel through the pores  364 . The size of the pores  364  may be varied to maximize tactile feel while providing support on the underside of the dance shoe  300 . The fabric  362  is preferably flexible and/or stretchable and/or elastic for enhancing freedom of movement of the dance shoe through various foot positions. 
     In certain preferred embodiments, the present invention may be combined with one or more of the embodiments disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/228,179, entitled “Split Sole Dance Shoe Having Enhanced Flexibility And Support,” filed on even date herewith, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/657,467 filed Mar. 1, 2005, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised and employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0