Tap Dance Shoe Assembly, System, and Method

Abstract

A tap dance shoe system and method involving a tap shoe ( 1 ), including a sole ( 10 ), having at least one sole layer ( 6 ) and a toe portion ( 4 ), and a heel ( 5 ), having at least one heel layer ( 6 ) and a heel portion ( 7 ); a toe insert ( 8 ) disposed at the toe portion ( 4 ); a heel insert ( 9 ) disposed at the heel portion ( 7 ); a toe tap ( 10 ) disposed at the toe portion ( 4 ); a heel tap ( 11 ) disposed at the heel portion ( 7 ); a structure ( 12 ) for mounting together the inserts ( 8, 9 ) and the corresponding portions ( 4, 7 ); and a structure ( 13 ) for adjustably coupling the taps ( 10, 11 ) and the corresponding inserts ( 8, 9 ).

1 . A tap assembly, comprising:
 an insert;   a replaceable tap;   a soundboard disposed between the insert and the tap; and   a structure for adjustably coupling the insert and the tap.   
   
   
       2 . An assembly, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises at least one cavity, whereby mass can be minimized; and at least one rib, whereby structural reinforcement can be provided. 
   
   
       3 . An assembly, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the insert comprises at least one of the following: a metal, a metal alloy, a polymer, a composite, a ceramic fiber composite, a carbon fiber composite or a metal matrix composite. 
   
   
       4 . An assembly, as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the insert comprises at least one mounting hole, whereby the insert can be disposed in a layer of a shoe. 
   
   
       5 . An assembly, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tap comprises at least one of the following: a metal or a metal alloy. 
   
   
       6 . An assembly, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the soundboard comprises at least one of the following: a metal, a metal alloy, a polymer, a composite, a ceramic fiber composite, a carbon fiber composite, or a metal matrix composite. 
   
   
       7 . An assembly, as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the soundboard has at least one cavity for disposing at least one standoff. 
   
   
       8 . An assembly, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the structure for adjustably coupling the insert and the tap comprises:
 at least one standoff disposed between the insert and the tap for damping vibration and   at least one fastener disposed through the at least one standoff.   
   
   
       9 . An assembly, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the structure for adjustably coupling the insert and the tap is a means for moveable angular relation between the insert and the tap, whereby mechanical pivoting can be facilitated. 
   
   
       10 . An assembly, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the structure for adjustably coupling the insert and the tap is a means for translational adjustment between the insert and the tap, whereby sonic tuning is facilitated. 
   
   
       11 . An assembly, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one fastener is selected from a group consisting of a machine screw, a set screw, and a ball joint. 
   
   
       12 . An assembly, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one fastener comprises a feature such as variable length, whereby a set of fastening members, each having a distinct length is a means for loosening or tightening the taps which can facilitate sound tuning. 
   
   
       13 . An assembly, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one fastener is a means for disassembling/reassembling the assembly to replace a tap. 
   
   
       14 . An assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one fastener is a means for disassembling/reassembling the assembly to change a soundboard. 
   
   
       15 . An assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one standoff is formed on the tap. 
   
   
       16 . An assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one standoff is formed on the insert. 
   
   
       17 . An assembly, as recited in  claim 9 , wherein moveable angular rotation comprises at least one movement selected from a group consisting of rolling, pitching and yawing. 
   
   
       18 . A tap dance shoe system, comprising:
 a tap shoe;   a tap assembly having replaceable taps disposed near a toe portion and near a heel portion of the tap shoe; and   a structure for adjustably coupling the taps to the tap assembly.   
   
   
       19 . A system, as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the tap assembly comprises:
 an insert;   a replaceable tap; and   a soundboard disposed between the insert and the tap.   
   
   
       20 . A system, as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the structure for adjustably coupling the taps to the tap assembly comprises at least one standoff disposed between the insert and the tap for damping vibration and at least one fastener disposed through the at least one standoff.