Ballet shoe with elastic rim

Abstract

A ballet shoe has elastic in place of a conventional drawstring. The ballet shoe of the present invention eliminates the need for a drawstring, making it easier for children to put on their own shoe as well as making it safer, as untied shoes (or those that become untied) can be a tripping hazard. Without a drawstring, the ballet shoes provide a neat appearance while still fitting on the user's foot and minimize the need for shoe repair due to broken drawstrings.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ballet shoe comprising:
 a shoe body;   a rim formed about an opening of the shoe body; and   an elastic material disposed about the rim.   
     
     
         2 . The ballet shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a loop formed along the rim. 
     
     
         3 . The ballet shoe of  claim 2 , wherein the elastic material is disposed in the loop. 
     
     
         4 . The ballet shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic material is an elastic band. 
     
     
         5 . The ballet shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one elastic fabric disposed in a cut-away region of the rim of the shoe body. 
     
     
         6 . The ballet shoe of  claim 1 , wherein no drawstring is used to secure the ballet shoe to a user's foot. 
     
     
         7 . A ballet shoe comprising:
 a suede sole;   a leather shoe body attached to the suede sole;   a rim formed about an opening of the shoe body; and   an elastic band disposed about the rim, the elastic band operable to resilient close an opening formed by rim of the ballet shoe, wherein no drawstring is used to secure the ballet shoe to a user's foot.   
     
     
         8 . The ballet shoe of  claim 7 , further comprising a loop formed along the rim. 
     
     
         9 . The ballet shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the elastic material is disposed in the loop. 
     
     
         10 . The ballet shoe of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one elastic fabric disposed in a cut-away region of the rim of the shoe body. 
     
     
         11 . A ballet shoe comprising:
 a rim provided about an opening of a shoe body;   an elastic band disposed in about the rim; and   at least one elastic fabric disposed in a cut-away region of the rim of the shoe body.   
     
     
         12 . The ballet shoe of  claim 11 , further comprising a loop formed along the rim. 
     
     
         13 . The ballet shoe of  claim 12 , wherein the elastic material is disposed in the loop. 
     
     
         14 . The ballet shoe of  claim 11 , wherein no drawstring is used to secure the ballet shoe to a user's foot. 
     
     
         15 . The ballet shoe of  claim 11 , further comprising a suede sole and wherein the shoe body is a leather shoe body attached to the suede sole.