Carbon fiber insert for ballet shoe

Abstract

An insert for a ballet pointe shoe includes an aft section positionable adjacent the heel of the shoe or between the heel and the box of the shoe, and a forward section positionable adjacent the platform and under the box. A distal end of the forward section is shaped in complement to the platform. The insert is formed of carbon fiber. The construction resists breaking down with use and can significantly reduce the cost of pointe shoes for ballet dancers while also decreasing the risk of injury.

1 . An insert for a ballet pointe shoe including a heel at one end of the shoe, a box at an opposite end of the shoe for encapsulating a dancer's toes, a platform on which a dancer's weight is balanced, and a cover, the insert comprising:
 an aft section positionable adjacent the heel or between the heel and the box; and   a forward section positionable adjacent the platform and under the box, a distal end of the forward section being shaped in complement to the platform,   wherein the insert is formed of carbon fiber.   
     
     
         2 . An insert according to  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the carbon fiber is at least 0.024 inches. 
     
     
         3 . An insert according to  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the carbon fiber is at least 0.036 inches. 
     
     
         4 . An insert according to  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the carbon fiber is between 0.024-0.072 inches. 
     
     
         5 . An insert according to  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the carbon fiber is selectable by a user according to a number of layers of carbon fiber, and wherein each layer of carbon fiber is 0.012 inches thick. 
     
     
         6 . An insert according to  claim 5 , wherein the carbon fiber is pre-impregnated with an epoxy resin. 
     
     
         7 . An insert according to  claim 6 , wherein the layers are secured together via the epoxy resin. 
     
     
         8 . An insert according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbon fiber is pre-impregnated with an epoxy resin 
     
     
         9 . An insert according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the forward section is substantially straight. 
     
     
         10 . A ballet pointe shoe comprising:
 a heel at one end;   a box at an opposite end for encapsulating a dancer's toes;   a platform on which a dancer's weight is balanced;   a cover; and   an insert, the insert including:
 an aft section positionable adjacent the heel or between the heel and the box, and 
 a forward section positionable adjacent the platform and under the box, a distal end of the forward section being shaped in complement to the platform, 
 wherein the insert is formed of carbon fiber. 
   
     
     
         11 . A ballet pointe shoe according to  claim 10 , further comprising a shank extending from at least a middle portion of the shoe to the platform, wherein the insert is positioned in the shoe on top of the shank. 
     
     
         12 . A ballet pointe shoe according to  claim 10 , wherein the shoe is without a shank such that the insert is the only support between the dancer and the cover. 
     
     
         13 . A ballet pointe shoe according to  claim 10 , wherein the box is formed of carbon fiber. 
     
     
         14 . A ballet pointe shoe according to  claim 10 , wherein the cover is formed of Kevlar. 
     
     
         15 . A ballet pointe shoe according to  claim 10 , wherein a thickness of the carbon fiber is at least 0.024 inches. 
     
     
         16 . A ballet pointe shoe according to  claim 10 , wherein a thickness of the carbon fiber is at least 0.036 inches. 
     
     
         17 . A ballet pointe shoe according to  claim 10 , wherein a thickness of the carbon fiber is between 0.024-0.072 inches. 
     
     
         18 . A ballet pointe shoe according to  claim 10 , wherein a thickness of the carbon fiber is selectable by a user according to a number of layers of carbon fiber, and wherein each layer of carbon fiber is 0.012 inches thick.