Ballet pointe shoe having improved heel seam and throat with concealed pre-stressed elastic band

Abstract

Embodiments of a ballet pointe show may include a pre-stressed elastic band surrounding at least a portion of the periphery of the throat of the upper. The pre-stressed elastic band in some embodiments may be interposed between an outer fabric and an inner liner of the upper to conceal the band completely from external view. The elastic band may have a cross sectional shape whose aspect ratio is greater than 3:1 so that pressure exerted on the foot of a ballet dancer by the elastic band during use is kept sufficiently low to avoid discomfort yet still provide adequate securement of the throat to the foot. Some embodiments of a ballet pointe shoe may include an improved heal seam construction which is secure and inconspicuous even though devoid of an a exterior binder strip.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ballet pointe shoe for use by a ballet dancer, said ballet pointe shoe, comprising:
 an upper having a platform located at a forward end of the ballet pointe shoe; a foot compartment disposed within the upper, the upper including an outer fabric, inner liner and a throat defining an opening by way of which the foot of the ballet dancer enters the foot compartment the throat including an elastic band which is mounted between the outer fabric and the inner liner completely concealed from external view; no portion of the elastic band protruding externally of the outer fabric   
     
     
         2 . A ballet pointe shoe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at the elastic band is a pre-stressed elastic band that causes at least a portion of the throat to exert compressive force on the foot of the ballet dancer during use of the ballet pointe shoe. 
     
     
         3 . A ballet pointe shoe as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the elastic band has a cross section having an aspect ratio of at least 3:1. 
     
     
         4 . A ballet pointe shoe as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the elastic band has a cross section having an aspect ratio in the range from 3:1 to 12:1. 
     
     
         5 . A ballet pointe shoe for use by a ballet dancer, said ballet pointe shoe, comprising:
 an upper having a platform located at a forward end of the ballet pointe shoe and a heel located at a rearward end of the ballet pointe shoe, said upper including an outer fabric and an inner liner; said heel including a seam along which said fabric outer fabric and said inner liner are joined to one another without a binder strip external to the exterior fabric.   
     
     
         6 . A ballet pointe shoe as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said upper further includes a throat which defines an opening by way of which the foot of the ballet dancer enters the foot compartment, said throat including an elastic band which is mounted between the outer fabric and the inner liner completely concealed from external view; no portion of the elastic band protruding externally of the outer fabric. 
     
     
         7 . A ballet pointe shoe as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein at the elastic band is a pre-stressed elastic band that causes at least a portion of the throat to exert compressive force on the foot of the ballet dancer during use of the ballet pointe shoe. 
     
     
         8 . A ballet pointe shoe as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the elastic band has a cross section having an aspect ratio of at least 3:1. 
     
     
         9 . A ballet pointe shoe as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the elastic band has a cross section having an aspect ratio in the range from 3:1 to 12:1.