Backpack for a Dancer

Abstract

A backpack has a backpack housing forming an internal compartment that has a first inner surface and a second inner surface. An access opening for accessing the internal compartment has a closure mechanism for removably closing the internal compartment, the backpack housing further having shoulder straps. A dance shoe organizer includes a panel of flexible material having a front face and a rear face. The front face of the panel has a plurality of mesh coverings spaced longitudinally along the panel, each of the mesh coverings forming a plurality of shoe pockets. A strap fastens the panel in a folded configuration, and a hook is attached to the strap of the panel. A securing flap is attached to the first inner surface and forms an organizer compartment shaped to receive the dance shoe organizer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A backpack adapted to contain dance shoes to be worn by a user, the backpack comprising:
 a backpack housing forming an internal compartment, the internal compartment having a first inner surface and a second inner surface;   an access opening for accessing the internal compartment, the access opening having a closure mechanism for removably closing the internal compartment;   shoulder straps attached to the backpack housing so that the user may carry the backpack;   a dance shoe organizer comprising:
 a panel of flexible material having a front face and a rear face that extend to a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges, the panel extending a longitudinal length that is longer than a lateral length of the panel; 
 the front face of the panel having a plurality of mesh coverings spaced longitudinally along the panel, each of the mesh coverings having a fastenable opening formed thereupon so that each of the mesh coverings forms, with the panel, one of a plurality of shoe pockets; 
 a strap attached to the rear face, the strap having a securing mechanism for fastening the panel in a folded configuration wherein the panel is rolled longitudinally such that substantially only the rear face is exposed; and 
 a hook attached to the strap of the panel; and 
   a securing flap having a top edge, a bottom edge, and side edges, the securing flap being attached to the first inner surface of the backpack housing along the bottom and side edges to form an organizer compartment shaped to receive the dance shoe organizer.   
     
     
         2 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising an elastic band secured to the top edge of the securing flap to bias the top edge towards the first inner surface, thereby securely holding the dance shoe organizer between the securing flap and the first inner surface. 
     
     
         3 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising a front pocket formed on a front surface of the backpack housing, and a cover face for removably covering the front pocket with a fastener. 
     
     
         4 . The backpack of  claim 1 , further comprising water bottle pockets formed on sides of the backpack housing, each adapted to contain a water bottle.