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  Angled heel/shoes/low-friction coalescent dance shoesUSPTO Application #: 20060162184Title: Angled heel/shoes/low-friction coalescent dance shoes Abstract: A heel for a shoe includes a first relatively flat surface for contacting the ground when one is walking while wearing a shoe having the heel and a second relatively flat surface for contacting the ground when one is dancing and wearing a shoe having the heel. A pair of shoes can have one or two such heels. Preferably, there is a lower-friction portion on the second relatively flat surface. The second relatively flat surface allows one to relatively easily spin while dancing, as compared to dancing with shoes having normal heels. (end of abstract) Agent: Garvey Smith Nehrbass & North, LLC - Metairie, LA, US Inventor: G Paul Nelson USPTO Applicaton #: 20060162184 - Class: 036008300 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, Boots And Shoes, Dancing The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060162184. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Priority of my U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/420,829, flied 24 Oct. 2002, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. [0002] Priority of my US Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/441,084, filed 17 Jan. 2003, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. [0003] Priority of my U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/460,049, filed 3 Apr. 2003, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0004] Not applicable REFERENCE TO A "MICROFICHE APPENDIX" [0005] Not applicable BACKGROUND [0006] 1. Field of the Invention [0007] The present invention relates to footwear utilized in dance. More particularly, the present invention relates to a specially configured dance shoe arrangement that enables couples to execute lift spin dance maneuvers more easily. [0008] 2. General Background of the Invention [0009] Athletic pursuits have long been a popular and pleasurable pastime, favored by young and old alike as an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. For the great majority of athletic activities, the single most important piece of equipment is comprised of the footwear. [0010] Athletic footwear is currently available in a wide assortment of styles, each specifically adapted for a particular use and ranging from lightweight, high traction running shoes to rigid, protective ski boots. More practical footwear is also available in many choices, from comfortable shoes for walking over extended periods of time to heavily insulated and reinforced work boots. Some articles of footwear are designed to facilitate a variety of activities such as running, walking, jumping and skateboarding. Other articles of footwear are designed specifically for a certain activity, such as dance shoes. [0011] Dance shoes are designed to allow the wearer to execute spinning, sliding or gliding maneuvers on or across the dance floor. The soles and heels of dance shoes are made of materials providing low coefficients of friction. [0012] Various inventors have developed various devices to enable one to engage in activity that enables the wearer to slide or spin. One such device is built from a low friction material and attached to the sole of the shoe in the arch region, thereby allowing the user to slide across a smooth flat surface such as a dance floor. The device may extend below the heel of the shoe and leaves the forefoot area exposed so that the user may engage the floor with the sole to be able to push off into a sliding maneuver. A device of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,572,671. [0013] Another shoe design that has been patented incorporates a low friction region protruding centrally from the sole with high friction areas surrounding this protuberance. Be user can thus engage the supporting surface by tilting the foot to lower the high friction areas of the sole and can slide by pushing off and balance on the protruding area. U.S. Pat. No. 1,984,989 discloses a device of this type. [0014] These prior devices are designed for use on flat, smooth surfaces by a single individual (the wearer). No known prior device lends itself to the execution of two dancers spinning as a single unit (hereinafter, refereed to as a coalescent-spinning or `lift spin` dancing). Thus, although well adapted for their intended use as dance footwear, these devices are of limited usefulness and are not the ideal solution for persons desiring to engage in coalescent-spinning activities. [0015] Another shoe design that has been patented incorporates low friction surfaces for sliding across a protruding feature on a supporting surface and walking surfaces for other athletic pursuits, and a method of making same. These shoes have longitudinal grind plates built into the bottom and sides of the shoe to allow the wearer to duplicate maneuvers done with skateboards called grinding. U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,150 discloses an item of this type. These shoes are not intended for dancing, spinning or coalescent-spinning activities. [0016] All of the U.S. Patents mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference. BRIEF SUMMARY [0017] The apparatus of the present invention facilitates performing the acrobatic maneuvers called coalescent-spinning or lift spin dancing by enabling a person wearing the shoes to engage an angled or inclined surface (or protruding member) on a supporting surface and support the entire weight of their dance partner while spinning. A unit of low friction surface formed on the shoes can be provided in selected configurations. The low friction spinning surfaces of the present invention can be formed integral to the shoes or can be attached thereto as removable spinning elements, and are equally adaptable to athletic, work, or recreational footwear of all types and styles. [0018] In one embodiment the spinning surfaces of the present invention do not interfere with the traditional functions of footwear and do not require the user to adjust her normal walking, running or dance gait when wearing shoes equipped with such spinning surfaces. Another embodiment includes the incorporation of a liner (e.g., Sorbothane.RTM.) or other bruise-protection material within the shoe to protect the wearer s feet from forces exerted by their partner's weight. In another embodiment the apparatus of the present invention adapts specialized equipment to traditional footwear and thereby enlarges the usefulness of such footwear and the enjoyment level of persons wearing it. [0019] The present invention can also be implemented in a wide range of aesthetic and practical choices for design and manufacturing, and can be adapted to appeal to diverse markets and consumers. The coalescent-spinning or lift spin dance apparatus of the present invention can be characterized by a shoe having a heel with a section angled upwardly (away from the floor) at the rear of the heel. This angled section of the heel can be referred to as the coalescent surface. The coalescent surface can be flat and sloped for example between 30 and 60 degrees, more preferably between about 35 and 45 degrees, and even more preferably between about 40 and 45 degrees, measured fro the bottom surface of the heel. The coalescent surface can be covered by or comprised of the same low coefficient of friction materials as that of the rest of the heel. A shoe configured in this manner can be called a coalescent dance shoe. The heel by itself is called a coalescent heel. Any make or style of shoe can be made into a coalescent dance. Shoe by replacing or installing a coalescent heel as described herein to the bottom of the shoe. The coalescent dance shoe operates in the same manner for either the left or right foot. Continue reading... Full patent description for Angled heel/shoes/low-friction coalescent dance shoes Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Angled heel/shoes/low-friction coalescent dance shoes patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Angled heel/shoes/low-friction coalescent dance shoes or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Waterproof and breathable sole for shoes, and shoe manufactured with such sole Next Patent Application: Shoe providing vertical/horizontal heel pressure diminishment Industry Class: Boots, shoes, and leggings ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Angled heel/shoes/low-friction coalescent dance shoes patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.47863 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , |
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