Tap dance shoe including integral electromechanical energy conversion means
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A tap dancing shoe adapted for use in exhibition tap dancing of the type wherein sound in the form of mechanical vibrational energy (MVE) generated by a dancer using the shoe may be amplified, said shoe comprising:
- a shoe upper;
a shoe sole connected to said upper and having a floor striking surface for contacting the dance floor and causing sound in the form of mechanical vibrational energy to be generated;
pickup means positioned in the shoe for receiving in substantially undistorted form said mechanical vibrational energy and for converting said energy into electrical signals which are representative thereof; and
transmitter means electrically connected to said pickup means for receiving said electrical signals and transmitting the same to an amplifier for conversion into amplified sound which is representative of the sound generated by the shoe sole striking the dance floor.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tap for attachment to a tap dancing shoe is disclosed. The tap includes pickup means for converting the mechanical vibrational energy generated by the tap striking the floor into a substantially undistorted electrical signal suitable for remote processing and amplification. Also disclosed is a wireless radio transmission system adapted to be carried by a dancer using the shoe whereby the electrical signals picked up by the pickup means are transmitted to a remote receiver/amplifier unit.
37 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A tap dancing shoe adapted for use in exhibition tap dancing of the type wherein sound in the form of mechanical vibrational energy (MVE) generated by a dancer using the shoe may be amplified, said shoe comprising:
-
a shoe upper; a shoe sole connected to said upper and having a floor striking surface for contacting the dance floor and causing sound in the form of mechanical vibrational energy to be generated; pickup means positioned in the shoe for receiving in substantially undistorted form said mechanical vibrational energy and for converting said energy into electrical signals which are representative thereof; and transmitter means electrically connected to said pickup means for receiving said electrical signals and transmitting the same to an amplifier for conversion into amplified sound which is representative of the sound generated by the shoe sole striking the dance floor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
7. An attachment for a tap dancing shoe and the like, said attachment being adapted to pick up sound in the form of mechanical vibrational energy which is generated as a result of the sole of the shoe striking a dance floor and to convert the sound into an amplifiable electrical signal, said attachment comprising:
-
a tap adapted to be attached to the sole of the shoe, and pickup means carried by said tap in contacting relation to the inside of the tap for directly receiving in substantially undistorted form mechanical vibrational energy generated as a result of said tap contacting the floor and for converting said energy into electrical signals that are representative thereof. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification