Dance footwear

Abstract

A covering for a foot comprising a flexible body portion configured to conform to and cup the foot of a wearer along two or more of a front side zone, lateral side zone and medial side zone of a foot, the cover including a distal securer comprising a plurality of toe openings, each for encircling one or more toes, the covering configured to provide an opening exposing a substantial portion of the top of a wearer's forefoot. In some embodiments the side zones may comprise specific materials to provide desired functionality. For example, a side zone may be formed of a mesh or elastic material to provide a more secure or more comfortable fit, or better ventilation, for example.

1 . A covering for compliably conforming to a foot of a wearer, 
 comprising a body portion that has a ground engaging side and foot engaging side and configured to underlie a forefoot of a wearer, the body portion having a three-dimensional configuration comprising at least one distinct lateral or medial side zone configured for a side portion of a foot, the lateral or medial side zone having a material construction different from an adjacent zone of material above or below the lateral or medial side zone;    the body portion configured to fit substantially between about the metatarsal heads of a wearer's forefoot and a midfoot; and    the covering including a distal securer comprising a plurality of toe openings.    
   
   
       2 . The covering of  claim 1  further comprising a proximal securer oriented transversely to the foot of a wearer.  
   
   
       3 . The covering of  claim 1  wherein the covering has an opening for exposing the top of a wearer's, the opening being defined at least in part by one or more elastic top edges on lateral and medial side extensions of the body portion.  
   
   
       4 . The covering of  claim 1  wherein the bottom of the body portion consists substantially of a single ply ofcompliable material providing outsole functionality.  
   
   
       5 . The covering of  claim 3  wherein the covering has a three dimensional configuration for cupping the foot of a wearer at a front side portion of a foot.  
   
   
       6 . The covering of  claim 5  wherein there is an opening for each toe of a wearer.  
   
   
       7 . The covering of  claim 1  wherein toe opening has bottom and side boundaries formed or cut into the body portion of the covering and wherein the top boundaries are defined by an elastic element.  
   
   
       8 . The covering of  claim 1  wherein the lateral or medial zone comprises an elastic material construction.  
   
   
       9 . The covering of  claim 1  wherein the lateral or medial zone comprises a mesh material.  
   
   
       10 . A thin, compliant covering for a wearer's foot that is substantially free of bulky materials; 
 the covering having a body portion with a ground engaging side and a foot engaging side;    the covering having a distal securer that is adapted to follow a path over the top of a wearer's foot defined by about at least three metatarsal heads;    a proximal securer that is adapted to follow a path over the top of a foot along a line generally perpendicular to the long axis of the foot and disposed between about the metatarsal heads and the midfoot of a wearer's foot; and    the covering leaving a majority of the top of the forefoot between the distal and proximal securer visibly exposed, the body portion having distinct lateral or medial side zone configured for a side portion of a foot and having a material construction different from an adjacent zone of material above or below the lateral or medial side zone.    
   
   
       11 . The covering of  claim 10  wherein the lateral or medial side zone extends from a bottom zone made of a wear-resistant material for engaging the ground, the lateral or medial side zone configured to extend along a side portion of wearer's forefoot.  
   
   
       12 . The covering of  claim 10  wherein the lateral or medial side zone comprises a mesh material.  
   
   
       13 . The covering of  claim 10  wherein the lateral or medial side zone comprises an elastic material.  
   
   
       14 . The covering of  claim 11  wherein the bottom zone comprises natural or synthetic leather.  
   
   
       15 . The covering of  claim 11  wherein the bottom zone consists substantially of a single ply of leather or synthetic material.  
   
   
       16 . The covering of  claim 11  wherein the body portion has a three dimensional configuration for cupping the foot of a wearer along a side portion of the front of a foot.  
   
   
       17 . The covering of claim of  10  wherein there is an opening for each toe of a wearer.  
   
   
       18 . The covering of  claim 10  wherein a lateral or medial side zone tapers in a proximal to distal direction.  
   
   
       19 . A covering for a foot comprising a flexible body portion configured to conform to and cup the foot of a wearer along two or more of a front side zone, lateral side zone and medial side zone of a foot, the cover including a distal securer comprising a plurality of toe openings, each for encircling one or more toes, the covering configured to provide an opening exposing a substantial portion of the top of a wearer's forefoot.  
   
   
       20 . A method of manufacturing a covering for a foot comprising: 
 configuring a body portion to conform to and cup the foot of a wearer along two or more of a front side zone, lateral side zone and medial side zone of a foot, and    configuring the body portion with a distal securer comprising a plurality of toe openings, each for encircling one or more toes, and    configuring the covering to have an opening exposing a substantial portion of the top of a wearer's forefoot.