U.S. patent application number 10/746955 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-22 for ice skate.
This patent application is currently assigned to JAS. D. EASTON. Invention is credited to Goldsmith, Edward M., Grossman, Richard D..
Application Number | 20040140631 10/746955 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22561344 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040140631 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goldsmith, Edward M. ; et
al. |
July 22, 2004 |
Ice skate
Abstract
An ice skate comprising a blade and a blade holder. The blade
holder providing decreasing, non rigid, and/or no lateral support
in a rearward region of the blade so that it may facilitate
increased or freer flexibility of the blade and improved
maneuverability. The blade is rigidly laterally supported at a
front end section of the blade holder and preferably also at a back
end section of the blade holder so that it may facilitate efficient
transfer of force between the skater and the blade. One or more
non-rigid support members may be employed to control, absorb and/or
cushion the flexing of the blade. The ice skate may be tuned to
reflect the desired performance requirements of the individual
skater and/or use.
Inventors: |
Goldsmith, Edward M.;
(Granada Hills, CA) ; Grossman, Richard D.;
(Granada Hills, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JONES DAY
555 WEST FIFTH STREET, SUITE 4600
LOS ANGELES
CA
90013-1025
US
|
Assignee: |
JAS. D. EASTON
|
Family ID: |
22561344 |
Appl. No.: |
10/746955 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10746955 |
Dec 23, 2003 |
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10230799 |
Aug 28, 2002 |
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6695322 |
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10230799 |
Aug 28, 2002 |
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09156847 |
Sep 16, 1998 |
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6467778 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/11.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 1/00 20130101; A63C
1/30 20130101; A63C 1/22 20130101; A63C 1/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/011.12 |
International
Class: |
A63C 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An ice skate comprising: a blade holder including an elongate
body extending from a front end section to a back end section; a
blade including a front end and a back end, the front end being
enclosed by the front end section, the back end being enclosed by
the back end section, the blade being rigidly laterally supported
at the front end section of the blade holder and a portion of at
least one side of the blade located behind the front end section
being laterally unsupported and displaced from the blade
holder.
2. The ice skate as set forth in claim 1, wherein the blade is
rigidly laterally supported at the back end section of the blade
holder.
3. The ice skate as set forth in claim 1, wherein the blade holder
further comprises a groove adapted to snugly receive the blade.
4. The ice skate as set forth in claim 1, wherein a portion of both
sides of the blade located behind the front end section being
laterally unsupported and displaced from the blade holder.
5. The ice skate as set forth in claim 1, wherein the blade further
comprises an upper surface, the upper surface being spaced apart
from the blade holder so as to form a void between the upper
surface and the blade holder.
6. The ice skate as set forth in claim 1, wherein the portion of at
least one side of the blade located behind the front end section
being laterally unsupported and displaced from the blade holder is
located behind the ball of the foot.
7. The ice skate as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an
elastic non-rigid support member being interposed between a portion
of the blade located behind the front end section and the blade
holder.
8. The ice skate as set forth in claim 7, wherein the blade holder
further comprises a groove and the elastic non-rigid support member
is interposed between a portion of at least one side of the blade
and the groove.
9. The ice skate set forth in claim 1, further comprising an ice
skate boot in communication with the blade holder.
10. An ice skate comprising: a blade including a first and second
side, an upper surface, an ice engaging surface generally opposed
to the upper surface and a forward section; a blade holder rigidly
laterally supporting the blade at the forward section of the blade,
a portion of the first side located behind the forward section
being displaced from the blade holder; an elastic non-rigid support
member being interposed between the blade holder and the portion of
the first side located behind the forward section of the blade that
is displaced from the blade holder.
11. The ice skate as set forth in claim 10, wherein the blade
further comprises a rearward section located behind the forward
section, the rearward section being rigidly laterally supported by
the blade holder.
12. The ice skate as set forth in claim 10, wherein the blade
holder further comprises a groove adapted to snugly receive the
blade.
13. The ice skate as set forth in claim 10, wherein a portion of
the second side of the blade located behind the forward section is
displaced from the blade holder.
14. The ice skate as set forth in claim 13, wherein an elastic
non-rigid support member is interposed between the blade holder and
the portion of the second side of the blade located behind the
forward section and displaced from the blade holder.
15. The ice skate as set forth in claim 10, wherein at least one
side of the blade located behind the forward section is laterally
unsupported.
16. The ice skate as set forth in claim 15, wherein the portion of
at least one side of the blade located behind the forward section
that is laterally unsupported is located behind the ball of the
foot.
17. The ice skate as set forth in claim 16, wherein the portion of
at least one side of the blade located behind the forward section
that is laterally unsupported is located underneath the rearward
metatarsal bones of the foot.
18. The ice skate as set forth in claim 16, wherein the portion of
at least one side of the blade located behind the forward section
that is laterally unsupported is located underneath the tarsal
bones of the foot.
19. The ice skate as set forth in claim 10, wherein the upper
surface is spaced apart from the blade holder so as to form a void
between the upper surface and the blade holder.
20. The ice skate as set forth in claim 10, wherein the elastic
non-rigid support member is located behind the ball of the
foot.
21. The ice skate as set forth in claim 10, wherein the elastic
non-rigid support member is located underneath the rearward
metatarsal bones of the foot.
22. The ice skate as set forth in claim 10, wherein the elastic
non-rigid support member is located underneath the tarsal bones of
the foot.
23. The ice skate as set forth in claim 10, wherein the blade
holder further comprises a groove and the elastic non-rigid support
member is interposed between a portion of at least one side of the
blade and the groove.
24. The ice skate set forth in claim 10, further comprising an ice
skate boot in communication with the blade holder.
25. An ice skate comprising: a blade holder including a front
member having a front end section, a back member having a back end
section, the front member extending from the front end section
toward the back member and the back member extending from the back
end section toward the front member; a blade including a front end
and a back end, the front end being enclosed by the front member
and the back end being enclosed by the back member, the blade being
rigidly laterally supported at the front end section, a portion of
at least one side of the blade located behind the front end section
being laterally unsupported and displaced from the blade
holder.
26. The ice skate as set forth in claim 25, wherein the blade is
rigidly laterally supported at the back end section of the blade
holder.
27. The ice skate as set forth in claim 25, wherein the blade
holder further comprises a groove adapted to snugly receive the
blade.
28. The ice skate as set forth in claim 25, wherein a portion of
both sides of the blade located behind the front end section are
laterally unsupported and displaced from the blade holder.
29. The ice skate as set forth in claim 25, wherein the blade
further comprises an upper surface, the upper surface being spaced
apart from the blade holder so as to form a void between the upper
surface and the blade holder.
30. The ice skate as set forth in claim 25, wherein the portion of
at least one side of the blade located behind the front end section
being laterally unsupported and displaced from the blade holder is
located behind the ball of the foot.
31. The ice skate as set forth in claim 25, wherein the portion of
at least one side of the blade located behind the front end section
being laterally unsupported and displaced from the blade holder is
located underneath the rearward portion of the metatarsal bones of
the foot.
32. The ice skate as set forth in claim 25, wherein the portion of
at least one side of the blade located behind the front end section
being laterally unsupported and displaced from the blade holder is
located underneath the tarsal bones of the foot.
33. The ice skate as set forth in claim 25, further comprising an
elastic non-rigid support member interposed between a portion of
the blade located behind the front end section and the blade
holder.
34. The ice skate as set forth in claim 33, wherein the blade
holder further comprises a groove and the elastic non-rigid support
member is interposed between a portion of at least one side of the
blade and the groove.
35. The ice skate as set forth in claim 33, wherein the elastic
non-rigid support member is located behind the ball of the
foot.
36. The ice skate as set forth in claim 33, wherein the elastic
non-rigid support member is located underneath the rearward
metatarsal bones of the foot.
37. The ice skate as set forth in claim 33, wherein the elastic
non-rigid support member is located underneath the tarsal bones of
the foot.
38. The ice skate as set forth in claim 25, further comprising an
elastic non-rigid support member being interposed between the blade
holder and a portion of both sides of the blade located behind the
front end section.
39. The ice skate set forth in claim 25, further comprising an ice
skate boot in communication with the blade holder.
40. An ice skate comprising: a blade holder including a front
member generally underlying the toe region and the forward
metatarsal area of the foot, a back member generally underlying the
heel of the foot, a center section longitudinally extending from
the front member to the back member, the center section having a
portion being more laterally rigid toward the front member than the
back member; a blade being rigidly laterally supported at the front
member of the blade holder.
41. The ice skate set forth in claim 40, wherein the portion of the
center section being more laterally rigid toward the front member
than the back member is located behind the ball of the foot.
42. The ice skate set forth in claim 40, wherein the portion of the
center section being more laterally rigid toward the front member
than the back member is located underneath the rearward metatarsal
bones of the foot.
43. The ice skate set forth in claim 40, wherein the portion of the
center section being more laterally rigid toward the front member
than the back member is located underneath the tarsal bones of the
foot.
44. The ice skate set forth in claim 41, 42 or 43, wherein the
portion of the center section being more laterally rigid toward the
front member than the back member communicates continuous and
decreasing lateral rigidity extending rearward toward the heel of
the foot to the underlying portion of the blade.
45. The ice skate set forth in claim 40, wherein at least one side
of the blade located behind the rigid lateral support is laterally
unsupported and displaced from the blade holder.
46. The ice skate set forth in claim 40, further comprising an
elastic non-rigid support member interposed between at least one
side of the blade and the blade holder.
47. The ice skate set forth in claim 40, wherein the blade is
rigidly laterally supported at the back member of the blade
holder.
48. The ice skate set forth in claim 40, further comprising an ice
skate boot in communication with the blade holder.
49. An ice skate comprising: a blade holder including a front end
section, a back end section and, a center section longitudinally
extending between the front end section and the back end section, a
portion of the center section located behind the ball of the foot
having continuos decreasing lateral rigidity extending toward the
heel of the foot. a blade being rigidly laterally supported at the
front end section of the blade holder.
50. The ice skate set forth in claim 49, wherein the portion of the
center section having continuos decreasing lateral rigidity
extending toward the heel of the foot is located underneath the
rearward metatarsal bones of the foot.
51. The ice skate set forth in claim 49, wherein the portion of the
center section having continuos decreasing lateral rigidity
extending toward the heel of the foot is located underneath the
tarsal bones of the foot.
52. The ice skate set forth in claim 49, 50 or 51, wherein the
portion of the center section having continues decreasing lateral
rigidity extending toward the heel of the foot communicates
continuous and decreasing lateral rigidity extending rearward
toward the heel of the foot to the underlying portion of the
blade.
53. The ice skate set forth in claim 49, wherein at least one side
of the blade located behind the rigid lateral support at the front
end section of the blade holder is laterally unsupported and
displaced from the blade holder.
54. The ice skate set forth in claim 49, further comprising an
elastic non-rigid support member interposed between at least one
side of the blade and the blade holder.
55. The ice skate set forth in claim 49, wherein the blade is
rigidly laterally supported at the back end section of the blade
holder.
56. The ice skate set forth in claim 55, wherein the center section
is integrally connected with the front and back end sections.
57. The ice skate set forth in claim 49, further comprising an ice
skate boot in communication with the blade holder.
58. An ice skate for a foot comprising: a blade holder including a
front end section and a back end section; and a blade including a
front end and a back end, the front end being enclosed by the front
end section, the blade being rigidly laterally supported at the
front end section of the blade holder and a portion of at least one
side of the blade located behind the front end section not being
rigidly laterally supported.
59. The ice skate as set forth in claim 58, wherein the blade is
rigidly laterally supported at the back end section of the blade
holder.
60. The ice skate as set forth in claim 58, wherein the blade
holder comprises a plastic construction.
61. The ice skate as set forth in claim 58, wherein the blade
holder comprises a fiber reinforced plastic construction.
62. The ice skate as set forth in claim 58, wherein the blade, when
secured to the blade holder, is configured to allow lateral flexing
of the blade relative to the blade holder.
63. The ice skate as set forth in claim 58, wherein the blade
holder includes a first passage and the blade includes a second
passage configured to be in alignment with the first passage when
the blade is secured to the blade holder.
64. The ice skate as set forth in claim 58, wherein the blade
includes a convex ice engaging surface.
65. The ice skate as set forth in claim 58, wherein the blade
holder is removably secured to the blade.
66. The ice skate as set forth in claim 58, wherein the blade
holder further comprises a groove adapted to snugly receive upper
regions of the blade.
67. The ice skate set forth in claim 58, wherein the blade further
comprises an upper surface spaced apart from the blade holder to
define a space between the upper surface of the blade and the blade
holder.
68. The ice skate set forth in claim 58, wherein the blade holder
further comprises a front pedestal configured to underlie the toe
region of the foot of the intended wearer and a rear pedestal
configured to underlie the heel region of the foot of the intended
wearer.
69. The ice skate set forth in claim 58, wherein the blade holder
further comprises molded opposed wall members spaced apart from one
another.
70. The ice skate set forth in claim 69, wherein the opposed wall
members are constructed of molded plastic.
71. The ice skate set forth in claim 68, further comprising a boot
configured to receive a foot, said boot being secured to the front
and rear pedestals of the blade holder.
72. The ice skate set forth in claim 71, wherein the boot is
secured to the blade holder via rivets that extend through flanges
of the front and rear pedestals.
73. The ice skate set forth in claim 58, wherein a portion of both
sides of the blade located behind the front end section are not
being rigidly laterally supported.
74. The ice skate set forth in claim 58, wherein the portion of at
least one side of the blade located behind the front end section
not being rigidly laterally supported is configured to be located
behind the ball of the foot.
75. An ice skate for a foot comprising, a blade holder and blade
assembly configured such that, when the blade is operatively
secured to the blade holder, the blade is enclosed by the blade
holder at the blade's front and back ends and a portion of at least
one side of the blade located between the front and back ends is
laterally unsupported and displaced from the blade holder.
76. A method for making an ice skate for a foot comprising the
steps of: (a) providing a blade holder including an elongate body
extending from a front end section to a back end section; (b)
providing a blade that extends from a front end to a back end; (c)
securing the blade holder to the blade to form a blade holder and
blade assembly; (d) configuring the blade holder and blade
assembly, such that, when the blade is operatively secured to the
blade holder: the blade is enclosed at its front and back ends by
the front and back end sections, respectively, of the blade holder,
the blade is rigidly laterally supported at the front end section
of the blade holder, and a portion of at least one side of the
blade located behind the front end section is not rigidly laterally
supported.
77. The method of claim 76, further comprising the step of securing
the blade holder to a boot.
78. An ice skate for a foot comprising: a blade holder including a
front end section and a back end section; and a unitary metal blade
extending from a front end to a back end, the front end being
enclosed by the front end section, the back end being enclosed by
the back end section, the blade being rigidly laterally supported
at the front end section of the blade holder and a portion of at
least one side of the blade located behind the front end section
not being rigidly laterally supported.
79. An ice skate blade and blade holder assembly comprising: a
blade holder including a front end section and a back end section;
and a unitary metal blade extending from a front end to a back end,
the front end being enclosed by the front end section, the back end
being enclosed by the back end section, the blade being rigidly
laterally supported at the front end section of the blade holder
and a portion of at least one side of the blade located behind the
front end section not being rigidly laterally supported.
80. An ice skate blade and blade holder assembly comprising: a
blade holder including an elongate body extending from a front end
section to a back end section; and a unitary metal blade extending
from a front end to a back end, the front end being enclosed by the
front end section, the back end being enclosed by the back end
section, the blade being rigidly laterally supported at the front
end section of the blade holder and a portion of at least one side
of the blade located between the front and back end sections being
adapted to allow for lateral flex of the blade relative to the
directly overlying portion of the blade holder.
81. A unitary metallic ice skate blade extending from a front end
to a back end and having a top surface and bottom surface and a
first and second side, such blade configured to being secured to an
ice skate blade holder, such that when the blade is operatively
secured to the blade holder: (a) the front end and back end are
enclosed by the blade holder; (b) the front end of the blade is
rigidly laterally supported by the blade holder; (c) a portion of
at least one side of the blade located behind the rigidly laterally
supported front end is not rigidly laterally supported; and (d) the
top surface of the metallic blade at said portion being vertically
displaced from the blade holder.
82. The ice skate blade of claim 81, further comprising a means for
removably securing the blade to the blade holder.
83. The ice skate blade of claim 82, wherein said means comprises
at least two fastening apertures arranged to receive a
fastener.
84. The ice skate blade of claim 81, wherein said portion is
configured to be located behind the ball of the foot.
85. The ice skate blade of claim 81, wherein said portion is not
laterally supported on both sides.
86. The ice skate blade of claim 81, wherein said lower surface
includes a convex ice engaging surface.
87. The ice skate blade of claim 81, wherein said upper surface
includes a recessed region positioned between the front and back
ends of the blade.
88. The ice skate blade of claim 81, wherein the blade is an ice
hockey blade.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/230,799 filed on Aug. 28, 2002, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/156,847 filed
on Sep. 16, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,778. This application
claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 to each of the
foregoing-identified applications, which are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The field of the present invention is ice skates.
[0003] The following U.S. patents are hereby incorporated by
reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,484,148, 5,456,495, 5,383,674,
5,332,242, 5,318,310, 5,248,156, 4,826,183, 4,773,658, 4,453,727,
4,218,069, 4,150,837, 4,088,335, 4,085,944, 4,074,909, 4,071,938,
4,053,168, and 3,934,892, and U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 254,201, and
249,973.
[0004] In conventional ice skate assemblies such as those disclosed
in the aforementioned referenced patents and those manufactured and
sold by Canstar Sports Group, Inc. under the trademark TUUK, a
molded plastic blade holder, which is designed to be attached to or
integral with a skate boot, has a longitudinal slot or groove in
which an ice skate blade is snugly received. The blade holder,
either separately or in combination with a reinforcement member of
greater rigidity, is designed to be in direct contact with the
sides of the blade and, thereby, provides lateral support along the
full longitudinal length of the blade. Greater support is typically
provided toward the front and rear of the blade and less support in
an around the center of the blade. The center sections are
generally designed to provide increasing or non-varying lateral
support to an underlying portion of the blade located generally
behind the ball of the foot and increasing or non-varying as it
extends toward the heel.
[0005] In operation, the support provided by the blade holder
functions to inhibit the blade from freely flexing in the lateral
direction along its longitudinal axis and twisting around its
longitudinal axis. While conventional blade holders provide a
certain degree of lateral and torsional support to the blade they
nonetheless are capable of being twisted, flexed, and/or bent by
the forces placed on them by the blade. Such deformations while
perhaps beneficial in some circumstances may be detrimental to the
efficient transfer of force between the skater and the skate blade
and to the maneuverability of the skater.
[0006] Accordingly, a need exists for an improved ice skate that
can efficiently transfer force so as to facilitate rapid
acceleration and deceleration and yet achieve the desired
maneuverability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to an ice skate including
a blade holder and blade. The configuration of the combination
provides decreasing, non-rigid and/or no lateral support in a
section of the blade holder.
[0008] Accordingly, a first separate aspect of the present
inventions comprises an ice skate having a blade holder and a
blade. The blade holder comprises an elongate body extending from a
front end section to a back end section. The blade includes a front
end and a back end, the front end being enclosed by the front end
section of the blade holder and the back end being enclosed by the
back end section of the blade holder. The blade is rigidly
laterally supported at the front end section of the blade holder;
and a portion of at least one side of the blade located behind the
front end section is laterally unsupported and displaced from the
blade holder.
[0009] A second separate aspect of the present invention comprises
an ice skate having a blade, a blade holder, and an elastic
non-rigid support member. The blade includes a first and second
side, an upper surface, an ice engaging surface generally opposed
to the upper surface, and a forward section. The blade holder
rigidly laterally supports the blade at the forward section of the
blade. A portion of the first side of the blade located behind the
forward section is displaced from the blade holder. An elastic non
rigid support member is interposed between the blade holder and the
portion of the first side of the blade located behind the forward
section of the blade that is displaced from the blade holder.
[0010] A third separate aspect of the present invention comprises
an ice skate having a blade holder and a blade. The blade holder
includes a front member having a front end section, a back member
having a back end section, the front member extending from the
front end section toward the back member and the back member
extending from the back end section toward the front member. The
blade includes a front end and a back end, the front end being
enclosed by the front member and the back end being enclosed by the
back member, the blade being rigidly laterally supported at the
front end section. A portion of at least one side of the blade
located behind the front end section is unsupported and displaced
from the blade holder.
[0011] A fourth separate aspect of the present invention comprises
an ice skate having a blade and a blade holder. The blade holder
includes a front member generally underlying the toe region and the
forward metatarsal area of the sole, a back member generally
underlying the heel of the sole, and a center section
longitudinally extending from the front member to the back member.
The center section includes a portion that is more laterally rigid
toward the front member than the back member. The blade is
laterally supported at the front end section of the blade
holder.
[0012] A fifth separate aspect of the present invention comprises
an ice skate having a blade holder and a blade. The blade holder
includes a front end section, a back end section and a center
section longitudinally extending between the front end section and
the back end section. A portion of the center section located
behind the ball of the foot has continuous decreasing lateral
rigidity extending toward the heel of the foot. The blade is
laterally supported at the front end section of the blade
holder.
[0013] In a sixth separate aspect of the present invention it is
contemplated that elements of the aforementioned aspects of the
present invention may be combined.
[0014] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an ice skate that can improve maneuverability and yet can
be efficient in the transfer of acceleration and deceleration
forces. Other and further objects and advantages will appear
hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of an ice
skate.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of the ice skate blade holder and
blade illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the blade is unattached to the
blade holder.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the ice skate blade holder and
blade illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a second alternative embodiment
of an ice skate blade holder and blade.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of
FIG. 5.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a side view of a third alternative embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a second preferred implementation
of the second alternative embodiment of an ice skate blade holder
and blade depicted in FIG. 5.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of
FIG. 8.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a first preferred implementation
of the third alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] In the drawings, for clarity of description, any reference
numeral representing an element in one figure shall represent the
same element in any other figure.
[0026] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates an ice skate 1 comprising an
ice skate boot 10, an ice skate blade holder 100 and an ice skate
blade 200. The ice skate boot 10 is comprised of an upper 11, an
outsole 12, the outsole 12 being attached to the ice skate blade
holder 100. The blade holder 100 is comprised of a front member 120
including a front end section 130 and a back member 140 including a
back end section 150. The front member 120 may be in the form of a
front pedestal generally underlying the toe region 610 and the
forward metatarsal area 620 of the skater's foot 600 overlying the
outsole 12. The back member 140 may be in the form of a rear
pedestal generally underlying the heel 630 of the skater's foot 600
overlying the outsole 12. Flanges 160 surround the top of the blade
holder 100 at the front and back members 120, 140. Blade
holder-boot attachment holes 170 may be provided through the
flanges 160 to facilitate the attachment of the blade holder 100 to
the boot 10 via conventional means such as rivets, screws or the
like. It should be recognized however that the blade holder 100
could be formed integrally with the ice skate boot 10, thus, making
conventional mechanical attachment of the blade holder 100 to the
ice skate boot 10 unnecessary.
[0027] In order to improve the blade holder's integrity and
rigidity and to facilitate efficient communication between the
front and back members 120 and 140, the ice skate blade holder 100
is preferably further comprised of a center section 110 extending
longitudinally between the front and back members 120 and 140. In
this configuration, the blade holder 100 is generally in the form
of an elongate body.
[0028] Grooves 180 adapted to snugly receive the blade 200 are
formed at the bottom of the blade holder 100. Blade attachment
holes 185 are provided through the blade holder 100 at the front
and back members 120 and 140 to facilitate the retention of the
blade 200 within the blade holder 100. The blade holder 100 may be
formed of opposed wall members 190 manufactured of fiber reinforced
composite material such as fiber reinforced rigid plastic, sheet
and bulk molding compounds of a high fiber content, or like
material capable of providing rigid lateral support to the blade
200.
[0029] A blade 200 is formed so that it is generally curved
throughout its length in a longitudinal plane to define a convex
lower surface or ice engaging surface 210. The blade 200 may be
formed of plated or unplated carbon steel, stainless steel, or any
material that functions to achieve the desired results. The ice
engaging surface 210 usually includes one or more edges that engage
the ice surface. Generally opposed to the ice engaging surface is
an upper surface 220 of the blade 200. The blade 200 is further
comprised of a first and second side 230 and 240 generally opposed
to one another and generally vertical to the ice engaging surface
210 and the upper surface 220. The blade 200 further comprises a
front end 250 and a back end 260. Positioning holes 275 are
provided in attachment ears 270 of the blade 200 so that when the
blade 200 is received in the blade holder 100 the positioning holes
275 are generally concentric with the blade attachment holes 185.
Screws 400 and securing nuts 410, adapted to being secured to one
another and directionally received within the positioning holes 275
and the blade attachment holes 185, retain the blade 200 within the
grooves 180 of the blade holder 100.
[0030] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1, and 3-6, the blade 200 is
rigidly supported in the lateral direction at a forward section 280
of the blade 200 and preferably at the front end section 130 of the
blade holder 100. The blade 200 may also be rigidly supported in
the lateral direction at a rearward section 290 of the blade 200,
preferably at the back end section 150 of the blade holder 100. The
rigid support can facilitate the efficient transfer of force
between the skater and the skate blade 200 as well as limit the
torsional bending of the blade. Thus, the rigid lateral support can
facilitate the skater's efficient acceleration and deceleration.
The rearward section 290 of the blade 200 is defined as the section
of the blade 200 located rearward (toward the heel) of the forward
section 280 of the blade 200. A portion of at least one side of the
rearward section 290 of the blade 200 is laterally unsupported and
displaced from the blade holder 100 to facilitate the flexing of
the blade 200 in the lateral direction along the blade's
longitudinal axis and thereby allows the blade 200 to "hug" or bend
into contact with the ice surface. This portion is preferably
located generally behind the ball 640 of the skater's foot 600
underneath the rearward metatarsal 650 and/or tarsal 660 bones of
the skater's foot 600.
[0031] In this preferred embodiment, a portion of the upper surface
220 of the blade 200 located in the rearward section 290 is
displaced from the blade holder 100 so as to form a void 430
between the blade holder 100 and the upper surface 220 of the blade
200. The void 430 is formed so that it underlies a portion of the
center section 110 of the blade holder 100. The void 430 may be
achieved by reducing the height of the blade 200. The height of the
blade 200 is defined by the distance between the upper surface 220
and the ice engaging surface 210 of the blade 200. While the void
430 in this preferred embodiment is achieved via the design of the
blade 200, it should be understood that the void 430 may also be
formed by modification or design of the blade holder 100. The front
end 250 and the back end 260 of the blade 200 are enclosed within
the blade holder 100 at the front member 120 and back member 140 of
the blade holder 100, respectively.
[0032] In a second alternative preferred embodiment, illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 6, the blade 200 is rigidly supported in the lateral
direction at a forward section 280 of the blade 200 and preferably
at the front end section 130 of the blade holder 100. The blade 200
may also be rigidly supported in the lateral direction at a
rearward section 290 of the blade 200, preferably at the back end
section 150 of the blade holder 100. A groove 180 is employed to
house at least a portion of the rearward section 290 of the blade
200 so that the upper surface 220 resides within the groove 180.
The sides of the groove 180 are set apart a distance greater than
the thickness of the blade 200 so that at least a portion of one
side of the rearward section 290 housed by the groove 180 is
displaced from the blade holder 100, preferably in the center
section 110 and more preferably behind the ball 640 of the foot 600
of the skater so as to be positioned behind the rearward metatarsal
650 and/or tarsal 660 bones of the skater. The thickness of the
blade 200 is defined as the distance between the first and second
side 230 and 240 of the blade 200. In this respect, the sides of
the groove 180 serve the dual purpose of functioning as a rigid
"stop", so as to limit the distance the blade 200 can flex in the
lateral direction and as a protective guard by covering the upper
edges of the blade 200.
[0033] In order to avoid frictional contact between the upper
surface 220 of the blade 200 and the blade holder 100 so as to
facilitate freer lateral flexibility of the blade 200, it is
preferred that the upper surface 220 of the portion of the blade
200 located in the rearward section 290 and displaced from the
groove 180 also be displaced from the groove's upper surface.
However, it is apparent that contact between the groove's upper
surface and the upper surface 220 of the blade 200 may also be
practiced to achieve the substantial benefits of the invention.
[0034] In order to control, absorb or cushion the flexing of the
blade 200, one or more elastic non-rigid support members 500 may be
interposed between the sides of the groove 180 and a displaced
portion of the first side 230 and/or the second side 240 of the
rearward section 290 of the blade 200. The term "elastic" shall
mean a material having greater capability to recover its size after
being deformed than that material used in the construction of the
portion of the blade holder 100 which the elastic non-rigid support
member 500 is interposed. Materials suitable for use in
manufacturing the elastic non-rigid support member 500 include
elastomer thermoplastics such as urethane and rubber and thermoset
materials, cork, foam elastomer, low density polyethelyne, and any
other material that functions in a like manner.
[0035] The ice skate may be tuned or adjusted to reflect the
abilities of the user and or the type of use for which the ice
skate is employed. For example, for heavier or more accomplished
skaters the length of the displaced and/or unsupported portion of
the rearward section 290 of the blade 200 may be shortened to
reflect the skater's capabilities of exerting the force required
for flexing the blade 200 in the lateral direction.
[0036] The ice skate could also be tuned via the selection of the
material(s) used in the construction of the elastic non-rigid
support member(s) 500. The choice of material(s) would be based,
among other things, on their suitability in effectuating the
desired performance for the particular individual skater and/or
use, as well as, the inherent lateral rigidity of the blade holder
100 and blade 200 as reflected in their design and the materials
employed in their manufacture. Furthermore, the selection of the
materials employed in the manufacture of the elastic non-rigid
support members 500 may reflect the distinctive characteristic
forces of supination and pronation of the skater's foot. For
example, the material(s) employed in the manufacture of the elastic
non-rigid support member 500 on the medial side of the blade 200
may be different than the material employed on the lateral side of
the blade 200. In addition, the size and placement of the elastic
non-rigid member 500 in the rearward section 290 of the blade 200
may differ to reflect the desired performance.
[0037] In a third alternative preferred embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 7, a section of the blade holder 100 is designed so that there
is a portion of continuous decreasing lateral support located
rearward from the ball 640 of the ice skater's foot 600. The ball
640 of the foot 600 is defined generally as the area where the most
medial forward metatarsal 620 bone meets the most medial phalange
670 bone of the foot 600 and is characterized externally by the
beginning of the arch 680 of the foot 600 on the medial side of the
foot 600. The decreasing lateral support located rearward from the
ball 640 of the ice skater's foot 600 and extending toward the heel
of the foot 600 can facilitate an increasing and transitionally
smooth flexing of the underlying region of the blade 200 and can
facilitate improved skater maneuverability. It is preferable that
the section of the blade holder having decreasing lateral support
be positioned to underlie the rearward metatarsal 650 and/or the
tarsal 660 bones of the skater. In this preferred embodiment, the
center section 110 of the blade holder 100 longitudinally extending
from the front member 120 to the back member 140 is formed with
decreasing lateral rigidity from behind the ball 640 of the foot
600 to the back member 140 so as to communicate decreasing lateral
support to the underlying portion of the blade 200. This
configuration is achieved by a continuous decrease in the height of
the blade holder 100 in a section located rearward from the ball
640 of the foot 600 and extending toward the back member 140. The
height of the blade holder 100 is defined as the distance, in a
given vertical plane, between the lower edge of the blade holder
100 and the top surface of the blade holder 100. Alternative blade
holder designs such as varying the thickness of the wall members
190, varying the distance between the wall members 190, and/or by
selecting the resilience of the material(s) employed in the
manufacture of the blade holder 100 may also achieve the desired
results.
[0038] The foregoing specification and the drawings forming part
hereof are illustrative in nature and demonstrate certain preferred
embodiments of the invention. It should be recognized and
understood, however, that the description is not to be construed as
limiting of the invention because many changes, modifications and
variations may be made therein by those of skill in the art without
departing from the essential scope, spirit or intention of the
invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the
invention be limited solely by the appended claims
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