U.S. patent application number 13/495775 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-20 for protective cover for hockey skate boot.
This patent application is currently assigned to RESPOND, INC.. Invention is credited to Frank McClelland.
Application Number | 20120317842 13/495775 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47352550 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120317842 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McClelland; Frank |
December 20, 2012 |
PROTECTIVE COVER FOR HOCKEY SKATE BOOT
Abstract
A protective cover fits over the top of a hockey skate boot. The
cover has a vertically-split heel that is contiguous with an open
bottom, and includes enough flexibility and tension that the cover
can be flexed open diagonally from the split heel to fit over the
top of the hockey skate boot, and then released to substantially
conform to the instep, sides, ankles, and a portion of the heel in
a tensioned fit. The preferred material for the cover is a high
grade polycarbonate. The high grade polycarbonate is advantageous
over other materials known in the art of covers based on the
specific strength, impact resistance and elongation characteristics
of high grade polycarbonates. The temperature ranges that the cover
may be used in vary significantly and the high grade polycarbonate
provides for optimal protection and performance in the wide
temperature ranges.
Inventors: |
McClelland; Frank; (Gaylord,
MI) |
Assignee: |
RESPOND, INC.
Gaylord
MI
|
Family ID: |
47352550 |
Appl. No.: |
13/495775 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61497200 |
Jun 15, 2011 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/115 ;
36/72R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 5/18 20130101; A43B
7/32 20130101; A43C 11/1493 20130101; A43B 5/1683 20130101; A43B
1/0081 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/115 ;
36/72.R |
International
Class: |
A43B 23/00 20060101
A43B023/00; A43B 5/16 20060101 A43B005/16 |
Claims
1. A protective cover for a hockey skate boot having a top, sides
extending downward from the top to a sole, ankles and a heel, the
protective cover comprising; a shell portion having side portions
for covering portions of at least one of the ankles and sides of
the hockey skate boot, said side portions connected by an instep
portion for placement over the top of the hockey skate boot; and
wherein said shell portion is molded from a high grade
polycarbonate for providing for a light weight protective cover
with improved durability and impact dissipation.
2. The protective cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said high
grade polycarbonate has a tensile strength at break between 55.0
MPa and 59.0 MPa for indicating the strength of said shell
portion.
3. The protective cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said high
grade polycarbonate has an elongation at break between 108.5% and
123.9% for indicating the elongation of said shell portion.
4. The protective cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said high
grade polycarbonate has a Charpy impact between 6.0 J/cm.sup.2 and
7.0 J/cm.sup.2 for indicating the impact resistance of said shell
portion.
5. The protective cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said high
grade polycarbonate is SABIC Innovative Plastics Lexan.RTM.
EXL1414T PC Copolymer.
6. The protective cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shell
portion has a thickness less than 0.125 inches.
7. The protective cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shell
portion is a one-piece molded shell portion.
8. The protective cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shell
portion includes a plurality of ribbed portions for providing
dissipation protection and for improving deflection of said shell
portion.
9. The protective cover as set forth in claim 1 further including a
split heel portion and wherein said shell portion is adapted to
partially wrap around opposite sides of the heel portion of the
hockey skate boot and said split heel portion is capable of being
flexed apart by a user to fit said shell portion diagonally over
said instep portion of the hockey skate boot.
10. The protective cover as set forth in claim 9 further including
at least one supplemental fastener disposed on said split heel
portion for securing said shell portion to the hockey skate boot at
said split heel portion.
11. The protective cover as set forth in claim 1 further including
at least one fastener for securing said shell portion to the hockey
skate boot.
12. The protective cover as set forth in claim 11 wherein said at
least one fastener is a strap.
13. The protective cover as set forth in claim 11 further including
a hockey skate boot for receiving said shell portion, said hockey
skate boot having a top, sides extending downward from said top to
a sole, ankles and a heel and wherein said at least one fastener is
disposed over said heel for securing said shell portion to said
hockey skate boot.
14. The protective cover as set forth in claim 1 further including
a hockey skate boot for receiving said shell portion, said hockey
skate boot having a top, sides extending downward from said top to
a sole, ankles, a toe portion, and a heel and wherein said side
portions of said shell portion covers said ankles of said hockey
skate boot and said instep portion of said shell portion covers a
portion of said top of said hockey skate boot.
15. The protective cover as set forth in claim 14 further including
an instep slot defined in said instep portion of said shell portion
and wherein said instep slot receives a supplemental fastener for
securing said shell portion to said hockey skate boot at said
instep portion.
16. The protective cover as set forth in claim 14 wherein said side
portions of said shell portion further covers said sides of said
hockey skate boot and said instep portion of said shell portion
extends toward said toe portion of said hockey skate boot for
covering a larger portion of said top of said hockey skate
boot.
17. The protective cover as set forth in claim 16 wherein said at
least one fastener is disposed under said sole for securing said
shell portion to said hockey skate boot.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/497,200 for a PROTECTIVE COVER FOR
HOCKEY SKATE BOOT, filed on Jun. 15, 2011, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The subject invention relates to a protective cover for a
hockey skate boot, more particularly, a protective cover molded
from a high grade polycarbonate.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Hockey pucks can cause foot and ankle injuries even through
modern skate boots that are constructed of hard-shelled plastic or
synthetic leather. This is, in part, because the fit of modern
hockey skate boots is intentionally tight. In addition, modern
hockey skate boots are designed for performance and light weight
rather than protection. The problem is worsened by the use of
composite-material hockey sticks, which throw the puck faster than
wooden sticks. The unsportsmanlike "slashing" of another player's
feet with a hockey stick can also cause foot injuries.
[0006] Tie-on or strap-on ankle protectors have been known for many
years, and the present inventor can recall cardboard-and-leather
and plastic-and-leather protective covers that are either tied or
strapped onto the exterior of a hockey skate boot directly over the
anklebone area.
[0007] One such protector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,523,567
to McClelland. The McClelland patent discloses a removable
protective boot cover for a hockey skate boot. The cover includes a
hard but flexible protective shell with an open bottom and heel.
The heel includes heel-cupping sidewall portions that flex apart
diagonally to apply the cover to the boot and to grip portions of
the boot heel under tension when released. The shell floats above
the surface of the boot on spaced pads that are secured to the
underside of the shell. The pads protect the side-foot, ankle, and
instep portions of the foot, while still allowing the boot-laces to
be adjusted when the protective boot cover is installed on the
boot. The shell is slotted on the instep to improve flexibility.
The initial tensioned fit of the cover on the boot frees the user's
hands from having to stabilize the cover while adjusting
supplemental fasteners such as straps.
[0008] Another such protector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,829,170 to Lutz, Jr. The Lutz patent discloses a removable
protective boot cover that is molded into a boot-fitting shape. The
protective cover is disposed over the upper surface and sides of
the boot, including the ankle region, and is fastened to the boot
with straps that run behind the heel and under the sole of the
boot. The strap ends are folded and secured through slots in an
effort to uniformly space the boot cover from the boot to allow the
boot cover to absorb and dissipate impact away from the surface of
the boot. The strap arrangement also specifically tensions the
upper surface of the boot cover against the boot lacing on top of
the boot, using the lacing to help define the gap and to serve as a
cushion between the boot and the boot cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is a removable hard-shell cover having
a shell portion that fits over a portion of a hockey skate boot.
The shell portion can be fitted to cover portions of the top,
sides, ankles, and may cup a portion of the heel of the boot. The
shell portion may include a vertically-split heel that is
contiguous with an open bottom, and is preferably a one-piece
construction. The shell portion has enough flexibility and tension
that the protective cover can be flexed open diagonally from the
split heel portion to fit over the top of the hockey skate boot,
and then released to substantially conform to the instep, sides,
and a portion of the heel in a tensioned fit.
[0010] In one embodiment, the shell portion covers the top, sides,
ankles and a portion of the heel of the hockey skate boot. In this
embodiment, the shell portion extends toward the toe portion of the
hockey skate boot to provide greater coverage over the top and
sides of the hockey skate boot. In another embodiment, a shorter
shell portion covers only a portion of the top, ankles, and heel of
the boot.
[0011] The preferred material for the protective shell portion is a
high grade polycarbonate. The high grade polycarbonate includes at
least three primary characteristics that make it advantageous over
other materials known in the art of protective covers; strength,
impact resistance and elongation. The temperature ranges that a
protective covers may be used in may vary significantly and the
high grade polycarbonate is superior in performance and maintains
the three primary characteristics in wide temperature ranges.
[0012] While the initial tensioned fit is secure enough for casual
skating, for competition the protective cover can be further
secured with supplemental fasteners such as straps across the heel,
top and/or sole of the boot. The shell portion of the protective
cover may be ribbed to define a gap portion between the shell
portion and the hockey skate boot. The ribbed portion and the gap
defined thereby, improve the deflection and energy dissipation of
the boot cover. The ribbing formed in the protective cover provides
significantly increased strength.
[0013] These and other features and advantages of the invention
will become apparent on further reading of the detailed description
below, in light of the accompanying drawings.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The protective cover of the present invention provides
several advantages. In accordance with one aspect, the high grade
polycarbonate has better energy absorption and better impact
dissipation qualities in a wide range of temperatures than other
materials previously used to provide protection for the player. In
addition, the high grade polycarbonate protective cover is more
flexible, durable and lighter. The one piece shell portion provides
for maximum protection. The one piece shell portion further
facilitates ease of use, thus making the protective boot easy to
put on and take off.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective cover for a
hockey skate boot in accordance with an aspect of the subject
invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the protective cover of FIG. 1
secured to a hockey skate boot in accordance with an aspect of the
subject invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an end perspective view of the protective cover of
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is an end view of the protective cover secured to a
hockey skate boot in accordance with an aspect of the subject
invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a protective cover for a
hockey skate boot in accordance with another aspect of the subject
invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side view of the protective cover of FIG. 5
secured to a hockey skate boot in accordance with another aspect of
the subject invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 is an end perspective view of the protective cover of
FIG. 5; and
[0023] FIG. 8 is an end view of a protective cover secured to a
hockey skate boot in accordance with another aspect of the subject
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate
corresponding parts throughout the several views, a protective
cover 20 for a hockey skate boot 22 is generally shown.
[0025] The subject invention relates to a removable hard-shell,
protective cover 20 that fits over a hockey skate boot 22. The
hockey skate boot 22 is a conventional hockey skate boot 22 having
a boot portion 24 and a skate blade 26 secured to the boot bottom
or sole 28 of the boot portion 24. The boot portion 24 is typically
made from a hard plastic, composite material or stiffened leather,
and has sides 30, a toe portion 32, a top or instep 34, ankles 36,
a heel 38, and a bottom or sole 28. The boot 22 is shown with the
laces being disposed over the instep 34, but it will be understood
that the protective cover 20 can be adapted for boots 22 with other
forms of boot closures such as buckles or straps or hook-and-loop
closures, and to boots 22 with closures other than over the instep
34.
[0026] The protective cover 20 includes a shell portion 40 that
fits over the hockey skate boot 22 to cover portions of the instep
34, sides 30, ankles 36 and cup a portion of the heel 38 of the
boot 22. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that
manufacturing the protective cover 20 to fit over one specific type
or style or brand of hockey skate boot 22 will result in the best
fit, but that the protective cover 20 can also be manufactured to
fit over more than one type or style or brand of hockey skate boot
22, and that its proportions and shape can accordingly vary to
accommodate hockey skate boot 22 styles different from that shown
in the illustrated example.
[0027] In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the shell
portion 40 includes side portions 42 and an upper surface or instep
portion 44 that defines an open bottom 46 of the protective cover
20. In this embodiment, the shell portion 40 covers the top 34,
sides 30, ankles 36 and a portion of the heel 38 of the hockey
skate boot 22. The shell portion 40 extends toward the toe portion
32 of the hockey skate boot 22 to provide greater coverage and
protection over the top 34, sides 30, ankles 36 and heel 38 of the
hockey skate boot 22. For further discussion purposes, this
exemplary embodiment will be referred to the long version of the
protective cover 20. In another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5-8,
the shell portion 40 is shorter and covers portions of the top 34,
ankles 36, and heel 38 of the hockey skate boot 22. For further
discussion purposes, this exemplary embodiment will be referred to
as the short version of the protective cover 20. The short version
is less bulky than the long version and provides protection
primarily for the ankles 36 of the user. The long version, on the
other hand, is larger and provides protection to a larger portion
of the hockey skate boot 22. The long and short versions of the
protective cover 20 can provide the user with options regarding the
level of protection they desire. Those who desire protection
primarily for the ankle 36 can choose to use the short version of
the of the protective cover 20, while those who desire greater
protection can choose the long version 60 of the protective boot
cover 20. It will be understood that the long and short versions
are merely exemplary and that protective covers 20 having varying
sizes and shapes may also be employed.
[0028] The shell portion 40 of both the long and short versions of
the protective cover 20 may include a vertically-split heel portion
48. In the preferred embodiment, the shell portion 40 is a
one-piece construction. The shell portion 40 has enough flexibility
and tension that the protective cover 20 can be flexed open
diagonally from the split heel portion 48 to fit over the top 34 of
the hockey skate boot 22, and then released to substantially
conform to the hockey skate boot 22 in a tensioned fit. Based on
the material used to form the protective boot cover 20, the wall
thickness of the protective cover 20 may be under 1/8-inch (0.125
inches) making it lighter while retaining the physical
characteristics. While the protective cover 20 may be under
1/8-inch (0.125 inches), it may be any thickness deemed necessary
to meet the requirements of a specific application.
[0029] To put the protective cover 20 on the hockey skate boot 22,
the user grasps the edges of split heel portion 48 and spreads them
diagonally apart far enough to fit the protective cover 20
diagonally over the instep 34 of the hockey skate boot 22 toward
the heel 38 and pushes the entire protective cover 20 down until it
seats on the skate boot 22. When the protective cover 20 is in
place, the user simply releases the spread-apart split heel portion
48. The diagonal bias molded or formed into the shell portion 40
and especially running along the side portions 42 into the split
heel portion 48 causes the shell portion 40 to try to return to its
at-rest or relaxed dimensions, which are narrower than the
corresponding sides 30 and heel 38 of the hockey skate boot 22. The
shell portion 40 accordingly grips the hockey skate boot 22 in a
tensioned fit, with the split heel portions 48 wrapping partway
around and cupping the rounded heel 38 of the hockey skate boot 22.
The shell portion 40 may include a molded-in flex bias that is
disposed along a diagonal line from the split heel portion 48
toward the instep portion 44. The molded-in flex bias draws the
split heel portion 48 together at the heel 38 of the hockey skate
boot 22 to grip the heel 38 of the hockey skate boot 22 when the
split heel portion 48 is released.
[0030] While the initial tensioned fit is secure enough for casual
skating, for competition, the protective cover 20 may be secured
with at least one supplemental fastener generally indicated, such
as a strap 50 disposed across the heel 38, sole 28, or instep 34 of
the boot 22. Webbing type straps 50 with a hook and loop closure
are preferred to secure the protective cover 20 to the hockey skate
boot 22 during the rigors of a hockey game play and puck/stick
impacts. The initial tensioned fit is also secure enough to free up
the user's hands for securing the supplemental fastener 50. The
strap 50 is preferably constructed of nylon or the like; however,
the strap 50 could also be formed of an elastic material to
accommodate flex of the hockey skate boot 22 and protective cover
20 that can occur on the "power stroke" portion of the skating
motion during a hockey game.
[0031] On both the long and short versions of the protective cover
20, the split heel portion 48 may be supplied with a self-adhering
hook-and-loop strap 50 of a known type (or equivalent releasable
connector such as a lace, cord, buckle, opposing hook-and-loop
pieces, etc.) secured to one rear edge of the split heel portion 48
of the protective cover 20 (preferably permanently, for example by
being stitched/sewn, with an adhesive or a rivet, or any other
method known in the art). The rear edge may be secured to the other
rear edge of the split heel portion 48 of the protective cover 20,
for example by threading the strap 50 through heel slots or buckles
affixed to the rear edges of the protective cover 20 and doubling
the strap 50 back on itself in known manner. The heel slots 66 for
receiving the strap 52 may be defined within the shell portion 40.
According to one aspect, the area adjacent the slots 66 (as well as
other slots) is reinforced to eliminate potential weakness.
[0032] On the long version of the protective cover 20, as shown in
FIGS. 1-4, the bottom edges of the protective cover 20 may be
secured and further tensioned with a connector running under the
sole 28 of boot 22, for example with a strap 52 or equivalent
releasable fastener secured to one lower sidewall edge of the shell
portion 40 and secured to the opposite lower sidewall edge of the
shell portion 40. This strap 52, disposed over the sole 28 of the
hockey skate boot 22, may function in the same manner as discussed
above with respect to the straps 50 used to secure the split heel
portion 48. The bottom edge may be secured to the other bottom edge
of the open bottom 46 of the protective cover 20, for example by
threading the strap 52 through bottom slots 68 or buckles affixed
to the bottom edges of the protective boot cover 20 and doubling
the strap 52 back on itself in known manner. The bottom slot 68 for
receiving the strap 52 may be defined within the shell portion 40.
While the exemplary embodiment has been described as utilizing a
hook-and-loop strap, any known supplemental fastener known in the
art may be used.
[0033] On the short version of the protective cover 20, as shown in
FIGS. 5-8, the instep portion 44 of the shell portion 40 may be
secured to the hockey skate boot 22 and further tensioned with a
supplemental fastener 52 that runs under the laces of the hockey
skate boot 22 and through an instep slot 70 defined within the
instep portion 44 of the shell portion 40. For example, a strap 52
or equivalent releasable fastener may be secured through the instep
slot 70 and secured to the hockey skate boot 22 by placement under
the skate laces at the first eyelets and then fold back on itself
to secure the front of the short version 62 of the protective cover
20 to the hockey skate boot 22. This attachment through the instep
slot 70 further prevents lateral movement of the protective boot
cover 20.
[0034] The shell portion 40 of both the long and short versions of
the boot cover 20 may include at least one ribbed portion 54 or
ribbing on its outer upper surface or instep portion 44 over the
instep 34 of the hockey skate boot 22 and the sides 30 of the cover
20 to improve deflection and dissipation protection. This ribbing
54 may be disposed on multiple surfaces of the cover 20 and defines
gap portions 64 between the protective cover 20 and the hockey
skate boot 22. On the long version of the protective cover 20, the
ribbing 54 may extend continuously from the bottom 46 of one of the
side portions 42 of the cover 20, over the upper surface that
defines the instep portion 44 of the protective cover 20, and
downwardly along the other of the side portions 42 of the
protective cover 20 to the bottom 46. On the short version of the
protective cover 20, the ribbing 54 may extend continuously over
one of the ankle 36 portions, the instep portion 44, and the other
of the ankle 36 portions. In addition, the ribs 54 may be disposed
in groupings that are not continuous over multiple surfaces of the
boot 22. For example, the ribs 54 may be disposed in a first
grouping on one of the side portions 42, a second grouping on the
other of the side portions 42 and a third grouping over the instep
portion 44 of the protective cover 20. The ribbing 54 and gap
portions 64 defined thereby, provide for increased strength and
better energy dissipation through the multiple surfaces that
deflect and dissipate impact energy better than a flat/smooth
surface, and thereby better protect the user by transferring less
impact energy to the user's foot. It will be understood that more
or fewer ribs 54 than shown are possible, and that the number,
length, width, shape, and spacing of the ribs 54 can vary from the
preferred, illustrated example.
[0035] While the protective cover 20 of the present invention may
be applied directly to the hockey skate boot 22, the shell portion
40 of the protective cover 20 may be partially backed by a
protective padding. The optional padding (not shown) may include at
least one protective pad or a plurality of protective pads that are
located on the shell portion 40 to perform two functions: to
provide an additional air pocket (by slightly suspending the shell
portion 40 over the hockey skate boot 22) for impact absorption;
and to better allow the hockey skate boot 22 to flex.
[0036] The padding may include, but is not limited to, spaced pads
that are located on the inner surfaces of the side portions 42 and
instep portion 44 of the protective cover 20. The padding is
preferably made from a known protective padding material such as,
but not limited to, closed cell foam or cushioning gel material,
and many of the known types used in protective sports equipment
padding should be suitable provided they can be cut or formed with
a suitable thickness. The pads can be secured to the inside of
shell portion 40 using known means including but not limited to
adhesives and mechanical means. Padding of suitable thickness space
the protective cover 20 away from the boot portion 24 of the hockey
skate boot 22, such that the protective cover 20 "floats" above and
around the boot portion 24 of the hockey skate boot 22 with an air
gap (except where the padding is in contact with the boot 22). An
exemplary thickness for the padding is less than 1/8-inch, although
lesser and greater thicknesses can be used depending on the degree
of protection and shock absorption desired from the spacing between
shell portion 40 and boot 22 and from the padding material itself.
The thickness of the different padding can be varied depending on
their location on the boot 22.
[0037] The padding may include spaced side pads and ankle pads on
each of the side portions 42 of the shell portion 40. The side pads
and ankle pads on each side portion 42 may be spaced by a
reinforced portion of each the side portions 42 of the shell
portion 40 that extends diagonally between the split heel portion
48 and the instep portion 44 of the shell portion 40. In addition,
the padding may include an instep pad that is disposed on the
instep portion 44 of the shell portion 40.
[0038] Since the padding is merely optional, no padding is required
and the shell portion 40 may fit directly over the hockey skate
boot 22 to be placed in direct contact with the hockey skate boot
22. The protective cover 20 may be molded to fit over one specific
type or style or brand of hockey skate boot 22, which would will
result in the best fit. In addition, the protective cover 20 may
also be manufactured to fit over more than one type or style or
brand of hockey skate boot 22, and that its proportions and shape
can accordingly vary to accommodate hockey skate boot 22 styles
different from that shown in the illustrated example.
[0039] The preferred material for the protective cover 20 is a
relatively hard but flexible plastic such as an impact resistant, a
high grade polycarbonate, with high performance specifications in
areas of strength, impact resistance and flexibility. The high
grade polycarbonate is selected to provide durability, light weight
and better impact dissipation for the player wearing the protective
cover 20. In the preferred embodiment, the high grade polycarbonate
is manufactured by Sabic, more specifically the high grade
polycarbonate may be SABIC Innovative Plastics Lexan.RTM. EXL1414T
PC Copolymer, but the high grade polycarbonate may be any high
grade polycarbonate known in the art, such as SABIC Innovative
Plastics Lexan.RTM. EXL1413T PC Copolymer. The high grade
polycarbonate has been field tested to have better durability,
energy absorption and impact dissipation performance qualities than
other plastic materials such as ABS, PETG, and lower grade
polycarbonates.
[0040] A high grade polycarbonate is advantageous over a low grade
polycarbonate. The higher the grade of the polycarbonate, the
tighter the specs and the more consistent the quality of the
polycarbonate. With a low grade polycarbonate, having a "wide spec"
in engineering terms, one does not get a consistent quality. That
is, one batch of a low grade polycarbonate may be at the top of the
performance specification range with the next batch being at the
bottom of the performance specification range, meaning one batch is
good and the next not so good and thus lacks consistency. In
addition to consistency, the high grade polycarbonate includes at
least three primary characteristics that make it advantageous over
other materials known in the art of protective covers 20. The at
least three primary characteristics include strength, impact
resistance and elongation, i.e., how far will the polycarbonate
bend before breaking. The temperature ranges that a protective
cover 20 may be used can vary significantly, increasing the need
for a material that can maintain the three primary characteristics
in the wide range of temperatures. In the range of temperatures a
user might encounter, be it in an indoor or outdoor ice rink, the
high grade polycarbonate is superior in performance and maintains
the three primary characteristics to provide for a higher quality
product with optimal protection and performance.
[0041] As stated above, the high grade polycarbonate may be a SABIC
Innovative Plastics Lexan.RTM. EXL1414T PC Copolymer, but the high
grade polycarbonate may be any high grade polycarbonate known in
the art having similar product specifications as they relate to
strength, impact resistance and elongation. The high grade
polycarbonate from Sabic has a tensile strength at break between
55.0 MPa (7980 psi) and 59.0 MPa (8560 psi) to indicate the
preferred strength. The high grade polycarbonate from SABIC has an
elongation at break between 108.5% and 123.9% to indicate the
preferred elongation. The high grade polycarbonate from SABIC has a
Charpy impact between 6.00 J/cm.sup.2 at a thickness of 3.00 mm and
temperature of -30.0.degree. C. (28.6 ft-lb/in.sup.2 at a thickness
of 0.118 inches and temperature of -22.0.degree. F.) and 7.00
J/cm.sup.2 at a thickness of 3.00 mm and temperature of
23.0.degree. C. (33.3 ft-lb/in.sup.2 at a thickness of 0.118 inches
and temperature of 73.4.degree. F.) to indicate the preferred
impact resistance. The high grade polycarbonate is selected to
provide durability, light weight and better impact dissipation over
materials previously used in the art. The high grade polycarbonate
of the present invention is a transparent injection molding grade.
The high grade polycarbonate offers extreme low temperature
(-40.degree. C.) ductility in combination with medium flow
characteristics and excellent processability. Again, the high grade
polycarbonate from Sabic is merely exemplary, and any high grade
polycarbonate having similar product characteristics may be
used.
[0042] The protective cover 20 may be formed in multiple pieces and
then joined by mechanical or adhesive or welding type means, but a
one-piece molded construction is preferred. A one piece shell
portion 40, with no gaps between pieces, as would be true of
multiple piece covers as well, provides for maximum protection. The
one piece shell portion 40 is also intended to facilitate ease of
use, thus making the protective cover 20 easy to put on and take
off. Extensive field testing at the highest levels of professional
hockey has shown that the ribbed, one piece shell portion 40 is the
most protective and durable.
[0043] The foregoing invention has been described in accordance
with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is
exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and
modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to
those skilled in the art and do come within the scope of the
invention.
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