Patent Grant
8534680
The present invention relates to an ice skate blade assembly comprising a skate blade attachment system that allows to a user to quickly secure the ice skate blade to the blade holder and to quickly release the ice skate blade from the blade holder. The attachment system is easy for the user to use and does not require the assistance of hand tools. Moreover, the attachment system allows the user to replace ice skate blades without first having to remove the skate from his/her foot.
Forming ice skate assemblies with a provision for the replacement of the ice skate blade is well known in the art.
Commonly, such assemblies comprise a blade holder molded from a thermoplastic material with a longitudinal groove extending therealong and within which the ice skate blade is received.
In accordance with a first prior assembly, the ice skate blade is locked to the blade holder by two or more threaded fastener means (such as a nut and bolt assembly) that pass transversely through the blade and blade holder at intervals which are longitudinally spaced apart. This arrangement permits the rapid replacement of the blade through the use of two simple tools.
In accordance with a second prior assembly, the ice skate blade is locked to the blade holder by two or more threaded fastener means that pass upwardly through the blade holder. This second means of locking the blade to the blade holder permits the blade to be strongly biased in contact with the blade holder. However, a deficiency in this second prior assembly is that the replacement of the blade usually requires demounting the blade holder from the skate boot in order to gain access to the threaded fastening means so that the blade may be released from the blade holder.
Another deficiency in the first and second prior assemblies described above is the need to use two or more fastener means. The use of these fastener means renders the process of changing the ice skate blade both cumbersome and time-consuming for the user.
In accordance with a third prior assembly, the ice skate blade comprises a hooked portion at the front and a projection with a fastener aperture at the rear. The blade holder has a recess for receiving the front hooked portion and a bore hole for receiving a fastener having a threaded portion and a head that registers within the rear fastener aperture. A nut is screwed on the threaded portion of the fastener for retaining the blade in place. However, a known deficiency in the third prior assembly is that the replacement of the blade requires passing a tool through a hole provided in the sole of the skate boot to access the nut screwed on the threaded portion of the fastener in order to disengage the head of the fastener means from the bore hole and thus release the blade from the blade holder.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,664 shows a skate blade assembly wherein the front end of the ice skate blade is pivotably coupled to the blade holder via a slot and pin arrangement. The rear end of the skate blade is then pivoted into snap-locking engagement with a locking mechanism located at the rear end of the blade holder, which locking mechanism comprises several pieces including springs, slide bar, latching tongue, ejection rod, rod and pin. A known deficiency of this assembly is that it comprises several pieces, thereby increasing the complexity of its construction and operation.
U.S. Publication No. 2010/0109312 shows a replaceable ice skate blade wherein the skate blade is attached to a removable blade assembly. The blade assembly comprises a first hook and pivotable rocker at its front end, as well as a second hook towards its rear end. The blade assembly is designed to be interlocked with an attachment system contained in the front and rear cavities of the holder, where the front cavity comprises a fixed retention hook for engaging the first hook of the blade assembly and the rear cavity comprises an attachment device that includes a pivotable retention hook at one end shaped to receive and engage the rearward hook of the blade assembly, a pawl that is attached to the pivotable retention hook, a releasing means (e.g., a button) and a spring that provides tension to the different components of the device.
To attach the skate blade and blade assembly to the holder, the user first presses the releasing means in order to overcome the force of the spring on the pawl, thus allowing the pivotable retention hook to move into a position that would allow the entry of the rearward second hook of the blade assembly. Next, the user engages the first hook with the fixed retention hook in the front cavity of the attachment system and rotates the blade assembly via the pivotable rocker so as to make the second hook enter the attachment device at the rear of the holder. The second hook makes contacts with and applies pressure to the pivotable retention hook within the attachment device. Once sufficient pressure is applied by the second hook of the blade assembly on the pivotable retention hook, the retention hook (and attached pawl) pivots, which subsequently releases the tension stored the spring and forces the pivotable retention hook into a position where it is physically engaged with the second hook of the blade assembly. However, a known deficiency of this assembly is that it comprises several separate pieces, thereby increasing the complexity of its construction and operation.
Consequently, there is a need in the industry to provide a simple attachment system having a single component that allows the ice skate blade to easily be locked to and removed from the blade holder by the user without the need of tools.
In accordance with a broad aspect, the invention provides an ice skate blade assembly for a skate, the ice skate blade assembly extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising: (a) an ice skate blade comprising first and second ends, an ice-contacting surface and an upper edge opposite to the ice-contacting surface, the upper edge comprising first and second hooks projecting upwardly proximate to one of the first and second ends respectively; (b) a blade holder having first and second pedestals and a bridge portion connecting the first and second pedestals, the blade holder further comprising a bottom portion having a longitudinal groove extending therealong for receiving the upper edge of the ice skate blade, the bottom portion further defining a recess extending upwardly from the longitudinal groove for receiving the first hook of the ice skate blade and wherein the second pedestal has an inner surface defining a cavity with a bottom aperture that opens to the longitudinal groove; and (c) a single actuator for selectively locking the ice skate blade into the blade holder and releasing the ice skate blade from the blade holder, the single actuator being at least partially mounted within the cavity of the second pedestal and comprising a finger-engaging surface accessible by at least one finger of a user from an exterior of the blade holder and a hook-receiving portion for receiving the second hook of the ice skate blade, the hook-receiving portion being movable between (i) a lock position, in which the hook-receiving portion engages the second hook of the ice skate blade to lock the ice skate blade in the longitudinal groove of the blade holder, and (ii) a release position, in which the hook-receiving portion disengages the second hook of the ice skate blade to release the ice skate blade from the blade holder, and wherein the hook-receiving portion is movable in response to the at least one finger of the user acting on the finger-engaging surface for imparting translation movement of the single actuator from the lock position to the release position.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to the persons skilled in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
A detailed description of examples of implementation of the present invention is provided hereinbelow with reference to the following drawings, in which:
In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for purposes of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.
To facilitate the description, any reference numeral designating an element in one figure will designate the same element if used in any other figures. In describing the embodiments, specific terminology is resorted to for the sake of clarity but the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is understood that each specific term comprises all equivalents.
Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the following description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up”, “down” and the like, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, “radially”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure. Similarly, the terms “inwardly,” “outwardly” and “radially” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.
The ice skate blade 12 can be made of a stainless steel material that is durable and can maintain a sharp edge. In another embodiment, the ice skate blade can also comprise an upper section made of aluminium or plastic and a bottom section made of stainless steel. In a further embodiment, the ice skate blade can comprise a plurality of apertures for reducing its weight.
The blade holder 14 can be made of a lightweight, strong material such as NYLON™. The holder 14 can also be made from a transparent or translucent material capable of being seen through. The transparent or translucent material may be a polymeric material such as, ACRYLIC™, XYLAC™ or any type of translucent or transparent polycarbonate or other polymer.
The blade holder 14 can be manufactured using known processes, including but not limited to an injection molding process.
Referring to
The upper edge 22 further comprises a tooth 28 located between the first and second hooks 24, 26. The tooth 28 has first and second walls 28A, 28B extending upwardly and a top wall 28C. The second wall 28B may be an inclined wall projecting upwardly from the upper edge 22. As shown, the first and second hooks 24, 26 are the front and rear hooks of the ice skate blade 12 respectively, and the tooth 28 is closer to the second hook 26; but it will be understood that the first and second hooks 24, 26 may otherwise be the rear and front hooks of the ice skate blade and that the tooth 28 may rather be closer to the front hook in such an embodiment.
Moreover, in the ice skate blade 12, the first hook 24 projects forwardly towards the front of the blade holder 14, while the second hook 26 projects rearwardly towards the rear of the blade holder 14.
The blade holder 14 has first and second pedestals 30, 32 with respective top first and second top portions 34, 36 for attachment to a bottom surface of a skate boot (not shown). The blade holder 14 also has a bridge portion 58 connecting the first and second pedestals 30, 32. As is well known in the art, a skate boot (not shown) can comprise a rigid outsole glued to the bottom surface of the insole and the top portions 34, 36 of the blade holder 14 can be riveted to the outsole and insole. The blade holder 14 also comprises a bottom portion 38 having a longitudinal groove 40 extending therealong, and along the longitudinal axis A.
With reference to
The bridge portion 58 has first, second, third and fourth apertures 60, 62, 64, 66 for reducing the weight of the blade holder 14.
The bottom portion 38 also defines a recess 68 extending upwardly from the longitudinal groove 40 for receiving the first hook 24. The inner front wall of the recess 68 has a profile that generally matches the profile of the external front wall of the first hook 24, such that the first hook 24 can be tightly mounted within the recess 68 when the ice skate blade 12 is locked in place.
In the ice skate blade 12, the first hook 24 projects upwardly and forwardly and this first hook 24 is a front hook. Those skilled in the art will understand that the first hook would otherwise project upwardly and rearwardly in an embodiment wherein the first recess 68 is rather provided on the rear pedestal.
The bottom portion 38 further defines an indent 70 extending upwardly from the longitudinal groove 40 for receiving the tooth 28 of the ice skate blade 12. The indent 70 has first and second walls 70A, 70B extending downwardly and a top wall 70C. The second wall 70B may be an inclined wall. The indent 70 has an internal profile that generally matches the external profile of the tooth 28 such that one of the first and second walls 28A, 28B of the tooth 28 abuts against one of the first and second walls 70A, 70B of the indent 70 when the ice skate blade 12 is locked in place. In the embodiment where the first hook 24 is the front hook, the second (rear) wall 28B of the tooth 28 abuts against the second (rear) wall 70B of the indent 70 when the ice skate blade 12 is locked in place.
As best seen in
In one embodiment, the single actuator 72 may be made of an integrated part. In another embodiment, the single actuator may be made of two parts where the part comprising the resilient portion 76 can be compressed and inserted in the second cavity 54 after the other part in order to ease mounting of the single actuator 72 within the second cavity 54.
While the single actuator 72 may be made of one, two or more parts, in use, when it is mounted within the second cavity 54, all its movable components such as the finger accessible wall 74, channel 82, bottom wall 84 and resilient portion 76 are interdependent such that translation movement of any one of these components imparts corresponding translation movement of all the other components of the single actuator 72.
The part comprising the resilient portion may be made of a material that is slightly more flexible than the material of the other part, which may be made of more rigid material. One of the parts may be made of thermoplastic overmolded over a skeleton or frame made of metal such as stainless steel or aluminum. One of the parts (e.g. the one comprising the finger accessible wall) may be made of aluminum or stainless steel while the other part comprising the resilient portion can be made of a flexible resilient material. The finger accessible wall may be made of aluminium, stainless steel or thermoplastic with an overmolded region made of tactile material such as polyurethane.
The single actuator 72 may be made of thermoplastic material, such materials sold under the names ABS™, NYLON™, DELRIN™ (grades 900P, 500P, 500CL or 100ST) or ORGALLOY™ (grades LT5050 or RS600). The single actuator 72 may be molded or otherwise formed using techniques known in the art (e.g., plastic or metal injection molding).
As best seen in
Referring to
In addition, the functionality of the resilient portion 76 could be provided by resilient components other than flaps. For example, a set of one or more resilient coil springs could be used for the resilient portion 76 and would likely provide similar, if not identical, functionality to the resilient portion 76 as do the resilient flaps of the present embodiment. In another alternate embodiment, the resilient portion 76 could be comprised of some combination of resilient flaps and resilient springs that provide equivalent functionality. The resilient portion 76 could also be made of external walls made of a resilient material and defining an internal cavity with a material such as foam in it.
Once the single actuator 72 is mounted in place, the user can insert one or two fingers in the fourth aperture 66 in order to press on the finger-accessible wall 74. It is understood that the rear surface of the end wall 78 and/or vertical projection 78A may be coated with glue or another adhesive substance before the single actuator 72 is inserted. This substance may permit a certain amount of movement to the end wall 78 during assembly, but after a certain period may permanently affix the end wall 78 to the rear section of the inner surface 52. Alternatively, glue or another adhesive substance (e.g. adhesive sold under the name LOCTITE™) or any locking means such as a screw can be applied or affixed at the top surface region between the end wall 78 (and/or vertical projection 78A) and the rear inner surface of the rear pedestal 32 (and/or the vertical groove 78B) once the single actuator 72 is mounted in the second cavity 54 in order to ensure proper mounting of the single actuator 72 in the second cavity 54. It is conceivable that the single actuator 72 could be removed after the assembly of the skate, such as in the case where a replacement actuator must be installed.
It will be appreciated that when the single actuator 72 is correctly aligned and placed within the second cavity 54 and there is no blade to be inserted or removed from the blade holder 14 as shown in
The operation of the single actuator 72 will now be described with regards to dismounting and mounting (or remounting) the ice skate blade 12. Since most ice skates are typically sold with a skate blade already installed within the blade holder, the steps of dismounting the ice skate blade 12 will be presented before the steps of remounting the ice skate blade 12 within the holder 14.
To dismount or release the ice skate blade 12 from the blade holder 14, the user first inserts one or two fingers into the fourth aperture 66 for contacting the finger-accessible wall 74. The user then applies pressure (see large arrow in
When the user presses the finger-accessible wall 74 inwards, he is applying force that is transferred to the resilient portion 76 that is interdependent with the wall 74. Because the resilient portion 76 is elastic, it can physically deform (e.g., bend and/or compress) so as to store this additional force. In particular, when the pressure applied by the user via the finger-accessible wall 74 is greater than the tension stored within the resilient portion 76 in its equilibrium state, the resilient portion 76 is forced to compress (or bend) further such that its compression allows movement of the single actuator 72 in the direction of the end wall 78 (i.e., in the direction towards the rear of the blade holder 14) as shown by the black arrows in
Continuing on
As seen in
It is understood that the ends 26B, 84B may also be a rounded ends or any other shapes that create a downward force on the second hook 26 when the bottom wall 84 moves towards the front of the holder and contacts the second hook 26. It is further understood that translation movement of the bottom end 84 and contact of the end 84B on the end 26B must create a downward force on the second hook 26 in a direction that is generally transversal relative to the longitudinal axis A (see large arrow in
As shown in
As the bottom wall 84 is driven forward by the force released by the resilient portion 76, contact between the ends 84B and 26B decreases, which coincidentally concentrates the force expressed by the resilient portion 76 (via the end 84B) into a smaller area that may help accelerate the exit of the second hook 26 from the channel 82 and/or bottom aperture 56.
As shown in
The process by which a user mounts the ice skate blade 12 into the ice skate blade holder 14 will now be described.
When the second hook 26 approaches the channel 82, contact is first made between the end 26B of the hook 26 and the end 84B of the bottom wall 84 of the single actuator 72.
As the user applies force (see large vertical arrow in
It may be recalled that the bottom wall 84 is interdependent with the resilient portion 76. As upward force is applied via the ends 26B and 84B, this force causes the bottom wall 84 to move rearward. Since the resilient portion 76 is elastic, it can physically deform (e.g., bend and/or compressed) to accommodate the rearward movement of the bottom wall 84.
As the user continues to apply an upward force to mount the skate blade 12, the end 26B of the second hook 26 continues in to push the end 84B such that translation movement of the single actuator 72 continues until the end 26B has cleared the end 84B and the second hook 26 entirely enters within the channel 82.
Since the angle between the surfaces 26A and 84A is generally positive, the increase in sliding contact between these surfaces due to the release of force by the resilient portion 76 is transformed into an upward force that is applied by the upper surface 84A of the bottom wall 84 to the bottom surface 26C of the second hook 26 (see single large arrow in
As shown in
In the above description, the user only applies upward force to the skate blade 12 during the mounting process. However, it is understood that the user may rather apply pressure to the finger-accessible wall 74 in order to compress the resilient portion 76, thereby moving the single actuator 72 towards the rear of the blade holder 14 such that passage of the second hook 26 into the channel 82 is not obstructed by the bottom wall 84. In an alternate way, the user may apply force to both the skate blade 12 and the finger-accessible wall 74 to mount the blade 12 within the holder 14.
The present invention also relates to an ice skate comprising an ice skate blade assembly as described above. Although various embodiments have been illustrated, this was for the purpose of describing, but not limiting, the invention. Various modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the scope of this invention, which is defined more particularly by the attached claims.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/013,278 filed on Jan. 25, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5088749 | Olivieri | Feb 1992 | A |
| 5123664 | DeMars | Jun 1992 | A |
| 20100109312 | Salmon et al. | May 2010 | A1 |
| 20110121527 | Salmon et al. | May 2011 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 223321 | Sep 1942 | CH |
| 2010009532 | Jan 2010 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Extended European Search Report issued by the European Patent Office on Jul. 11, 2011 in connection with European Patent Application Serial No. 11 152 034.2, 6 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13013278 | Jan 2011 | US |
| Child | 13864720 | US |
