Patent Application
20240335729
The present invention relates to the field of skate blades for use in ice sports.
In ice sports, development work and product improvements in recent years have been characterized by a conservative approach and almost exclusively established technologies and designs for sports equipment (helmets, shoes, sticks, blades) have been used in the production of equipment. Therefore, ice sports equipment has hardly changed in the last 20 years. As a result, modern skates are still characterized by a relatively high weight.
Modern skate blades basically consist of a boot, a blade holder and a blade, which is attached to the blade holder in a form-fit or force-fit manner. A removable blade is often desirable in order to ensure quick replacement of the blade in the event of damage or wear and tear during use and to enable easy sharpening of the blade. However, a significant weight driver and therefore, a disadvantage is the relatively heavy steel blade in combination with its blade holder.
A large number of removable and thus replaceable skate blades are known in the prior art. Typically, such removable blades are made of stamped steel. In order to reduce the overall weight of skate blades, various manufacturers attempt to reduce the weight of the removable blades. Accordingly, blades have been developed in which the steel portion of the blade has been reduced and partially replaced by aluminum in order to reduce the weight of the blade. For figure skating, for example, a blade is produced in which the blade holder is made entirely of carbon and only a small steel blade remains for contact with the ice surface.
Other manufacturers rely on the use of new fastening mechanisms for the blades to reduce weight. In one method, only the lowest part of the blade is replaced, while the upper part of the blade remains on the blade holder. This has the advantage that only the lowest part of the blade has to be made of steel, while the upper part of the blade can be made of a lighter material such as plastic.
In many sports activities on the ice, such as ice hockey, the main contact of the skate with the ice is in the mid area of the skate blade. As a result, the forces acting on the skate blade are significantly greater in this area than in the front or rear area of the blade. To take this into account, skate blades generally have a special blade grind in the mid area. Such a blade grind makes it possible to influence various properties preferred by the respective user, but the heavy use of the mid area of the blade has a negative effect on its wear and the blade must be replaced frequently. To extend the life of a skate blade, skate blades are generally made of stainless steel, which can be reground after wear. However, as a steel skate blade weighs a considerable amount, many manufacturers try to reduce the weight of the skate blade, but this has a negative effect on the stability of the skate blade. As a result, the skate blades known in the prior art either have unsatisfactory stability and/or a high weight.
Another disadvantage of known skate blades is their short service life. A longer use is accompanied by a significant loss of the skate blade, which is in contact with the ice. As a result, if the skate blade is not replaceable, the entire skate or the skate blade with skate holder must be replaced.
It is therefore an object of the invention to further develop the state of the art in the field of skate blades and preferably to overcome one or more disadvantages of the state of the art. In advantageous embodiments, a skate blade with a weight reduction is provided, which preferably has improved maneuverability while maintaining the same performance and stability.
The object of the invention is solved in a general manner by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments result in each case from the dependent patent claims and the disclosure as a whole.
The skate blade according to the invention comprises a steel frame. The steel frame comprises at least one stability element, through which at least one recess is formed. In addition, the steel frame comprises at least one insert element arranged in the at least one recess. Furthermore, the skate blade comprises blade holder elements. The steel frame extends horizontally over a blade length along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end and the blade length comprises a front section, a mid-section and a rear section, wherein the front section comprises the first end and the rear section comprises the second end. Further, the steel frame comprises a first side surface and a second side surface. The first side surface and the second side surface are opposite each other and define a blade thickness extending therebetween. In addition, the steel frame comprises a blade height. The blade height extends vertically along a vertical axis over a bottom chord and an upper chord, wherein the bottom chord comprises a steel frame bottom side and the upper chord comprises a steel frame upper side. The at least one recess formed by the at least one stability element is located between the bottom chord and the upper chord. Due to the recesses in the steel frame, a significant weight reduction is achieved while maintaining the same stability compared to conventional steel skate blades. This embodiment is particularly advantageous, as such a design allows both weight to be greatly reduced and maneuverability to be significantly improved while maintaining the same stability and performance.
Directional indications as used in the present disclosure are used with reference to the skate blade in use. The directional indications are thus to be understood as follows: The vertical direction of the skate blade is described by a vertical axis from the bottom chord to the upper chord, and thus extends vertically from bottom to top along the Y-axis in the positive direction of the skate blade. In the context of the present invention, the longitudinal direction of the skate blade refers to a direction from the first end to the second end, or in use from the toe towards the heel of the wearer, and extends perpendicular to the vertical axis and thus horizontally along a longitudinal axis parallel to the X-axis in the positive direction of the skate blade. In the present invention, the indications front and rear describe the indications of the skate blade in the direction of travel, which in use is the direction, which the wearer defines as the forward direction. The transverse axis of the skate blade is defined by the blade thickness and extends transversely to the X- and Y-axis along the Z-axis.
The blade holder elements comprised on the skate blade are located on the steel frame upper side and form the matching counterpart for attaching the skate blade to the blade holder of the respective skate. Depending on the type of ice sport and the position of the player as well as the design of the complementary blade holder, the blade holder elements comprised on the skate blade are available in different designs. Typically, the blade holder elements are arranged on the upper chord of the steel frame in the front and rear section. In further embodiments, further blade holder elements may be arranged in the mid-section on the steel frame. The blade holder elements may be provided with apertures for additional weight reduction.
The steel frame and the blade holder elements located on the upper chord are typically formed in one piece. The steel frame and the blade holder elements are preferably made of a stainless steel with a Rockwell hardness of 50 to 60, preferably with a Rockwell hardness of 54 to 56, such as Sandvik 12C27 knife steel, which is suitable for blade production. Typically, in order to increase the durability of the skate blade, the steel frame is coated with an additional coating, for example a titanium coating. However, it is understood that the steel frame can also be made of a combination of two or more metal materials and/or alloys of one or more metals, which meet the definition of steel.
The blade length of the steel frame and thus of a skate blade extends over a front, a mid and a rear section and is limited by the two opposite ends. The first and second ends are typically curved for the sports of ice hockey, bandy and figure skating and can differ in their curvature and design. Depending on the type of ice sport and/or player position and due to the different designs, the blade lengths of skate blades can vary and the respective ends of a skate blade can be curved to different degrees. Typically, the blade length for ice hockey, bandy and figure skating sports ranges from 151 mm to 330 mm and for speed skating sports from 150 mm to 550 mm, with the front section accounting for approximately 10% to 20% of the total length, for figure skate blades approximately 40% of the total length, the mid-section approximately 60% to 80% of the total length, for figure skate blades approximately 40%, and the rear section approximately 10% to 20% of the total length.
Depending on the type of ice sport and/or player position, the blade height of the steel frame of a skate blade can vary. Typically, the blade height, which extends over a bottom chord and an upper chord, is in the range of 10 mm to 60 mm, preferably in a range of 15 mm to 50 mm and most preferably in a range of 15 mm to 25 mm for ice hockey or bandy sports, for example, and in a range of 20 mm to 100 mm, preferably in a range of 25 mm to 90 mm and most preferably in a range of 40 mm to 75 mm for figure skating and speed skating sports. Due to the different types of ice sports and/or player positions as well as the different designs, there are different embodiments of a skate blade, which is why the height extending between the bottom chord and the upper chord can vary depending on the embodiment. However, the blade height, and thus also the height between the bottom chord and the upper chord comprising recesses, varies not only depending on the embodiment of the skate blade, but also within the skate blade itself due to the given geometry of the skate blade and its various designs. Typically, the height between the bottom chord and the upper chord is between 5 mm and 55 mm, for ice hockey, bandy and speed skating preferably in a range of 5 mm to 15 mm.
The blade thickness formed by the opposing first and second side surfaces may be in a range between 2.5 mm to 4.5 mm, for an ice hockey field player preferably in a range of 2.85 mm to 3.2 mm, for an ice hockey goalie preferably from 3.5 mm to 4.0 mm, for a bandy player or figure skater preferably in a range from 3.5 mm to 4.2 mm and for a speed skater preferably in a range from 0.8 mm to 3.0 mm.
In preferred embodiments, the first side surface and the second side surface of the steel frame are arranged parallel to each other and each define a first and a second side plane which are parallel to each other.
Alternatively, depending on the embodiment and design, the bottom chord and upper chord can differ in their blade thickness.
The recesses located between the bottom chord and the upper chord in the steel frame form a depth extending along a transverse plane with respect to the blade thickness. In the side view of a skate blade, a recess area may occupy between 20% and 80%, preferably between 50% and 80%, with respect to a total area of a skate blade. Furthermore, it is understood that the term “recess” used in the present disclosure is to be understood as meaning that the recess(es) may be present as recesses having a transverse depth or as complete openings. Moreover, the embodiments of one or more recesses in the same steel frame may differ from the other recesses.
The at least one recess formed by the at least one stability element can be distributed over the entire blade length and thus be present in each of the three sections defining the blade length, or only in one and/or two sections. Preferably, however, recesses are present in each section of the blade length or the recess extends over the entire three sections. If the steel frame comprises several recesses, which are present in each section of the blade length, then the recesses differ in length due to the size ratios of the respective sections. Furthermore, the recesses can differ in their geometry and number depending on the design of the skate blade. The respective geometry of the recesses is typically triangular, square and/or pentagonal and generally polygonal in shape and adapts to the geometry and design of the respective embodiment of the skate blade. In addition, the term “angular” also includes embodiments that are slightly rounded and therefore not completely angular. Alternatively, the geometry of the recesses can be circular or oval.
In further embodiments, the at least one recess-forming stability element may comprise at least one partition wall and/or at least one struts.
In further embodiments, the partition wall(s) is/are plane-parallel and has/have the same partition wall thickness. The partition wall thickness is between 0.4 mm and 3.5 mm.
In further embodiments, in which the stability elements comprise at least one partition wall, the partition wall is arranged parallel between the first and second side planes and wherein the first and second side planes are parallel to each other. The at least one recess formed by the partition wall, preferably a plane-parallel partition wall, is located between the first and/or second side plane. The distance between the first side plane and the partition wall and/or the distance between the second side plane and the partition wall defines the transverse depth of the at least one recess. Preferably, the transverse depth of the at least one recess is an equidistant transverse depth between both side planes and the partition wall. Furthermore, the recesses between the two side planes are preferably recesses that are symmetrical with respect to each other.
Furthermore, openings can be arranged in the partition wall for additional weight reduction. The openings are preferably in the form of circular openings with a diameter of 1 mm to 10 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 8 mm, whereby the number of local openings depends on the respective size of the surface of the partition wall or the resulting recesses. Alternatively, however, the local openings can also be in polygonal form.
In further embodiments, the stability elements may comprise one or more struts and two or more partition walls. The at least one strut may be arranged in the front mid or rear section between the bottom chord and the upper chord and may each extend at an angle relative along an axis parallel to the vertical axis, with the struts preferably each extending at an angle such that optimum transmission and distribution of the forces acting from the blade holder elements on the steel frame and the struts is ensured. If two or more struts are present, one strut is preferably arranged between the front section and the mid-section and another strut is preferably arranged between the mid-section and the rear section of the steel frame.
Preferably, the struts are in the form of two straight lines running essentially parallel to each other with a width of 0.1 mm to 10 mm, preferably 1.5 mm to 5 mm. Alternatively, however, the struts can also be in the form of two concave lines, with the maximum width of the respective struts being between 0.1 mm and 10 mm, preferably 1.5 mm to 5 mm. Furthermore, the partition walls are preferably in the form of plane-parallel partition walls, each with a partition wall thickness of between 0.4 mm and 3.5 mm, wherein the partition walls are arranged parallel between the first and second side planes and wherein the first and second side planes are parallel to each another. The recesses formed by the struts and partition walls are located between the first and/or second side planes, wherein the distance between the first side plane and the partition walls and/or the distance between the second side plane and the partition walls defines the transverse depth of the recesses. Preferably, the transverse depth of the recesses is an equidistant transverse depth between both side planes and the partition walls. Furthermore, the recesses between the two side planes are preferably recesses that are symmetrical with respect to each other. Furthermore, the partition walls may also have additional openings for weight reduction, as described in detail above.
In further embodiments, the stability elements can be present only as struts and thus the recesses formed by the struts can be present as complete openings. In embodiments in which the stability elements are only present as struts, the steel frame has at least two struts. Preferably, one strut is arranged between the front and the mid-section and a second strut is arranged between the mid and rear section of the steel frame. Further struts can be arranged in the front and/or mid and/or rear section. Furthermore, the struts between the upper chord and the bottom chord preferably each extend at an angle relative along an axis parallel to the vertical axis so as to ensure optimum transmission and distribution of the forces acting on the steel frame and the struts from the blade holder elements.
In a particular embodiment, in particular in an embodiment for figure skate blades, the steel frame includes a further recess in the front section of the steel frame. The recess is formed by a strut, which extends at an angle relative along an axis parallel to the vertical axis, in order to generate sufficient stability at a lower weight when a load is applied to the front section of the steel frame by jumps or pirouettes, etc.
In some embodiments, recess form-fitting means are arranged on the steel frame. Additional recess form-fitting means may be required, for example, if the stability elements are only present as struts and the recesses formed thereby as complete openings. The recess form-fitting means can be present on the opposing first and second side surfaces as deepening set back transversely inwards, for example in the form of webs, or between the opposing first and second side surfaces as deepening, for example in the form of a groove, or between the opposing first and second side surfaces as projections, for example in the form of tongues.
If the recess form-fitting means are present as deepening, such as webs, the deepening set back transversely inwards can completely surround and delimit the respective recess, or be arranged as individual segments around the respective recess, with the deepening on the first and second side surfaces preferably being arranged symmetrically to one another. The deepening are set back transversely inwards from the first or second side surface with a range between 0.1 mm and 1.2 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm. Furthermore, the deepening each have a deepening height of between 0.1 mm and 1.2 mm, preferably 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, whereby the deepening height corresponds to the distance between the recess and the webs. In other words, the deepening height can extend in a vertical and/or horizontal direction depending on the position of the deepening on the steel frame.
If the recess form-fitting means are present as recesses, such as a groove, for example, the recesses formed as recess form-fitting means are preferably arranged on the surfaces facing the bottom chord and/or upper chord, whereby the recesses may be present as continuous recesses on these surfaces or as recess segments. Alternatively, however, the recesses can also be arranged around the entire recess. Preferably, the recesses are arranged centrally between the first and second side surfaces and are present with a recess thickness of between 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm, preferably at 1.45 mm to 1.5 mm in the transverse direction. Furthermore, the recesses each have a recess height or recess depth, whereby the recess height or recess depth can be in a range between 0.5 mm and 3.0 mm, preferably between 1.0 mm and 2.0 mm. The recess height or recess depth can extend in a vertical and/or horizontal direction depending on the position of the recess on the steel frame.
The recesses between the bottom chord and the upper chord comprise insert elements. The insert elements are connected to the recesses in a form-locking, adhesive-locking or force-locking manner and can be present either as an insert in the form of, for example, insert plates or as a filling element in the form of, for example, filling inserts or injection-moulded filling elements. Furthermore, the insert elements can be thermoplastics or thermosets, preferably fiber-reinforced plastics and more preferably carbon fiber-reinforced plastic inserts such as recycled carbon, or aluminum. If the partition walls comprise additional openings, or if the recesses formed by the struts are complete openings, the insert elements can completely fill the recesses or, alternatively, leave a cavity between them, which can be filled with a suitable filling material such as plastic foam.
Due to the recesses and the insert elements comprised therein, a weight saving of 10% to 50%, preferably between 35% and 40%, can be achieved compared to a conventional skate blade in its original state.
In some embodiments, the at least one insert element completely fills the at least one recess, wherein the recesses comprising the insert elements have a blade thickness equal to or less than the blade thickness of the steel frame.
In preferred embodiments, the insert elements are in plane with the first side plane and/or second side plane. In other words, the insert elements are arranged flush with the first and/or second side surface and the recesses with the insert elements arranged therein have a blade thickness equal to the blade thickness of the steel frame.
In embodiments in which recess form-fitting means are arranged on the steel frame, the insert elements have insert form-fitting means corresponding to the recess form-fitting means.
If the recesses have recess form-fitting means in the form of deepening set back transversely inwards, such as webs, for example, the insert form-fitting means are present as deepening set back outwards corresponding to the recess form-fitting means, such as webs, for example. The proportions of the deepening set back to the outside correspond in shape, size and position to the respective recess form-fitting means in the form of deepenings set back transversely inwards and can thus completely surround and delimit the insert elements or be arranged as individual segments on the insert elements. The insert form-fitting means, which are formed as deepening set back outwards, are designed in such a way that the recesses occupied by the insert elements do not protrude beyond the blade thickness of the steel frame.
If the recesses have recess form-fitting means in the form of recesses, such as grooves, for example, the insert form-fitting means are present as projections corresponding to the recess form-fitting means, such as springs, for example. The proportions of the protrusions correspond in shape, size and position to the respective recess form-fitting means in the form of recesses, so that these fit into the respective recesses and interlock positively, for example with a tongue-and-groove connection.
In further embodiments, the steel frame can be provided with cut-outs on the steel frame upper side. The cutouts further reduce weight. Typically, the entire steel frame upper side, excluding the blade holder elements, is provided with cut-outs. Alternatively, however, only individual sections of the steel frame upper side can be provided with cutouts. The cutouts can be in a serrated pattern, a wave pattern or any other pattern that is suitable for weight reduction.
In one aspect, a method of manufacturing a skate blade according to the invention is provided. The method of manufacturing comprises providing a steel frame having a blade length, a blade thickness and a blade height extending over the bottom chord and the upper chord. Further, the steel frame includes at least one recess formed by the at least one stability element between the bottom chord and the upper chord. Further, the method comprises optionally attaching the recess form-fitting means and optionally attaching the cutouts to the steel frame upper side. Furthermore, the method comprises inserting insert elements into the recesses.
In some embodiments, the insert elements are positively inserted into the recesses under pressure using an injection molding process. Typically, the insert elements in this process consist of short-chain fiber-reinforced plastic inserts. Alternatively, however, the insert elements can also be made of any plastic suitable for injection molding.
In some embodiments, the insert elements are introduced into the recesses in an adhesive-locking manner using an adhesive process and/or are pressed into the recesses in a force-locking manner. If the insert elements are introduced with an adhesive bond, adhesive, for example, in the form of an adhesive film or a liquid adhesive such as epoxy (UD490), is applied to the recesses and/or to the recess form-fitting means and/or to the insert elements and/or to its insert form-fitting means. In these embodiments, the insert elements can, if necessary, be brought into the desired shape using a pre-preg or other suitable process before the adhesive is applied. Subsequent to the application of adhesive, the insert elements are inserted into the respective recesses at a temperature between 120° C. and 180° C., for a period of 1.30 to 2.0 hours and with pressing pressure on both sides. Typically, the insert elements in this process consist of long-chain carbon fiber-reinforced plastic inserts or aluminum. Alternatively, the insert elements can also be made of any suitable plastic. Alternatively, the inserts can also be pressed into the recesses by force-fit only. Typically, the insert elements in this method consist of short-chain fiber-reinforced plastic inserts or long-chain carbon fiber-reinforced plastic inserts or aluminum.
Aspects of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the following figures and the associated description.
The exploded view shown in
The embodiment according to the invention shown in
The embodiment according to the invention shown in
The embodiment according to the invention shown in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 070072/2021 | Jul 2021 | CH | national |
| 070505/2021 | Nov 2021 | CH | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/069963 | 7/15/2022 | WO |
