SKATE BLADE LOCKING MECHANISM

Abstract

A skate having a locking mechanism for attaching a blade to front and rear pedestals of a support housing incorporated into a boot. The blade has forward and rear projecting lock arm portions which seat within mating recesses configured within each of the front and rear pedestals of the skate blade housing. A cam lock subassembly is incorporated into an interior of either of the front or rear pedestals in communication with its mating recess and includes a cam locking surface which is biased to seat against a blade locking surface of rear projecting lock arm portion. A cam lock release button projects from the pedestal which, upon depressing, unseats the cam locking surface from the blade locking surface to facilitate downward motion of the skate blade, with successive unseating of the forward lock arm portion detaching the skate blade from the housing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to locking mechanisms, such as for skate blades and the like. More specifically, the present invention teaches an improved and simplified locking mechanism for both securing and releasing a skate blade from its associated boot support housing with minimal effort.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art is documented with examples of skate blade securing or locking mechanisms. US 2023/0405443 to Lavallee et al. discloses a skate and a replaceable skate blade including a boot and a blade assembly with a blade holder and a blade removable mounted to the holder. A locking pin is displaceable relative the blade holder between a blade locking position in which a tip of the locking pin is in engagement with the blade and a blade releasing position in which the tip of the locking pin is disengaged from the blade.

Additional features include a pin actuator engageable by a user for translating the pin actuator along a longitudinal axis of the locking pin, with translation of the pin actuator inducing translation of the locking pin along the longitudinal axis from the blade locking position to the blade releasing position. A biasing element reacts against the pin actuator and biasing the locking pin in the blade locking position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a skate having a locking mechanism for attaching a blade to front and rear pedestals of a support housing incorporated into a boot. The blade has forward and rear projecting lock arm portions which seat within mating recesses configured within each of the front and rear pedestals of the skate blade housing. A cam lock subassembly is incorporated into an inner space of a selected one of the pedestals, typically the rear pedestal, in communication with its corresponding mating recess and includes a cam locking surface which is biased to seat against a blade locking surface of a selected one of the skate blade lock arm portions which is seated within the selected pedestal.

The cam lock subassembly further including a cam lock release button projecting from the pedestal which, upon depressing, unseats the cam locking surface from the blade locking surface to facilitate downward motion of the skate blade, with successive unseating of the other (typically forward) selected lock arm portion from the other selected pedestal detaching the skate blade from the housing.

Additional features include each of the forward and rear lock arm portions extending in opposite upward angled directions. The cam lock subassembly further includes an actuation arm extending from the cam lock release button in communication with a cam lock release arm incorporated into an inner body of the cam lock subassembly defining the cam locking surface.

The inner body of the cam lock subassembly further includes a lowermost cam lock pivot feature seated within a circular pocket shaped surface defining in part the pedestal inner space and integrating a reverse angled cam lock leaf spring seated against a communicating rear support surface of the inner space of the selected pedestal for biasing the cam locking surface against the blade locking surface. A collapsible slot is configured in the lowermost cam lock pivot feature for facilitating pivoting of the cam lock release arm in response to depression of the release button.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 presents an elevational view of the skate blade locking mechanism according to a non-limited variant and which depicts in phantom a skate boot with an underside supporting skate blade support housing, an attachable skate blade and a cam lock release button;

FIG. 2 is a length cutaway view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 of the skate blade housing and skate blade and depicting forwardly and rearwardly upward and opposite angled lock arm portions integrated into the skate blade which seat within mating housing recesses configured within front and rear pedestals of the skate blade housing, with the cam lock release button forming a portion of a cam lock subassembly for securing the rear lock arm portion skate blade;

FIG. 3 presents an enlarged sectional view of circular area 3 of FIG. 2 and depicting in additional detail the cam lock subassembly and its structural relationship with the rear skate blade lock arm portion, and including the cam lock release button, rearwardly extending actuating arm, cam lock leaf spring hinge, cam lock release arm, cam locking surface of the lock assembly for seating against the blade locking surface, with a main body of the cam subassembly further exhibiting a lowermost cam lock pivot feature integrating a reverse upwardly angled cam lock leaf spring seated against an opposing interior rear support surface of the skate blade housing; and

FIG. 4 is a succeeding plan view illustration to that depicted in FIG. 2 and showing inward depression of the cam lock release button which results in pivoting motion of the main body of the cam subassembly for unseating the cam locking surface from the blade locking surface in order to facilitate downward and partially forward pivoting of the rear of the skate blade, with successive downward unseating of the forwardly angled blade lock portion to complete detachment of the skate blade from the supporting housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the attached illustrations, the present invention discloses an improved and simplified locking mechanism for both securing and releasing a skate blade from its associated housing with minimal effort. As will be further described, the present invention provides for ease in releasing and reattaching or replacing ice skate blades, such as during competition play in which the blades can become quickly worn.

FIG. 1 presents an elevational view of the skate blade locking mechanism as generally shown at 10 according to a non-limited variant and which depicts in phantom a skate boot 12 with an underside supporting skate blade housing defined by front 14 and rear 16 pedestals interconnected by a narrowed midsection 18 which defines an open space 20 between the pedestals and below the boot. The support housing can be constructed of any suitable material including an injection molded or casted material not limited to a polymer or metal. As further shown, forward 19 and rearward 21 (see FIG. 4) angled recesses are configured within underside accessible locations of each of the front 14 and rear 16 pedestals

An attachable skate blade 22 is provided (see also as best shown in FIG. 4) and includes a forward integrally formed and outwardly/upwardly angled lock arm portion 24, with a rear outwardly and opposite upwardly angled lock arm portion including a base 26 and an angled outer leg 28. The skate blade 22 is typically constructed of a steel material however other materials exhibiting the required properties can be substituted. Upon engagement with the housing, the forward and rear lock arm portions of the skate blade are seated within the corresponding underside accessible recesses 19 and 21 within the pedestals 14/16. In a non-limited variant, the lock arm portions can be upwardly and oppositely outwardly angled, with the forward and rear mating recesses exhibiting downwardly and inwardly matching profiles.

A cam lock subassembly 31, see as best shown in FIG. 3, is provided for incorporation into an open interior of the rear pedestal 16 in communication with the rear mating recess 21. constructed of any of a plastic/polymer or combination of metal and plastic, such as by stamping, metal casting, injection molding or other metal end process. The cam lock subassembly is secured within an interior space defined within the rear pedestal 16, with alternate embodiments envisioning the cam lock subassembly being secured instead into the forward pedestal 14 within the scope of the invention.

The cam lock subassembly 31 includes a cam lock release button 30 which, as shown includes a tab or thin rectangular profile, and is seated within a slot shaped profile (see at 31 in FIG. 1) defined in a forward edge of the rear pedestal 16 in communication with the open space defined between the pedestals. The slot shaped profile is likewise communicated with the rear underside mating recess 21 and the open supporting interior of the rear pedestal 16.

An actuation arm 32 extends from the cam lock release button 30 and communicates, via a release button hinge 33, with a cam lock release arm 34 incorporated into an inner body of the cam lock subassembly 31 and which defines a cam locking surface 36 which engages an opposing locking surface 38 (see enlarged sectional view of FIG. 3) associated with the angled outermost leg 28 of the rear skate blade lock arm. As best shown in the linear cutaway of FIG. 4, the inner body of the cam lock subassembly 31 is seated within the accessible interior of the rear pedestal 16 and further includes a lowermost cam lock pivot feature 40, which as best shown in FIGS. 3-4 is seated within a circular pocket shaped surface 42 defining in part the open interior and integrating a reverse angled cam lock leaf spring 44.

The leaf spring 44 can optionally exhibit a bow show (see FIGS. 2-3) seated against a communicating rear support surface 46 (FIG. 3) of the rear pedestal 16 for biasing the cam locking surface 36 against the blade locking surface 38. A collapsible slot 48 is configured radially inwardly in the lowermost cam lock pivot feature 40, thereby dividing the pivot feature into split subsections, for facilitating the pivot feature to be inserted into the circular pocket shaped surface 42, via pinching of the split sections. In operation, pivoting (see directional arrow 50 in FIG. 4) of the cam lock release arm 34 in response to depression of the release button 30 (see further directional arrow 51 in FIG. 4), in combination with the flattening of the bow shaped leaf spring 44 (see again FIG. 4 cutaway) about its pivot feature 45, is accomplished in counter biasing fashion against the rear support surface 46 (FIG. 3) of the pedestal interior in order to displace the cam subassembly 31 to release rear lock arm portion 26/28 (see further release arrow 52 in FIG. 4).

Addressing the remaining views FIG. 2 presents a length cutaway view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 of the skate blade housing and skate blade and depicting the forward 24 and rear 26/28 upward angled lock arm portions integrated into the skate blade 22 which seat within the mating housing recesses 19/21 configured within the front 14 and rear 16 pedestals of the skate blade housing, with the cam lock release button 30 forming a portion of the cam lock subassembly 31 securing the rear lock arm portion skate blade and, by virtue of the geometry of the design, likewise anchoring the forward skate blade lock arm 24 within its corresponding recess 19.

FIG. 3 presents an enlarged sectional view of circular area 3 of FIG. 2 and depicting in additional detail the cam lock subassembly and its structural relationship with the rear skate blade lock arm portion 26/28, and including the cam lock release button 30, rearwardly extending actuating arm 32, release button hinge 33, cam lock release arm 34, cam locking surface 36 of the lock assembly for seating against the blade locking surface 38, with the inner body of the cam subassembly 31 which supports the cam locking surface 36, and further exhibiting the lowermost cam lock pivot feature 40 integrating the reverse upwardly angled cam lock leaf spring 44 seated against the opposing interior rear support surface 46 of the skate blade housing. The engagement bias between the cam locking surface 36 and blade locking surface 38 exerted by the leaf spring 44 is further depicted by directional arrow 35 (see FIG. 3), with an interface of the leaf spring pivot feature further depicted at 45 in FIGS. 2-3.

Finally, FIG. 4 presents a succeeding plan view illustration to that depicted in FIG. 2 and showing inward depression of the cam lock release button 30, which results in the pivoting motion of the main body of the cam subassembly 31 for unseating the cam locking surface 36 from the blade locking surface 38 in order to facilitate downward and partially forward pivoting of the rear of the skate blade 22, with successive downward unseating of the forwardly angled blade lock portion 24 completing detachment of the skate blade from the supporting housing.

In operation, and with the skate blade 22 securely assembled and retained in the underside defined front and rear pedestal mating recesses, inward displacement of the release button pivotally displaces the cam locking surface from the blade locking surface to facilitate initial downward release motion of the skate blade (see again arrow 52 in FIG. 4), with successive downward and rearward unseating of the forward lock arm portion from the forward pedestal mating recess permitted by the pre-releasing of the rear lock arm portion the blade from the skate boot and housing.

Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims. The detailed description and drawings are further understood to be supportive of the disclosure, the scope of which being defined by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed teachings have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the disclosure defined in the appended claims.

The foregoing disclosure is further understood as not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.

In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, various embodiments disclosed herein can be modified or otherwise implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, this description is to be considered as illustrative and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of making and using various embodiments of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the forms of disclosure herein shown and described are to be taken as representative embodiments. Equivalent elements, materials, processes or steps may be substituted for those representatively illustrated and described herein. Moreover, certain features of the disclosure may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the disclosure. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “consisting of”, “have”, “is” used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.

Further, various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the illustrative and explanatory sense, and should in no way be construed as limiting of the present disclosure. All joinder references (e.g., attached, affixed, coupled, connected, and the like) are only used to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and may not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the systems and/or methods disclosed herein. Therefore, joinder references, if any, are to be construed broadly. Moreover, such joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected to each other.

Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “third”, “primary”, “secondary”, “main” or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.

It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application. Additionally, any signal hatches in the drawings/figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically specified.

Claims

1. A skate having a locking mechanism for attaching a blade to front and rear pedestals of a support housing incorporated into a boot, comprising: the blade having forward and rear projecting lock arm portions which seat within mating recesses configured within each of the front and rear pedestals of the skate blade housing; anda cam lock subassembly incorporated into an interior of a selected one of the pedestals in communication with the mating recess and including a cam locking surface which is biased to seat against a blade locking surface of a selected one of the lock arm portions seated within the selected pedestal; andsaid cam lock subassembly further including a cam lock release button projecting from the selected pedestal which, upon depressing, unseating the cam locking surface from the blade locking surface to facilitate downward motion of the skate blade, with successive unseating of the other selected lock arm portion from the other selected pedestal detaching the skate blade from the housing.

2. The skate according to claim 1, further comprising said cam lock subassembly incorporated into the rear pedestal for engaging the rear lock arm portion of the blade.

3. The skate according to claim 1, further comprising each of said forward and rear lock arm portions extending in opposite upward angled directions, said mating recesses extending in downwardly and inwardly angled directions.

4. The skate according to claim 1, the cam lock subassembly further comprising an actuation arm extending from the cam lock release button and communicating with a cam lock release arm incorporated into an inner body of the cam lock subassembly defining the cam locking surface.

5. The skate according to claim 4, further comprising the inner body of the cam lock subassembly having a lowermost cam lock pivot feature seated within a circular pocket shaped surface defining in part the interior and integrating a reverse angled cam lock leaf spring seated against a communicating rear support surface of the selected pedestal for biasing the cam locking surface against the blade locking surface.

6. The skate according to claim 5, further comprising a collapsible slot configured in the lowermost cam lock pivot feature for facilitating pinching of split sections of said pivot feature for seating within said circular pocket shaped surface.

7. The skate according to claim 2, said rear lock arm portion further comprising a base and an angled outer leg defining the blade locking surface.

8. The skate according to claim 1, further comprising said support housing being constructed of a casted or injection molded material including at least one of a metal or polymer.

9. The skate according to claim 1, further comprising said cam lock subassembly being constructed of a stamped, metal casted, or injection molded material not limited to a semi-rigid polymer or spring steel.

10. A skate having a locking mechanism for attaching a blade to front and rear pedestals of a support housing incorporated into a boot, comprising: the blade having forward and rear projecting lock arm portions which seat within mating recesses configured within each of the front and rear pedestals of the skate blade housing; anda cam lock subassembly incorporated into an interior of rear pedestal in communication with the mating recess;a cam lock subassembly including a cam locking surface which is biased to seat against a blade locking surface of the rear lock arm portion seated within the selected pedestal; andsaid cam lock subassembly further including a cam lock release button projecting from the rear pedestal which, upon depressing, unseating the cam locking surface from the blade locking surface to facilitate downward motion of the skate blade, with successive unseating of the other selected lock arm portion from the other selected pedestal detaching the skate blade from the housing.

11. The skate according to claim 10, further comprising each of said forward and rear lock arm portions extending in opposite upward angled directions, said mating recesses extending in downwardly and inwardly angled directions.

12. The skate according to claim 10, the cam lock subassembly further comprising an actuation arm extending from the cam lock release button and communicating with a cam lock release arm incorporated into an inner body of the cam lock subassembly defining the cam locking surface.

13. The skate according to claim 12, further comprising the inner body of the cam lock subassembly having a lowermost cam lock pivot feature seated within a circular pocket shaped surface defining in part the interior and integrating a reverse angled cam lock leaf spring seated against a communicating rear support surface of the selected pedestal for biasing the cam locking surface against the blade locking surface.

14. The skate according to claim 13, further comprising a collapsible slot configured in the lowermost cam lock pivot feature for facilitating pinching of split sections of said pivot feature for seating within said circular pocket shaped surface.

15. The skate according to claim 13, said rear lock arm portion further comprising a base and an angled outer leg defining the blade locking surface.

16. The skate according to claim 10, further comprising said support housing being constructed of a casted or injection molded material including at least one of a metal or polymer.

17. The skate according to claim 10, further comprising said cam lock subassembly being constructed of a stamped, metal casted, or injection molded material not limited to a semi-rigid polymer or spring steel.

18. A skate having a locking mechanism for attaching a blade to front and rear pedestals of a support housing incorporated into a boot, comprising: the blade having forward and rear projecting lock arm portions which seat within mating recesses configured within each of the front and rear pedestals of the skate blade housing; anda cam lock subassembly incorporated into an interior of a selected one of the pedestals in communication with the mating recess; anda cam lock subassembly including a cam lock release button projecting from the rear pedestal which, upon depressing, unseating the cam locking surface from the blade locking surface to facilitate downward motion of the skate blade, with successive unseating of the other selected lock arm portion from the other selected pedestal detaching the skate blade from the housing.

19. The skate according to claim 18, the cam lock subassembly further comprising an actuation arm extending from the cam lock release button and communicating with a cam lock release arm incorporated into an inner body of the cam lock subassembly defining the cam locking surface.

20. The skate according to claim 19, further comprising the inner body of the cam lock subassembly having a lowermost cam lock pivot feature seated within a circular pocket shaped surface defining in part the interior and integrating a reverse angled cam lock leaf spring seated against a communicating rear support surface of the selected pedestal for biasing the cam locking surface against the blade locking surface, a collapsible slot configured in the lowermost cam lock pivot feature facilitating pivoting of the cam lock release arm in response to depression of the release button.