Patent Application
20090206562
1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to ice skate blades for figure skating and to methods and apparatus for securing figure skating blades to a boot.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the art of figure skating, skate blades have retained substantially the same design throughout several decades. Traditional ice skate blades are generally formed by multiple pieces or components that are attached together, such as through welding and/or soldering. For example,
Several disadvantages accompany the use of multiple-piece skate blades. For instance, the manufacturing of such skate blades can be complicated and involve multiple-step processes to form the blade. For example, the multiple pieces of the skate blade must usually be welded or soldered together. Such welding generally requires the heating of the skate blade to extremely high temperatures, and soldering often requires rehardening and/or tempering of the steel. Each of these additional processes increases the cost of the skate blade and lengthens the manufacturing time. Furthermore, the welding and/or soldering of different blade pieces introduces weakness at the attachment points and can even lead to the breaking of the skate blade and/or potential injury to the skater.
In view of the foregoing, there have been attempts to design skate blades that address some of the aforementioned problems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,725 discloses a skate blade made from a single piece of material. In particular, the skate blade includes a blade portion and two extension portions that connect the skate blade to boot plates. In order to attach the extension portions to a boot, the extension portions are twisted 90 degrees and then bent with respect to the blade portion. This twisting requires the blade material to be heated to a temperature at which the material becomes malleable. Such heating, as discussed above, complicates the manufacturing process and also introduces weakness into the blade. Furthermore, the substantial amount of steel used in the skate blade of U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,725 increases the weight of the skate blade.
With continued reference to
Conventional securing devices, however, rely on blade-to-boot compression (or friction) to maintain stability between the blade and the boot. When lateral or axial forces upon the blade exceed the compressive (or frictional) force created by the securing devices, the blade experiences unwanted play, or movement, with respect to the boot. Furthermore, this lateral movement between the skate blade and the boot can cause warping of the skate blade and/or destruction of the boot leather.
Another drawback of several traditional skate blades is that they are generally made of a high carbon steel or stainless steel material. These relatively heavy materials increase the weight of the skate blade, thereby increasing the amount of effort needed by the user during skating.
Steel blades also require substantial maintenance, such as frequent sharpening and cleaning and/or protective treatments to keep the blade in a preferred condition. For example, the edges of skate blades are continually worn down during use, especially when the user makes sharp turns or quick starts and stops. Sharpening steel blades, however, is not a simple process and is generally performed by trained professionals. As can be appreciated, the costs of maintaining skate blades can be substantial.
In addition to wear on the sharpness of the blades, ice skate blades are often subjected to severe mechanical stresses and strains caused by rapid accelerations, sharp turns and/or sudden stops. These movements subject the skate blades to extreme bending and torsional stresses. Not only do the skate blades need to resist mechanical failure, they also need to be corrosion resistant. Skate blades are continually exposed to melted ice, and traditional steel blades require additional care to prevent against rust and to protect the blade from other contaminants.
Other blade materials, such as ceramics, are light weight and have a high hardness, but have other setbacks. For example, ceramic materials have a fracture toughness much too low for practical use.
In view of the foregoing, a need exists for a more straightforward blade manufacturing process and/or a blade design that reduces the introduction of weakness into the blade. For instance, a need exists for a blade that does not require multiple pieces. In certain embodiments of the invention, a unitary blade design is provided that facilitates attachment to a skate boot. In certain embodiments, such a blade may be attached to the boot without the need for substantial heating, such as for twisting and/or rehardening. In certain embodiments, the unitary blade may also have shock absorption features.
There is also a need for an ice skate blade that can operate effectively in a harsh ice skating environment with reduced weight and a high fracture toughness without requiring frequent cleaning and sharpening. Such a skate blade preferably requires less maintenance than the steel blades traditionally used in figure skating.
A need also exists for blade fixation methods and assemblies for securing a skate blade to a boot. In an embodiment, the fixation of the blade to the boot reduces play therebetween and/or decreases warping of the skate blade and/or the boot leather. Such fixation also preferably allows the blade to have a longer life span. In certain embodiments, the skate blade includes temporary fixation holes that allow a user to make minor adjustments to a position of the blade prior to a more permanent securing of the blade to the boot.
In one embodiment, a skate blade formed from a single sheet of material is disclosed. The skate blade includes an elongated portion and a plurality of tabs. The elongated portion has a distal end and a proximal end and occupies a first plane. The elongated portion further includes a top portion and a bottom edge, the bottom edge configured for engagement with a skating surface during use. The plurality of tabs extend from the top portion of the elongated portion, each of the plurality of tabs being configured to bend at a bend line substantially parallel to the first plane such that a top section of each of the plurality of tabs occupies a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane. Each of the top sections of the plurality of tabs comprises at least one hole extending therethrough and usable for securing the tab to a skate boot when the top sections are in the bent positions. In certain embodiments, the elongated portion and the plurality of tabs are formed from a single piece of a unitary material and have substantially the same thickness. In certain embodiments, the skate blade comprises a titanium material, such as Ti6Al4V.
In an embodiment, an ice skate assembly for improved stability between a skate blade and footwear is disclosed. The ice skate assembly comprises footwear, a blade and a locking screw. The footwear has a sole portion for receiving screw threads having a first pitch. The blade includes at least one portion for securing the blade to the footwear, the at least one portion having a hole with grooves having a second pitch. The locking screw comprises an elongated body having first threads and a head having second threads. The locking screw is further configured to substantially secure the blade to the footwear when inserted into the sole and the hole such that the first threads of the elongated body engage the sole portion and the second threads of the head engage the grooves of the hole. In certain embodiments, the blade comprises a titanium material, such as Ti6Al4V.
In an embodiment, a skate blade for improved stability with skate footwear is disclosed. The skate includes an elongated portion configured for engagement with a skating surface during use. The skate blade further includes at least one attachment portion affixed to the elongated portion, wherein the at least one attachment portion includes a threaded hole configured to receive first threads of at least one locking screw such that second threads of at least one locking screw fix the elongated portion in relation to skate footwear. In certain embodiments, the skate blade comprises a titanium material, such as Ti6Al4V.
In an embodiment, a method of manufacturing a skate blade is disclosed. The method comprises providing a flat, sheet-like member occupying an X-Y plane and having a first thickness. The method further comprises shaping the sheet-like member to form: (1) an elongated blade portion that extends generally in an X direction within the X-Y plane; and (2) a first tab extending from a top portion of the elongated blade portion and comprising substantially the same thickness as the sheet-like member. The method also includes bending the first tab at a first bend line extending substantially in the X direction such that at least a portion of the first tab generally occupies an X-Z plane. In certain embodiments, the skate blade comprises a titanium material, such as Ti6Al4V.
For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
The features of the apparatus and methods will now be described with reference to the drawings summarized above. The drawings, associated descriptions, and specific implementation are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the disclosure.
In order to simplify the showing of the various embodiments of the invention, the skate boot with which a skate blade is associated will not be shown. It is to be understood, however, that the toe and heel portions of the skate boot are all adapted, in a well known manner, for attachment to, or for engagement with the portions of a skate blade. For example, some skate boots are constructed and arranged such that the toe portion and the heel portion occupy a common horizontal plane. Other skate boots are constructed such that the heel portion is at a higher plane than the toe portion. In addition, bottom portions of the boot may not be flat, but may be shaped to conform to the requirements of the skate blade. It will also be understood from the disclosure herein that skating footwear other than boots may be used with embodiments of the skate blade described hereinafter. All such variations are to be considered as within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
As illustrated in
In an embodiment, when further forming the skate blade 200 for fixation to a skate boot, at least one of the securing tabs in sets 204, 206, and 208 is bent about a bend axis 212 such that a screw or other fixation device may be inserted through the fixation hole and into the bottom of the boot. For example, half of the securing tabs in sets 204, 206, and 208 may be bent to one side of the skate blade 200 while the other half of the tabs may be bent to the opposite side of the skate blade 200.
As will be understood by a skilled artisan from the disclosure herein, various alternative embodiments of securing tabs, including the number and/or configuration of the securing tabs, may be used in securing the skate blade 200 to a boot. Furthermore, an equal number of securing tabs need not be bent to opposing sides of the skate blade 200.
In certain embodiments, the skate blade 200 preferably comprises a stiff metal. In an embodiment, the skate blade 200 advantageously comprises a titanium material. As used herein, “titanium material” refers to any titanium based material, such as, for example, commercially pure titanium, titanium alloys and titanium matrix composites. Such titanium material provides advantages of strength and/or fracture resistance and is also remarkably lightweight. Furthermore, the titanium material provides for a rust resistant material.
In a more preferred embodiment, the skate blade 200 comprises Ti6Al4V, which is classified by the American Society for Testing and Materials as ASTM-F136 titanium. F136 titanium may advantageously provide a strong crystalline structure and an increased fatigue limit for the skate blade 200.
In certain other embodiments, the unitary metal member 200 comprises a metal alloy, such as, for example, steel or stainless steel.
In certain embodiments, the thickness of the skate blade 200 ranges between about 1.5 millimeters and about 5 millimeters. In a more preferred embodiment, the thickness of the skate blade 200 is approximately 3.5 millimeters. In certain embodiments, the length of the elongated portion ranges between about 10 centimeters to about 31 centimeters and may depend on the size of the associated footwear and/or skater.
Within the spirit and scope of the disclosure, the ice engaging elongated portion 202 may be further coated with a wear resistant material such as diamond, silicon carbide, or the like, in order to reduce the number of times that the blade must be sharpened as a result of use by a skater.
The illustrated skate blade 200 provides for several advantages over traditional skate blades. For example, when forming the skate blade 200, it is not necessary to weld or attach other materials or portions to the skate blade 200. This preferably facilitates the manufacturing process, reduces the cost of the skate blade 200, and/or avoids the introduction of weakness into the blade that occurs with the attaching together of multiple pieces. Furthermore, it is not necessary to twist portions of the skate blade 200 in order to attach the skate blade 200 to a boot. Rather, the user may bend the securing tabs about the bend axis 212.
As depicted in
As shown, the skate blade 400 includes an elongated portion 402 configured for engagement with ice or a ground surface during use. In particular, the elongated portion 402 generally extends in an X direction, within an X-Y plane, between a proximal end 403 (or front) and a distal end 404 (or rear) of the skate blade 400. The elongated portion 402 further includes a blade portion 405 configured to contact the ice or ground surface. In certain embodiments, the blade portion 405 includes two outside edges and an arcuate hollow in between the two edges, as is well known in the art.
The illustrated skate blade 400 further includes two pairs of securing tabs. In particular, securing tabs 406a and 406b are located toward the proximal end 403 of the skate blade 400 and generally extend in a Y direction from a top surface 407 of the elongated portion 402. The illustrated skate blade 400 further includes a second set of securing tabs 408a and 408b located toward the distal end 404 of the skate blade 400 and also generally extending in the Y direction from the top surface 407 of the elongated portion 402.
As shown, each of the securing tabs 406a, 406b, 408a and 408b are bent at approximately a 90-degree angle to facilitate securing the skate blade 400 to the bottom of a boot. In particular, the elongated portion 402 and bottom sections of the securing tabs 406a, 406b, 408a and 408b generally occupy the X-Y plane. Top sections of the securing tabs 406a, 406b, 408a and 408b generally occupy an X-Z plane and are substantially perpendicular to the bottom sections and the elongated portion 402. Furthermore, the illustrated securing tabs 406a and 408a are bent such that the top sections of the securing tabs 406a and 408a extend toward a first side of the skate blade 400 (e.g., in a −Z direction). The top sections of the securing tabs 406b and 408b extend generally in an opposite direction (e.g., in a Z direction) of the securing tabs 406a and 408a. Such an arrangement facilitates balancing of the boot on the skate blade 400.
In certain embodiments, the securing tabs 406a and 406b are configured to attach at or near a toe portion of a skate boot. For example, screws (not shown) may be inserted through fixation holes 410 to secure the securing tabs 406a and 406b to a leather sole of the skate boot. Likewise, the securing tabs 408a and 408b are configured to attach at or near a heel portion of a skate boot such that screws may be inserted through fixation holes 412 to secure the securing tabs 408a and 408b to the leather sole of the skate boot. In other embodiments, other forms or types of fixation devices may be use in place of, or in combination with, screws to secure the skate blade 400 to a boot.
Although described with reference to particular embodiments, the skate blade 400 may include other features in combination with, or in place of, the above-described features. For example, the skate blade 400 optionally includes a toe pick 414 having a plurality of teeth for facilitating skating maneuvers, such as jumps or spins. In other embodiments, the skate blade 400 may include slots or additional devices configured to provide shock absorption during skating. In yet other embodiments, at least one of the securing tabs 406a, 406b, 408a and 408b may be configured for attachment to a metal plate or other surface positioned between the skate blade 400 and the bottom of the boot.
Furthermore, the skate blade 400 may include more or fewer securing tabs, and/or may include at least one securing tab having a different shape, than the securing tabs 406a, 406b, 408a and 408b depicted in
In other embodiments of the invention, the securing tabs of the skate blade 400 may be bent or formed at angles other than approximately 90 degrees.
The illustrated securing tab 506 has two substantial bends. The first bend, where the securing tab 506 extends from the elongated portion 502, has an angle θ. As shown, the angle θ is an obtuse angle and, in certain embodiments, has a value of approximately 135 degrees. The second bend of the securing tab 506 has an angle φ. As shown, the angle φ is an acute angle and, in certain embodiments, has a value of approximately 45 degrees. Likewise, the illustrated securing tab 508 is bent similarly to the securing tab 506 but in the opposite direction. In certain embodiments, the section of the securing tab 506 between the first and second bends has a hole extending through it to permit a fastening tool, such as, for example, a screwdriver, to be adjust a fastening device (e.g., a screw) for fixing the securing tab, and hence the blade 500, to the boot.
Although disclosed with reference to particular embodiments, a skilled artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein a wide variety of alternative designs or methods for forming the securing tabs of skate blades. For example, any of the securing tabs illustrated in
As illustrated in
As discussed previously with respect to the skate blade 200 depicted in
As illustrated, the locking screw 712 includes a threaded head 714 and a threaded body 716. In certain embodiments, the threads of the locking screw 712 advantageously engage grooves of both the securing tab 706 and the hole of the boot 715 when used to secure the blade 700 to the boot 715.
In certain embodiments, the threads of the head 714 are of a different pitch than the threads of the body 716. For example, as illustrated in
In certain embodiments, the locking screw 712 advantageously comprises a titanium material. In yet other embodiments, the locking screw 712 may comprise stainless steel or another like metal, wood, ceramic, alloys, combinations of the same or the like.
In the illustrated embodiment, the securing tabs 706 and 708 of the skate blade 700 are not substantially flush with the bottom of the skate boot 715. Rather, a gap 724 exists between the skate blade 700 and the boot 715. Because the threads of the locking screw 712 engage both the grooves of the securing tabs 706 and 708 and grooves of the holes in the skate boot 715, the skate blade 700 need not be substantially flush with the bottom of the boot 715. That is, such locking screws 712 need not rely solely upon compression between the skate blade 700 and the boot 715 to withstand lateral forces experienced by the blade 700 and/or boot 715. In certain embodiments, the gap 724 allows for more stability between the blade 700 and the boot 715, such as when the bottom of the boot 715 is not a planar surface. In other embodiments, the securing tabs 706 and 708 may contact at least a portion of the boot 715, and the gap 724 may be reduced or substantially eliminated.
Furthermore, the use of multiple locking screws 712 provides for increased stability between the skate blade 700 and the boot 715. In particular, as lateral forces are experienced by the skate blade 700, such as during skating, the multiple locking screws 712 jointly counteract the lateral force to decrease movement between the skate blade 700 and the boot 715. Such reduction in play between the skate blade 700 and the boot 715 advantageously preserves the life of the skate blade 700 and/or the boot 715. For example, with the reduced amount of play, the skate blade 700 may be less susceptible to warping, and/or the skate boot 715 may be less susceptible to deterioration of the leather (e.g., such as may be caused by movement of the blade 700 when affixed with conventional screws).
Although described and shown with reference to particular embodiments, a skilled artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein a wide variety of alternative embodiments for the locking screw 712. For example, the locking screw 712 may include a head having a conical, cylindrical, tapered, or customized shape. In certain embodiments, the locking screw 712 may include a shallower thread profile than what is depicted in
In certain embodiments, the locking screw 712 has a length between about 1 centimeter to about 3 centimeters. For instance, the length of a locking screw used to fasten a skate blade to the front (toe) portion of a boot may be of a shorter length than a locking screw used to fasten the skate blade to the back (heel) portion of the boot.
In certain embodiments, the securing tab 706 may include multiple holes therethrough for affixing the skate blade 700 to the boot 715. For example, the securing tab 706 may include at least one non-grooved hole for a standard screw, bolt, rivet, bracket, clip or other attachment device and at least one grooved hole to receive the locking screw 712. Such embodiments allow for the option of securing the skate blade 700 with one or more types of securing devices.
For example, in certain embodiments, the provisional hole 840 may be used to temporarily affix the skate blade 800 to a boot when the skate blade 800 is being fitted or adjusted. The provisional hole 840 is advantageously of a smaller diameter to allow for the use of smaller securing mechanisms, such as, for example, pins or small screws, that can be inserted through the provisional hole 840 and into the bottom of a boot without requiring substantial alterations or holes in the boot. In other embodiments, the securing tab 806 may include multiple provisional holes 840. Using the provisional holes 840 may advantageously avoid disruption of the integrity of the boot bottom in areas that receive the more permanent fixation device, such as the locking screws 712 illustrated in
In other embodiments, the skate blade 800 may function without provisional holes. For example, a user may insert temporary fixation devices through the fixation hole 810 when fitting or adjusting the skate.
The illustrated skate blade 900 also includes a toe pick 914, a first shock absorption slot 920 and a second shock absorption slot 922. Furthermore, the skate blade 900 includes an opening 942 positioned within the first neck portion 907 that advantageously provides for a reduction in the weight and/or air resistance of the skate blade 900.
Although described with reference to particular embodiments, a skilled artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein a wide variety of alternative materials usable with the embodiments of skate blades described herein. For example, in certain embodiments, the skate blade may be made of a synthetic non-metallic material or a thermoplastic material, such as, for example, nylon or polyurethane, a hydrophobic material such as an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW PE), a fluoropolymer, a silicone material, combinations of the same or the like.
In certain embodiments, the skate blade may comprise a composite material such as a resin or epoxy material including glass, aramide, carbon, boron, or stainless steel fibers, a thermoplastic metal matrix material, a ceramic material, combinations of the same or the like. The skate blade may also include one or more filler materials such as carbon black, graphite, glass fiber, aramide fiber, carbon fiber, boron fiber, stainless steel fiber, microspheres, fluorinated fillers such as fluorinated graphite, silicone, diamond, metal fillers such as titanium carbide or tungsten carbide, titanium coated graphite, diamond films, aluminum-based ceramics, non-oxide ceramics, ceramic, fiber reinforced material, combinations of the same or the like.
As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, embodiments of the present invention find utility in various types of skates, of which figure skates, roller skates and speed skates are three examples. Since the skating characteristic requirements for these various type skates may vary, the precise material and/or configuration for a given type of skate, or for an individual skater who will use the given type of skate, may also vary.
While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2005/029470 | 8/18/2005 | WO | 00 | 7/16/2008 |
