ICE SKATE BLADE WITH PRE-APPLIED VARIABLE CURVATURE, VARIABLE STIFFNESS, AND MODULAR BOOT MOUNTING SYSTEM

Abstract

A skate blade has a tube (1) featuring a complex radiused slot (5) in which the runner (3) is placed, thereby imparting the complex radius to the runner (3). A uniform quick mounting structure is also provided, whereby a mounting cup (8) attached to the tube (1) is secured to a skate boot by interaction between a retention jib (11) and a mounting plate (10) that is located on the boot. This provides a uniform and repeatable attachment. Other features include harmonic dampening, adhesive retention features, boot alignment features.

Claims

1. A skate blade comprising: a runner; and, a tube having a longitudinal slot having a lateral bend radius; the runner inserted into the longitudinal slot in the tube, thereby imparting said lateral bend radius to the runner and forming a curved ice contacting surface on said runner.

2. The skate blade of claim 1, the lateral bend radius being a complex radius.

3. The skate blade of claim 1, further comprising a surface coating on the runner.

4. The skate blade of claim 1, further comprising: a mounting platform that interacts with a mounting platform plate located on a skate boot; a retention gib; and a fastener to bias the retention gib against the mounting platform plate, thereby securing the mounting platform to the mounting platform plate.

5. The skate blade of claim 1, the slot being formed by two opposed flanges, one of said flanges having a variable thickness along its length.

6. A skate boot comprising: a boot body further comprising a sole; a mounting platform plate located on the sole of the skate boot; a runner and a tube, said runner inserted into a slot in the tube; a mounting platform attached to the tube, the mounting platform interacting with the mounting platform plate; a retention gib; and a fastener to bias the retention gib against the mounting platform plate; thereby securing the mounting platform to the mounting platform plate.

7.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a short track speed skate (Prior Art).

[0039] FIG. 2A is a side elevation of a long track speed skate illustrating the hinged “clap arm” mechanism which is affixed to the forefoot area of the boot (Prior Art).

[0040] FIG. 2B is a side elevation of a long track speed skate illustrating the movement of the hinged “clap arm” mechanism (Prior Art).

[0041] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a Maple PB Mounting Cup with alignment marks (Prior Art).

[0042] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a boot with incorrectly installed boot mounts misaligned showing misaligned surface contact on mounting cups (Prior Art).

[0043] FIG. 5A is a cross-section view of an industry standard boot mount installed in a boot showing occlusions in the retention feature of the boot mount (Prior Art).

[0044] FIG. 5B is a detail view of FIG. 5A showing occlusions in the retention feature of the boot mount (Prior Art).

[0045] FIG. 6 is a left elevation of a fully assembled short track skate blade in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a right elevation view of a fully assembled short track skate blade in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the front of a fully assembled short track skate blade assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0048] FIG. 9 is an exploded front perspective view of a fully assembled short track skate blade assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0049] FIG. 10 is a front elevation of a fully assembled short track skate blade assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0050] FIG. 11 is a rear elevation of a fully assembled short track skate blade assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0051] FIG. 12 is a rear-perspective view of a fully assembled short track skate blade assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0052] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a fully assembled short track skate blade assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0053] FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of a fully assembled short track skate blade assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0054] FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view illustrating a skate blade runner slot with consistent and variable stiffness flanges, as shown throughout the FIGS.

[0055] FIG. 16 is a partial front elevation illustrating a skate blade runner slot of FIG. 15.

[0056] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the front of a skate blade runner slot of FIG. 15.

[0057] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the side of a skate blade runner with glue rivet retention holes in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0058] FIG. 19 is an alternate perspective view of the side of a skate blade runner with glue rivet retention groves in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0059] FIG. 20A is an alternate perspective view of the side of a skate blade runner with glue rivet retention divots in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0060] FIG. 20B is a detail perspective view of the side of the skate blade runner of FIG. 20A.

[0061] FIG. 21 is a close-up view of a runner detailing a vapor deposited coating on its surface.

[0062] FIG. 22 is a front view of the front of a skate blade runner slot showing the adhesive pooling feature and adhesive in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0063] FIG. 23 is a detail perspective view of the dampening system ports with bung plug in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0064] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the front of an embodiment of the long track bridge feature with adjustable/replicable boot mounting system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0065] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the anti-pullout boot mount component of the mounting assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0066] FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view detailing a graduated angle alignment pattern applied to the mounting assembly components in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0067] FIG. 27 is a sectional view of a boot mount cup plate, as used in FIG. 26.

[0068] FIG. 28 is a partial perspective view of the Quick Release Boot Mounting Cup.

[0069] FIG. 29 is an exploded view of the Quick Release Boot Mounting Cup.

[0070] FIG. 30 is a partial perspective view of the Quick Release Boot Mounting Cup mounted to the Anti-Pull-Out Boot Mount.

[0071] FIG. 31 is an exploded view of the Quick Release Boot Mounting Cup mounted to the Anti-Pull-Out Boot Mount.

[0072] FIG. 32 is a rear elevation of the quick release boot mounting cup of FIG. 29.

[0073] FIG. 33 is a sectional view of the quick release boot mounting cup of FIG. 32 taken a long line XXXIII.

[0074] FIG. 34A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a quick release plate.

[0075] FIG. 34B is a front elevation of the quick release plate of FIG. 34A.

[0076] FIG. 35A is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a quick release plate.

[0077] FIG. 35B is a front elevation of the quick release plate of FIG. 35A.

[0078] FIG. 36A is a perspective view of a boot cup plate fastener.

[0079] FIG. 36B is in elevational view of the boot cup plate fastener of FIG. 36A.

[0080] FIG. 37A is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a quick release plate.

[0081] FIG. 37B is a front elevation of the quick release plate of FIG. 37A.

[0082] FIG. 37A is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a quick release plate.

[0083] FIG. 37B is a front elevation of the quick release plate of FIG. 38A.

[0084] FIG. 39A is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a quick release plate.

[0085] FIG. 39B is a front elevation of the quick release plate of FIG. 39A.

[0086] FIG. 40A is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a quick release plate.

[0087] FIG. 40B is a front elevation of the quick release plate of FIG. 40A.

[0088] The various embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover some possible alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DRAWINGS—LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0089] The following reference numerals are employed in the figures to indicate the associated elements of the embodiments depicted: [0090] 1. Tube [0091] 2. Tube Plug [0092] 3. Runner [0093] 4. Runner Adhesive Retention Feature [0094] 5. Variable Radii Runner Mounting Slot [0095] 6. Adhesive [0096] 7. Adhesive Pooling Feature [0097] 8. Boot Mount Cup [0098] 9. Boot Mount Cup fastener [0099] 10. Boot Mount Cup Plate [0100] 11. Boot Mount Cup Retention Gib [0101] 12. Boot Mount Cup Retention Gib Fastener [0102] 13. Boot Mount Cup Micro-Adjustment Screws [0103] 14. Boot Mount Cup Plate Fastener [0104] 15. Boot Mount Cup Plate Alignment Marks Feature [0105] 16. Anti-Pullout Boot Mount [0106] 17. Boot Mount Alignment Grid Feature [0107] 18. Tube Dampening System Cavity [0108] 19. Tube Dampening System Fill Port [0109] 20. Tube Dampening System Plug [0110] 21. Variable Stiffness Flange [0111] 22. Constant thickness Flange [0112] 23. Runner Multi-Radius Bend [0113] 24. Runner Surface Coating [0114] R. Vertical Rocker Radius [0115] B. Lateral Bend Radius

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0116] With reference now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of an ice skate blade with pre-applied variable curvature, variable stiffness, adhesive retention features, and modular boot mounting and alignment system is herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a,” “an,” and “the,” as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0117] With reference to FIGS. 6-14, a preferred but exemplary embodiment of an ice skate blade with pre-applied variable curvature and modular boot mounting and alignment system is shown. The depicted skate assembly concepts can be used for either a short track skate blade or a long track skate blade, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A. The skate blades and are generally configured with an elongated rail-type support, which is typically a cylindrical tube shape, commonly referred to as a blade tube, with appendages to facilitate mounting of a blade runner component and mounting points for affixing boots. The blade tube generally has a slot adapted to hold and retain the upper portion of the blade or runner on one side of the blade tube, and mounting platform(s) referred to as “cups” or “arms” attached on the side opposite the slot for attaching the blade assembly to boots. The short track blade and long track blade shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A exemplify one possible embodiment of each type of skate blade bendable with the blade bending apparatus. Various other types of skate blades, including blades of various configurations, may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Additionally, blade attachment sections with and without the associated runner or attachment components installed can also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0118] The skate blade assembly is shown in an exploded view in FIG. 9. A Tube (1) with a Runner (3) inserted into Variable Radii Runner Mounting Slot (5) and retained with Adhesive (6). The Adhesive (6) flows into the Adhesive Retention Feature (4) forming adhesive rivets to help retain the Runner (3) in the Variable Radii Runner Mounting Slot (5). The Boot Mounting Cups (8) are attached to the tube (1) with Boot Mount Cup Fasteners (9). The Boot Mounting Cup Plate (10) is attached to the anti-pullout boot mount (16) using Fastener (14) (FIGS. 25-33. The Boot Mounting Cup Plate (10) is attached to the Boot Mounting Cup (8) using Boot Mounting Cup Retention Gib (11) and its fastener (12). The boot position is then adjusted using the Boot Mount Alignment Grid (17) and the Boot Mount Plate Alignment Marks (15).

[0119] As shown in FIGS. 15-17, the tube (1) will feature two flanges (21), (22) in which the runner (3) is located. Of these two flanges, one (21) will have a variable thickness, and therefore variable stiffness. The other (22) will have constant thickness and stiffness. This variable stiffness concept can also be applied to the circumference of the tube as well as the top of the tube.

[0120] We presently contemplate that the tube (1) of this embodiment be made of aluminum and Computerized Numerical Control machined from an extruded shape of material to minimize waste, but other materials and methods are also suitable including, but not limited, to alloys, plastics, composites such as carbon fiber, etc.

[0121] We presently contemplate that the runner (3) be made of steel, but other materials are suitable.

[0122] We presently contemplate that the mounting cups (8), or alternately long track clap arms, plates (10), and boot mounts (16), and retention gib (11) be made of aluminum, but other materials also suitable.

[0123] We presently contemplate that the fasteners (9, 12, 13, and 14) be made of steel and titanium alloy, but other materials are also suitable.

[0124] We presently contemplate that the boot mount cup plates (10) can be made of different thicknesses to increase or decrease the effective height of the blade assembly; however, the height increase can also be accomplished by increasing the height of the cup itself while maintaining the thin mounting plate.

[0125] We presently contemplate that the adhesive (6) will be a commercially available adhesive appropriate for bonding dissimilar metals. We also contemplate the use of adhesive with steel-on-steel combinations of the blade and tube. A gluing process like that used with aluminum tubes is possible and may be preferred due to some performance benefits a glued assembly would offer, including but not limited to impact energy reduction that can reduce blade damage and vibration dampening.

[0126] We presently contemplate that the adhesive retention feature will be round holes (4a) drilled into the runner (3a) (FIG. 18), but other methods including Grooves, Divots (4c) (FIGS. 20A and 20B), Slots, etc. are also suitable to achieve the desired result.

[0127] We presently contemplate that an adhesive pooling feature will be an angled chamfer (7) machined into the top edge of both flanges (21 and 22) that form either wall of the mounting slot (5), but other methods including notches, divots, slots, etc. are also suitable to achieve the desired result (FIGS. 16 & 22).

[0128] We presently contemplate that the variable stiffness flange (21) will be CNC machined to specifications, including radius specifications, during the manufacturing process.

[0129] We presently contemplate that the alignment grids and marks on the boot mounting cups/arms (8), plates (10), and mounting blocks (13) will be laser etched into the aluminum surfaces, but these marks can also be included by CNC machining, screen printing, surface labeling, etc., or other suitable means. Further, the graduation marks are specifically for the purpose of making the installation and alignment procedure a repeatable process and they can be designated by letters, numerals, or other symbols as appropriate.

[0130] We presently contemplate a surface coating (24) on the runner (3) to be performed using diamondlike carbon (DLC), however chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), or similar surface finishes can achieve similar results (FIG. 21). The runner surface coating (24), is 1-5 microns thick, provides extremely low friction (0.5-0.6 coefficient of friction), higher hardness than the steel surface to which it is adhered, reduced resistant to sliding wear. Because of the extremely high surface hardness, any burr that occurs during the sharpening and polishing process of the runner surface is easily removed.

[0131] A dampening feature, shown in FIG. 23, utilizes a tube dampening system fill port (19), to allow the addition of dampening fluid, foam, and/or compounds, into the tube dampening system cavity (18) (FIG. 9), which are then retaining in the cavity by installation of the tube dampening system plug (20).

[0132] Accordingly, the reader will see that the skate blade assembly of the various embodiments can be used to provide an assembly that requires minimal set up steps for the end user, such steps are easy to accomplish, easily repeatable, and consistent in their application.

[0133] From the description above, many advantages of some embodiments of our skate blade assembly become evident:

[0134] The multi-radii pre-curved slot (5) in the tube (1) allows for the significant reduction, or elimination, of manual bending operations while yielding the preferred bend for each skater.

[0135] The multi-radii, or “complex,” pre-installed bend radius (23) allows for the significant reduction, or elimination, of manual bending/rockering operations. By providing a pre-radiused blade and tube, including complex radii, a consumer may purchase a blade and/or tube that is reasonably close to desired specifications. This would result in not only less time and effort to provide final alterations, but also the metal memory of the blade and tube will be closer to the desired specifications than is currently available in the market.

[0136] The elimination of mechanical fastening rivets allows for the runner to move within the bonding adhesive's range of elasticity during use as well as during minor mechanical bending operations that may be required to maintain the bend of the blade over time.

[0137] The adhesive rivets that result from the use of the retention feature (4) offer improved retention of the runner in the tube while also reducing weight of the assembly without the previously described negative impact of standard metal rivets. We currently anticipate four retention holes, but there can be more of less than four.

[0138] The adhesive pooling feature (7) ensures that any excess adhesive that may be applied during the installation of the runner into the tube will flow into the retention area rather than moving up the side of the runner surface, which must subsequently be removed by the skater or technician prior to use.

[0139] The boot mounting plates (10) allow for easier and faster replacement of broken or damaged blades as well as easier and less expensive adjustment of the height of the assembly to improve cornering clearance of the boot when the skater is leaning in the corner.

[0140] The alignment grid (17) and marks (15) on the mounting cups (8), plates (10), plate fasteners (11) and anti-pull-out boot mounts (16), allow the skater to easily align the boot and blade and reproduce the preferred setup quickly and easily if components must be replaced for wear or damage (FIGS. 26, 34A-36B).

[0141] The Micro-adjustment screws (13) of the quick release cups, allow the skater to have reliable and repeatable setups, across all their blades.

[0142] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of the several embodiments. For example, the tube can have other shapes, such as circular, trapezoidal, triangular, etc.; the mounting cups/arms, plates, and anti-pullout boot mounts can likewise have other shapes, such as those shown in FIGS. 37A-40B. The invention has been illustrated primarily with short track skates and cups, but the invention is easy incorporated into long track skates and mounting improvements may be applied to a bridge, as shown in FIG. 24. Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

[0143] The anti-pull-out boot mount (16) has an angular shape to prevent the pull-out of the mount from the shell of the boot.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0144] The present invention may be manufactured and used in industry, with a primary purpose of being used in the ice-skating industry. Other industries may be able to utilize the invention including, but not limited to, skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering, and other sports.