SKATE OR OTHER FOOTWEAR

Abstract

A skate (e.g., an ice skate) for a skater (e.g., a hockey player). The skate comprises a skate boot for receiving a foot of the skater and a skating device (e.g., a blade and 5 a blade holder) disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface (e.g., ice). At least part of the skate boot and optionally at least part of one or more other components (e.g., the skating device) may be constructed from one or more materials (e.g., foams) molded by flowing in molding equipment during a molding process (e.g., injection molding or casting). This may allow the skate (or other 0 footwear) to have useful performance characteristics (e.g., reduced weight, proper fit and comfort, etc.) while being more cost-effectively manufactured. Other articles of footwear are also provided.

Claims

1. A last for molding a body of a skate boot of a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the last being configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a medial side portion to face a medial side of the user's foot, a lateral side portion to face a lateral side of the user's foot, a heel portion to receive a heel of the user's foot, and an ankle portion to receive an ankle of the user, the last being reconfigurable to facilitate demolding of the body of the skate boot from the last such that the last is changeable between a molding configuration to mold the body of the skate boot on the last and a demolding configuration to demold the body of the skate boot from the last.

2. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is contracted in its demolding configuration relative to its molding configuration.

3. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a plurality of undercuts.

4. The last of claim 3, wherein respective ones of the undercuts are medial and lateral depressions of the ankle portion for receiving medial and lateral malleoli of the user.

5. The last of claim 3, wherein a given one of the undercuts is a recess defined by curvature of the heel portion.

6. The last of claim 3, wherein respective ones of the undercuts are recesses defined by curvature of the medial and lateral side portions.

7. The last of claim 1, wherein a volume occupied by the last is reduced from its molding configuration to its demolding configuration such that the volume occupied by the last in its demolding configuration is smaller than the volume occupied by the last in its molding configuration.

8. The last of claim 7, wherein the last comprises a cavity to receive a fluid to vary the volume occupied by the last by expanding and contracting the last.

9. The last of claim 1, wherein the last comprises a cavity containing particles and configured to receive a fluid such that the particles vary a rigidity of the last in response to flow of the fluid relative to the cavity.

10. The last of claim 1, wherein the last comprises a plurality of last members movable relative to one another to change between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.

11. The last of claim 10, wherein: respective ones of the last members are movable relative to one another while remaining connected to one another as the last changes between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration; and the last comprises a control system to control movement of the last members relative to one another.

12. The last of claim 10, wherein adjacent ones of the last members are translatable relative to one to change the last between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.

13. The last of claim 10, wherein adjacent ones of the last members are rotatable relative to one to change the last between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.

14. The last of claim 10, wherein adjacent ones of the last members are translatable and rotatable relative to one to change the last between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration.

15. The last of claim 10, wherein the last members include at least three last members.

16. The last of claim 10, wherein the last members include at least five last members.

17. The last of claim 10, wherein a first one of the last members is a front central last member, a second one of the last members is a rear central last member, a third one of the last members is an intermediate central last member disposed between the front central last member and the rear central last member; a fourth one of the last members is a medial last member; and a fifth one of the last members is a lateral last member.

18. The last of claim 17, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a sole portion for facing a plantar surface of the user's foot.

19. The last of claim 17, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a toe portion for enclosing toes of the user's foot.

20. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a sole portion for facing a plantar surface of the user's foot.

21. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to mold the body of the skate boot such that the body of the skate boot comprises a toe portion for enclosing toes of the user's foot.

22. The last of claim 10, wherein: the last comprises a base including respective ones of the last members; and a given one of the last members is a removable covering configured to enclose the base and removable from the base.

23. The last of claim 22, wherein a thickness of the removable covering varies to define a plurality of undercuts of the body of the skate boot.

24. The last of claim 22, wherein the removable covering is flexible.

25. The last of claim 24, wherein the removable covering comprises an elastomeric material.

26. The last of claim 1, wherein the last is configured to injection mold the body of the skate boot.

27. The last of claim 1, wherein the body of the skate boot comprises a plurality of materials that are different and molded by flowing about the last.

28. A skate boot comprising a body molded using the last of claim 1.

29. A method of making a skate boot for a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the method comprising: providing a last changeable between a molding configuration and a demolding configuration; molding a body of the skate boot on the last in the molding configuration such that the body of the skate boot comprises a medial side portion to face a medial side of the user's foot, a lateral side portion to face a lateral side of the user's foot, a heel portion to receive a heel of the user's foot, and an ankle portion to receive an ankle of the user; changing the last from the molding configuration to the demolding configuration to facilitate removal of the body of the skate boot from the last; and demolding the body of the skate boot from the last in the demolding configuration.

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. A flexible female mold member for molding a body of a skate boot of a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the flexible female mold member being configured to be part of a female mold and disposed adjacent to a last for molding the body of the skate boot, the flexible female mold member comprising an inner surface preformed to define a cavity between the flexible female mold member and the last to receive polymeric material to mold at least a portion of the body of the skate boot such that the inner surface of the flexible female mold member creates an outer surface of the portion of the body of the skate boot.

33.-41. (canceled)

42. A method of making a skate boot of a skate, the skate comprising a skating device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface, the skate boot being configured to receive a foot of a user, the method comprising: placing a sheet in a mold for molding a body of the skate boot; and causing flow of material in the mold to mold at least a portion of the body of the skate boot, the sheet conforming to the portion of the body of the skate boot.

43.-56. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] A detailed description of embodiments of the invention is provided below, by way of example only, with reference to drawings annexed hereto, in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 is an example of a skate for a skater, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0031] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the skate;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shell of a skate boot of the skate;

[0033] FIGS. 4 to 7 are respective side, front, top and bottom views of the shell of FIG. 3;

[0034] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the shell taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5;

[0035] FIGS. 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views of the shell taken along lines 9-9 and 10-10 of FIG. 4;

[0036] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a molding process implementing a molding apparatus to form the shell of the skate boot;

[0037] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the shell showing a plurality of subshells of the shell, including an internal, an intermediate and an external subshell of the shell;

[0038] FIG. 13 is an example of a last of the molding apparatus used to form the shell;

[0039] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the last and a first female mold used to produce the internal subshell of the shell;

[0040] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the last and a second female mold used to produce the intermediate subshell of the shell;

[0041] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the last and a third female mold used to produce the external subshell of the shell;

[0042] FIGS. 17 and 18 are perspective cross-sectional views of the shell of FIG. 3 taken along different points of a length of the shell;

[0043] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the shell in an embodiment in which the shell comprises a reinforcement and a design element disposed between the intermediate subshell and the external subshell;

[0044] FIGS. 20A and 20B are side views of the shell in embodiments in which the reinforcement comprises a rib;

[0045] FIGS. 21A and 21B are side views of the shell in embodiments in which the reinforcement comprises a reinforcing sheet;

[0046] FIG. 21C is a side view of the shell in accordance with an embodiment in which the reinforcement comprises a single fiber;

[0047] FIG. 22 is a conceptual illustration of constituents of a material flowing into a mold cavity to produce a resulting polymeric material;

[0048] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an embodiment in which the shell comprises an overlay;

[0049] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a tongue of the skate boot;

[0050] FIG. 25 is a side view of a blade of a skating device of the skate;

[0051] FIGS. 26A to 29 show different examples of embodiments in which the blade is affixed to a blade holder of the skating device of the skate;

[0052] FIG. 30 is a side view of the shell in an embodiment in which a limited part of the blade holder is molded integrally with the shell;

[0053] FIGS. 31 and 32 are cross-sectional views of examples of securing the limited part of the blade holder which is molded integrally with the shell with another part of the blade holder;

[0054] FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the blade holder in an embodiment in which the blade holder comprises a blade-detachment mechanism;

[0055] FIG. 34 is a side view of the blade of the skating device;

[0056] FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the blade taken along line 35-35 of FIG. 34;

[0057] FIG. 36 is a side view of the skate in an embodiment in which a toe cap, a tongue, a tendon guard, a footbed and a pair of lace members of the skate boot are molded integrally with the shell;

[0058] FIG. 37 is a side of the skate in an embodiment in which the shell of the skate boot is molded alone (i.e., separately from the toe cap, the tongue, the tendon guard, the footbed and the lace members of the skate boot);

[0059] FIG. 38 is a side view of the skate in an embodiment in which any of the toe cap, the tongue, the tendon guard, the footbed and the lace members are molded integrally with the shell of the skate boot;

[0060] FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the shell of the skate boot in an embodiment in which the shell is a unitary shell (i.e., has no subshells);

[0061] FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of the shell of the skate boot in an embodiment in which the shell comprises subshells;

[0062] FIGS. 41A, 41B and 41C are cross-sectional views of the shell in embodiments in which at least one of the subshells comprise an opening in a sole region of the shell;

[0063] FIG. 42, 43A and 43B are cross-sectional views of the shell in embodiments in which a footbed of the skate boot is formed integrally with the shell of the skate boot;

[0064] FIGS. 44A and 44B are cross-sectional views of the shell in embodiments in which the external subshell of the shell and/or the internal subshell of the shell comprises an opening at the sole region of the shell;

[0065] FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of the shell in an embodiment in which the footbed of the skate boot is formed integrally with the shell and is in contact with the external subshell of the shell;

[0066] FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view of the shell in an embodiment in which the footbed of the skate boot is an insert that is disposed between given ones of the subshells of the shell;

[0067] FIGS. 47A and 47B are cross-sectional views of the shell in embodiments in which a limited part of the blade holder is molded integrally with the shell;

[0068] FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional of the shell in an embodiment in which the footbed of the skate boot is formed integrally with the shell;

[0069] FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view of the shell in an embodiment in which the shell comprises the internal, intermediate and external subshells and is molded separately from the blade holder;

[0070] FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view of the shell in an embodiment in which the shell comprises four subshells;

[0071] FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view of the shell in an embodiment in which the blade holder is molded separately from the shell and is affixed to the shell;

[0072] FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view of the shell in an embodiment in which the blade holder is molded integrally with the shell and the intermediate subshell making up the blade holder is exposed;

[0073] FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional view of the shell in an embodiment in which the blade holder is molded integrally with the shell and a given subshell envelops the blade holder but not the shell;

[0074] FIG. 54 is an exploded view of the skate in an embodiment in which the shell is molded separately from the blade holder and from other components of the skate boot, notably the toe cap, the tongue, the tendon guard, the footbed and the lace members of the skate boot;

[0075] FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the blade holder in an embodiment in which the blade holder is formed separately from the shell of the skate boot;

[0076] FIG. 56 is a top view of a cross-section of the shell taken along an ankle portion of the shell;

[0077] FIGS. 57A and 57B show top cross-sectional views of the ankle portion of the shell in accordance with an embodiment in which the skate boot comprises a reinforcement which comprises an extension;

[0078] FIGS. 58 and 59 show embodiments in which the extension connects a medial ankle side of the ankle portion to a lateral ankle side of the ankle portion in a direction frontwardly of the ankle portion of the shell;

[0079] FIGS. 60 and 61 show examples in which the extension comprises a plurality of free ends that are movable relative to one another and converge toward one another;

[0080] FIG. 62 shows an example of a variant in which the extension is in a rear portion of the ankle portion of the shell;

[0081] FIGS. 63 and 64 show examples in which the reinforcement comprises two extensions, including one in the rear portion of the ankle portion of the shell;

[0082] FIG. 65 is an example of a variant in which the rear portion of the ankle portion comprises an opening;

[0083] FIG. 66 is a perspective view of the shell of the skate boot in accordance with a variant in which the reinforcement comprises the lace members of the skate boot;

[0084] FIGS. 67 and 68 show different examples of the shell in accordance with the variant of FIG. 66;

[0085] FIG. 69 shows an example of the shell in accordance with the variant of FIG. 66 and in which the skate boot comprises an extension;

[0086] FIG. 70 is a side view of the skate boot of FIG. 63;

[0087] FIGS. 71A and 71B show side and front views of the skate in accordance with another embodiment;

[0088] FIG. 72 shows an example of a test for determining the stiffness of a part of a subshell;

[0089] FIG. 73 shows an example of an embodiment in which an outermost one of the subshells makes up an outer surface of the shell and an outer surface of the blade holder;

[0090] FIG. 74 shows an example of a variant in which the blade holder has no opening extending from its lateral side to its medial side;

[0091] FIGS. 75 to 77 show an example of a variant in which the shell and/or the blade holder comprises one or more inserts over which a subshell is molded;

[0092] FIGS. 78A to 78C show other examples of the variant of FIG. 75 in which the inserts form a part of the shell;

[0093] FIG. 79 shows an example of a variant in which one or more of the subshells comprises a filled portion comprising a different material;

[0094] FIGS. 80A to 80F show other examples of the variant of FIG. 79;

[0095] FIGS. 81 and 82 show an example of a variant in which a sheet is used during molding of the shell;

[0096] FIG. 83 shows an example of a variant in which the skate boot comprises a slash guard;

[0097] FIG. 84 shows an example of a variant of the slash guard of FIG. 83;

[0098] FIG. 85 shows a top view of a portion of the slash guard of FIG. 83;

[0099] FIGS. 86A to 86D show examples of a variant in which the shell and/or blade holder and/or other components made integrally with the shell are molded as separate pieces which are then assembled together;

[0100] FIG. 87 shows an example of a variant in which the blade holder comprises an insert for receiving the blade;

[0101] FIG. 88 shows an example of a variant in which the blade holder comprises a void;

[0102] FIG. 89 shows an example of a variant in which the shell and/or the blade holder and/or other components made integrally with the shell comprises an opening configured to modify a performance of the skate boot;

[0103] FIG. 90 shows an example of an embodiment in which a material of a given subshell comprises a polymeric substance and an expansion agent;

[0104] FIG. 91 shows an example of the expansion agent of FIG. 90;

[0105] FIGS. 92 and 93 show examples of the last to form the shell in other embodiments;

[0106] FIGS. 94 to 105 show an example of the last to form the shell in another embodiment;

[0107] FIGS. 106 to 110 show an example of the last to form the shell in another embodiment;

[0108] FIGS. 111 to 115 show an example of the last to form the shell in another embodiment;

[0109] FIGS. 116 and 117 show an example of the last to form the shell in another embodiment;

[0110] FIGS. 118 and 119 show an example of the last to form the shell in another embodiment;

[0111] FIGS. 120 to 122 show an example of a flexible female mold member in another embodiment;

[0112] FIG. 123 shows an example of a variant in which the footwear is a ski boot;

[0113] FIG. 124 shows an example of a variant in which the footwear is a work boot; and

[0114] FIGS. 125 and 126 are side and front views of a right foot of the skater with an integument of the foot shown in dotted lines and bones shown in solid lines.

[0115] In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for purposes of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0116] FIG. 1 shows an example of footwear 10 for a wearer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this example, the footwear 10 is a skate for a skater to skate on a skating surface 12. In this embodiment, the skate 10 is a hockey skate for the skater who is a hockey player playing hockey. In this example, the skate 10 is an ice skate, a type of hockey played is ice hockey, and the skating surface 12 is ice.

[0117] The skate 10 comprises a skate boot 22 for receiving a foot 11 of the player and a skating device 28 disposed beneath the skate boot 22 to engage the skating surface 12. In this embodiment, the skating device 28 comprises a blade 26 for contacting the ice 12 and a blade holder 24 between the skate boot 22 and the blade 26. The skate 10 has a longitudinal direction, a widthwise direction, and a heightwise direction.

[0118] In this embodiment, as further discussed below, the skate 10, including at least part of the skate boot 22 and possibly at least part of one or more other components (e.g., the blade holder 24), is constructed from one or more materials (e.g., foams) molded by flowing in molding equipment during a molding process (e.g., injection molding or casting). This may allow the skate 10 to have useful performance characteristics (e.g., reduced weight, proper fit and comfort, etc.) while being more cost-effectively manufactured.

[0119] The skate boot 22 defines a cavity 54 for receiving the player's foot 11. With additional reference to FIGS. 125 and 126, the player's foot 11 includes toes T, a ball B, an arch ARC, a plantar surface PS, a top surface TS, a medial side MS, and a lateral side LS. The top surface TS of the player's foot 11 is continuous with a lower portion of a shin S of the player. In addition, the player has a heel HL, an Achilles tendon AT, and an ankle A having a medial malleolus MM and a lateral malleolus LM that is at a lower position than the medial malleolus MM. The Achilles tendon AT has an upper part UP and a lower part LP projecting outwardly with relation to the upper part UP and merging with the heel HL. A forefoot of the player includes the toes T and the ball B, a hindfoot of the player includes the heel HL, and a midfoot of the player is between the forefoot and the hindfoot.

[0120] The skate boot 22 comprises a front portion 56 for receiving the toes T of the player, a rear portion 58 for receiving the heel HL and at least part of the Achilles tendon AT and the ankle A of the player, and an intermediate portion 60 between the front portion 56 and the rear portion 58.

[0121] More particularly, in this embodiment, the skate boot 22 comprises a shell 30, a toe cap 32, a tongue 34, a tendon guard 35, a liner 36, a footbed 38, and an insole 40. The skate boot 22 also comprises lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 and eyelets 46.sub.1-46.sub.E extending through (e.g., punched into) the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2, the shell 30 and the liner 36 vis--vis apertures 48 in order to receive laces for tying on the skate 10. In some embodiments, the skate boot 22 may not comprise any lace members and the eyelets 46.sub.1-46.sub.E may extend directly through the shell 30 and the liner 36 via the apertures 48.

[0122] The shell 30 is a body of the skate boot 22 that imparts strength and structural integrity to the skate 10 to support the player's foot 11. More particularly, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the shell 30 comprises a heel portion 62 for receiving the heel HL of the player, an ankle portion 64 for receiving the ankle A of the player, medial and lateral side portions 66, 68 for respectively facing the medial and lateral sides MS, LS of the player's foot 11, and a sole portion 69 for facing the plantar surface PS of the player's foot 11. The shell 30 thus includes a quarter 75 which comprises a medial quarter part 77, a lateral quarter part 79, and a heel counter 81. The medial and lateral side portions 66, 68 include upper edges 70, 72 which, in this embodiment, constitute upper edges of the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 (i.e., the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 are made integrally with the shell as will be described later). The heel portion 62 may be formed such that it is substantially cup-shaped for following the contour of the heel HL of the player. The ankle portion 64 comprises medial and lateral ankle sides 74, 76. The medial ankle side 74 has a medial depression 78 for receiving the medial malleolus MM of the player and the lateral ankle side 76 has a lateral depression 80 for receiving the lateral malleolus LM of the player. The lateral depression 80 is located slightly lower than the medial depression 78 for conforming to the morphology of the player's foot 11. The ankle portion 64 further comprises a rear portion 82 facing the lower part LP of the Achilles tendon AT of the player.

[0123] In this embodiment, with additional reference to FIG. 11, the shell 30 comprises one or more materials molded into a shape of the shell 30 by flowing in a molding apparatus 150 during a molding process (e.g., injection molding or casting). More particularly, in this embodiment, the shell 30 comprises a plurality of materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N that are molded into the shape of the shell 30 by flowing in the molding apparatus 150 during the molding process. The materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N are different from one another, such as by having different chemistries and/or exhibiting substantially different values of one or more material properties (e.g., density, modulus of elasticity, hardness, etc.). In this example, the materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N are arranged such that the shell 30 comprises a plurality of layers 85.sub.1-85.sub.L which are made of respective ones of the materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N. In that sense, in this case, the shell 30 may be referred to as a multilayer shell and the layers 85.sub.1-85.sub.L of the shell 30 may be referred to as subshells. This may allow the skate 10 to have useful performance characteristics (e.g., reduced weight, proper fit and comfort, etc.) while being more cost-effectively manufactured.

[0124] The materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N may be implemented in any suitable way. In this embodiment, each of the materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N is a polymeric material. For example, in this embodiment, each of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N is polyurethane (PU). Any other suitable polymer may be used in other embodiments (e.g., polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), nylon, polyester, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyethylene, an ionomer resin (e.g., Surlyn), styrene-butadiene copolymer (e.g., K-Resin) etc.), self-reinforced polypropylene composite (e.g., Curv), or any other thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer).

[0125] In this example of implementation, each of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N is a foam. In this case, each of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N is a PU foam. This foamed aspect may allow the shell 30 to be relatively light while providing strength. For instance, in some embodiments, a density of each of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N may be no more than 40 kg/m.sup.3, in some cases no more than 30 kg/m.sup.3, in some cases no more than 20 kg/m.sup.3, in some cases no more than 15 kg/m.sup.3, in some cases no more 10 kg/m.sup.3 and in some cases even less. One or more of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N may not be foam in other examples of implementation.

[0126] In this embodiment, the materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L of the shell 30 constitute at least part of the heel portion 62, the ankle portion 64, the medial and lateral side portions 66, 68, and the sole portion 69 of the shell 30. More particularly, in this embodiment, the materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N constitute at least a majority (i.e., a majority or an entirety) of the heel portion 62, the ankle portion 64, the medial and lateral side portions 66, 68, and the sole portion 69 of the shell 30. In this example, the materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N constitute the entirety of the heel portion 62, the ankle portion 64, the medial and lateral side portions 66, 68, and the sole portion 69 of the shell 30.

[0127] The subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L constituted by the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N may have different properties for different purposes.

[0128] For instance, in some cases, a polymeric material M.sub.x may be stiffer than a polymeric material M.sub.y such that a subshell comprising the polymeric material M.sub.x is stiffer than a subshell comprising the polymeric material M.sub.y. For example, a ratio of a stiffness of the subshell comprising the polymeric material M.sub.x over a stiffness of the subshell comprising the polymeric material M.sub.y may be at least 1.5, in some cases at least 2, in some cases at least 2.5, in some cases 3, in some cases 4 and in some cases even more.

[0129] In some cases, a given one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L may be configured to be harder than another one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L. For instance, to provide a given subshell with more hardness than another subshell, the hardness of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N may vary. For example, a hardness of the polymeric material M.sub.x may be greater than a hardness of the polymeric material M.sub.y. For example, in some cases, a ratio of the hardness of the polymeric material M.sub.x over the hardness of the polymeric material M.sub.y may be at least 1.5, in some cases at least 2, in some cases at least 2.5, in some cases at least 3, in some cases at least 4, in some cases at least 5 and in some cases even more.

[0130] To observe the stiffness of a subshell 85.sub.x, as shown in FIG. 72, a part of the subshell 85.sub.x can be isolated from the remainder of the subshell 85.sub.x (e.g., by cutting, or otherwise removing the part from the subshell 85.sub.x, or by producing the part without the remainder of the subshell 85.sub.x) and a three-point bending test can be performed on the part to subject it to loading tending to bend the part in specified ways (along a defined direction of the part if the part is anisotropic) to observe the rigidity of the part and measure parameters indicative of the rigidity of the part. For instance in some embodiments, the three-point bending test may be based on conditions defined in a standard test (e.g., ISO 178(2010)).

[0131] For example, to observe the rigidity of the subshell 85.sub.x, the three-point bending test may be performed to subject the subshell 85.sub.x to loading tending to bend the subshell 85.sub.x until a predetermined deflection of the subshell 85.sub.x is reached and measure a bending load at that predetermined deflection of the subshell 85.sub.x. The predetermined deflection of the subshell 85.sub.x may be selected such as to correspond to a predetermined strain of the subshell 85.sub.x at a specified point of the subshell 85.sub.x (e.g., a point of an inner surface of the subshell 85.sub.x). For instance, in some embodiments, the predetermined strain of the subshell 85.sub.x may be between 3% and 5%. The bending load at the predetermined deflection of the subshell 85.sub.x may be used to calculate a bending stress at the specified point of the subshell 85.sub.x. The bending stress at the specified point of the subshell 85.sub.x may be calculated as =My/I, where M is the moment about a neutral axis of the subshell 85.sub.x caused by the bending load, y is the perpendicular distance from the specified point of the subshell 85.sub.x to the neutral axis of the subshell 85.sub.x, and I is the second moment of area about the neutral axis of the subshell 85.sub.x. The rigidity of the subshell 85.sub.x can be taken as the bending stress at the predetermined strain (i.e., at the predetermined deflection) of the subshell 85.sub.x. Alternatively, the rigidity of the subshell 85.sub.x may be taken as the bending load at the predetermined deflection of the subshell 85.sub.x.

[0132] A stiffness of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L may be related to a modulus of elasticity (i.e., Young's modulus) of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N associated therewith. For example, to provide a given subshell with more stiffness than another subshell, the modulus of elasticity of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N may vary. For instance, in some embodiments, the modulus of elasticity of the polymeric material M.sub.x may be greater than the modulus of elasticity of the polymeric material M.sub.y. For example, in some cases, a ratio of the modulus of elasticity of the polymeric material M.sub.x over the modulus of elasticity of the polymeric material M.sub.y may be at least 1.5, in some cases at least 2, in some cases at least 2.5, in some cases at least 3, in some cases at least 4, in some cases at least 5 and in some cases even more. This ratio may have any other suitable value in other embodiments.

[0133] In some cases, a given one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L may be configured to be denser than another one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L. For instance, to provide a given subshell with more density than another subshell, the density of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N may vary. For instance, in some embodiments, the polymeric material M.sub.x may have a density that is greater than a density of the polymeric material M.sub.y. For example, in some cases, a ratio of the density of the material M.sub.x over the density of the material M.sub.y may be at least 1.1, in some cases at least 1.5, in some cases at least 2, in some cases at least 2.5, in some cases at least 3 and in some cases even more. a certain value

[0134] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L comprise an internal subshell 85.sub.1, an intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 and an external subshell 85.sub.3. The internal subshell 85.sub.1 is internal in that it is an innermost one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L. That is, the internal subshell 85.sub.1 is closest to the player's foot 11 when the player dons the skate 10. In a similar manner, the external subshell 85.sub.3 is external in that is an outermost one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L. That is, the external subshell 85.sub.3 is furthest from the player's foot 11 when the player dons the skate 10. The intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 is disposed between the internal and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.3.

[0135] The internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 comprise respective polymeric materials M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3. In this embodiment, the polymeric materials M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3 have different material properties that impart different characteristics to the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3. As a result, in certain cases, a given one of the subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 may be more resistant to impact than another one of the subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3, a given one of the subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 may be more resistant to wear than another one of the subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3, and/or a given one of the subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 may be denser than another one of the subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3.

[0136] For instance, a density of each of the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 may vary. For example, in this embodiment, the densities of the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 increase inwardly such that the density of the internal subshell 85.sub.1 is greater than the density of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 which in turn is greater than the density of the external subshell 85.sub.3. For example, the density of the internal subshell 85.sub.1 may be approximately 30 kg/m.sup.3, while the density of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 may be approximately 20 kg/m.sup.3, and the density of the external subshell 85.sub.3 may be approximately 10 kg/m.sup.3. The densities of the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 may have any other suitable values in other embodiments. In other embodiments, the densities of the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 may increase outwardly such that the external subshell 853 is the densest of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L. In yet other embodiments, the densities of the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 may not be arranged in order of ascending or descending density.

[0137] Moreover, in this embodiment, a stiffness of the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 may vary. For example, in this embodiment, the stiffness of the internal subshell 85.sub.1 is greater than the respective stiffness of each of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 and the external subshell 85.sub.3.

[0138] In addition, in this embodiment, a thickness of the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 may vary. For example, in this embodiment, the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 has a thickness that is greater than a respective thickness of each of the internal and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.3. For example, in some cases, the thickness of each of the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 may be between 0.1 mm to 25 mm, and in some cases between 0.5 mm to 10 mm. For instance, the thickness of each of the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 may be no more than 30 mm, in some cases no more than 25 mm, in some cases no more than 15 mm, in some cases no more than 10 mm, in some cases no more than 5 mm, in some cases no more than 1 mm, in some cases no more than 0.5 mm, in some cases no more than 0.1 mm and in some cases even less.

[0139] In order to provide the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 with their different characteristics, the polymeric materials M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3 of the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 may comprise different types of polymeric materials. For instance, in this example, the polymeric material M.sub.1 comprises a generally soft and dense foam, the polymeric material M.sub.2 comprises a structural foam that is more rigid than the foam of the polymeric material M.sub.1 and less dense than the polymeric material M.sub.1, and the polymeric material M.sub.3 is a material other than foam. For example, the polymeric material M.sub.3 of the external subshell 85.sub.3 may consist of a clear polymeric coating.

[0140] The subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L may be configured in various other ways in other embodiments. For instance, in other embodiments, the shell 30 may comprise a different number of subshells or no subshells. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 39, the shell 30 may be a single shell and therefore does not comprise any subshells. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 40, the shell 30 may comprise two subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L.

[0141] Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 41A to 41C, when the shell 30 comprises two subshells, notably interior and exterior subshells 85.sub.INT, 85.sub.EXT, if the exterior subshell 85.sub.EXT has a density that is greater than a density of the interior subshell 85.sub.INT, a given one of the subshells 85.sub.INT, 85.sub.EXT may have an opening, which can be referred to as a gap, along at least part of the sole portion 69 of the shell 30 (e.g., along a majority of the sole portion 69 of the shell 30). For example, as shown in FIG. 41A, in some embodiments, the exterior subshell 85.sub.EXT may comprise a gap G at the sole portion 69 of the shell 30 such that the interior and exterior subshells 85.sub.INT, 85.sub.EXT do not overlie one another at the sole portion 69 of the shell 30 (i.e., the interior subshell 85.sub.INT may be the only subshell present at the sole portion 69 of the shell 30). As shown in FIG. 41B, in an embodiment in which the exterior subshell 85.sub.EXT has a gap at the sole portion 69 of the shell 30, the interior subshell 85.sub.INT may project outwardly toward the exterior subshell 85.sub.EXT at the sole portion 69 of the shell 30 and fill in the gap of the exterior subshell 85.sub.EXT such that a thickness of the interior subshell 85.sub.INT is greater at the sole portion 69 of the shell 30. As another example, as shown in FIG. 41C, in an embodiment in which the interior subshell 85.sub.INT has a gap at the sole portion 69 of the shell 30, the exterior subshell 85.sub.EXT may project inwardly toward the interior subshell 85.sub.INT at the sole portion 69 of the shell 30 and fill in the gap of the interior subshell 85.sub.INT such that a thickness of the exterior subshell 85.sub.EXT is greater at the sole portion 69 of the shell 30. As shown in FIG. 42, the footbed 38 may be formed integrally with the shell 30 such as to cover at least partially an inner surface of the innermost subshell (in this case, the interior subshell 85.sub.INT) and overlie the sole portion 69 of the shell 30. In other cases, the footbed 38 may be inserted separately after the molding process of the shell 30 has been completed.

[0142] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 44A and 44B, when the shell 30 comprises three subshells, notably the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3, and the external subshell 85.sub.3 has a density that is greater than a density of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2, the external subshell 85.sub.3 may comprise a gap 61 at the sole portion 69 of the shell 30 and the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 may project into the external subshell 85.sub.3 at the sole portion 69 of the shell 30 such as to fill in the gap 61 of the external subshell 85.sub.3. In such embodiments, the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 may have a greater thickness at the sole portion 69 of the shell 30.

[0143] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 50, the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L of the shell 30 may include four subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3, 85.sub.4.

[0144] In this embodiment, the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L constituted by the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N are integral with one another such that they constitute a monolithic one-piece structure. That is, the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L constituted by the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N are integrally connected to one another such that the shell 30 is a one-piece shell. In this example of implementation, this is achieved by the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L bonding to one another in the molding apparatus 150 during the molding process by virtue of chemical bonding of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N.

[0145] The subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L constituted by the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N are molded into the shape of the shell 30 by flowing into the molding apparatus 150 during the molding process. In this embodiment, the molding process comprises causing the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N to flow (i.e., in liquid or other fluid form) in the molding apparatus 150 so as to form the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L and thus the shell 30 within the molding apparatus 150 and recovering the shell 30 from the molding apparatus 150 once its molding is completed.

[0146] In this embodiment, the molding process of the shell 30 is injection molding and the molding apparatus 150 comprises a male mold 152 (also commonly referred to as a last) with which all the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N are molded into shape, as shown in FIG. 13. That is, in this example, the last 152 is a single last with which all of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L of the shell 30 are formed. The molding apparatus 150 also comprises a plurality of female molds 154.sub.1-154.sub.N, each female mold 154.sub.i being configured to contain the last 152 at different stages of the molding process. In this embodiment, each female mold 154.sub.i comprises first and second portions 155, 157 that are secured together to contain the last 152.

[0147] An example of a method for molding the shell 30 comprising the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16.

[0148] With additional reference to FIG. 14, in order to mold the internal subshell 85.sub.1, the last 152 is secured within a first female mold 154.sub.1 to form a mold cavity 156 between the last 152 and the first female mold 154.sub.1. The mold cavity 156 has a shape of the desired internal subshell 85.sub.1. The mold cavity 156 is then filled with a desired polymeric material M.sub.1 via a sprue, runner and gate system (not shown) of the first female mold 154.sub.1 and left to cure. Once the polymeric material M.sub.1 has cured for a sufficient amount of time to form the internal subshell 85.sub.1, the first female mold 154.sub.1 is opened (i.e., its first and second portions 155, 157 are separated from one another) and removed from the molding apparatus 150 while the last 152 remains on the molding apparatus 150 with the internal subshell 85.sub.1 still on it.

[0149] At this stage, with additional reference to FIG. 15, in order to form the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2, a second female mold 154.sub.2 is installed on the molding apparatus 150. The last 152 is secured within the second female mold 154.sub.2 to form a mold cavity 158 between the internal subshell 85.sub.1 (and in some cases at least part of the last 152) and the second female mold 154.sub.2. The mold cavity 158 has a shape of the desired intermediate subshell 85.sub.2. The mold cavity 158 is then filled with a desired polymeric material M.sub.2 via a sprue, runner and gate system (not shown) of the second female mold 154.sub.2 and left to cure. Once the polymeric material M.sub.2 has cured for a sufficient amount of time to form the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2, the second female mold 154.sub.2 is opened (i.e., its first and second portions 155, 157 are separated from one another) and removed from the molding apparatus 150 while the last 152 remains on the molding apparatus 150 with the internal subshell 85.sub.1 and the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 still on it.

[0150] With additional reference to FIG. 16, in order to form the external subshell 85.sub.3, a third female mold 154.sub.3 is installed on the molding apparatus 150. The last 152 is secured within the third female mold 154.sub.3 to form a mold cavity 160 between the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 (and in some cases at least part of the last 152, and in some cases at least part of the internal subshell 85.sub.1) and the third female mold 154.sub.3. The mold cavity 160 has a shape of the desired external subshell 85.sub.3. The mold cavity 160 is then filled with a desired polymeric material M.sub.3 via a sprue, runner and gate system (not shown) of the third female mold 154.sub.3 and left to cure.

[0151] Once the polymeric material M.sub.3 has cured for a sufficient amount of time to form the external subshell 85.sub.3, the shell 30, including its now formed internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3, is demolded from (i.e., removed from) the last 152. This may be achieved in various ways.

[0152] For instance, in some embodiments, the polymeric materials M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3 which constitute the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 may have sufficient elasticity to allow an operator of the molding apparatus 150 to remove the shell 30 from the last 152 by flexing the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 of the shell 30. In some cases, the shell 30 may be removed from the last 152 while at least a given one of the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 has not fully cured such that the shell 30 has some flexibility that it would not have if the at least one given one of the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 had fully cured.

[0153] Moreover, in some embodiments, with additional reference to FIGS. 92 to 119, the last 152 may be reconfigurable to facilitate demolding (i.e., removal) of the shell 30 from the last 152. That is, a configuration (e.g., shape) of the last 152 may be changeable between a molding configuration to mold the shell 30 on the last 152 and a demolding configuration to demold the shell 30 from the last 152. The demolding configuration of the last 152 differs from the molding configuration of the last 152, notably in that demolding of the shell 30 from the last 152 is easier in the demolding configuration of the last 152 than in the molding configuration of the last 152 (e.g., less effort has to be exerted on the shell 30 to remove the shell 30 from the last 152 in its demolding configuration than in its molding configuration, or removal of the shell 30 from the last 152 in its demolding configuration is readily allowed while removal of the shell 30 from the last 152 in its molding configuration is precluded without damaging the shell 30). For example, the last 152 may contract (i.e., be reduced in size) in its demolding configuration relative to its molding configuration. Removal of the shell 30 from the last 152, which may be by holding the shell 30 to move it away from the last 152 and/or holding and moving at least part of the last 152 away from the shell 30, is thus facilitated.

[0154] This may be particularly useful to mold the shell 30 on the last 152 such that the shell 30 has undercuts 51.sub.1-51.sub.6, i.e., recesses (e.g., depressions) or other reentrant portions, which would otherwise complicate demolding of the shell 30. For example, in this embodiment, the undercuts 51.sub.1, 51.sub.2 are the medial and lateral depressions 78, 80 for receiving the medial and lateral malleoli MM, LM of the player, the undercuts 51.sub.3, 51.sub.4 are recesses 83.sub.1, 83.sub.2 defined by curvature of the heel portion 62 in the longitudinal and heightwise directions of the skate 10 and curvature of the heel portion 62 in the widthwise direction of the skate 10 such that the heel portion 62 is substantially cup-shaped, and the undercuts 51.sub.5, 51.sub.6 are recesses 86.sub.1, 86.sub.2 defined by curvature of the medial side portion 66 and curvature of the lateral side portion 68 in the longitudinal and heightwise directions of the skate 10 adjacent to the player's forefoot. The shell 30 may have any other suitable undercut such as the undercuts 51.sub.1-51.sub.6 in other embodiments.

[0155] Furthermore, this may facilitate demolding of the shell 30 from the last 152 without deforming the shell 30. That is, a shape of the shell 30 once molding is completed can be maintained during and upon demolding. In this example, this may be useful as the shell 30 is rigid (e.g., to avoid stressing the shell 30, etc.).

[0156] For example, in some embodiments, a volume occupied by the last 152 may be reduced from its molding configuration to its demolding configuration such that the volume occupied by the last 152 in its demolding configuration is smaller than the volume occupied by the last 152 in its molding configuration.

[0157] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 92, the last 152 comprises a cavity 163 to receive a fluid 167 to vary the volume occupied by the last 152, by expanding and contracting the last 152. For instance, in some cases, the last 152 may be an inflatable last that can be expanded and retracted by controlling a fluid pressure within the last 152. For instance, the inflatable last 152 may be filled with the fluid 167 which is air (or any other fluid) to expand the inflatable last 152 to a molding size at which the molding process is carried out, and then emptied of air to contract the inflatable last 152 to a demolding size that is less than the molding size and at which the demolding of the shell 30 from the last 152 can be carried out. The fluid 167 may be a liquid (e.g., water, oil, etc.) or any other suitable fluid in other cases.

[0158] As a variant, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 93, the cavity 163 of the last 152 may contain particles 169.sub.1-169.sub.P, such as beads, granules, sand, or other grit, that are configured to vary a rigidity of the last 152 in response to flow of the fluid 167 relative to (i.e., into or out of) the cavity 163 of the last 152. For instance, the particles 169.sub.1-169.sub.P may rigidify (i.e., increase the rigidity of the last 152) when the fluid 167 flows out of the cavity 167 (e.g., by vacuum).

[0159] As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 94 to 105, the last 152 may comprise a plurality of last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M that are movable relative to one another to change between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration. The last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M may be viewed as last modules so that the last 152 is a modular last. Each of the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M is shaped such that the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M collectively form the shape of the last 152 to mold the shell 30 in its molding configuration.

[0160] In this embodiment, respective ones of the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M are movable relative to one another while remaining connected to one another as the last 152 changes between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration. The last 152 comprises a control system 187 to control movement of the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M relative to one another. The control system 187 comprises a linkage 181 that includes links 183.sub.1-183.sub.C linking adjacent ones of the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M so that they are movable relative to one another and an actuating mechanism 191 that includes a plurality of actuators 193.sub.1-193.sub.4 operable to move the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M relative to one another between the molding configuration of the last 152 and the demolding configuration of the last 152.

[0161] Adjacent ones of the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M may be translatable and/or rotatable relative to one to change the last 152 between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration. That is, adjacent ones of the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M may move relative to one by translation, rotation, or a combination of translation and rotation to change the last 152 between its molding configuration and its demolding configuration. For example, in this embodiment, the linkage 181 comprises translation guides 195.sub.1-195.sub.4 for translating adjacent ones of the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M relative to one another and a pivot 197 for pivoting adjacent ones of the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M relative to one another.

[0162] In this embodiment, the last member 175.sub.1 is a front central last member to form part of a front region of the shell 30 including a central part of the toe cap 32 integrally formed with the shell 30 and a front central part of the sole portion 69; the last member 175.sub.3 is a rear central last member to form part of a rear central region of the shell 30 including a central part of the heel portion 62, a central part of the ankle portion 64, and a rear central part of the sole portion 69; the last member 175.sub.2 is an intermediate central last member disposed between the front central last member 175.sub.1 and the rear central last member 175.sub.3 to form an intermediate central part of the sole portion 69; and the last members 175.sub.4, 175.sub.4 are medial and lateral last members to form medial and lateral parts of the heel portion 62, medial and lateral parts of the ankle portion 64, medial and lateral parts of the sole portion 69, medial and lateral parts of the toe cap 32 integrally formed with the shell 30, and the medial and lateral side portions 66, 68 of the shell 30.

[0163] More particularly, in this embodiment, the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M are movable relative to one another to change the last 152 from its molding configuration to its demolding configuration by: (1) translating the intermediate central last member 175.sub.2 upwardly relative to the front central last member 175.sub.1 and the rear central last member 175.sub.3 via the translation guide 195.sub.1, 195.sub.2; (2) translating the intermediate central last member 175.sub.2 forwardly towards the front central last member 175.sub.1 via the translation guide 195.sub.2 that is slanted relative to the translation guide 195.sub.1 such that the front central last member 175.sub.1 and the rear central last member 175.sub.3 are closer to one another and the rear central last member 175.sub.3 clears the heel portion 62 of the shell 30; (3) translating the rear central last member 175.sub.3 upwardly relative to the front central last member 175.sub.1 via the translation guide 195.sub.2; (4) pivoting the front central last member 175.sub.1, the rear central last member 175.sub.3 and the intermediate central last member 175.sub.2 together about the pivot 197 so that the front central last member 175.sub.1 clears the central part of the toe cap 32 integrally formed with the shell 30; and (5) translating the medial and lateral last members 175.sub.4, 175.sub.4 laterally towards one another to clear the medial and lateral parts of the heel portion 62, the medial and lateral parts of the ankle portion 64, the medial and lateral parts of the sole portion 69, the medial and lateral parts of the toe cap 32 integrally formed with the shell 30, and the medial and lateral side portions 66, 68 of the shell 30, thereby clearing all of the shell 30 that can be removed from the last 152. The shell 30 can thus be molded and easily demolded, even with its undercuts 51.sub.1-51.sub.6, without deforming it during demolding.

[0164] In a variant, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 106 to 110, last members 175.sub.1, 175.sub.2 are movable relative to one another to change the last 152 from its molding configuration to its demolding configuration by: (1) rotating the last member 175.sub.2, which forms the heel portion 62 of the shell 30, relative to the last member 175.sub.1 to clear the heel portion 62 of the shell 30; and then rotating the last member 175.sub.1 and the last member 175.sub.2 together to remove them from the shell 30.

[0165] In some embodiments, respective ones of the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M of the last 152 may be movable relative to one another by disconnecting and separating them from one another. For example, one or more of the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M of the last 152 may be disassembled to facilitate removal of the shell 30 from the last 152. In such embodiments, one or more of the links 183.sub.1-183.sub.C linking adjacent ones of the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M allow these adjacent last members to be connected to one another in the molding configuration of the last 152 and to be disconnected and separated from one another in the demolding configuration of the last 152.

[0166] The last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M may comprise any suitable material. In this embodiment, the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M are rigid. For example, the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M may be made of metal, rigid plastic, wood, or any other suitable material.

[0167] In a variant, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 111 to 115, the last 152 comprises a base 199 that includes last members 175.sub.1, 175.sub.2 which are movable relative to one another, and a last member 175.sub.3 that is a removable covering 179, i.e., sheath, which covers the base 199 and is removable from the base 199. The sheath 179 may allow different sizes or shapes of the shell 30 to be molded on the 152 by using different sheaths similar to the sheath 179, protect against leakage of the polymeric material M.sub.1 during injection, and/or reduce or eliminate internal parting lines on the shell 30.

[0168] In this embodiment, the sheath 179 is flexible to facilitate its placement onto the base 199 of the last 152 and its subsequent removal upon molding, yet sufficiently strong to maintain its desired shape during molding of the shell 30. For instance, in some embodiments, the sheath 179 may comprise an elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber or any other polymeric material with suitable elasticity. For example, in some embodiments, a hardness of the elastomeric material of the sheath 179 may be between 10 Shore A and 99 Shore A of have any other suitable value. This may create a sealing effect to protect against leakage of the polymeric material M.sub.1 during injection. Also, the sheath 179 may have a smooth external surface that may reduce or eliminate internal parting lines on the shell 30.

[0169] Thus, in this embodiment, the sheath 179 is placed over the base 199 of the last 152 for molding the shell 30. This is facilitated by flexibility of the sheath 179. Then, to demold the shell 30, the last member 175.sub.2 is moved relative to the last member 175.sub.1 and the sheath 179 to clear a front region of the sheath 179. In this example, the last member 175.sub.1 includes a cavity 171 and the last member 175.sub.2 is rotatable into the cavity 171, thus effectively moving into an interior of the last member 175.sub.1. The last member 175.sub.1 and the last member 175.sub.2 which is located in the cavity 171 are then moved upwardly out of the sheath 179. The shell 30 may be removed by deforming the sheath 179 to take the shell 30 away from it. Alternatively, in some cases, the sheath 179 may be left in the shell 30 to be part of the skate boot 22 of the skate 10.

[0170] The sheath 179 of the last 152 may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments.

[0171] For example, in some embodiments, the sheath 179 may comprises a reinforcement (e.g., a layer of fabric such as mesh, a thin metallic layer, a plastic film, etc.) within its elastomeric material to reinforce it (e.g., protect against tearing).

[0172] As another example, in some embodiments, the sheath 179 may be injection molded using a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene (e.g., high-density polyethylene), or any other suitable material (e.g., with low surface adhesion).

[0173] As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 116 and 117, a thickness of the sheath 179 may vary to define the undercuts 51.sub.1-51.sub.6 of the shell 30 while facilitating demolding of the shell 30 from the last 152. For example, in this embodiment, the sheath 179 is thicker at locations of the medial and lateral depressions 78, 80 of the shell 30 for receiving the medial and lateral malleoli MM, LM of the player, the recesses 83.sub.1, 83.sub.2 defined by the curvature of the heel portion 62 in the longitudinal and heightwise directions of the skate 10 and the curvature of the heel portion 62 in the widthwise direction of the skate 10, and the recesses 86.sub.1, 86.sub.2 defined by the curvature of the medial side portion 66 and the curvature of the lateral side portion 68 in the longitudinal and heightwise directions of the skate 10 adjacent to the player's forefoot. Also, in this embodiment, the last member 175.sub.1 is shaped (e.g., straight or tapered downwardly) so as to me movable vertically during demolding and the last member 175.sub.2 can be removed from the shell 30 after moving the last member 175.sub.1 vertically.

[0174] As another example, in some embodiments, the sheath 179 may be a film placed (e.g., wrapped about) the base 199 of the last 152.

[0175] As another example, in other embodiments, the sheath 179 may be an impermeable sock pullable onto and off the last 152.

[0176] The control system 187 to control movement of the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M relative to one another may be implemented in any other suitable way in other embodiments.

[0177] For example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 118 and 119, the control system 187 may be configured to control movement of last members 175.sub.1, 175.sub.2 so that the last 152 is expandable into its molding configuration and contractible into its demolding configuration. In this embodiment, the links 183.sub.1-183.sub.C between the last members 175.sub.1, 175.sub.2 include a central member 186 and arms 189.sub.1-189.sub.A that extend from the central member 186 to respective ones of the last members 175.sub.1, 175.sub.2, such that movement of the central member 186 in a given direction (e.g., downwardly) causes the arms 189.sub.1-189.sub.A to push the members 175.sub.1, 175.sub.2 away from one another to expand the last 152 for molding the shell 30, and movement of the central member 186 in an opposite direction (e.g., upwardly) causes the arms 189.sub.1-189.sub.A to pull the members 175.sub.1, 175.sub.2 towards one another to contract the last 152 for demolding the shell 30.

[0178] The last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M may be implemented in any other suitable way in other embodiments. For example, in various embodiments, the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M may have any other suitable shape, there may be any other suitable number of last members (e.g., two, three, four, six, seven, etc. last members), respective ones of the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M may move in any other way relative to one another, etc. Also, in various embodiments, features of the last members 175.sub.1-175.sub.M of different embodiments considered herein may be combined together in some examples of implementation.

[0179] With additional reference to FIGS. 120 to 122, in some embodiments, a given one of the female molds 154.sub.1-154.sub.3 may comprise a flexible female mold member 410 comprising an inner surface 414 constituting at least part of an inner surface of the given one of the female molds 154.sub.1-154.sub.3 and preformed to define a given one of the mold cavities 156, 158, 160 between itself and the last 152 in which a given one of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.3 is injected to mold a given one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.3 such that the inner surface 414 creates an outer surface of the given one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.3. The flexible female mold member 410, which will also be referred to as a membrane, is configured to avoid at least one parting line on the shell 30 that would otherwise result because of the portions 155, 157 of the given one of the female molds 154.sub.1-154.sub.3 if the membrane 410 was omitted.

[0180] For example, in this embodiment, the membrane 410 is part of the female mold 154.sub.1 such that its inner surface 414 is preformed to define the mold cavity 156 between itself and the last 152 in which the polymeric material M.sub.1 is injected to mold the subshell 85.sub.1 such that the inner surface 414 creates the outer surface of the subshell 85.sub.1.

[0181] The inner surface 414 of the membrane 410 is preformed in that it is formed to define the mold cavity 156 to mold the subshell 85.sub.1 and create the outer surface of the subshell 85.sub.1 before the membrane 410 is placed in the molding apparatus 150. For instance, the membrane 410 may be preformed in a separate mold in a prior operation.

[0182] The membrane 410 is flexible to flex during movement of the portions 155, 157 of the female mold 154.sub.1 when closing and opening the female mold 154.sub.1 and overlies one or more spaces where the portions 155, 157 of the female mold 154.sub.1 move relative to one another. This allows one or more parting lines to be avoided as the membrane 410 overlies where these one or more parting lines would otherwise be located.

[0183] In this embodiment, the membrane 410 extends continuously to constitute to at least a majority (i.e., a majority or an entirety) of the inner surface of the female mold 154.sub.1 and to create at least a majority of the outer surface of the subshell 85.sub.1. More particularly, in this embodiment, the membrane 410 comprises medial and lateral side portions 420, 422, an ankle portion 424, a heel portion 426, and a sole portion 428 that are integral and continuous with one another as a one-piece structure. In this example, the membrane 410 is flexible and jointless (i.e., without any joint) at the heel portion 426 and a rear of the ankle portion 424, while the medial and lateral side portions 420, 422 and medial and lateral parts of the sole portion 428 are separable and movable relative to one another, to allow the membrane 410 to flex during movement of the portions 155, 157 of the female mold 154.sub.1 when closing and opening the female mold 154.sub.1.

[0184] Thus, in this embodiment, the membrane 410 is configured such that the subshell 85.sub.1 may be free of parting lines opposite from one another (i.e., on opposite sides of the subshell 85.sub.1). For instance, in this embodiment, the subshell 85.sub.1 may have a parting line 263, which in this example is in a toe portion of the subshell 85.sub.1, but is free of any parting line opposite to the parting line 263, i.e., at an opposite side of the subshell 85.sub.1, which in this example is a heel portion and a rear of an ankle portion of the subshell 85.sub.1, because of the membrane 410.

[0185] In this embodiment, the membrane 410 may comprise an elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber, any other rubber, or any other polymeric material with suitable elasticity. For example, in some embodiments, a hardness of the elastomeric material of the membrane 410 may be between 10 Shore A and 99 Shore A of have any other suitable value.

[0186] The membrane 410 of the molding apparatus 150 may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments.

[0187] For example, in other embodiments, the membrane 410 may be flexible and jointless at other areas while separable and movable elsewhere to allow the membrane 410 to flex during movement of the portions 155, 157 of the female mold 154.sub.1 when closing and opening the female mold 154.sub.1. For instance, in some embodiments, the membrane 410 may be flexible and jointless at the sole portion 428, while medial and lateral parts of the ankle portion 424, medial and lateral parts of the heel portion 426, and the medial and lateral side portions 420, 422 are separable and movable relative to one another, to allow the membrane 410 to flex during movement of the portions 155, 157 of the female mold 154.sub.1 when closing and opening the female mold 154.sub.1. In other embodiments, the membrane 410 may be flexible and jointless at a front portion, while medial and lateral parts of the sole portion 428, medial and lateral parts of the ankle portion 424, medial and lateral parts of the heel portion 426 and the medial and lateral side portions 420, 422 are separable and movable relative to one another, to allow the membrane 410 to flex during movement of the portions 155, 157 of the female mold 154.sub.1 when closing and opening the female mold 154.sub.1.

[0188] As another example, in some embodiments, the membrane 410 may comprises a reinforcement (e.g., a layer of fabric such as mesh, a thin metallic layer, a plastic film, etc.) within its elastomeric material to reinforce it (e.g., protect against tearing).

[0189] As another example, in some embodiments, the membrane 410 may be injection molded using a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene (e.g., high-density polyethylene), or any other suitable material (e.g.,with low surface adhesion).

[0190] As another example, in some embodiments, the membrane 410 may be incorporated into a rigid casting of a material (e.g., polyurethane, epoxy or other polymeric material; aluminum, steel or other metallic material; cement; etc.) stiffer and stronger than that of the membrane.

[0191] While the molding process has been described as being performed on a single molding apparatus 150, in some embodiments, the molding process may utilize various molding apparatuses (e.g., molding stations), each apparatus comprising a different female mold 154.sub.i. In such embodiments, the last 152, still mounted with at least one subshell 85.sub.i, can be moved from one molding station to the next without requiring removal of the female molds installed on the various molding apparatuses. In some embodiments, molding stations may be horizontally distributed (e.g., linearly and/or in a carrousel or other rotary or otherwise curved arrangement). In other embodiments, molding stations may be vertically distributed such as being stacked vertically over one another, which may be more efficient space-wise.

[0192] With additional reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, in some embodiments, the shell 30 may comprise a reinforcement 115 disposed between certain ones of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L of the shell 30 such as, for example, between the intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3. The reinforcement 115 is produced separately from the shell 30 and is configured to reinforce selected areas of the shell 30 (e.g., the medial and/or lateral side portions 66, 68 of the shell 30) such as, for example, to make it stronger or stiffer (e.g., increase resistance to deflection or impacts). In order to include the reinforcement 115 between the intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3, the reinforcement 115 is affixed to an exterior surface of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 after forming the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 and prior to forming the external subshell 85.sub.3. For instance, the reinforcement 115 may be mechanically affixed (e.g., stapled, stitched, etc.), glued (e.g., via an adhesive), ultrasonically bonded, or affixed in any other suitable way to the exterior surface of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2.

[0193] The reinforcement 115 may be configured in any suitable way. For instance, as shown in FIG. 20A, the reinforcement 115 may comprise a plurality of ribs 117.sub.1-117.sub.R (or a single rib 117.sub.i) which project outwardly from the exterior surface of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 when the reinforcement 115 is affixed to the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2. Moreover, the ribs 117.sub.1-117.sub.R may extend on the shell 30 and/or on the blade holder 24. As shown in FIG. 20B, in some embodiments, the ribs 117.sub.1-117.sub.R may extend from the shell 30 to the blade holder 24. That is, the ribs 117.sub.1-117.sub.R have a vertical extent that spans the blade holder 24 and the shell 30. In other examples, the ribs 117.sub.1-117.sub.R may span the blade holder 24, the shell 30 and the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2. Furthermore, in some cases, the ribs 117.sub.1-117.sub.R may not all be disposed between the same subshells. For example, in some cases, a first rib 117.sub.i may be disposed between the intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 while a second rib 117.sub.j is disposed between the internal and intermediate subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2.

[0194] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 21, the reinforcement 115 may comprise a reinforcing sheet 119 that is similarly affixed to the exterior surface of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 (e.g., glued thereto). In this embodiment, the reinforcing sheet 119 comprises a material that is stiffer and/or harder than the polymeric material M.sub.2 of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2. For instance, the reinforcing sheet 119 may comprise a composite material comprising thermoset material, thermoplastic material, carbon fibers and/or fiberglass fibers. For example, the composite material may be a fiber-matrix composite material that comprises a matrix in which fibers are embedded. The matrix may include any suitable polymeric resin, such as a thermosetting polymeric material (e.g., polyester, vinyl ester, vinyl ether, polyurethane, epoxy, cyanate ester, etc.), a thermoplastic polymeric material (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic resin, polyether ether ketone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, nylon, polyimide, polysulfone, polyimide-imide, self-reinforcing polyphenylene, etc.), or a hybrid thermosetting-thermoplastic polymeric material. The fibers may be made of any suitable material such as carbon fibers, polymeric fibers such as aramid fibers, boron fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, etc.

[0195] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the reinforcing sheet 119 may comprise a fabric or textile material. For example, the reinforcing sheet 119 may comprise a fabric mesh such as a nylon mesh or any other suitable fabric material. For example, the reinforcing sheet 119 may envelop the subshell 85.sub.x over which it is disposed such as to cover at least a majority (i.e., a majority or an entirety) of an outer surface of that subshell 85.sub.x. Moreover, the reinforcing sheet 119 may also cover at least a majority of an internal surface of a subsequent subshell 85.sub.y overlying the subshell 85.sub.x. Thus, the reinforcing sheet 119 may extend from the lateral side portion 66 to the medial side portion 68 of the shell 30. In other cases, the reinforcing sheet 119 may be disposed at limited portions of the shell 30 (e.g., only the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30).

[0196] In another example, as shown in FIG. 21C, the reinforcement 115 may comprise a single fiber 111 rather than a fabric mesh. The single fiber 111 is configured to apply tension forces on the shell 30 and/or other components of the skate boot 22. In particular, the tension of the single fiber 111 is transmitted onto the shell 30 and thus may allow controlling its performance.

[0197] In some embodiments, multiple reinforcements 115 may be included between the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L of the shell 30. For instance, a rib 117.sub.i may be disposed at a selected area of the shell 30 while a reinforcing sheet 119 may be disposed at another selected area of the shell 30.

[0198] Moreover, in some embodiments, rather than or in addition of the reinforcement 115, the shell 30 may comprise a decoration 121, which can be referred to as a design element, disposed between certain ones of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L of the shell 30 such as, for instance, between the intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 as shown in FIG. 19. The design element 121 constitutes an aesthetic element that is produced separately from the shell 30 and may be included in the shell 30 in order to affect its aesthetic look. For instance, the design element 121 may comprise a piece of material including a graphical representation of: one or more alphanumeric characters that may form text (e.g., a word, a message, etc.); one or more symbols (e.g., a logo, a sign, an emblem, etc.); one or more shapes or patterns; and/or one or more real or imaginary objects (e.g., a person, an animal, a vehicle, an imaginary or fictional character, or any other real or imaginary thing). The design element 121 is affixed to an exterior surface of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 after forming the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 and prior to forming the external subshell 85.sub.3. For instance, the design element 121 may be mechanically affixed (e.g., stapled, stitched, etc.), glued (e.g., via an adhesive), ultrasonically bonded, or affixed in any other suitable way to the exterior surface of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2. While a single design element 121 is depicted in FIG. 19, the shell 30 may comprise a plurality of such design elements which may be spaced apart from one another. Moreover, in some cases, the reinforcement 115, which is depicted in FIG. 19 spaced apart from the decoration 121, itself may act as a decoration in addition to its reinforcing functionality.

[0199] Once the reinforcement 115 (or multiple reinforcements 115) and/or the design element 121 (or multiple design elements 121) has been affixed to the exterior surface of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2, the molding process proceeds as described above. Notably, the next subshell, in this case the external subshell 85.sub.3, is formed such that it covers the reinforcement 115 and/or the design element 121 thus trapping the reinforcement 115 and/or the design element 121 between the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 and the external subshell 85.sub.3. In some embodiments, the external subshell 85.sub.3 may be clear (i.e., translucent) and may thus allow displaying the reinforcement 115 and/or the design element 121 through the external subshell 85.sub.3. This may be particularly useful to display the design element 121 but may also be useful to display the reinforcement 115 for aesthetic purposes.

[0200] In this embodiment, the molding process employed to form the shell 30 is low-pressure injection molding. That is, the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N that constitute the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L are injected into the mold cavity formed by each mold 154.sub.i at a relatively low pressure. In addition, the molding process employed to form the shell 30 may be characterized as a co-injection molding process since the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N are injected into a same mold.

[0201] In this embodiment, no external heat is applied to the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N of the shell 30. Rather, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, in order to form a subshell 85.sub.i, two or more constituents of a given polymeric material M.sub.x chemically react when combined to release heat. In other words, the two or more constituents have an exothermic reaction when combined. For instance, in one example, the material M.sub.x is polyurethane and includes constituents 125, 127 that chemically react when combined. The constituents 125, 127 may be polyols and isocyanates. The exothermic chemical reaction that characterizes the molding process of the shell 30 contrasts the conventional method of forming a skate boot shell which involves thermoforming whereby heat is applied to a thermoformable sheet of material in a mold such that the thermoformable sheet of material acquires the shape of the mold.

[0202] The molding process of the shell 30 may be implemented in any suitable way in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, injection molding at higher pressure may be used. As another example, in some embodiments, two or more lasts such as the last 152 may be used (e.g., different lasts for molding respective ones of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L). Moreover, the last 152 may be configured differently than the last shown in FIG. 13. For instance, the last 152 may not comprise projections for forming the apertures 48 and rather one or more of the female molds 154.sub.1-154.sub.N may comprise such projections for forming the apertures 48. In other cases, the projections on the last 152 for forming the apertures 48 may be retractable. As another example, in some embodiments, the molding process of the shell 30 may be casting in which the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N are poured into one or more molds.

[0203] The skate boot 22 may comprise an overlay 102 on an external surface 65 of the shell 30 for aesthetic or functional purposes.

[0204] With additional reference to FIG. 23, in this embodiment, the overlay 102 comprises a plurality of overlay elements 104.sub.1-104.sub.O that can be disposed at any suitable part of the shell 30. For example, in some cases, the overlay elements 104.sub.1-104.sub.O may be a graphic (e.g., a logo), a brand name, a pattern, a word, etc. While the overlay elements 104.sub.1-104.sub.O may improve an aesthetic appearance of the skate 10, in some cases, certain overlay elements 104.sub.1-104.sub.O may also serve functional purposes. For instance, in some cases, the overlay elements 104.sub.1-104.sub.O may be configured to minimize wear of at least a portion of the external surface 65 of the shell 30. For example, an overlay element 104.sub.x may be located close to a bottom portion of the medial and/or lateral sides of the shell 30 in order to prevent contact between the playing surface 12 and the shell 30 of the skate boot 22. This may help in reducing undue wear of the skate 10.

[0205] The overlay 102 may be affixed to the external surface 65 of the shell 30 in various ways. For instance, each of the overlay elements 104.sub.1-104.sub.O may be mechanically fastened to the external surface 65 of the shell 30 (e.g., via stitching, staples, etc.), glued thereto via an adhesive, or ultrasonically bonded. The overlay elements 104.sub.1-104.sub.O may be affixed to the external surface 65 of the shell 30 in any other suitable way.

[0206] The inner lining 36 of the skate boot 22 is affixed to an inner surface of the shell 30 and comprises an inner surface 96 for facing the heel HL and medial and lateral sides MS, LS of the player's foot 11 and ankle A in use. The inner lining 36 may be made of a soft material (e.g., a fabric made of NYLON fibers or any other suitable fabric). The footbed 38 is mounted inside the shell 30 and comprises an upper surface 106 for receiving the plantar surface PS of the player's foot 11 and a wall 108 projecting upwardly from the upper surface 106 to partially cup the heel HL and extend up to a medial line of the player's foot 11. The insole 40 has an upper surface 25 for facing the plantar surface PS of the player's foot 11 and a lower surface 23 on which the shell 30 may be affixed.

[0207] In some embodiments, the skate boot 22 may not comprise an inner lining 36. For instance, the internal subshell 85.sub.1 of the shell 30 of the skate boot 22 may serve as an inner lining already and thus the addition of the inner lining 36 may be redundant. In other cases, the inner lining 36 may be inserted during the molding process using the molding apparatus 150. For example, a textile material may first be placed on the last 152 prior to forming the first subshell (i.e., the internal subshell 85.sub.1) such as to serve as a pre-formed sock onto which the internal subshell 85.sub.1 is formed.

[0208] The toe cap 32 of the skate boot 22 is configured to face and protect the toes T of the player's foot 11. As will be described in more detail below, in this example, at least part (i.e., part or all) of the toe cap 32 is formed integrally with the shell 30. As shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, the toe cap 32 comprises a bottom portion 116 for at least partially covering a front portion of the lower surface 23 of the insole 40, a lateral side portion 118 for facing a small toe of the foot 11 of the player, a medial side portion 120 for facing a big toe of the foot 11 of the player, an end portion 122 between the lateral and medial side portions 118, 120, an upper portion 124 for facing a top of the toes T of the player's foot 11, and a top extension 126 for affixing the tongue 34 to the toe cap 32. The top extension 126 of the toe cap 32 may be affixed (e.g., glued and/or stitched) to a distal end portion of the tongue 34 in order to affix the tongue 34 to the toe cap 32.

[0209] The toe cap 32 may comprise a synthetic material 105 that imparts stiffness to the toe cap 32. For instance, in various embodiments, the synthetic material 105 of the toe cap 32 may comprise nylon, polycarbonate materials (e.g., Lexan), polyurethane, thermoplastics, thermosetting resins, reinforced thermoplastics, reinforced thermosetting resins, polyethylene, polypropylene, high density polyethylene or any other suitable material. In some cases, the synthetic material 105 of the toe cap 32 may be a composite material comprising thermoset material, thermoplastic material, carbon fibers and/or fiberglass fibers. For example, the composite material may be a fiber-matrix composite material that comprises a matrix in which fibers are embedded. The matrix may include any suitable polymeric resin, such as a thermosetting polymeric material (e.g., polyester, vinyl ester, vinyl ether, polyurethane, epoxy, cyanate ester, etc.), a thermoplastic polymeric material (e.g., polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, acrylic resin, polyether ether ketone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, nylon, polyimide, polysulfone, polyamide-imide, self-reinforcing polyphenylene, etc.), or a hybrid thermosetting-thermoplastic polymeric material. The fibers may be made of any suitable material such as carbon fibers, polymeric fibers such as aramid fibers, boron fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, etc.

[0210] The tongue 34 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the toe cap 32 for overlapping the top surface TS of the player's foot 11. In this embodiment, with additional reference to FIG. 24, the tongue 34 comprises a core 140 defining a section of the tongue 34 with increased rigidity, a padding member (not shown) for absorbing impacts to the tongue 34, a peripheral member 144 for at least partially defining a periphery 145 of the tongue 34, and a cover member 146 configured to at least partially define a front surface of the tongue 34. The tongue 34 defines a lateral portion 147 overlying a lateral portion of the player's foot 11 and a medial portion 149 overlying a medial portion of the player's foot 11. The tongue 34 also defines a distal end portion 151 for affixing to the toe cap 32 (e.g., via stitching) and a proximal end portion 153 that is nearest to the player's shin S.

[0211] The tendon guard 35 extends upwardly from the rear portion 82 of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30 in order to protect the player's Achilles tendon AT. As will be described in more detail below, in this embodiment, at least part (i.e., part or all) of the tendon guard 35 is integrally formed with the shell 30 of the skate boot 22. In other embodiments, the tendon guard 35 may be a separate component from the shell 30 such that the tendon guard 35 is fastened to the shell 30 via a mechanical fastener (e.g., via stitching, stapling, a screw, etc.) or in any other suitable way.

[0212] The skate boot 22 may be constructed in any other suitable way in other embodiments. For example, in other embodiments, various components of the skate boot 22 mentioned above may be configured differently or omitted and/or the skate boot 22 may comprise any other components that may be made of any other suitable materials and/or using any other suitable processes.

[0213] As shown in FIG. 25, the blade 26 comprises an ice-contacting material 220 including an ice-contacting surface 222 for sliding on the ice surface while the player skates. In this embodiment, the ice-contacting material 220 is a metallic material (e.g., stainless steel). The ice-contacting material 220 may be any other suitable material in other embodiments.

[0214] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, the blade holder 24 comprises a lower portion 162 comprising a blade-retaining base 164 that retains the blade 26 and an upper portion 166 comprising a support 168 that extends upwardly from the blade-retaining base 164 towards the skate boot 22 to interconnect the blade holder 24 and the skate boot 22. A front portion 170 of the blade holder 24 and a rear portion 172 of the blade holder 24 define a longitudinal axis 174 of the blade holder 24. The front portion 170 of the blade holder 24 includes a frontmost point 176 of the blade holder 24 and extends beneath and along the player's forefoot in use, while the rear portion 172 of the blade holder 24 includes a rearmost point 178 of the blade holder 24 and extends beneath and along the player's hindfoot in use. An intermediate portion 180 of the blade holder 24 is between the front and rear portions 170, 172 of the blade holder 24 and extends beneath and along the player's midfoot in use. The blade holder 24 comprises a medial side 182 and a lateral side 184 that are opposite one another.

[0215] The blade-retaining base 164 is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the blade holder 24 and is configured to retain the blade 26 such that the blade 26 extends along a bottom portion 186 of the blade-retaining base 164 to contact the ice surface 12. To that end, the blade-retaining base 164 comprises a blade-retention portion 188 to face and retain the blade 26. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26A, the blade-retention portion 188 comprises a recess 190 in which an upper portion of the blade 26 is disposed.

[0216] The blade holder 24 can retain the blade 26 in any suitable way. For instance, in this embodiment, the blade 26 may be permanently affixed to the blade holder 24 (i.e., not intended to be detached and removed from the blade holder 24). For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the blade 26 and the blade-retaining base 164 of the blade holder 24 may be mechanically interlocked via an interlocking portion 234 of one of the blade-retaining base 164 and the blade 26 that extends into an interlocking void 236 of the other one of the blade-retaining base 164 and the blade 26. For instance, in some cases, the blade 26 can be positioned in a mold used for molding the blade holder 24 such that, during molding, the interlocking portion 234 of the blade-retaining base 164 flows into the interlocking void 236 of the blade 26 (i.e., the blade holder 24 is overmolded onto the blade 26). In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 28, the blade holder 24 may retain the blade 26 using an adhesive 226 and/or one or more fasteners 228. For instance, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 26, the recess 190 of the blade holder 24 may receive the upper portion of the blade 26 that is retained by the adhesive 226. The adhesive 226 may be an epoxy-based adhesive, a polyurethane-based adhesive, or any suitable adhesive. In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to using an adhesive, as shown in FIG. 29, the recess 190 of the blade holder 24 may receive the upper part of the blade 26 that is retained by the one or more fasteners 228. Each fastener 228 may be a rivet, a screw, a bolt, or any other suitable mechanical fastener. In some embodiment, the blade holder 24 may retain the blade 26 via a press fit. For example, as shown in FIG. 26B, the recess 190 of the blade holder 24 may be configured (e.g., sized) such as to enter into a press fit with the blade 26. More particularly, in this example of implementation, the blade 26 comprises an elastomeric coating 237 including an elastomeric material (e.g., polyurethane, rubber, or any other suitable elastomeric material) that forms at least part of an outer surface of the blade 26. The elastomeric coating 237 has a greater friction coefficient than the ice-contacting material 220 of the blade 26 when interacting with the blade holder 24 such as to improve retention of the blade 26 by the blade holder 24 in a press fit. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 28, the blade-retention portion 188 of the blade holder 24 may extend into a recess 230 of the upper part of the blade 26 to retain the blade 26 using the adhesive 226 and/or the one or more fasteners 228. For instance, in some cases, the blade-retention portion 188 of the blade holder 24 may comprise a projection 232 extending into the recess 230 of the blade 26.

[0217] In this embodiment, the blade-retaining base 164 comprises a plurality of apertures 208.sub.1-208.sub.4 distributed in the longitudinal direction of the blade holder 24 and extending from the medial side 182 to the lateral side 184 of the blade holder 24. In this example, respective ones of the apertures 208.sub.1-208.sub.4 differ in size. The apertures 208.sub.1-208.sub.4 may have any other suitable configuration, or may be omitted, in other embodiments.

[0218] The blade-retaining base 164 may be configured in any other suitable way in other embodiments.

[0219] The support 168 is configured for supporting the skate boot 22 above the blade-retaining base 164 and transmit forces to and from the blade-retaining base 164 during skating. In this embodiment, the support 168 comprises a front pillar 210 and a rear pillar 212 which extend upwardly from the blade-retaining base 164 towards the skate boot 22. The front pillar 210 extends towards the front portion 56 of the skate boot 22 and the rear pillar 212 extends towards the rear portion 58 of the skate boot 22. The blade-retaining base 164 extends from the front pillar 210 to the rear pillar 212. More particularly, in this embodiment, the blade-retaining base 164 comprises a bridge 214 interconnecting the front and rear pillars 210, 212.

[0220] In this embodiment, at least part (i.e., part or all) of the blade holder 24 is integrally formed with the shell 30 of the skate boot 22. That is, at least part of the blade holder 24 and the shell 30 of the skate boot 22 constitute a monolithic one-piece structure. The blade holder 24 thus comprises a portion 215 that is integrally formed with the shell 30 of the skate boot 22 such that the portion 215 of the blade holder 34 and the shell 30 of the skate boot 22 are formed together as one-piece in the molding apparatus 150 during the molding process.

[0221] In this embodiment, the portion 215 of the blade holder 24 includes one or more of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L of the shell 30 of the skate boot 22. For instance, in this example, the portion 215 of the blade holder 24 includes the intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 and therefore comprises the polymeric materials M.sub.2, M.sub.3 associated therewith. In particular, in this example, a majority of the blade holder 24 is constituted by the polymeric material M.sub.2 of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 such that the blade holder 24 consists primarily of a structural foam material. Alternatively, the portion 215 of the blade holder 24 may include one or more different materials.

[0222] In this embodiment, at least a majority (i.e., a majority or an entirety) of the blade holder 24 may be integrally formed with shell 30. That is, the portion 215 of the blade holder 24 may be a major portion or the entirety of the blade holder 24. In this embodiment, an entirety of the blade holder 24 is integrally formed with the shell 30.

[0223] Therefore, in this embodiment, the blade holder 24 is formed with the shell 30 in the molding apparatus 150 with the last 152. In particular, the blade holder 24 is initially formed during forming of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 of the shell 30 and is completed by the forming of the external subshell 85.sub.3 of the shell 30. That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 73, the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 is the innermost subshell of the blade holder 24 while the external subshell 85.sub.3 is the outermost subshell of the blade holder 24.

[0224] Moreover, in this embodiment, the blade 26 is attached to the blade holder 24 during the molding process by including the blade 26 in a given mold 154.sub.i such that the blade holder 24 overmolds the blade 26 during the molding process. For instance, the mold 154.sub.i may be designed specifically to hold the blade 26 during the molding process prior to the forming of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2.

[0225] In this embodiment, one or more other components (e.g., the toe cap 32, the tendon guard 35, the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2, the tongue 34, the footbed 38, etc.) of the skate boot 22 may be molded integrally with the shell 30 in the molding apparatus 150 during the molding process. The shell 30 and these one or more other components of the skate boot 22 may thus constitute a monolithic one-piece structure.

[0226] For example, in this embodiment, the toe cap 32, the tendon guard 35, and the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 are molded integrally with the shell 30 in the molding apparatus 150 during the molding process.

[0227] For instance, in this embodiment, the toe cap 32 comprises a portion 217 that is integrally formed with the shell 30 such that the portion 217 of the toe cap 32 of the skate boot 22 and the shell 30 of the skate boot 22 are formed together as one-piece in the molding apparatus 150 during the molding process. As such, the portion 217 of the toe cap 32 of the skate boot 22 may include one or more of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L of the shell 30 of the skate boot 22.

[0228] In this embodiment, the portion 217 of the toe cap 32 includes one or more of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L of the shell 30 of the skate boot 22. For instance, in this example, the portion 217 of the toe cap 32 includes the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 and therefore comprises the polymeric materials M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3 associated therewith. Alternatively, the portion 217 of the toe cap 32 may include one or more different materials.

[0229] Moreover, in this embodiment, the tendon guard 35 comprises a portion 219 that is integrally formed with the shell 30 such that the portion 219 of the tendon guard 35 of the skate boot 22 and the shell 30 of the skate boot 22 are formed together as one-piece in the molding apparatus 150 during the molding process. As such, the portion 219 of the tendon guard 35 of the skate boot 22 may include one or more of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L of the shell 30 of the skate boot 22. For instance, in this example, the portion 219 of the tendon guard 35 includes solely the external subshell 85.sub.3 and therefore comprises the polymeric material M.sub.3 associated therewith. Alternatively, the portion 219 of the tendon guard 35 may include one or more different materials. For example, in some embodiments, the portion 219 of the tendon guard 219 may also comprise the internal subshell 85.sub.1 and/or the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 such that the portion 219 of the tendon guard 35 also comprises the polymeric material M.sub.1 and/or the polymeric material M.sub.2 associated therewith.

[0230] Moreover, in this embodiment, each of the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 comprises a portion 221 that is integrally formed with the shell 30 such that the portion 221 of each of the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 of the skate boot 22 and the shell 30 of the skate boot 22 are formed together as one-piece in the molding apparatus 150 during the molding process. As such, the portion 221 of each lace member 44.sub.i of the skate boot 22 may include one or more of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L of the shell 30 of the skate boot 22. For instance, in this example, the portion 221 of the lace member 44.sub.i includes solely the external subshell 85.sub.3 and therefore comprises the polymeric material M.sub.3 associated therewith. Alternatively, the portion 221 of the lace member 44.sub.i may include one or more different materials. For example, in some embodiments, the portion 221 of the lace member 44.sub.i may also comprise the internal subshell 85.sub.1 and/or the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 such that the portion 221 of the lace member 44.sub.i also comprises the polymeric material M.sub.1 and/or the polymeric material M.sub.2 associated therewith. Moreover, in this embodiment, the apertures 48 that extend through the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 are formed during the molding process by appropriate structures (e.g., projections) of the last 152 and an associated female mold 154.sub.i.

[0231] The skate 10 may be implemented in any other suitable manner in other embodiments.

[0232] For example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 30 to 32, only a limited part 225 of the blade holder 24 may be integrally formed with the shell 30. For instance, in some embodiments, the part 225 of the blade holder 24 may comprise a projection 227 projecting from an underside of the shell 30 to which another part 229 of the blade holder 24 may be secured. As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the projection 227 of the part 225 of the blade holder 24 may be secured to the other part 229 of the blade holder 24 via an adhesive 231 that is applied between the two parts 225, 229 or in some cases via mechanical fasteners such as a nut and bolt assembly 233 that traverses the parts 225, 229 to secure them together. The parts 225, 229 of the blade holder 24 may be secured to one another in any other suitable way in other embodiments. In other embodiments, a substantial part of the blade holder 24 may be molded integrally with the shell 30. For example, in some cases, at least a majority of the blade holder 24 may be molded together with the shell 30. In some case, substantially an entirety of the blade holder 24 may be molded integrally with the shell 30.

[0233] For instance, in some embodiments, the blade holder 24 may retain the blade 26 in any other suitable way. For example, in other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 33, the blade holder 24 comprises a blade-detachment mechanism 192 such that the blade 26 is selectively detachable and removable from, and attachable to, the blade holder 24 (e.g., when the blade 26 is worn out or otherwise needs to be replaced or removed from the blade holder 24).

[0234] More particularly, in this embodiment, the blade 26 includes a plurality of projections 194, 196. The blade-detachment mechanism 192 includes an actuator 198 and a biasing element 200 which biases the actuator 198 in a direction towards the front portion 170 of the blade holder 24. In this embodiment, the actuator 198 comprises a trigger. To attach the blade 26 to the blade holder 24, the front projection 194 is first positioned within a hollow space 202 (e.g., a recess or hole) of the blade holder 24. The rear projection 196 can then be pushed upwardly into a hollow space 204 (e.g., a recess or hole) of the blade holder 24, thereby causing the biasing element 200 to bend and the actuator 198 to move in a rearward direction. The rear projection 196 will eventually reach a position which will allow the biasing element 200 to force the actuator 198 towards the front portion 170 of the blade holder 24, thereby locking the blade 26 in place. The blade 26 can then be removed by pushing against a finger-actuating surface 206 of the actuator 198 to release the rear projection 196 from the hollow space 204 of the blade holder 24. Thus, in this embodiment, the blade-detachment mechanism 192 is free of any threaded fastener (e.g., a screw or bolt) to be manipulated to detach and remove the blade 26 from the blade holder 24 or to attach the blade 26 to the blade holder 24.

[0235] Further information on examples of implementation of the blade-detachment mechanism 192 in some embodiments may be obtained from U.S. Pat. No. 8,454,030 hereby incorporated by reference herein. The blade-detachment mechanism 192 may be configured in any other suitable way in other embodiments.

[0236] The blade 26 may be implemented in any other suitable way in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the blade 26 may comprise a runner 238 that is made of the ice-contacting material 220 and includes the ice-contacting surface 222 and a body 240 connected to the runner 238 and made of a material 242 different from the ice-contacting material 220. The runner 238 and the body 240 of the blade 26 may be retained together in any suitable way. For example, in some cases, the runner 238 may be adhesively bonded to the body 240 using an adhesive. As another example, in addition to or instead of being adhesively bonded, the runner 238 and the body 240 may be fastened using one or more fasteners (e.g., rivets, screws, bolts, etc.). As yet another example, the runner 238 and the body 240 may be mechanically interlocked by an interlocking portion of one of the runner 238 and the body 240 that extends into an interlocking space (e.g., one or more holes, one or more recesses, and/or one or more other hollow areas) of the other one of the runner 238 and the body 240 (e.g., the body 240 may be overmolded onto the runner 238).

[0237] In some embodiments, one or more other components (e.g., the tongue 34, the footbed 38, etc.) of the skate boot 22 may be molded integrally with the shell 30 in the molding apparatus 150 during the molding process. The shell 30 and these one or more other components of the skate boot 22 may thus constitute a monolithic one-piece structure. A given component of the skate boot 22 may therefore comprise a portion 235 that is integrally formed with the shell 30 such that the portion 235 of the given component of the skate boot 22 and the shell 30 of the skate boot 22 are formed together as one-piece in the molding apparatus 150 during the molding process.

[0238] As such, the portion 235 of the given component of the skate boot 22 may include one or more of the polymeric materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L of the shell 30 of the skate boot 22. For instance, the portion 235 of the given component may include one or more of the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 and therefore may comprise one or more of the polymeric materials M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3 associated therewith. Alternatively, the portion 235 of the given component may include one or more different materials.

[0239] For example, in some embodiments, with additional reference to FIG. 36, the toe cap 32, the tongue 34, the tendon guard 35, the footbed 38 and the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 may be molded integrally with the shell 30 of the skate boot 22. That is, at least a portion of (i.e., a part or an entirety of) each of the toe cap 32, the tongue 34, the tendon guard 35, the footbed 38 and the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 may be formed integrally with the shell 30 as one-piece in the molding apparatus 150 during the molding process.

[0240] As shown in FIG. 42, in some embodiments, when the footbed 38 is formed integrally with the shell 30 during the molding process, one or more the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L may form the footbed 38. Moreover, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 43A, when the footbed 38 is formed integrally with the shell 30 during the molding process, a portion of the footbed 38 may project outwardly such as to fill a gap of a subshell 85.sub.i in the sole portion 69 of the shell 30.

[0241] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 45, when the footbed 38 is formed integrally with the shell 30 during the molding process, the footbed 38 may be configured to project outwardly such as to fill respective gaps of the internal and intermediate subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2 in the sole portion 69 of the shell 30.

[0242] In some embodiments, at least a portion of (i.e., part or an entirety of) the blade holder 24 may be attached to a given one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L of the shell 30. For instance, the portion of the blade holder 24 may be joined to the given one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L during forming of the shell 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 47A, the portion of the blade holder 24 may be affixed to an exterior surface of the internal subshell 85.sub.1 and the intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 may be formed around the portion of the blade holder 24.

[0243] In other embodiments, as discussed above, the portion of the blade holder 24 may be formed during the molding process of the shell 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 47B, a majority or an entirety of the portion of the blade holder 24 may be constituted by the external subshell 85.sub.3. Moreover, the footbed 38 may be formed or affixed directly on the portion of the blade holder 24 (i.e., on the external subshell 85.sub.3 that makes up a majority or an entirety of the portion of the blade holder 24).

[0244] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 48, the footbed 38 may be formed integrally with the shell 30 so as to project outwardly into a gap of the internal subshell 85.sub.1 in the sole portion 69 of the shell 30.

[0245] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 52, when the blade holder 24 is formed integrally with the shell 30 during the molding process, the portion of the blade holder 24 that is formed integrally with the shell 30 (e.g., a part or an entirety of the blade holder 24) may be constituted by the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 such that the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 is exposed at the blade holder 24. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 53, when the blade holder 24 is formed integrally with the shell 30 during the molding process, a given one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L may be formed to envelop the blade holder 24. That is, a given one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L may be formed around the blade holder 24 but not around the shell 30.

[0246] In some embodiments, with additional reference to FIG. 54, the shell 30 and possibly one or more other components of the skate boot 22 may be manufactured separately from the blade holder 24, which may be manufactured separately and attached to the skate boot 22.

[0247] For example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 37, the shell 30 of the skate boot 22 may be formed alone in the molding apparatus 150, i.e., separately from the toe cap 32, the tongue 34, the tendon guard 35, the footbed 38 and the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2. As shown in FIG. 38, the toe cap 32, the tongue 34, the tendon guard 35, the footbed 38 and the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 may be attached to the shell 30 after the shell 30 has been formed. For instance, any given one of the toe cap 32, the tongue 34, the tendon guard 35, the footbed 38 and the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 may be formed on the shell 30 in a separate molding process similar to the one described above in respect of the shell 30. For example, the given one of the toe cap 32, the tongue 34, the tendon guard 35, the footbed 38 and the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 may be overmolded onto the shell 30. In some cases, the given one of the toe cap 32, the tongue 34, the tendon guard 35, the footbed 38 and the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 may be formed separately from the shell 30 during another molding process (e.g., a thermoforming process) and attached to the shell 30 via a fastener (e.g., stitching, stapling, etc.) or via gluing (e.g., using an adhesive).

[0248] In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 46, the footbed 38 may be an insert that is placed between the internal subshell 85.sub.1 and the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 and/or between the internal subshell 85.sub.1 and the external subshell 85.sub.3 during forming of the shell 30 in a manner similar to that described above in respect of the reinforcement 115 for example. In such embodiments, the player's foot 11 does not contact the footbed 38 directly, however the footbed 38 may still provide comfort to the player's foot 11 by interacting between the subshells.

[0249] As shown in FIGS. 49 and 51, in some embodiments, the blade holder 24 may be formed separately from the internal, intermediate and external subshells 85.sub.1, 85.sub.2, 85.sub.3 of the shell 30.

[0250] In such embodiments where the shell 30 and possibly one or more other components of the skate boot 22 are manufactured separately from the blade holder 24, the skate boot 22 may comprise an outsole 42, as shown in in FIG. 54. The outsole 42 is affixed to an underside of the shell 30 for forming the skate boot 22. The outsole 42 comprises a rigid material for imparting rigidity to the outsole 42.

[0251] More particularly, in this embodiment, the rigid material of the outsole 42 comprises a composite material. For example, the composite material may be a fiber-matrix composite material that comprises a matrix in which fibers are embedded. The matrix may include any suitable polymeric resin, such as a thermosetting polymeric material (e.g., polyester, vinyl ester, vinyl ether, polyurethane, epoxy, cyanate ester, etc.), a thermoplastic polymeric material (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic resin, polyether ether ketone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, nylon, polyimide, polysulfone, polyamide-imide, self-reinforcing polyphenylene, etc.), or a hybrid thermosetting-thermoplastic polymeric material. The fibers may be made of any suitable material such as carbon fibers, polymeric fibers such as aramid fibers, boron fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, etc. In other embodiments, the rigid material may comprise any other suitable material (e.g., nylon, polycarbonate materials, polyurethane, thermoplastics, thermosetting resins, reinforced thermoplastics, reinforced thermosetting resins, polyethylene, polypropylene, high density polyethylene).

[0252] Moreover, in such embodiments where the skate boot 22 and the blade holder 24 are manufactured separately, the support 168 of the blade holder 24 and the skate boot 22 may be affixed to one another in any suitable way. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 55, the front and rear pillars 210, 212 are fastened to the skate boot 22 by fasteners (e.g., rivets, screws, bolts). In this example, each of the front and rear pillars 210, 212 comprises a flange 216 including a plurality of apertures 218.sub.1-218.sub.F to receive respective ones of the fasteners that fasten the blade holder 24 to the skate boot 22. The support 168 may be affixed to the skate boot 22 in any other suitable manner in other embodiments (e.g., by an adhesive).

[0253] In some embodiments, the skate boot 22 may comprise a reinforcement 270 molded integrally with the shell 30 to enhance a torsional strength of the skate boot 22 and/or protection of the player's foot 11 against impacts (e.g., from a puck or hockey stick).

[0254] For instance, the reinforcement 270 may comprise an extension 272 that extends beyond the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30 of the skate boot 22 in the longitudinal direction of the skate 10. In contrast, FIG. 56 illustrates a conventional configuration of the shell 30 without the reinforcement 270 and thus without the extension 272. As shown, in such a conventional configuration, no part of the shell extends beyond the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30 in the longitudinal direction of the skate.

[0255] With additional reference to FIGS. 57A and 57B, the extension 272 may be located in front of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30 in the longitudinal direction of the skate 10. As such, the extension 272 may be configured to protect a front portion of the player's ankle A and the top surface TS of the player's foot 11. The extension 272 may extend in front of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30 to different extents. For instance, as shown in FIG. 57B, the extension 272 may extend from the medial ankle side 74 of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30 and wrap around the player's ankle A such that the extension 272 crosses from a medial half 278 of the skate boot 22 over a centerline 274 that generally bisects a width the skate boot 22 and into a lateral half 280 of the skate boot 22. In some cases, as shown in FIG. 57A, the extension 272 may be shorter and extend frontwards from the medial ankle side 74 of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30 and wrap around over a portion of the player's foot 11 but does not cross over into the lateral half 280 of the skate boot 22. Alternatively, in some cases, rather than extending from the medial ankle side 74, the extension 272 may extend from the lateral ankle side 76 of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30.

[0256] In an example of the variant, as shown in FIG. 58, the extension 272 may connect the medial ankle side 74 of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30 to the lateral ankle side 76 of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30 in a direction frontwardly of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30. In other words, the extension 272 may be configured such that the shell 30 wraps around a front and a rear of the player's ankle A. As such, the shell 30 may be continuous in a region frontwardly of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30, and may thus lack an opening in which the tongue 34 of the skate boot 22 is typically located. Consequently, in such embodiments, the skate boot 22 may not comprise a tongue 34 or lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2. Moreover, the extension 272 may create a gap 275 (i.e., a spacing) between the extension 272 and the player's foot 11 in the longitudinal direction of the skate 10 to facilitate motion (e.g., flexion) of the ankle A while skating. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 59, the extension 272 may be configured to wrap around the player's foot 11 such that there is substantially no gap between the extension 272 and the player's foot 11 in the longitudinal direction of the skate 10.

[0257] In some embodiments, the extension 272 may comprise a plurality of free ends 276.sub.1, 276.sub.2 that are movable relative to one another and converge toward one another. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 60, the free ends 276.sub.1, 276.sub.2 of the extension 272 may meet in front of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30. For example, the free ends 276.sub.1, 276.sub.2 may meet symmetrically about the centerline 274 of the skate 10. In other embodiments, the free ends 276.sub.1, 276.sub.2 may meet in the medial half 278 or the lateral half 280 of the skate boot 22. While FIG. 60 illustrates the free ends 276.sub.1, 276.sub.2 as leaving a gap 275 between the player's foot 11 and the free ends 276.sub.1, 276.sub.2 in the longitudinal direction of the skate 10, in some embodiments, the free ends 276.sub.1, 276.sub.2 may terminate relatively close to the player's foot 11 such that there is substantially no gap between the player's foot 11 and the free ends 276.sub.1, 276.sub.2.

[0258] In some embodiments, each free end 276.sub.i of the extension 272 may comprise an overlapping portion 282 that overlaps another portion of the free end 276.sub.i in the longitudinal direction of the skate 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 61, the overlapping portion 282 of each free end 276.sub.i may be a portion of the free end 276.sub.i that faces rearwardly toward the player's ankle A.

[0259] In a variant, the extension 272 may be in the rear portion 82 of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30. For instance, as shown in FIG. 62, the extension 62 may be configured such that the gap 275 is between a rear portion of the ankle A of the player and the extension 272. In some cases, the reinforcement 270 may comprise more than one extension. For instance, with additional reference to FIGS. 63, 64 and 70, the skate boot 22 may comprise a first extension 272 extending frontwardly of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30 and a second extension 284 extending rearwardly of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 63, the second extension 284 may comprise the free ends 276.sub.1, 276.sub.2 such that the free ends 276.sub.1, 276.sub.2 extend rearwardly of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30.

[0260] In some examples of the variant where an extension 272, 284 of the skate boot 22 extends rearwardly of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30, the tendon guard 35 may be omitted in order to provide additional flexibility when skating.

[0261] In another variant, the reinforcement 270 may comprise the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 of the skate boot 22. That is, the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 may be configured to enhance a torsional strength of the skate boot 22 and/or protection of the player's foot 11 against impacts. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 66 to 68, a given one of the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 extending in a given one of the medial half 278 and the lateral half 280 of the skate boot 22 may cross over to the other one of the medial half 278 and the lateral half 280 of the skate boot 22. The other one of the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 may generally follow a direction defined by the given one of the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2. This may be defined as a twisted configuration of the skate boot 22.

[0262] As shown in FIG. 69, in some examples of the twisted configuration of the skate boot 22, the reinforcement 270 may also comprise the extension 272. For example, the extension 272 may extend from the medial ankle side 74 to the lateral ankle side 76 of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30 in a direction frontwardly of the player's ankle A such that the gap 275 is present between the extension 272 and the player's foot 11 in the longitudinal direction of the skate 10.

[0263] The twisted configuration of the skate boot 22 may increase the torsional rigidity and frontal impact protection of the skate boot 22 and thus may allow the shell 30 and/or other components of the skate boot 22 (e.g., the toe cap 32) to have a reduced thickness compared to a conventional skate boot without the twisted configuration where the lace members are confined to a single one of the medial or lateral halves of the skate boot. Moreover, the twisted configuration of the skate boot 22 may allow the skate boot 22 to be flexed in a different direction compared to a conventional skate boot. For instance, the twisted configuration of the skate boot 22 may allow the player to flex the skate boot 22 in the medial half 278 of the skate boot 22 in an area around the toe cap 32. As a result, the twisted configuration of the skate boot 22 may allow better conservation of energy used by the player to propulse himself/herself on the ice 12.

[0264] In another variant, with additional reference to FIG. 65, the reinforcement 270 may comprise an opening 285 in the rear portion 82 of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30. The opening 285 may extend vertically for a substantial portion of a height of the skate boot 22. For instance, in some cases, a ratio between a height of the opening 285 and the height of the skate boot 22 may be at least 0.3, in some cases at least 0.4, in some cases at least 0.5, in some cases at least 0.6 and in some cases even more.

[0265] In another variant, with reference to FIG. 74, the blade holder 24 may be configured such that there is no spacing between the front and rear pillars 210, 212. In such a variant, the support 168 of the blade holder 24 comprises a single pillar 213 which is constituted by material that extends from the front portion 170 of the blade holder 24 to a rear portion 172 of the blade holder 24. In particular, in this example, the blade holder 24 does not have any openings extending from its lateral side to its medial side.

[0266] In another variant, the shell 30 and/or the blade holder 24 and/or another component of the skate boot 22 that is made integrally with the shell 30 may comprise one or more inserts 315.sub.1-315.sub.N over which one or more of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L may be molded. For instance, as shown in FIG. 75, in this example, the blade holder 24 comprises a front insert 315.sub.1 and a rear insert 315.sub.2 which respectively make up a part of the front and rear pillars 210, 212. More particularly, in this example of implementation, the front and rear inserts 315.sub.1, 315.sub.2 make up at least a majority (i.e., a majority or an entirety) of the front and rear pillars 210, 212 of the support 168 of the blade holder 24. In this example, the front and rear inserts 315.sub.1, 315.sub.2 are affixed to the shell 30 during the molding process of the shell 30 in order to make the blade holder 24 integrally with the shell 30. For example, once a given number of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L are molded, the front and rear inserts 315.sub.1, 315.sub.2 are affixed to the formed subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L (e.g., by gluing, taping, or any other suitable way) and one or more other ones of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L, in this case the exterior subshell 85.sub.3, is molded over the front and rear inserts 315.sub.1, 315.sub.2 and the formed subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L such as to form a continuous subshell 85.sub.3 extending from the shell 30 to the blade holder 24. In other cases, as shown in FIG. 76, the blade holder 24 may comprise a single one of the inserts 315.sub.1, 315.sub.2 (e.g., only the front insert 315.sub.1 or only the rear insert 315.sub.2).

[0267] In other examples, the inserts 315.sub.1-315.sub.N may not be part of the blade holder 24 but may instead form part of the shell 30. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 78A, in this example, the shell 30 comprises an insert 315.sub.M disposed between given ones of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L. For example, the insert 315.sub.M may be disposed on an outer surface of the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2 such that the exterior subshell 85.sub.3 may be molded over the insert 315.sub.M and and the intermediate subshell 85.sub.2. The insert 315.sub.M may be disposed at any portion of the shell 30. In this example, the insert 315.sub.M is disposed at a middle portion of the shell 30 corresponding to the intermediate portion 68 of the skate boot 22. In particular, the insert 315.sub.M is disposed such as to extend from the lateral side portion 66 of the shell 30 to the medial side portion 68 of the shell 30 and wrapping around under the sole portion 69 of the shell 30. As shown in FIG. 78B, the insert 315.sub.M may extend to various heights on the medial and lateral side portions 66, 68 of the shell 30. In some cases, the insert 315.sub.M may extend substantially a full height of each of the lateral and medial side portions 66, 68. As shown in FIG. 78C, in some cases, the insert 315.sub.M may not extend to the lateral and medial side portions 66, 68 of the shell 30 but may rather be confined to be disposed under the sole portion 69 of the shell 30.

[0268] In this example, the inserts 315.sub.1-315.sub.N comprise a foam material. In particular, the foam material of the inserts 315.sub.1-315.sub.N has a density that is less than the density of the exterior subshell 85.sub.3. This may be helpful to reduce the weight of the skate 10.

[0269] In another variant, as shown in FIG. 79, a given subshell 85.sub.x (or more than one of the subshells) may comprise one or more filled portions 415.sub.1-415.sub.N made of a material M.sub.z different from the material Mx of the subshell 85.sub.x. The filled portions 415.sub.1-415.sub.N constitute a portion of an other subshell 85.sub.y that was formed such as to fill a void in the given subshell 85.sub.x. As such the filled portions 415.sub.1-415.sub.N can be said to be inserted into voids formed in the subshell 85.sub.x and may thus be referred to as inserts. To implement the inserts 415.sub.1-415.sub.N, the subshell 85.sub.x is first molded to include a void. This may be achieved in various ways. For example, the void of the subshell 85.sub.x may be formed by placing a molding insert in the mold during molding of the subshell 85.sub.x. Once the subshell 85.sub.x has been demolded, the molding insert is removed, leaving a void in the subshell 85.sub.x. Alternatively or additionally, the void of the subshell 85.sub.x may be formed by removing (e.g., cutting out) a portion of the subshell 85.sub.x to form a void. The subshell 85.sub.x, which now includes a void, is then re-inserted into a corresponding mold and the material M.sub.Z is injected to fill in the void in the subshell 85.sub.x, effectively resulting in the subshell 85.sub.x comprising distinct materials. This can be useful to replace the material M.sub.x of the subshell 85.sub.x at selected locations with another material with desired characteristics such as to modify characteristics of the subshell 85.sub.x. For example, the material M.sub.z may have a stiffness that is different (e.g., greater or less than) from a density of the material M.sub.x of the subshell 85.sub.x. In this example, the material M.sub.z is stiffer than the material M.sub.x of the subshell 85.sub.x. Moreover, the material M.sub.z may have a density that is different (e.g., greater or less than) from a density of the material M.sub.x of the subshell 85.sub.x. In this example, the material M.sub.z is denser than the material M.sub.x of the subshell 85.sub.x. In particular, the inserts 415.sub.1-415.sub.N may modify the torsional characteristics of the skate boot 22 such that the skate boot 22 responds to torsional forces differently than if the subshell 85.sub.x did not comprise the inserts 415.sub.1-415.sub.N.

[0270] The inserts 415.sub.1-415.sub.N may thus be distributed to achieve a desired performance of the skate boot 22. For example, FIGS. 80A to 80F show different potential distributions of the inserts 415.sub.1-415.sub.N. It is understood that the inserts 415.sub.1-415.sub.N may be positioned differently in other embodiments.

[0271] In some cases, rather than filling the void formed in the subshell 85.sub.x, the void may be left unfilled. This may modify the torsional characteristics of the skate boot 22. For example, as shown in FIG. 89, the void left in the subshell 85.sub.x may form an opening 550 that can extend to an edge of the shell 30, such as the lateral or medial edges 45, 47 of the shell 30. The opening 550 comprises opposite edges 551, 552 which converge towards one another at a proximal end and are distanced from one another at a distal end. In some cases, the torsional behavior of the skate boot 22 modified by the opening 550 may allow the opposite edges 551, 552 to contact one another at the distal end. The act of contacting one another may act as a limit to the movement of the shell 30 allowed by the opening 550 which was otherwise not possible by the shell 30 without the opening 550.

[0272] In another variant, with reference to FIGS. 81 and 82, the molding process of the shell 30 (and other components that are integrally made with the shell 30) may include using a sheet 615 (e.g., a film) which may be helpful to facilitate the molding process and/or to facilitate the addition of aesthetic features (e.g, designs) to the skate boot 22. In this embodiment, the sheet 615 is a polymeric sheet comprising a polymeric material such as a polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene or any other suitable polymeric material. Moreover, in this example, the sheet 615 is a clear sheet (e.g., transparent or translucid) through which a person can see. In other examples, the sheet 615 may be opaque, colored (e.g., black, white or any other color), partially transparent, homogenous, and/or different at different areas.

[0273] In an example, the sheet 615 is overlaid on one or more of the formed subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L such as to acquire a shape of the underlying subshell 85.sub.x (e.g., by thermoforming the sheet 615). In this example, the sheet 615 extends over at least a majority of the subshell 85.sub.x. In some cases, the sheet 615 may extend over substantially an entirety of the subshell 85.sub.x. The sheet 615 may then be sealed (e.g., heat sealed) to form a seam 617. A female mold 154.sub.x is then installed over the formed subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L and a material M.sub.y of the subsequent subshell 85.sub.y is injected between the sheet 615 and the underlying subshell 85.sub.x. Once the subshell 85.sub.y has cured a desired amount, the subshell 85.sub.y is demolded from the mold 154.sub.x. The sheet 615 may allow the molding process of the subshell 85.sub.y to be faster than if no sheet was used. Notably, the presence of the sheet 615 between the material M.sub.y and the female mold 154.sub.x may allow faster removal of the subshell 85.sub.y therefrom as the subshell 85y can be removed from the mold 154.sub.x without the material M.sub.y having to have gone through its full polymerization. In contrast, if no sheet was used during the molding process, early removal of the subshell 85.sub.y from the mold 154.sub.x may compromise the quality of the subshell 85.sub.y (e.g., it may be deformed). Furthermore, due to the presence of the sheet 615 between the material M.sub.y and the female mold 154.sub.x, the molding process may not require the addition of a mold release agent on surfaces of the mold 154.sub.x which is typically included to facilitate demolding. As such, the presence of the sheet 615 facilitates demolding of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L from the female mold 154.sub.x without using a mold release agent. This may also decrease imperfections in the subshell 85.sub.y since mold release agents, while useful, have a tendency to introduce imperfections in a molded product. Moreover, if fewer imperfections are formed, this may improve bonding between a subsequent subshell 85.sub.z (that is molded over the subshell 85.sub.y) and the subshell 85.sub.y,

[0274] Once the subshell 85.sub.y is molded, the sheet 615 may be disposed of and a new sheet 615 used in a similar manner to mold a subsequent subshell if any. Due to the relatively low cost of manufacturing the sheet 615, using the sheet 615 in the molding process may inexpensively increase quality of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L formed therewith.

[0275] In another example, the sheet 615 may not be disposed of after molding. Instead, as shown in FIG. 82, the sheet 615 may be affixed to the shell 30 such as, for example, being integrated as a layer between given ones of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L. In this example, the sheet 615 is formed over the subshell 85.sub.1 and the subshell 85.sub.3 is molded over the sheet 615. In examples where the subshell 85.sub.3 overlying the sheet 615 is a clear subshell (e.g., transparent or translucent), this may be useful to display the sheet 615 in the finished product. Notably, the sheet 615 may comprise one or more design elements 618. The design element 618 may constitute a graphic, a color, a pattern, a word, a letter, a symbol or any other desired visual element. The design element 618 may be provided on the sheet 615 in any suitable way. For example, the design element 618 may be provided on the sheet 615 via silk-screening, pad printing, flexo printing or offset printing, or any other printing (e.g., jet print, water decal, sublimation, ink transfer, laser, etc.). The presence of the design element 618 may on the sheet 615 may allow to hide or otherwise obscure visual imperfections in the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L which do not affect the mechanical properties of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L. In some cases, the sheet 615 with the design element 618 may be implemented as a permanent film. In other cases, the sheet 615 with the design element 618 may be implemented as a release film having a releasable layer that is removable and ink constituting the design element 618 that remains on the shell 30. Alternatively or additionally, the sheet 615 may comprise the reinforcement 115 (such as the ribs 117.sub.1-117.sub.R or the reinforcing sheet 119) which may be affixed thereto in any suitable way (e.g., gluing, stitching, welding, mechanical interlock, etc.).

[0276] In the example of FIGS. 81 and 82, the sheet 615 is configured to span the shell 30 and the toe cap 32. In other examples, the sheet 615 may be configured to span the shell 30, the blade holder 24, the toe cap 32, the lace members 44.sub.1, 44.sub.2 or any other components of the skate boot 22. Furthermore, the sheet 615 may constitute at least part of an external surface of the skate boot 22. In other words, the sheet 615 may be exposed, not only visually, but physically (i.e., it can be touched). Moreover, in some cases, the sheet 615 may constitute a majority of the external surface of the skate boot 22. For example, the sheet 615 may constitute substantially an entirety of the external surface of the skate boot 22.

[0277] While in the examples given, the sheet 615 has been shown as being disposed between the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L, in other examples the sheet 615 may be disposed between the inner lining 36 and the internal subshell 85.sub.1.

[0278] As another example, in some embodiments, the sheet 615 may be placed in the cavity 156 of the female mold 154.sub.1 on the inner surface of the female mold 154.sub.1 before molding the polymeric material M.sub.1 on the last 152 to form the internal subshell 85.sub.1 of the shell 30. This may allow molding of the polymeric material M.sub.1 to form the internal subshell 85.sub.1 and subsequent demolding without using a mold release agent.

[0279] As yet another example, in some embodiments, the sheet 615 may be placed on the last 152 before molding the polymeric material M.sub.1 to form the internal subshell 85.sub.1 of the shell 30.

[0280] In some cases, the sheet 615 may be applied in planar form onto the last 152 or a given one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L that is already molded to acquire the shape of the last 152 or that given one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L. In other cases, the sheet 615 may be preformed in a non-planar form conforming to the shape of the last 152 or a given one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L before being placed on the last 152 or the given one of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L.

[0281] The sheet 615 may reduce or eliminate parting lines on the shell 30 (i.e., internal and/or external parting lines). For example, the sheet 615 may be configured to avoid at least one parting line on the shell 30 that would otherwise result because of the portions 155, 157 of a given one of the female molds 154.sub.1-154.sub.3 if the sheet 615 was omitted. This allows one or more parting lines to be avoided as the sheet 615 overlies where these one or more parting lines would otherwise be located.

[0282] In another variant, as shown in FIG. 83, the skate boot 22 may comprise a slash guard 515 configured to protect the player from cuts at a level above lateral and medial upper edges 45, 47 of the shell 30. The slash guard 515 is movable with respect to the tendon guard 35 (or with respect to the rear portion 82 of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30 if no tendon guard is included). This may provide cut-resistant protection of the player's ankle and/or shin while also allowing mobility thereof.

[0283] The slash guard 515 comprises a cut-resistant material 516 that resists cutting from impacts. In this example, the cut-resistant material 516 is a fabric consisting of aramid (e.g., Kevlar) or any other suitable cut-resistant material. As such, the slash guard 515 may be pliable due to its fabric nature. In this embodiment, the slash guard 515 is movable with respect to the tendon guard 35 (or the rear portion 82 of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30) due to the pliability of the cut-resistant material.

[0284] In this embodiment, the slash guard 515 is integrated (i.e., built into) the shell 30 and is permanently affixed thereto. In other words, in this embodiment, the slash guard 515 is not intended to be disconnected from the shell 30 without causing damage to the slash guard 515 and/or the shell 30. In particular, in this example of implementation, the slash guard 515 is affixed to the shell 30 by disposing the slash guard 515 between the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L of the shell 30 (i.e., at least one or more of the subshells is overmolded onto the slash guard 515). More specifically, in this embodiment, the slash guard 515 is overlayed over a subshell 85.sub.x and a subsequent subshell 85.sub.y is molded over the slash guard 515. As such, the slash guard 515 overlaps a portion of the shell 30 sufficient for the slash guard 515 to be permanently affixed between the subshells 85.sub.x, 85.sub.y without the possibility of accidental removal of the slash guard 515. In this example, the slash guard 515 overlaps a significant portion of the shell 30. In particular, the slash guard 515 extends over a majority of a length of the shell 30 (in the longitudinal direction of the skate 10). A portion of the slash guard 515 extending below the lateral and medial upper edges 45, 47 of the shell 30 may act as a reinforcement element (such as the reinforcement sheet 119) between the subshells 85.sub.x, 85.sub.y.

[0285] The slash guard 515 extends vertically above the lateral and medial upper edges 45, 47 of the shell 30 for a height HP that may be substantial. For example, the height HP of the slash guard 515 extending above lateral and medial upper edges 45, 47 of the shell 30 may be significant in relation to a height HT of the tendon guard 35 measured from a top of the tendon guard 35 to the lateral and medial upper edges 45, 47 of the shell 30. For instance, in some cases, a ratio of the height HP of the slash guard 515 over the height HT of the tendon guard 35 may be at least 0.5, in some cases at least 0.7, in some cases at least 0.9, in some cases at least 1, in some cases at least 1.2, in some cases at least 1.5, in some cases at least 2 and in some cases even more.

[0286] As shown in FIG. 85, which shows a top view of the portion of the slash guard 515 which extends vertically above the lateral and medial upper edges 45, 47 of the shell 30, in this embodiment, the slash guard 515 comprises a lateral portion 520 for facing a lateral side of the skate boot 22, a medial portion 522 for facing a medial side of the skate boot 22, and a rear portion 524 for facing a rear side of the skate boot 22. As such, in this embodiment, the slash guard 515 at least partially wraps around the player's ankle A and/or shin S to provide cut-resistant protection from the sides and the rear of the skate boot 22. In other examples, the slash guard 515 may wrap completely around the player's ankle A and/or shin S such that the slash guard 515 also comprises a front portion for facing a front side of the skate boot 22. In such an example, the slash guard 515 may comprise a type of sleeve through which the player must insert his/her foot 11 in order to don the skate 10.

[0287] The slash guard 515 may be configured differently in other examples. For instance, the slash guard 515 may not comprise the rear portion 524 if the tendon guard 35 is considered to provide sufficient protection to the player.

[0288] In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 84, the slash guard 515 may be removeably attachable to the skate boot 22. That is, the slash guard 515 may be selectively attached to and detached from the skate boot 22. In this example, the slash guard 515 is removeably attachable to the shell 30 via interaction between an attachment member 519 of the slash guard 515 and a portion 517 of the slash guard 515. In particular, the attachment member 519 is configured to attach the portion 517 of the slash guard 515 to the shell 30. In this example, the slash guard 515 does not overlap a substantial portion of the shell 30. The portion 517 of the slash guard 515 is an extension of the slash guard 515 which extends vertically below the lateral and medial upper edges 45, 47 of the shell 30. In this embodiment, the attachment member 519 is a fastener which fastens the slash guard 515 to the shell 30. For example, the attachment member 519 may be a pin, a nut and bolt assembly, a hook-and-loop fastener or any other suitable fastener.

[0289] In this example of FIG. 84, the cut-resistant material 516 of the slash guard 515 may be rigid and/or pliable. For example, the cut-resistant material 516 may comprise a polymer such as nylon, polyurethane and/or any other suitable polymer. In other words, the cut-resistant material 516 is not limited to pliable fabrics. In this example, the slash guard 515 is movable with respect to the tendon guard 35 (or the rear portion 82 of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30) by moving with respect to the attachment member 519. In some cases, the slash guard 515 may be pivotable about the attachment member 519. Thus, in cases where the cut-resistant material 516 is a rigid material, the slash guard 515 may still be movable with respect to the tendon guard 35 or the rear portion 82 of the ankle portion 64 of the shell 30) by pivoting about the attachment member 519.

[0290] In a variant, as shown in FIGS. 86A to 86D, rather than integrally molding the shell 30 as a single piece, the shell 30 may be molded in a plurality of pieces 710, 712 and the pieces may then be joined together. For example, this may allow using processes other than injection molding, notably such as casting or other molding methods. Moreover, the pieces 710, 712 may be configured to interlock with one another. Notably, the pieces 710, 712 may comprise protrusions and corresponding recesses for fitting the protrusions such as to interlock the pieces 710, 712 with one another. An adhesive may be applied between the pieces 710, 712 to permenantely affix the pieces 710, 712 to one another. As shown in FIG. 86A, each of the pieces 710, 712 may constitute a part of the shell 30 and the blade holder 24. In some cases, as shown in FIG. 86B, each of the pieces 710, 712 may constitute a part of only the shell 30 or only the blade holder 24. As shown in FIGS. 86C and 86D, the pieces may include three or more pieces 710, 712, 714.

[0291] In another variant, one or more of the subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L may be sprayed rather than injection molded. For instance, this may allow to more easily form thinner subshells 85.sub.1-85.sub.L (e.g., of 0.1 mm).

[0292] In another variant, as shown in FIG. 87, the blade holder 24 may comprise an insert 750 configured to receive the blade 26. The insert 750 is affixed to the lower portion 162 of the blade holder 24 in any suitable manner. In this example, the insert 750 comprises projections that interlock into recesses 165 of the blade holder 24. The insert 750 further comprises a recess 752 configured to receive the blade 26. The insert 750 may be made integral with the lower portion 162 of the blade holder 24 by inserting it into a corresponding mold during molding of the blade holder 24. Alternatively, the insert 750 may be affixed to the lower portion 162 of the blade holder 24 after the lower portion 162 has already been formed. The insert 750 comprises a reinforced material that is stronger and/or stiffer than a material of the lower portion 162 of the blade holder 24. For example, the reinforced material may be a composite material (e.g., a carbon fiber material).

[0293] In another variant, as shown in FIG. 88, the blade holder 24 may comprise a void 350 in one of its front and rear pillars 210, 212. More particularly, in this example, the void 350 of the blade holder 24 may be formed by separately molding the blade holder 24 with a molding insert, and removing the molding insert after molding the blade holder 24 to obtain a cavity in the blade holder 24. Thus, once the blade holder 24 is assembled with the shell 30, the blade holder 24 comprises the void 350 which is contained between surfaces of the blade holder 24 and the sole portion 69 of the shell 30. In another example, rather than leaving the cavity of the blade holder 24 as a void, an insert, such as the insert 315.sub.1, may be placed in the cavity and the blade holder 24 secured to the shell 30 such that the insert 315.sub.1 is contained between inner surfaces of a body of the blade holder 24 and a surface of the sole portion 69 of the shell 30.

[0294] In another variant, the exterior subshell 85.sub.3 may be configured to extend into the recess 190 of the blade-retention portion 188 of the blade-retaining base 164 of the blade holder 24. As such, the subshell 85.sub.3 may contact the blade 26 as it is inserted into the recess 190. This may be useful in examples where the exterior subshell 85.sub.3 is relatively rigid as it may provide compaction resistance when the blade 26 is inserted in the recess 190.

[0295] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 90 and 91, the material M.sub.i of a subshell 85.sub.x of the skate boot 22 may comprise a mixture of a polymeric substance 52 and an expansion agent 53. This may help the material M.sub.i to have desirable properties, such as being more shock-absorbent than it if was entirely made of the expansion agent 53 and/or being lighter than if it was entirely made of the polymeric substance 52.

[0296] The polymeric substance 52 constitutes a substantial part of the material M.sub.i and substantially contributes to structural integrity to the subshell 85.sub.x. For instance, in some embodiments, the polymeric substance 52 may constitute at least 40%, in some cases at least 50%, in some cases at least 60%, in some cases at least 70%, in some cases at least 80%, and in some cases at least 90% of the material M.sub.i by weight. In this example of implementation, the polymeric substance 52 may constitute between 50% and 90% of the material M.sub.i by weight.

[0297] In this embodiment, the polymeric substance 52 may be an elastomeric substance. For instance, the polymeric substance 52 may be a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or a thermoset elastomer (TSE).

[0298] More particularly, in this embodiment, the polymeric substance 52 comprises polyurethane. The polyurethane 52 may be composed of any suitable constituents such as isocyanates and polyols and possibly additives. For instance, in some embodiments, the polyurethane 52 may have a hardness in a scale of Shore 00, Shore A, Shore C or Shore D, or equivalent. For example, in some embodiments, the hardness of the polyurethane 52 may be between Shore 5A and 95A or between Shore 40D to 93D. Any other suitable polyurethane may be used in other embodiments.

[0299] The polymeric substance 52 may comprise any other suitable polymer in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the polymeric substance 52 may comprise silicon, rubber, etc.

[0300] The expansion agent 53 is combined with the polyurethane 52. In some cases, this may be done to enhance properties of the material M.sub.i. Alternatively or additionally, in some cases, this may be done to enable expansion of the material M.sub.i to a final shape of the subshell 85.sub.x in the mold 154.sub.x. For instance, in some embodiments, the expansion agent 54 may constitute at least 10%, in some cases at least 20%, in some cases at least 30%, in some cases at least 40%, in some cases at least 50%, in some cases at least 60%, of the material M.sub.i by weight and in some cases even more. In this example of implementation, the expansion agent 54 may constitute between 15% and 50% of the material M.sub.i by weight.

[0301] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 91, the expansion agent 53 comprises an amount of expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M. Each expandable microsphere 63.sub.i comprises a polymeric shell 67 expandable by a fluid encapsulated in an interior of the polymeric shell 67. In this example of implementation, the polymeric shell 67 of the expandable microsphere 63.sub.i is a thermoplastic shell. The fluid encapsulated in the polymeric shell 67 is a liquid or gas (in this case a gas) able to expand the expandable microsphere 63.sub.i when heated during manufacturing of the subshell 85.sub.x. In some embodiments, the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M may be Expancel microspheres commercialized by Akzo Nobel. In other embodiments, the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M may be Dualite microspheres commercialized by Henkel; Advancell microspheres commercialized by Sekisui; Matsumoto Microsphere microspheres commercialized by Matsumoto Yushi Seiyaku Co; or KUREHA Microsphere microspheres commercialized by Kureha. Various other types of expandable microspheres may be used in other embodiments.

[0302] In this example of implementation, the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M include dry unexpanded (DU) microspheres when combined with the polymeric substance 52 to create the material M.sub.i before the material M.sub.i is molded. For instance, the dry unexpanded (DU) microspheres may be provided as a powder mixed with one or more liquid constituents of the polymeric substance 52.

[0303] The expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M may be provided in various other forms in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M may include dry expanded, wet and/or partially-expanded microspheres. For instance, wet unexpanded microspheres may be used to get better bonding with the polymeric substance 52. Partially-expanded microspheres may be used to employ less of the polymeric substance 52, or mix with the polymeric substance 52 in semi-solid form.

[0304] In some embodiments, the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M may constitute at least 10%, in some cases at least 20%, in some cases at least 30%, in some cases at least 40%, in some cases at least 50%, and in some cases at least 60% of the material M.sub.i by weight and in some cases even more. In this example of implementation, the expandable micropsheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M may constitute between 15% and 50% of the material M.sub.i by weight.

[0305] The subshell 85.sub.x comprising the material M.sub.i with the polymeric substance 52 and the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M may have various desirable qualities.

[0306] For instance, in some embodiments, the subshell 85.sub.x may be less dense and thus lighter than if it was entirely made of the polyurethane 52, yet be more shock-absorbent and/or have other better mechanical properties than if it was entirely made of the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M.

[0307] For example, in some embodiments, a density of the material M.sub.i may be less than a density of the polyurethane 52 (alone). For instance, the density of the material M.sub.i of the subshell 85.sub.x may be no more than 70%, in some cases no more than 60%, in some cases no more than 50%, in some cases no more than 40%, in some cases no more than 30%, in some cases no more than 20%, in some cases no more than 10% and in some cases no more than 5% of the density of the polyurethane 52 and in some cases even less. For example, in some embodiments, the density of the material M.sub.i may be between 2 to 75 times less than the density of the polyurethane 52 (i.e., the density of the material M.sub.i may be about 1% to 50% of the density of the polyurethane 52).

[0308] The density of the material M.sub.i may have any suitable value. For instance, in some embodiments, the density of the material M.sub.i may be no more than 0.7 g/cm.sup.3, in some cases no more than 0.4 g/cm.sup.3, in some cases no more than 0.1 g/cm.sup.3, in some cases no more than 0.080 g/cm.sup.3, in some cases no more than 0.050 g/cm3, in some cases no more than 0.030 g/cm.sup.3, and/or may be at least 0.010 g/cm.sup.3. In some examples of implementation, the density of the material M.sub.i may be between 0.015 g/cm.sup.3 and 0.080 g/cm.sup.3, in some cases between 0.030 g/cm.sup.3 and 0.070 g/cm.sup.3, and in some cases between 0.040 g/cm.sup.3 and 0.060 g/cm.sup.3.

[0309] As another example, in some embodiments, a stiffness of the material M.sub.i may be different from (i.e., greater or less than) a stiffness of the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M (alone). For instance, a modulus of elasticity (i.e., Young's modulus) of the material M.sub.i may be greater or less than a modulus of elasticity of the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M (alone). For instance, a difference between the modulus of elasticity of the material M.sub.i and the modulus of elasticity of the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M may be at least 20%, in some cases at least 30%, in some cases at least 50%, and in some cases even more, measured based on a smaller one of the modulus of elasticity of the material M.sub.i and the modulus of elasticity of the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M. In some cases, the modulus of elasticity may be evaluated according to ASTM D-638 or ASTM D-412.

[0310] As another example, in some embodiments, a resilience of the material M.sub.i may be less than a resilience of the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M (alone). For instance, in some embodiments, the resilience of the material M.sub.i may no more than 70%, in some cases no more than 60%, in some cases no more than 50%, in some cases no more than 40%, in some cases no more than 30%, and in some cases no more than 20%, and in some cases no more than 10% of the resilience of the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M according to ASTM D2632-01 which measures resilience by vertical rebound. In some examples of implementation, the resilience of the material M.sub.i may be between 20% and 60% of the resilience of the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the resilience of the material M.sub.i may be greater than the resilience of the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M.

[0311] The resilience of the material M.sub.i may have any suitable value. For instance, in some embodiments, the resilience of the material M.sub.i may be no more than 40%, in some cases no more than 30%, in some cases no more than 20%, in some cases no more than 10%, and in some cases even less (e.g., 5%), according to ASTM D2632-01, thereby making the subshell 85.sub.x more shock-absorbent. In other embodiments, the resilience of the material M.sub.i may be at least 60%, in some cases at least 70%, in some cases at least 80% and in some cases even more, according to ASTM D2632-01, thereby making the material M.sub.i provide more rebound.

[0312] As another example, in some embodiments, a tensile strength of the material M.sub.i may be greater than a tensile strength of the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M (alone). For instance, in some embodiments, the tensile strength of the material M.sub.i may be at least 120%, in some cases at least 150%, in some cases at least 200%, in some cases at least 300%, in some cases at least 400%, and in some cases at least 500% of the tensile strength of the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M according to ASTM D-638 or ASTM D-412, and in some cases even more.

[0313] The tensile strength of the material M.sub.i may have any suitable value. For instance, in some embodiments, the tensile strength of the material M.sub.i may be at least 0.9 MPa, in some cases at least 1 MPa, in some cases at least 1.2 MPa, in some cases at least 1.5 MPa and in some cases even more (e.g., 2 MPa or more).

[0314] As another example, in some embodiments, an elongation at break of the material M.sub.i may be greater than an elongation at break of the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M (alone). For instance, in some embodiments, the elongation at break of the expandable material M.sub.i may be at least 120%, in some cases at least 150%, in some cases at least 200%, in some cases at least 300%, in some cases at least 400%, and in some cases at least 500% of the elongation at break of the expandable microspheres 63.sub.1-63.sub.M according to ASTM D-638 or ASTM D-412, and in some cases even more.

[0315] The elongation at break of the material M.sub.i may have any suitable value. For instance, in some embodiments, the elongation at break of the material M.sub.i may be at least 20%, in some cases at least 30%, in some cases at least 50%, in some cases at least 75%, in some cases at least 100%, and in some cases even more (e.g. 150% or more).

[0316] In some embodiments, a material of the shell 30 (e.g., a given one of the materials M.sub.1-M.sub.N) may be a composite material. For example, the composite material may be a fiber-matrix composite material that comprises a matrix in which fibers are embedded. The matrix may include any suitable polymeric resin, such as a thermosetting polymeric material (e.g., polyester, vinyl ester, vinyl ether, polyurethane, epoxy, cyanate ester, etc.), a thermoplastic polymeric material (e.g., polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, acrylic resin, polyether ether ketone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, nylon, polyimide, polysulfone, polyamide-imide, self-reinforcing polyphenylene, etc.), or a hybrid thermosetting-thermoplastic polymeric material. The fibers may be made of any suitable material such as carbon fibers, polymeric fibers such as aramid fibers, boron fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, etc.

[0317] Although in embodiments considered above the skate 10 is designed for playing ice hockey on the skating surface 14 which is ice, in other embodiments, the skate 10 may be constructed using principles described herein for playing roller hockey or another type of hockey (e.g., field or street hockey) on the skating surface 14 which is a dry surface (e.g., a polymeric, concrete, wooden, or turf playing surface or any other dry surface on which roller hockey or field or street hockey is played). Thus, in other embodiments, instead of comprising the blade 26, the skating device 28 may comprise a set of wheels to roll on the dry skating surface 14 (i.e., the skate 10 may be an inline skate or other roller skate). Moreover, in other embodiments, the skate 10 may be a figure skate constructed using principles described herein for figure skating.

[0318] Furthermore, although in embodiments considered above the footwear 10 is a skate for skating on the skating surface 14, in other embodiments, the footwear 10 may be any other suitable type of footwear. For example, as shown in FIG. 123, the footwear 10 may be a ski boot comprising a shell 830 which may be constructed in the manner described above with respect to the shell of the skate. In particular, the ski boot 10 is configured to be attachable and detachable from a ski 802 which is configured to travel on a ground surface 8 (e.g., snow). To that end, the ski boot 10 is configured to interact with an attachment mechanism 800 of the ski 802. In another example, as shown in FIG. 124, the footwear 10 may be a boot (e.g., a work boot or any other type of boot) comprising a shell 930 which can be constructed in the manner described above with respect to the shell of the skate. For instance, in various embodiments, the boot 10 may be a motorcycle boot (e.g., for use with a motocross or other motorcycle), a work boot for protection, security or other purposes (e.g., construction boot, police boot, military boot, etc.), or any other type of boot. In some cases, the shell 930 of the boot 10 may be flexible or semi-rigid, as opposed to rigid as in embodiments discussed above.

[0319] In some embodiments, any feature of any embodiment described herein may be used in combination with any feature of any other embodiment described herein.

[0320] Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of certain embodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumed to be within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, certain embodiments may be free of, may lack and/or may function without any element that is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0321] To facilitate the description, any reference numeral designating an element in one figure designates the same element if used in any other figures. In describing the embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of description but the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is understood that each specific term comprises all equivalents.

[0322] In case of any discrepancy, inconsistency, or other difference between terms used herein and terms used in any document incorporated by reference herein, meanings of the terms used herein are to prevail and be used.

[0323] Although various embodiments have been illustrated, this was for the purpose of describing, but not limiting, the invention. Various modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the scope of this invention, which is defined more particularly by the attached claims.