Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
ICE SKATE BLADE
FIELD
The invention generally relates to ice skating and, more particularly, to ice
skates and
their blade.
BACKGROUND
An ice skate includes a skate boot for receiving a user's foot and a blade
holder
connecting a blade to the skate boot such that the blade engages ice while the
user
skates.
The blade has to be tough as it is subject to harsh conditions, including
significant forces
while the user skates and corrosive effects because it contacts the ice, yet
should not be
too heavy or bulky as this can affect skating performance. While many
different types of
blades have been developed, these conflicting considerations continue to pose
challenges.
For these and/or other reasons, there is a need to improve ice skates,
including their
blades.
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SUMMARY
In accordance with various aspects of the invention, there is provided a blade
for an ice
skate (e.g., for playing hockey). The ice skate comprises a skate boot for
receiving a foot
of a user and a blade holder for holding the blade. The blade may be designed
to be
lightweight yet strong and possibly provide other performance benefits to the
user,
including by being made of different materials (e.g., at least three different
materials) that
are strategically arranged and secured to one another.
For example, in accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided
a blade for
an ice skate. The ice skate comprises a skate boot for receiving a foot of a
user and a
blade holder for holding the blade. The blade comprises a polymeric upper
member and a
metallic ice-contacting lower member secured to the polymeric upper member.
The
metallic-ice contacting lower member comprises a metallic base comprising an
ice-
contacting surface and a metallic anchor affixed to the metallic base and the
polymeric
upper member.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a blade
for an ice
skate. The ice skate comprises a skate boot for receiving a foot of a user and
a blade
holder for holding the blade. The blade comprises a polymeric upper member and
a
metallic ice-contacting lower member secured to the polymeric upper member.
The
metallic ice-contacting lower member comprises a metallic base comprising an
ice-
contacting surface and a metallic anchor welded to the metallic base and
bonded to the
polymeric upper member.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a blade
for an ice
skate. The ice skate comprises a skate boot for receiving a foot of a user and
a blade
holder for holding the blade. The blade comprises an upper member and an ice-
contacting lower member secured to the upper member. The ice-contacting lower
member comprises a base comprising an ice-contacting surface and an anchor
affixed to
the base and the upper member. The upper member comprises a first material.
The base
comprises a second material different from the first material. The anchor
comprises a
third material different from the first material and the second material.
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In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a blade
for an ice
skate. The ice skate comprises a skate boot for receiving a foot of a user and
a blade
holder for holding the blade. The blade comprises at least three materials
that are
different from one another.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a blade
for an ice
skate. The ice skate comprises a skate boot for receiving a foot of a user and
a blade
holder for holding the blade. The blade comprises a polymeric upper member and
a
metallic ice-contacting lower member secured to the polymeric upper. The blade
comprises a connector configured to connect the blade to the blade holder. The
connector comprises a connecting portion of the polymeric upper member and a
connecting portion of the metallic ice-contacting lower member that is
enclosed in the
connecting portion of the polymeric upper member.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a blade
for an ice
skate. The ice skate comprises a skate boot for receiving a foot of a user and
a blade
holder for holding the blade. The blade comprises polymeric material and
metallic
material. The blade comprises a connector configured to connect the blade to
the blade
holder. The connector comprises part of the polymeric material and part of the
metallic
material that is enclosed in the polymeric material.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a blade
for an ice
skate. The ice skate comprises a skate boot for receiving a foot of a user and
a blade
holder for holding the blade. The blade comprises a plurality of materials
that are different
from one another. The blade comprises a connector configured to connect the
blade to
the blade holder fastenerlessly.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a blade
for an ice
skate. The ice skate comprises a skate boot for receiving a foot of a user and
a blade
holder for holding the blade. The blade comprises a polymeric upper member and
a
metallic ice-contacting lower member secured to the polymeric upper member.
The
polymeric upper member comprises a first lateral surface and a second lateral
surface
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opposite one another. The first lateral surface of the polymeric upper member
comprises
a projection projecting laterally outwardly relative to an adjacent portion of
the first lateral
surface of the polymeric upper member. A width of the projection of the first
lateral
surface of the polymeric upper member in a heightwise direction of the blade
varies in a
longitudinal direction of the blade.
These and other aspects of the invention will now become apparent to those of
ordinary
skill in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of
the invention in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A detailed description of embodiments of the invention is provided below, by
way of
example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of an ice skate comprising a
blade in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the ice skate, including a skate boot, a blade
holder, and the
blade;
Figures 3 to 9 are various views of the blade holder;
Figure 10 is a side elevation view of the blade, including an upper member and
an ice-
contacting lower member of the blade;
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the blade as shown in Figure 10;
Figure 12 is a side elevation view of the ice-contacting lower member of the
blade;
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the ice-contacting lower member of the
blade as
shown in Figure 12;
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Figure 14 shows a material of the upper member in an example in which the
material is a
composite material;
Figure 15 shows an example in which there is an adhesive between the upper
member and
the ice-contacting lower member;
Figures 16A to 16C are partial cross-sectional views showing a blade-
detachment
mechanism of the blade holder;
Figure 17 shows a variant in which an anchor of the ice-contacting lower
member is
fastened to a base of the ice-contacting lower member by a mechanical
fastener;
Figure 18 shows a variant in which the material of the upper member is a
composite
material comprising chopped fibers;
Figure 19 shows a variant in which the material of the upper member is
unreinforced;
Figures 20 to 23 show examples of variants of ways in which the blade holder
may retain
the blade;
Figures 24 and 25 show an example of a variant of the blade;
Figure 26 shows a cross-section of the blade in an example of a variant in
which the anchor
and the base are integral with one another;
Figure 27 shows a cross-section of the blade in an example of a variant in
which the base
comprises a plurality of layers sandwiching the anchor;
Figure 28 shows a cross-section of the blade in an example of a variant in
which the anchor
comprises a plurality of outer layers and an inner layer disposed between the
outer layers;
Figure 29 shows a cross-section of the blade in an example of a variant in
which the upper
member is disposed between external layers;
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Figure 30 shows a cross-section of the blade in an example of a variant in
which the upper
member and the base are disposed between external layers;
Figure 31 shows a cross-section of the blade in accordance with an embodiment
in which a
projection on each lateral surface of the upper member comprises an insert;
Figure 32 shows a side elevation view of the ice-contacting lower member in an
example of
a variant in which the anchor extends along a majority of a height of the
upper member of
the blade;
Figure 33 shows a cross-section of the blade of Figure 32;
Figures 34 and 35 show cross-sections of the blade in examples of a variant in
which the
anchor comprises a plurality of anchor elements affixed to the base;
Figure 36 shows a cross-section of the blade in an example of a variant in
which a space
between the anchor elements comprises a material different than a material of
the upper
member;
Figure 37 shows a cross-section of the blade in an example of a variant in
which the anchor
elements of the anchor define lateral surfaces of the upper member of the
blade;
Figure 38 shows a cross-section of the blade in an example of a variant in
which the anchor
extends along the majority of the height of the upper member of the blade and
the projection
on each lateral surface of the upper member comprises an insert;
Figure 39 shows a side elevation view of the ice-contacting lower member of
the blade in an
example of a variant in which connectors configured to connect the blade to
the blade
holder are affixed to the anchor;
Figures 40 to 45 show various views of another embodiment of the blade; and
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Figures 46 and 47 are side and front views of a foot of a user with an
integument of the foot
shown in dotted lines and bones shown in solid lines.
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
Figures 1 and 2 show an example of an ice skate 10 comprising a blade 52 for
contacting
ice 15 on which a user skates, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. The ice
skate 10 comprises a skate boot 11 for enclosing a foot of the user and a
blade holder 28
for holding the blade 52. In this embodiment, the ice skate 10 is a hockey
skate designed for
playing ice hockey. In other embodiments, the ice skate 10 may be designed for
other types
of skating activities.
As further discussed below, in this embodiment, the blade 52 is designed to be
lightweight
yet strong and possibly provide other performance benefits to the user,
including by being
made of different materials (e.g., at least three different materials) that
are strategically
arranged and secured to one another.
The skate boot 11 defines a cavity 26 for receiving the user's foot. With
additional reference
to Figures 46 and 47, the user's foot 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 user's foot is continuous with a lower portion of the user's shin S. In
addition, the user
has a heel H, 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 H. A forefoot of the user includes
the toes T
and the ball B, a hindfoot of the user includes the heel H, and a midfoot of
the user is
between the forefoot and midfoot.
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In this embodiment, the skate boot 11 comprises a front portion 17 for
receiving the toes T
of the user's foot, a rear portion 19 for receiving the heel H of the user's
foot, and an
intermediate portion 21 between the front portion 17 and the rear portion 19.
More particularly, in this embodiment, the skate boot 11 comprises an outer
shell 12, a toe
cap 14 for facing the toes T, a tongue 16 extending upwardly and rearwardly
from the toe
cap 14 for covering the top surface TS of the user's foot, a rigid insert 18
for providing more
rigidity around the ankle A and the heel H of the user's foot, an inner lining
20, a footbed 22,
and an insole 24. The skate boot 11 also comprises lace members 38 and eyelets
42
punched into the lace members 38, the outer shell 12 and the inner lining 20
vis-a-vis
apertures 40 in order to receive a lace for tying on the skate 10.
The outer shell 12 comprises a heel portion 44 for receiving the heel H, an
ankle portion 46
for receiving the ankle A, and medial and lateral side portions 50, 60 for
facing the medial
and lateral sides MS, LS of the user's foot, respectively. In this embodiment,
the outer shell
12 is molded (e.g., thermoformed) to form its heel portion 44, its ankle
portion 46, and its
medial and lateral side portions 50, 60. In this example, the medial and
lateral side portions
50, 60 include upper edges 51, 61 which connect to the lace members 38. The
heel portion
44 may be formed such that it is substantially cup-shaped for following the
contour of the
heel H. The ankle portion 46 comprises medial and lateral ankle sides 52, 54.
The medial
ankle side 52 has a medial cup-shaped depression 56 for receiving the medial
malleolus
MM and the lateral ankle side 54 has a lateral cup-shaped depression 58 for
receiving the
lateral malleolus LM of the user. The lateral depression 58 is located
slightly lower than the
medial depression 56, for conforming to the morphology of the user's foot. The
ankle portion
46 further comprises a rear portion 47 facing the lower part LP of the
Achilles tendon AT.
The rear portion 47 may be thermoformed such that it follows the lower part LP
of the
Achilles tendon AT. Furthermore, the skate boot 11 also includes a tendon
guard 43 affixed
to the rear portion 47 of the ankle portion 46 and extending upwardly
therefrom.
The inner lining 20 is affixed to an inner surface of the outer shell 12 and
comprises an inner
surface 32 intended for contact with the heel H and medial and lateral sides
MS, LS of the
user's foot and the user's ankle A in use. The inner lining 20 may be made of
a soft material
(e.g., a fabric made of NYLON fibers or any other suitable fabric). The rigid
insert 18 is
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sandwiched between the outer shell 12 and the inner lining 20 and may be
affixed in any
suitable way (e.g., glued to the inner surface of the outer shell 12 and
stitched along its
periphery to the outer shell 12). The footbed 22 is mounted inside the outer
shell 12 and
comprises an upper surface 34 for receiving the plantar surface PS of the
user's foot and a
wall 36 projecting upwardly from the upper surface 34 to partially cup the
heel H and extend
up to a medial line of the user's foot. The insole 24 has an upper surface 25
for facing the
plantar surface PS of the user's foot and a lower surface 23 on which the
outer shell 12 may
be affixed.
The skate boot 11 may be constructed in any other suitable way in other
embodiments.
For example, in other embodiments, various components of the skate boot 11
mentioned
above may be configured differently or omitted and/or the skate boot 11 may
comprise
any other components that may be made of any other suitable materials and/or
using any
other suitable processes.
With additional reference to Figures 3 to 9, the blade holder 28 comprises a
lower portion
64 comprising a blade-retaining base 80 that retains the blade 52 and an upper
portion
62 comprising a support 82 that extends upwardly from the blade-retaining base
80
towards the skate boot 11 to interconnect the blade holder 28 and the skate
boot 11. A
front portion 66 of the blade holder 28 and a rear portion 68 of the blade
holder 28 define
a longitudinal axis 65 of the blade holder 28. The front portion 66 of the
blade holder 28
includes a front 154 of the blade holder 28 and extends beneath and along the
user's
forefoot in use, while the rear portion 68 of the blade holder 28 includes a
rear 156 of the
blade holder 28 and extends beneath and along the user's hindfoot in use. An
intermediate portion 74 of the blade holder 28 is between the front and rear
portions 66,
68 of the blade holder 28 and extends beneath and along the user's midfoot in
use. A
length L of the blade holder 28 can be measured from a frontmost point 70 to a
rearmost
point 72 of the blade holder 28. The blade holder 28 comprises a medial side
71 and a
lateral side 67 that are opposite one another. The blade holder 28 has a
longitudinal
direction (i.e., a direction generally parallel to its longitudinal axis 65)
and transversal
directions (i.e., directions transverse to its longitudinal axis 65),
including a widthwise
direction (i.e., a lateral direction generally perpendicular to its
longitudinal axis 65). The
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blade holder 28 also has a height direction normal to its longitudinal and
widthwise
directions.
The blade-retaining base 80 is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the
blade holder
28 and is configured to retain the blade 52 such that the blade 52 extends
along a bottom
portion 73 of the blade-retaining base 80 to contact the ice 15. To that end,
the blade-
retaining base 80 comprises a blade-retention portion 75 to face and retain
the blade 52.
In this embodiment, the blade-retention portion 75 comprises a recess 76 in
which an
upper portion of the blade 52 is disposed.
In this embodiment, the blade-retaining base 80 comprises a plurality of
apertures 811-
814 distributed in the longitudinal direction of the blade holder 28 and
extending from the
medial side 71 to the lateral side 67 of the blade holder 28. In this example,
respective
ones of the apertures 811-814 differ in size. More particularly, in this
example, the
apertures 811-814 decrease in size towards the front portion 66 of the blade
holder 28.
The apertures 811-814 may have any other suitable configuration, or may be
omitted, in
other embodiments.
The blade-retaining base 80 may be configured in any other suitable way in
other
embodiments.
The support 82 is configured for supporting the skate boot 11 above the blade-
retaining
base 80 and transmit forces to and from the blade-retaining base 80 during
skating. In
this embodiment, the support 82 comprises a front pillar 84 and a rear pillar
86 which
extend upwardly from the blade-retaining base 80 towards the skate boot 11.
The front
pillar 84 extends towards the front portion 17 of the skate boot 11 and the
rear pillar 86
extends towards the rear portion 19 of the skate boot 11. The blade-retaining
base 80
extends from the front pillar 84 to the rear pillar 86. More particularly, in
this embodiment,
the blade-retaining base 80 comprises a bridge 88 interconnecting the front
and rear
pillars 84, 86.
The support 82 and the skate boot 11 can be connected to one another in any
suitable
way. In this embodiment, the support 82 is affixed to the skate boot 11. More
particularly,
CA 2996761 2018-02-27
in this embodiment, the front and rear pillars 84, 86 are fastened to the
skate boot 11 by
fasteners (e.g., rivets, screws, bolts). In this example, each of the front
and rear pillars 84,
86 comprises a flange 87 including a plurality of apertures 891-89F to receive
respective
ones of the fasteners that fasten the blade holder 28 to the skate boot 11.
The support 82
may be affixed to the skate boot 11 in any other suitable manner in other
embodiments
(e.g., by an adhesive).
The support 82 may be configured in any other suitable way in other
embodiments.
The blade holder 28 can retain the blade 52 in any suitable way. In this
embodiment, with
additional reference to Figures 16A to 16C, as further discussed below, the
blade holder
28 comprises a blade-detachment mechanism 55 such that the blade 52 is
selectively
detachable and removable from, and attachable to, the blade holder 28 (e.g.,
when the
blade 52 is worn out or otherwise needs to be replaced or removed from the
blade holder
28).
As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the blade 52 comprises an ice-contacting
surface 127
that contacts the ice 15 as the user skates. In this embodiment, the blade 52
comprises a
plurality of different materials M1-M3 that constitute respective portions of
the blade 52
and are strategically disposed and secured to one another. More particularly,
in this
embodiment, the blade 52 comprises an upper member 110 that includes the
material M1
and an ice-contacting lower member 114 that comprises the ice-contacting
surface 127,
is secured to the upper member 110, and includes the materials M2, M3.
Notably, the ice-
contacting lower member 114 comprises a base 116 comprising the ice-contacting
surface 127 and including the material M3 and an anchor 118 that includes the
material
M2 and is affixed to the base 116 and the upper member 110. That is, in this
embodiment, the base 116 and the anchor 118 are distinct structures that are
affixed to
one another as opposed to being integrally formed with one another.
In this embodiment, the material M1 is a polymeric material such that the
upper member
110 is a polymeric upper member, while the materials M2, M3 are metallic
materials such
that the ice-contacting lower member 114 is a metallic ice-contacting lower
member.
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In this example, as shown in Figure 14, the material M1 is a composite
material
comprising a polymeric matrix 120 and fibers 1221-122F disposed in the
polymeric matrix
120 such that the polymeric upper member 110 is a composite upper member.
Thus, in
this example of implementation, the material M1 is a fiber-reinforced plastic
(FRP ¨ a.k.a.,
fiber-reinforced polymer).
The polymeric matrix 120 may include any suitable substance (e.g., resin). For
instance,
in some examples, the polymeric matrix 120 may include a thermoplastic or
thermosetting resin, such as epoxy, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic,
thermoplastic
polyurethane (TPU), polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or other polyaryletherketone
(PAEK),
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly(methyl
methacrylate)
(PMMA), polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon,
polyimide,
polysulfone, polyamide-imide, self-reinforcing polyphenylene, polyester, vinyl
ester, vinyl
ether, polyurethane, cyanate ester, phenolic resin, etc., a hybrid
thermosetting-
thermoplastic resin, or any other suitable resin. In this embodiment, the
polymeric matrix
120 includes an epoxy resin.
The fibers 1221-122F may be made of any suitable material. In this embodiment,
the
fibers 1221-122F are carbon fibers. The material M1 is thus a carbon-fiber-
reinforced
plastic in this example of implementation. Any other suitable type of fibers
may be used in
other embodiments (e.g., polymeric fibers such as aramid fibers (e.g., Kevlar
fibers),
boron fibers, silicon carbide fibers, metallic fibers, glass fibers, ceramic
fibers, etc.).
In this embodiment, the fibers 1221-122F are continuous such that they
constitute a
continuous fiber reinforcement of the material M1. For example, in this
embodiment, the
fibers 1221-122F may be provided as layers of continuous fibers (e.g. pre-preg
(i.e., pre-
impregnated) layers of fibers held together by an amount of matrix material,
which is
destined to provide a respective portion of the polymeric matrix 120 of the
material M1).
In this example, respective ones of the fibers 1221-122F are oriented
differently. For
example, in some embodiments, the fibers 1221-122F are arranged in layers
stacked
upon one another and may extend parallel or at an oblique angle to a
longitudinal axis of
the blade 52. For instance, given ones of the fibers 1221-122F in the layers
that are
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stacked may be oriented at 00, +/-45 and +/-900 in an alternating manner. The
fibers
1221-122F may be arranged in any other suitable way in other examples.
In this embodiment, the base 116 defines a front longitudinal end 124 and a
rear
longitudinal end 126 of the blade 52 such that a length of the base 116
corresponds to a
length LBD of the blade 52 measured from the front longitudinal end 124 to the
rear
longitudinal end 126. The base 116 has a curved shape defined by curved front
and rear
longitudinal end portions. The base 116 comprises a bottom edge 101 defining
the ice-
contacting surface 127 of the blade 52, a top edge 103 opposite the bottom
edge 101,
and lateral surfaces 1311, 1312 opposite to one another. As shown in Figure
11, in a
cross-section of the blade 52 normal to the ice-contacting surface 127, the
base 116 has
a height HB measured from the bottom edge 101 to the top edge 103. Moreover,
the base
116 has a width WB measured from the lateral surface 1311 to the lateral
surface 1312.
The anchor 118 is configured to anchor the metallic ice-contacting lower
member 114 to
the polymeric upper member 110. Moreover, in this example, the anchor 118 also
reinforces the polymeric upper member 110. In this embodiment, the anchor 118
has a
shape generally corresponding to a curved shape of the base 116 (e.g., a
curvature that
follows a curvature of the base 116). The anchor 118 comprises a bottom edge
105 for
facing the base 116 and a top edge 107 opposite the bottom edge 105 and for
facing the
polymeric upper member 110. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, in
this
embodiment, the anchor 118 comprises a plurality of recesses 1131-113R each of
which
extends from the bottom edge 105 towards the top edge 107. As will be
discussed in
more detail below, the recesses 1131-113R may aid in securing the metallic ice-
contacting
lower member 114 to the polymeric upper member 110. The anchor 118 thus
comprises
a plurality of non-recessed regions 1291-129N which are regions of the anchor
118 which
do not comprise a recess 113. As shown in Figure 11, in a cross-section of the
blade 52
normal to the ice-contacting surface 127 (in this case, taken at or near a
longitudinal
center of the blade 52), the anchor 118 has a height HA measured from the
bottom edge
105 to the top edge 107.
In this embodiment, the height HA of the anchor 118 is less than the height HB
of the base
116. For instance, in some cases, a ratio of the height HA of the anchor 118
over the
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height HB of the base 116 may be no more than 0.7, in some cases no more than
0.5, in
some cases no more than 0.3, in some cases no more than 0.1, and in some cases
even
less. Furthermore, in some cases, a ratio of the height HA of the anchor 118
over a height
HBD of the blade 52 measured in a cross-section of the blade 52 normal to the
ice-
contacting surface 127 may be no more than 0.5, in some cases no more than
0.4, in
some cases no more than 0.3, in some cases no more than 0.2, in some cases no
more
than 0.1, and in some cases even less.
In this embodiment, the height HA of the anchor 118 is less than the height HB
of the base
116 for a significant portion of a length LA of the anchor 118. More
specifically, the height
of the HA of the anchor 118 is less than the height HB of the base 116 for a
majority of the
length LA of the anchor 118. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the height HA of
the anchor
118 is less than the height HB of the base 116 for a majority of the length
LBD of the blade
52. Moreover, the height HA of the anchor 118 is substantially constant for at
least a
majority of the length LBD of the blade 52. For example, the height HA of the
anchor 118
may be substantially constant for an entirety of the length LBD of the blade
52.
In some embodiments, the height HA of the anchor 118 may be the same or
greater than
the height HB of the base 116. For instance, in some cases, a ratio of the
height HA of the
anchor 118 over the height HB of the base 116 may be at least 1, in some cases
at least
2, in some cases at least 3, and in some cases even more (e.g., 4).
The width WA of the anchor 118 may be relatively small. For instance, in some
cases, a
ratio of the width WA of the anchor 118 over the width WB of the base 116 may
be no
more than 0.9, in some cases no more than 0.7, in some cases no more than 0.5,
in
some cases no more than 0.3, in some cases no more than 0.2, in some cases no
more
than 0.1, and in some cases even less.
The length LA of the anchor 118 may be significant relative to the length LBD
of the blade
52. For instance, as shown in Figure 12, the anchor 118 extends for at least a
majority of
the length LBD of the blade 52 in the longitudinal direction of the blade 52.
For example,
the anchor 118 may extend for at least three-quarters or more (e.g., the
entirety) of the
length LBD of the blade 52 in the longitudinal direction of the blade 52.
Furthermore, the
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anchor 118 spans a majority of the top edge 103 of the base 116 in the
longitudinal
direction of the blade 52. For example, the anchor 118 may span at least three-
quarters
or more (e.g., an entirety) of the top edge 103 of the base 116 in the
longitudinal direction
of the blade 52.
In this embodiment, the metallic material M3 of the base 116 is different from
the metallic
material M2 of the anchor 118. More particularly, in this example of
implementation, the
metallic material M3 of the base 116 is a stainless steel and, more
specifically, a MoV
stainless steel (i.e., a stainless steel with a high molybdenum and vanadium
content),
while the metallic material M2 of the anchor 118 is another stainless steel
and, more
specifically, a 304 stainless steel.
The stainless steels M2, M3 thus have different properties, and this may help
to tailor
behavior or performance of different parts of the blade 52.
For example, in this embodiment, the stainless steel M3 of the base 116 has a
greater
molybdenum content than the stainless steel M2 of the anchor 118. In some
cases, the
molybdenum content of the stainless steel M2 may be substantially zero (i.e.,
there may
be substantially no molybdenum in that steel). Moreover, in this embodiment,
the
stainless steel M3 of the base 116 has a greater vanadium content than the
stainless
steel M2 of the anchor 118. In some cases, the vanadium content of the
stainless steel M2
may be substantially zero (i.e., there may be substantially no vanadium in
that steel).
However, in some cases, the vanadium content of the stainless steel M3 may be
substantially zero. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the stainless steel M3 of
the base
116 is martensitic while the stainless steel M2 of the anchor 118 is
austenitic. This may
allow the stainless steel M3 of the base 116, which is exposed (e.g., to the
ice 15,
impacts, etc.), to perform better than the stainless steel M2 of the anchor
118, which is
contained within the polymeric upper member 110. For example, the stainless
steel M3
may have a greater hardness (e.g., 55 HRC and over), wear resistance,
"sharpenability"
(i.e., may be more easily sharpened) and corrosion resistance than the
stainless steel M2.
In this embodiment, a corrosion resistance of the metallic material M3 of the
base 116
may be greater than a corrosion resistance of the metallic material M2 of the
anchor 118.
CA 2996761 2018-02-27
While in this embodiment the metallic material M2 of the anchor 118 is a
stainless steel, it
should be noted that the metallic material M2 of the anchor 118 may be another
metallic
material in other embodiments. For instance, in some embodiments, the metallic
material
M2 of the anchor 118 may be aluminum (e.g., 6061 aluminum) or another suitable
metallic material.
The metallic materials M2, M3 of the anchor 118 and the base 116 may have
other
properties that differ. For instance, in this embodiment, a density of the
metallic material
M3 of the base 116 is different from a density of the metallic material M2 of
the anchor
118. More specifically, the density of the metallic material M3 of the base
116 may be
greater than the density of the metallic material M2 of the anchor 118. For
instance, in
some cases, a ratio of the density of the metallic material M3 over the
density of the
metallic material M2 may be at least 1.1, in some cases at least 1.3, in some
cases at
least 1.5, in some cases at least 1.7, and in some cases even more.
In other embodiments, the density of the metallic material M2 of the anchor
118 may be
equal to or greater than the density of the metallic material M3 of the base
116.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, a strength of the metallic material M3 of the
base 116 is
different from a strength of the metallic material M2 of the anchor 118. For
example, the
strength of the metallic material M3 of the base 116 may be greater than the
strength of
the metallic material M2 of the anchor 118. For instance, in some cases, a
ratio of the
strength of the metallic material M3 over the strength of the metallic
material M2 may be at
least 1.2, in some cases at least 1.4, in some cases at least 1.6, in some
cases at least 2,
in some cases at least 3, in some cases at least 5, in some cases at least 10,
in some
cases at least 20, in some cases at least 50 and in some cases even more.
The anchor 118 is affixed to the base 116 after shaping of the base 116. This
may be
done in various ways. In this embodiment, the anchor 118 is welded to the base
116
(e.g., via laser welding) such that the metallic materials M2, M3 of the
anchor 118 and the
base 116 are fused to one another. This may provide a strong bond between the
anchor
118 and the base 116. To that end, the metallic materials M2, M3 of the anchor
118 and
the base 116 are chosen to be weldable with one another (i.e., the materials
M2, M3 can
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CA 2996761 2018-02-27
be welded to one another). For instance, in this example, the MoV stainless
steel of the
base 116 is welding compatible with the 304 stainless steel of the anchor 118.
With reference to Figure 11, the polymeric upper member 110 comprises a first
lateral
surface 151 and a second lateral surface 152 opposite the first lateral
surface 151. In this
embodiment, each of the first and second lateral surfaces 151, 152 comprises a
projection 155 that projects laterally outwardly relative to an adjacent
portion of a
respective one of the first and second lateral surfaces 151, 152. The
projection 155 acts
as a reinforcement to stiffen the polymeric upper member 110. In this example,
the
projection 155 extends in the longitudinal direction of the blade 52 for at
least a majority
of the length LBD of the blade 52. In this case, the projection 155 extends in
the
longitudinal direction of the blade 52 for at least three-quarters or more of
the length LBD
of the blade 52.
In this example, each of the lateral surfaces 151, 152 of the polymeric upper
member 110
is substantially flush with a respective one of the lateral surfaces 1311,
1312 of the base
116 of the metallic ice-contacting lower member 114 below the projection 155
of that
lateral surface of the polymeric upper member 110. This may facilitate
sharpening of the
blade 52 in a sharpening machine.
In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 31, the projection 155 on a given one
(or both)
of the first and second lateral surfaces 151, 152 may comprise an insert 157
disposed
therein. The insert 157 comprises a material 159 that is different from the
material Mi of
the polymeric upper member 110. More particularly, the material 159 has
density that is
less than a density of the material M1. For instance, in one example of
implementation,
the material 159 may comprise foam.
In this example, as shown in Figure 11, in a cross-section of the blade 52
normal to the
ice-contacting surface 127, the anchor 118 does not extend above the
projection 155 in a
heightwise direction of the blade 52. More particularly, in this example, in a
cross-section
of the blade 52 normal to the ice-contacting surface 127, the anchor 118
extends to the
projection 155 in the heightwise direction of the blade 52, without extending
above the
projection 155.
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CA 2996761 2018-02-27
In this embodiment, the polymeric upper member 110 comprises a plurality of
connectors
1851, 1852 to connect the blade 52 to the blade holder 28. The connectors
1851, 1852 are
spaced apart from the metallic ice-contacting lower member 114. There is no
metallic
material in the connectors 1851, 1852, i.e., the connectors 1851, 1852 are
free of metallic
material, and are made of the polymeric material M1 of the polymeric upper
member 110.
This may help to reduce the weight of the blade 52, improve its flexing
characteristics
(i.e., the blade 52 may be more flexible), and/or facilitate manufacturing of
the blade 52.
More particularly, the connectors 1851, 1852 extend upwardly from a top
surface of the
blade 52. In this embodiment, the connectors 1851, 1852 are configured to
connect the
blade 52 to the blade holder 28 fastenerlessly, i.e., without any fastener
(e.g., screw, bolt,
rivet, etc.) engaging the connectors 1851, 1852. In this example, the
connectors 1851,
1852 comprise hooks 531, 532 that project upwardly from a top edge 187 of the
polymeric
upper member 110, with the hook 531 being a front hook and the hook 532 being
a rear
hook. The blade-detachment mechanism 55 includes an actuator 115 and a biasing
element 117 which biases the actuator 115 in a direction towards the front
portion 66 of
the blade holder 28. To attach the blade 52 to the blade holder 28, the front
hook 531 is
first positioned within a hollow space 119 (e.g., a recess or hole) of the
blade holder 28.
The rear hook 532 can then be pushed upwardly into a hollow space 121 (e.g., a
recess
or hole) of the blade holder 28, thereby causing the biasing element 117 to
bend and the
actuator 115 to move in a rearward direction. The rear hook 532 will
eventually reach a
position which will allow the biasing element 117 to force the actuator 115
towards the
front portion 66 of the blade holder 28, thereby locking the blade 52 in
place. The blade
52 can then be removed by pushing against a finger-actuating surface 123 of
the actuator
115 to release the rear hook 532 from the hollow space 121 of the blade holder
28.
Further information on examples of implementation of the blade-detachment
mechanism
55 in some embodiments may be obtained from U.S. Patent 8,454,030 hereby
incorporated by reference herein. The blade-detachment mechanism 55 may be
configured in any other suitable way in other embodiments.
The polymeric upper member 110 may be secured to the metallic ice-contacting
lower
member 114 in various ways. For instance, in some embodiments, the polymeric
upper
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CA 2996761 2018-02-27
member 110 may be bonded by adhesion to the metallic ice-contacting lower
member
114. For example, in some embodiments, the adhesion may be chemical adhesion
of the
polymeric upper member 110 to the metallic ice-contacting lower member 114.
Notably,
in some embodiments, a resin constituting the polymeric matrix 120 of the
material M1 of
the polymeric upper member 110 may bond to the metallic ice-contacting lower
member
114 (i.e., the resin could act as an adhesive without the addition of an
actual adhesive).
Furthermore, in some embodiments, the base 116 and the anchor 118 may be
surface
treated to improve chemical bonding between the polymeric upper member 110 and
the
metallic ice-contacting lower member 114 (i.e., the base 116 and the anchor
118).
Alternatively or additionally, as shown in Figure 15, the adhesion may
comprise an
adhesive 109 disposed between the polymeric upper member 110 and the metallic
ice-
contacting lower member 114. The adhesive 109 may be an epoxy-based adhesive,
a
polyurethane-based adhesive, an acrylic-based adhesive, cyanoacrylate, silane-
modified
polymers, methacrylate or any suitable adhesive.
In this embodiment, the polymeric upper member 110 is overmolded onto the
metallic ice-
contacting lower member 114. That is, the material M1 of the polymeric upper
member
110 is overmolded onto the materials M2, M3 of the anchor 118 and the base 116
of the
metallic ice-contacting lower member 114. Overmolding of the material M1 onto
the
materials M2, M3 retains together the material M1 to the materials M2, M3 at
an interface
111 between the polymeric upper member 110 and the metallic ice-contacting
lower
member 114. That is, as the material M1 cures after being overmolded onto the
materials
M2, M3, respective surfaces of the polymeric upper member 110 and the metallic
ice-
contacting lower member 114, which constitute the interface 111, are retained
together.
More particularly, in this embodiment, the polymeric upper member 110 is
mechanically
interlocked with the metallic ice-contacting lower member 114. That is, the
material M1 of
the polymeric upper member 110 and the materials M2, M3 of the metallic ice-
contacting
lower member 114 are in a mechanical interlock relationship in which they are
interconnected via an interlocking part of the blade 52 made of a given one of
(i) the
material M1 of the polymeric upper member 110 and (ii) the materials M2, M3 of
the
metallic ice-contacting lower member 114 extending into an interlocking space
(e.g., one
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CA 2996761 2018-02-27
or more holes, one or more recesses, and/or one or more other hollow areas) of
the
blade 52 made of the other one of (i) the material M1 of the polymeric upper
member 110
and (ii) the materials M2, M3 of the metallic ice-contacting lower member 114.
In this example, a portion of the material M1 of the polymeric upper member
110
constitutes an interlocking part that extends into, in this case, through, a
plurality of
openings 1251-125N of the metallic ice-contacting lower member 114 that are
formed by
the recesses 1131-113R of the anchor 118 and the top edge 103 of the base 116
and that
constitute an interlocking space. For example, in some embodiments, respective
portions
of the polymeric upper member 110 comprising portions of pre-impregnated
composite
material are passed through the openings 1251-125N. This mechanical interlock
of the
polymeric upper member 110 to the metallic ice-contacting lower member 114 may
further reinforce retention between the polymeric upper member 110 and the
metallic ice-
contacting lower member 114.
In some embodiments, alternatively or additionally to forming the openings
1251-125N
with the base 116, the anchor 118 may include one or more openings (e.g.,
holes) that
can receive the material M1 of the polymeric upper member 110 to mechanically
interlock
the polymeric upper member 110 and the metallic ice-contacting lower member
114.
Moreover, in some embodiments, instead of or in addition to being mechanically
interlocked with the metallic ice-contacting lower member 114, the polymeric
upper
member 110 may also be bonded by adhesion to the metallic ice-contacting lower
member 114, such as by applying the adhesive 109 at the interface 111 between
the
polymeric upper member 110 and the ice-contacting lower member 114. This may
help
distribute stress at the interface 111 between the polymeric upper member 110
and the
ice-contacting lower member 114 (i.e., reduce punctual stresses at particular
locations of
the interface 111).
The ice skate 10, including the blade 52, may be implemented in any other
suitable way
in other embodiments.
CA 2996761 2018-02-27
For example, in some embodiments, instead of or in addition to being welded to
the base
116, the anchor 118 may be fastened to the base 116. For example, as shown in
Figure
17, the anchor 118 may be fastened to the base 116 via one or more fasteners
195. For
instance, each of the one or more fasteners 195 may engage an opening in the
base 116
and a corresponding opening in the anchor 118. The opening of the anchor 118
may be
threaded to securely engage a corresponding one of the fasteners 195. Each
fastener
195 may be a rivet, a screw, a bolt, or any other suitable mechanical
fastener.
Furthermore, in some embodiments, as shown in Figure 26, the anchor 118 and
the base
116 may be integral with one another such that the anchor 118 and the base 116
form a
one-piece unitary structure (i.e., the metallic ice-contacting lower member
114 is a one-
piece structure). In such embodiments, the anchor 118 and the base 116 are not
welded
or otherwise fastened to one another but rather are formed of a same
continuous
material. Thus, in one example of implementation, the anchor 118 and the base
116 may
be formed from a common sheet of material. In order to form the anchor 118
such that
the width WA of the anchor 118 is smaller than the width Wg of the base 116,
the common
sheet of material may be selectively compressed or machined in order to reduce
a
thickness of the sheet at a selected region corresponding to the anchor 118.
Moreover,
the openings 1251-125N may be cut-outs (i.e., holes) formed in the unitary
structure
constituting the metallic ice-contacting lower member 114.
As another example, in some embodiments, as shown in Figure 18, the composite
material Mi may comprise chopped fibers. That is, rather than comprising the
continuous
fibers 1221-122F, the material M1 of the polymeric upper member 110 may
comprise
chopped fibers 1321-132F interspersed within it (i.e., within the polymeric
matrix 120).
This may provide reinforcement to the material M1.
As yet another example, in some embodiments, the polymeric material M1 of the
polymeric upper member 110 may be a non-composite polymeric material (i.e.,
not a
composite material). In other words, the polymeric material M1 may not have
any fibers or
other reinforcement. For example, as shown in Figure 19, the polymeric
material M1 may
simply comprise only a polymer without any fibers interspersed within it.
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CA 2996761 2018-02-27
In accordance with a variant, the polymeric upper member 110 may be molded
separately from the metallic ice-contacting lower member 114 and joined to the
ice-
contacting lower member 114 afterward. For example, this may be achieved by
applying
an adhesive at the interface 111 between the polymeric upper member 110 and
the
metallic ice-contacting lower member 114, or by welding and/or mechanically
fastening
the polymeric upper member 110 to the metallic ice-contacting lower member
114.
In another example of a variant, as shown in Figure 27, the base 116 may
comprise two
layers 1171, 1172 between which the anchor 118 is disposed (i.e., the anchor
118 is
sandwiched between the layers 1171, 1172 of the base 116). Moreover, in this
example of
implementation, the height HA of the anchor 118 is greater than the height HB
of the base
116 and, since in this example the bottom edge 105 of the anchor 118 is flush
with the
bottom edge 101 of the base 116, the anchor 118 protrudes from the base 116 in
the
heightwise direction of the blade 52 (i.e., the top edge 107 of the anchor 118
is higher, in
the heightwise direction of the blade 52, than the top edge 103 of the base
116). The
layers 1171, 1172 of the base 116 may be connected to the anchor 118 by
welding,
mechanical attachment (e.g., fasteners or rivets) and/or via an adhesive.
In another example of a variant, as shown in Figure 28, the anchor 118 may
comprise
outer layers 1191, 1192 and an inner layer 121 disposed between the outer
layers 1191,
1192 (i.e., the inne layer 121 is sandwiched between the outer layers 1191,
1192). The
inner layer 121 may comprise a material 123 that has a density that is smaller
than the
density of the metallic material M2 of the outer layers 1191, 1192 of the
anchor 118. For
instance, in this example of implementation, the material 123 may be a foam.
In another
example, the inner layer 121 may not comprise a material at all, but may be an
empty
space containing air. In other words, the anchor 118 may comprise a hollow
structure.
This may help reduce the weight of the blade 52.
In another example of a variant, as shown in Figure 29, the polymeric upper
member 110
may be disposed, in a widthwise direction of the blade 52, between a first
external layer
1251 and a second external layer 1252 (i.e., the polymeric upper member 110
may be
sandwiched, laterally, between the external layers 1251, 1252). Each of the
first and
second external layers 1251, 1252 comprises a non-polymeric material 127. In
this
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CA 2996761 2018-02-27
example of implementation, the non-polymeric material 127 is a metallic
material (e.g.,
stainless steel). The first and second external layers 1251, 1252 may be
relatively thin. For
instance, each external layer 125, has a width WE that is significantly less
than the width
WB of the base 116. For example, in some cases, a ratio WE/WB of the width WE
of the
external layer 1251 over the width WB of the base 116 may be no more than 0.3,
in some
cases no more than 0.2, in some cases no more than 0.1 and in some cases even
less.
In such a variant, the metallic material of the blade 52 thus spans the entire
height HBD of
the blade 52. This may help stiffen the blade 52 and, in this example, the
projection 155
of the lateral surfaces 151, 152 of the polymeric upper member 110 may thus
not be
included. However, in other examples, the projection 155 may still be
implemented with
the first and second external layers 1251, 1252.
In another example of a variant, as shown in Figure 30, the polymeric upper
member 110
and the base 116 may be disposed, in the widthwise direction of the blade 52,
between
first and second external layers 1291 ,1292. Each of the first and second
external layers
1291, 1292 comprises a non-polymeric material 131. In this example of
implementation,
the non-polymeric material 131 is a metallic material (e.g., stainless steel).
The first and
second external layers 1291, 1292 may be relatively thin. For instance, each
external layer
129, has a width WF that is significantly less than the width WB of the base
116. For
example, in some cases, a ratio WF/WB of the width WF of the external layer
129 over the
width WB of the base 116 may be no more than 0.3, in some cases no more than
0.2, in
some cases no more than 0.1 and in some cases even less. The inclusion of the
first and
second external layers 1291, 1292 may help stiffen the blade 52 while offering
a
homogeneous appearance to the blade 52 (i.e., no visible discontinuity between
the
polymeric upper member 110 and the metallic ice-contacting lower member 114).
In an example of a variant, as shown in Figures 32 and 33, the anchor 118 may
extend
along at least a majority (i.e., a majority or an entirety) of a height Hp of
the polymeric
upper member 110. For instance, in some cases, a ratio HA/Hp of the height HA
of the
anchor 118 over the height Hp of the polymeric upper member 110 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
and in some
cases even more. In this example of implementation, the height HA of the
anchor 118
corresponds to the height Hp of the polymeric upper member 110. Moreover, in
this
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CA 2996761 2018-02-27
example, the top edge 107 of the anchor 118 corresponds to the top edge 187 of
the
polymeric upper member 110 such that the anchor 118 and the polymeric upper
member
110 are co-extensive in the heightwise direction of the blade 52. This
significant height of
the anchor 118 may further stiffen the blade 52. As such, in this variant, the
width WA of
the anchor 118 may be made particularly small. For example, in some cases, a
ratio
WA/VVB of the width WA of the anchor 118 over the width Wg of the base 116 may
be no
more than 0.3, in some cases no more than 0.2, in some cases no more than 0.1
and in
some cases even less.
In other examples of the variant of Figures 32 and 33, the anchor 118 may
comprise a
plurality of anchor elements 1351-135N, each extending along at least a
majority (i.e., a
majority or an entirety) of the height Hp of the polymeric upper member 110.
For example,
as shown in Figure 34, the plurality of anchor elements 1351-135N may include
two such
anchor elements, or as shown in Figure 35, the plurality of anchor elements
1351-135N
may include three or more such anchor elements. In such variants, the anchor
elements
1351-135N are spaced apart from one another in the widthwise direction of the
blade 52
and the material M1 of the polymeric upper member 110 fills the space between
the
anchor elements 1351-135N. However, in another variant, as shown in Figure 36,
rather
than the material M1 of the polymeric upper member 110 filling the space
between the
anchor elements 1351-135N, a material 137 different from the material M1 of
the polymeric
upper member 110 fills the space between the anchor elements 1351-135N. For
example,
the material 137 may have a density that is less than the density of the
material M1 of the
polymeric upper member 110. More specifically, in this example of
implementation, the
material 137 comprises foam. This may allow stiffening the blade 52 due to the
significant
height of the anchor 118 while also limiting its added weight via the smaller
density of the
material 137.
In another example of the variant of Figures 32 and 33, as shown in Figure 37,
given
ones of the anchor elements 1351-135N may constitute exterior layers 1351,
135i that
enclose, in the widthwise direction of the blade 52, the material M1 of the
polymeric upper
member 110. For example, the exterior layers 135, 135i may be formed such as
to
conform to a shape of the polymeric upper member 110 (e.g., including the
projections
155).
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CA 2996761 2018-02-27
In another example of the variant of Figures 32 and 33, as shown in Figure 38,
the
anchor 118 may extend along at least the majority (i.e., the majority or the
entirety) of the
height Hp of the polymeric upper member 110 while the projection 155 on a
given one (or
both) of the first and second lateral surfaces 151, 152 comprises the insert
157.
Furthermore, in another example of the variant of Figures 32 and 33, as shown
in Figure
38, the anchor 118 may extend along at least the majority (i.e., the majority
or the
entirety) of the height Hp of the polymeric upper member 110
In yet another variant, the connectors 1851, 1852 which connect the blade 52
to the blade
holder 28 may not be part of the polymeric upper member 110. In other words,
the
connectors 1851, 1852 may not comprise the material M1 of the polymeric upper
member
110. For instance, as shown in Figure 39, the connectors 1851, 1852 may
instead be
integrally built with the anchor 118 (i.e., the connectors 1851, 1852 and the
anchor 118
constitute a unitary structure) and/or fastened to the anchor 118 in any
suitable manner
(e.g., via welding). In this example, the connectors 1851, 1852 comprise a
metallic
material such as the material M2 of the anchor 118 or another metallic
material (e.g.,
another stainless steel).
As another example, in other embodiments, as shown in Figures 40 to 45, each
connector 185, which connects the blade 52 to the blade holder 28 may comprise
a
connecting portion 60 of the metallic ice-contacting lower member 114 and a
connecting
portion 63 of the polymeric upper member 110. Thus, in this embodiment, the
connector
185, comprises part of the polymeric material M1 of the polymeric upper member
110 and
part of at least one of the metallic material M2 of the anchor 118 and the
metallic material
M3 of the base 116. This may help to reinforce the connectors 1851, 1852. In
that sense,
the connecting portion 60 of the connector 185, that is metallic may be
referred to as a
"reinforcement" or "reinforcing portion".
In this embodiment, the connecting portion 60 of the connector 185õ is part of
the anchor
118, and therefore comprises part of the metallic material M2 of the anchor
118. The
connecting portion 60 of the connector 185, projects upwardly from the top
edge 107 of
CA 2996761 2018-02-27
the anchor 118 towards the connecting portion 63 of the connector 185x, which
comprises
part of the polymeric material M1 of the polymeric upper member 110. In this
case, the
connecting portion 60 of the connector 185x extends to the hook 53x of that
connector.
More particularly, in this embodiment, the connecting portion 60 of the
connector 185x
extends within the connecting portion 63 of the connector 185x. The metallic
material M2
of the connecting portion 60 of the connector 185x thus extends within the
polymeric
material M1 of the connecting portion 63 of the connector 185x. In this
example, the
metallic material M2 of the connecting portion 60 of the connector 185x is
enclosed in the
polymeric material M1 of the connecting portion 63 of the connector 185x. The
connecting
portion 60 of the connector 185x is therefore unexposed outside of the
polymeric material
M1 of the connecting portion 63 of the connector 185x. In other examples, the
metallic
material M2 of the connecting portion 60 of the connector 185x may be at least
partially
uncovered by and exposed outside of the polymeric material M1 of the
connecting portion
63 of the connector 185.
The connecting portion 60 of the connector 185x may have any suitable shape.
In this
embodiment, the connecting portion 60 of the connector 185x tapers in the
heightwise
direction of the blade 52 towards a top of the connector 185x. More
particularly, in this
embodiment, a dimension Lc of the connecting portion 60 of the connector 185x
in the
longitudinal direction of the blade 52 decreases in the heightwise direction
of the blade 52
towards the top of the connector 185x. In this example, the connecting portion
60 of the
connector 185x has a generally triangular shape. Various other shapes may be
used in
other embodiments.
In this embodiment, the connecting portion 60 of the connector 185x comprises
a void 90
to reduce its weight. More particularly, in this embodiment, the void 90 is an
opening
extending through the connecting portion 60 of the connector 185x and
receiving part of
the polymeric material M1 of the polymeric upper member 110, which is thus
interlocked
with the connecting portion 60 of the connector 185x. The void 90 may be any
other hole,
recess, or other hollow space (e.g., which does not necessarily extend through
the
connecting portion 60 of the connector 185x) in other embodiments.
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CA 2996761 2018-02-27
The connecting portion 60 of the connector 185õ may be connected to a
remainder of the
anchor 118 in any suitable way. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 60
of the
connector 185õ is integrally formed with the remainder of the anchor 118 as a
one-piece
structure. That is, the connecting portion 60 of the connector 185õ is formed
while the
anchor 118 is shaped. For example, in some embodiments, the anchor 118,
including the
connecting portion 60 of the connector 185,, may be stamped, machined, cast,
or formed
in any suitable way. In other embodiments, the connecting portion 60 of the
connector
185, may be fastened to the remainder of the anchor 118, such as by welding,
one or
more mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws, rivets, etc.), or any other suitable
fastening
technique.
In this embodiment, the polymeric material M1 of the polymeric upper member
110 may
be a non-composite polymeric material that includes only a polymer without any
fibers
interspersed within it, such as discussed above in respect of Figure 19, or
may comprise
chopped fibers 1321-132F interspersed within its polymeric matrix 120, such as
discussed
above in respect of Figure 18. This may be facilitated by presence of the
connecting
portion 60 of each of the connectors 1851, 1852 that reinforces the blade 52.
In this example, a width Wp of the projection 155 of each of the lateral
surfaces 151, 152
of the polymeric upper member 110, which is taken in the heightwise direction
of the
blade 52, varies in the longitudinal direction of the blade 52. More
particularly, in this
example, the projection 155 of each of the lateral surfaces 151, 152 of the
polymeric
upper member 110 is enlarged adjacent to the front longitudinal end 124 of the
blade 52
such that its width Wp is greater in a front region 92 of the blade 52 than in
a central
region 94 of the blade 52 that is between the front region 92 of the blade 52
and a rear
region 96 of the blade 52. This may help to further reinforce the blade 52 in
its front
region 92 where the user may apply greater force during a push-off phase of a
skating
motion.
For instance, in some embodiments, a ratio of the width Wp of the projection
155 of each
of the lateral surfaces 151, 152 of the polymeric upper member 110 in the
front region 92
of the blade 52 over the width Wp of the projection 155 of that lateral
surface of the
polymeric upper member 110 in the central region 94 of the blade 52 may be at
least 1.3,
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in some cases at least 1.5, in some cases at least 2, and in some cases even
more (e.g.,
2.5 or more).
In this embodiment, the width Wp of the projection 155 of each of the lateral
surfaces 151,
152 of the polymeric upper member 110 remains substantially constant between
the
central region 94 of the blade 52 and the rear region 96 of the blade 52.
Thus, in this
embodiment, the projection 155 of each of the lateral surfaces 151, 152 of the
polymeric
upper member 110 is enlarged in the front region 92 of the blade 52 but not in
the rear
region 96 of the blade 52. This may help to reduce weight.
The blade 52 may include any number of different materials in other
embodiments,
including more than three (e.g., four or five) different materials.
Furthermore, in other embodiments, the ice-contacting lower member 114 may
include
other types of metallic material (e.g. tungsten carbide or titanium), and/or
may include
one or more materials that are non-metallic, such as ceramic material (e.g.
aluminum
titanate, aluminum zirconate, sialon, silicon nitride, silicon carbide,
zirconia and partially
stabilized zirconia or a combination of two or more of these materials). For
example, in
some embodiments, the anchor 118 may comprise a non-metallic material. For
instance,
the anchor 118 may comprise foam (e.g., structural foam).
In other embodiments, the blade holder 28 may retain the blade 52 in any other
suitable
way. For instance, instead of being selectively detachable and removable from
and
attachable to the blade holder 28, in other embodiments, the blade 52 may be
permanently affixed to the blade holder 28 (i.e., not intended to be detached
and
removed from the blade holder 28). As an example, in some embodiments, as
shown in
Figures 20 and 21, the blade holder 28 may retain the blade 52 using an
adhesive 172
and/or one or more fasteners 175. For instance, in some embodiments, as shown
in
Figure 20, the recess 76 of the blade holder 28 may receive the upper part of
the blade
52 that is retained by the adhesive 172. The adhesive 172 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
Figure 21, the
recess 76 of the blade holder 28 may receive the upper part of the blade 52
that is
28
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retained by the one or more fasteners 175. Each fastener 175 may be a rivet, a
screw, a
bolt, or any other suitable mechanical fastener. Alternatively or
additionally, in some
embodiments, as shown in Figure 22, the blade-retention portion 75 of the
blade holder
28 may extend into a recess 181 of the upper part of the blade 52 to retain
the blade 52
using the adhesive 172 and/or the one or more fasteners 175. For instance, in
some
cases, the blade-retention portion 75 of the blade holder 28 may comprise a
projection
188 extending into the recess 181 of the blade 52. As another example, in some
embodiments, as shown in Figure 23, the blade 52 and the blade-retaining base
80 of the
blade holder 28 may be mechanically interlocked via an interlocking portion
191 of one of
the blade-retaining base 80 and the blade 52 that extends into an interlocking
void 193 of
the other one of the blade-retaining base 80 and the blade 52. For instance,
in some
cases, the blade 52 can be positioned in a mold used for molding the blade
holder 28
such that, during molding, the interlocking portion 191 of the blade-retaining
base 80
flows into the interlocking void 193 of the blade 52 (i.e., the blade holder
28 is overmolded
onto the blade 52).
In some embodiments, any feature of any embodiment described herein may be
used in
combination with any feature of any other embodiment described herein.
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.
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.
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