Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
PROTECTOR FOR PROTECTING A SKATE AND A USER'S FOOT
FIELD
This disclosure relates generally to skates (e.g., ice skates), such as for
playing hockey,
and, more particularly, to protection of skates and users' feet.
BACKGROUND
Skates are used by users in various sports such as ice hockey, roller hockey,
etc., in
which they may be impacted, such as by pucks or balls (e.g., during shots,
passes, etc.),
hockey sticks (e.g., during slashing), etc.
Although skates are typically made of strong materials, there are risks of
pain or injury
when they are impacted forcefully, such as by pucks at high speeds during
powerful
shots.
Protectors mountable over skates have thus been developed to provide
additional impact
protection. While they are useful, these protectors present certain drawbacks,
such as
making it harder or complicated to use the skates, hiding or otherwise
detrimentally
affecting how the skates look, fitting inadequately over the skates, etc.
For these and/or other reasons, there is a need for improvements directed to
impact
protection for skates and users' feet.
SUMMARY
In accordance with various aspects, this disclosure relates to a protector for
protecting a
skate (e.g., an ice skate) and a foot of a user (e.g., a hockey player)
against impacts, such
as from pucks (e.g., during shots, which can be powerful), to reduce risks of
pain or injury
from such impacts, in which the protector is fastenable to the skate, is
configured to cover at
least part of a skate boot of the skate, and may be designed to facilitate its
use, including by
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facilitating the user donning (i.e., putting on) and doffing (i.e., removing)
the skate (e.g.,
while the protector is fastened to the skate boot), and/or to look like the
skate boot (e.g., so
as to be relatively unnoticeable such that it can seem as if it is not there).
For example, in accordance with an aspect, this disclosure relates to a
protector for
protecting a skate and a foot of a user against impacts. The skate comprises a
skate boot
defining a cavity configured to receive the user's foot. The skate comprises a
skating
device disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface. The
protector
comprises: a cover configured to cover at least part of the skate boot and
provide impact
protection; and a fastening system configured to fasten the protector to the
skate. The
protector allows the user to don and doff the skate while the fastening system
fastens the
protector to the skate.
In accordance with another aspect, this disclosure relates to a protector for
protecting a
skate and a foot of a user against impacts. The skate comprises a skate boot
defining a
cavity configured to receive the user's foot. The skate boot comprises a
medial side
portion configured to face a medial side of the user's foot, a lateral side
portion configured
to face a lateral side of the user's foot, an ankle portion configured to
receive an ankle of
the user, a heel portion configured to receive a heel of the user's foot, a
sole portion
configured to face a plantar surface of the user's foot, and a toe portion
configured to
receive toes of the user's foot, the skate comprising a skating device
disposed beneath
the skate boot to engage a skating surface. The protector comprises: a cover
configured
to cover at least part of the skate boot and provide impact protection, the
cover
comprising a medial wall configured to cover at least part of the medial side
portion of the
skate boot, a lateral wall configured to cover at least part of the lateral
side portion of the
skate boot, and a heel wall configured to cover at least part of the heel
portion of the
skate boot; and a fastening system configured to fasten the protector to the
skate.
In accordance with another aspect, this disclosure relates to a protector for
protecting a
skate and a foot of a user against impacts. The skate comprises a skate boot
defining a
cavity configured to receive the user's foot. The skate boot comprises an
instep portion
configured to face an instep of the user's foot. The skate comprises a skating
device
disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface. The protector
comprises:
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a cover configured to cover at least part of the skate boot, leave the instep
portion of the
skate boot exposed, and provide impact protection; and a fastening system
configured to
fasten the protector to the skate.
In accordance with another aspect, this disclosure relates to a protector for
protecting a
skate and a foot of a user against impacts. The skate comprises a skate boot
defining a
cavity configured to receive the user's foot. The skate boot comprises an
instep portion
configured to face an instep of the user's foot. The skate comprises a skating
device
disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface. The protector
comprises: a
cover configured to cover at least part of the skate boot, define an opening
over the
instep portion of the skate boot, and provide impact protection; and a
fastening system
configured to fasten the protector to the skate.
In accordance with another aspect, this disclosure relates to a protector for
protecting a
skate and a foot of a user against impacts. The skate comprises a skate boot
defining a
cavity configured to receive the user's foot. The skate boot comprises a
medial side
portion configured to face a medial side of the user's foot, a lateral side
portion configured
to face a lateral side of the user's foot, and a tongue extending between the
medial side
portion and the lateral side portion of the skate boot and configured to face
an instep of
the user's foot. The skate comprises a skating device disposed beneath the
skate boot to
engage a skating surface. The protector comprises: a cover configured to cover
at least
part of the skate boot, leave the tongue exposed where the tongue faces the
instep of the
user's foot, and provide impact protection; and a fastening system configured
to fasten
the protector to the skate.
In accordance with another aspect, this disclosure relates to a protector for
protecting a
skate and a foot of a user against impacts. The skate comprises a skate boot
defining a
cavity configured to receive the user's foot. The skate boot comprises a
medial side
portion configured to face a medial side of the user's foot, a lateral side
portion configured
to face a lateral side of the user's foot, and a tongue extending between the
medial side
portion and the lateral side portion of the skate boot and configured to face
an instep of
the user's foot. The skate comprises a skating device disposed beneath the
skate boot to
engage a skating surface. The protector comprises: a cover configured to cover
at least
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part of the skate boot, provide impact protection, and define an opening over
the tongue;
and a fastening system configured to fasten the protector to the skate.
In accordance with another aspect, this disclosure relates to a protector for
protecting a
skate and a foot of a user against impacts. The skate comprises a skate boot
defining a
cavity configured to receive the user's foot. The skate comprises a skating
device
disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface. The protector
comprises: a
cover configured to cover at least part of the skate boot without extending
over a top
surface of the user's foot and to provide impact protection; and a fastening
system
configured to fasten the protector to the skate.
In accordance with another aspect, this disclosure relates to a protector for
protecting a
skate and a foot of a user against impacts. The skate comprises a skate boot
defining a
cavity configured to receive the user's foot. The skate boot comprises a lace
for
tightening the skate boot about the user's foot. The skate comprises a skating
device
disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface. The protector
comprises: a
cover configured to cover at least part of the skate boot and provide impact
protection;
and a fastening system configured to fasten the protector to the skate, the
fastening
system comprising a lacing opening configured to receive the lace.
In accordance with another aspect, this disclosure relates to a protector for
protecting a
skate and a foot of a user against impacts. The skate comprises a skate boot
defining a
cavity configured to receive the user's foot. The skate comprises a skating
device
disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface. The protector
comprises:
a cover configured to cover at least part of the skate boot and provide impact
protection,
the cover comprising a plurality of layers that include a plurality of
materials different from
one another; and a fastening system configured to fasten the protector to the
skate.
In accordance with another aspect, this disclosure relates to a protector for
protecting a
skate and a foot of a user against impacts. The skate comprises a skate boot
defining a
cavity configured to receive the user's foot. The skate comprises a skating
device
disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface. The protector
comprises: a
cover configured to cover at least part of the skate boot, shaped during
original
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manufacturing to conform to an external surface of the skate boot, and
configured to
provide impact protection; and a fastening system configured to fasten the
protector to
the skate.
In accordance with another aspect, this disclosure relates to a protector for
protecting a
skate and a foot of a user against impacts. The skate comprises a skate boot
defining a
cavity configured to receive the user's foot. The skate comprises a skating
device
disposed beneath the skate boot to engage a skating surface. The protector
comprises: a
cover configured to cover at least part of the skate boot and provide impact
protection, an
appearance of an outer side of the cover being configured to emulate an
appearance of
an exterior of the skate boot; and a fastening system configured to fasten the
protector to
the skate.
These and other aspects of this disclosure will now become apparent to those
of ordinary
skill in the art upon review of a description of embodiments in conjunction
with drawings
annexed hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
A detailed description of embodiments is provided below, by way of example
only, with
reference to drawings annexed hereto, in which:
Figure 1 is an example of an embodiment of a skate for a user;
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the skate;
Figures 3 to 5 are perspective views of a body of a skate boot of the skate;
Figures 6 and 7 show different views of a toe cap of the skate boot;
Figure 8 shows a facing of the skate boot;
Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the facing taken along line 9-9 of
Figure 8;
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Figure 10 is a perspective view of a tongue of the skate boot;
Figure 11 is a lateral side view of the skate and a protector according to an
embodiment of
the disclosure;
Figure 12 is a medial side view of the skate and protector;
Figure 13 is a bottom view of the skate and protector;
Figure 14 is a flat view of the protector;
Figures 15 to 18 are lateral side, medial side, top and back side views of the
protector;
Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the protector at a plantar fastener of
the protector;
Figures 20 and 21 show operational modes of the plantar fastener of the
protector;
Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of the protector with a variant of the
plantar fastener;
Figures 23A to 230 are lateral side views of variants of the protector and the
skate;
Figure 24 is a side view of a blade of a skating device of the skate;
Figures 25 to 27 show views of a blade holder of the skate;
Figures 28 to 31 show different examples of embodiments in which the blade is
affixed to
the blade holder of the skating device of the skate;
Figure 32 is a cross-sectional view of the blade holder in an embodiment in
which the blade
holder comprises a blade-detachment mechanism;
Figures 33 to 36 show the skate and/or the protector according to a variant of
the protector;
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Figures 37 to 42 show the skate and/or the protector according to further
variants; and
Figures 43 and 44 are side and front views of a right foot of the user with an
integument of
the foot shown in dotted lines and bones shown in solid lines.
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
limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows an example of an embodiment of a skate 10 for a user to skate
on a skating
surface 12. In this embodiment, the skate 10 is a hockey skate for the user
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.
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.
As shown in Figures 11 to 13, in this embodiment, as further discussed below,
the skate 10
comprises a protector 16 for protecting the skate 10 and the user's foot 11
against impacts,
notably from pucks (e.g., during shots, which can be powerful), to reduce
risks of pain or
injury from such impacts. In that sense, the protector 16 may sometimes be
referred to as a
"foot protector" or "skate protector". The protector 16 may be designed to
facilitate its use,
including by facilitating the user donning (i.e., putting on) and doffing
(i.e., removing) the
skate 10 (e.g., while the protector 10 is fastened to the skate boot 22),
and/or to look like the
skate boot 22 (e.g., so as to be relatively unnoticeable such that it can seem
as if it is not
there).
The skate boot 22 defines a cavity 54 for receiving the player's foot 11. With
additional
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reference to Figures 43 and 44, the player's foot 11 comprises toes T, a ball
B, an arch
ARC, a plantar surface PS, a top surface TS including an instep IN, a medial
side MS, a
lateral side LS, and a heel HL. 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 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.
More particularly, the skate boot 22 comprises a heel portion 21 configured to
face the heel
HL of the player's foot, an ankle portion 23 configured to face the ankle A of
the player, a
medial side portion 25 configured to face the medial side MS of the player's
foot, a lateral
side portion 27 configured to face the lateral side LS of the player's foot,
an instep portion 41
configured to face the instep IN of the player's foot, a sole portion 29
configured to face the
plantar surface PS of the player's foot, a toe portion 19 configured to
receive the toes T of
the user's foot, and a tendon guard portion 20 configured to face the upper
part UP of the
Achilles tendon AT of the player. The skate boot 22 has a longitudinal
direction, a widthwise
direction, and a heightwise direction.
In this embodiment, with additional reference to Figures 1 to 7, the skate
boot 22 comprises
a body 30 and a plurality of components connected to the body 30, which, in
this example,
includes facings 311, 312, a toe cap 14, a tongue 34, a liner 36, an insole
18, a footbed 38,
and an outsole 39. Lacing holes 451-45L extend through each of the facings
311, 312, the
body 30, and the liner 36 to receive a lace 47 for securing the skate 10 to
the player's foot.
In this example, the eyelets 461-46E are provided in respective ones of the
lacing holes 45i-
45L to engage the lace 47.
The body 30 of the skate boot 22, which may sometimes be referred to as a
"shell", imparts
strength and structural integrity to the skate 10 to support the player's
foot. In this
embodiment, the body 30 comprises medial and lateral side portions 66, 68
respectively
configured to face the medial and lateral sides MS, LS of the player's foot,
an ankle portion
64 configured to face the ankle A of the player, and a heel portion 62
configured to face the
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heel HL of the player. The medial and lateral side portions 66, 68, the ankle
portion 64, and
the heel portion 62 of the body 30 respectively constitute at least part
(i.e., part or an
entirety) of the medial and lateral side portions 25, 27, the ankle portion
23, and the heel
portion 21 of the skate boot 22. The body 30 thus includes a quarter 75 which
comprises a
medial quarter part 77, a lateral quarter part 79, and a heel quarter 81. The
heel portion 62
may be formed such that it is substantially cup-shaped for following a 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. In
this example,
the body 30 also comprises a sole portion 69 configured to face the plantar
surface PS of
the player's foot and a tendon guard portion 63 configured to face the upper
part UP of the
Achilles tendon AT of the player. The sole portion 69 and the tendon guard
portion 63 of the
body 30 respectively constitute at least part of the sole portion 29 and the
tendon guard
portion 20 of the skate boot 22.
In this embodiment, the body 30 of the skate boot 22 is molded to form its
medial and lateral
side portions 66, 68, its ankle portion 64, its heel portion 62, and its sole
portion 69. For
example, in some embodiments, the body 30 may be thermoformed (e.g., onto a
male form,
i.e., a last) to form its medial and lateral side portions 66, 68, its ankle
portion 64, its heel
portion 62, and its sole portion 69. As another example, in some embodiments,
at least part
of the body 30 may be injection molded such that two or more of its medial and
lateral side
portions 66, 68, its ankle portion 64, its heel portion 62, and its sole
portion 69 are injection
molded together and integral with one another (i.e., are injection molded
together as a
single piece). For instance, in some embodiments, the body 30 may be a
monolithic body,
i.e., a one-piece body, made by injection molding.
The body 30 of the skate boot 22 may include one or more materials making it
up. For
example, in some embodiments, the body 30 may include one or more polymeric
materials,
such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane (PU), ethylene-vinyl acetate
(EVA),
nylon, polyester, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, an ionomer resin
(e.g., Surlyn0),
styrene-butadiene copolymer (e.g., K-Resin ) etc.), and/or any other
thermoplastic or
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thermosetting polymer. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the
body 30 may
include one or more composite materials, such as a fiber-matrix composite
material
comprising fibers disposed in a matrix. For instance, in some embodiments, the
body 30
may include a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP ¨ a.k.a., fiber-reinforced
polymer), comprising a
polymeric matrix may include any suitable polymeric resin, such as a
thermoplastic or
thermosetting resin, like 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, and fibers such as carbon fibers, glass
fibers, polymeric
fibers such as aramid fibers (e.g., Kevlar fibers), boron fibers, silicon
carbide fibers, metallic
fibers, ceramic fibers, etc., which 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). Another
example of a composite material may be a self-reinforced polymeric (e.g.,
polypropylene)
composite (e.g., a Curve composite).
The toe cap 14 is configured to receive the toes T of the player's foot. It
comprises a medial
part 61 configured to receive a big toe of the player's toes T, a lateral part
63 configured to
receive a little toe of the player's toes T, and an intermediate part 65 that
is between its
medial part 61 and its lateral part 63 and configured to receive index, middle
and ring toes of
the player's toes T. The toe cap 14 comprises a distal part 52 adjacent to
distal ends of the
toes T of the player's foot and a proximal part 44 adjacent to proximal ends
of the toes T of
the player's foot.
The toe cap 14 includes rigid material. For example, in some embodiments, the
toe cap 14
may be made of nylon, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyethylene (e.g., high
density
polyethylene), or any other suitable thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer.
Alternatively or
additionally, in some embodiments, the toe cap 14 may include composite
material, such as
a fiber-matrix composite material comprising fibers disposed in a matrix. For
instance, in
some embodiments, the toe cap 14 may include a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP ¨
a.k.a.,
fiber-reinforced polymer), comprising a polymeric matrix may include any
suitable polymeric
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resin, such as a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, like 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, and fibers
such as carbon
fibers, glass fibers, polymeric fibers such as aramid fibers (e.g., Kevlar
fibers), boron fibers,
silicon carbide fibers, metallic fibers, ceramic fibers, etc., which 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).
In this embodiment, the toe cap 14 is molded such that a shape of the toe cap
14 is
imparted during a molding process in a mold. For instance, in some
embodiments, the toe
cap 14 may be injection molded. In other embodiments, such as where the toe
cap 14
comprises composite material, any other suitable molding (e.g., compression
molding)
process may be used.
The facings 311, 312 are provided on the medial and lateral side portions 66,
68 of the body
30 of the skate boot 22, including on an external surface 67 of the body 30.
In this
embodiment, the facings 311, 312 extend respectively along medial and lateral
edges 321,
322 of the body 30 from the ankle portion 64 to the medial and lateral side
portions 66, 68
towards the toe cap 14.
With additional reference in Figures 8 and 9, each of the facings 311, 312
comprises lacing
openings 481-48L that are part of respective ones of the lacing holes 451-45L
to receive the
lace 47. In that sense, the facings 311, 312 may be viewed as lacing members.
In this
example, each of the facings 311, 312 includes a void 49 to receive a given
one of the
medial and lateral edges 321, 322 of the body 30 that it straddles and that
includes lacing
openings 501-50L which are part of respective ones of the lacing holes 451-45L
to receive the
lace 47.
In this embodiment, each of the facings 311, 312 is molded such that a shape
of that facing
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is imparted during a molding process in a mold. More particularly, in this
embodiment, each
of the facings 311, 312 is injection molded. For example, each of the facings
311, 312 may be
made from nylon or any other suitable polymeric material, such as
thermoplastic
polyurethane (TPU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any other thermoplastic or
thermosetting
polymer.
In other embodiments, the facings 311, 312 may be manufactured in any other
suitable way
(e.g., cut, stamped, etc.) and/or include any other suitable material (e.g.,
leather, any
synthetic material that resembles leather, and/or any other suitable
material).
The facings 311, 312 may be connected to the body 30 of the skate boot 22 in
any suitable
way. For instance, in some embodiments, each of the facings 311, 312 may be
fastened to
the body 30 (e.g., via stitching, staples, etc.), glued or otherwise
adhesively bonded to the
body 30 via an adhesive, or ultrasonically bonded to the body 30.
In this embodiment, each of the facings 311, 312 overlaps and is secured to
the toe cap 14
(e.g., by one or more fasteners such as a mechanical fastener, like a rivet, a
tack, a screw,
a nail, stitching, or any other mechanical fastening device, or an adhesive).
This may
enhance solidity, integrity and durability of the skate boot 22 proximate to
the toe cap 14
and/or may facilitate manufacturing of the skate boot 22. More particularly,
in this
embodiment, the facing 311 overlaps and is secured to the medial side portion
61 of the toe
cap 14 while the facing 312 overlaps and is secured to the lateral side
portion 63 of the toe
cap 14.
The liner 36 of the skate boot 22 is affixed to an inner surface 37 of the
body 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. The liner 36 may be affixed to the body 30
by stitching or
stapling the liner 36 to the body 30, gluing with an adhesive and/or any other
suitable
technique. The liner 36 may be made of a soft material (e.g., a fabric made of
NYLON
fibers, polyester fibers or any other suitable fabric). The footbed 38 may
include a foam
layer, which may be made of a polymeric material. For example, the footbed 38,
in some
embodiments, may include a foam-backed fabric. The footbed 38 is mounted
inside the
body 30 and comprises an upper surface 106 for receiving the plantar surface
PS of the
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player's foot 11. In this embodiment, the footbed 38 affixed to the sole
portion 69 of the body
30 by an adhesive and/or any other suitable technique. In other embodiments,
the footbed
38 may be removable. In some embodiments, the footbed 38 may also comprise a
wall
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 tongue 34 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the toe portion 19 of the
skate boot
22 for overlapping the top surface TS of the player's foot 11. In this
embodiment, the tongue
34 is affixed to the body 30. In particular, in this embodiment, the tongue 34
is fastened to
the toe cap 14. With additional reference to Figure 10, in some embodiments,
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
94 for at
least partially defining a periphery 95 of the tongue 34, and a cover member
143 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 14 (e.g., via stitching, riveting,
welding (e.g. high-
frequency welding), bonding) and a proximal end portion 153 that is nearest to
the player's
shin S. The core 140 may be made of foam or similar materials to that of the
body 30 and
may be formed by injection molding in a similar manner to that of the body 30,
as described
herein.
With additional reference to Figures 11 to 13, the protector 16 is designed to
be secured
over the skate boot 22 for protecting the skate boot 22 and the user's foot
against impacts,
such as from pucks, which may occur during shots. To that end, in this
embodiment, the
protector 16 comprises a cover 18 configured to cover at least part of the
skate boot 22 and
provide impact protection and a fastening system 32 configured to fasten the
protector 16 to
the skate 10. In this example, the protector 16 allows the user to don and
doff the skate 10
while the fastening system 32 fastens the protector 16 to the skate 10, which
facilitates its
use, and emulates an appearance of an exterior 39 of the skate boot 22, such
that it can be
as unnoticeable as possible.
The cover 18 is a body of the protector 16 that provides impact protection. In
this
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embodiment, the cover 18 is configured to cover at least part (e.g., a
majority) of the lateral
side portion 27 of the skate boot 22, at least part (e.g., a majority) of the
medial side portion
25 of the skate boot 22, at least part (e.g., a majority) of the ankle portion
23 of the skate
boot 22, and at least part (e.g., a majority) of the heel portion 21 of the
skate boot 22.
In this embodiment, the cover 18 is configured to define an opening 59 over
the instep
portion 41 of the skate boot 22 such that the cover 18 leaves the instep
portion 41 of the
skate boot 22 exposed, i.e., uncovered by the cover 18. Also, in this
embodiment, the
opening 59 defined by the cover 18 extends over the tongue 34 such that the
cover 18
leaves the tongue 34 exposed where the tongue 34 faces the instep IN of the
user's foot 11.
As such, the cover 18 is configured to cover at least part of the skate boot
22 without
extending over the top surface IS of the user's foot.
As shown in Figures 14 to 18, the cover 18 of the protector 16 includes an
inner side 128
configured to face and engage the skate boot 22, and an outer side 126
configured to face
away from the skate boot 22. The inner side 128 of the cover 18 of the foot
protector 16
may be configured to match at least part of the exterior 39 of the skate boot
22 such that the
foot protector 16 substantially conforms to the skate boot 22. In this
example, in order to do
so, the cover 18 is shaped during original manufacturing of the protector 16
to conform to
the external surface 67 of the body 30 of the skate boot 22.
For instance, the external surface 67 of the skate boot 22 may comprise
projections 711-71 p
and recesses 731-73R and the cover 18 may comprise corresponding projections
831-83p
and recesses 851-85R configured to register with respective ones of the
projections 711-71 p
and recesses 731-73R of the external surface 67 of the skate boot 22. More
specifically, in
this embodiment, the projections 711-71p of the skate boot 22 include a medial
malleolus
projection 711 configured to face the medial malleolus MM of the user and a
lateral
malleolus projection 712 configured to face the lateral malleolus LM of the
user, whereas
the corresponding projections 831-83p and recesses 851-85R of the cover 18
include: a
medial malleolus projection 831 and a medial malleolus recess 851 configured
to register
with the medial malleolus projection 711 of the skate boot 22, with the medial
malleolus
recess 851 on the inner side 128 of the cover 18 to receive the medial
malleolus projection
711 of the skate boot 22 and the medial malleolus projection 831 on the outer
side 126 of the
14
CA 3043625 2019-05-16
cover 18; and a lateral malleolus projection 832 and a lateral malleolus
recess 852
configured to register with the lateral malleolus projection 712 of the skate
boot 22, with the
lateral malleolus recess 852 on the inner side 128 of the cover 18 to receive
the lateral
malleolus projection 712 of the skate boot 22 and the lateral malleolus
projection 832 on the
outer side 126 of the cover 18. In some embodiments, the projections 711-71p
of the skate
boot 22 may also include elongate reinforcing projections 713-716 (e.g., ribs)
and the
corresponding projections 831-83p and recesses 851-85R of the cover 18 include
elongate
projections 833-836 and elongate recesses 853-856 configured to register with
the elongate
reinforcing projections 713-716 of the skate boot 22, with the elongate
recesses 853-856 on
the inner side 128 of the cover 18 to receive the elongate reinforcing
projections 713-716 of
the skate boot 22 and the elongate projections 833-836 on the outer side 126
of the cover
18.
In this embodiment, the cover 18 of the foot protector 16 comprises a lateral
wall 112, a
medial wall 114 and a heel wall 116 that are respectively configured to
overlie and cover
at least part (e.g., a majority) of the medial side portion 25, the lateral
side portion 27 and
the heel portion 21 of the skate boot 22. The heel wall 116 may be shorter
than each of
the lateral wall 112 and the medial wall 114 in a heightwise direction of the
protector 16.
In this example, the walls 112, 114, 116 of the cover 18 are integrally formed
one with
another, i.e., form a unitary structure. In this case, the walls 112, 114, 116
are molded
integrally with one another.
The cover 18 of the foot protector 16 may comprise a plurality of layers that
include a
plurality of materials different from one another. For instance, an inner one
of the layers
of the cover 18 may be softer than an outer one of the layers of the cover 18.
For
example, a first one of the layers of the cover may comprise foam and a second
one of
the layers of the cover may comprise a non-foam material
In this embodiment, each of the walls 112, 114, 116 of the cover 18 comprises
an outer
layer 132 configured for enhancing impact protection (e.g. by having a high
stiffness). In
this example, the outer layer 132 may enhance impact protection by
facilitating dispersion
of the energy of impacts over a relatively large surface. For instance, outer
layer 132
CA 3043625 2019-05-16
may comprise a material 166 that has mechanical properties to enhance impact
protection (e.g., high rigidity and high resilience).
Additionally, the material 166 may impart aesthetic features to the cover 16.
For instance,
at least part of the cover 16 may be opaque. More specifically, in this case,
at least a
majority (i.e., a majority or an entirety) of the cover 18 is opaque.
In this example, the material 166 may be a self-reinforced polymeric material
(e.g.,
polypropylene tapes in a polypropylene matrix such as commercialized as CurvIm
material). In other examples, the material 166 is composite material, namely a
fiber
reinforced polymeric material (e.g., carbon composite).
Each of the walls 112, 114, 116 may also comprise an inner layer 134
comprising a
material 168 which has mechanical properties to enhance impact protection. In
this
example, the inner layer 134 may enhance impact protection by facilitating
shock
absorption, i.e. by facilitating the absorption of the energy of the impact.
In this
embodiment, the material 168 of the inner layer 134 is less rigid than the
material 166 of
the outer layer 132. In this case, the material 168 is an extended polymer
material (e.g.
a foam). When an impact occurs, for example when a puck hits the foot
protector 16, the
material 166 of the outer layer 132 may allow the outer layer 132 to disperse
energy of
the impact (e.g. over an area of the protector 16), while the material 168 of
the inner layer
134 may allow the inner layer 134 to absorb the energy of the impact. In this
context, in
some embodiments, a thickness of the inner layer 134 is greater than a
thickness of the
outer layer 132. For instance, in some embodiments, a ratio of the thickness
of the inner
layer 134 over the thickness of the outer layer 132 may be at least 1.1, in
some
embodiments at least 1.5, at in some embodiments least 2, in some embodiments
at
least 3, in some embodiments at least 4, and in some embodiments even more.
In some cases, at least one of the layers 132, 134 may dissipate energy of the
impact by
failure. However, in this case, the protector 16 may become less efficient
after one
significant impact is absorbed.
16
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The layers 132, 134 of the cover 18 may be held together by any suitable
means. For
instance, in this embodiment, the layers 132, 134 are fastened to one another
by a
fastener. In this embodiment, the fastener is an adhesive and the layers 132,
134 are
held together being adhesively bonded to one another. In other embodiments,
the
fastener may be of any suitable kind and may be, for example, a mechanical
fastener
(e.g. a rivet, a stitch).
In some embodiments, the walls 112, 114, 116 may comprise one or more other
layers
and/or one or more other materials.
In this embodiment, the fastening system 32 of the protector 16 comprises a
plurality of
lacing openings 1401-1404 configured to receive the lace 47. The lacing
openings 1401-
1404 are configured to be aligned with the lacing openings 451-45L of the
skate boot 22.
In this example, respective ones of the lacing openings 1401-1404 of the
fastening system
32 extend through the medial wall 114 and the lateral wall 116 of the cover
18.
In this example, the fastening system 32 comprises a plurality of eyelets
1421, 1422, 1441,
1442 about the lacing openings 1401-1404 of the fastening system 32, and a
plurality of
reinforcing members 1461-1464 disposed about the lacing openings 1401-1404 of
the
fastening system 32 and overlying the cover 18 to protect the lace 47 from
sharp edges
of the cover 18 causing premature wear and/or to protect the cover 18 from
premature
wear.
More specifically, in this embodiment, the fastening system 32 comprises
lateral eyelets
1421, 1422 and medial eyelets 1441, 1442 configured to match respective
eyelets 46,-46k
of the skate boot 22 and to allow the foot protector 16 to be fastened to the
skate boot 22
with the lace 47 passing through them and through these eyelets 46,-46k of the
skate
book 22. Each of the eyelets 1421, 1422, 1441, 1442 may go through one of the
walls 112,
114 of the cover 18. The reinforcement members 1461-1464 may be added to the
outer
side 126 and to the inner side 128 of the cover 18, covering an area 148
around each of
the eyelets 1421, 1422, 1441, 1442. In this case, the reinforcement members
1461-1464 is
made of made from sheets of rubber material which are glued and stitched to
the outer
layer 132 of the cover 18. In other embodiments, the reinforcement member 1461-
1464
17
CA 3043625 2019-05-16
may comprise other polymeric materials such as kevlar, a resin and/or a
composite
material and may be provided and applied to the cover 18 by any suitable way.
The fastening system 32 also comprises a plantar fastener 150 configured to be
disposed
under the skate boot 22, and reinforcements layers 157, 159 affixed to the
cover 18, as
shown in Figures 19 to 21. More particularly, in this embodiment, the plantar
fastener 150
is a hook-and-loop (e.g., Velcro) fastener. The hook-and-loop fastener 150
fastens the
protector 16 under the skate boot 22 and through a void of the blade holder
24. The
hook-and-loop fastener 150 comprises a hook-and-loop strap 152 attached to the
medial
wall 114 of the foot protector 16 and a strap-receiving opening 154 on the
outer wall 112
of the protector 16.
The hook-and-loop strap 152 may be of any suitable kind and configured in any
suitable
way. For instance, in this embodiment, the hook-and-loop strap 152 offers a
locking
effect and may be locked by a second hook-and-loop strap 153 in a closed
position, as
shown in Figures 19 to 21, in order to secure the protector 16 more
efficiently about the
skate 10. In another embodiment, the hook-and-loop strap 152 may be in a
traditional
singular configuration, i.e. may not be additionally secured by another hook-
and-loop
strap, as shown in Figure 22.
The hook-and-loop strap 152 and reinforcement layers 157 of the fastening
system 32
and the cover 18 may be held together by any suitable means. For instance, in
this
embodiment, the hook-and-loop strap 152 and reinforcement layers 157 of the
fastening
system 32 and the cover 18 are fastened to one another by a fastener. The
fastener may
be of any suitable kind and may be, for example, a mechanical fastener (e.g. a
rivet) or
glue. In this embodiment, the hook-and-loop strap 152 is adhesively bonded and
stitched
to the reinforcement layers 157 which are all attached to the medial wall 114
of the cover
18 by being adhesively bonded and stitched to the outer layer 132 of the
medial wall 114.
In this embodiment, the strap-receiving opening 154 is configured to allow the
hook-and-
loop strap 152 to pass therethrough in order to close upon itself. The strap-
receiving
opening 154 is affixed to reinforcement layers 159 and to the lateral wall 112
by
mechanical interlock as it is pressed through the reinforcement layers 159 and
through
18
CA 3043625 2019-05-16
the outer layer 132 of the lateral wall 112. The reinforcement layers 159 are
attached to
the lateral wall 112 by being adhesively bonded and stitched to the outer
layer 132 of the
lateral wall 112.
The reinforcement layers 157, 159 may be made in any suitable way in order to
provide
light weight and durability to the plantar fastener 150. For instance, in this
embodiment,
the reinforcement layers 157, 159, are made of made from sheets of rubber
material
which are adhesively bonded and stitched to the outer layer 132 of the cover
18. In other
embodiments, the reinforcement layers 157, 159 may comprise other polymeric
materials
such as kevlar, a resin and/or a composite material and may be provided and
applied to
the cover 18 by any suitable way.
With additional reference to Figures 23A to 23C, in this embodiment, an
appearance of
the outer side 126 of the cover 18 may be configured to emulate an appearance
of an
exterior 39 of the skate boot 22. For instance, in some cases, the outer side
126 of the
cover 18 includes a graphic, a color, a pattern and/or a logo configured to
emulate a
graphic, a color, a pattern and/or a logo of the exterior 39 of the skate boot
22. For
example, the outer side 126 of each of the walls 112, 114 of the cover 18 may
comprise a
logo 161 that can correspond to a similar logo 177 on the skate boot 22 (e.g.,
so as to
maintain brand visibility). The logo 161 can be printed, painted, etc. In this
case, the logo
161 is part of a layer that is glued and stitched to the walls 112, 114. As
another
example, a color 163 of a part 138 of the cover 18 may correspond (i.e.,
match) with a
color 179 of a part 175 of the skate boot 22 that underlies the part 138 of
the cover 18.
As another example, in a similar fashion, a pattern 165 of the part 138 of the
cover 18
may corresponds with a pattern 181 of the part 175 of the skate boot 22 that
underlies the
part 138 of the cover 18. As another example, in a similar fashion, a graphic
167 of the
part 138 of the cover 18 may corresponds with a graphic 183 of the part 175 of
the skate
boot 22 that underlies the part 138 of the cover 18. In this embodiment, when
the graphic
183 of the skate boot 22 extends beyond the limits of the part 175 of the
skate boot 22
that underlies the cover 18 (e.g., over a part 175' of the skate boot 22 that
does not
underlie the cover 18), the graphic 167 of the cover 18 may be continuous with
the
graphic 183 of the skate boot 22, i.e., the graphic 167 of the cover 22 may be
continuous
with a portion of the graphic 183 of the skate boot 22 that is beyond the
cover 18.
19
CA 3043625 2019-05-16
In some embodiments, the appearance of the outer side 126 of the cover 18 may
be
configured to emulate the appearance of the exterior 39 of the skate boot 22
to such an
extent that the cover creates confusion to an observer (e.g. another hockey
player, a
spectator, etc.) as to whether the skater wears the skate 10 with or without
the protector
16.
With additional reference to Figure 24, the blade 26 comprises an ice-
contacting material
220 including an ice-contacting surface 222 for sliding on the skating surface
12 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.
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, as shown in Figures 25
to 27. 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.
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 skating 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 Figure 28, the blade-retention
portion 188
comprises a recess 190 in which an upper portion of the blade 26 is disposed.
CA 3043625 2019-05-16
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 Figure 29, 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 Figures 28 to 31, 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 Figure 28, 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 Figure 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. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, as shown in
Figure 31, 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-retaining base 164 of the blade holder 24 may comprise a projection 232
extending
into the recess 230 of the blade 26.
In this embodiment, the blade-retaining base 164 comprises a plurality of
apertures 2081-
2084 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 2081-2084 differ in size. The apertures 2081-2084 may
have any
other suitable configuration, or may be omitted, in other embodiments.
21
CA 3043625 2019-05-16
The blade-retaining base 164 may be configured in any other suitable way in
other
embodiments.
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.
The skate 10 may be implemented in any other suitable manner in other
embodiments.
For instance, in some embodiments, the fastener system 32 of the protector 16
may
comprise any kind of fastener, including glue, snap buttons, a corresponding
set of
magnets, and so on, in addition to or in replacement of the hook-and-loop
strap 152. The
additional or replacement fastener may be a plantar fastener or may be located
at any
other suitable location of the protector 16.
In some embodiments, the protector 16 may be semi-permanent rather than being
manually removable from the skate 10. For instance, the protector 16 may be
only
removable using tools. In some cases, the protector 16 may be designed to be
affixable
and removable to and from the skate 10 only by a technician. In some examples,
the
protector 16 may be affixed to the skate boot 22 and/or to the blade holder 24
by being
riveted to the skate boot 22 and/or to the blade holder 24 and may be
removable from the
skate 10 by having the rivets be withdrawn from the skate 10, which often
requires
specific tooling. In other examples, the protector 16 may be affixed to the
skate boot 22
and/or to the blade holder 24 by using screws that are screwed to the
protector 16 and to
the skate boot 22 and/or to the blade holder 24 and may be removable from the
skate 10
by having the screws be withdrawn from the skate 10.
22
CA 3043625 2019-05-16
In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 33 to 36, the fastener system 32 of
the
protector 16 may comprise a fastener configured to be affixed to a fastener of
the skate
boot 22 or of the blade holder 24. For instance, in this embodiment, the
plantar fastener
150 of the protector 16 comprises fastener components 302,-302, configured to
be
fastenable with corresponding fastener components 3041-304, that are affixed
to the
skate 10. In this example, the fastener components 302,-302,, 3041-304, may be
snap
fasteners of any suitable kind (e.g. caps, sockets, posts, studs, etc.) that
are riveted to
the protector 16 and to the body 30 of the skate 10, respectively. During
installation of
the protector 16 onto the skate 10, the fastener components 302,-302,, 3041-
304, may be
fastened to one another; during removal of the protector 16 from the skate 10,
the
fastener components 302,-302,, 3041-304, may be unfastened from one another.
In other cases, the fastener components 3041-304, may be of any other suitable
kind
(e.g., glue, magnets, hook-and-loop straps, clips, and so on). Also, in other
cases, the
fastener components 3041-304, may be attached to respective ones of the
protector 16
and the skate 10 by any suitable means (e.g., by being glued, by being sewed,
by
mechanical interlock during or after molding, etc.), depending on the type of
fastener that
is being used.
In some embodiments, the cover 18 of the protector 16 may be formed of only
one layer
comprising any suitable material, including polymeric materials, resins,
kevlar, rubber,
composite material, and so on.
In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 37, the cover 18 of the protector 16
may
comprise apertures 3121-312a configured for diminishing the weight of the
cover 18 while
limiting the diminution of the protection of the protector 16. For instance,
in this example,
the apertures 3121-312a are generally located on the heel wall 116, which
overlies the
heel portion 21 of the skate boot 22 which generally offers a relatively good
protection to
the user. It is understood, however, that in some cases the apertures 3121-
312a may be
on any portion of the cover 18. In some embodiments, also, the addition of
apertures
3121-312a may allow to increase a thickness of the cover 18 to enhance impact
protection
while limiting the addition of weight that is cause by the increase of
thickness.
23
CA 3043625 2019-05-16
In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 38 to 40 instead of including the toe
cap 14 that
is separate from and fastened to the body 30 of the skate boot 22, the toe
portion 19 of the
skate boot 22 may be an integral part of the body 30 that is molded together
with the medial
and lateral side portions 66, 68 of the body 30.
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 Figure 32, 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).
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. In this embodiment, 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.
Further information on examples of implementation of the blade-detachment
mechanism
192 in some embodiments may be obtained from U.S. Patent 8,454,030 hereby
incorporated by reference herein. The blade-detachment mechanism 192 may be
configured in any other suitable way in other embodiments.
24
CA 3043625 2019-05-16
The blade 26 may be implemented in any other suitable way in other
embodiments. For
example, in some embodiments, as shown in Figures 41 and 42, the blade 26 may
comprise a lower member 238 that is made of the ice-contacting material 220
and
includes the ice-contacting surface 222 and an upper member 240 connected to
the
lower member 238 and made of a material 242 different from the ice-contacting
material
220. The lower member 238 and the upper member 240 of the blade 26 may be
retained
together in any suitable way. For example, in some cases, the lower member 238
may be
adhesively bonded to the upper member 240 using an adhesive. As another
example, in
addition to or instead of being adhesively bonded, the lower member 238 and
the upper
member 240 may be fastened using one or more fasteners (e.g., rivets, screws,
bolts,
etc.). As yet another example, the lower member 238 and the upper member 240
may be
mechanically interlocked by an interlocking portion of one of the lower member
238 and
the upper member 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
lower member 238 and the upper member 240 (e.g., the upper member 240 may be
overmolded onto the lower member 238).
Although in embodiments considered above the skate 10 is designed for playing
ice
hockey on the skating surface 12 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 12 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 12 (i.e., the skate 10 may be an inline
skate or other
roller skate).
In some examples of implementation, 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
CA 3043625 2019-05-16
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.
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.
Although various embodiments have been illustrated, this was for purposes of
description
but should not be limiting. Various modifications will become apparent to
those skilled in
the art.
26
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