Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
GOALIE SKATE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application no.
62/831,918 filed April 10, 2019.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The application relates generally to ice skates and, more particularly,
to goalie skates.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The forefoot of a skate is considered to be the widest zone of the
skate in a bottom portion thereof.
As the widest zone of the skate, it is also one of the areas of the skate that
is most sensitive to abrasion
when skating, which may cause damage to the skate. Furthermore, as the widest
zone of the skate, it is
the first portion of the skate boot to touch the ice when the skate is angled
relative to the ice during a turning
or skating movement. In some instances, contact of the widest zone of the
skate with the ice can create a
pivot point which may cause the blade to lose contact with the ice such that
the player will slip. In order to
address some of these issues, the widest zone of the skate may be provided
with a protective piece, known
as vamping.
SUMMARY
[0004] There is accordingly provided, a goalie skate boot extending between a
toe end and a heel end,
the goalie skate boot comprising: a toe cap attached to the toe end; and a
grip defining part of an outer
surface of the goalie skate boot and having a grip coefficient of friction
being greater than a coefficient of
friction of a portion of the outer surface adjacent the grip, the grip
positioned on the goalie skate boot at a
location thereon corresponding to a widest portion of the goalie skate boot
and adjacent to the toe cap.
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[0005] The goalie skate boot as defined herein may also comprise, in whole or
in part,
and in any combination, one or more of the following features.
[0006] The grip overlies an element on the outer surface of the goalie skate
boot, the
element overlying the widest portion of the goalie skate boot.
[0007] A vamping that is disposed on one or both of the medial and lateral
sides at a
location thereon corresponding to the widest portion, the grip positioned on
an outer
surface of the vamping.
[0008] The grip includes a grip texture occupying at least part of an area of
the grip and
forming the outer surface.
[0009] The grip texture has a grip height and a grip length, the grip texture
having a
plurality of protrusions spaced apart along the grip height, and grooves
disposed
between adjacent protrusions.
[0010] The location of the grip is at least on the medial side of the goalie
skate boot.
[0011] There is also provided a goalie skate comprising: a boot having an
upper portion
positioned above a lower portion, the lower portion having a medial side and a
lateral
side extending between a toe end and a heel end, the lower portion having a
vamping
disposed on one or both of the medial and lateral sides of the lower portion
at a location
thereon corresponding to a widest portion of the lower portion between the
medial and
lateral sides; a grip positioned on the vamping and forming an outer surface
of the
vamping, the grip having a grip coefficient of friction being greater than a
coefficient of
friction of a portion of the boot adjacent the vamping; and a blade holder
connected to
the lower portion of the boot, and a blade attached to the blade holder.
[0012] The goalie skate as defined herein may also comprise, in whole or in
part, and
in any combination, one or more of the following features.
[0013] The grip is composed of a grip material selected from the group
consisting of
rubber, plastic, and fabric.
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[0014] The grip includes a grip texture occupying at least part of an area of
the grip and
forming the outer surface.
[0015] The grip texture has a grip height and a grip length, the grip texture
having a
plurality of protrusions spaced apart along the grip height, and grooves
disposed
between adjacent protrusions.
[0016] The grip texture includes wave protrusions spaced apart along the grip
height,
each wave protrusion having opposed maxima and minima spaced apart in a
direction
parallel to the grip length.
[0017] The vamping includes a vamping material selected from the group of
materials
including synthetic leather, plastic, and composite material.
[0018] The vamping has a peripheral edge delimiting a vamping body, the grip
occupying less than an entirety of a surface area of the vamping body.
[0019] The vamping extends along a vamping height between an upper end and a
lower end, the vamping having an eyelet at the upper end thereof.
[0020] The vamping is curved along the vamping height between the upper and
lower
ends.
[0021] The location of the vamping on one or both of the medial and lateral
sides of the
lower portion is closer to the toe end of the lower portion than to the heel
end.
[0022] There is further provided a method of forming a goalie skate,
comprising:
providing a boot having an upper portion positioned above a lower portion, the
lower
portion having a medial side and a lateral side extending between a toe end
and a heel
end; providing the boot with a vamping disposed on one or both of the medial
and
lateral sides of the lower portion at a location thereon corresponding to a
widest portion
of the lower portion between the medial and lateral sides; and providing the
vamping
with a grip to form at least part of an outer surface of the vamping, the grip
having a grip
coefficient of friction being greater than a coefficient of friction of a
portion of the boot
adjacent the vamping.
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[0023] The method as defined herein may also comprise, in whole or in part,
and in any
combination, one or more of the following additional features and/or steps.
[0024] Providing the vamping with the grip includes providing the vamping with
the grip
made of grip material selected from the group consisting of rubber, plastic,
and fabric.
[0025] Providing the vamping with the grip includes providing the grip with a
grip
texture occupying at least part of an area of the grip and forming the outer
surface.
[0026] Providing the boot with the vamping includes providing the vamping with
a
peripheral edge delimiting a vamping body, and providing the vamping with the
grip
includes providing the grip over less than an entirety of a surface area of
the vamping
body.
[0027] There is further still provided a goalie skate comprising: a boot
having an upper
portion positioned above a lower portion, the lower portion having a medial
side and a
lateral side extending between a fore end and an aft end, the fore end
defining an outer
surface of the boot abuttable against an ice surface; a grip positioned on the
fore end to
define at least part of the outer surface thereof, the grip having a grip
coefficient of
friction being greater than a coefficient of friction of a portion of the boot
adjacent the
grip; and a blade holder connected to the lower portion of the boot, and a
blade
attached to the blade holder.
[0028] The goalie skate as defined herein may also comprise, in whole or in
part, and
in any combination, one or more of the following features.
[0029] The grip is composed of a grip material selected from the group
consisting of
rubber, plastic, and fabric.
[0030] The grip includes a grip texture occupying at least part of an area of
the grip and
forming the outer surface.
[0031] The grip texture has a grip height and a grip length, the grip texture
having a
plurality of protrusions spaced apart along the grip height, and grooves
disposed
between adjacent protrusions.
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[0032] The grip texture includes wave protrusions spaced apart along the grip
height,
each wave protrusion having opposed maxima and minima spaced apart in a
direction
parallel to the grip length.
[0033] The grip is curved along a height of the fore end.
[0034] In accordance with alternate aspects, there is alternately provided a
goalie
skate, comprising: a boot having an upper portion positioned above a lower
portion, the
lower portion having a medial side and a lateral side extending between a toe
end and
a heel end, the lower portion having a vamping disposed on one or both of the
medial
and lateral sides of the lower portion at a location thereon corresponding to
a widest
portion of the lower portion between the medial and lateral sides; a grip
positioned on
the vamping and forming an outer surface of the vamping, the grip having a
grip
coefficient of friction being greater than a coefficient of friction of a
portion of the boot
adjacent the vamping; and a blade holder connected to the lower portion of the
boot,
and a blade attached to the blade holder.
[0035] There is also alternately provided a method of forming a goalie skate,
comprising: providing a boot having an upper portion positioned above a lower
portion,
the lower portion having a medial side and a lateral side extending between a
toe end
and a heel end; providing the boot with a vamping disposed on one or both of
the
medial and lateral sides of the lower portion at a location thereon
corresponding to a
widest portion of the lower portion between the medial and lateral sides; and
providing
the vamping with a grip to form at least part of an outer surface of the
vamping, the grip
having a grip coefficient of friction being greater than a coefficient of
friction of a portion
of the boot adjacent the vamping.
[0036] There is further alternately provided a goalie skate, comprising: a
boot having an
upper portion positioned above a lower portion, the lower portion having a
medial side
and a lateral side extending between a fore end and an aft end, the fore end
defining an
outer surface of the boot abuttable against an ice surface; a grip positioned
on the fore
end to define at least part of the outer surface thereof, the grip having a
grip coefficient
of friction being greater than a coefficient of friction of a portion of the
boot adjacent the
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grip; and a blade holder connected to the lower portion of the boot, and a
blade
attached to the blade holder.
[0037] There is further still alternately provided a goalie skate boot
extending between
a toe end and a heel end, the goalie skate boot comprising: a toe cap attached
to the
toe end; and a grip defining part of an outer surface of the goalie skate boot
and having
a grip coefficient of friction being greater than a coefficient of friction of
a portion of the
outer surface adjacent the grip, the grip positioned on the goalie skate boot
at a location
thereon corresponding to a widest portion of the goalie skate boot and
adjacent to the
toe cap boot, the widest portion defined between medial and lateral sides of
the goalie
skate boot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAVVINGS
[0038] Reference is now made to the accompanying figures in which:
[0039] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a goalie skate;
[0040] Fig. 1B is an enlarged view of the portion IB-IB in dotted lines in
Fig. 1A;
[0041] Fig. 2 is a top view of a lower portion of the goalie skate of Fig. 1A;
[0042] Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the goalie skate of Fig. 1A forming an
angle with
respect to an ice surface;
[0043] Fig. 3B is a perspective view of the goalie skate of Fig. 1A forming
another
angle with respect to the ice surface;
[0044] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a grip of the goalie skate of Fig. 1A;
[0045] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a vamping of the goalie skate of Fig.
1A;
[0046] Fig. 6 is a side view of part of the goalie skate of Fig. 1; and
[0047] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the goalie skate of Fig. I.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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[0048] Fig. 1A illustrates a goalie skate 10 in accordance with a particular
embodiment.
The goalie skate 10 in Fig. 1A is to be used by a goaltender in ice hockey.
The goalie
skate 10 is different from the skates used by players of other positions in
ice hockey.
The goalie skate 10 is different from these other skates because of the
specific
functions performed by the goaltender in ice hockey, and because of the
specific
movements performed by the goaltender. Some of the specific movements
performed
by the goaltender are described in greater detail below.
[0049] The goalie skate 10 in Fig. 1A has a goalie skate boot 12 and a ground-
engaging element 14 connected to the goalie skate boot 12. The boot 12 is
shaped to
enclose the heel, the upper and lower parts of the Achilles tendon, and the
medial and
lateral surfaces of the foot of a goaltender wearing the goalie skate 10. The
boot 12 has
an upper portion 16 which is shaped to enclose an upper portion of the ankle
where it
meets a lower portion of leg, and lower portion 18. The lower portion 18 is
positioned
beneath the upper portion 16 and forms the bottom portion of the boot 12. The
lower
portion 18 encloses the foot, most or all of the ankle, and the toes of the
goaltender.
The upper and lower portions 16 are contiguous and integrally formed with each
other
(e.g., monocoque construction).
[0050] The lower portion 18 of the boot 12 has a medial side 18A and a lateral
side
18B. The medial side 18A covers and encloses a medially-positioned portion of
the foot
(i.e. the side of the foot closest to the sagittal plane and the longitudinal
axis of the
body), and the lateral side 18B covers and encloses a laterally-positioned
portion of the
foot (i.e. the side of the foot furthest from the sagittal plane and the
longitudinal axis of
the body). The lower portion 18 and its medial and lateral sides 18A,18B
extend
between a toe end 13A of the boot 12 and a heel end 13B of the boot 12. The
toe end
13A of the boot 12 defines a fore or front end of the boot, and the heel end
13B defines
an aft or rear end of the boot 12. A length L of the boot 12 is defined along
a
longitudinal axis 11 of the boot 12 extending between the toe and heel ends
13A,13B.
[0051] Still referring to Fig. 1A, the boot 12 also includes a toe portion 15
at the toe end
13A, shown here with a toe box or toe cap 15A. The toe cap 15A is attached
using any
suitable technique (mechanical fasteners, adhesive, or a combination of both)
to the
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medial and lateral sides 18A,18B of the lower portion 18. In Fig. 1A, the toe
cap 15A is
a separate component from the boot 12 and is joined thereto. The goalie skate
10
further includes a tongue 17. The tongue 17 is located in part within the boot
12, such
that the tongue 17 covers the forefoot and the front ankle portion of the foot
of the
goaltender. The boot 12 includes a lace 19 that extends through lace eyelets
19A in the
medial and lateral sides 18A,18B of the boot 12 in a criss-crossing pattern.
As such,
when the lace 19 is tightened, the lace 19 acts to keep the tongue 17 in place
against
the goaltender's foot. In Fig. 1A, the ground-engaging element 14 includes a
blade
holder 14A mounted to the lower portion 18 of the boot 12 and a blade 14B that
is
disposed in the blade holder 14A. The goalie skate 10 is thus an ice skate in
Fig. 1A.
[0052] Referring to Figs. 1A and 1B, the lower portion 18 has vamping 20. The
vamping 20 is intended to provide protection at its location against damage
caused by
abrasion of the goalie skate 10 against other surfaces (e.g. the ice surface,
other
skates, sticks, pucks, etc.). The location of the vamping 20 in Fig. 1A is
shown closer to
the toe end 13A of the lower portion 18 than to the heel end 13B. The location
of the
vamping 20 in Fig. 1A is shown adjacent to the toe cap 15A. In some instances,
and as
shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, the vamping 20 has a different visual appearance
than the
portions of the boot 12 bordering the vamping 20 or adjacent thereto. In other
embodiments, the vamping 20 is visually similar to the portions of the boot 12
bordering
the vamping 20 or adjacent thereto. In Fig. 1A, the vamping 20 is a component
that is
distinct from the boot 12 and is attached to the boot 12 with stitching. The
vamping 20
may also be attached to the boot 12 with a fastener and/or an adhesive. In
another
alternate embodiment, the vamping 20 is integrally formed with the boot 12, or
is
integrally formed with the toe cap 15A. The vamping 20 covers an outer portion
of the
boot 12 that is prone to damage during use. It will therefore be appreciated
that the
vamping 20 may be positioned elsewhere than as shown in Fig. 1A. For example,
the
vamping 20 may be located elsewhere when the toe cap 15A extends rearwardly
and
covers the wider part of the foot, or where the boot 12 projects forward over
such wider
part of the foot.
[0053] The vamping 20 is disposed on one or both of the medial and lateral
sides
18A,18B of the boot 12. In the goalie skate 10 shown in the figures, the
vamping 20 is
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disposed on the medial side 18A and on the lateral side 18B (see Fig. 2). The
vamping
20 is located on the lower portion 18 at the widest portion WP of the lower
portion 18.
As best shown in Fig. 2, the widest portion WP of the lower portion 18 is
defined
between the medial and lateral sides 18A,18B. The widest portion WP of the
lower
portion 18 of the boot 12 corresponds to the largest distance between the
medial and
lateral sides 18A,18B measured in a plane that is transverse or perpendicular
to the
longitudinal axis 11 of the boot 12 extending between the toe and heel ends
13A,13B.
The widest portion WP also corresponds to the widest portion of the forefoot
of the
goaltender when wearing the goalie skate 10.
[0054] The widest portion WP of the lower portion 18 is the first portion of
the goalie
skate 10 which enters into contact with the ice surface during certain skating
manoeuvres. Referring to Figs. 3A and 3B, an angle of attack a is defined
between the
blade 14B of the goalie skate 10 and the ice surface I. A minimum value of the
angle of
attack amIN is shown in Fig. 3B, and is the smallest value the angle of attack
a required
for the blade 14B to be in contact with ice surface I. When the angle of
attack a falls
below the minimum value of the angle of attack %IN, the blade 14B loses
contact with
the ice surface I. When the angle of attack a falls below the minimum value of
the angle
of attack amiN, the only portion of the goalie skate 10 that is in contact
with the ice
surface I is the vamping 20. It can be appreciated that the contact between
the vamping
20 and the ice surface I may create a pivot point, defined by the vamping 20,
about
which the blade 14B pivots.
[0055] When the angle of attack a is greater than the minimum value of the
angle of
attack amiN, as shown in Fig. 3A, the goaltender is able to nnanoeuver or push
the goalie
skate 10 using the blade 14B. However, for some goaltender manoeuvres, the
angle of
attack a is less than the minimum value of the angle of attack amiN, and thus
the blade
14B may not be in contact with the ice surface I. For example, when the
goaltender is in
the "butterfly" or "profly" position, the angle of attack a is typically less
than the minimum
value of the angle of attack amiN, and the goaltender is no longer able to
push or
manoeuvre the goalie skate 10 using the blade 14B. For such manoeuvres, the
medial
sides 18A of the goalie skate 10, and thus the vamping 20 on the medial sides
18A, are
in contact with the ice surface I. When the goaltender is in such a position,
it may be
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necessary for the goaltender to push sideways with the goalie skate 10. Thus,
when the
vamping 20 is in contact with the ice surface I, it may be important for the
vamping 20 to
"grip" the ice surface I in order to prevent the goaltender from slipping.
[0056] In order to help the vamping 20 grip the ice surface I, the goalie
skate 10
includes a grip 30. Referring to Figs. 1A and 1B, the grip 30 is positioned on
top of the
vamping 20 to overly some or all of the vamping 20, such that the grip 30
forms some
or all of an outer surface 22 of the vamping 20. The outer surface 22 of the
vamping 20
is a surface of the goalie skate 10 that is exposed and visible. At least part
of the outer
surface 22 (the portion of the outer surface 22 defined by the grip 30, for
example) of
the vamping 20 engages the ice surface I when the goalie skate 10 forms an
angle of
attack a less than the minimum value of the angle of attack %AIN. The grip 30
is any
suitable object which, when positioned on the vamping 20 and forming some or
all of
the outer surface 22 thereof, is friction-enhancing to increase the purchase
of the
vamping 20 with the ice surface I. In the depicted embodiment, the grip 30 is
a
component that is separate from the vamping 20 and attached thereto. In an
alternate
embodiment, the grip 30 is integrally formed with the vamping 20.
[0057] In the depicted embodiment, the grip 30 is located on an outer portion
of the
goalie skate 10 that first touches the ice surface I when the angle of attack
a dips below
the minimum value of the angle of attack amIN. In Figs. 1A and 1B, the grip 30
is located
only on the medial side 18A of the boot 12. It will thus be appreciated that,
in the
illustrated embodiment, the grip 30 allows the goaltender to manoeuvre along
the ice
surface I, for example by pushing sideways along a medial side 18A of the
goalie skate
10, in circumstances where the angle of attack a results in the blade 14B no
longer
being in contact with ice surface I.
[0058] Although shown in the depicted embodiment as being located on the
vamping
20, the grip 30 in an alternate embodiment is located elsewhere on the goalie
skate 10.
For example, in goalie skates 10 which are free of vamping 20, or in goalie
skates 10
where the part of the goalie skate 10 that first contacts ice surface I when
the angle of
attack a dips below the minimum value of the angle of attack amIN is not the
vamping 20,
the grip 30 is present on this part of the goalie skate 10 that first contacts
the ice
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surface I. For example, in Figs. 1A and 1B, the grip 30 is located next to or
adjacent to
the toe cap 15A, and disposed "downstream" therefore in a direction toward the
heel
end 13B. In an example of the grip 30 being present on a goalie skate 10 which
is free
of vamping 20, the grip 30 is present over an outer surface of an extension of
the toe
cap 15A. It will be appreciated that the grip 30 may therefore be located on
any outer
portion of the goalie skate 10 which first contacts the ice surface I when the
angle of
attack a falls below the minimum value of the angle of attack amIN. It will
also be
appreciated that the grip 30 in an embodiment is present on a boot 12 which
does not
have a vamping 20.
[0059] The grip 30 enhances the friction of the vamping 20 and of the side of
the skate
in general. The grip 30 has a grip coefficient of friction PG. The grip
coefficient of
friction PG is a value that represents the relationship between the force of
friction
between the grip 30 and the ice surface I, and a force which is normal to the
point(s) of
the grip 30 which contact the ice surface I. The grip coefficient of friction
PG is calculated
using the following formula:
Ff = PG x N
[0060] Where Ff represents the force of friction between the grip 30 and the
ice surface
I, and N represents the force which is normal to the point(s) of the grip 30
which contact
the ice surface I. The value for the grip coefficient of friction PG may vary
across the
outer surface 22 defined by the grip 30. If desired, an average value for the
grip
coefficient of friction PG may be used.
[0061] The grip coefficient of friction PG is thus a measure of the ability of
the grip 30, or
more generally of the side of the skate 10, to provide frictional engagement
with the ice
surface I. The value for the grip coefficient of friction PG may result from
the material of
the grip 30. Non-limiting examples of grip materials from which the grip 30 is
composed
include rubber, plastic, fabric or any other material with a coefficient of
friction with the
ice surface I that is greater than the coefficient of friction of the other
surfaces of the
boot 12. The value for the grip coefficient of friction PG may result, in
addition to the grip
material, from the texture of the grip 30, as described in greater detail
below. Values for
the grip coefficient of friction PG are between 0 and 1.
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[0062] VVhatever it may be, the value of the grip coefficient of friction PG
is greater than
a value of a coefficient of friction p of a portion of the boot 12 adjacent to
the grip 30, or
adjacent to the vamping 20. The grip coefficient of friction PG is greater
than the
coefficient of friction p of the portions of the boot 12 surrounding the grip
30, or
surrounding the vamping 20. It can therefore be appreciated that the grip 30
is less
"smooth" than the portion of the boot 12 around it, and thus more capable of
increasing
the frictional engagement with the ice surface I when compared to these
portions of the
boot 12. The grip coefficient of friction PG may also be greater than the
coefficient of
friction p of portions of the vamping 20 surrounding the grip 30, such that
grip 10 is less
"smooth" than a remainder of the vamping 20.
[0063] The greater value of the grip coefficient of friction PG of the grip 30
positioned on
the widest portion WP of the goalie skate 10 may allow the goaltender to
better "grip"
the ice surface I when the blade 14B is no longer in contact with the ice
surface I, and
when the goalie skate 10 forms an angle of attack a less than the minimum
value of the
angle of attack amIN. Since the grip 30 is able to better grip the ice surface
I, the
goaltender may be able to apply loads against the ice surface I via the grip
30 to
manoeuvre along the ice surface I, such as when moving into or out of the
butterfly
position. Since a goaltender assumes different positions, many of them
requiring the
goaltender to be on their knees, the grip 30 may facilitate on-ice recoveries
which
require on-ice push off with the sides of the goalie skate 10.
[0064] Many configurations and embodiments of the grip 30 are possible to
achieve
such functionality. One possible configuration is described with respect to
Figs. 1B and
4. The grip 30 includes a grip texture 32 occupying at least part of an area
of the grip 30
and forming part of the outer surface of the boot 12. The grip texture 32 is
any feature
or geometry which changes the feel, appearance, or consistency of the grip 30.
The
grip texture has a grip height GH extending in a direction along the height of
the goalie
skate 10, and a grip length GL measured in a direction along the length L. The
grip
texture 32 has multiple protrusions 34 which are elongated raised surfaces in
the
depicted embodiment extending along the grip length GL, and which are spaced
apart
from each other along the grip height GH. Grooves 36 are disposed between two
adjacent protrusions 34. This orientation and configuration of the protrusions
34 and the
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grooves 36 may allow the grip 30 to better frictionally engage the ice surface
I during a
butterfly manoeuvre of the goaltender, for example, or whenever the goaltender
needs
to recover to a stand-up position from a position in which the widest portion
WP of the
goalie skate 10 is engaged with the ice surface I. Each separate and spaced-
apart
protrusion 34 and groove 36 may "bite" into the ice surface I and help provide
the
goaltender with purchase thereon. It will be appreciated that the geometry and
the
arrangement of the protrusions 34 may vary. Non-limiting examples of other
types of
protrusions 34 include steps and spikes.
[0065] Still referring to Figs. 1B and 4, the grip texture 32 includes wave
protrusions
34A spaced apart along the grip height GH. The wave protrusions 34A form part
of the
outer surface of the boot 12 defined in part by the grip 30 and have a wave or
undulating form. Each wave protrusion 34A has opposed maxima and minima spaced
apart in a direction parallel to the grip length GL. Wave-shaped grooves are
disposed
between adjacent wave protrusions 34A. This orientation and configuration of
the wave
protrusions 34A may allow the grip 30 to better frictionally engage the ice
surface I
during a butterfly manoeuvre of the goaltender, for example, or whenever the
goaltender needs to recover to a stand-up position from a position in which
the widest
portion WP of the goalie skate 10 is engaged with the ice surface I. Each
separate and
spaced-apart wave protrusion 34A may "bite" into the ice surface I and help
provide the
goaltender with purchase thereon.
[0066] Referring to Figs. 1B and 4, the grip texture 32 includes a plurality
of ridges or
steps 35 arranged one next to the other along the grip height GH. In one
particular
embodiment, these ridges or steps 35 may be substantially parallel to each
other, each
extending transversely across the grip. The steps 35 are slabs of the grip
texture 32
that form part of the outer surface of the boot 12 defined in part by the grip
30 and
protrude outwardly like shingles (see Fig. 6). Each step 35 has a width
extending in a
direction parallel to the grip length GL, and a height extending in a
direction parallel to
the grip height GH. Each step 35 has one or more wave protrusions 34A and
their
corresponding grooves. The grooves formed between each of the waves in the
wave
patterned protrusions 34A may form sipes, similar to the sipes formed in tires
which are
configured to improve grip on slippery surfaces such as snow and ice. Although
wave-
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WO 2020/206548 PCT/CA2020/050474
shaped patterns are shown formed in the grip texture 32 in the depicted
embodiment, it
is to be understood that other shaped patterns may alternately be used,
including for
example chevron shaped, angled slits or slots, pin grips, etc. The grip 30 in
Fig. 4 thus
has a "stepped" and "wave" design. This orientation and configuration of the
steps 35
may allow the grip 30 to better frictionally engage the ice surface I during a
butterfly
manoeuvre of the goaltender, for example, or whenever the goaltender needs to
recover to a stand-up position from a position in which the widest portion WP
of the
goalie skate 10 is engaged with the ice surface I. Each separate step 35 may
act to
"bite" into the ice surface (i.e. provide a local increase in friction grip
with the ice surface
I) and thus help provide the goaltender with purchase thereon.
[0067] The vamping 20 is shown in isolation in Fig. 5. The vamping 20 includes
a
vamping material, and non-limiting examples of the vamping material include
synthetic
leather, plastic and composite material. These materials may help the vamping
20 to
provide abrasion resistance, in addition to its gripping functionality. The
vamping 20 has
a peripheral edge 24 delimiting a vamping body 26. The peripheral edge 24
defines the
periphery or outer contour of the vamping 20. The vamping body 26 is disposed
within
the peripheral edge 24. The vamping body 26 may have portions having different
colours or made from different materials, as shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the
grip 30
occupies less than an entirety of the surface area of the vamping body 26. The
portions
of the outer surface 22 formed by the grip 30 are designated with the
reference number
22A and 22B in Fig. 5, and the portions of the outer surface 22 formed by the
remainder
of the vamping body 26 are designated with the reference number 22C in Fig. 5.
The
vamping 20 extends along a vamping height VH between an upper end and a lower
end. The vamping 20 has one or more of the lace eyelets 19A at the upper end
thereof.
The lace eyelet 19A is positioned between the uppermost extremity of vamping
body 26
and the grip 30. As better shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, the vamping 26 is curved
along
the vamping height VH between the upper and lower ends. The vamping 26, and
thus
the grip 30 positioned thereon, have a curvature to follow the contours of
medial side of
foot of the goaltender.
[0068] The curvature of the vamping 20 is shown in Figs. 3A and 6. The vamping
body
26 is curved such that it extends along the side 18A,18B of the boot 12, and
wraps
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WO 2020/206548 PCT/CA2020/050474
underneath the boot 12 by extending underneath the boot 12 to the blade holder
14A.
The grip 30 in Figs. 3A and 6 does not extend as far as the vamping 20
underneath the
boot 12. It may only be necessary for the grip 30 to extend over the portion
of the
vamping 20 which contacts the ice surface I when the angle of attack aMIN is
reached.
[0069] Referring to Fig. 5, the portion 22A of the outer surface 22 formed by
the grip 30
includes the steps 35 and the wave protrusions 34A. This portion 22A is curved
such
that it extends along the side 18A,18B of the boot 12, and wraps partly
underneath the
boot 12. The portion 22B of the outer surface 22 includes a grip texture 32
different
from the grip texture 32 in the portion 22A. The grip texture 32 in the
portion 22B
includes raised ribs alternating with corresponding recesses or grooves
between the
ribs. The portion 22C formed by the remainder of the vamping body 26 serves
primarily
to provide abrasion resistance, and may also provide some gripping
functionality and be
made from sand paper. All other portions of the vamping body 26 in Fig. 5
provide very
little grip or abrasion functionality, and are primarily cosmetic. In Fig. 5,
the grip
coefficient of friction PG varies along the vamping height VH, with the grip
coefficient of
friction PG being highest in the portion 22A and lowest in the portion 22C.
The grip
coefficient of friction PG along the portion 22B is greater than it is along
the portion 22C,
and less than it is along the portion 22A. It can thus be appreciated that the
grip 30
provides frictional resistance along a direction being parallel to the grip
height GH or to
the vamping height VH. The directional nature of the friction resistance
provided by the
grip 30 may allow for the greatest resistance to generally occur in a
direction that is
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 11 of the boot 12.
[0070] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the boot 12 seen in a plane being
normal to
the longitudinal axis 11 of the boot 12. In this embodiment, the vamping 20
and the grip
30 are provided on both the medial and lateral sides 18A,18B of the boot 12.
However,
it is to be understood that the grip 30 may in an alternate embodiment be
provided only
on the medial side 18A of the boot 12. The vamping body 26 is curved such that
it
extends along the sides 18A,18B of the boot 12, and wraps underneath the boot
12 by
extending underneath the boot 12 to the blade holder 14A. The grip 30 in Fig.
7 does
not extend as far as the vamping 20 underneath the boot 12. The portion 22A of
the
grip 30 includes the steps 35. This portion 22A is curved such that it extends
along the
CA 03136007 2021-10-04
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sides 18A,18B of the boot 12, and wraps partly underneath the boot 12. The
portion
22B of the grip 30 includes a grip texture 32 different from the grip texture
32 in the
portion 22A. In Fig. 7, the grip coefficient of friction PG varies along the
vamping height
VH, with the grip coefficient of friction PG being highest in the portion 22A.
[0071] The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in
the art
will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without
departing from the scope of the invention disclosed. Still other modifications
which fall
within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in
the art, in
light of a review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to
fall within the
appended claims.
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