Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
RIVET REPLACEMENT FOR SKATES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to replacement hardware for skates,
especially
hockey skates, and more particularly to replacement hardware for replacing
rivets that secure
the blade holder to the underside of the boot of the hockey skate, in the
event that the rivet
breaks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional ice hockey skates have a metal skate blade retained by
a plastic
blade holder. Rivets extend through co-operating aligned apertures in the
blade holder and
the bottom of the skate boot to secure the blade holder to the underside of
the boot of the
skate. Roller blade hockey skates may be constructed similarly.
[0003] During a hockey game, or even a hockey practice, it is somewhat
common to
break one of the rivets that secure the blade holder to the underside of the
boot of the hockey
skate due to a sudden impact from a hockey puck, a stick, the boards
surrounding the playing
surface, etc. If a rivet breaks, the skate may not be usable until the rivet
is replaced.
Accordingly, it is important to be able to replace the rivet immediately.
However, since a rivet
1
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
gun is typically not available at a hockey game or practice, the repair
typically needs to be done
later.
[0004] Alternatively, other means of repair could be employed. However,
there is no
other hardware known in the prior art that is specifically meant to replace a
broken rivet in this
situation.
[0005] The closest prior art that has been found is described in Canadian
Issued Patent
No. CA2090275, issued June 30, 1998, to Graf, and entitled Ice Hockey Skate.
This ice hockey
skate includes a boot 1 having a shoe sole (outer plastic sole 7, insole 9,
insole reinforcement
10, foamed body 11, and textile weaving 12), a blade 2 mounted to the boot 1
by means of
mounting units. The blade 2 includes a blade body 3 made of a plastic material
and a runner
body 4 made of metal and embedded in the blade body 3. Mounting units each
comprise a
bolt 17 and a nut 18. The bolt 17 extends through apertures in the rear blade
plate 5 or the
front blade plate 6 and also extends through a bore hole 26 in the outer
plastic sole 7. The
hub 23 of the nut 18 is partially disposed in a recess in the outer plastic
sole 7 and also extends
through a bore hole 27 in the insole 9. The head (disk) 22 of the nut 18 is
received in a circular
aperture in the insole reinforcement 10. Points 24 extend downwardly from the
head (disk) 22
of the nut 18 into the insole 9. The nut 18 is covered by a further insole
that comprises a foamed
body 11 and a textile weaving 12. During assembly of the skate, the bolt 17 is
rotated with
respect to the nut 18 to tighten the bolt and nut assembly in place, thereby
securely fastening
together the front and rear blade plates 6,5, the outer plastic sole 7 and the
insole 9.
2
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
[0006] Another related prior art document is described in United States
Published Patent
Application No. U520110316243A1, published December 29, 2011, and entitled
Skate
Assembly with External Mounting Blocks. The skate boot 120 having a sole
portion 124 has a
skate frame 102 fastened to the sole portion 124 of the skate boot 120. More
specifically,
threaded fasteners 134 are used fasten the skate frame 102 to the external
mounting blocks
110 as secured by co-operating nuts 132, and similar threaded fasteners 130
are used to
securely fasten the external mounting blocks 110 to the sole portion 124 at
nut plates 125.
[0007] Another related prior art document is described in United States
Published Patent
Application No. U520060145434A1, published July 6, 2006, and entitled
Adjustable Hockey
Skate Blade System. The blade assembly 11 having a blade holder 12 is fastened
to the skate
boot 4 at the stiff lower surface 6 thereof by releasable fasteners 10
extending through ports 8
in outwardly extending securing flanges 30,32.
[0008] Another related prior art document is described in United States
Patent No.
U56,932,360, issued August 23, 2005, and entitled Ice Hockey Runner-Blade
Assembly. The
front cup 202 and the back cup 204 are secured to the bottom of the skate boot
sole 216 by
threaded fasteners 413 threadibly engaged in holes 414 in tops 410,412 of the
cups 202,204.
[0009] Another related prior art document is described in United States
Patent No.
U56,932,360, issued August 23, 2005, and entitled Adjustable Frame Assembly
For Skates.
Threaded fasteners 28 extend through openings 30 and are threadably engaged in
co-
operating T-nuts 20 to secure the frame 32 to the boot portion 10.
3
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
[00010] Another related prior art document is described in United States
Patent No.
US1,551,620, issued September 1, 1925, and entitled Skate. This skate has a
blade assembly
attached to a foot support by screws extending through aligned apertures in
the foot support
and an upper portion of the blade assembly.
[00011] Another related prior art document is described in United States
Patent No.
U529,378, issued July 31, 1860, and entitled Skate. This skate has a sole
plate attached to a
sole shoe by screws extending through perforations in the sole plate.
[00012] Another related prior art document is described in United States
Patent No.
U5605,285, issued June 7, 1998, and entitled Hockey Game Skate. This skate has
a foot rest
A and a runner B secured to the foot rest A. The skate blade B is secured to
the foot rest A by
clamping heel screw c that extends through ferrule h.
[00013] Another related prior art document is described in Korean Published
Patent
Publication No. KR20090012874U, published December 17, 2009, and entitled
Multifunctional
Skate. This skate comprises left and right skate blades on the bottom of the
shoe, which are
assembled to the bowl against the sole of the shoe. Bolts are used to secure
the blade
assembly to the sole of the shoe. A plate is formed with two rows of guide
rails at intervals on
the bottom. Each of the left and right skate blades is separated into the
front and rear sides
around the central portion, the upper portion of each of which is provided
with a connecting
4
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
plate is inserted into the guide rail to move and adjust the length. In
another embodiment, an
inline wheel that is selectively fitted between the left and right blades.
[00014] It is an object of the present invention to provide replacement
hardware for
replacing rivets that secure the blade holder to the underside of the boot of
the hockey skate,
in the event that the rivet breaks.
[00015] It is an object of the present invention to provide replacement
hardware for
replacing rivets that secure the blade holder to the underside of the boot of
the hockey skate,
in the event that the rivet breaks, wherein the replacement hardware is
inexpensive.
[00016] It is an object of the present invention to provide replacement
hardware for
replacing rivets that secure the blade holder to the underside of the boot of
the hockey skate,
in the event that the rivet breaks, wherein the replacement hardware is easy
to install.
[00017] It is an object of the present invention to provide replacement
hardware for
replacing rivets that secure the blade holder to the underside of the boot of
the hockey skate,
in the event that the rivet breaks, wherein the replacement hardware can be
installed quickly.
[00018] It is an object of the present invention to provide replacement
hardware for
replacing rivets that secure the blade holder to the underside of the boot of
the hockey skate,
in the event that the rivet breaks, wherein the replacement hardware can be
installed during a
game or practice.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
[00019] It is an object of the present invention to provide replacement
hardware for
replacing rivets that secure the blade holder to the underside of the boot of
the hockey skate,
in the event that the rivet breaks, wherein the replacement hardware can be
installed using
only one simple tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00020] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is
disclosed a novel
rivet replacement for skates having a skate boot with a top sole layer. The
rivet replacement
comprises a top threaded fastener extending between a top thread end and a
bottom thread
end and a bottom threaded fastener extending between a top thread end and a
bottom thread
end. The top threaded fastener and the bottom threaded fastener co-operatively
engage each
with the other in inter-threaded relation, and such that rotation of the top
threaded fastener and
the bottom threaded fastener with respect to each other causes linear
displacement of the top
threaded fastener and the bottom threaded fastener with respect to each other
along a common
longitudinal axis. There is at least one spike securely connected to the top
threaded member
adjacent the top thread end thereof and extending downwardly therefrom. The at
least one
spike is oriented to protrude into the top sole layer of the skate boot. In
use, the top threaded
fastener and the bottom threaded fastener are threadiby engaged with each
other and are
rotated with respect to each other such that the at least one spike is forced
into the top layer
6
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
of material on the sole of the skate, until the top threaded fastener and the
bottom threaded
fastener are tightly engaged each with the other.
[00021] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is
disclosed a novel
method of replacing a broken rivet in a skate having a skate boot with a top
sole layer. The
method comprising the steps of, subsequent to the removal of the broken rivet:
inserting the
threaded shank portion of a top threaded fastener into the aperture in the
sole of the skate
boot; threadiby engaging the top threaded fastener and the bottom threaded
fastener with each
other; rotating the bottom threaded fastener to thereby causes linear
displacement of the top
threaded fastener and the bottom threaded fastener with respect to each other
along a common
longitudinal axis, such that the at least one spike is forced into the top
layer of material on the
sole of the skate, until the top threaded fastener and the bottom threaded
fastener are tightly
engaged each with the other.
[00022] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is
disclosed a novel
rivet replacement for skates. The rivet replacement comprises a bolt having a
head portion
with a top surface and a bottom surface, a driver receiving portion in the
head portion, and a
threaded shank portion extending upwardly from the head portion between a
proximal end and
a distal end. There is also a nut having a head portion with a top surface and
a bottom surface,
a threaded shank portion extending downwardly from the head portion between a
proximal end
and a distal end, and spikes extending downwardly from the head portion of the
nut. In use,
the threaded shank portion of the nut is inserted into the aperture in the
sole of the skate boot,
the threaded shank portion of the bolt is inserted into the aperture in the
blade holder, the
7
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
threaded shank portion of the bolt and threaded shank portion of the nut
threadiby engage
each other to form a fastener assembly. Also, in use, the bolt is rotated with
respect to the nut
to draw the bolt and nut towards each other, thereby forcing the spikes on the
nut into the top
layer of material on the sole of the skate to thereby preclude the nut from
turning relative to the
skate, until the bolt and nut are tightly engaged each with the other.
[00023] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there
is disclosed a
novel method of replacing a broken rivet in a hockey skate. The method
comprising the steps
of, subsequent to the removal of the broken rivet: inserting the threaded
shank portion of the
nut into the aperture in the sole of the skate boot; inserting the threaded
shank portion of the
bolt into the aperture in the sole of the blade holder; co-operatively
threadibly engaging the
threaded shank portion of the bolt and threaded shank portion of the nut with
each other to
form a fastener assembly; and rotating the bolt with respect to the nut to
draw the bolt and nut
towards each other, thereby forcing the spikes on the nut into the top layer
of material on the
sole of the skate boot, to thereby preclude the nut from turning relative to
the skate, until the
bolt and nut are tightly engaged each with the other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00024] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the
present
invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation,
together with further
objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the
following drawings in
8
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
which an illustrated embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by
way of example. It
is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of
illustration and
description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the
invention. In the
accompanying drawings:
[00025] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the first
illustrated
embodiment rivet replacement for skates according to the present invention,
showing the rivet
replacement about to be installed in a skate;
[00026] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the first
illustrated
embodiment rivet replacement for skates similar to Figure 1, except that the
rivet replacement
has been installed in a skate;
[00027] Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the first illustrated
embodiment rivet
replacement for skates as shown in Figure 1;
[00028] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first illustrated embodiment
rivet
replacement for skates as shown in Figure 1;
[00029] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bolt that is part of the
first illustrated
embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 1;
9
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
[00030] Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the bolt that is part of the
first illustrated
embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 1;
[00031] Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the bolt of Figure 6;
[00032] Figure 8 is a top plan view of the bolt of Figure 6;
[00033] Figure 9 is a side elevational of the bolt of Figure 6;
[00034] Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of the bolt of Figure 6;
[00035] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the bolt of
Figure 6;
[00036] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the nut that is part of the
first illustrated
embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 1;
[00037] Figure 13 is a side elevational view of the nut that is part of the
first illustrated
embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 1;
[00038] Figure 14 is a side elevational view of the nut that is part of the
first illustrated
embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 1;
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
[00039] Figure 15 is a bottom plan view of the nut that is part of the
first illustrated
embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 1;
[00040] Figure 16 is a top plan view of the nut that is part of the first
illustrated
embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 1;
[00041] Figure 17 is a bottom plan view of the nut that is part of the
first illustrated
embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 1;
[00042] Figure 18 is a side elevational view of the nut that is part of the
first illustrated
embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 1;
[00043] Figure 19 is a sectional side elevational view of the nut that is
part of the first
illustrated embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 1;
[00044] Figure 20 is a perspective view of a wrench that can be used to
engage the bolt,
and to turn the bolt with respect to the nut, to thereby tighten the bolt and
nut with respect to
each other;
[00045] Figure 21 is a side elevational view of a wrench of Figure 20;
11
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
[00046] Figure 22 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the second
illustrated
embodiment rivet replacement for skates according to the present invention,
showing the rivet
replacement about to be installed in a skate;
[00047] Figure 23 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the second
illustrated
embodiment rivet replacement for skates sim ilar to Figure 22, except that the
rivet replacement
has been installed in a skate;
[00048] Figure 24 is a perspective view of the top threaded fastener that
is part of the
second illustrated embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure
22;
[00049] Figure 25 is a side view of the top threaded fastener that is part
of the second
illustrated embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 22;
[00050] Figure 26 is a top view of the top threaded fastener that is part
of the second
illustrated embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 22;
[00051] Figure 27 is a perspective view of the top threaded fastener that
is part of the
second illustrated embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure
22;
[00052] Figure 28 is a perspective view of the top threaded fastener that
is part of the
second illustrated embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure
22;
12
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
[00053] Figure 29 is a perspective view of the bottom threaded fastener
that is part of the
second illustrated embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure
22;
[00054] Figure 30 is a side view of the bottom threaded fastener that is
part of the second
illustrated embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 22;
[00055] Figure 31 is a top view of the bottom threaded fastener that is
part of the second
illustrated embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 22;
[00056] Figure 32 is a top view of the washer that is part of the second
illustrated
embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 22;
[00057] Figure 33 is a side view of the washer that is part of the second
illustrated
embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure 22;
[00058] Figure 34 is a top plan view of a wrench that is used in
conjunction with the
second illustrated embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure
22;
[00059] Figure 35 is a side edge view of a wrench that is used in
conjunction with the
second illustrated embodiment rivet replacement for skates as shown in Figure
22; and,
[00060] Figure 36 is a perspective view of the second illustrated
embodiment rivet
replacement for skates as shown in Figure 22, also showing the wrench of
Figures 34 and 35.
13
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
LIST OF COMPONENTS AND REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 rivet replacement
101 fastener assembly
102 ice hockey skate
104 blade
106 blade holder
106a aperture in blade holder
108 skate boot
109 sole of skate boot
109a aperture in sole of skate boot
109t top layer of material
110 wrench
111 working end
120 bolt
122 head portion
122t top surface
122b bottom surface
123 driver receiving potion
124 threaded shank portion
124m male thread
125 proximal end
126 distal end
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
130 nut
132 head portion
132t top surface
132b bottom surface
133a first side edge
133b second side edge
133c third side edge
133d fourth side edge
134 threaded shank portion
134f female thread
135 proximal end
136 distal end
137 bore hole
140 spikes
143a first side
143b second side
143c third side
143d fourth side
145 proximal end
146 distal end
AT angular taper of each spike
LAB longitudinal axis of bolt
LAS longitudinal axis of spike
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
LAN longitudinal axis of nut
SN span of nut
WN width of nut
TN thickness
LS length of spike
WS width of spike
TS thickness of spike
200 rivet replacement
201 fastener assembly
202 ice hockey skate
204 blade
206 blade holder
206a aperture in blade holder
208 skate boot
209 sole of skate boot
209a aperture in sole of skate boot
209t top layer of material
210 wrench
211 working end
220 top threaded fastener
221t top thread end
221b bottom thread end
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
222 head portion
222t top surface
222b bottom surface
223a first peripheral edge portion
223b second peripheral edge portion
223w wider edge portion
223n narrower edge portion
224 threaded shank portion
224m male thread
225 proximal end
226 distal end
227w wider edge portion
227n narrower edge portion
230 bottom threaded fastener
231t top thread end
231b bottom thread end
234f female thread
236 washer
240 at least one spike
240a first spike
240b second spike
243a first side
243b second side
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
243c third side
243d fourth side
245 proximal end
246 distal end
"L" common longitudinal axis
"LAS" longitudinal axis
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[00061] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 through 21, which show the
first
illustrated embodiment of the rivet replacement 100 for repairing a skate 102,
which is shown
as an ice hockey skate 102, according to the present invention. It should be
noted that in use,
an ice hockey skate 102 is usually generally vertically oriented, with the
blade 104 at the
bottom, the blade holder 106 above the blade 102, and the skate boot 108 on
top of the blade
holder 106. This orientation will be used for ease of reference when
describing the parts and
their orientation according to the present invention.
[00062] The first illustrated embodiment of the present invention
comprises a rivet
replacement 100 for repairing a skate 102. As can be seen in Figures 1 through
21, the first
illustrated embodiment of the rivet replacement 100 comprises, in brief, a
bolt 120 and a nut
130.
18
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
[00063] The bolt 120 has a head portion 122 with a top sur1ace122t and a
bottom surface
122b, a driver receiving potion 123 in the head portion 122, and a threaded
shank portion 124
extending upwardly from the top surface 122t of head portion 122 between a
proximal end 125
and a distal end 126. In this case, the driver comprises a wrench 110 having a
working end
111 with a hexagonal cross-section, such as might be found on an Allen key,
and is shown in
Figures 20 and 21.
[00064] The threaded shank portion 124 of the bolt 120 comprises a male
thread 124f
and defines a longitudinal axis "LAB" of the bolt 120. The driver receiving
portion 123 is
disposed in the bottom surface 122b of the head portion 122 and comprises a
hexagonally
shaped recess suitable for receiving an Allen key therein, such that the Allen
key can be used
to rotate the bolt 120 about its longitudinal axis "LAB". The driver receiving
portion 123 may
be of any other suitable type and shape.
[00065] There is a nut 130 having a head portion 132 with a top surface
132t and a bottom
surface 132b, a threaded shank portion 134 extending downwardly from the head
portion 132
between a proximal end 135 and a distal end 136, and spikes 140 extending
downwardly from
the head portion of the nut 130. The head portion 132 of the nut 130 has first
and second
opposed side edges 133a,133b and third and fourth opposed sides 133c,133d.
[00066] The threaded shank portion 134 of the nut 130 comprises a female
thread
defining a bore hole 137, which together define a longitudinal axis "LAN" of
the nut 130. The
19
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
bore hole 137 in the threaded shank portion of the nut 130 extends through to
the top surface
132t of the head portion 132 of the nut 130.
[00067] As can be readily seen in the figures, the head portion 132 of the
nut 130 has a
span "SN", a width "WN", a thickness "TN", and the thickness "TN" is thin
compared to the span
"SN" and width "WN" of the nut 130, so as to not project upwardly and dig into
the sole of a
foot of a person wearing the skate 102 when the nut 130 is in place. The
threaded shank
portion 134 of the nut 130 extends downwardly from the bottom surface 132b of
the head
portion 132. As illustrated, for the head portion 132 of the nut 130, the
ratio of the span "SN"
to the width "WN" to the thickness "TN" is about 13.5:10.5:1Ø
[00068] The spikes 140 extend downwardly from the bottom sur1ace132b of the
head
portion 132 of the nut 130. Each spike 140 extends downwardly along a
longitudinal axis "LAS"
from a proximal end 145 at the head portion 132 of the nut 130 to a distal end
146. Further,
each spike 140 tapers in thickness from the proximal end 145 to the distal end
146 such that
the distal end 146 terminates at a vertex. As illustrated, the angular taper
"AT" of each spike
140 is about 9.4 degrees. Each spike 140 has a rectangular cross-section along
the
longitudinal axis "LAS" of the spike 140. The rectangular cross-section has
first and second
opposed sides 143a,143b and third and fourth opposed sides 143c,143d. As
illustrated, the
first and second opposed sides 143a,143b are longer than the third and fourth
opposed sides
143c,143d. The ratio of the length of the first and second opposed sides
143a,143b to the third
and fourth opposed sides 143c,143d is about 2:1.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
[00069] As illustrated, the length "LS" of each spike is about 3.0 mm, the
width "WS" of
each spike at the head 132 of the nut 130, is about 1.0 mm, and the thickness
"TS" of each
spike at the head 132 of the nut 130 is about 0.5 mm. Accordingly, the ratio
of the length to
the width to the thickness of each spike is 3:1:0.5.
[00070] As illustrated, the first and second opposed side edges 143a,143b
are each
straight and the third and fourth opposed side edges 143c,143d are each
convexly curved.
The first and second opposed sides 143a,143b of each spike 140 are parallel to
the first and
second opposed sides 133a,133b of the head portion 132 of the nut 130.
[00071] In use, the threaded shank portion 134 of the nut 130 is inserted
into the aperture
109a in the sole 109 of the skate boot 108, and the threaded shank portion 124
of the bolt 120
is inserted into the aperture 106a in the blade holder 106. The threaded shank
portion 122 of
the bolt 120 and the threaded shank portion 132 of the nut 130 are brought
together and are
threadiby engage each with the other to form a fastener assembly 101. Further,
bolt 120 is
rotated with respect to the nut 130 to draw the bolt 120 and nut 130 towards
each other, thereby
forcing the spikes on the nut 130 into the top layer of material 109t of the
sole 109 of the skate
boot 108, to thereby preclude the nut 130 from turning relative to the skate
102, until the bolt
120 and nut 130 are tightly engaged each with the other.
[00072] In another aspect, the present invention also provides a method of
replacing a
broken rivet in a hockey skate. The method comprising the steps of, subsequent
to the removal
of the broken rivet: inserting the threaded shank portion of the nut into the
aperture in the sole
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
of the skate boot; inserting the threaded shank portion of the bolt into the
aperture in the sole
of the blade holder; co-operatively threadibly engaging the threaded shank
portion of the bolt
and threaded shank portion of the nut with each other to form a fastener
assembly; and rotating
the bolt with respect to the nut to draw the bolt and nut towards each other,
thereby forcing the
spikes on the nut into the top layer of material on the sole of the skate to
thereby preclude the
nut from turning relative to the skate, until the bolt and nut are tightly
engaged each with the
other.
[00073] Reference will now be made to Figures 22 through 36, which show
the second
illustrated embodiment of the rivet replacement 200 for repairing a skate 202,
having a top
skate boot 208 with a sole 209 having a top sole layer 209t of material. The
skate 202 is shown
as an ice hockey skate 202, according to the present invention. It should be
noted that in use,
an ice hockey skate 202 is usually generally vertically oriented, with the
blade 204 at the
bottom, the blade holder 206 above the blade 202, and the skate boot 208 on
top of the blade
holder 206. This orientation will be used for ease of reference when
describing the parts and
their orientation according to the present invention.
[00074] The second illustrated embodiment of the present invention
comprises a rivet
replacement 200 for repairing a skate 202. As can be seen in Figures 22
through 36, the
second illustrated embodiment of the rivet replacement 200 comprises, in
brief, a top threaded
fastener 220, a bottom threaded fastener 230.
22
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
[00075] More specifically, the top threaded fastener 220 extends between a
top thread
end 221t and a bottom thread end 221b and the bottom threaded fastener 230
extends
between a top thread end 231t and a bottom thread end 231t. As illustrated,
the top threaded
fastener 220 comprises a male thread 224m and the bottom threaded fastener 230
comprises
a female thread 234f. In other words, the top threaded fastener 220 comprises
a bolt 230
having the head portion 222 with a top surface 222t and a bottom surface 222b,
and an
elongate threaded shank portion 224 extending downwardly from the head portion
222
between a proximal end 225 and a distal end 226. As illustrated, the bottom
threaded fastener
230 comprises a nut 230.
[00076] The nut 230 is hexagonally shaped, in order to receive a suitable
driver. In this
case, the driver comprises a wrench 110 having a working end 111 with a
hexagonal cross-
section, and is shown in Figures 34 to 36.
[00077] The top threaded fastener 220 and the bottom threaded fastener 230
co-
operatively engage each with the other in inter-threaded relation, and such
that rotation of the
top threaded fastener 220 and the bottom threaded fastener 230 with respect to
each other
around a common longitudinal axis "L" causes linear displacement of the top
threaded fastener
220 and the bottom threaded fastener 230 with respect to each other along the
common
longitudinal axis "L".
[00078] There is at least one spike 240 securely connected to the top
threaded member
adjacent the top thread end 221t thereof and extending downwardly therefrom.
More
23
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
specifically, the elongate threaded shank portion 224 of the top threaded
fastener extends
downwardly from the head portion 222. As illustrated, the at least one spike
240 comprises a
plurality of spikes 240, specifically a first spike 240a and a second spike
240. Further, the first
spike 240a and the second spike 240b are on opposite sides of the common
longitudinal axis
"L". The first spike 240a and the second spike 240b extend downwardly from the
head portion
222 of the top threaded fastener 220. The first spike 240a and the second
spike 240b are
oriented to, in use in a skate boot 208, protrude into the top sole layer 209t
of the sole 209 of
the skate boot 208.
[00079] The head portion 222 has a first peripheral edge portion 223a and
second
peripheral edge portion 223b. The first peripheral edge portion 223a and the
second peripheral
edge portion 223b are on opposite sides of the common longitudinal axis "L".
The first
peripheral edge portion 223a has a wider edge portion 223w and a narrower edge
portion 223n.
The first spike 240 is disposed between the wider edge portion 223w and the
narrower edge
portion 223n of the first peripheral edge portion 221a. Similarly, the second
peripheral edge
portion 223b has a wider edge portion 227w and a narrower edge portion 227n.
The second
spike 240 is disposed between the wider edge portion 227w and the narrower
edge portion
227n of the second peripheral edge portion 223b.
[00080] In the second illustrated embodiment of the rivet replacement 200,
as illustrated,
each spike 240, or in other words both the first spike 240 and the second
spike 240, is/are
integrally formed with the head portion 222 of the top threaded fastener 220.
It has been found
24
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
that, for ease of manufacturing, each the spike 240 may readily be formed by a
stamping
operation.
[00081] Each spike 240 extends downwardly along a longitudinal axis "LAS"
from a
proximal end 245 at the head portion 222 of the top threaded fastener 220 to a
distal end 246.
Further, each spike 240 tapers in thickness from the proximal end 245 to the
distal end 246
such that the distal end 246 terminates at a vertex. Each spike 240 has a
rectangular cross-
section along the longitudinal axis "LAS" of the spike 240. The rectangular
cross-section has
first and second opposed sides 243a,243b and third and fourth opposed sides
243c,243d. As
illustrated, the first and second opposed sides 243a,243b are longer than the
third and fourth
opposed sides 243c,243d.
[00082] In use, the threaded shank portion 224 of the top threaded
fastener 220 is
inserted into and partially through the aperture 209a in the sole 109 of the
skate boot 208 and
through the aperture 206 a in the blade holder 206, until enough of the
threaded shank portion
224 of the bottom thread end 221b is exposed underneath the blade holder 206
for it to be
threadibly engaged by the bottom threaded fastener 230 (nut 230). In this
manner, the top
threaded fastener 220 and the bottom threaded fastener 230 are brought
together and are
threadiby engaged each with the other to form a fastener assembly 201. A
washer 236 can be
used in conjunction with the bottom threaded fastener 230, as is well known in
the art.
[00083] The top threaded fastener 220 and the bottom threaded fastener 230
are
threadiby engaged with each other and are rotated with respect to each other
around the
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
common longitudinal axis "L", such that the first spike 240a and the second
spike 240b are
forced into the top sole layer 209t of material on the sole 209 of the skate
208, to thereby
preclude the top threaded fastener 220 from turning relative to the skate 202,
until the top
threaded fastener 220 and the bottom threaded fastener 230 are tightly engaged
each with the
other.
[00084] In another monument (not illustrated), it is contemplated that the
top threaded
fastener comprises a female thread and the bottom threaded fastener comprises
a male thread,
as in the first illustrated embodiment.
[00085] Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention.
Thus, while the
invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative
constructions without departing
from the spirit of the inventions disclosed and claimed, only a limited number
of embodiments
or variations thereof have been illustrated or otherwise disclosed herein by
way of non-limiting
example. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit
the invention to
the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to
cover all
modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the
spirit and scope of
the invention, as defined in the appended claims broadly construed.
[00086] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents
in the context
of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following
claims) are to be construed
to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein
or clearly
contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and
"containing" are to
26
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited
to,") unless
otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as partly or wholly
contained within,
attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening.
Recitation of ranges of
values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring
individually to
each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated
herein, and each
separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were
individually recited herein. The
use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as", or, "for
example")
provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the
invention and does
not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed.
No language in
the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as
essential to
the practice of the invention.
[00087] Currently preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein.
Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of
ordinary skill in
the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled
artisans to employ
such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to
be practiced
otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention
includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims
appended hereto as
permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described
elements in
all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless
otherwise indicated
herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
27
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-28
