Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02435041 2003-07-11
PATENT
SI~'{ATE WITH REMOVABLE BLADE
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to skates.
[0002] Skates, whether of the ice skate, roller skate or in-line variety,
typically
include a boot, a use element, such as an ice blade, rollers, or in-line
rollers as well as
a use element holder which receives the use element and is attachable to the
boot.
[0003] Typically, a plurality of rivets are used to fixedly attach the holder
to
the boot sole. In the case of ice skates, the riveted attachment of the holder
and blade
requires that the entire boot, blade holder and blade be held or mounted in a
fixture
for sharpening in a blade sharpening machine. Due to the size of the ice
skate, this is
difficult to do in a manner which insures that the blade is held stationary
during the
entire sharpening process for the formation of a consistent edge.
[0004] In use, skates are subject to frequent start and stops. This generates
high lateral torque forces which are transmitted to the rivets and which
freqtuently
result in breakage or damage of the rivets. This requires frequent replacement
of the
rivets which, at best, is a time-consuming process and renders the
skate.inoperative
for the length of the repair process.
[0005] In ice hockey skates, a blade holder is commonly used to fixedly mount
an ice runner or blade to an ice skate boot. The blade holder is formed with .
enlargements and recesses which receive the head of a shank of a fastener. An
opposite threaded end of the shank extends into a recess in the holder where a
nut is
mounted in a recess on the inside of the holder to secure the shank and the
attached
blade to the blade holder. Rivets are then applied to the peripheral edge of
the blade
holder to fixedly secure the blade holder and the attached blade to the boot
sole.
[0006] However, repair or replacement of such a blade requires the removal of
the numerous rivets to separate the blade holder from the boot in order to
enable
access to and removal of the nut to release the runner or blade from the blade
holder.
The process must be repeated in a reverse order to attach a new blade or a
sharpened
blade to the blade holder and the blade holder back: on the boot sole.
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[0007] It is believed that skates can be further improved relative to the
blade
holder and the replaceable blade.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present invention is a skate which provides a simplified, quick and
easy mounting of a replaceable blade to a blade holder and the blade holder to
the
boot which does not require any rivets between the blade holder and the boot
as in
previous skate constructions.
[0009] In one aspect of the invention, the skate includes a boot having an
insole disposed within the boot and an outsole mounted exteriorly the boot. At
least
one retainer extends from the insole through the outsole. Bores are formed in
the
retainer transverse to the length of the insoles. The holder is engagable with
the
outsole and has interior chambers receiving the retairier of the insole, and
an open
ended groove formed in a bottom portion which has apertures opening into the
interior chambers.
[0010] A blade has a runner portion mountable in the open ended groove of
the holder. Enlargements on the blade runner have an attachment receptacle
which
receives an enlarged head at one end of an attachment fastener. The fastener
can be a
unitary, one piece, fixed length fastener or a two part, threadingly engagable
fastener.
In either aspect, the other end of the fastener has a through bore which is
received
within the retainer extending from the boot sole for receiving a fastener to
secure the
blade holder and the replaceable blade to the boot. Si-ich ari attachment is
via any of
the means described above for attaching the fastener and the blade holder to
the
retainer. A fastening pin is extendable through the aligned bores in the
holder, the
one end of the legs of the blade, and the first and second retainers to
securely connect
the blade to the holder and the holder to the boot.
[0011] The fastening pin preferably carries at least one or optionally two
biased lock members, such as spring biased balls, which normally project
outwardly
. from an exterior surface of the pin for forced engagement with end portions
of the
bores in the holder when the pin is mounted in the holder. The lock members
securely fix the pin in the holder to couple the blade to the holder and the
holder to
the boot.
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[0012] In one aspect, the fastening pin has spring biased lock members
or balls carried at opposite ends of the pin. In yet another aspect, the pin
carries a single biased lock member or ball at one end and a pull member or
ring at an opposite end to facilitate pulling removal of the pin from the
skate.
[0013] In one aspect of the invention, a plurality of complementary
shaped projections and recesses are formed on one of or both of the outsole
and the holder for mating when the holder is engaged with the outsole. The
projections and recesses define surfaces which resist lateral as well as fore
and aft movement of the holder relative to the outsole without the need for a
recessed cavity in the outsole or rivets to fix the holder to the outsole of
the
boot.
[0014] The skate of the present invention provides a unique, quick and
expedient structure for attachment of a replaceable blade to a blade holder
as well as the blade holder to a boot by means of the same fasteners. This
simplifies the assembly of the skate as well as any removal or replacement
of the blade from the blade holder by eliminating the need for rivets used in
practically all previously devised skates.
[0014a] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a skate comprising:
a boot having a sole;
at least one retainer extending from the sole, a bore formed in the at least
one retainer transverse to a length of the sole;
a holder mountable to the at least one retainer, an opening formed in a
bottom portion of the holder, the holder having bores extending transverse
to the opening;
a blade having a runner portion mountable in the opening in the holder;
an adapter coupled to the blade at one end and having a bore at an opposite
end, the adapter extending through the holder; and
a fastener extending through aligned bores in the holder, the adapter and
the retainer to securely connect the blade and the holder to the boot.
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3a
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The various features, advantages and other uses of the present
invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed
description and drawing in which:
[0016] Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a skate constructed in
accordance with one aspect of the present invention and depicted as an ice
skate;
[0017] Fig. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the skate shown in
Fig. 1, with the boot not shown;
[0018] Fig. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional view showing the mounting
of the boot, insole and outsole;
[0019] Fig. 4 is a plan view of the holder shown in Figs. 1 and 2;
[0020] Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the holder depicted in Fig. 4 shown
attached to the boot;
[0021] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional, end view of the assembled boot,
insole, outsole, holder and blade;
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[0022] Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a modified blade according to
another aspect of the present invention;
[0023] Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the outsole of the skate shown in Figs. 1-6;
[0024] Fig. 9 is a partially broken away, side elevational view of another
aspect of a skate according to the present invention;
[0025] Fig. 10 is a plan view of the holder shown in Fig. 10;
[0026] Fig. 11 is a partial, side elevational vievv of a skate according to
another
aspect of the present invention;
[0027] Fig. 12 is a plan view of a holder usable in the skate shown in Fig.
.11;
[0028] Fig. 13 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of a skate
according to another aspect of the present invention;
[0029] Fig. 14 is a plan view of the holder for the skate shown in Fig. 13;
[0030] Fig. 15 is a plan view of an outsole according to another aspect of the
present invention;
[0031] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line 16-16 in
Fig. 15;
[0032] Fig. 17 is an end elevational view of a boot and outsole usable with
the
holder shown in Figs. 15 and 16;
[0033] Fig, 18 is a side elevational view of a boot and outsole of a skate
according to another aspect of the present invention;
[0034] Fig. 19 is a plan view of a holder usable with a boot and outsole shown
in Fig. 18;
[0035] Fig. 20 is a plan view of a holder according to another aspect of the
present invention;
[0036] Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line 21-21 in
Fig. 20; and
[0037] Fig. 22 is an end view of a boot and an outsole usable with the holder
shown in Figs. 20 and 21;
[0038] Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional end view of another aspect of the
assembled
boot, insole, outsole, holder and blade showing one aspect of a removable pin
fastener;
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[0039] Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional end view of another aspect of the
assembled
boot, insole, outsole, holder and blade showing another aspect of a removable
pin
fastener;
[0040] Fig. 25 is an exploded, perspective view of another aspect of the
present invention showing optional one and two piece attachment adapters; and
[0041] Fig. 26 is a side elevational view of the assembled boot, insole,
outsole,
holder and blade according to the aspect of the invention shown in Fig. 25.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] Referring now to the drawing and to Figs. 1-6 and 8 in particular,
there
is depicted a skate 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the
present
invention. The skate 10, although depicted as an ice skate, can also be
devised for
use as an in-line skate or roller skate.
[0043] As is conventional, the skate 10 includes a shoe body or boot 12 of
conventional construction. The boot 12 may be formed of any suitable shoe or
boot
material, such as leather, rigid or soft plastic, combinations thereof as well
as other
suitable boot materials.
[0044] As shown in Figs. 1-3, the boot 12 also includes an insole 14 and an
outsole 16 which have center portions which sandwich inward extending bottom
edges of side walls of the boot 12 there between. Adhesive and/or fasteners
are
employed to securely join the boot 12, insole 14 and outsole 16 together.
[0045] In this aspect of the present invention, the insole 14 is formed with a
center portion 20 which is positioned inside of the boot 12 as a surface on
which the
user's foot rests. The insole 14 is formed with at least one and, preferably
two spaced
retainers 22 and 24, with the retainer 22 disposed in the toe portion of the
insole 14
and the retainer 24 disposed in the heel portion of the insole 14. The
retainers 22 and
24 are substantially identically formed and may be attached to or integrally
formed,
such as by molding, with the center portion 20 of the insole 12 and project
from one
surface of the center portion 20. In the case of only one retainer on the
insole 14, the
single retainer would typically be substantially centrally located between the
toe and
heel of the insole 14.
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[0046] As shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 6, the retainer 24 is formed of a
pair of depending legs 26 and 28 which project from the center portion 20 of
the
insole 14 and are spaced apart by a central slot 30. Through bores 32 and 34
formed
of each of the legs 26 and 28, respectively, and are aligned for receiving a
fastener
there through, as described hereafter.
[0047] It will be understood that the retainer 22 is similarly formed of
spaced
legs 26 and 28, with aligned bores 32 and 34 extending there through.
[0048] The outsole 16 has a center portion 40. The first aperture or slot 42
is
formed in a toe portion of the outsole 16; while a second aperture or slot 44
is formed
in a heel portion of the outsole 16.
[0049] In this aspect of the invention, a recessed cavity denoted by reference
number 48 is formed within the peripheiy of the outsole 16 by the formation of
a lip
50 depending from a peripheral edge of the center portion 40 of the outsole
16. The
lip 50 preferably depends from the entire peripheral extent of the outsole 16,
but may
be provided with discontinuous heel and toe portions. A toe cup 51 at the toe
end of
the outsole 16 is formed by an inward extending flange perpendicular to the
lip 50
and spaced from the center portion of the outsole 16 to form a recess for the
toe end
of a holder.
[0050] When the boot 12, insole 14 and outsole 16 are joined together, as
described above, by means of an adhesive and/or fasteners, the retainers 22
and 24
project through the apertures 42 and 44, respectively, in the outsole 16 and
depend a
greater distance from the center portion 40 of the outsole 16 than does the
extent of
the lip 50.
[0051] A use element holder 54 is provided for receiving a use element, such
as an ice blade or runner in the present example of the invention as an ice
skate. The
holder 54 is, according to the construction of the skate of the present
invention,
fixedly, yet removably attached to the insole 14 and the outsole 16 in a
manner which
resists lateral and fore and aft movement relative to the outsole 16.
[0052] According to this aspect of the present invention, the holder 54 is
formed as a one piece body, generally of molded plastic. Two internal chambers
71
and 73 are formed in toe and heel portions, respectively, of the holder 54
extending
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inward from apertures 57 and 58, formed in a top surface 60 of the holder 54.
As
shown more clearly in Fig. 6, the holder 54 is formed with a pair of side
walls 62 and
64 which extend from the top surface 60 and taper invvardly to bottom ends 66
and
68, respectively, which are spaced apart by a slot 70 vihich extends
completely
through the lower portion of the holder 54 and opens into each internal
chamber 71
and 73 within the holder 54. Co-axial through bores 72 and 74 are formed
through
the side walls 62 and 64 below the top portion 60 of the holder 54.
[0053] As shown in Fig. 1, the bottom edges 66 and 68 of the side walls 62
and 64, respectively of the holder 54 are spaced apart along their length to
define a
shallow slot 80. Two apertures 82 and 84 are formed on an inner edge of the
slot and
open to the interior chambers 71 and 73 in the holder 54.
[0054] According to this aspect of the present invention, the use element or
blade 56 is formed with an elongated runner portion 88 which extends from a
toe end
90 to a heel end 92. Typically, the blade 56 is formed of metal, such as
stainless
steel. A pair of attachment legs 96 and 98 are integrally formed with the
runner 88
and project from an upper surface 100.
[0055] In this aspect of the invention, each leg 96 and 98 extends angularly
from the top edge 100 of the runner 88 as shown in Fi.g. 2. Weight reducing
apertures 102 may optionally be formed in each leg 96 and 98 to produce the
overall
weight of the blade 56.
[0056] The attachment of the blade 56 to the holder 54 and, at the same time,
the attachment of the holder 54 to the insole 14 and outsole 16 will now be
described.
After the boot 12, the insole 14 and the outsole 16 have been fixedly joined
together,
as shown in Fig. 3 and then described above, the holder 54, with or without
the blade
56 disposed therein, is urged into engagement with the outsole 16. In this
mounting
arrangement, the outer periphery of the center portion 60 of the holder 54 has
a shape
complimentary to the shape of the inner surface of the depending lip 50 on the
outsole 16, as shown in Fig. 6. This holds the center portion 60 of the holder
54 in
snug engagement with the entire peripheral surface of the lip 50 on the
outsole 16 to
prevent lateral and fore and aft movement of the holder 54 relative to the
outsole 16.
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[0057] With the holder 54 snugly engaged with the outsole 16, as shown in
Fig. 6, the retainers 22 and 24 project through the apertures 42 and 44 in the
outsole
16 and into the interior chambers 71 and 73, respectively, in the holder 54.
[0058] The blade 56 is then be attached to the holder 54 and to the insole 14
by
sliding the legs 96 and 98 through the apertures 82 ancl 84, respectively,
extending
inward from the inner edge 80 of the slot 70 formed in the lower end portion
of the
holder 54 until an upper end of each of the legs 96 and 98 is aligned with the
bores
72 and 74 in the holder 54 and with the bores 32 and 34 in the legs 26 and 28
of each
retainer 22 and 24. A fastener formed of two mating fastener portions 110 and
112 is
then inserted through the aligned bores and threadingly tightened to fixedly
mount
the blade 56 in the holder 54 and at the same time to attach the blade 56 to
the insole
14 and to also attach the holder 54 to the insole 14.
[0059] Referring now to Figs. 23 and 24, there is depicted other aspects of
the
fastener used to mount the blade 56 in the holder 54 and the holder 54 to the
retainers
22 and 24. As shown in one aspect in Fig. 23, a fasterier 230 is insertable
through the
aligned bores 32 and 34 in the legs 26 and 28 of each retainer 22 and 24,
respectively.
The fastener 230, in this aspect of the invention, is in ithe form of a
single, elongated
pull or quick release pin. The pin 230 has an elongated shaft 232 with opposed
first
and second ends 234 and 236. Lock members in the form of spring biased balls
238
and 240 are movably mounted in bores formed adjacent the first and second ends
234
and 236 in the shaft 232. As shown in Fig. 23, each ball 238 and 240 is
captured in
the shaft 232 such that only a portion of each ball 238 and 240 is biased
outwardly of
the outer surface of the shaft 232 by an internally moiznted spring 242.
[0060] When the pin 230 is forcibly inserted through the aligned bores 32 and
34 in the retainers 22 and 24 and the bores 72 and 74 in the holder 54, the
balls 238
and 240 will be disposed in enlarged end portions of the bores 72 and 74 in
the
holder 54. The enlarged end portions may have a conical shape as shown in Fig.
23.
The spring force of the springs 242 is selected so as to apply sufficient
biasing force
to maintain the balls 23 8 and 240 in secure contact with a surface of the
enlarged end
portion 244 and 246 of each bore 72 and 74 despite any lateral forces which
may be
exerted on the pin 230 during use of the skate.
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(0061] A punch or other tool may be forcibly struck against one of the ends
234 and 236 of the pin 232 to slide the pin from the bores so as to enable
separation
of the holder 54 from the retainers 22 and 24.
[0062] Fig. 24 depicts a modification to the fas,tener. In this aspect, the
fastener 260 is also in the form of a pull or quick release pin manufactured
by Pivot
Point, Inc. Hustisford, WI 53034, The pull pin 260 also has opposed first and
second
ends 262 and 264. A latch member, such as a spring biased ball 266, is mounted
in
an internal bore in the shaft 260 adjacent to one of the ends, such as the
first end 262.
[0063] In this aspect of the invention, the pull pin 260 is formed with a pull
member 270, such as a ring, which is mounted in a bore 272 formed in the shaft
260
adjacent the second end 264 of the pin 260.
[0064] The pin or fastener 260 functions in the same manner as the pin 232
shown in Fig. 23 in that the pin 260 can be forcibly inserted through the
aligned bores
in the retainers 22 and 24 and the holder 54 to secure the blade 56 to the
holder 54,
and at the same time, to secure the holder 54 to the retainers 22 and 24. The
fasteners
232 and 260 may be easily removed from the skate by means of a driving force
applied to one end 234 or 236 of the pin 232 or a pulling force exerted on the
pin 260
through the pull member 270 in the aspect of the invention shown in Fig. 24.
[0065] Fig. 7 depicts an alternate blade 56' construction which includes the
runner 88 and a pair of legs 96' and 98' extending therefrom. The blade 56'
differs
from the blade 54 only in that the legs 96' and 98' extend substantially
perpendicularly from the top edge 100 of the runner 88 rather than at an angle
as the
legs 96 and 98 in the blade 56.
[0066] This construction for a skate provides advantages over previously
devised skate constructions. Of primary import is the attachment of and the
blade
holder to the skate boot without the need for any rivets. Further, the same
attachment
used to attach the holder to the boot also attaches the blade to the holder.
This
facilitates replacement of the blade as necessary for sharpening or repair as
well as
enabling quick assembly of the blade, the blade holder and the skate boot. At
the
same time, the blade holder and the blade are prevented from lateral movement
relative to the skate boot.
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[0067] Figures 9-21 depict alternate attachmenl: constructions between the
holder and the outsole which eliminates the need for the formation of a
recessed
cavity 48 in the outsole 16 as shown in Fig. 3 for the boot 10. In each of the
following aspects of the invention, the boot 12 is constructed in the same
manner as
described above and shown in Fig. 1. In addition, except for the aspect shown
in Fig.
9, the insole 14 is likewise similarly constructed as the insole 14 described
and
shown above in Fig. 1.
[0068] Referring now to Figs. 9 and 10, there is depicted one aspect of a
holder to outsole and insole attachment in which the insole 13 0 has a pair of
retainers
132 and 134, each formed of a pair of spaced legs extending from the toe and
heel
portions of a center support 137, respectively. The retainers 132 and 134 are
similar
to the retainers 22 and 24 described above and shown in Fig. 2 except that the
overall
longitudinal length of each leg of the retainers 132 and 134 is considerably
longer
from the legs of the retainers 22 and 24 shown in Fig. 1, in order to provide
support
to prevent lateral movement of a holder 136 relative to the boot 12.
Specifically, the
legs of the retainer 132 extend lengthwise over substantially theentire toe
portion of
the insole 130. Likewise, the legs of the retainer 134 extend lengthwise over
substantially the entire heel portion of the insole 130.
[0069] In this aspect, the holder 136 is similar to the holder 54 shown in
Fig.1
except that the interior chambers 137 and 139 have a considerably longer
longitudinal extent to accommodate the longer length retainers 132 and 134.
Otherwise, the holder 136 is identical to the holder 54 insofar as having a
bottom slot
which receives the runner of the blade 56 and internall slots extending from
the
bottom slot to the interior chambers 137 and 139 for receiving the legs 96 and
98 of
the blade 56. Transverse bores extend through the side walls of the holder 136
and
are aligned with the bores in the blade arms 96 and 98 and the legs of the
retainers
132 and 134 for receiving a fastener to securely attach the blade 56 to the
holder 54
and to the retainers 132 and 134 of the insole wall 130. It should be noted
that, in
this aspect of the skate of the present invention, the outsole has a generally
laterally
flat bottom surface without a depending peripheral lip 50.
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[0070] Another aspect of the present invention is shown in Figs. 11 and 12 in
which the outsole 140 is formed with a plurality of inward extending recesses
arranged in a plurality of recesses 142 inward of the periphery of the toe
portion of
the outsole 142 and a smaller number of recesses 144 spaced inward from the
periphery of the heel portion of the outsole 140.
[0071] A plurality of outward extending, large dimension projections 146 and
148 are respectively formed in the toe portion and heel portion of the outsole
140.
The projections 146 and 148 are preferably disposed along the longitudinal
center
line of the outsole 140 and are disposed centrally inside of the outer
peripheral
recesses 142 and 144, respectively. As shown in Fig. 11, the projections 146
and 148
are disposed longitudinally adjacent to the retainers 22 and 24, respectively.
A
second smaller projection 149 is formed in the heel portion of the outsole
140.
[0072] A holder 150 has a complimentary shape to the periphery of the outsole
140 and has a plurality of outwardly extending projections 152 disposed about
the
periphery of,the toe portion of the holder 150 and sized and arranged to fit
within the
recesses 142. A large recess 154 is also formed in the holder 150 immediately
adjacent to the aperture 42 leading to one of the interior chambers within the
holder
150.
[0073] Similarly, projections 156 are formed on the heel portion of the holder
150 and engages recesses 144 located on the heel portion of the outsole 140. A
single large recess 158 is formed in the heel portion of the holder 150
immediately
adjacent to the aperture 144 opening to the other interior chamber in the
holder 150
and shaped complimentary to the projection 148 on the outsole 140. A smaller
recess
159 is adjacent to the opposite edge of the aperture 144 for receiving the
projections
149 on the outsole 140.
[0074] It will be understood that the construction of the recesses 142 and the
projections 152, the recesses 144 and the projections 156, the projections 146
and
148 and the complimentary recesses 154 and 158 may be reversed such that
recesses
and projections in the outsole 140 may be constructed as recesses and
projections on
the holder 150.
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12
[0075] This arrangement provides for interconnection of the holder 150 to the
outsole 140 via the fastener, blade legs and retainers in a marrner which
minimizes
lateral movement of the holder 150 relative to the outsole 140 and the boot
12; but
does include a recessed cavity in the outsole 140 formed by the depending lip
50 in
the first aspect of the invention described above.
[0076] Yet another aspect of a skate according to the present invention is
shown in Figs. 13 and 14. This aspect also provides for interconnection of an
outsole 160 and a holder 170 in which a pair of large size projections 162 and
164, of
the same or different shape are formed in the toe portion of the outsole 160.
A pair
of the same or different shaped projections 166 and 168 are similarly formed
in the
heel portion of the outsole 160.
[0077] The holder 170 with a toe located pair of recesses 172 and 174 which
are complimentary in shape to the projections 162 and 164. Similarly, a pair
of heel
located recesses 176 and 178 are formed complimentary to the projections 166
and
168 for mating engagement therewith. It will also be understood that the
projections
on outsole 160 may be reformed as recesses and the recesses in the holder 170
may
be formed as mating projections.
[0078] In Figs. 15-17, another aspect of an outsole 180 to a holder 182
connection is the depicted. The holder 182 is formed with a toe recess located
184
which is complimentary constructed to a projection, not shown, on the outsole
180 in
the same manner as described above and shown in Figs. 11-14. Similarly, at
least
one and optionally a pair of recesses 186 and 188 are formed at the heel
portion of
the holder 182 to receive a like-shaped projections 187, etc., on the heel
portion of
the outsole 180.
[0079] In this aspect of the invention, a plurality of peripherally
positioned,
generally round locators 190 extend from in the heel portion and the toe
portion of
the holder 182. The locators 190 engage mating recesses 192 formed about the
periphery of the outsole 180. The locators 190 and the recesses 192 as well as
the
mating recesses 184, 186 and 188 and projections 187 securely locate the
holder 182
to the outsole 180 to prevent any substantial lateral rriovement between the
holder
182 and the outsole 180.
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13
[0080] In the aspect of the invention shown in :Figs. 18 and 19, an outsole
200
is fonned with strip-like toe and heel recesses 202 and 204 which mate with a
pair of
complimentary shaped projections 206 in the toe portion of a holder 208 and a
pair of
heel located projections 210, respectively. The projections on the holder 208
are
disposed inboard of the peripheral edge of the holder 208 and extend from one
end of
the holder 208 to a central portion of the holder 208. As in prior aspects,
the
projections can be formed in an outsole 200 and the recesses in the holder
208.
[0081] As shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the mating projections and recesses have
a discontinuity formed along the longitudinal axis of the outsole 200 and the
holder
208.
[0082] In the aspect of the invention shown in Figs. 20-22, a toe projection
210 and a heel projection 212 on a holder 214 are for:med as continuously
closed
surfaces, spaced apart by a center portion of the holder 214. The outsole 216,
in this
aspect of the invention, has complimentary formed recesses in the toe and heel
portions of the outsole 216, with only the toe recess 218 being depicted in
Fig. 22.
The mating engagement of the recesses 218 and the outsole 216 with the
projections
210 and 212 in the holder 214 resist lateral movement of the holder 214
relative the
outsole 216.
[0083] Referring now to Figs. 25 and 26, there is depicted yet another aspect
of the present invention. In this aspect, the use element or blade 300 is
formed with
an elongated runner portion 302 extending from a toe end 304 to a heel end
306.
Typically, the blade 300 is formed of metal, such as stainless steel. At least
one and,
preferably, a pair of attachment enlargements or bosses 308 and 310 project
integrally
from one edge of the runner 300, such as from an upper surface 312 of the
runner or
blade 300. An attachment aperture 314 and 316 is formed in each boss 308 and
310,
respectively. The attachment apertures 314 and 316 have, by example only, a
generally circular shape with a larger interior diametei- than a shorter width
open end
320 at the surface 312 of the blade 300.
[0084] The angular orientation of the open end 320 of each attachment
aperture 314 and 316 is selected to provide either a straight perpendicular
arrangement of a subsequently described attachment fastener adapter or an
angular
CA 02435041 2003-07-11
14
orientation in the same manner as the angular orientation of the blade legs 96
and 98
shown in Fig. 2.
[0085] An attachment fastener is employed to attach the blade 300 to the
retainers 22 and 24 on the insole 14. Fig. 25 depicts two different attachment
fastener constructions 324 and 326, it being understood that a single skate
will
typically employ the same kind of attachment fastener 324 or 326; although the
two
different fasteners may also be employed.
[0086] The attachment fastener 324 is in the form of a solid, one piece,
integral fastener having an enlarged first, solid head end 328, a shank 330
and an
opposed second head end 332 having a laterally extending through aperture 334.
The
attachment fastener 324 has a generally planar shape as shown in Fig. 25. The
second head 332 is adapted to be disposed between the retainer legs 26 and 28
of
either retainer 22 or 24 on the insole 14. In this orientation, the through
bore 334 is
aligned with the apertures 34 in the retainer legs 26 and 28 for receiving the
fastener
portions 110 and 112 therethrough.
[0087] Any of the other fasteners described above in different aspects of the
invention may also be employed to secure the attachment fastener 324 to the
insole
14. In this manner, the replaceable blade 300 is attackied to the blade holder
54
which provides lateral reinforcement to the blade and the insole 14 which is
fixedly
mounted on the boot sole.
[0088] Fig. 25 also depicts the optional two part fastener 326. The fastener
326 includes a first section 340 having a first head 342 and smaller diameter
threaded
shank 344. A second section 346 has an enlarged head 348 with a through bore
350
and a shank 352 having a threaded interior bore 354 sized to threadingly
receive the
threaded end of the shank 344 on the first section 340. The first head 342 is
inertable
into one of the attachment apertures 314 and 316 in the blade 300. The opposed
second head 348 on the second section 346 is insertable through the retainer
legs 26
and 28 for receiving the fastener I 10 and 112 as described above_
[0089] Typically, the two part fastener 326 will be securely threaded together
before attachment to the blade 300 and the insole 14. However, alternate
assembly
processes wherein the first section 340 is mounted in the blade before the
second
CA 02435041 2003-07-11
section 346 is threaded thereonto so as to enable minor adjustments in the
overall
length of the fastener 326 to be made, is threaded to the first section 340.
[0090] The various embodiments of the skate o:Fthe present invention make
use of retainer legs on an insole which extend through apertures in an
outsole. In this
construction, the lower edges of the boot are fixedly secured to and
sandwiched
between the insole and the outsole. The present invention also contemplates
forming
the retainer legs directly on the outsole attached to the boot. In this type
of
construction, the insole would define a generally continuous surface member
disposed interiorly within the boot. The lower edges of the boot may still be
fixedly
secured to the outsole and the insole. However, the retainer legs do not,
extend from
the insole to the outsold. However, the retainer legs fianction in the same
manner as
described above insofar as being releasably securable by means of fasteners to
the
legs projecting from the runner of the blade through the holder.
[0091 ] In summary, there has been disclosed a skate having a unique
removable blade wherein the blade is easily attachable to the boot insole for
secure
attachment; while still enabling easy removal for repaii- or replacement of a
worn or
broken blade.
