Abstract: A hockey skate includes a fiber-reinforced, composite frame, or an injected plastic frame, including a boot form and integral pedestals that serve as a blade-holder. The pedestals are integral with the bottom of the boot sole and are optionally spaced relatively far apart to provide a long span between them. An optional bridge assembly may be used to connect the blade to the pedestals. The bridge assembly may provide increased stiffness and vibration damping, as well as customized fit options.

Abstract: A blade guard is described for protecting the edges of an ice-skate blade. To manage more than one blade size, the blade guard consists of or comprises a monolithic element elongated along a longitudinal axis (X) and provided with a longitudinal groove for receiving the edges, wherein the groove is formed in a bellows-like-like structure that is deformable along the axis (X) to vary the overall length of the element and of the groove.

Abstract: A multi-degree of freedom ice skate post that connects an ice skate blade to the sole of an ice-skating boot generally comprises a plurality of adjustable elements that include a pronate/supinate platform, a bi-directional module and a side/side module. In some configurations, the pronate/supinate platform is configured to move the ice skate blade in a pronate and supinate direction. In some configurations the pronate supinate platform is connected with the bi-directional module providing movement of the ice skate blade in the fore and aft position. In some configurations the side/side module is connected with the bi-directional module providing movement in a side by side direction. Additional configurations can include vertical adjustments as well.

Abstract: A clench wrench has a structure including a handle and an engaging head. The engaging head defines an engaging space. A clenching device is mounted on the engaging head. The clenching device includes a resilient clenching member fixed to the engaging head and having a free end. The clenching member has a clenching portion at the free end. The free end of the clenching member is bendable to selectively clench an object. A block is disposed on the engaging head and abuts against the clenching member and counteracts a force that causes the clenching portion to move from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Skate blade (10), which has an outside edge and an inside edge (2, 3), in the middle region (1) of which the outside edge and the inside edge (2, 3) are parallel and have the same height, and the blade has an anterior region (4) in front of the middle region (1), where the height (z) of the edges (2, 3) increases in forward direction relative to the height (z=0) assumed at the middle region, and it has a posterior region (5) behind the middle region (1), where the height (z) of the edges (2, 3) increases in rearward direction relative to the height (z=0) assumed at the middle region, and the width coordinate (y) of at least one edge (2, 3), at least in the anterior or in the posterior region (4,5) increases along and arched curve with the distance from the middle region (1) relative to the vertical central plane (6) interpreted at the middle region (1), and at every location in front or behind the middle region (1), where the width of blade (10) exceeds the value assumed at the middle region (1), both edges (

Abstract: A sharpening machine generally includes a grinding wheel having a perimeter that is rotatable about a first axis. The sharpening machine includes an adjustment device adapted to be coupled to a structure of the sharpening machine. A shaft, mounted to the adjustment device, defines a second axis that is generally parallel to the first axis when the adjustment device is coupled to the structure and is movable along a predetermined feed axis toward the grinding wheel. A carousel is rotatably connected to the shaft of the adjustment device. A contouring tool having a counter surface is rotatably connected to the carousel. Movement of the shaft of the adjustment device along the feed axis is configured to translate the carousel and move the contouring tool into and out of engagement with the grinding wheel to facilitate dressing of the perimeter of the grinding wheel to a grinding wheel contour.

Abstract: A sports device with runners, in particular an ice skate, includes an exchangeable adapter with which the composite sliding blade is equipped. The running sole has a profiled slide strip made of a resilient material and side faces are provided with a negative cutting angle. The adapter is connected releasably to the holder of the sports device. The contour profile, namely the curvature of the sliding face of the profiled slide strip, is defined by the geometry of the exchangeable adapter. The sliding blade is clipped onto the adapter using tongues provided on the free end of the sliding blade and the locking lugs or locking slits provided on the adapter. The sliding blade has a perforation, such that the lower part of the sliding blade can be torn off without tools when changing the sliding blade, and a new sliding blade can be clipped on.

Abstract: An ice skate blade assembly for attachment to a footwear comprising a flexible sole includes; an elongated blade comprising an ice engaging edge; the elongated blade and the ice engaging edge comprising a flexible region; the elongated blade and the ice engaging edge flexible to flex in the flexible region; and the elongated blade comprising an upper portion extending opposite the ice engaging edge, the upper portion for attachment of the elongated blade to the flexible sole of the footwear.

Abstract: An ice skate attachment assembly for converting a single runner blade ice skate into as multiple runner blade ice skate is provided. The assembly includes a skate guard having a bottom surface and including a channel for receiving and supporting the single runner blade of the ice skate. The assembly further includes at least two multi-runner blades secured with the skate guard and being laterally spaced from one another on either lateral side of the skate guard with each of the multi-runner blades extending below the bottom surface of the skate guard to an ice-engaging edge.

Abstract: A customizable hockey skate includes a removable runner-blade assembly such that a runner-blade assembly having a first stiffness may be readily replaced with a runner-blade assembly having a second stiffness. The runner-blade assembly may be removably attached to first and second cups that are optionally removably attached to the sole of a skate boot. The first and second cups optionally are removably attachable at multiple lateral locations on the sole. Mounting plates to which the first and second cups are mounted may be included to provide damping interfaces between the first and second cups and the boot sole. The first and second cups may be separately removable from the sole such that the first cup may be replaced with a third cup (for example, a cup having a different stiffness than the first cup) without removal of the second cup.

Abstract: An ice skate runner for engagement in a blade holder of an ice skate, the blade holder having an opening defined along a bottom edge thereof and fastening means to retain the runner. The runner comprises an upper polymeric portion shaped to be partially received within the opening of the holder and defining a major part of the runner, a lower portion having a greater density than that of the upper portion and defining a lower blade surface for engaging the ice. At least one of the upper and lower portions is shaped to removably engage the fastening means.

Abstract: An ice skate comprising a blade holder having U-shaped inner and outer members that are spaced apart to define a hollow space therebetween. The U-shaped outer member has an elongated blade-supporting base and front and rear pillars that are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the blade holder. At least part of the elongated blade-supporting base, front pillar and rear pillar is made of a composite material such as a fiber-matrix composite material. The ice skate also has a blade comprising a runner and a body made of composite material with a matrix and a plurality of fibers embedded in the matrix.

Abstract: The present invention is a double-bowed ice skate blade having an attachment section with a constant thickness and a blade section with a continually variable thickness, with the thickest segments occurring at the toe-end and heel-end of the blade. The center section of the contoured ice skate blade has a large radius, creating a flatter blade with a greater length of the blade in contact with the ice. At the toe-end and heel-end of the contoured ice skate blade, the radius of the blade is smaller, resulting in a more curved blade, and less length of the ice-contacting surface of the blade in physical contact with the ice. Because the segments of smaller radius are thicker, a greater cross-sectional area of the ice-contacting surface of the blade is in contact with the ice at the toe-end and heel-end of the blade.

Abstract: A sharpening machine generally includes a grinding wheel having a perimeter that is rotatable about a first axis. The sharpening machine includes an adjustment device adapted to be coupled to a structure of the sharpening machine. A shaft, mounted to the adjustment device, defines a second axis that is generally parallel to the first axis when the adjustment device is coupled to the structure and is movable along a predetermined feed axis toward the grinding wheel. A carousel is rotatably connected to the shaft of the adjustment device. A contouring tool having a counter surface is rotatably connected to the carousel. Movement of the shaft of the adjustment device along the feed axis is configured to translate the carousel and move the contouring tool into and out of engagement with the grinding wheel to facilitate dressing of the perimeter of the grinding wheel to a grinding wheel contour.

Abstract: A snowmobile ski comprises a body having a pair of rails laterally spaced from one another and interconnected at a tip. A spindle assembly connects the ski to suspension elements of the snowmobile. The spindle assembly has a pair of legs connected to respective rails to allow snow to pass between the legs.

Abstract: A method and a system for improving performances of an ice skate blade on ice, comprising selecting a substrate for the blade and controlling wettability of the surface of the substrate, by selecting a surface finish for the surface of the substrate and depositing a thin film coating on the surface of the substrate. The method allows autolubrication of the ice skate blade. The autolubricating ice skating blade comprises a substrate and a thin film coating deposited on the substrate, the substrate having a first friction coefficient on ice, and the blade having a second friction coefficient on ice, the second friction coefficient being decreased compared to the first friction coefficient.

Abstract: A skate sharpening holder includes an anvil plate surface that is adapted to engage with a skate blade so that the skate blade is securely held with respect to the anvil during skate sharpening or contouring. The anvil plate surface can include pins or openings that would engage with respective openings or pins in a skate blade to hold the skate blade in place.

Abstract: A skate frame comprises a lower frame portion comprising gliding means for running on a gliding surface and an upper frame portion comprising one or more support surfaces for supporting the user's boot. Both the frame portions comprise protruding arms that are mechanically coupled. The mutual interlock between the coupling surfaces of said protruding arms prevent relative movements between the frame portions along predefined directions.

Abstract: An ice skate blade assembly comprising an ice skate blade comprising first and second hooks projecting upwardly, a blade holder having a bottom portion having a longitudinal groove extending therealong for receiving the upper edge of the ice skate blade and wherein the bottom portion further defines a recess extending upwardly from the longitudinal groove for receiving the first hook, and a single actuator having a wall accessible by a finger of a user, a resilient portion having an end wall facing a section of the inner surface of the second pedestal and a base with an inner wall and a bottom wall having an upper surface, an end and a bottom surface, wherein the inner wall and the bottom wall define therebetween a channel opens to the bottom aperture for receiving the second hook.

Abstract: An ice skate blade assembly comprising an ice skate blade comprising first and second hooks projecting upwardly, a blade holder having a bottom portion having a longitudinal groove extending therealong for receiving the upper edge of the ice skate blade and wherein the bottom portion further defines a recess extending upwardly from the longitudinal groove for receiving the first hook, and a single actuator having a wall accessible by a finger of a user, a resilient portion having an end wall facing a section of the inner surface of the second pedestal and a base with an inner wall and a bottom wall having an upper surface, an end and a bottom surface, wherein the inner wall and the bottom wall define therebetween a channel opens to the bottom aperture for receiving the second hook.

Abstract: A forefoot wedge insert, and methods for forming same, are described for a piece of footwear, such as but not limited to ice skating boots, or a shoe, such as but not limited to exercise, therapeutic, or physiological footwear, for correcting a pronation and/or supination condition wherein the insert permits the subtalar joint of the affected foot to be placed and/or maintained in a neutral position. In this manner, the insert can provide the corrected foot with adequate balance relative to the skate blade during typical ice skating maneuvers. Also described is a skating boot, or shoe, having an adjustable toe cap portion that is selectively operable to be raised up to accommodate the uplifted forefoot portion of the wearer when the forefoot wedge insert is being used.

Abstract: A method and a system for improving performances of an ice skate blade on ice, comprising selecting a substrate for the blade and controlling wettability of the surface of the substrate, by selecting a surface finish for the surface of the substrate and depositing a thin film coating on the surface of the substrate. The method allows autolubrication of the ice skate blade. The autolubricating ice skating blade comprises a substrate and a thin film coating deposited on the substrate, the substrate having a first friction coefficient on ice, and the blade having a second friction coefficient on ice, the second friction coefficient being decreased compared to the first friction coefficient.

Abstract: An ice skate blade assembly comprising: (a) an ice skate blade comprising first and second hooks projecting upwardly; (b) a blade holder having a bottom portion having a longitudinal groove extending therealong for receiving the upper edge of the ice skate blade and wherein the bottom portion further defines a recess extending upwardly from the longitudinal groove for receiving the first hook; and (c) a single actuator having a wall accessible by a finger of a user, a resilient portion having an end wall facing a section of the inner surface of the second pedestal and a base with an inner wall and a bottom wall having an upper surface, an end and a bottom surface, wherein the inner wall and the bottom wall define therebetween a channel opens to the bottom aperture for receiving the second hook.

Abstract: A double-edged skate blade assembly for an ice skate comprising a double-edged blade and a pair of blade supports, each of which is individually replaceable. The assembly includes mechanisms to mate the blade supports about the blade, to connect the blade supports to each other, to interlock the blade and support assembly into a blade holder on the skate and to fasten the blade assembly to the blade holder. The entire blade assembly is easily removable, reversible and replaceable in a skate with little or no requirement for tools. The invention also comprises a holder to securely support the skate blade assembly on the boot of the ice skate.

Abstract: Winter sports gear, particularly an ice skate, include runners to which a sliding blade (3) is detachably connected. The sliding surface (1) of the sliding blade (3) is provided with at least one, in this case three, profiled grooves (4) that extend in the direction of travel. Bulge-type dams (5) extend on both sides of the profiled grooves (4).

Abstract: A snowmobile ski comprises a body having a pair of rails laterally spaced from one another and interconnected at a tip. A mounting on the body secures the ski to a snowmobile.

Abstract: A customizable hockey skate includes a removable runner-blade assembly such that a runner-blade assembly having a first stiffness may be readily replaced with a runner-blade assembly having a second stiffness. The runner-blade assembly may be removably attached to first and second cups that are optionally removably attached to the sole of a skate boot. The first and second cups optionally are removably attachable at multiple lateral locations on the sole. Mounting plates to which the first and second cups are mounted may be included to provide damping interfaces between the first and second cups and the boot sole. The first and second cups may be separately removable from the sole such that the first cup may be replaced with a third cup (for example, a cup having a different stiffness than the first cup) without removal of the second cup.

Abstract: A sharpening machine generally includes a grinding wheel having a perimeter that is rotatable about a first axis. The sharpening machine includes an adjustment device adapted to be coupled to a structure of the sharpening machine. A shaft, mounted to the adjustment device, defines a second axis that is generally parallel to the first axis when the adjustment device is coupled to the structure and is movable along a predetermined feed axis toward the grinding wheel. A carousel is rotatably connected to the shaft of the adjustment device. A contouring tool having a counter surface is rotatably connected to the carousel. Movement of the shaft of the adjustment device along the feed axis is configured to translate the carousel and move the contouring tool into and out of engagement with the grinding wheel to facilitate dressing of the perimeter of the grinding wheel to a grinding wheel contour.

Abstract: A blade for a skate includes a holder, a runner, and an attachment device. The holder includes a front section and a rear section where at least one of the front section and the rear section includes at least two, separate hollow regions and an aperture. The aperture extends through the holder between the at least two, separate hollow regions. The attachment device extends through a substantially solid portion of the holder between the two, separate hollow regions into the aperture and secures the runner to the holder. At least a portion of the attachment device used to secure the runner to the holder is accessible in the aperture.

Abstract: An ice skate blade for an ice skate is sized to fit into a holder attached to the sole of the ice skate. The ice skate blade has a pair of tabs that extend into the holder to secure the blade to the holder. A first tab includes a through hole that receives a mechanical fastener that secures the blade to the holder. The second tab includes a lock that contacts the interior of the holder to prevent the skate blade from moving within the holder.

Abstract: An ice skate blade assembly comprising: (a) an ice skate blade comprising first and second ends, an ice contacting surface and an upper edge opposed to the ice contacting surface, the upper edge comprising first and second hooks projecting upwardly proximate to one of the first and second ends respectively, the second hook having an upper surface, an end and a bottom surface; (b) a blade holder having first and second pedestals and a bottom portion having a longitudinal groove extending therealong for receiving the upper edge of the ice skate blade and wherein the bottom portion further defines a recess extending upwardly from the longitudinal groove for receiving the first hook and wherein the second pedestal has an inner surface defining a cavity with a bottom aperture opens to the longitudinal groove; and (c) a single actuator at least partially mounted within the cavity, the single actuator having a wall accessible by a finger of a user, a resilient portion having an end wall facing a section of the inner

Abstract: Ice skate blades represent the sole interface between a skater and the ice, a thin line of contact that must generate sufficient friction to melt the ice to allow gliding but not add drag under one state of usage and in another generate sufficient traction to support sharp turns and stopping. Today's skate blades have a single hollow of predetermined profile across their width terminating in sharp edges at the outer limits of the skate blade. However, improved performance at both the competitive and recreational levels of skating and hockey in terms of the athletes and their sporting equipment has not followed through into the ice skate blade despite significant innovations in the skate boots. Accordingly it would be beneficial to provide increased design flexibility by allowing multiple hollows per blade such that the performance can be adjusted between inner and outer edges as well as across the entire width.

Abstract: A sledge hockey device including a seat portion and an undercarriage portion that includes a pair of elongate blade support portions each having a first upper contact surface region, provided for communicating with a second lower contact surface region of a transverse support portion. A pair of transverse support portions are provided. The first upper and second lower contact surface regions also include a plurality of complementary engagement formations to provide a positive engagement and lateral indexing between the elongate blade support portions and the transverse support portions. The elongate blade support portions and the transverse support portions are maintained in engagement by a plurality of coupling members.

Abstract: An ice skate blade for an ice skate comprising a length adapted to be attached to the ice skate and an ice engaging surface adapted to contact ice, a profile extending along at least a portion of the length, the profile having a width between a first side edge and a second side edge. At least one of the side edges ends at a bottom end at the ice engaging surface, a vee is defined by one of the side edges and a flat meeting at the bottom end, wherein a first acute edge angle is formed between the one of the side edges and the flat, and a flat angle is formed between the one of the side edges and a bottom, wherein the bottom has a distance which extends from the flat to either a second flat or a second one of the side edges.

Abstract: A Nitinol ice blade includes a blade body having attachment structure by which it is held in a blade holder of an ice travel device, such as an ice skate or ice boat. The processes and products made by the processes. The processes include selecting a Type 60 Nitinol sheet or bar that has been hot-worked at a temperature of above about 900° C. to a reduction of at least 2% in the dimension of said hot-working. Blade blanks are cut from the sheet, and the blade blanks are heated to between 600° C. to about 800° C. and immediately quenched to ambient temperature to produce blanks having a hardness of about 48-53 RC. The running edge of the blade blanks a ground to a desired profile and sharpness. The ground blades may then be heated to an elevated temperature of about 850-1000° C. and immediately quenched to produce a hardness at the edge of above 56 RC.

Abstract: An ice skate strip-blade holder that provides a means to remove, replace, tension, and maintain tension in a strip-blade fastened and tensioned on the holder. In a preferred embodiment, the strip-blade holder assembly includes a front segment fixed to the skate plastic superstructure; a latched, pivoting rear segment arranged to apply and maintain tension in the strip-blade. In a preferred embodiment, the pivot and latch are positioned such that the pivot carries the majority of the tensile load maintained in the strip-blade and the latch carries a minor component of this tensile load. This arrangement provides for easy latch release. The latch provides release of the rear segment for subsequent pivoting and unhooking of the strip-blade for replacement.

Abstract: A skate blade has a front curved section having a front balance point, a rear curved section having a rear balance point, and a middle section having a center balance point. Each balance point is a point on the skate blade over which a skater's center of gravity lies depending on the skater's position. The skate blade is shaped such that the middle section is substantially flat. Additionally, the blade is shaped such that more of the blade extends away from a blade holder at the rear balance point than at the front balance point.

Abstract: An ice skate whose blade is disposed at an angle not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boot. The blade may be fixed in this position, or it may be switchable between the nonparallel orientation of the present invention and the parallel orientation typical of traditional ice skates. A pair of sideways-moving skates may be propelled by moving them in an oscillating motion.

Abstract: In a snow glide board, in particular a ski with a glide board body, the outer surface of which is formed at least on one top side opposing the gliding or running surface by a shell of at least one layer made of a flat material and the glide board body of which comprises at least one channel extending in the longitudinal direction of the glide board body for holding at least one trim rod, the shell is made of a shell element on which at least one hollow or tubular section forming a channel for at least one trim rod is formed or pre-mounted.

Abstract: A sharpening machine generally includes a grinding wheel having a perimeter that is rotatable about a first axis. The sharpening machine includes an adjustment device adapted to be coupled to a structure of the sharpening machine. A shaft is mounted to the adjustment device. The shaft defines a second axis that is generally parallel to the first axis when the adjustment device is coupled to the structure. The shaft is movable along a predetermined feed axis toward the grinding wheel. A carousel is rotatably connected to the shaft of the adjustment device. A contouring tool is rotatably connected to the carousel. The contouring tool has a contour surface. Movement of the shaft of the adjustment device along the feed axis is configured to translate the carousel and move the contouring tool into and out of engagement with the grinding wheel to facilitate dressing of the perimeter of the grinding wheel to a grinding wheel contour.

Abstract: An ice skate blade for an ice skate is sized to fit into a holder attached to the sole of the ice skate. The ice skate blade has a pair of tabs that extend into the holder to secure the blade to the holder. A first tab includes a through hole that receives a mechanical fastener that secures the blade to the holder. The second tab includes a lock that contacts the interior of the holder to prevent the skate blade from moving within the holder.

Abstract: A blade insert assembly and frame therefor for a blading boot are securable on a base of the frame to a sole of the blading boot for ice-skating. The blade insert assembly accommodates two blade elements in tandem, each blade element being secured via an insert adjustment mechanism and a mounting pin to the frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an ice skate including a boot, a separately formed casing, a blade, and a fastener. The boot includes a boot chamber for receiving a skater's foot. The casing includes an upper portion, a sole plate, and a blade holder. The upper portion defines a casing chamber for receiving the boot. In one example, the casing is plastic. The sole plate includes abutting toe, arch and heel areas and has a cantilevered connection to the blade holder. In this cantilevered connection, the toe and arch areas of the sole plate are supported by the blade holder and the heel area is unsupported by the blade holder. The blade holder defines a slot for selectively receiving the blade. The fastener removably secures the blade to the blade holder. In one example, the blade further includes a toe pick for use in figure skating.

Abstract: A composite ice blade may have a metal ice edge bonded to a metal foil. The metal foil may be bonded to a plastic core to form a composite sandwich having a center plastic core and metal sides. The ice edge may be bonded to the foil by welding or brazing, then formed into shape to accept the plastic core. The plastic core may be injection molded directly into the formed metal structure, or bonded to the metal components in a secondary operation.

Abstract: An ice skate having a low profile, dual blade assembly. The blade assembly is affixed to the sole of a boot, and each blade is positioned symmetrically about the center line of the boot, and separated by a lateral distance which is sufficient to avoid a build up of ice/snow between the blades. The blade assembly has a short vertical profile in order to provide a low center of gravity, for example, in the range of forty to sixty percent of the conventional vertical profile.

Abstract: A blade holder for holding an ice skate blade and for attachment to a skate boot. The blade holder comprises a body having a top portion for attachment to a skate boot and a bottom portion for receiving an ice skate blade. The body is at least partly made of clear material and defines a cavity. The blade holder also comprises a graphical element inside the cavity and visible through the clear material. An ice skate comprising such a blade holder and a method of customizing the appearance of the blade holder are also provided.

Abstract: A coated ice skate blade includes an ice skate blade having a plurality of sides and a bottom, and a compressive coating applied to the sides of the ice skate blade. Also provided is a method of producing a coated ice skate blade including receiving an ice skate blade having a plurality of sides and an unground bottom, applying a compressive coating to the sides and the bottom of the ice skate blade, and grinding the bottom of the ice skate blade to produce a radius of hollow. Another method includes receiving an ice skate blade having a plurality of sides and a ground bottom, and applying a compressive coating to the sides and the bottom of the ice skate blade.

Abstract: A composite ice blade may have a metal ice edge bonded to a metal foil. The metal foil may be bonded to a plastic core to form a composite sandwich having a center plastic core and metal sides. The ice edge may be bonded to the foil by welding or brazing, then formed into shape to accept the plastic core. The plastic core may be injection molded directly into the formed metal structure, or bonded to the metal components in a secondary operation.

Abstract: An ice skate strip-blade holder that provides a means to remove, replace, tension, and maintain tension in a strip-blade fastened and tensioned on the holder. In a preferred embodiment, the strip-blade holder assembly includes a front segment fixed to the skate plastic superstructure; a latched, pivoting rear segment arranged to apply and maintain tension in the strip-blade. In a preferred embodiment, the pivot and latch are positioned such that the pivot carries the majority of the tensile load maintained in the strip-blade and the latch carries a minor component of this tensile load. This arrangement provides for easy latch release. The latch provides release of the rear segment for subsequent pivoting and unhooking of the strip-blade for replacement.

Abstract: An ice skate comprising an ice skate blade holder and an ice skate blade secured in a longitudinal recess of the ice skate blade holder. The ice skate blade has an ice contacting lower and upper curvatures so as to be positionally changeable in one of two alternative working positions with respect to the ice skate blade holder, wherein the ice skate blade is attached. The ice skate blade has also substantially parallel, opposed side surfaces intersected by at least two longitudinally spaced apart apertures coinciding with at least two longitudinally spaced apart, transversal openings in the ice skate blade holder. Use is made of restraining means inserted through at least two longitudinally spaced apart apertures and at least two longitudinally spaced apart, transversal openings, so as secure together the ice skate blade holder and the ice skate blade.