Abstract: A method of manufacturing a skate boot shell, including shaping tridimensional outer and inner sub-shells, and bonding the shaped sub-shells together through lamination. The lamination is performed after the sub-shells are shaped and includes applying heat to the sub-shells and/or pressure on one of the sub-shells toward the other against a mold surface. A skate with three sub-shells is also discussed.

Abstract: A skate including a tridimensional skate boot shell with a sole insert embedded in or received in the skate boot shell such that at least part of a thickness of the sole portion is defined under the sole insert, and a holder under the skate boot shell configured for retaining a ground-engaging skate element. The holder is connected to the sole insert by at least one fastener extending through the at least part of the thickness of the sole portion. A method of manufacturing a skate boot is also discussed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a skate boot shell, including shaping tridimensional outer and inner sub-shells, and bonding the shaped sub-shells together through lamination. The lamination is performed after the sub-shells are shaped and includes applying heat to the sub-shells and/or pressure on one of the sub-shells toward the other against a mold surface. A skate with three sub-shells is also discussed.

Abstract: A snowshoe apparatus having a frame assembly, a pivot assembly pivotally attached to the frame assembly, and a binding assembly pivotally attached to the pivot assembly is disclosed. The snowshoe apparatus may also include first and second crampons pivotally attached to the frame assembly, with the first crampon configured to pivot relative to the frame assembly substantially independent of the second crampon. In addition, at least one of the first crampon and the second crampon may be laterally movable relative to the frame assembly. The snowshoe apparatus may also comprise a resilient heel support assembly coupled to the frame assembly. A corresponding method of assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising a pliable upper component and a molded unitary support structure formed of a plurality of wall stuctures and methods of manufacturing are disclosed. Some embodiments include a sole and first and second side wall structures extending therefrom and partitioned from one another. The sole and the first and second side wall structures may be in part or entirely constructed of multiple layers of fibers having different orientations from one another and disposed in a hardened resin matrix. The pliable upper component comprises outer and inner panels that overlap the inner and outer surfaces of one or more of the side wall structures and are conjoined thereto.

Abstract: A snowshoe apparatus having a frame assembly, a pivot assembly pivotally attached to the frame assembly, and a binding assembly pivotally attached to the pivot assembly is disclosed. The snowshoe apparatus may also include first and second crampons pivotally attached to the frame assembly, with the first crampon configured to pivot relative to the frame assembly substantially independent of the second crampon. In addition, at least one of the first crampon and the second crampon may be laterally movable relative to the frame assembly. The snowshoe apparatus may also comprise a resilient heel support assembly coupled to the frame assembly. A corresponding method of assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowshoe apparatus having a frame assembly, a pivot assembly pivotally attached to the frame assembly, and a binding assembly pivotally attached to the pivot assembly is disclosed. The snowshoe apparatus may also include first and second crampons pivotally attached to the frame assembly, with the first crampon configured to pivot relative to the frame assembly substantially independent of the second crampon. In addition, at least one of the first crampon and the second crampon may be laterally movable relative to the frame assembly. The snowshoe apparatus may also comprise a resilient heel support assembly coupled to the frame assembly. A corresponding method of assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowshoe apparatus having a frame assembly, a pivot assembly pivotally attached to the frame assembly, and a binding assembly pivotally attached to the pivot assembly is disclosed. The snowshoe apparatus may also include first and second crampons pivotally attached to the frame assembly, with the first crampon configured to pivot relative to the frame assembly substantially independent of the second crampon. In addition, at least one of the first crampon and the second crampon may be laterally movable relative to the frame assembly. The snowshoe apparatus may also comprise a resilient heel support assembly coupled to the frame assembly. A corresponding method of assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising a molded unitary support structure preferably constructed of substantially continuous fibers aligned in one or more defined orientations disposed within a hardened resin matrix and methods of manufacturing is disclosed. The unitary support structure comprises a plurality of wall structures including a sole that extends generally from a front end region configured to underlie the toe region of the foot to a back end region configured and side wall structures that extend from the sides of the sole. The wall structures are partitioned from one another to facilitate flex and provide structural and functional independence between partitioned regions. The vertical and longitudinal locations of the partitions are configured to coincide with defined locations relative to the foot so as to facilitate natural movement bending in the foot while also providing the needed support as well as the desired flexibility in attached ground engaging structures.

Abstract: A pad assembly for use in a protective helmet shell. The pad assembly is formed from a resilient material. The pad assembly includes a front pad assembly, a back pad assembly, and an intermediate pad assembly. The front pad assembly is attached to a front portion of the helmet shell, the back pad assembly is attached to a back portion of the helmet shell, and the intermediate pad assembly is both centrally located between the front pad assembly and the back pad assembly and slidably connected to the front pad assembly and to the back pad assembly.

Abstract: A protective helmet having a rigid outer helmet shell, an inner pad assembly formed from a resilient material and threaded fasteners partially embedded in the inner pad assembly and adapted to secure the inner pad assembly into the outer helmet shell. The embedded fastener has a threaded aperture to receive a securement means such as a threaded screw, and a non-circular portion, which protrudes from the inner pad assembly and is inserted in a corresponding mounting hole on the outer helmet shell. The non-circular portion of the fastener prevents rotation of the fastener when the threaded securement means is fastened into the threaded aperture during installation or removal of the inner padding assembly.

Abstract: A padded protective garment to be worn on the upper body of a user comprises a number of padded panels for positioning against the chest and back regions to cover the shoulders and a major part of the rib cage of the wearer. The garment also includes an external shell comprising generally vertically extending stiffener bands provided in laterally spaced pairs for overlying portions of the front and rear padded sections. The stiffener bands at their upper ends are connected to shoulder arches and are fabricated from a stiffly flexible material so as to be able to attenuate localized impact forces and distribute such forces to an enlarged region of the underlying padding layers.

Abstract: A protective helmet comprising an outer helmet shell of rigid material and having a fastener mounted into the outer helmet shell. The fastener comprises a rivet and a washer. More particularly, the rivet includes a flanged head portion at a first end of the rivet, a post part at a second end of the rivet, and a section having an obround cross-sectional shape intermediate the flanged head portion and the post part. The post part can be flattened against the washer to form a compound flanged structure abutting against the helmet shell. The fastener further comprises an elongated aperture extending longitudinally from the post part to the flanged head portion. The aperture is threaded to accept a screw-type securing means that can be used to retain accessories such as a face shield onto the protective helmet. The obround section of the fastener locks with the helmet shell so as to prevent the fastener from turning when the screw-type securing means is engaged therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable helmet having a front shell and a back shell that are movably secured to one another and that comprise engaging members that may be held together by a locking mechanism comprising a cam that pivots about an axis extending in a direction that is substantially parallel to a side portion of the helmet. The locking mechanism of the present invention has the advantage of exerting a compressive force on a substantial portion of the engaging members thereby providing a more solid engagement. The locking mechanism also has the advantage of being easily replaceable by a conventional mounting screw assembly. The helmet of the present invention is particularly well suited for use in hockey or other like sports.

Abstract: A shin pad for ice hockey or other sports is described, together with a method of manufacturing shin pads. The shin pad includes an elongated flexible lining, and a rigid or semi-rigid knee shield secured to the lining. A lower aspect of the knee shield has one or more lateral slots defined therein. In the preferred embodiment, there is one such slot, generally centrally located. A rigid or semi-rigid shin shield is provided with a corresponding tab or tabs projecting from the upper end thereof for insertion in the slot(s), thereby locating the upper end of the shin shield against the lining. The lower portion of the shin shield is secured against the lining by any suitable conventional means such as sewing or one or more rivets. In the method of manufacturing the shin pad, the knee shield is secured to the lining in conventional fashion, such as by sewing.

Abstract: A shin pad is described in which the shin shield is in two pieces, namely an upper piece which is secured to the lining of the knee cap, or to the knee cap itself, and a lower piece which is slidable up and down relative to the upper piece, and to which a lower liner is secured, the lower liner being independent of the knee liner. Preferably, the lower piece is slidable with respect to the upper piece by virtue of one or more slotted holes in either or both of the upper piece and/or lower piece, with bolts and T-nuts being used in the slots to secure the pieces together in the desired position. Preferably, there are three such slotted holes, namely a front central one and two side ones, namely one towards either side of the pad. Preferably, there is sufficient sloppiness in the slots to provide a varus/valgus adjustment, i.e.