HOCKEY ICE SKATE

Abstract

An ice skate comprising a blade and a chassis, the chassis being associated with the blade along one side of it, to support and apply the blade to the sole of a shoe for ice skates, wherein the chassis has a box structure, substantially a shell, made by at least one layer of prefixed material and including the blade at said one side, with a hard clamping of the blade between the sides of the shell structure so as to substantially realize a keel for the blade.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates, in its more general terms, to a ice skate of the type which comprises a blade and a chassis for supporting said blade and for removably applying the blade to the sole of a corresponding shoe.

2. Description of the Related Art

In ice skating sports, it is well known that the functionality of the used skates, the maintenance over time of such functionality according to the original levels, as well as the quality of the performance that are achieved and achievable thanks to them, largely depend on the hardness being intrinsic and/or provided to the blades of the considered ice skates.

In fact, just the hardness of the blades, generally understood as their resistance to scratching, abrasion and penetration, is responsible of the grip on ice and, thus, of the balance, safety, reliability of performance of particularly challenging exercises, as well the execution of sudden, sharp and sometimes violent movement, such as braking, scraping and jumping, which may occur during those exercises. A process to manufacture ice skate blades having a high hardness is described for instance in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,556,700 issued on Jul. 7, 2009 in the name of Boisvert.

It is also known, however, that the hardness of an element, such as a blade for ice skates, is strictly associated with its fragility and that is almost always a really negative feature, as in particular in case of ice skate blades.

In fact, during sudden movements of the above mentioned type, cracks or even fractures of the blades may occur, not only compromising the exercise under execution, but also jeopardizing the skater safety.

It is therefore usual in ice skating, providing skates with blades being as hard as possible, always duly taking into account a reduction of the dangerous consequences of their corresponding fragility.

The technical experts in the field have constantly worked on the material composing the blades, always proposing trade-offs between flexibility and hardness. However, all these efforts have lead to substantially not satisfactory results, as is typical of any compromise.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An embodiment is directed to an ice skate using a blade having the optimum hardness more in tune with the sport exercises being performed, without taking into account the effects due to mechanical stress that may occur on it, and to protect the blade against the effects of this stress, with the same structure of the skate.

In particular, this embodiment provides an ice skate comprising a blade and a chassis, the chassis being associated with the blade along one side of it, to support and apply the blade to the sole of a shoe for ice skates, wherein the chassis has a box structure, substantially a shell, made by at least one layer of prefixed material and including the blade at said one side, with a hard clamping of the blade between the sides of the shell structure so as to substantially realize the blade as a keel.

More in particular, the embodiments comprise the following supplemental and optional features, taken alone or in combination when needed.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, the chassis may be made by at least three layers, with the formation of a multilayer composite which realizes the box structure.

Furthermore, according to an aspect of the disclosure, the multilayer composite may include an inner layer and an outer layer which are made of resin reinforced with carbon fibers and an intermediate layer comprising Kevlar or the like.

According to this aspect of the disclosure, the intermediate layer may be made by Kevlar and a resin reinforced with carbon fibers.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the materials of the layers may be woven.

Furthermore, according to an aspect of the disclosure, the multilayer composite may comprise different layers and a resin, the resin acting as an adhesive.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the blade may comprise at least one recess in correspondence with said one side, the recess defining an undercut surface being engaged with the multilayer composite to positively hold the blade.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the blade may comprise at least two recesses in correspondence with said one side, the recesses being symmetrically placed at the front and rear ends of the blade and defining respective undercut surfaces being engaged with the multilayer composite to positively hold the blade.

Moreover, according to an aspect of the disclosure, the chassis may comprise a front portion and a rear portion having respective free edges being bordered with respective flanges to their fixing to the sole of the shoe.

Also according to another aspect of the disclosure, the chassis may comprise an intermediate portion between the front and rear portions, the intermediate portion having a zone intended for receiving a visual communication.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the chassis may comprise a lowered intermediate portion between the front and rear portions, the lowered intermediate portion defining an air zone between the chassis and the sole of the shoe.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the chassis may further comprise a closing element between the front and rear portions, the closing element having a matching profile with respect to the perimeter of the air zone.

Moreover, according to a further aspect of the disclosure, the multilayer composite may comprise at least a thermoplastic or elastomeric material.

Finally, according to a further aspect of the disclosure, the multilayer composite may comprise an inner layer made by a thermoplastic or elastomeric material and the closing element may be thermowelded to the inner layer.

Embodiments of the disclosure also provide an ice skate shoe comprising a sole, a blade and a chassis, the chassis being associated with the blade along one side of it, to support and apply the blade to the sole, wherein the chassis has a box structure, essentially a shell, made by at least one layer of prefixed material and including the blade at said one side, with a hard clamping of the blade between the sides of the shell structure so as to substantially realize the blade as a keel.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, the chassis may be made by at least three layers, with the formation of a multilayer composite which realizes the box structure.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the multilayer composite may include an inner layer and an outer layer which are realized of resin reinforced with carbon fibers and an intermediate layer comprising Kevlar or the like.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the blade may comprise at least one recess in correspondence with said one side, the recess defining an undercut surface being engaged with the multilayer composite to positively hold the blade.

Moreover, according to another aspect of the disclosure, the chassis may comprise a front portion and a rear portion having respective free edges being bordered with respective flanges to their fixing to the sole.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the chassis may comprise a lowered intermediate portion between the front and rear portions, the lowered intermediate portion defining an air zone between the chassis and the sole of the shoe.

Finally, according to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the chassis may further comprise a closing element between the front and rear portions, the closing element having a matching profile with respect to the perimeter of the air zone.

The features and advantages of an ice skate according to the disclosure will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an ice skate according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the ice skate of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are transversal sectional views of the ice skate of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an ice skate according to an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the figures, 1 globally indicates an ice skate, in particular a hockey ice skate.

The ice skate 1 comprises a shoe 2 having a sole 3, extending between a tip portion 4 and heel portion 5, with an intermediate portion 6 being at the arc of the foot.

The ice skate 1 comprises a blade 7, with a top side 8 and a bottom side 9, the blade extending between a front end 10 and a rear end 11. In correspondence of the top side 8 and near the ends 10 and 11, the blade 7 includes respective projections 12 and 13, which define respective recesses 14 and 15, symmetrically arranged at said ends 10, 11, and hence respective undercut surfaces, being all marked with u, as schematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The ice skate 1 also comprises a chassis 16 for supporting the blade 7 and for fixing the blade to the shoe 2.

In particular, the chassis 16 has a box structure, substantially a shell with a V-shaped section, long as the sole 3 of the shoe 2. The chassis 16 has a seat 17 for retaining the blade 7 which extends all along the chassis 16, in correspondence of the upper side 8 of the blade 7, as a keel of the shell, and has a top free side 18 which abuts against the sole 3, along its perimeter. In its front portion 19, the free side 18 of the chassis 16 is bordered with a flange 20, while, in a similar manner, in its rear portion 21 the free side 18 of the chassis 16 is bordered with a flange 22. The flanges are provided with holes, all indicated with 23, for fastening the chassis 16 to the sole 3 of the shoe 2 with screws, not represented. An intermediate portion 24 is determined in the chassis 16 between the front portion 19 and the rear portion 21, the intermediate portion 24 being positioned in proximity to the arc of the foot and acting as the link between front and rear portions, 19 and 21, so as to realize a substantial stiffening thereof.

The intermediate portion 24, and in particular its free side, abuts in a pressing contact against the sole 3, so as to substantially seal it and prevent infiltration of water or ice within the chassis 16, for example. Suitably, the sole 3 is equipped with a slot, not shown in the figure, for the acceptance of this free side of the intermediate portion 24.

According to an alternative embodiment, the intermediate portion 24 is closed at its top side, for instance with a sealing sleeve.

It should be noted that the intermediate portion 24 advantageously has, on both sides of the V-shaped shell and on the outside of them, a flat open space 1, due to receive visual communications, such as suitable wording, having a technical, commercial or advertising content and/or suitable visual representations, such as trademarks or photography of people being famous in sports, entertainment and the like, in a word of a testimonial.

The box structure is formed by three layers of suitable materials, as described below, which realize a multilayer composite ml. In particular, the box structure is obtained by forming these layers, using heat and pressure. The multilayer composite ml includes the blade 7 inside the seat 17, in correspondence of its upper side 8, so as to obtain its positive holding with no clearance. In addition, the multilayer composite ml engages the recesses 14 and 15, with the consequence of a positive holding of the blade 7 in said seat 17 following the engagement of the undercut surfaces u of the multilayer composite ml itself, as schematically shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The three layers composing the multilayer composite ml are indicated with 25, 26 and 27. In particular, the layer 25 is the inner layer, the layer 26 is the outer layer and the layer 27 is the intermediate layer.

The inner layer 25 and the outer layer 26 are obtained starting from a sheet of a resin reinforced with carbon fibers, preferably a laminated fabric.

The intermediate layer 27 is a laminate of Kevlar fabric or the like, possibly combined with a resin reinforced with carbon fibers.

Preferably, the outer layer 26 is made of an aesthetics fabric.

More preferably, a biding resin is provided as an adhesive between the layers 25, 26 and 27 of the multilayer composite material ml, not shown in the figure.

It is worth noting that the materials composing these three layers, i.e. the inner layer 25, the outer layer 26 and the intermediate layer 27, may be woven, in other words they may be obtained from a warp and a weft made in these materials.

It is obviously possible to use a different number of layers and in a different sequence. In addition, according to a further embodiment of the disclosure, the chassis 16 includes a different number of layers in correspondence of different portions thereof, and in particular a greater number of layers at its intermediate portion 24 acting as a further stiffening.

It is also possible to realize the multilayer composite material by using thermoplastic or elastomeric layers, being associated with layers of a composite material. In particular, in this case, the multilayer composite can be made by overinjection of a thermoplastic or elastomeric material on a composite material layer and subsequent molding of the chassis 16.

Additionally, according to another aspect of the disclosure, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, the chassis 16 includes a lowered intermediate portion 28, which would leave an air zone 29 between the chassis 16 and the intermediate portion 6 of the sole 3 of the shoe 2.

In this case, a closing element 30 is provided, having a substantially C-shaped profile being conjugated to the perimeter of the air zone 29, to close the hollows or spaces defined by the chassis 16 in correspondence of its front and rear portions, 19 and 21. In particular, the closing element 30 acts as a seal, for example against the infiltration of water or ice within the chassis 16.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, when the chassis 16 includes at least one layer made of a thermoplastic or elastomeric material, in particular realizing the inner layer 25, the closing element 30 may be thermowelded to this inner layer 25.

Alternatively, the chassis 19 can be filled with a foam which is also able to provide the desired sealing function against infiltration of water or ice within the chassis 16. Also, a suitable tape may be used to close the spaces of the chassis 16.

The main advantage of the ice skate according to the disclosure is the ability to withstand an unusual stress when working, for instance due to a sudden movement of the skater, in a word an extreme stress, made possible by using a blade having a maximum hardness.

This advantage may be explained by the fact that the blade turns out to be held in a viselike grip by the multilayered composite of the chassis that ensures the necessary stiffening to prevent the breakage or damage of the blade. At the same time, the blade is integrated into the chassis structure which realizes an armor for the blade.

In other words, the protection of the blade against stress being more or less strong, sharp and sudden, as well as against stress for exertion, is surprisingly assured by the recognized high rigidity of the multilayer composite material being used as well as by the box shape of the support chassis of the blade itself.

A long working life is also expected from the ice skate according to the disclosure due to the fact that the blade and the chassis form a whole, the one being positively retained by the other, any slack and any clearance being a priori excluded, the blade being hold in a viselike grip for its entire length within the box structure of the chassis.

Another important advantage of the ice skate according to the disclosure is a never previously obtained light weight, thanks to the use of the multilayer composite material and the hull-shaped chassis.

A further advantage of particular importance for an article to be built in large or very large series is that it may be produced by automated means.

Last but not least advantage is the possibility to realize the ice skate according to the disclosure with an aerodynamic and aesthetically pleasing design.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent application, foreign patents, foreign patent application and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, application and publications to provide yet further embodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Claims

1. An ice skate comprising a blade and a chassis, the chassis being associated with the blade along one side of it, to support and apply the blade to a sole of a shoe for ice skates, wherein the chassis has a box structure, substantially a shell, made by at least one layer of prefixed material and incorporating the blade at said one side, with a hard clamping of the blade between the sides of the shell structure so as to substantially realize a keel for the blade.

2. The ice skate of claim 1, wherein the chassis is made by at least three layers, with the formation of a multilayer composite which realizes the box structure.

3. The ice skate of claim 2, wherein the multilayer composite includes an inner layer and an outer layer which are made of resin reinforced with carbon fibers and an intermediate layer comprising Kevlar or the like.

4. The ice skate of claim 3, wherein the intermediate layer is made by Kevlar and a resin reinforced with carbon fibers.

5. The ice skate of claim 4, wherein the materials of the layers are woven.

6. The ice skate of claim 5, wherein the multilayer composite comprises different layers and a resin, the resin acting as an adhesive.

7. The ice skate of claim 6, wherein the blade comprises at least one recess in correspondence with said one side, the recess defining an undercut surface being engaged with the multilayer composite to positively hold the blade.

8. The ice skate of claim 6, wherein the blade comprises at least two recesses in correspondence with said one side, the recesses being symmetrically placed at the front and rear ends of the blade and defining respective undercut surfaces being engaged with the multilayer composite to positively hold the blade.

9. The ice skate of claim 1, wherein the chassis comprises a front portion and a rear portion having respective free edges being bordered with respective flanges configured to fix the chassis to the sole of the shoe.

10. The ice skate of claim 9, wherein the chassis comprises an intermediate portion between the front and rear portions, the intermediate portion having a zone intended for receiving a visual communication.

11. The ice skate of claim 9, wherein the chassis comprises a lowered intermediate portion between the front and rear portions, the lowered intermediate portion defining an air zone between the chassis and the sole of the shoe.

12. The ice skate of claim 11, wherein the chassis further comprises a closing element between the front and rear portions, the closing element having a matching profile with respect to a perimeter of the air zone.

13. The ice skate of claim 3, wherein the multilayer composite comprises at least a thermoplastic or elastomeric material.

14. The ice skate of claim 12, wherein the multilayer composite comprises an inner layer made by a thermoplastic or elastomeric material and the closing element is thermowelded to the inner layer.

15. An ice skate shoe comprising a sole, a blade and a chassis, the chassis being associated with the blade along one side of it, to support and apply the blade to the sole, wherein the chassis has a box structure, substantially a shell, made by at least one layer of prefixed material and incorporating the blade at said one side, with a hard clamping of the blade between sides of the shell structure so as to substantially realize a keel for the blade.

16. The ice skate shoe of claim 15, wherein the chassis is made by at least three layers, with the formation of a multilayer composite which realizes the box structure.

17. The ice skate shoe of claim 16, wherein the multilayer composite includes an inner layer and an outer layer which are realized of resin reinforced with carbon fibers and an intermediate layer comprising Kevlar or the like.

18. The ice skate shoe of claim 16, wherein the blade comprises at least one recess in correspondence with said one side, the recess defining an undercut surface being engaged with the multilayer composite to positively hold the blade.

19. The ice skate shoe of claim 15, wherein the chassis comprises a front portion and a rear portion having respective free edges being bordered with respective flanges to their fixing to the sole.

20. The ice skate shoe of claim 19, wherein the chassis comprises a lowered intermediate portion between the front and rear portions, the lowered intermediate portion defining an air zone between the chassis and the sole of the shoe.

21. The ice skate shoe of claim 20, wherein the chassis further comprises a closing element between the front and rear portions, the closing element having a matching profile with respect to the perimeter of the air zone.

22. An ice skate, comprising:

a shoe having a sole;

a blade having an upper portion with a protruding portion defining an underlying recessed area; and

a chassis configured to fix the blade to the sole of the shoe, the chassis including a recessed portion configured to receive and clamp the upper portion of the blade and an undercut surface configured to extend into the underlying recessed area of the blade and engage the protruding portion of the blade.