WRAP FOR SKATE BOOT

A skate wrap including: at least one wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover at least one of an outer side of a skate boot, an inner side of the skate boot, a boot tongue of the skate boot, or a boot back of the skate boot. The at least one wrap piece includes a base material including a front side and a back side opposite the front side and an adhesive on the back side of the base material, the adhesive being configured to adhere the at least one wrap piece to at least one of the outer side of the skate boot, the inner side of the skate boot, the boot tongue of the skate boot, or the boot back of the skate boot. The at least one wrap piece also includes an outer layer attached to the front side of the base material.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of an earlier filing date from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/325,377 filed Mar. 30, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein generally relate to skate boots of ice skates and roller skates, and more specifically to a wrap for skate boots of ice skates and roller skates.

Skate boots for ice skates and roller skates typically come in limited colors and styles that are permanent for the skate boot. If a skater wishes to change the desired color or style of the skate boot, the skater would typically need to replace the entire skate boot or paint the skate boot. Further, skate boots are often composed of a material that is susceptible to nicks, scratches, wear, and tear that reduces the life, look, and overall quality of the skate boot. Better methods to customize and protect the skate boot are both greatly desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a skate wrap kit is provided. The skate wrap including: at least one wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover at least one of an outer side of a skate boot, an inner side of the skate boot, a boot tongue of the skate boot, or a boot back of the skate boot. The at least one wrap piece includes a base material including a front side and a back side opposite the front side and an adhesive on the back side of the base material, the adhesive being configured to adhere the at least one wrap piece to at least one of the outer side of the skate boot, the inner side of the skate boot, the boot tongue of the skate boot, or the boot back of the skate boot. The at least one wrap piece also includes an outer layer attached to the front side of the base material.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the at least one wrap piece further includes at least one of: an outer side wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the outer side of the skate boot; an inner side wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the inner side of the skate boot; a boot tongue wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the boot tongue of the skate boot; or a boot back wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the boot back of the skate boot.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the boot tongue wrap piece further includes an upper boot tongue wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover an upper boot tongue of the boot tongue and a lower boot tongue wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover a lower boot tongue of the boot tongue.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the at least one wrap piece further includes an outer side wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the outer side of the skate boot, an inner side wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the inner side of the skate boot, a boot tongue wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the boot tongue of the skate boot, and a boot back wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the boot back of the skate boot.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the boot tongue wrap piece further includes an upper boot tongue wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover an upper boot tongue of the boot tongue and a lower boot tongue wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover a lower boot tongue of the boot tongue.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include a skate lace for the skate boot.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include one or more writing tools configured to mark the outer layer.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include an eraser configured to erase the mark on the outer layer from the one or more writing tools.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include a sticker or decal configured to attach to the at least one wrap piece.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include a hole punch tool configured to punch a through hole in the at least one wrap piece.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include a three-dimensional adornment configured to be attached to the at least one wrap piece.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include a glue configured to attach the three-dimensional adornment to the at least one wrap piece.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the adhesive is configured to removably adhere the at least one wrap piece to at least one of the outer side of the skate boot, the inner side of the skate boot, the boot tongue of the skate boot, or the boot back of the skate boot.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the adhesive is configured to allow the at least one wrap piece to be removed from at least one of the outer side of the skate boot, the inner side of the skate boot, the boot tongue of the skate boot, or the boot back of the skate boot without leaving a residue behind from the adhesive on the skate boot.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include a backing sheet. The at least one wrap piece is removably adhered to the backing sheet using the adhesive. The backing sheet is a perforated backing sheet that includes a perforation line that divides the perforated backing sheet into a lace portion backing sheet and a non-lace portion backing sheet.

According to another embodiment, a method of installing a skate wrap kit on a skate boot is provided. The method including that at least one wrap piece is removed from a backing sheet or a portion of the backing sheet is removed from the at least one wrap piece. The method further includes that the at least one wrap piece is adhered to the skate boot. The at least one wrap piece configured to cover at least one of an outer side of the skate boot, an inner side of the skate boot, a boot tongue of the skate boot, or a boot back of the skate boot. The at least one wrap piece includes a base material including a front side and a back side opposite the front side and an adhesive on the back side of the base. The adhesive being configured to adhere the at least one wrap piece to at least one of the outer side of the skate boot, the inner side of the skate boot, the boot tongue of the skate boot, or the boot back of the skate boot. The at least one wrap piece including an outer layer attached to the front side of the base material.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that an outer side wrap piece is removed from the backing sheet and the outer side wrap piece is adhered to the outer side of the skate boot. The outer side wrap piece configured to cover the outer side of the skate boot. An inner side wrap piece is removed from the backing sheet. The inner side wrap piece is adhered to the inner side of the skate boot, the inner side wrap piece configured to cover the inner side of the skate boot. A boot tongue wrap piece is removed from the backing sheet. The boot tongue wrap piece is adhered to the boot tongue of the skate boot. The boot tongue wrap piece configured to cover the boot tongue of the skate boot. A boot back wrap piece is removed from the backing sheet. The boot back wrap piece is adhered to the boot back of the skate boot. The boot back wrap piece configured to cover the boot back of the skate boot.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that locations of lace holes of the skate boot are marked on marking on the at least one wrap piece. Through holes are punched in the at least one wrap piece where the locations of the lace holes were marked.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include a skate lace is threaded through the through holes of the at least one wrap piece and the lace holes of the skate boot.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the backing sheet is a perforated backing sheet that includes a perforation line that divides the perforated backing sheet into a lace portion backing sheet and a non-lace portion backing sheet. The method further includes removing at least one of the lace portion backing sheet or the non-lace portion backing sheet from the at least one wrap piece.

Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include protecting and customizing skate boots using a wrap that is configured to removably adhere to the skate boot.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature and non-limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an ice skate that may incorporate embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a roller skate that may incorporate embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a skate wrap kit and locations on a skate boot for installation of a skate wrap piece of the skate wrap kit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional illustration of the skate wrap piece, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the backing sheets for the outer side wrap piece and the inner side wrap piece of the skate wrap kit without a perforation line, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the backing sheets for the outer side wrap piece and the inner side wrap piece of the skate wrap kit with a perforation line, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of installing the skate wrap kit on the skate wrap, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an ice skate 110 is illustrated in FIG. 1 and a roller skate 150 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The embodiments disclosed herein are applicable to skate boots 200 of both ice skates 110 and roller skates 150.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the ice skate 110 includes a skate boot 200 and a blade 112 secured to a bottom 202 of the skate boot 200. The blade 112 is configured to cut into ice, thus allowing an ice skate 110 to skate across ice with control.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the roller skate 150 includes a skate boot 200, a mounting plate 160 secured to a bottom 202 of the skate boot 200, two trucks 170 secured to the mounting plate 160, an axle 180 secured to each truck 170, and two wheels 190 rotatably attached to each axle 180. Although only two wheels 190 are visible in FIG. 2, the roller skate 150 of FIG. 2 has four wheels 190 and may be referred to as a quad roller skate.

As visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, the boot 200 of the ice skate 110 and the boot 200 of the roller skate 150 are relatively similar, if not the same, and thus, have received the same reference numeral (e.g., 200) to facilitate later discussion of embodiments that apply to both the boot 200 of the ice skate 110 and the boot 200 of the roller skate 150.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, with continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a skate wrap kit 300 for an ice skate 110 is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that, although the ice skate 110 is illustrated in FIG. 3, the embodiments discussed in relation to FIGS. 3 and 4 are equally applicable to the roller skate 150 of FIG. 2. Further, it should be appreciated that while a skate boot 200 for a right ice skate is illustrated, the embodiments disclosed herein are equally applicable to a skate boot 200 of a left ice skate and the skate wrap kit 300 may include wrap piece 310, 320, 330, 340 for both the skate boot 200 of a left ice skate and the skate boot 200 of the right ice skate.

The skate boot 200 includes an outer side 210, an inner side 220 located opposite the outer side 210, a boot tongue 230, and a boot back 240. The outer side 210, the inner side 220 located opposite the outer side 210, the boot tongue 230, and the boot back 240 are exterior surfaces of the skate boot 200. The boot tongue 230 may include an upper boot tongue 230a and a lower boot tongue 230b, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The skate wrap kit 300 includes at least one wrap piece 310, 320, 330, 340 to adhere to and cover the outer side 210, the inner side 220, the boot tongue 230, and/or the boot back 240. The at least one wrap piece 310, 320, 330, 340 may be removably adhered to a backing sheet 302 when packaged to be sold in stores or online. The backing sheet 302 may also be referred to as a release liner, a carrier, or glassine.

The skate wrap kit 300 may include an outer side wrap piece 310, an inner side wrap piece 320, a boot tongue wrap piece 330, and a boot back wrap piece 340. The boot tongue wrap piece 330 may be divided into an upper boot tongue wrap piece 330a and a lower boot tongue wrap piece 330b.

It is understood that while FIG. 4 is illustrated in relation to the inside wrap piece 320, the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4 are applicable to all of the wrap pieces 310, 320, 330, 340.

The wrap pieces 310, 320, 330, 340 may be composed of base material 350 having a front side 354 and a back side 352 opposite the front side 354. The base material 350 is flexible and may be configured to conform to the shape of the skate boot 200. The base material 350 may be woven fabric, non-woven fabric, leather, suede, variations of suede, poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), variations of PVC, polyurethane leather, vinyl coated polyester, or any other similar flexible cold tolerant material known to one of skill in the art. The vinyl coated polyester may be composed of about thirty percent polyester and seventy percent polyvinylchloride. The base material 350 has a thickness T1 as measured from back side 352 to the front side 354. The thickness T1 may be large enough to sufficiently protect the skate boot 200 from nicks and scratches. The thickness T1 may be between 0.10 mm and 4.0 mm (0.004 in and 0.16 in).

The wrap pieces 310, 320, 330, 340 may each include an outer layer 358 attached to the front side 354 on the base material 350. The outer layer 358 may be a paint, a glitter, a gloss, a colored material, glitter material, a writable or colorable material, or a dry erase material. The outer layer 358 may be a colored material or a glitter material to add some personalization to the skate boots 200 and may better capture the attention of the audience during a show or the judges during a competition.

The outer layer 358 may be a writable and/or colorable material, such that the skater can apply their own designs using a writing tool 380. The skate wrap kit 300 may include the writing tool 380. The writing tool 380 may be markers, crayons, pens, colored pencils, spray paint, paint and paint brushes, or any other writing tool known to one of skill in the art. The markers may be permanent markers or dry erase markers. The writing tool 380 is configured to mark the outer layer 358. The outer layer 358 may include outlines of images, letters, numbers, or shapes on the outer layers similar to coloring books for the skater to color in with the writing tool 380.

The outer layer 358 may be writable, colorable material, and/or erasable, such that the skater can apply their own designs using a writing tool 380 and then erase the design using an eraser 382. The eraser 382 may be a dry eraser. The skate wrap kit 300 may include the eraser 382. The eraser 382 is configured to erase a mark made by the writing tool 380. For example, the writing tool 380 can be a dry erase marker and the eraser 382 can be a dry erase eraser.

The wrap pieces 310, 320, 330, 340 may each include an adhesive 356 located on the back side 352 on the base material 350. The adhesive 356 is configured to adhere each of the wrap pieces 310, 320, 330, 340 to their respective sections of the skate boot 200. The adhesive 356 is configured to allow each of the wrap pieces 310, 320, 330, 340 to removably adhere to their respective sections of the skate boot 200. The adhesive 356 is configured to allow each of the wrap pieces 310, 320, 330, 340 to adhere to their respective sections and be removed from their respective sections without leaving a residue behind from the adhesive 356 on the skate boot 200. The wrap pieces 310, 320, 330, 340 may be adhered and removed multiple times. The adhesive 356 may include 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, acrylic acid, and/or ethyl acetate. The adhesive 356 may also include any other similar adhesive known to one of skill in the art capable of allowing the wrap pieces 310, 320, 330, 340 to be removed and reapplied multiple times without leaving a residue behind on the skate boot 200. The adhesive 356 is configured to be waterproof. The adhesive 356 is configured to function or perform (e.g., maintain adhesiveness) at varying temperatures. The adhesive 356 may also be configured to adhere onto the outer layer 358 of an adjacent wrap piece 310, 320, 330, 340 if there is an overlap between two wrap pieces. The adhesive 356 may also be configured to adhere to any decorative element that is located on the outer layer 358, such as, for example, glitter, paint, stickers or decals 386, or three-dimensional adornments 390.

The outer side wrap piece 310 is configured to adhere to and cover the outer side 210 of the skate boot 200. The outer side wrap piece 310 is configured to removably adhere to the outer side 210. The outer side wrap piece 310 is configured to adhere to the outer side 210 and be removed from the outer side 210 without leaving a residue behind from the adhesive 356 of the outer side wrap piece 310 on the skate boot 200. The outer side wrap piece 310 may be adhered and removed multiple times.

The inner side wrap piece 320 is configured to adhere to and cover the inner side 220 of the skate boot 200. The inner side wrap piece 320 is configured to removably adhere to the inner side 220. The inner side wrap piece 320 is configured to adhere to the inner side 220 and be removed from the inner side 220 without leaving a residue behind from the adhesive 356 of the inner side wrap piece 320. The inner side wrap piece 320 may be adhered and removed multiple times.

The boot tongue wrap piece 330 is configured to adhere to and cover the boot tongue 230. The boot tongue wrap piece 330 is configured to removably adhere to the boot tongue 230. The boot tongue wrap piece 330 is configured to adhere to the boot tongue 230 and be removed from the boot tongue 230 without leaving a residue behind from the adhesive 356 of the boot tongue wrap piece 330. The boot tongue wrap piece 330 may be adhered and removed multiple times.

The upper boot tongue wrap piece 330a is configured to adhere to and cover the upper boot tongue 230a. The upper boot tongue wrap piece 330a is configured to removably adhere to the upper boot tongue 230a. The upper boot tongue wrap piece 330a is configured to adhere to the upper boot tongue 230a and be removed from the upper boot tongue 230a without leaving a residue behind from the adhesive 356 of the upper boot tongue wrap piece 330a. The upper boot tongue wrap piece 330a may be adhered and removed multiple times.

The lower boot tongue wrap piece 330b is configured to adhere to and cover the lower boot tongue 230b. The lower boot tongue wrap piece 330b is configured to removably adhere to the lower boot tongue 230b. The lower boot tongue wrap piece 330b is configured to adhere to the lower boot tongue 230b and be removed from the lower boot tongue 230b without leaving a residue behind from the adhesive 356 of the lower boot tongue wrap piece 330b. The lower boot tongue wrap piece 330b may be adhered and removed multiple times.

The boot back wrap piece 340 is configured to adhere to and cover the boot back 240. The boot back wrap piece 340 is configured to removably adhere to the boot back 240. The boot back wrap piece 340 is configured to adhere to the boot back 240 and be removed from the boot back 240 without leaving a residue behind from the adhesive 356 of the boot back wrap piece 340. The boot back wrap piece 340 may be adhered and removed multiple times.

The skate wrap kit 300 may include skate laces 384. The skate laces 384 may be color coordinated with the wrap pieces 310, 320, 330, 340. The skate wrap kit 300 may also include stickers or decals 386 that may be applied to the wrap pieces 310, 320, 330, 340 for further customization of the skate boot 200. The stickers or decals 386 are configured to attach to the wrap pieces 310, 320, 330, 340. The stickers or decals 386 may include shapes, letters, numbers, symbols, emojis, animals, flags, awareness ribbons, trademarks, logos, team logos, licensed characters, mascots, or any other image. The skate wrap kit 300 may include a hole punch tool 388 configured to punch a through hole 394 in the outer side wrap piece 310 and the inner side wrap piece 320 to fit the skate laces 384.

In order to punch the through holes 394 for the skate laces 384, the outer side wrap piece 310 and the inner side wrap piece 320 will be aligned with the lace holes 294 and then the location of the lace holes 294 will be marked on the outside wrap piece 310 and the inner side wrap piece 320. The locations may be marked using the writing tool 380. Then the hole punch tool 388 may be used to punch through holes 394 in the outer side wrap piece 310 and the inner side wrap piece 320 where the location of the lace holes 294 were marked. Then laces may be threaded through the lace holes 294 and the through holes 394. Alternatively, the holes 394 can be pre-punched in the outer side wrap piece 310 and the inner side wrap piece 320 to line up with the lace holes 294. The outer side wrap piece 310 and the inner side wrap piece 320 with pre-punched holes may be optionally available in the skate wrap kit 300.

It is understood that the through holes 394 do not need to be punched and the outer side wrap piece 310 and the inner side wrap piece 320 may simply be adhered over the existing laced skate laces of the skate boot 200. Advantageously, this allows for quick adhering and removal of the outer side wrap piece 310 and the inner side wrap piece 320, which may be necessary for a quick costume change during a show.

A stitch line 296 is located proximate the lace holes 294 on the outer side 210 and the inner side 220 of the skate boot 200, as illustrated FIG. 3. The stitch line 296 may serve to bound the area of the skate boot 200 where the lace holes 294 are located. This stitch line 296 may help align the outer side wrap piece 310 and the inner side wrap piece 320 when being adhered, as discussed further herein.

The skate wrap kit 300 may also include one or more three-dimensional adornments 390. The three-dimensional adornment 390 are configured to be attached to the wrap pieces 310, 320, 330, 340. The three-dimensional adornment 390 may be decorations, ornaments, and objects that may be attached to the via glue 392, sewing, stitching, or an adhesive backing on the three-dimensional adornment 390. The three-dimensional adornments 390 may include but are not limited to glitter, feathers, bells, fabric, buttons, zippers, straps, patches, beads, pom-poms, leather, medals, pins, ribbons, sewing, sewing stiches, iron-ons, steam-ons, staple-ons, pin-ons, hook-and-loop fasteners, chains, or any other adornment known to one of skill in the art. The skate wrap kit 300 may also include a glue 392 configured to attach the three-dimensional adornment 390 to the wrap pieces 310, 320, 330, 340.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, with continued reference to FIGS. 1-4, the backing sheets 302 for the outer side wrap piece 310 and the inner side wrap piece 320 are illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the backing sheet 302 for the outer side wrap piece 310 may be a single non-perforated backing sheet that covers an entirety of the outer side wrap piece 310. Similarly, the backing sheet 302 for the inner side wrap piece 320 may be a single non-perforated backing sheet that covers an entirety of the inner side wrap piece 320.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the backing sheet 302 for the outer side wrap piece 310 may be a perforated backing sheet that covers an entirety of the outer side wrap piece 310. Similarly, the backing sheet 302 for the inner side wrap piece 320 may be a perforated backing sheet that covers an entirety of the inner side wrap piece 320.

The perforated backing sheet includes a perforation line 303 that divides the perforated backing sheet into a lace portion backing sheet 302a and a non-lace portion backing sheet 302b. The perforation line 303 may be located such that the perforation line 303 aligns with the stich line 296 proximate the lace holes 294 on the skate boot 200. The perforation line 303 is configured to allow the lace portion backing sheet 302a and the non-lace portion backing sheet 302b to be separated, independent of each other, from the adhesive 356 on the back side 352 of the base material 350. In other words, the non-lace portion backing sheet 302b may be removed from the adhesive 356 on the back side 352 of the base material 350, while the lace portion backing sheet 302a remains on the back side 352 of the base material 350. Conversely, the lace portion backing sheet 302a may be removed from the adhesive 356 on the back side 352 of the base material 350, while the non-lace portion backing sheet 302b remains on the back side 352 of the base material 350.

This allows only the adhesive 356 behind the non-lace portion backing sheet 302b to be adhered to the skate boot 200, while the lace portion backing sheet 302a remains on the adhesive 356 to prevent this portion of the adhesive 356 from sticking to area of the skate boot 200 proximate the lace holes 294. Advantageously, this allows for quick changes of different wrap pieces 310, 320, 330, 340 by eliminating the need to lace the skate laces 384 through the wrap pieces 310, 320. Also advantageously, this allows a portion of the wrap pieces 310, 320 behind the non-lace portion backing sheet 302b to be adhered to the skate boot 200, while the lace portion backing sheet 302b is aligned with the lace holes 294 to mark and punch holes 394 through the wrap pieces 310, 320. In this scenario, the lace portion backing sheet 302b serves the dual purpose of a surface to mark the lace holes 294 and a non-sticky surface for the hole punch tool 388 to punch through the wrap pieces 310, 320, and not get stuck to the adhesive 356.

Referring now to FIG. 7, with continued reference to FIGS. 1-6, a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 800 of installing a skate wrap kit 300 on a skate boot 200 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

At block 810, at least one wrap piece 310, 320, 330, 340 is removed from a backing sheet 302 or a portion 302a, 302b of the backing sheet 302 is removed from the at least one wrap piece 310, 320. For example, the backing sheet 302 may be a perforated backing sheet that includes a perforation line 303 that divides the perforated backing sheet into a lace portion backing sheet 302a and a non-lace portion backing sheet 302b. The method 800 may further include that at least one of the lace portion backing sheet 302a or the non-lace portion backing sheet 302b is removed from the at least one wrap piece 310, 320.

At block 820, the at least one wrap piece 310, 320, 330, 340 is adhered to the skate boot 200. The at least one wrap piece 310, 320, 330, 340 is configured to cover at least one of an outer side 210 of the skate boot 200, an inner side 220 of the skate boot 200, a boot tongue 230 of the skate boot 200, or a boot back 240.

As aforementioned, the at least one wrap piece 310, 320, 330, 340 includes a base material 350 including a front side 354 and a back side 352 opposite the front side 354. The at least one wrap piece 310, 320, 330, 340 also includes an adhesive 356 on the back side 352 of the base material 350. The adhesive 356 is configured to adhere the at least one wrap piece 310, 320, 330, 340 to at least one of the outer side 210 of the skate boot 200, the inner side 220 of the skate boot 200, the boot tongue 230 of the skate boot 200, or the boot back 240 of the skate boot 200. The at least one wrap piece 310, 320, 330, 340 further includes an outer layer 358 attached to the front side 354 of the base material 350.

The method may include block 812 and block 822, block 814 and block 824, block 816 and block 826, and/or block 818 and block 828.

Block 812, block 814, block 816, and block 818 may occur with block 810. Whereas block 822, block 824, block 826, and block 828 may occur with block 820.

At block 812, an outer side wrap piece 310 is removed from the backing sheet 302. At block 822, the outer side wrap piece 310 is adhered to the outer side 210 of the skate boot 200. The outer side wrap piece 310 is configured to cover the outer side 210 of the skate boot 200.

At block 814, an inner side wrap piece 320 is removed from the backing sheet 302. At block 824, the inner side wrap piece 320 is adhered to the inner side 220 of the skate boot 200. The inner side wrap piece 320 is configured to cover the inner side 220 of the skate boot 200.

At block 816, a boot tongue wrap piece 330 is removed from the backing sheet 302. At block 826, the boot tongue wrap piece 330 is adhered to the boot tongue 230 of the skate boot 200. The boot tongue wrap piece 330 is configured to cover the boot tongue 230 of the skate boot 200.

At block 818, a boot back wrap piece 340 is removed from the backing sheet 302. At block 828, the boot back wrap piece 340 is adhered to the boot back 240 of the skate boot 200. The boot back wrap piece 340 is configured to cover the boot back 240 of the skate boot 200.

The method 800 may further include that locations of lace holes 294 of the skate boot 200 are marked on the at least one wrap piece 310, 320. Then through holes 394 are punched in the at least one wrap piece 310, 320 where the locations of the lace holes 294 were marked.

Prior to marking the lace holes 294 and the punching of the through holes 394, the method 800 may further include that the non-lace portion backing sheet 302b is removed and a portion of the at least one wrap pieces 310, 320 that was behind the non-lace portion backing sheet 302b is adhered to the skate boot 200. Then the lace holes 294 of the skate boot 200 are marked on the lace portion backing sheet 302a on the at least one wrap piece 310, 320. The through holes 394 may be punched in the at least one wrap piece 310, 320 where the locations of the lace holes 294 were marked with the lace portion backing sheet 302a still on and then the lace portion backing sheet 302a may be removed following completion of the punching of the through holes 394. The method 800 may next include that a portion of the at least one wrap pieces 310, 320 that was behind the lace portion backing sheet 302a is adhered to the skate boot 200. In embodiments where the holes 394 are pre-punched, both the lace portion backing sheet 302a and the non-lace portion backing sheet 302b may be removed at the same time and the corresponding wraps 310, 320 applied to the skate boot 200 since hole punching is not required.

The method 800 may also include that a skate lace 384 is threaded through the through holes 394 of the at least one wrap piece 310, 320 and the lace holes 294 of the skate boot 200.

The method 800 may yet further include that the at least one wrap piece 310, 320, 330, 340 is removed from the skate boot 200. As aforementioned, the at least one wrap piece 310, 320, 330, 340 may be removed from the skate boot 200 without leaving a residue on the skate boot 200.

The method 800 may also include that the outer layer 358 is marked using one or more writing tools 380. The mark may than be erased using an eraser 382 if the writing tool 380 is erasable. The method 800 may also include that a sticker or decal 386 and/or a three-dimensional adornment 390 are attached to the outer layer 358.

While the above description has described the flow process of FIG. 7 in a particular order, it should be appreciated that unless otherwise specifically required in the attached claims that the ordering of the steps may be varied.

The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A skate wrap kit comprising:

at least one wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover at least one of an outer side of a skate boot, an inner side of the skate boot, a boot tongue of the skate boot, or a boot back of the skate boot,
wherein the at least one wrap piece comprises: a base material including a front side and a back side opposite the front side; an adhesive on the back side of the base material, the adhesive being configured to adhere the at least one wrap piece to at least one of the outer side of the skate boot, the inner side of the skate boot, the boot tongue of the skate boot, or the boot back of the skate boot; and an outer layer attached to the front side of the base material.

2. The skate wrap kit of claim 1, wherein the at least one wrap piece further comprises at least one of:

an outer side wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the outer side of the skate boot;
an inner side wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the inner side of the skate boot;
a boot tongue wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the boot tongue of the skate boot; or
a boot back wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the boot back of the skate boot.

3. The skate wrap kit of claim 2, wherein the boot tongue wrap piece further comprises:

an upper boot tongue wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover an upper boot tongue of the boot tongue; and
a lower boot tongue wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover a lower boot tongue of the boot tongue.

4. The skate wrap kit of claim 1, wherein the at least one wrap piece further comprises:

an outer side wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the outer side of the skate boot;
an inner side wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the inner side of the skate boot;
a boot tongue wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the boot tongue of the skate boot; and
a boot back wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover the boot back of the skate boot.

5. The skate wrap kit of claim 4, wherein the boot tongue wrap piece further comprises:

an upper boot tongue wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover an upper boot tongue of the boot tongue; and
a lower boot tongue wrap piece configured to adhere to and cover a lower boot tongue of the boot tongue.

6. The skate wrap kit of claim 1, further comprising:

a skate lace for the skate boot.

7. The skate wrap kit of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more writing tools configured to mark the outer layer.

8. The skate wrap kit of claim 7, further comprising:

an eraser configured to erase the mark on the outer layer from the one or more writing tools.

9. The skate wrap kit of claim 1, further comprising:

a sticker or decal configured to attach to the at least one wrap piece.

10. The skate wrap kit of claim 1, further comprising:

a hole punch tool configured to punch a through hole in the at least one wrap piece.

11. The skate wrap kit of claim 1, further comprising:

a three-dimensional adornment configured to be attached to the at least one wrap piece.

12. The skate wrap kit of claim 11, further comprising:

a glue configured to attach the three-dimensional adornment to the at least one wrap piece.

13. The skate wrap kit of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is configured to removably adhere the at least one wrap piece to at least one of the outer side of the skate boot, the inner side of the skate boot, the boot tongue of the skate boot, or the boot back of the skate boot.

14. The skate wrap kit of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is configured to allow the at least one wrap piece to be removed from at least one of the outer side of the skate boot, the inner side of the skate boot, the boot tongue of the skate boot, or the boot back of the skate boot without leaving a residue behind from the adhesive on the skate boot.

15. The skate wrap kit of claim 1, further comprising a backing sheet, wherein the at least one wrap piece is removably adhered to the backing sheet using the adhesive, and

wherein the backing sheet is a perforated backing sheet that includes a perforation line that divides the perforated backing sheet into a lace portion backing sheet and a non-lace portion backing sheet.

16. A method of installing a skate wrap kit on a skate boot, the method comprising:

removing at least one wrap piece from a backing sheet or removing a portion of the backing sheet from the at least one wrap piece; and
adhering the at least one wrap piece to the skate boot, the at least one wrap piece configured to cover at least one of an outer side of the skate boot, an inner side of the skate boot, a boot tongue of the skate boot, or a boot back of the skate boot,
wherein the at least one wrap piece comprises: a base material including a front side and a back side opposite the front side; an adhesive on the back side of the base material, the adhesive being configured to adhere the at least one wrap piece to at least one of the outer side of the skate boot, the inner side of the skate boot, the boot tongue of the skate boot, or the boot back of the skate boot; and an outer layer attached to the front side of the base material.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

removing an outer side wrap piece from the backing sheet;
adhering the outer side wrap piece to the outer side of the skate boot, the outer side wrap piece configured to cover the outer side of the skate boot;
removing an inner side wrap piece from the backing sheet;
adhering the inner side wrap piece to the inner side of the skate boot, the inner side wrap piece configured to cover the inner side of the skate boot;
removing a boot tongue wrap piece from the backing sheet;
adhering the boot tongue wrap piece to the boot tongue of the skate boot, the boot tongue wrap piece configured to cover the boot tongue of the skate boot;
removing a boot back wrap piece from the backing sheet; and
adhering the boot back wrap piece to the boot back of the skate boot, the boot back wrap piece configured to cover the boot back of the skate boot.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

marking on the at least one wrap piece locations of lace holes of the skate boot; and
punching through holes in the at least one wrap piece where the locations of the lace holes were marked.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

threading a skate lace through the through holes of the at least one wrap piece and the lace holes of the skate boot.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the backing sheet is a perforated backing sheet that includes a perforation line that divides the perforated backing sheet into a lace portion backing sheet and a non-lace portion backing sheet, and

wherein the method further comprises removing at least one of the lace portion backing sheet or the non-lace portion backing sheet from the at least one wrap piece.
Patent History
Publication number: 20240315397
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 21, 2023
Publication Date: Sep 26, 2024
Inventor: Michael Opalinski (Amherst, MA)
Application Number: 18/187,137
Classifications
International Classification: A43B 23/24 (20060101); A43B 3/00 (20060101); A43B 5/16 (20060101); A43C 19/00 (20060101);