Abstract: A method of manufacturing a frame for an ice skate boot, the method including: a) moulding a substantially T-shaped body having a first plate and a second plate extending substantially perpendicularly from the first plate; b) milling the first plate to form a platform intended to be uppermost on the frame, in use, for supporting an ice skate boot, the platform having a first support for supporting a forward portion of an ice skate boot and a second support, separate from the first support, for supporting a rearward portion of an ice skate boot; c) milling the second plate to form an elongate body defining an elongate length of the frame, the elongate body having first and second arms extending from the elongate body, where distal ends of the first and second arms are connected to the first and second supports, respectively; and d) forming a mounting arrangement on the elongate body for mounting a blade runner to the elongate body, wherein step a) includes the step of integrally forming the first and second

Abstract: An ice skate for skating on ice, which ice skate comprises; an upper chassis section comprising a first contact surface having a front end and a rear end, a lower chassis section comprising a second contact surface having a front end and a rear end, and a coupling arrangement comprising a spring back means, which coupling arrangement is arranged to mechanically connect the upper and lower chassis sections. The coupling arrangement is arranged to allow the upper chassis section to pivot relative to the lower chassis section by rolling contact motion between the first and second contact surface such that a momentary contact region (CR) of the first and second contact surfaces moves back and forth between the front and rear ends of the first and second contact surfaces. The spring back means is arranged to urge the momentary contact region (CR) to a neutral position.

Abstract: A blade holder for use with an ice skate having an removable and replaceable blade to allow the ice skate to be used during separation of the blade from the blade holder. The blade holder includes a blade-retaining base that includes a lower edge and an internal recess that receives the blade. A contact nub is mounted to the blade-retaining base and remains mounted to the base when the blade becomes separated from the base. The contact nub extends below the lower edge of the base such that when the blade becomes separated from the base, the skater can use the contact nub to contact an ice surface. The contact nub is above the blade so as not to affect the normal use of the ice skate. The contact nub can include a pick portion that is used to engage the ice surface to help move the skater when the blade becomes detached.

Abstract: A training ice skate with support components that can offer built-in balance support and can teach proper form to a user who is learning to ice skate. More specifically, the training ice skate can include a boot mount having a base, a blade housing configured to house a blade, and a plurality of support mounts. The base can be configured to attach to a bottom of a boot, the blade housing can be centered on the base and configured to house a center blade, and the plurality of support mounts can be comprised of a plurality of side rail housings at non-center locations on the base that are configured to house a corresponding side rails.

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: Disclosed herein are embodiments describing a front and rear ice-skate adapter that are configured to join a respective front and rear ice-skate blade post to the sole of an ice-skating boot. In certain instances each ice-skate blade post is a multi-degree of freedom adjustable cup that adjusts the position of an ice-skating blade relative to the ice-skate boot sole. Each ice-skate adapter generally comprises a skate sole end that attaches to an ice-skate boot sole and a skate end that attaches to a respective ice-skate blade post. A cup body is defined between the skate sole end and the skate end. The skate sole end comprises a surface that conforms to the shape of the ice-skating boot sole. For added stiffness and stability, the skate sole end further comprises a plurality of appendages that extend outwardly from the cup body.

Abstract: A roller blade ice wheel assembly for using roller blades on ice includes a plurality of blade wheel apparatuses each comprising a wheel body having a central wheel aperture, a pair of wheel sidewalls, and a wheel edge. The wheel edge is less than 0.5 cm. At least one bearing is coupled to the wheel body. The bearing receives an axle of a roller blade through a bearing aperture and the wheel aperture. Each of a plurality of spacers has a central spacer aperture to receive the axle of the roller blade. The plurality of spacers is positioned on both sides of the bearing to occupy space up to a wheel frame of the roller blade. The width of the blade wheel apparatus is dimensioned to equal the width of a wheel of the roller blade that is being replaced.

Abstract: A blade for an ice skate (e.g., for playing hockey). The ice skate comprises a skate boot for receiving a foot of a user and a blade holder for holding the blade. The blade may be designed to be lightweight yet strong and possibly provide other performance benefits to the user, including by being made of different materials (e.g., at least three different materials) that are strategically arranged and secured to one another.

Abstract: An omnidirectional wheel is provided. The omnidirectional wheel includes a plurality of major brackets, a plurality of minor brackets, a plurality of major wheels and a plurality of minor wheels. The major brackets include a first major bracket. The minor brackets include a first minor bracket. The major wheels include a first major wheel, wherein the major wheels are connected to the respective major brackets, the first major wheel is connected to the first major bracket, the first major wheel is rotatable around a first axis, and the first major bracket extends in a first extending direction. The minor wheels include a first minor wheel, wherein the minor wheels are connected to the respective minor brackets, the first minor wheel is connected to the first minor bracket, the first minor wheel is rotatable around a second axis, and the first minor bracket extends in a second extending direction.

Abstract: A blade holder for an ice skate (e.g., for playing hockey). The ice skate comprises a skate boot for receiving a foot of a skater. The blade holder comprises a blade-retaining base to retain a blade. The blade-retaining base comprises a first material (e.g., a non-composite polymeric material). The blade holder comprises a support extending upwardly from the blade-retaining base to interconnect the blade holder and the skate boot. The support comprises a second material (e.g., a composite material) different from (e.g., stiffer than) the first material.

Abstract: A blade arrangement for an ice skate boot, the blade arrangement comprising a support for an ice skate boot with a blade runner mounted to the support and a suspension structure arranged between the support and the blade runner.

Abstract: The sliding-shoe sole is a device that is permanently attached or removably positioned on fitness shoes. The sliding-shoe sole is fabricated from materials that reduce the degree of frictional contact between the sole and a contacting surface. The sliding-shoe sole may encompass a portion or the entire bottom of the fitness shoe and portions of the heel, toe and side areas of the shoe. This arrangement enables the wearer to participate more fully in exercises and/or dances that require the foot to not only slide and/or glide along the dance floor or exercise surface along the shoe bottom, but also along the shoe heel, toe and side.

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 vacuum cleaner may include a suction nozzle; a cleaner body in communication with the suction nozzle; a supporter configured to connect the cleaner body with the suction nozzle and to allow a position of the cleaner body with respect to the suction nozzle to be varied; and a wheel assembly rotatably connected to the supporter. The wheel assembly may include a frame, a wheel shaft installed at the frame, and a wheels installed at the wheel shaft to be independently rotated. A contact area between each of the wheels and a floor may vary according to a varied position of the cleaner body with respect to the suction nozzle.

Abstract: A ski includes a longitudinal ski body having an upper surface and a lower snow-contacting surface. A longitudinal slot extends from the upper surface to the lower surface. A longitudinal keel, having at least a portion selectively extending in the slot, is adapted to connect pivotably to a ski leg of the snowmobile. The ski body is connected to the keel and adapted thereby to connect to the ski leg. At least a portion of the ski body is selectively movable with respect to the keel. The ski body is thereby selectively disposed in any one of a plurality of ski body positions, each of the plurality of ski body positions being defined at least by a position of the slot with respect to the keel. A fastener retains the ski body in any one of the ski body positions. Ski assemblies and snowmobiles having the ski are also disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable reversible skate blade for an ice skate comprising a thin runner blade held around the edges of a lightweight composite core, and a pair of opposed blade supports, which may be individually replaceable or which may be formed as an integral part of the core. The entire blade assembly is lightweight, easily removable, reversible and replaceable in a skate with little or no requirement for tools, and is inexpensive enough to manufacture that the blade is disposable.

Abstract: A skate including a bridge member, and a blade assembly pivotably coupled to the bridge member about a transverse axis. The blade assembly is capable of pivoting relative to the bridge member. The skate is operable in a first mode of operation during a predetermined interval, and a second mode of operation after the predetermined interval. The skate is configured to automatically transition from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention is an ice-skate blade formed to increase the balance of a skater upon an ice-skate blade. The blade may incorporate indentations in one or more both of the following position: a portion of the front section of the skate blade; and a portion of the rear section of the skate blade. Such indentations may be a series of serrated cuts or otherwise formed notches in the lower blade edge. The blade may be formed in a variety of sizes, and may be connectable to a variety of skate boots. A skater utilizing the blade of the present invention will be assisted with regaining balance upon the blade upon experiencing unbalance, and assisted with maintaining balance upon the skate blade. The blade functions in a manner that allows a skater to learn and develop skating skills.

Abstract: A skate shield for use with ice skates. The skate shield includes a rigid shell made at least of outer and inner layers of fiber reinforced plastic or polymer (FRP), and a fastener assembly for releasably securing the shell to a boot portion of the ice skate. The shell includes a medial side portion interconnected to a lateral side section via a top portion. A reinforced section formed by reinforcing layers laminated between the outer and inner layers is provided in at least one of the medial side portion and the lateral side portion of the shell.

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 skate blade contains a base, a reinforcement piece, and a body. The base includes a plurality of first protrusions, and a first recess is defined between any two adjacent first protrusions. The reinforcement plate includes a plurality of second protrusions, and a second recess is defined between any two adjacent second protrusions. Each first protrusion of the base retains with each second recess of the reinforcement plate, and each first recess of the base retains with each second protrusion of the reinforcement plate. The reinforcement plate also includes a plurality of through orifices, and each through orifice is defined on said each second protrusion of the reinforcement plate. The body is injection molded from plastic material and is connected with the base and the reinforcement plate so that a part of the body inserts through the plurality of through orifices of the reinforcement plate.

Abstract: An ice skate assembly for attachment to a boot has a skate blade and a blade heating arrangement mounted within a blade support. The blade is heated by a row of field-effect transistors or by a resistance heating wire carried on the blade at a circuit board encapsulated on the top edge of the blade in an over-molded plastic strip which engages into a slot in the support as a wedged fit. The blade is attached by an inclined wedge member a screw for pulling the blade longitudinally of the blade and to draw the inclined wedge member into its receptacle. The battery pack is carried in the rear tower which is sealed against moisture penetration and includes two proximity switches for actuation.

Abstract: A skate boot for receiving a wearer's foot comprising: a monocoque skate boot body comprising a heel portion; a toe box portion; a sole portion; an ankle portion; a lower Achilles tendon portion located directly above the heel portion; an upper Achilles tendon portion for receiving a tendon guard; an eyelet cuff portion, the eyelet cuff portion houses the eyelet holes, through which eyelets are installed, through which a lace is utilized to tighten the skate boot to the wearer's foot. Also included, a liner portion, integrated into the monocoque skate boot body, comprised of foam for cushioning the wearer's foot, bonded to a material layer for providing comfort against the wearer's skin, an outer shell bonded and stitched to the outer surface of the monocoque skate boot body, a tendon guard secured to the upper Achilles tendon portion with freedom to adjust the position, and a tongue attached to the toe box portion with freedom to adjust the position.

Abstract: A hand ice skating mechanism in conjunction with an athletic protective mechanism utilizing a glove portion including a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion includes a blade retaining portion and a blade assembly in communication with the blade retaining portion.

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: A skate assembly includes a shell structure and a removable tendon guard. The shell structure includes a heel portion, a lateral ankle portion, and a medial ankle portion. The heel portion is formed to cover a human heel. The lateral ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The medial ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The lateral ankle portion and the medial ankle portion are spaced apart to form a notch extending toward the heel portion. The removable tendon guard is removably attached between the lateral ankle portion and medial ankle portion to cover the notch.

Abstract: An ice skate overshoe includes; an upper portion; a sole connected to the upper portion; a blade connected to the sole; where the upper portion is made substantially of stretchable rubber; where the upper portion is configured stretchable and capable to return substantially to its original state; where the upper portion comprises a first opening configured as an entrance for a footwear; where the upper portion is configured to stretch over the footwear to secure the ice skate overshoe to the footwear; where the sole is configured to support a footwear bottom; where the sole is configured substantially rigid; where the blade is configured substantially rigid; where the blade is rigidly attached to the sole; where the blade is configured operable to engage with an ice surface; where the ice skate overshoe is configured to wear over the footwear; and where the ice skate overshoe is configured operable to skate on the ice surface.

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: 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: A boot form for a hockey skate is made of multiple plastic materials having different hardness properties, or different flexural moduli, and is formed via an injection-molding process or another similar process. One or more of the plastic materials may be reinforced with fibers of glass, carbon, aramid, or another stiffening material to strengthen one or more regions of the boot form. For example, pellets of a first plastic material having a flexural modulus of approximately 190 MPa (e.g., a polyamide elastomer block amide) may be injected into a mold to form a softer upper region of the boot form. And pellets of a second plastic having a flexural modulus of approximately 20,000 MPa (e.g., a Nylon 12 with long glass fibers) may be injected into the mold to form a stiffer lower region of the boot form. Additional skate components may then be attached to the boot form.

Abstract: An interchangeable graphic display system of method of using same, in conjunction with an in-line skate frame, wherein the system includes a graphic display apparatus having a first and second layer, wherein each layer is attachable by a separate mounting means, and wherein the system enables an individual to display and replace different pictorial and graphic representations during operation of in-line skates.

Abstract: A hand ice skating mechanism in conjunction with an athletic protective mechanism utilizing a glove portion including a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion includes a blade retaining portion and a blade assembly in communication with the blade retaining portion.

Abstract: Skate, either an in-line roller skate or an ice skate, comprising a frame carrying on or more sliding elements, and a skate boot provided with a sole, said boot being fastened to said frame through a fastening portion, wherein said fastening portion is located between said sole and said frame in a substantially central region in the longitudinal direction of said frame.

Abstract: An ice skate overshoe includes; an upper portion; a sole connected to the upper portion; a blade connected to the sole; where the upper portion is made substantially of stretchable rubber; where the upper portion is configured stretchable and capable to return substantially to its original state; where the upper portion comprises a first opening configured as an entrance for a footwear; where the upper portion is configured to stretch over the footwear to secure the ice skate overshoe to the footwear; where the sole is configured to support a footwear bottom; where the sole is configured substantially rigid; where the blade is configured substantially rigid; where the blade is rigidly attached to the sole; where the blade is configured operable to engage with an ice surface; where the ice skate overshoe is configured to wear over the footwear; and where the ice skate overshoe is configured operable to skate on the ice surface.

Abstract: The inventive skate consists of an upper that is designed to accept the foot of the user. Other portions of the upper are preferably constructed using a semi-rigid material, such as fiberglass, nylon, plastic, etc. These semi-rigid portions of the upper decrease the flexibility of the upper in certain sections, thus increasing performance. The inventive skate also includes a blade chassis. The chassis includes a lower portion that is adapted to hold the skate's blade and an upper portion that is adapted to cover a portion of the upper. The inventive skate is configured so that the center of gravity of the skater is disposed generally centrally along the length of the skate chassis. This skate configuration is generally referred to as neutral pitch.

Abstract: A skate assembly includes a shell structure and a removable tendon guard. The shell structure includes a heel portion, a lateral ankle portion, and a medial ankle portion. The heel portion is formed to cover a human heel. The lateral ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The medial ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The lateral ankle portion and the medial ankle portion are spaced apart to form a notch extending toward the heel portion. The removable tendon guard is removably attached between the lateral ankle portion and medial ankle portion to cover the notch.

Abstract: An assembly including a gliding board and a device for retaining an article of footwear on the board, the device extending longitudinally from a rear end to a front end, the board having a receiving zone provided to receive the retaining device longitudinally in relation to the board. The assembly includes a wedge device which inclines the retaining device longitudinally in relation to the board, so that the retaining device is angled downwardly from the front end to the rear end.

Abstract: A footwear includes: an upper portion; a sole connected to the upper portion; a blade connected to the sole; where the upper portion is configured to support a foot; where the sole is configured to support a foot bottom; where the sole is configured flexible to bend with the foot, the sole flexible to bend in at least one of, a toe area, a ball of the foot area, and a heel and arch area; where the blade comprises a low profile blade height measurement of approximately between one millimeter and fifteen millimeters; where the blade is configured to engage with an ice surface; and where the footwear is operable to wear on the foot.

Abstract: A skate assembly includes a shell structure and a removable tendon guard. The shell structure includes a heel portion, a lateral ankle portion, and a medial ankle portion. The heel portion is formed to cover a human heel. The lateral ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The medial ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The lateral ankle portion and the medial ankle portion are spaced apart to form a notch extending toward the heel portion. The removable tendon guard is removably attached between the lateral ankle portion and medial ankle portion to cover the notch.

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: A skate boot or other piece of footwear is provided with a flexible midfoot section that is not rigidly connected to either a sole and/or base of the boot, in order to adjustably tighten around the bottom, sides, and/or top of the wearer's midfoot to provide arch support and uniform snugness. The midfoot section is in a “hammock” type arrangement while the bail and heel portions of the wearer's foot rests on the footbed over the respective sole portions.

Abstract: A replaceable blade system for ice skates is provided with a rotary retention latch located within an enclosed chamber of the holder of the skate. The rotary retention latch is configured with a release lever that is adapted to be accessed through an aesthetic aperture in the holder.

Abstract: A runner and method of making a runner for mounting on a snow ski including a runner body fabricated of one piece of stamped metal which includes a central base portion and a pair of longitudinally extending runner portions which are bent downwardly from the base portions in laterally spaced relationship to one another. Carbide wear strips are secured to the lower edges of the runner portions, while the base portion 18 is fitted with mounting structure 48 which extends upwardly from the base portion and does not extend into the channel 36. The mounting structure 48 may be formed as one piece with the runner body 16 of the same material, has one or more tab features, and may be threaded and/or pierced to accommodate an associated net or mounting pin as desired for mounting the runner.

Abstract: A skate having a detachable assembly comprising a use element selected from an ice skate blade, a roller skate assembly and an in-line roller skate assembly. The skate includes a shoe having a protrusion extending from the sole and into locking engagement with a corresponding socket in the detachable assembly. The protrusion including a cavity with a lateral recess which receives a corresponding engaging member of a coupling member disposed partially in the socket. The coupling member includes an actuating member selectively movable between a locking position where the engaging member is biased radially outwardly into engagement with the lateral recess, and a release position where the engaging member biased radially inwardly out of engagement with the lateral recess.

Abstract: A frame for a clap skate comprises: a lower frame part; an upper frame part with means for coupling to the sole and heel of a skate shoe; hinge which couples the two frame parts hingedly to each other and which are situated at a distance above the foremost zone of the lower frame part and define a first free degree of freedom of rotation, or a plane varying a maximum of about 30° therefrom of the runner; and resetting means for urging the upper frame part to a rest position determined by positioning means, in which rest position the frame parts have the smallest possible mutual distance. The hinge defines a second free degree of freedom of ±30° perpendicularly of the first free degree of freedom. The upper frame part performs an up and downward and lateral pivoting movement relative to the lower frame part.

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: The invention relates to a roller skate (2), in particular an inline roller skate, comprising a plurality of rollers (4, 6, 8, 10). In order to simplify braking and to improve the dosage of the braking force and the driving stability of essentially inline roller skates during braking, the roller skate (2) comprises a first frame part (12), which is or can be rigidly connected to a shoe and in which at least one of the front rollers (4, 6) is rotatably mounted, a second frame part (14), in which at least two rear rollers (8, 10) are rotatably mounted, the two frame parts (12, 14) being pivotable about a pivoting axis (24) which is parallel to the rotational axes of the rollers (4, 6, 8, 10), and a braking element (34) that can be pressed against at least one of the rear rollers (8, 10) during pivoting of the two frame parts (12, 14) relative to one another.

Abstract: Skate, either an in-line roller skate or an ice skate, comprising a frame carrying on or more sliding elements, and a skate boot provided with a sole, said boot being fastened to said frame through a fastening portion, wherein said fastening portion is located between said sole and said frame in a substantially central region in the longitudinal direction of said frame.

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.