Abstract: An extruded light-weight blade support with a blade for a figure skate including an extruded holding means having a first portion and a second portion and a blade removably mounted to the extruded holding means. The first and second portions may be mounted to the figure skate. The extruded holding means may be made from aluminium and the blade may be made from a light-weight alloy such as titanium or magnesium. A strip of carbon steel may be adhered to a bottom edge of the blade.

Abstract: A puck deflecting hockey skate covering includes a covering generally has the shape of a hockey skate and including a toe portion, a pair of side walls, a pair of ankle portions and a back wall. The covering has an open top side and an open bottom side. The covering comprises a substantially rigid material. An outer surface of the covering has a plurality of protrusions thereon. A strap has a first end and a second end wherein the first end is attached to a first of the side walls. A fastener removably fastens the second end of the strap to a second of the side walls such that the strap may selectively traverse the bottom side.

Abstract: An ice skate comprising a boot arranged to receive a person's foot, a skate blade assembly and a blade heating arrangement mounted within a blade mounting arrangement. The blade heating arrangement is arranged to use a field-effect transistor controlled by an electronic controller to operate in the non-linear range to heat skate blades from a power source. The blade is formed as a two part structure with a central core plate within the steel blade part of a higher thermal conductivity material such as copper. The circuit controlling the heating includes a charging component which uses as a contact for the charging current the blade itself.

Abstract: A skate comprises a chassis with a variable length boot disposed thereon. The variable length boot includes a heel portion fixedly disposed upon the chassis and a toe box slidably disposed upon the chassis. The toe box is slidable in relation to the heel along the longitudinal axis of the skate to increase or decrease the size of the boot. A locking mechanism attached to the toe box locks the toe box to the chassis at a selected position. The selected position is chosen from a plurality of spaced-apart slots disposed within the chassis. The locking mechanism includes a positionable clasp insertable into a selected slot to lock the toe box to the chassis at the selected position.

Abstract: Connecting mechanisms for pivotally coupling a shoe with a sporting device are described. In one embodiment, the connecting mechanism can include a support element for supporting a shoe, a connecting element disposed on a sporting device, and a coupling element for coupling the support element to the connecting element. The support element can include a first end liftably disposable on the sporting device and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The coupling element can include a first end attachable via a first pivot to the second end of the support element and a second end attachable via a second pivot to the connecting element. The first and second pivots can be active successively with the progression of a bending movement of a foot in a shoe supported by the support element.

Abstract: A skate that includes a boot fixed between an insole and an outsole. The insole has at least one retainer projecting through an aperture in the outsole. The retainer extends into an interior chamber formed in a blade holder. An adapter is mounted in a recess in the blade and extends to an opposite end received in the retainer. A fastener is extendable through aligned bores in the holder, the adapter and the retainer to fixedly connect the blade and the holder and the insole of the boot.

Abstract: An ice skating blade has an upper portion having a top surface and two parallel substantially vertical left and right sides; and a lower portion having two faces flared outwardly from the upper portion, providing angled cutting edges. An appropriate angle of flare is 8° from the vertical.

Abstract: An ice skate comprising a boot arranged to receive a person's foot, a skate blade assembly and a blade heating arrangement mounted within a blade mounting arrangement. The blade heating arrangement is arranged to use a field-effect transistor controlled by a microprocessor to operate in the non-linear range to heat skate blades from a power source. The blade is formed as a two part structure with a central core plate within the steel blade part of a higher thermal conductivity material such as copper. The circuit controlling the heating includes a charging component which uses as a contact for the charging current the blade itself.

Abstract: An ice skate comprising a blade and a blade holder. The blade holder providing decreasing, non rigid, and/or no lateral support in a rearward region of the blade so that it may facilitate increased or freer flexibility of the blade and improved maneuverability. The blade is rigidly laterally supported at a front end section of the blade holder and preferably also at a back end section of the blade holder so that it may facilitate efficient transfer of force between the skater and the blade. One or more non-rigid support members may be employed to control, absorb and/or cushion the flexing of the blade. The ice skate may be tuned to reflect the desired performance requirements of the individual skater and/or use.

Abstract: An improved runner and method of manufacture. The runner is formed by insert injection molding a steel insert blade, by which the total weight of the runner may be reduced substantially in comparison to conventional steel runners having similar size and shape. A skate blade and an ice skate including the improved runners are also provided.

Abstract: A detachable skate having two sets of engagement members containing two female members and two male members which are correspondingly fitted to a sole at the bottom of the shoe and a mounting plate at the top of the skating device. The female members and the male members can be connected with each other by means of the engagement of a projecting pin into the bottom end of the vertical part of the L-shaped guide slot. Moreover, one male member is provided with a lever for turning this male member. Accordingly, the shoes are detachable from the skating devices so that it's convenient to assemble, stable and safe to use.

Abstract: An ice skate comprising a blade and a blade holder. The blade holder providing decreasing, non rigid, and/or no lateral support in a rearward region of the blade so that it may facilitate increased or freer flexibility of the blade and improved maneuverability. The blade is rigidly laterally supported at a front end section of the blade holder and preferably also at a back end section of the blade holder so that it may facilitate efficient transfer of force between the skater and the blade. One or more non-rigid support members may be employed to control, absorb and/or cushion the flexing of the blade. The ice skate may be tuned to reflect the desired performance requirements of the individual skater and/or use.

Abstract: An ice skate comprising a boot arranged to receive a person's foot, a skate blade assembly and a blade heating arrangement mounted within a blade mounting arrangement. The blade heating arrangement is arranged to use a field-effect transistor controlled by a microprocessor to operate in the non-linear range to heat skate blades from a power source. The blade is formed as a two part structure with a central core plate within the steel blade part of a higher thermal conductivity material such as copper. The circuit controlling the heating includes a charging component which uses as a contact for the charging current the blade itself.

Abstract: An ice skate comprising a boot arranged to receive a person's foot, a skate blade assembly and a blade heating arrangement mounted within a blade mounting arrangement. The blade heating arrangement is arranged to use a field-effect transistor controlled by a microprocessor to operate in the non-linear range to heat skate blades from a power source.

Abstract: A skate that includes a boot fixed between an insole and an outsole. The insole has a pair of retainers projecting through apertures in the outsole for receiving one end of a pair of legs projecting from a blade runner. The retainers extend through interior chambers formed in a blade holder, with the interior chambers slidably receiving the blade legs. A fastening pin is extendable through the aligned bores in the holder, the blade legs and the retainers to fixedly connect the blade, the holder and the insole. Various aspects of the outsole and holder are formed with mating projections and recesses to resist lateral movement of the holder relative to the outsole and the boot.

Abstract: An ice skate comprising a boot arranged to receive a persons foot, a skate blade assembly and a blade heating arrangement mounted within a blade mounting arrangement. The blade heating arrangement is arranged to use microwave energy to heat skate blades using a processor and a power source.

Abstract: A boot which has a tongue structure which includes at least first and second cables attached to the sides of the tongue, a guide channel associated with each cable, and a cable tensioning device connected to the cables and which is movable between first and second positions to respectfully tighten and loosen the cables. The tongue structure acts to maintain the foot in the boot and in a preferred embodiment, the tongue includes an outer somewhat rigid shell and an inner elastic layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving human mobility on snow or other icy surfaces when a skier or other user is utilizing a snow-traveling device. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes an assembly comprising a body with an multiple slots formed therein and an aperture formed therein to allow a snow-traveling device to pass therethrough, a crampon structure with elongated teeth for protruding into the snow surface, and a tightening band introduced through the slots of the body for tightening the apparatus to the snow-traveling device. Another embodiment contains system for changing the crampon structure with a convex rudder structure for increasing stability and control. Also disclosed is a disposable friction enhancing fabric that can be attached to various snow-traveling devices for increasing the friction between the snow contacting surface of a snow-traveling device and the snow surface.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a runner or blade for an ice skate having a novel configuration and structure, such as a blade having greater width at the edge at both the anterior end and posterior end relative to the middle, or alternately, a blade having greater width at the edge at the anterior end relative to the middle and posterior end. Further, a runner or blade for an ice skate can include a thermoplastic material, fiber fillers, metal fillers, and a hydrophobic material. In addition, the present invention teaches a hinged blade for a hockey skate.

Abstract: An ice skate chassis is configured so that a user can adjust the pitch of the skate chassis between a plurality of discrete pitch positions. The pitch is adjusted by locking the ice blade at a desired angle relative to a bladeholder of the chassis. The blade can be positively locked at a plurality of discrete, repeatable angle positions so that the angle will not slip or creep during skating.

Abstract: An ice skate comprising a blade and a blade holder. The blade holder providing decreasing, non rigid, and/or no lateral support in a rearward region of the blade so that it may facilitate increased or freer flexibility of the blade and improved maneuverability. The blade is rigidly laterally supported at a front end section of the blade holder and preferably also at a back end section of the blade holder so that it may facilitate efficient transfer of force between the skater and the blade. One or more non-rigid support members may be employed to control, absorb and/or cushion the flexing of the blade. The ice skate may be tuned to reflect the desired performance requirements of the individual skater and/or use.

Abstract: A goalie skate protective shell defines an interior cavity adapted for receiving a goalie ice skate boot. A holder is unitarily formed as part of a sole of the shell and has an open ended, lengthwise extending groove. At least two transversely extending bores are formed in the holder and receive fasteners which extend through the bores and apertures formed in a plurality of legs projecting from a blade mounted in the groove in the holder to removably affix the blade to the holder.

Abstract: An ice skate with interchangeable blades. The ice skate comprises a body defining a seat for housing a blade-holder to be clamped against the body, and a plurality of sets of blades and respective blade-holders, in which at least the blades of the sets have different geometrical configurations and each set of a blade and a blade-holder is interchangeably replaceable in the seat of the body so that blades of different geometrical configurations can be mounted on the skate, preferably in order to use the skate for different disciplines.

Abstract: An ice skate comprising a blade and a blade holder. The blade holder providing decreasing, non rigid, and/or no lateral support in a rearward region of the blade so that it may facilitate increased or freer flexibility of the blade and improved maneuverability. The blade is rigidly laterally supported at a front end section of the blade holder and preferably also at a back end section of the blade holder so that it may facilitate efficient transfer of force between the skater and the blade. One or more non-rigid support members may be employed to control, absorb and/or cushion the flexing of the blade. The ice skate may be tuned to reflect the desired performance requirements of the individual skater and/or use.

Abstract: A fastening device for footwear includes a base on footwear and a first hook extends from a top surface of the base. A locking member is pivotally connected the base and a recess is defined in an end of the locking member. The first hook extends through a notch in an underside of the locking member. Two slots are defined through the underside of the locking member. A plate is movably received in the recess in the locking member with two second hooks thereof movably received in the two slots. A third hook extends from the underside of the plate so as to be engaged with the first hook. A biasing member extends from an end of the plate so as to contact against an inner surface of the recess.

Abstract: An ice board including a platform for supporting an individual in a standing or crouched position, a pair of single in line ice runners disposed below and fixed to the platform, and a brake member, a first or forward ice runner defines a curved ice engaging surface which curves upwardly toward the front of the platform while the rear ice runner includes a flat ice engaging surface over about 80 percent of its length. The rear ice runner also includes a curved surface at the rear thereof for rotating the front of a platform upwardly and for bringing the brake member into engagement with the ice to slow or stop momentum of the ice board on the ice.

Abstract: A skate that includes a boot fixed between an insole and an outsole. The insole has a pair of retainers projecting through apertures in the outsole for receiving one end of a pair of legs projecting from a blade runner. The retainers extend through interior chambers formed in a blade holder, with the interior chambers slidably receiving the blade legs. Fasteners are extendable through the aligned bores in the holder, the blade legs and the retainers to fixedly connect the blade, the holder and the insole. Various aspects of the outsole and holder are formed with mating projections and recesses to resist lateral movement of the holder relative to the outsole and the boot.

Abstract: A flexible skate boot having lower and upper portions made of leather, synthetic leather or similar material is provided with a flexible ankle encircling cuff made of synthetic moldable plastic material capable flexing designed in amounts in the forward and aft and lateral directions to act as an energy storage and release device and without wrinkling so as to minimize discomfort and abrasion on the user's ankle and extend the useful life of the boot. The tongue portion of the boot has a similar molded synthetic flexible panel separating the upper and lower sections of the tongue, the tongue panel being aligned with the flexible ankle encircling cuff which separates the upper and lower parts of the boot from each other. The parts are designed to essentially lock the tongue in the desired frontal position to prevent tongue migration from the desired frontal position during skating.

Abstract: A method of making footwear. The method is suited generally to making skate boots and, more specifically, to making ice skates and in-line roller skates. The method comprises the steps of: (a) positioning a skin assembly over a structural inner shell component; (b) adhesively affixing the skin assembly to the structural inner shell component by applying pressure on the entire surface of the skin assembly; (c) perforating lace eyelets through the structural inner shell and the skin assembly; and (d) mounting a toe box and a tongue to the front portion of the structural inner shell component.

Abstract: At a skate boot a headpiece is foreseen at the cap area of the boot which headpiece protects the foot of an ice-hockey player, specifically the goaltender against impacts and blows stemming from the puck. This headpiece prevents, furthermore, a lateral sliding off of a leg pad.

Abstract: Skates having increased lateral stability for use in speed skating and hockey. A primary blade is provided with first and second secondary blades which extend laterally outwardly from the primary blade at angles therefrom. In a first preferred embodiment, these secondary blades extend outwardly at equal 45° angles and engage the surface of the ice when the primary blade tilts either direction through an angle of 45°. In a second preferred embodiment, the inner secondary blade extends outwardly at a lesser angle of say 30° so that double blade engagement of the ice can be more easily accomplished for sprinting situations.

Abstract: A clap skate include a forefoot support which is adapted for fastening the sole portion of said skating shoe thereon. The forefoot support is pivotally connected to the front part of a skate frame about a transverse pivot pin, so as to allow said forefoot support with the skating shoe thereon to tilt about the pivot pin forwardly from a normal position, so that the skating shoe is lifted with its heel portion from the rear portion of the skate frame. The pivot pin is held between two bracket flanges extending upwardly from the front part of the skate frame. A spring mechanism tending to cause the forefoot support to return into the normal position comprises a U-shaped spring wire, the cross portion of which engages the upper face of the forefoot support and the legs of which are provided with a helically wound portion. The helically wound portions are each positioned around the pivot pin in an intermediary space between a flange and one lateral end of said forefoot support.