• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The invention relates to a blade guard (100) for an ice skate, comprising an elongated protection portion (1) made of a first material having a longitudinally extending slot (5) for receiving the elongated blade. The blade guard (100) further comprises a midsole portion (2) made of a second material having a longitudinally extending recess into which recess the said protection portion (1) is at least partially embedded, and an outsole portion (3) made of a third material having a lower surface, a plurality of profile projections projecting out of said lower surface, the outsole portion extending along the lower surface of the midsole portion.
    公开号:FI20195207A1
    申请号:FI20195207
    申请日:2019-03-21
    公开日:2020-09-22
    发明作者:Juha Kvist；Jaakko Tammisalo；Jaakko Aro
    申请人:Minus1 Oy；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    A blade guard for an ice skate Technical field The invention relates to a blade guard for an ice skate according to the preamble of the appended independent claim. Background of the invention Blade guards are protective covers that are placed over the ice skate blade to protect it when the ice skates are not used on ice, for example when a skater walks on a surface that surrounds the ice-skating area. In addition to protecting the blades, the use of blade guards prevents damage to other objects.
    In known blade guards for ice skates, blade-covering portions often consist of rubber or polymer-based materials, or alternatively fabrics such as nylon or polyester, both of which have disadvantages. Thus, rubber-based blade guards are usually heavier in weight and more durable compared to blade guards made of fabric. If blade guards are used for walking, the fabric may tear quickly. The fabric — also has the disadvantage that dirt is more difficult to remove.
    Often the blade guard consists of two different parts by means of which the skate blade is attached to the blade guard: first an elongate cover portion which protects the blade, and secondly, a holder, such as a strap or spring, that holds the blade in the guard when inserted therein. As a result, the blade guard becomes o unnecessarily complicated and uncomfortable from the wearer's point of view.O
    N se Brief description of the invention
    N I 30 Itis therefore an object of the present invention to provide a blade guard for an ice > skate that can solve above mentioned problems. It is an object of the present Nn S invention to provide a blade guard which eliminates or mitigates the drawbacks
    LO O associated with previous blade guards in the art.ON
    It is further an object of the present invention to provide a blade guard having comfort when walking, and which effectively protects the skate blade of an ice skate, is safe and wear-resistant. It is further an object of the invention to provide an innovative and attractive blade guard.
    The object of the invention is achieved by a blade guard according to the any attached claims. The blade guard according to the present invention comprises an elongated shaped protection portion made of a first material, such as rubber or polymer-based compound, for example, thermoplastic elastomer or thermoplastic rubber, having a longitudinally extending slot for receiving the skate blade. The blade guard has a midsole portion made of a second material, such as an elastomeric material comprising for example polyurethane (PU) or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam.
    The upper surface of the midsole portion is provided with a longitudinally extending recess to which the said protection portion is embedded. Outsole portion of the blade guard is made of a third material, which may be resilient rubber compound, for example, thermoplastic elastomer or thermoplastic rubber, polyvinylchloride (PVC), PU or mixtures thereof. The outsole portion has a profiled outer surface — which extends along the lower surface of the midsole portion.
    The blade guard according to the present invention has advantages over known blade guards. First of all, it is only slightly wider than the width of the skate blade, which allows the blade guard to fit in a small space and it is lightweight, it provides comfort when walking, and thirdly, the present invention has the advantage that the o blade guard can easily be attached and detached with one hand or by simply > entering the blade guard when it is on the floor.
    & = Brief description of drawings I 30 = The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the preferred S embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
    LO > NN FIGURE la is a perspective bottom view of a blade guard according to an embodiment of the present invention;
    FIGURE 1b is a perspective top view of a blade guard according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is atop view of a blade guard according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 3 is a bottom view of a blade guard according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 4 is a front view of a blade guard according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 5 is a rear view of a blade guard according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 6a is an exploded top view of an assembly of a blade guard according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 6b is an exploded bottom view of an assembly of a blade guard according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the invention Referring to FIGS. 1a and 1b, there is presented a blade guard 100 for an ice skate, o such as an ice hockey skate, which blade guard comprises three elongated portions > of different shapes attached to one another: a protection portion 1, a midsole se portion 2 and an outsole portion 3. Each of the elongated portions 1-3 may be n made of a same material. Alternatively, the said portions 1-3 may be made of I 30 different materials or from a material composition of different materials. Thereby = each of the portions 1-3 has properties based on the properties of the materials
    NN S used for manufacturing of the portion 1-3. The portions 1-3 are attached to each
    LO © other in a conventional manner, such as with an adhesive, to form the finished
    O N assembly of blade guard.
    At the top of the assembly of the said portions, the blade guard 100 has a protection portion 1, having an elongated slot 5. The protection portion is attached to the midsole portion 2 below the protection portion, the width of the midsole portion being preferably greater than the protection portion. The midsole portion 2 has an elongated recess in which the protection portion 1 is at least partially embedded. A top part of the protection portion 1 is clearly visible above the top surface of the midsole portion 2 when viewed from the side, and a remaining part is hidden inside the midsole portion in the said recess. The midsole portion 2 is further attached to the outsole portion 3, which is arranged below the midsole portion. The outsole portion 3 extends along the lower surface of the midsole portion 2 and extends upwardly at the front and rear of the blade guard 100, up to the protection portion 1. The outsole portion 3 is attached to both the protection portion 1 and the midsole portion 2.
    The blade guard 100 having the portions 1-3 may be formed in their shapes in single-phase or multi-phase manufacturing processes, which may comprise at least one of the injection molding, casting and extrusion process. A variety of different materials such as, polyurethane (PU), polyvinylchloride (PVC), thermoplastic polyurethane, polyethylene, thermoplastic polyethylene, thermoplastic rubber, and/or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and/or foam or a mixture of any of the above said materials may be used for manufacture of the said portions 1-3.
    For example, the protection portion 1 may be made of a first material, such as thermoplastic rubber, which is flexible and durable in order to facilitate ease of walking of the skater and gripping of the blade into the slot of the protection o portion. Thermoplastic rubber has many advantages. For example it is an > inexpensive material, it is easy to mold, it is lightweight, it has great slip resistance, se it provides good flexing resistance, and it can be created in a wide range of colors.
    = The midsole portion 2 of a blade guard 100 may be formed from a second material, I 30 such as ethylene vinyl acetate which is elastic and very similar to, for example, = rubber. Alternatively, materials such as polyurethane may be used. EVA is relatively S soft material and resistant to hardening and cracking. It provides cushion in order to 3 absorb shock that results from impact of the skate blade with ground when walking.
    N An outsole portion 3 may be made of a third material, which is any suitable material such as thermoplastic rubber. Alternatively, PVC, PU or mixtures thereof, may be used.
    Thermoplastic rubber material has higher density, which is tougher and more rigid and wear-resistant, and which can flex in the normal manner depending on how skater’s weight is applied to it, in order to protect the blade guard from degradation, to improve grip, to prevent slip and to provide support for the skater 5 when walking.
    However, although the blade guard is made of separate portions 1-3, it may also be possible to manufacture the blade guard so that all said portions 1-3 forms a single uniform portion of a same material or a material composition of different materials that could be for example extruded, injection molded or cast as a single part.
    It may be also possible to manufacture a blade guard in two parts for example, so that the midsole portion and the outsole portion form a single uniform portion of a first material and the protection portion forms another separate uniform portion made of a second material.
    Alternatively, so that the protection portion and the midsole — portion form a single uniform portion of a first material and the outsole portion forms another separate uniform portion made of a second material.
    Referring to FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2 the blade guard 100 has an elongated slot 5 disposed on the upper surface of the protection portion 1 to receive the skate blade — (not shown in FIGS.) and to cover the received blade, the metal blade portion thereof, over its entire length.
    Preferably, the slot 5 has a width approximately equal to or slightly larger than that of a standard skate blade, which may be between 0.8-5 mm, for example 1.0 mm, 3.0 mm or 4.0 mm.
    The protection portion 1 has side walls 6, 7 and a bottom 10, and a front end 8 and rear end 9. The slot 5 extends downwardly from the center of the upper surface of the protection portion o 1 towards the bottom 10. The bottom 10 has a plurality of through holes 11 > arranged so as to extend from the bottom surface through the blade guard.
    The se side walls 6, 7 extend from the bottom 10 to the upper surface of the protection = portion.
    The slot 5 extends also longitudinally between a front end 8 and a rear end I 30 9 of the protection portion 1. The length of the slot 5 may vary, for example > between 150-458 mm.
    The protection portion of the blade guard may have an S upwardly curved front end and an upwardly curved rear end to accommodate the 3 shape of the blade housing of the ice hockey skate.
    The upper surface of the N protection portion may be curved when viewed from side.
    Alternatively, the upper surface of the protection portion of the blade guard, top part of the protection portion which is visible when viewed from side, may be straight, having a straight side profile allowing the blade guard to be used to protect the blades of the figure skates or the speed skates. At the front of the protection portion 1, the front end 8 prevents the skate blade from moving forward when inserted therein. At the rear of — the protection portion 1, the rear end 9 prevents the blade from moving backward. The inner edges of the side walls 6, 7 have a plurality of integral projections, protruding bumps or patterns (not shown FIGS.) that extend into the slot 5 to produce friction between the inner edge and the skate blade when inserted therein. The bottom 10 may further have a plurality of integral projections, bumps or grooves (not shown in FIGS.) that extend into the slot 5 to produce friction between the bottom 10 and the lower edge of the skate blade. Providing such a grip- improving arrangement at the side walls 6, 7 and bottom 10 improve placing and securing the blade guard on a skate blade, prevents the skate blade from moving during walking and improves walking comfort.
    FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a blade guard according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lower surface of the outsole portion 3 which contacts the ground, or the surface of the floor comprises a central region with a flat surface having a plurality of projections extending from the lower surface of the outsole portion 3. The lower surface of the outsole portion further comprises end regions, a front end region, and a rear end region having projections different from the central region. The projections are preferably themselves flexible to facilitate flexing of the outsole portion and preferably integrally formed, or molded, to the lower surface of outsole portion.
    o Referring to FIG. 3, the lower surface of the outsole portion 3, in its central region, > has a plurality of concentric annular projections, or nested circles, arranged side by se side, projecting out of said lower surface. Between the circles there are a plurality of = grooves that separate circles from each other. The projections are formed integrally I 30 with, and project downward from, the lower surface of the outsole portion 3. The = patterns project downward a distance approximately equal to the width of the S groove that separate the said circles. At the center of the circles there is a plurality 3 of through holes 11, openings, extending through the outsole portion, from the N lower surface of the outsole portion 3 to the surface of the bottom 10 of the protection portion 1 to provide a path through which moisture and water can escape from the inside of the blade guard. The outsole profile extends along the lower surface of the outsole portion 3 in the longitudinal direction of the blade guard 100. The patterns disposed in the outsole portion give good traction to the surface a wearer is walking and prevent slipping when the wearer is walking or standing.
    FIG. 4 is a front view of a blade guard according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows the shape of a blade guard as viewed from front of the blade guard which shape resembles a trapezoid with a lower part wider than the top. The outer edges of the blade guard are inclined and of the same length. The trapezoidal shape of the blade guard allows it to remain independently in place, for example, on the floor, so that the elongate slot in the protection portion 1 is directed upwards when the outsole portion 3 is against the floor surface. Since the blade guard remains in place independently, the insertion of the skate blade into the slot in the blade guard can be done without hands, simply by stepping on the blade guard on the floor. FIG. 5 is a rear view of a blade guard according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the blade guard has a marking area 12 at the rear end of the blade guard positioned in the outsole portion. The marking area 12, for example, in the form of a circular shape, comprises a plurality of insertion elements which can be removable and interchangeable. These may include, for example, numbers, letters, patterns, symbols, logos, light or reflector parts that allow the user to identify the blade guard. Alternatively, the marking area 12 may be on the lower surface of the outsole portion or at the front end of the outsole portion. The insertion elements may be plastic and colorful. For example, their shape may be o flat, convex or concave, for example to improve the reflective effect of the insertion > elements. & = In FIG. 6a there is presented is an exploded top view of a blade guard assembly I 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention illustrating how the blade = guard having said portions 1-3 may be assembled. FIG. 6b presents an exploded S view of a blade guard from a different angle. In addition to the blade guard 3 assembly, there is shown a magnetic system disposed between the protection N portion and the midsole portion, by means of which the skate blade is held firmly in place in the slot of the blade guard when inserted therein.
    The blade guard 100 has three separate portions: a protection portion 1, a midsole portion 2 and an outsole portion 3. The outsole portion 3 has two circumferential projections 18 which are spaced apart and located at the upper side of the outsole portion.
    The lower side of the midsole portion 2 has circular grooves 19 which are spaced apart and shaped to conform to the shape of the projections 18. The lower part of the protection portion 1 has a plurality of first recesses 13 disposed spaced apart between the front end 8 and the rear end 9 of the protection portion 1. In addition to the first recesses 13, the lower part of the protection portion has a plurality of grooves 14 disposed between the first recesses 13, one groove between each recess, wherein said grooves 14 separate said first recesses 13 from each other.
    Said first recesses 13 may be provided in the lower part of the protection portion 1 as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b.
    Alternatively, or in addition to the foregoing, said first recesses 13 may be provided on the side walls of the protection portion 1, i.e. walls extending from the bottom of the protection portion 1 upwardly towards the top surface of the protection portion (not shown in FIGS.). In this alternative case, the first recesses 13 arranged in the side walls extend between the front end 8 and the rear end 9 of the protection portion.
    The first recesses 13 may be of different shapes, for example rectangular or cylindrical.
    The midsole portion 2 has a second longitudinal recess 15 arranged in the top of the midsole portion 2 between the front end 8 ' and the rear end 9' of the midsole portion.
    The blade guard has a plurality of magnets 17 disposed uniformly over the length of the blade guard.
    The magnets 17 are arranged in recesses 13, 15 between the protection portion 1 and the midsole portion 2 so that the magnets 17 remain in — the spaces defined by the first and second recesses when the protection portion and o midsole portion are interconnected. & se When assembling the blade guard, the outsole portion is attached to the midsole = portion so that the projections 18 of the outsole portion are directed to the circular I 30 grooves 19 of the midsole portion, and the portions 2-3 are joined together, for = example, by means of an adhesive.
    The magnets 17 are placed in recesses 13 in the S protection portion, one magnet for each recess, while aligning them with the recess 3 15 in the midsole portion.
    The attachment of the portions 1-2 to each other can be N accomplished by any conventional fastener, such as an adhesive.
    When the protection portion 1 and the midsole portion 2 are assembled and secured to each other, the midsole portion, its side walls and base, completely, or at least partly, covers the first recesses 13, hiding the magnets 17 inside the midsole portion, so that the magnets and said recesses 13 are not visible to the user.
    When the blade guard is used, the skate blade is inserted into the elongated slot in the protection portion of the blade guard, whereby the bottom edge of the skate blade is toward the magnets below the bottom, which magnets pull the skate blade and blade guard firmly toward each other. Integral projections that extend into the slot further produce friction between the inner edge and the skate blade therefore — further helping to keep the blade firmly in place. The slot of the blade guard is preferably dimensioned so that the skate blade can be covered throughout the length of the blade. The integral projections in the slot allow the removal of moisture and snow after use, which reduces the exposure of the blade to rust. The through-holes below the protection portion help to remove water from the blade guard. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims. oON
    O <QN
    I jami oPPON
    LO o OoN
    权利要求:
    Claims (16)
    [1] Claims
    1. A blade guard for an ice skate, comprising — an elongated protection portion made of a first material having a longitudinally extending slot for receiving the elongated blade, characterized in that the blade guard further comprises — a midsole portion made of a second material having a longitudinally extending recess into which recess the said protection portion is at least partially embedded, and — an outsole portion made of a third material having a lower surface, a plurality of profile projections projecting out of said lower surface, the outsole portion extending along the lower surface of the midsole portion.
    2. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that the blade guard comprises a plurality of magnets arranged between the protection portion and the midsole portion.
    3. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that the protection portion extends above the midsole portion.
    4. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that the outsole portion extends above the midsole portion.
    5. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that the outsole portion — is attached to both the protection portion and the midsole portion. > 6. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that the protection N portion is an integral part of the midsole portion.
    S SN 30 7. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that the outsole portion I is an integral part of the midsole portion. a s 8. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that a first material is io thermoplastic rubber. > 35
    9. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that a second material is ethylene vinyl acetate.
    10. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that a third material is thermoplastic rubber.
    11. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that the first material and the second material are made of the same material.
    12. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that the second material and the third material are made of the same material.
    13. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that the first material and the third material are made of the same material.
    14. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that the first material, the second material and the third material are made of the same material.
    15. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that the first material is selected from a group consisting of at least one of the following: polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyethylene, thermoplastic polyethylene, thermoplastic rubber, and/or ethylene vinyl acetate, and/or foam or a mixture thereof.
    16. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that the second material is selected from a group consisting of at least one of the following: polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane, polyethylene, thermoplastic polyethylene, thermoplastic rubber, and/or ethylene vinyl acetate, and/or foam or a mixture thereof.
    17. A blade guard according to claim 1, characterized in that the third material is selected from a group consisting of at least one of the following: polyurethane, o thermoplastic polyurethane, polyethylene, thermoplastic polyethylene, thermoplastic N rubber, and/or ethylene vinyl acetate, and/or foam or a mixture thereof.
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    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    US4045888A|1977-09-06|Athletic shoe
    EP0017826B1|1983-09-28|Ice skate scabbards
    US7730640B2|2010-06-08|High performance boot
    US20090049711A1|2009-02-26|Overshoe For Running
    US20080301973A1|2008-12-11|Non-slip shoe cover for various slippery conditions such as snow, golf, fishing and the like
    US5266062A|1993-11-30|Amphibious footwear
    US5848808A|1998-12-15|In-line skate guard
    US3673713A|1972-07-04|High-lift snow shoe
    US8986061B2|2015-03-24|Friction-attached aquatic accessory
    FI129021B|2021-05-14|A blade guard for an ice skate
    US5172496A|1992-12-22|Spiked shoe covering
    US6227924B1|2001-05-08|Swim fin heel strap
    US20060288615A1|2006-12-28|Cleat Guard
    US7000334B2|2006-02-21|Shoe outsole
    US3283424A|1966-11-08|Baseball spike guard
    US6398605B1|2002-06-04|Swim fin
    US10086255B2|2018-10-02|Gliding board
    WO2018106376A1|2018-06-14|Footwear system
    US6886850B2|2005-05-03|Snowboard boot binding
    US4201395A|1980-05-06|Roller skate shoe toe guard
    AU673662B2|1996-11-21|Unique swim fin
    US20120013112A1|2012-01-19|Traction Device To Walk On Ice While Wearing Ice Skate Scabbard
    KR200346309Y1|2004-03-30|non-slip shoes
    US20160324265A1|2016-11-10|Ergonomic shoe and boot grip apparatus
    WO1996034542A1|1996-11-07|Detachable spike cover for sports shoe
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    FI129021B|2021-05-14|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    法律状态:
    2021-05-14| FG| Patent granted|Ref document number: 129021 Country of ref document: FI Kind code of ref document: B |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    FI20195207A|FI129021B|2019-03-21|2019-03-21|A blade guard for an ice skate|FI20195207A| FI129021B|2019-03-21|2019-03-21|A blade guard for an ice skate|
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