US20080100008A1 - Structural improvement for ice skate blade - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention is a structural improvement for an ice skate blade, where the blade holder and the blade are separate. The blade is made from a hard, wear-resistant material. The upper surface is a relatively thinner connecting surface by a roller shape forming machine. On the surface of the blade, there are several equidistant apertures. A special mold is utilized for mounting the connecting surface of the blade to the blade holder using lighter material materials, namely plastic steel. Thus, the weight reduction of the whole ice skate blade effectively improves the skaters' technique and performance and enhances market competitiveness as well.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a structural improvement for ice skate blade. The upper area of the blade is rolled to be a relatively thinner connecting surface, and there are several equidistant arranged apertures on it. The skate blade holder directly takes shape on the connecting surface of the blade and mounts each other by a special mold.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• The main defects in producing the previous skate blade and holders have been due to the following:
• (1) Monolithically. Since the blade holder is made from steel, its weight reduces the skater's performance. As well, the high cost of the product lessens the market competitiveness.
• (2) Separately. The separate blade holder and the blade have been assembled using adhesive glue that may be destroyed by the heat produced by friction while skating. Also, the screws used as a means to mount the blade to the holders, could easily slipped apart while skating, which brings about a safety issue. Therefore, the process of producing blades and holders has problems and safety concerns whether adhesive glue or screws were used as a fastening means.
• As for the previous design as shown inFIG. 1, there is a structural advanced invention which belongs to U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,434. There are still some defects thereof, described as following:
• Firstly, the extruded flange and cross through space (40) on the upper surface of the blade (4) can't be made by monolithic molding; thus makes the procedure more complicated as it not only decreases the efficiency and market competitiveness, but also increases the cost of the product.
• Secondly, due to the blade being so thin, the edge of the blade (41) can't receive any polishing after a period of time, as t may reduce the durability of the blade.
• Thirdly, the cross through space (40) can't be entirely covered with the potting material. The combination is incomplete and the degree of danger is enhanced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention is a structural improvement for an ice skate blade where the blade holder and the blade are separate. There are several characteristics involved. Firstly, the connecting surface is made to be thinner by a roller shape forming machine. Then there are several equidistant apertures on it. Finally, a special mold is utilized for mounting the connecting surface of the blade to the blade holder.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the previous invention U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,434.
• FIG. 2 is an exploded view of ice skate blade holder and blade embodying the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a side view of combination of a skate blade holder and blade embodying the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a cut-away side view of the ice skate blade embodying the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional drawing of the blade embodying another example of present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Referring toFIGS. 2,3,4, the ice skate blade (1) is composed of the skate holder (2) and the blade (3). The characteristic of this invention is that the upper surface of the blade (3) is rolled to be relatively thinner connecting surface (30) by a roller shape forming machine. Added to this are several equidistant apertures (31) on the surface. The blade (3) which is made form hard and wear-resistant material directly takes shapes on the blade holder. This is made from plastic steel or a relatively light and wear-resistant material. It is then molded in order to mount the skate blade holder (2) to the blade (3).
• Referring toFIG. 5, there is another example of the present invention. The upper area of the blade is rolled to produce a relatively thinner connecting surface (30). Then there are several equidistant triangle fillisters on it. The triangle fillisters (5) can be completely covered with material potted into the skate blade holder (2).
• According to the present invention, the advantages of using the ice skate blade (1) are as follows:
• Firstly, the relatively thinner connecting surface (30) can be manufactured by monolithic molding in order to save time and decrease the cost of the product. This in turn will enhance efficiency and market competitiveness.
• Secondly, the equidistant apertures (31) or triangle fillisters (5) of another example enable the potting material to spread completely into the ice skate blade holder making it a stronger structure and a safer product.
• Thirdly, the product is more durable due to newly suited thickness of the blade (3) and edge of the blade (32). This will allow the blade to be polished with minimal damaging effect after a long period of time.
• Finally, the ice skate holder (2) is made from plastic steel or a relatively light material which is wear-resistant and not easily bent out of shape. Thus, the weight reduction of the whole ice skate blade effectively improves the skaters' technique and performance.

Claims (4)

1. A structural improvement for the ice skate blade, where the stake blade holder and the blade are separate. The characteristic of this mechanism is that the upper area of the blade is rolled to create a relatively thinner connecting surface. On this surface are equidistant apertures. The skate blade holder is situated on the connecting surface of the blade and they are connected by a special mold.

2. A structural improvement for the ice skate blade in accordance withclaim 1, the blade is made from hard and wear-resistant material.

3. A structural improvement for the ice skate blade in accordance withclaim 1, the skate blade holder is made form plastic steel or a relatively light material which is not easily bent out of shape.

4. A structural improvement for the ice skate blade of another example. There are several equidistant triangle fillisters on the connecting surface of the blade.

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