SKATE SHOE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Ice skates, including hockey skates, speed skates, figure skates and other types of skates, include boots with metal blades attached to the bottom, used to propel oneself across an ice surface. The metal blades have sharp edges. However, poor maintenance practices, such as improper or inconsistent sharpening, and damage from, for example, misuse, can often result in poor edge quality. Such damage can be caused by a blade coming in contact with a surface other than ice. These "bad" edges can have a significant effect on skating ability. Further, other types of skates, including roller skates and inline skates, include boots with wheels attached to the bottom. Although these wheels are not damaged as easily as ice skate blades, they may not be appropriate for all surfaces or all situations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is common for ice skaters to walk on surfaces other than ice while wearing skates, such as the rubber floor surfacing leading from dressing areas, which may be a considerable distance away. As another example, someone skating on a pond or other outdoor skating surface may walk in their skates from a car, warming hut or other location to and from the edge of the ice while wearing skates. Walking in skates over these various non-ice surfaces can be hazardous to the blades and may cause damage to them, such as nicks and dulling, thereby making the blades less effective. Further, the reduced surface area offered by the skate blade or a traditional narrow skate guard, in comparison to the width of a boot of the skate or other shoe, fails to provide adequate stability for the person and could potentially lead to injury. For example, the minimal surface area of the lower travel surface of an ice skate blade or an ice skate blade within a conventional blade guard provides little to no lateral support, which could lead to serious ankle injuries for a skater.

[0003] In order to prevent damage to ice skate blades, skaters typically use a covering device to protect the blades from damage. Existing devices for protecting skate travel surfaces provide a narrow cover that slips over and is secured to the skate. Although such devices do prevent damage to ice skate blades, the devices are not ideal for walking great distances in skates. Conventional blade guards are not much wider than the blade of the skate, thus providing little lateral or side-to-side support for the person wearing the skates. GB536193 discloses a skate shoe apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1. US5513881, US1982524 and US189923 also disclose guards for blades of ice skates.

[0004] Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a skate shoe apparatus and may be provided for ice skates, such as hockey skates, figure skates and speed skates, and/or roller skates, such as traditional roller skates or inline skates. The skate shoe apparatus prevents damage to the travel surface of an ice skate when an ice skater wearing the skate walks on non-skating surfaces (e.g., walking in ice skates from a dressing area to the ice or across a parking lot to an arena or walking in traditional roller skates or inline skates in a store or restaurant). Further, the skate shoe apparatus is shaped to promote stability and ease of walkability while wearing skates.

[0005] The skate shoe apparatus includes a base portion having a top side, a bottom side, a left side and a right side, the base portion having a heel end and a toe end, and at least one channel wall extending from the top side of the base portion. The channel wall(s) (e.g. a left and right wall on a single skate shoe) define(s) a channel to receive a lower travel surface of a skate (e.g. such as the blade of an ice skate). The skate shoe includes at least one support member such as a strut or a brace extending from an upper region of the channel wall(s) to the top surface of the base portion. A tread may be defined on the bottom side of the base portion, thereby providing a gripping surface for traction of the base portion on a ground surface. The support members are triangularly shaped, such that the hypotenuse of a triangle formed by the support member with the at least one channel wall and the base portion extends from the upper region of the at least one channel wall to an outer region of the top surface of the base portion, the base of the triangle extends laterally along the top surface of the base portion from an intersection of a lower region of the at least one channel wall and an inner region of the top surface of the base portion to the outer region of the top surface of the base portion, and the height of the triangle extends along the at least one channel wall and the inner region of the top surface of the base portion to the upper region of the at least one channel wall and the inner region of the top surface of the base portion to the upper region of the at least one channel wall. The skate shoe apparatus further includes a perimeter lip extending upward from the outer region of the top surface of the base portion from the heel end to the toe end and the base portion, the at least one channel wall, the perimeter lip are constructed from a common molded material and are integrally formed with each other, the combination of the base portion, the at least one channel wall, the perimeter lip providing rigidity to the skate shoe apparatus. The common molded material may be a rubberized material, a semi-flexible polymer material, and a solid material. The base portion, the channel wall, and the tread may be constructed from a common molded material and may be integrally formed with each other.

[0006] The channel walls may include a left channel wall and a right channel wall, with the left and right channel walls having inner sides spaced apart at a distance defining the slot to receive the lower travel surface of the skate. Further, a thickness of the channel wall may provide lateral rigidity for the skate.

[0007] The base portion may have a width that is substantially equivalent to the width of a boot of a skate. Further a density of support members may be greater at a center region of the base portion. Additionally, drain holes may be provided in the base portion under the channel. In other embodiments, a shank may be disposed in the base portion providing rigidity.

[0008] Further, the tread defined on the bottom side of the base portion may include lugs to provide added traction, and the tread defined on the bottom side of the base portion may be curved at a toe and a heel of the tread.

[0009] Moreover, an attachment device may be provided for securing the skate shoe apparatus to a skate. The attachment device may include a strap, and the strap may pass through a slot in the base portion or through a hole in the skate above the lower travel surface of the skate. In other embodiments, the attachment device may include spring bands extending over the lower travel surface of the skate.

[0010] Other embodiments include a method of manufacturing a skate shoe apparatus, such as by molding a material into a mold to form the skate shoe apparatus as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] 

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus attached to an ice skate with a strap.

FIGS. 2A-2D are side, bottom, top and cross-sectional views, respectively, of an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus.

FIGS. 3A-3C are side, bottom and top views, respectively of an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus, similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, with drain holes through the base portion.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus attached to an ice skate with a strap passing through a slot in a base portion.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus attached to an ice skate with a strap passing through a hole in the ice skate blade.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus attached to an ice skate with spring bands.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an alternate example embodiment skate shoe apparatus attached to an ice skate with a strap.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus attached to a traditional roller skate with a strap.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus attached to an inline skate with a strap.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a skate shoe apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus 100 attached to an ice skate 150 with a strap 160. The skate shoe apparatus 100 includes a base portion 105 having a top side 106, a bottom side 107, a left side 108 (not visible) and a right side 109. Extending from the top side 106 of the base portion 105 is a channel wall 110 defining a channel 115 to receive a blade 155 of the ice skate 150. Further, the skate shoe apparatus 100 includes a plurality of support members 120. The support members extend from an upper region 113 of the channel wall 110 to the top side 106 of the base portion 105. The support members provide support (e.g., lateral support) for the skate 150 received by the channel 115 and distribute lateral forces produced by the skate 150 across the base portion. These and other various elements of the example embodiment skate shoe apparatus 100 will be discussed in greater detail below.

[0013] The skate shoe apparatus 100 prevents damage to the blade 155 of the ice skate 150 when a skater wearing the ice skate 150 walks on non-ice surfaces (e.g., walking from a dressing area to the ice or across a parking lot to an arena).

[0014] FIGS. 2A-2D are side, top, bottom and cross-sectional views, respectively, of an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus 200. The skate shoe apparatus 200 includes a base portion 205 having a top side 206, a bottom side 207, a left side 208 and a right side 209. Extending from the top side 206 of the base portion 205 is a channel wall 210 defining a channel 215 to receive a lower travel surface of a skate (not shown) (e.g., blade 155 of the ice skate 150 of FIG. 1). Further, extending from an upper region 213 of the channel wall 210 to the top side 206 of the base portion 205 are a plurality of support members 220. Extending upward from an outer region 243a of the top surface 206 of the base 205 is a perimeter lip 217 providing additional rigidity to the base 205.

[0015] Further, as illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2B, the channel wall 210 includes a left channel wall 210a and a right channel wall 210b. The left and right channel walls 210a, 210b have inner sides 211a, 211b, respectively, spaced apart at a distance 212 defining a slot 215 to receive the lower travel surface of the skate (not shown) (e.g., blade 155 of the ice skate 150 of FIG. 1). Further, the left and right channel walls 210a, 210b have thicknesses 214a, 215b, respectively, that provide lateral rigidity for the skate. As can be seen in greater detail, the perimeter lip 217 also has a thickness 218 that provides rigidity to the perimeter lip 217 and the base 205.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a density of support members 220 may be greater at a center region 245 of the base portion 205. In this example embodiment, the increased density of support members 220 at the center region 245 provides additional rigidity of the base portion 205 at a region where an attachment device (not shown) (e.g., strap 160 of FIG. 1) attaches to the base portion 205. At this attachment region 245, greater forces are exerted on the base portion 205, thus causing an increased chance of deformity of the base portion 205. The additional support provided by the increased density of support members 220 counteracts these greater forces. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the base portion 205 may be curved at a toe end 241 and a heel end 242 to provide a curved surface to walk on in a natural heel-to-toe manner.

[0017] As illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2C, a tread 230, such as a plurality of lugs 231 with varied sizes, shapes and orientations, may be defined on the bottom side 207 of the base portion 205 to provide a gripping surface for traction of the base portion 205 on a ground surface (not shown). A gap 235 may be provided in the lugs 231 to accommodate an attachment device (not shown) (e.g., strap 160 of FIG. 1). The base portion 205 may have a width 240 that is substantially equivalent to the width of a boot of a skate (not shown) (e.g., skate 150 of FIG. 1). The base portion 205, channel wall 210 and tread 230 may be constructed from a common molded material and may be integrally formed with each other. Example materials include a rubberized material, a semi-flexible polymer material, and a solid material.

[0018] As illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2D, the support members 220 are triangularly shaped, such that the hypotenuse of a triangle formed by the support member 220 with the channel wall 210a, 210b and the base portion 205 extends from the upper region 213a of the channel wall 210a, 210b to an outer region 243a of the top surface 206 of the base portion 205. Further, the base of the triangle extends laterally along the top surface 206 of the base portion 205 from an intersection of a lower region 213b of the channel wall 210a, 210b and an inner region 243b of the top surface 206 of the base portion 205 to the outer region 243a of the top surface 206 of the base portion 205. Moreover, the height of the triangle extends along the channel wall 210a, 210b from the intersection of the lower region 213b of the channel wall 210a, 210b and the inner region 243b of the top surface 206 of the base portion 205 to the upper region 213a of the at least one channel wall 210a, 210b.

[0019] FIGS. 3A-3C are side, bottom and top views, respectively of an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus 300, similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2CX, with drain holes 301 through a base portion 305. For ice skates, ice shavings tend to build up on the blade (not shown) (e.g., blade 150 of FIG. 1). When an ice skate is received by the slot 315, the ice shavings typically will begin to melt into liquid water. It is undesirable for the blade to be in contact with water because it will tend to rust, thereby dulling the blade's edge. Therefore, the drain holes 301 allow the liquid water, or other debris accumulated on the travel surface of the skate, to escape the slot 215, thereby preserving the integrity of the blade's edge. In other embodiments, grooves may be used in place of drain holes to allow water and debris to escape.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus 400 attached to an ice skate 450 with a strap 460 passing through a slot 435 in a base portion 405. By passing the strap 460 through the slot 435 in the base portion 405, additional traction lugs 431 may be defined on the tread 430 in a space on the bottom side 407 of the base portion 405 where a gap would be if the strap 460 passed under the bottom side 407 of the base portion 405 (e.g., gap 335 of FIG. 3). The additional lugs 431 provide added traction and support for the skate shoe apparatus 400 on a ground surface.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus 500 attached to an ice skate 550 with a strap 560 passing through a hole 535 in the ice skate blade 555. By passing the strap 560 through the hole 535 in the skate blade 555, the length of strap 560 needed to attach the skate shoe apparatus 500 to the ice skate 550 is reduced. Further, by eliminating the traversal of the strap 560 over the laces 565 on the ice skate 550, it is possible for a skater to put on and remove the ice skate 550 with the skate shoe apparatus 500 attached to the ice skate 550 because the laces 565 are already exposed. This provides added benefits of decreasing dressing time and allowing the skate shoe apparatus 500 to remain on the skate blade 555 during additional times (e.g., walking to and from the ice, travel and storage times).

[0022] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus 600 attached to an ice skate 650 with spring bands 660. The spring bands 660 extend over a toe end 641 and a heel end 642, respectively, of a blade 655 of the ice skate 650. The spring bands 660 attach to a base portion 605 of the skate shoe apparatus 600 at an attachment point 635. The spring bands 660 exert elastic forces against the toe end 641 and the heel end 642 to attach the skate shoe apparatus 600 to the skate 650. Further, by eliminating the traversal of a strap (not shown) (e.g., strap 160 of FIG. 1) over laces 665 on the ice skate 650, it is possible for a skater to put on and remove the ice skate 650 with the skate shoe apparatus 600 attached to the ice skate 650 because the laces 665 are already exposed. This provides added benefits of decreasing dressing time and allowing the skate shoe apparatus 600 to remain on the skate blade 655 during additional times (e.g., walking to and from the ice, travel and storage times). Further, the spring bands constructed from a common molded material and may be integrally formed with the base portion 605, the channel wall 610, and the tread 630.

[0023] FIG. 7 is an example of a skate skate shoe apparatus 700 attached to an ice skate 750 with a strap 760. The skate shoe apparatus 700 includes a base portion 705 having a top side 706, a bottom side 707, a left side 708 and a right side 709 (not visible). Extending from the top side 706 of the base portion 705 is a channel wall 710 defining a channel 715 to receive a blade 755 of the ice skate 750. Further, extending from an upper region 713 of the channel wall 710 to the top side 706 of the base portion 705 are a plurality of support members 720. The support members provide support (e.g., lateral support) for the skate 750 received by the channel 715 and distribute lateral forces produced by the skate 750 across the base portion 705.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus 800 attached to a traditional roller skate 850 with a strap 860. The skate shoe apparatus 800 includes a base portion 805 having a top side 806, a bottom side 807, a left side 808 (not visible) and a right side 809. Extending from the top side 806 of the base portion 805 is a channel wall 810 defining a channel 815 to receive wheels 855 of the roller skate 850. Further, extending from an upper region 813 of the channel wall 810 to the top side 806 of the base portion 805 are a plurality of support members 820. The support members provide support (e.g., lateral support) for the skate 850 received by the channel 815 and distribute lateral forces produced by the skate 850 across the base portion 805.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment skate shoe apparatus 900 attached to an inline skate 950 with a strap 960. The skate shoe apparatus 900 includes a base portion 905 having a top side 906, a bottom side 907, a left side 908 (not visible) and a right side 909. Extending from the top side 906 of the base portion 905 is a channel wall 910 defining a channel 915 to receive wheels 955 of the inline skate 950. Further, extending from an upper region 913 of the channel wall 910 to the top side 906 of the base portion 905 are a plurality of support members 920. The support members provide support (e.g., lateral support) for the skate 950 received by the channel 915 and distribute lateral forces produced by the skate 950 to the base portion 905.

[0026] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram 1000 illustrating a method for manufacturing a skate shoe apparatus. The method includes providing a skate shoe apparatus mold, the skate shoe apparatus mold for forming the skate shoe apparatus according to claim 1 and molding a material into the mold to form the skate shoe apparatus (1020). Molding processes may include injection-molding and pouring a material in the mold.

[0027] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.

Claims

1. A skate shoe apparatus (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900), comprising a base portion (105, 205, 305, 405, 605, 705, 805, 905) having atop side (106, 206, 706, 806, 906), a bottom side (107, 207, 407, 707, 807, 907), a left side (108, 208, 708, 808, 908) and a right side (109, 209, 709, 809, 909), the base portion having a heel end (242, 642) and a toe end (241, 641); at least one channel wall (110, 210, 610, 710, 810, 910) extending from the top side of the base portion, the at least one channel wall defining a channel (115, 215, 715, 815, 915) to receive a lower travel surface of a skate; and at least one support member (120, 220, 720, 820, 920) extending from an upper region (113, 213, 713, 813, 913) of the at least channel wall to the top side of the base portion,
wherein the at least one support member (220) is triangularly shaped, such that the hypotenuse of a triangle formed by the support member (220) with the at least one channel wall (210a, 210b) and the base portion (205) extends from the upper region (213a) of the at least one channel wall (210a, 210b) to an outer region (243a) of the top surface (206) of the base portion (205), the base of the triangle extends laterally along the top surface (206) of the base portion (205) from an intersection of a lower region (213b) of the at least one channel wall (210a, 210b) and an inner region (243b) of the top surface (206) of the base portion (205) to the outer region (243a) of the top surface (206) of the base portion (205), and the height of the triangle extends along the at least one channel wall (210a, 210b) from the intersection of the lower region (213b) of the at least one channel wall (210a, 210b) and the inner region (243b) of the top surface (206) of the base portion (205) to the upper region (213a) of the at least one channel wall (210a, 210b);
characterized in that the skate shoe apparatus comprises a perimeter lip (217) extending upward from the outer region (243a) of the top surface (206) of the base portion (205) from the heel end (242, 642) to the toe end (241, 641); and
in that the base portion, the at least one channel wall and the perimeter lip are constructed from a common molded material and are integrally formed with each other, the combination of the base portion, the at least one channel wall, and the perimeter lip providing rigidity to the skate shoe apparatus.

2. The skate shoe apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tread (230, 430, 630) defined on the bottom side (107, 207, 407, 707, 807, 907) of the base portion, the tread providing a gripping surface for traction of the base portion on a ground surface, wherein the base portion, the at least one channel wall, the perimeter lip and the tread are constructed from a common molded material and are integrally formed with each other.

3. The skate shoe apparatus of claim 2, wherein the common molded material is constructed from at least one of a rubberized material, a semi-flexible polymer material, and a solid material.

4. The skate shoe apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base portion has a width (240) that is substantially equivalent to the width of a boot of a skate.

5. The skate shoe apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one channel wall includes a left channel wall (210a) and a right channel wall (210b), the left and right channel walls having inner sides (211 a, 211 b) spaced apart at a distance (212) defining a slot (215, 315) to receive the lower travel surface of the skate.

6. The skate shoe apparatus of claim 1, wherein a thickness (214a, 215b) of the at least one channel wall provides lateral rigidity for the skate.

7. The skate shoe apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tread defined on the bottom side of the base portion includes lugs (231, 431) to provide added traction.

8. The skate shoe apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an attachment device for securing the skate shoe apparatus to a skate.

9. The skate shoe apparatus of claim 8, wherein the attachment device includes a strap that passes through a slot (435) in the base portion (160, 460, 560, 760, 860, 960).

10. The skate shoe apparatus of claim 9, wherein the strap passes through a hole (535) in the skate above the lower travel surface of the skate.

11. The skate shoe apparatus of claim 8, wherein the attachment device includes spring bands (660) extending over the lower travel surface of the skate.

12. The skate shoe apparatus of claim 1, further comprising drain holes (301) through the base portion under the channel defined by the at least one channel wall.

13. The skate shoe apparatus of claim 1, wherein the skate is an ice skate (150, 450, 550, 650, 750), a traditional roller skate (850), or an inline skate (950).

14. A method of manufacturing a skate shoe apparatus (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900), the method comprising:

providing a skate shoe apparatus mold, the skate shoe apparatus mold for forming the skate shoe apparatus including a base portion (105, 205, 305, 405, 605, 705, 805, 905) having a top side (106, 206, 706, 806, 906), a bottom side (107, 207, 407, 707, 807, 907), a left side (108, 208, 708, 808, 908) and a right side (109, 209, 709, 809, 909), the base portion having a heel end (242, 642) and a toe end (241, 641), at least one channel wall (110, 210, 610, 710, 810, 910) extending from the top side of the base portion, the at least one channel wall defining a channel (115, 215, 715, 815, 915) to receive a lower travel surface of a skate, and at least one support member (120, 220, 720, 820, 920) extending from an upper region (113, 213, 713, 813, 913) of the at least channel wall to the top side of the base portion, wherein the at least one support member (220) is triangularly shaped, such that the hypotenuse of a triangle formed by the support member (220) with the at least one channel wall (210a, 210b) and the base portion (205) extends from the upper region (213a) of the at least one channel wall (210a, 210b) to an outer region (243a) of the top surface (206) of the base portion (205), the base of the triangle extends laterally along the top surface (206) of the base portion (205) from an intersection of a lower region (213b) of the at least one channel wall (210a, 210b) and an inner region (243b) of the top surface (206) of the base portion (205) to the outer region (243a) of the top surface (206) of the base portion (205), and the height of the triangle extends along the at least one channel wall (210a, 210b) from the intersection of the lower region (213b) of the at least one channel wall (210a, 210b) and the inner region (243b) of the top surface (206) of the base portion (205) to the upper region (213a) of the at least one channel wall (210a, 210b), the skate shoe apparatus further including a perimeter lip (217) extending upward from the outer region (243a) of the top surface (206) of the base portion (205) from the heel end (242, 642) to the toe end (241, 641), and wherein the base portion, the at least one channel wall, and the perimeter lip are constructed from a common molded material and are integrally formed with each other, the combination of the base portion, the at least one channel wall, the perimeter lip providing rigidity to the skate shoe apparatus; and

molding a thermoplastic material into the mold to form the skate shoe apparatus.

Ansprüche

1. Skateschuhvorrichtung (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900), umfassend einen Basisabschnitt (105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605, 705, 805, 905) mit einer Oberseite (106, 206, 706, 806, 906), einer Unterseite (107, 207, 407, 707, 807, 907), einer linken Seite (108, 208, 708, 808, 908) und einer rechten Seiten (109, 209, 709, 809, 909), wobei der Basisabschnitt ein Fersenende (242, 642) und ein Zehenende (241, 641) aufweist; mindestens eine Kanalwand (110, 210, 610, 710, 810, 910), die sich von der Oberseite des Basisabschnitts erstreckt, wobei die mindestens eine Kanalwand einen Kanal (115, 215, 715, 815, 915) definiert, um eine untere Lauffläche eines Skateschuhs aufzunehmen; und mindestens ein Stützelement (120, 220, 720, 820, 920), das sich von einem oberen Bereich (113, 213, 713, 813, 913) der mindestens einen Kanalwand zur Oberseite des Basisabschnitts erstreckt,
wobei das mindestens eine Stützelement (220) dreieckig geformt ist, sodass sich die Hypotenuse eines Dreiecks, das durch das Stützelement (220) mit der mindestens einen Kanalwand (210a, 210b) und dem Basisabschnitt (205) geformt wird, von dem oberen Bereich (213a) der mindestens einen Kanalwand (210a, 210b) bis zu einem äußeren Bereich (243a) der Oberseite (206) des Basisabschnitts (205) erstreckt, die Basis des Dreiecks sich entlang der Oberseite (206) des Basisabschnitts (205) von einem Schnittpunkt eines unteren Bereichs (213b) der mindestens einen Kanalwand (210a, 210b) mit einem inneren Bereich (243b) der Oberseite (206) des Basisabschnitts (205) zum äußeren Bereich (243a) der Oberseite (206) des Basisabschnitts (205) erstreckt und die Höhe des Dreiecks sich entlang der mindestens einen Kanalwand (210a, 210b) vom Schnittpunkt des unteren Bereichs (213b) der mindestens einen Kanalwand (210a, 210b) mit dem inneren Bereich (243b) der Oberseite (206) des Basisabschnitts (205) zum oberen Bereich (213a) der mindestens einen Kanalwand (210a, 210b) erstreckt;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Skateschuhvorrichtung eine Umfangslippe (217) aufweist, die sich aufwärts vom äußeren Bereich (243a) der Oberseite (206) des Basisabschnitts (205) vom Fersenende (242, 642) zum Zehenende (241, 641) erstreckt; und
dadurch, dass der Basisabschnitt, die mindestens eine Kanalwand und die Umfangslippe aus einem gemeinsam geformten Material hergestellt und einstückig miteinander ausgebildet sind, wobei die Kombination des Basisabschnitts mit der mindestens einen Kanalwand und der Umfangslippe der Skateschuhvorrichtung Steifigkeit verleiht.

2. Skateschuhvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend eine Trittfläche (230, 430, 630), die auf der Unterseite (107, 207, 407, 707, 807, 907) des Basisabschnitts definiert ist, wobei die Trittfläche eine Greifoberfläche zum Kraftschluss des Basisabschnitts auf einer Bodenoberfläche bereitstellt, wobei der Basisabschnitt, die mindestens eine Kanalwand, die Umfangslippe und die Trittfläche aus einem gemeinsam geformten Material hergestellt und einstückig miteinander ausgebildet sind.

3. Skateschuhvorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, wobei das gemeinsam geformte Material aus mindestens einem gummierten Material, einem halbflexiblen Polymermaterial und einem festen Material gebildet ist.

4. Skateschuhvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Basisabschnitt eine Breite (240) aufweist, die im Wesentlichen der Breite des Stiefels eines Skateschuhs entspricht.

5. Skateschuhvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die mindestens eine Kanalwand eine linke Kanalwand (210a) und eine rechte Kanalwand (210b) umfasst, wobei die linke und rechte Kanalwand Innenseiten (211 a, 211b) aufweisen, die voneinander mit einem Abstand (212) beabstandet sind, der einen Schlitz (215, 315) bildet, um die untere Lauffläche eines Skateschuhs aufzunehmen.

6. Skateschuhvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei eine Dicke (214a, 215b) der mindestens einen Kanalwand laterale Steifigkeit für den Skateschuh bereitstellt.

7. Skateschuhvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Trittfläche, die auf der Unterseite des Basisabschnitts definiert ist, Stollen (231, 431) aufweist, um zusätzliche Kraftschlüssigkeit bereitzustellen.

8. Skateschuhvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend eine Befestigungsvorrichtung zum Sichern der Skateschuhvorrichtung an einem Skateschuh.

9. Skateschuhvorrichtung nach Anspruch 8, wobei die Befestigungsvorrichtung einen Riemen umfasst, der durch einen Schlitz (435) in dem Basisabschnitt (160, 460, 560, 760, 860, 960) hindurch läuft.

10. Skateschuhvorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, wobei der Riemen durch ein Loch (535) im Skateschuh über der unteren Lauffläche des Skateschuhs hindurch verläuft.

11. Skateschuhvorrichtung nach Anspruch 8, wobei die Befestigungsvorrichtung Federbügel (660) aufweist, die sich über die untere Lauffläche des Skateschuhs erstrecken.

12. Skateschuhvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend Abflusslöcher (301) durch den Basisabschnitt unter dem Kanal, der durch die mindestens eine Kanalwand gebildet ist.

13. Skateschuhvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Skateschuh ein Schlittschuh (150, 450, 550, 650, 750), ein traditioneller Rollschuh (850) oder ein Inlineskater (950) ist.

14. Vorrichtung zum Herstellen einer Skateschuhvorrichtung (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900), wobei das Verfahren umfasst:

Bereitstellen einer Skateschuhvorrichtungsform, wobei die Skateschuhvorrichtungsform zum Herstellen der Skateschuhvorrichtung dient, die einen Basisabschnitt (105, 205, 305, 405, 605, 705, 805, 905), der eine Oberseite (106, 206, 706, 806, 906), eine Unterseite (107, 207, 407, 707, 807, 907), eine linken Seite (108, 208, 708, 808, 908) und eine rechte Seite (109, 209, 709, 809, 909) aufweist, wobei der Basisabschnitt ein Fersenende (242, 642) und ein Zehenende (241, 641) aufweist, mindestens eine Kanalwand (110, 210, 610, 710, 810, 910), die sich von der Oberseite des Basisabschnitts erstreckt, wobei die mindestens eine Kanalwand einen Kanal (115, 215, 715, 815, 915) definiert, um eine untere Lauffläche eines Skateschuhs aufzunehmen, und mindestens ein Stützelement (120, 220, 720, 820, 920), das sich von einem oberen Bereich (113, 213, 713, 813, 913) der mindestens einen Kanalwand zur Oberseite des Basisabschnitts erstreckt, wobei das mindestens eine Stützelement (220) dreieckig geformt ist, sodass sich die Hypotenuse eines Dreiecks, das durch das Stützelement (220) mit der mindestens einen Kanalwand (210a, 210b) und dem Basisabschnitt (205) geformt wird, von dem oberen Bereich (213a) der mindestens einen Kanalwand (210a, 210b) bis zu einem äußeren Bereich (243a) der Oberseite (206) des Basisabschnitts (205) erstreckt, die Basis des Dreiecks sich entlang der Oberseite (206) des Basisabschnitts (205) von einem Schnittpunkt eines unteren Bereichs (213b) der mindestens einen Kanalwand (210a, 210b) mit einem inneren Bereich (243b) der Oberseite (206) des Basisabschnitts (205) zum äußeren Bereich (243a) der Oberseite (206) des Basisabschnitts (205) erstreckt und die Höhe des Dreiecks sich entlang der mindestens einen Kanalwand (210a, 210b) vom Schnittpunkt des unteren Bereichs (213b) der mindestens einen Kanalwand (210a, 210b) mit dem inneren Bereich (243b) der Oberseite (206) des Basisabschnitts (205) zum oberen Bereich (213a) der mindestens einen Kanalwand (210a, 210b) erstreckt, wobei die Skateschuhvorrichtung ferner eine Umfangslippe (217) umfasst, die sich aufwärts vom äußeren Bereich (243a) der Oberseite (206) des Basisabschnitts (205) von dem Fersenende (242, 642) zum Zehenende (241, 641) erstreckt und wobei der Basisabschnitt, die mindestens eine Kanalwand und die Umfangslippe aus einem gemeinsam geformten Material hergestellt und einstückig miteinander ausgebildet sind, wobei die Kombination des Basisabschnitts, der mindestens einen Kanalwand, der Umfangslippe der Skateschuhvorrichtung Steifigkeit verleiht; und

Formen eines thermoplastischen Materials in der Form zum Bilden der Skateschuhvorrichtung.

Revendications

1. Appareillage de chaussure à patin (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900) comprenant une partie de base (105, 205, 305, 405, 605, 705, 805, 905) présentant un côté supérieur (106, 206, 706, 806, 906), un côté inférieur (107, 207, 407, 707, 807, 907), un côté gauche (108, 208, 708, 808, 908) et un côté droit (109, 209, 709, 809, 909), la partie de base présentant une extrémité de talon (242, 642) et une extrémité d'orteils (241, 641) ; au moins une paroi à canal (110, 210, 610, 710, 810, 910) s'étendant depuis le côté supérieur de la partie de base, l'au moins une paroi à canal définissant un canal (115, 215, 715, 815, 915) pour recevoir une surface de déplacement inférieure d'un patin, et au moins un élément de support (120, 220, 720, 820, 920) s'étendant depuis une région supérieure (113, 213, 713, 813, 913) de l'au moins une paroi à canal vers le côté supérieur de la partie de base,
dans lequel l'au moins un élément de support (220) est de forme triangulaire, de telle façon que l'hypoténuse d'un triangle formée par l'élément de support (220) avec l'au moins une paroi à canal (210a, 210b) et la partie de base (205) s'étend depuis la région supérieure (213a) de l'au moins une paroi à canal (210a, 210b) vers une région extérieure (243a) de la surface supérieure (206) de la partie de base (205), la base du triangle s'étend latéralement le long de la surface supérieure (206) de la partie de base (205) à partir d'une intersection d'une région inférieure (213b) de l'au moins une paroi à canal (210a, 210b) et d'une région intérieure (243b) de la surface supérieure (206) de la partie de base (205) vers la région extérieure (243a) de la surface supérieure (206) de la partie de base (205) et la hauteur du triangle s'étend le long de l'au moins une paroi à canal (210a, 210b) à partir de l'intersection de la région inférieure (213b) de l'au moins une paroi à canal (210a, 210b) et de la région intérieure (243b) de la surface supérieure (206) de la partie de base (205) vers la région supérieure (213a) de l'au moins une paroi à canal (210a 210b) ;
caractérisé en ce que
l'appareillage de chaussure à patin comprend une lèvre de périmètre (217) s'étendant vers le haut à partir de la région extérieure (243a) de la surface supérieure (206) de la partie de base (205) à partir de la région de talon (242, 642) vers la région d'orteils (241, 641) ; et en ce que
la partie de base, l'au moins une paroi à canal et la lèvre de périmètre sont construites dans un matériau moulé commun et sont formées intégralement l'une avec l'autre, la combinaison de la partie de base, de l'au moins une paroi à canal et de la lèvre de périmètre fournissant une rigidité à l'appareillage de chaussure à patin.

2. Appareillage de chaussure à patin selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une semelle (230, 430, 630) définie sur le côté inférieur (107, 207, 407, 707, 807, 907) de la partie de base, la semelle fournissant une surface d'accroche pour la traction de la partie de base sur une surface de sol, dans lequel la partie de base, l'au moins une paroi à canal, la lèvre de périmètre et la semelle sont construites dans un matériau moulé commun et sont formées intégralement l'une avec l'autre.

3. Appareillage de chaussure à patin selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le matériau moulé commun est construit dans au moins l'un d'un matériau caoutchouté, d'un matériau polymère semi-flexible et d'un matériau solide.

4. Appareillage de chaussure à patin selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la partie de base présente une largeur (240) qui est essentiellement équivalente à la largeur d'une bottine d'un patin.

5. Appareillage de chaussure à patin selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'au moins une paroi à canal comprend une paroi à canal gauche (210a) et une paroi à canal droite (210b), les parois à canal gauche et droite ayant des côtés intérieurs (211 a, 211b) espacés à une distance (212) définissant une fente (215, 315) pour recevoir la surface de déplacement inférieure du patin.

6. Appareillage de chaussure à patin selon la revendication 1, dans lequel une épaisseur (214a, 215b) de l'au moins une paroi à canal fournit la rigidité latérale au patin.

7. Appareillage de chaussure à patin selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la semelle définie sur le côté inférieur de la partie de base comprend des crampons (231, 431) pour fournir une traction ajoutée.

8. Appareillage de chaussure à patin selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un dispositif de fixation pour fixer l'appareillage de chaussure à patin sur un patin.

9. Appareillage de chaussure à patin selon la revendication 8, dans lequel le dispositif de fixation comprend une courroie qui passe à travers une fente (435) dans la partie de base (160, 460, 560, 760, 860, 960).

10. Appareillage de chaussure à patin selon la revendication 9, dans lequel la courroie passe à travers un orifice (535) dans le patin au-dessus de la surface de déplacement inférieure du patin.

11. Appareillage de chaussure à patin selon la revendication 8, dans lequel le dispositif de fixation comprend des bandes à ressort (660) s'étendant au-dessus de la surface de déplacement inférieure du patin.

12. Appareillage de chaussure à patin selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre des orifices de drainage (301) à travers la partie de base sous le canal défini par l'au moins une paroi à canal.

13. Appareillage de chaussure à patin selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le patin est un patin à glace (150, 450, 550, 650, 750), un roller skate traditionnel (850) ou un patin inline (950).

14. Procédé de fabrication d'un appareillage de chaussure à patin (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900), le procédé comprenant :

la fourniture d'un moule d'appareillage de chaussure à patin, le moule d'appareillage de chaussure à patin pour former l'appareillage de chaussure à patin comprenant une partie de base (105, 205, 305, 405, 605, 705, 805, 905) présentant un côté supérieur (106, 206, 706, 806, 906), un côté inférieur (107, 207, 407, 707, 807, 907), un côté gauche (108, 208, 708, 808, 908) et un côté droit (109, 209, 709, 809, 909), la partie de base présentant une extrémité de talon (242, 642) et une extrémité d'orteils (241, 641), au moins une paroi à canal (110, 210, 610, 710, 810, 910) s'étendant depuis le côté supérieur de la partie de base, l'au moins une paroi à canal définissant un canal (115, 215, 715, 815, 915) pour recevoir une surface de déplacement inférieure d'un patin, et au moins un élément de support (120, 220, 720, 820, 920) s'étendant depuis une région supérieure (113, 213, 713, 813, 913) de l'au moins une paroi à canal vers le côté supérieur de la partie de base, dans lequel l'au moins un élément de support (220) est de forme triangulaire, de telle façon que l'hypoténuse d'un triangle formée par l'élément de support (220) avec l'au moins une paroi à canal (210a, 210b) et la partie de base (205) s'étend depuis la région supérieure (213a) de l'au moins une paroi à canal (210a, 210b) vers une région extérieure (243a) de la surface supérieure (206) de la partie de base (205), la base du triangle s'étend latéralement le long de la surface supérieure (206) de la partie de base (205) à partir d'une intersection d'une région inférieure (213b) de l'au moins une paroi à canal (210a, 210b) et d'une région intérieure (243b) de la surface supérieure (206) de la partie de base (205) vers la région extérieure (243a) de la surface supérieure (206) de la partie de base (205), et la hauteur du triangle s'étend le long de l'au moins une paroi à canal (210a, 210b) à partir de l'intersection de la région inférieure (213b) de l'au moins une paroi à canal (210a, 210b) et de la région intérieure (243b) de la surface supérieure (206) de la partie de base (205) vers la région supérieure (213a) de l'au moins une paroi à canal (210a, 210b), l'appareillage de chaussure à patin comprenant en outre une lèvre de périmètre (217) s'étendant vers le haut à partir de la région extérieure (243a) de la surface supérieure (206) de la partie de base (205) à partir de la région de talon (242, 642) vers la région d'orteils (241, 641), et dans lequel la partie de base, l'au moins une paroi à canal et la lèvre de périmètre sont construites dans un matériau moulé commun et sont formées intégralement l'une avec l'autre, la combinaison de la partie de base, de l'au moins une paroi à canal et de la lèvre de périmètre fournissant une rigidité à l'appareillage de chaussure à patin ; et

le moulage d'un matériau thermoplastique dans le moule pour former l'appareillage de chaussure à patin.

Drawing