CA2101719A1

CA2101719A1 - Protective cage for skate toe

Info

Publication number: CA2101719A1
Application number: CA002101719A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Gad Shaanan
Original assignee: Canstar Sports Group Inc
Current assignee: Canstar Sports Group Inc
Priority date: 1993-07-30
Filing date: 1993-07-30
Publication date: 1995-01-31

Abstract

ABSTRACT A protective cage for the toe of a lace-up skate, such as an in-line skate in particular, is described. The cage reduces scuffing and excessive wear on the toe region of the skates. The cage slides over the toe area of the skate, and is secured by means of tongues which engage the existing boot laces.

Description

2101~1~
, This invention relates to a protective cage for the toe of a skate. The cage is attachable to a skate, to protect the skate toe against scuffing and excessive wear.
Although the invention may be used for ice skates, its primary purpose is for use with in-line skates, especially those used for in-line hockey.
In-line skates have recently become extremely popular, and are now being used not only for recreational skating, but also for in-line hockey. Many skating activities impose wear and tear on the toe of the skate, especially in-line hockey, where players frequently tend to drag the skate toe for braking and quick turns. The vigorous nature of the sport inevitably results in the skate toe frequently making contact with the playing surface, opponent's skates, goal posts, hockey sticks, or playing boundaries. This contact can cause severe scuffing and surface damage to the skates, particularly in the toe area. Such damage greatly reduces the life as well as the aesthetics of the skates.
Many in-line skates use a moulded plastic boot, but many others use a conventional lace-up boot with a toe material which is vulnerable to damage from abrasion.
It is an object of the invention to provide a means for minimizing skate toe damage.
In the invention, therefore, a protective cage is provided, which partially encompasses the toe of the skate to absorb the shock of impact and to shelter the toe from abrasion with the surface.
Specifics of the invention will be described or will become apparent in the course of the following detailed

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210171g description.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, the preferred embodiment thereof will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the protective cage;
Fig. 2 is a top view showing the cage installed on a skate toe;
Fig. 3 is a side elevation view corresponding to Fig.
2;
Fig. 4 is a front or outside elevation view of the cage;
Fig. 5 is a rear or inside elevation view of the cage;
Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the cage; and Fig. 7 is a side elevational cross-section of the cage.
The protective cage is a moulded plastic piece, having a rounded toe portion 2, opposite side portions 4, and a bottom portion 6 having an open slot 8 therein, opening towards the rear. The cage fits over the toe area of a typical skate 10, such as an ice skate or an in-line skate as illustrated. The slot 8 provides space for the chassis 12 which carries the wheels 14.
The skate 10 includes conventional laces 16.
~ The upper rear portion of the toe portion 2 includes one or two lip portions 18 adapted to hook under and around the bottom portion 20 of the lace 16.
The side portions 4 each have arrow-like projections 22 at the upper rear portions thereof, which are adapted to hook

- 3 -21~1719 between the laces at adjacent eyelets. The cage is secured and positioned by means of thP laces passing around the projections, as illustrated.
This is a simple invention which nevertheless admirably meets the object of preventing damage to the skate toe. When the protective cage itself becomes badly worn, it can be readily replaced at a very low cost in comparison to the cost of the skate boot.
It will be appreciated that the above description relates to the preferred embodiment by way of example only. Many variations on the invention will be obvious to those knowledgeable in the field, and such obvious variations are within the scope of the invention as described and claimed, whether or not expressly described.
It should be clearly understood that although the invention is primarily intended for use with in-line skates, it is not limited to such.

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Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A protective cage for the toe of a skate, said toe having a generally rounded upper area and a generally flat bottom, said skate having eyelet rows with a lace running between lower eyelets and zigzagging afterwards, said cage comprising:
a generally flat lower portion to underlie said generally flat bottom;
a rounded upper portion integral with said generally flat lower portion, to overlie at least a substantial portion of said toe; and integral means for engaging said laces to hold said cage in place over said skate toe.

2. A cage as recited in claim 1, where said means for engaging said laces comprises two tongues, one projecting from each side of said upper portion, each said tongue having a broad distal end defining recesses there behind, such that said laces may be located in said recesses.

3. A cage as recited in claim 1, further comprising a lip portion at an upper extremity of said upper portion, adapted to hook under said lace running between lower eyelets.

4. A cage as recited in claim 2, further comprising a lip portion at an upper extremity of said upper portion, adapted to hook under said lace running between lower eyelets.