CA3181723A1 - Blade holder - Google Patents

Abstract

The present inventive concept relates to a blade holder (110, 210, 310) for an ice skate (100, 201, 202), said blade holder extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising a blade-retaining base (145) configured to retain a skate blade (115, 215, 315). The blade holder further comprises a support arrangement extending upwardly from the blade-retaining base, the support arrangement in turn comprising a front support (130, 230, 330) and a rear support (120, 220, 320) each having a top surface (121, 131) adapted to interconnect to a skate boot (101). The blade retaining base further comprises a rolling arrangement (140, 240, 340) comprising a first contact surface (141, 241, 341) being curvilinear and configured to directly bear against a second contact surface (242, 342), the second contact surface forming part of either the rolling arrangement or the skate blade, such that upon rotating the first contact surface and the second contact surface relative each other, the first contact surface and the second contact surface roll against each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the rolling arrangement extends at least partly between the front and rear supports. The blade holder according to the first aspect further comprises a rear linear beam (150, 250, 350) directly connecting the rear support to the blade- retaining base, a front beam (160, 260, 360) directly connecting the front support to the blade-retaining base and at least one auxiliary linear beam (170, 270, 271, 272, 370) connected in a first end to the rear linear beam and/or the rear support, and in a second end to the front beam and/or the front support.

Description

2 BLADE HOLDER
Technical field The inventive concept described herein generally relates to ice skates and more specifically to a blade holder for an ice skate.
Background Skating represents the core component of various winter sports. From hockey to speed skating, the action of skating is essential to the practice of the sport and key aspect in any athlete's performance or improvement. The improvement of athletes' performance is greatly influenced by the equipment they use such as hockey sticks, protective padding, skin suits, etc. elevating their technique and skills to a level seemingly unreachable otherwise.
Amongst the above-enumerated equipment, the skate as such arguably represents the most essential equipment for the sport(s) to be practiced and must be adapted to fulfill specific functions for a specific sport. When considering the sport of hockey, the ice skates require adequate foot support and protection as well as a structure and components translating the athlete's physical effort into their performance. For example, U.S Patent No. 8,801,025 discloses a rolling binding arrangement permitting a forward and backward rocking motion of the blade holder relative to the blade. The structure and components of the ice skate presented in this prior art document fulfils the function of increasing the ability of the athletes to transfer weight and to shift their center of gravity along the length of the foot, from heel to toe, with an even pressure, thereby improving skating comfort and performance.
However, performance increasing ice skate concepts such as the one disclosed in the above-mentioned prior art generally require the blade holder to be composed of a combination of soft material, e.g. soft plastic to enhance the durability of the blade holder to sustained impacts, and stiffer material, e.g. steel supporting the blade holder to facilitate the transfer of force from the athlete to the ice surface.
Traditional blade holders are also represented in the prior art as manufactured using fiber reinforced plastic materials in certain sections of the blade holder in order to achieve the effects described above. Blade holders known in the prior art therefore increase the complexity of the manufacturing process, increases the total weight of the skate and drive up the cost of the finished product. There is therefore a need for improved blade holders with rolling mechanisms.
Hence, it is an object of the present invention to try to overcome at least some of the deficiencies of present blade holder used with blade motion concepts pertaining to its resistance and strength towards forces applied thereon by skaters.
Summary of the invention It is an object of the present inventive concept to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in combination.
According to a first aspect of the inventive concept, these and other objects are achieved in full, or at least in part, by a blade holder for an ice skate, said blade holder extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising a blade-retaining base configured to retain a skate blade. The blade holder further comprises a support arrangement extending upwardly from the blade-retaining base, the support arrangement in turn comprising a front support and a rear support each having a top surface adapted to interconnect to a skate boot. The blade retaining base further comprises a rolling arrangement comprising a first contact surface being curvilinear and configured to directly bear against a second contact surface, the second contact surface forming part of either the rolling arrangement or the skate blade, such that upon rotating the first contact surface and the second contact surface relative each other, the first contact surface and the second contact surface roll against each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the rolling arrangement extends at least partly between the front and rear supports. The blade holder according to the first aspect further comprises a rear linear beam directly connecting the rear support to the blade-retaining base, a front beam directly connecting the front support to the blade-retaining base and at least one auxiliary linear beam connected in a first end to the rear linear beam and/or the rear support, and in a second end to the front beam and/or the front support.
According to a second aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a blade holder for an ice skate, said blade holder extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising a blade-retaining base configured to retain a skate blade. The blade holder further comprises a support arrangement extending upwardly from the blade-retaining base, the support arrangement in turn comprising a front support and a rear support each having a top surface adapted to interconnect to a skate boot. The blade retaining base further comprises a rolling arrangement comprising a first

3 contact surface being curvilinear and configured to directly bear against a second contact surface, the second contact surface forming part of either the rolling arrangement or the skate blade, such that upon rotating the first contact surface and the second contact surface relative each other, the first contact surface and the second contact surface roll against each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the rolling arrangement extends at least partly between the front and rear supports.
The blade holder according to the second aspect further comprises a rear linear beam directly connecting the rear support to the blade-retaining base and at least one auxiliary linear beam connected in a first end to the rear linear beam and/or the rear support, and in a second end to the front support.
It is envisioned that one or several features of the first aspect of the invention, and its associated advantages and effects, are applicable also to the second aspect of the invention.
Thus, the present invention is based on the idea of providing a blade holder for an ice skate permitting efficient weigh transfer of the skater along the length of the foot in turn resulting in the capacity of shifting the center of gravity from heel to toes and vice versa with even pressure on the ice surface to improve skating comfort and performance. In other words, the present invention enables the skater to reach greater balance and sturdier grip on the ice surface directly improving the rapidity and strength of the push off motions and direction changes performed by the skater.
A further purpose of the present invention is to increase the stiffness of the blade holder through its structural composition and structural design rather than by combining materials or components to achieve such effect. The present concept also stems from preventing flexion of the rolling arrangement by obtaining a more rigid mid-section of the blade holder trough structural design rather than through material selection. The blade holder structure of the present invention is further based on the idea of providing a beam arrangement improving the rigidity of the blade holder and ensuring that forces applied by the foot of skater on the blade holder e.g.
forces applied on the skate boot sole for push off/propulsion, stopping, changing direction, etc. is transferred with minimum loss to the blade holder, and further to the blade.
The strengthening effect of the beam configuration of the blade holder further fulfils function of substantially alleviating and/or preventing flexion or torsion of the blade holder when the rolling arrangement is employed. In other words, the present invention is based on the concept that the layout of beams forming the blade holder prevents energy losses during weight shift of the skater via the rolling arrangement

4 yielding to a more responsive and efficient transfer of weight in the longitudinal direction of the blade.
The present invention is hereby advantageous in that the blade retaining base retains the skate blade such that said skate blade remains movably attached to the blade holder. The blade retaining base is further advantageous in that it contains the rolling arrangement. In other words, the first contact surface and the second contact surface are arranged in the blade retaining base such that the blade retaining base provides protection of said rolling arrangement against e.g.
impacts from pucks, sticks, skates, etc. The blade retaining base is further advantageous in that it reduces the number of independent components required to form the blade holder, i.e. the retention of the skate blade and the comprising of the rolling arrangement are insured by the blade retaining base which in turn is integrally formed with the rest of the components of the blade holder.
The present invention is hereby advantageous in that the rolling arrangement 1 5 provides a more natural movement and facilitates compensation for irregularities of the ice surface contacted by the blade. The rolling arrangement further allows the skate to exert forces on the ice surface with a greater angle resulting in a more sustained push off or propulsion. The rolling arrangement is further advantageous in that it permits a rolling motion along the skate blade translating to the capacity of a skater to transfer weight efficiently and with even pressure on the blade and the ice surface without having to lift the skate off the ice surface. It will further be envisioned that the rolling motion according to the first aspect enables greater ankle flexion for an increased power transfer, an improved glide and lower energy consumption for the skater.
The present invention is further advantageous in that the rolling arrangement may embody various configurations. Accordingly, the second contact surface against which the first curvilinear contact surface is bearing may be represented by the superior surface of the blade itself or represented by a liner in the blade retaining base covering the blade. Alternatively, it may be envisioned that the first curvilinear contact surface represents a liner covering the blade in the blade retaining base and that the second contact surface is positioned in the blade holder. Also alternatively, it may be envisioned that the first curvilinear contact surface represents the superior surface of the blade itself and the second contact surface represents a flat surface positioned in the blade retaining base. It will also be appreciated that both the first contact surface and the second contact surface may be curvilinear surfaces.
All alternatives recited above enable the rolling arrangement to enable the first contact surface to roll against the second contact surface along the direction of the skate blade resulting in a swiftly displacement of the center of gravity of the skater.
The present invention is further advantageous in the beam configuration of the blade holder, formed by the rear linear beam, the at least one auxiliary linear

5 beam and optionally the front beam enables connection between each of the components of the blade holder, i.e. the rear support, front support and blade retaining base providing a mechanical strengthening effect to the blade holder structure. The rear linear beam may represent the beam with the largest cross section as the support and strengthening required between the rear beam and the blade retaining base is crucial given that the rolling arrangement may be positioned towards the rear support. The rear linear beam may therefore have a larger cross-section and/or be stronger than the at least one auxiliary beam and optionally the front beam. The direct connection of the rear linear beam with the rear support and with the blade retaining base further prevents the rear support from bending or flexing inwardly towards the blade retaining base. Moreover, the linearity of the rear linear beam structurally represents a stronger configuration. Similarly, the optional front beam enables a direct connection between the front support and the blade retaining base resulting in strengthening of the blade holder structure and preventing the front support from bending or flexing towards the blade retaining base.
The optional front beam may however embody a structure comprising non-linearities such as angles, curves or recesses along its longitudinal direction allowing it to adapt to the smaller connection space on the front support in contrast to the connection space available on the rear support. Further advantageously, the at least one auxiliary linear beam provides additional strengthening to the already rigid structure formed by the rear linear beam and the optional front beam. Furthermore, the at least one auxiliary beam enables the possibility to obtain several beam configurations of the blade holder by permuting connections of the at least one auxiliary beam with the other components. The variations in auxiliary linear beam configuration in turn result in the adaptability of the blade holder to provide an increased strengthening effect for various ice skate sizes and/or skater body measurement. Examples of optional configuration may be embodied by the at least one auxiliary linear beam connecting the rear linear beam directly to the optional front beam, the rear support directly to the optional front beam, the rear support directly to the front support, the rear linear beam directly to the optional front beam and/or the rear linear beam directly to the front support. All together the beams described above provide the synergistic effect of complete rigidity of the blade holder and resistance to flexion or compression of the beam arrangement when the rolling arrangement is used such that the ratio of

6 the force exerted by the skater on the blade holder to the force transmitted on the ice surface is significantly improved.
It will also be appreciated that the interconnection of the top surface of the support arrangement to the foot of the skate provide a strengthening effect of the blade holder.
It should be noted that when reference is made to the rear linear beam and/or the optional front beam connecting to the blade-retaining base, it is further envisioned that the rear linear beam and/or the optional front beam may connect to the rolling arrangement.
It is envisioned that the beams referred to throughout the present application may be hollow or solid.
Initially, some terminology may be defined to provide clarification for the following disclosure.
By the term "curvilinear" used herein to define a contact surface it is here meant a rigid surface having a radius of curvature along which another surface may rotate.
By the term "push off' it is here meant a force exerted by a skater on the ice surface enabling a forward or backward propelling motion of his/her body.
By the term "linear" employed herein to define beam structures, it may hereby be meant a beam structure having no major indentation or radius or curvature in the longitudinal direction/the direction of its extension, i.e. a beam structure substantially elongating according to a straight line. The term "linear" employed herein to define beam structures may alternatively define a beam, the beam having a first attachment point to a first structure (e.g. rear support) in a first end of the beam and a second attachment point to a second structure (e.g. blade-retaining base) in a second end of the beam, wherein an imaginary straight line defined between said first attachment point and second attachment point is fully comprised or contained, along at least one cross-section of said beam, within said beam. In contrast, a non-linear beam may comprise hooks, bends, or the like, representing weaker areas with regards to stress concentrations and solidity under exerted forces.
By the term "extending upwardly" employed herein to define the support arrangement, it may hereby be meant elongating from the blade retaining base to the skate boot in a linear manner. In other words, the term "extending upwardly"
may

7 hereby refer to the front support and rear support representing linear structures forming an acute angle or obtuse angle with the blade retaining base.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rear support and the front support may respectively comprise a lower section and an upper section, wherein the rear linear beam may connect to the rear support at the upper section of the rear support and wherein the optional front beam may connect to the front support at the upper section point of the front support. The present embodiment allows the connection of the rear linear beam with the rear support and the connection of the optional front beam with the front support to increase the amount of force transferred into the rear linear beam and the optional front beam when a compression, torsion or flexion force or moment is applied by the skater onto the rear and front support. The position of the connections of the rear linear beam and the optional front beam at a higher section of the rear and front supports enables said connection to the positioned closest to the point of application of the force by the skater which structurally represents the strongest configuration for force bearing beams. The present embodiment is further advantageous in that it structurally prevents the rear support and the front support from bending or flexing towards the blade retaining base. Furthermore, the present embodiment allows the angle formed between the rear linear beam and the rear support and the angle formed between the optional front beam and the front support to be less acute in turn resulting in a greater transfer of force into the rear linear beam and into the optional front beam. It is further envisioned that the higher connecting point on the rear and front supports may be positioned in their respective upper section closest to the seam of the skate boot. By the term "upper section" it may hereby be meant the section of the rear support and front support determined from the center of said rear support and front support to the seam of the skate boot. By the term "lower section" it may herein be meant the section of the rear support and front support inferior to the above-defined upper section of said rear support and front support in the direction of the blade retaining base. It will further be appreciated that the linearity of the support arrangement increases the strength of the blade holder by avoiding any constraint concentration generated by angles or curvatures in the structure of the rear support and front support.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one auxiliary linear beam may form a first junction with the rear linear beam and a second junction with the optional front beam. The first and second junctions may represent integrally formed connections between the at least one auxiliary linear beam and the

8 rear linear and optional front beams. Advantageously, the junctions reduce weakness in the structure of beam configuration pertaining to stress and strain concentrations normally found at support points of mechanically connected beams.
Furthermore, the present embodiment permits force transferred into the rear linear beam and into the optional front beam to be additionally divided and thus partially transferred into the at least one auxiliary beam increasing the efficiency of the distribution of forces in the blade holder structure. In other words, at least part of the force or moment applied by the skater onto the rear and front supports may be transferred into the at least one auxiliary linear beam via the first and second junctions preventing bending or flexion of the blade retaining base where the rolling motion of the rolling arrangement occurs. The present embodiment also prevents flexion and bending in the rear linear beam and the optional front beam in any directions. The division or discernment of forces into the rear linear beam, the optional front beam and the at least one auxiliary linear beam further yields to a stronger beam configuration in turn yielding a longer longevity of the blade holder pertaining to its resistance to strain and stress. The present embodiment further enables a sustained rigidity of the blade holder during solicitation of the rolling arrangement. Moreover, the linearity of the at least one auxiliary beam comports similar characteristics as the rear linear beam in terms of structural strengthening effect.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first junction may be substantially centered on the rear linear beam and the second junction may be substantially centered on the optional front beam. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the substantially centered position of the first and second junctions represents the optimal structural connection for preventing deflection of the rear linear beam and optional front beam when subjected to a load. The positioning of the first and second junctions is further advantageous in that it enables the shortest optional distance between said first and second junctions and the connection points of the rear linear beam with the rear support and with the blade retaining base and the connection points of the optional front beam with the front support and the blade retaining base. The minimization of this distance on both sides of the first and second junctions optimizes the prevention of high bending moments resulting in a greater resistance of the rear linear beam and optional front beam to deflection.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, said at least one auxiliary linear beam may be integrally formed with the rear linear beam and the

9 optional front beam. The present embodiment is advantageous in that an integrally formed structure reduces the risk of high stress and strain concentration at the junctions between the various beams normally found in mechanically connected beams. Furthermore, the present embodiment is advantageous in that integrally formed beams do not require maintenance of replacement of connective components or mechanism. It will also be appreciated that integrally formed beams further reduce the total weight of the blade holder which is advantageous for the performance of the skater. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the front support, the rear linear beam, the optional front beam, the auxiliary linear beam and the blade-retaining base may be integrally formed together.
Advantages and characteristics described above similarly apply to a completely integral blade holder. Additionally, the present embodiment is advantageous in that the integrally formed beams provide an optimal force distribution and discernment amongst the entire beam configuration of the blade holder yielding rigidity and support for the rolling arrangement.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rear linear beam and the optional front beam may form a third junction with the blade retaining base.
Similarly to the first and second junctions, the third junction may represent an integrally formed connection between the rear linear beam, the optional front beam and the blade retaining base. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the third junction reduce weakness in the structure of the beam configuration pertaining to stress and strain concentrations normally found at support points of mechanically connected beams. Additionally, the third junction allows a distribution of forces applied by the skater on the rear and front supports to enable part of said applied force to be transferred into the blade retaining base resulting in in an even greater distribution of load. The present embodiment is further advantageous in that the third junction represent a connection point involving more than two components of the blade holder therefore resulting in the reduction of the number of junctions comprised on the bade holder which in turn reduces the number of stress concentration prone areas on the blade holder. Consequently, the present embodiment further enables a sustained rigidity of the blade holder during solicitation of the rolling arrangement.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the third junction may be substantially centered on the blade retaining base between the rear support and the front support. Similarly to a previously defined embodiment, the substantially centered position of the third junction on the blade retaining base enables the shortest optional distance between said third junction and the connection points of the rear support with the blade retaining base the connection point of the front support with the blade retaining base. The minimization of this distance on both sides of the third junction optimizes the prevention of high bending moments 5 resulting in a greater resistance of the rear linear beam and optional front beam to deflection. Moreover, the position of the third junction directly prevents bending of the blade retaining base above the center of the rolling arrangement thus transferring forces exerted by the skater onto the first and second contact surfaces of the rolling arrangement which in turn are converted into rotational movement along the

10 longitudinal direction of the blade.
The beam configurations rendered possible by the rear linear beam, the optional front beam, the optional front beam, the at least one auxiliary linear beam and the junctions at which the beams connect with one another have the effect of further preventing deformation of the blade holder when said blade holder is subject to forces generated by the skater or by impacts from e.g. pucks, sticks, skates, etc.
More particularly, the various beam configurations of the blade holder prevent the deformation of the rolling arrangement and its material. In other words, the arrangement formed by the rear linear beam, the optional front beam, the at least one auxiliary linear beam and the junctions at which the beams connect with one another prevent plastic deformation of the blade retaining base and the rolling arrangement comprised therein in turn prohibiting the flattening of the curvilinear first contact surface.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the blade holder may be manufactured by means of an injection molding process. The present embodiment permits the minimization of the number of components and equipment required for manufacturing the blade holder and increases the efficiency of the production process on a larger scale. Furthermore, the use of an injection molding process to manufacture the bade holder renders the structure, particularly the junctures between beams and supports, more resistant and enables the beam configuration to take up a greater part of the induced load.
It is envisioned that one or several features of an embodiment described above, and its associated advantages and effects, may be combined with one or several features of one or several of the remaining embodiments described in the present disclosure.

11 A feature described in relation to one aspect may also be incorporated in other aspects, and the advantage of the feature is applicable to all aspects in which it is incorporated.
Other objectives, features and advantages of the present inventive concept will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached claims as well as from the drawings.
Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein.
Further, the use of terms "first", "second", and "third", and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in 1 5 the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.
Brief description of the drawings The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present inventive concept, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of the present inventive concept, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:
FIG. la-lb schematically illustrate a side view of a cross section of an ice skate and its blade holder;
FIG. lc schematically illustrates a perspective view of a blade holder;
FIG. 2a-2b schematically illustrate a blade holder and its rolling arrangement in a cross-sectional side view of an ice skate;
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an alternative configuration of the beams of the blade holder in a cross-sectional side view of an ice skate; and FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a side view of a cross section of a blade holder without beam configuration.
The figures are not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts that are necessary in order to elucidate the inventive concept, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

12 Detailed description FIG. la illustrates an ice skate 100, more specifically an ice skate for the practice of ice hockey, having a skate boot 101 comprising a front or toe section 102 and a rear or heel section 103. FIG. la further shows the ice skate 100 having a blade holder 110 holding a blade 115 and comprising a rear support 120 having a hollow center and a front support 130 having a hollow center together forming the support arrangement of the blade holder. The rear support 120 and the front support 130 are depicted in FIG. la as interconnected with the skate boot 101 at the rear section 103 and front section 102 respectively via their respective top surfaces 121, 131. The rear support 120 and the front support 130 are further shown slightly angled towards the center of the skate 100 and elongating linearly. The blade holder 110 is further shown comprising a blade retaining base 145 within which the blade 115 is positioned and within which the rolling arrangement 140 is positioned.
It is to be noted that FIG. la illustrates a side view of a cross section of the ice skate 100 in which the outline of the blade retaining base 145 is visible. It will be appreciated that the extent of the blade retaining base 145 is better depicted in e.g. FIG. lc.
The rolling arrangement 140 is further shown comprising a liner 141 representing the first curvilinear contact surface and an enclosure 142, forming part of the blade retaining base 145, containing the liner 141 and uniformly formed with the rest of the blade holder 110.In FIG. la, it will be appreciated that the inferior surface of the liner 141 represents the first curvilinear contact surface and that the superior surface of the skate blade 115 represents the second contact surface of the rolling arrangement 140. Additionally, FIG. la illustrates a configuration of strengthening beams comprising a rear linear beam 150, a front beam 160 and an auxiliary linear beam 170 all having hollow centers. The rear linear beam 150 represents the beam having the largest cross section and is shown connected to the rear support 120 and to the blade retaining base 145. The front beam 160 is depicted as linear in FIG. la but may also be embodied as comprising indentations or curves and is shown connected to the front beam 130 and the blade retaining base 145. FIG. la further illustrates the presence of only one auxiliary linear beam 170 but it is to be noted that there may be a plurality of auxiliary linear beams. The auxiliary linear beam 170 is shown connected to the rear linear beam 150 and the front beam 160.
FIG. lb illustrates a more detailed view of the blade holder 110 as depicted in FIG. la. The blade holder 110 presented in FIG. lb is also shown comprising the blade retaining base 145 retaining the blade 115, the rear support 120 and the front support 130 and the arrangement of beams consisting of the rear linear beam 150,

13 the front beam 160 and the auxiliary linear beam 170. FIG. lb further illustrates the rear linear beam 150 connecting at a first connecting point 181 with the rear support 120. The first connecting point 181 between the rear linear beam 150 and the rear support 120 is shown in FIG. lb positioned in the upper section 191 of the rear support. Similarly, the front support 160 is shown connecting at a second connecting point 182 with the front support 130 at the upper section 192 of the front support.
The first connecting point 181 and the second connecting point 182 depicted in FIG.
lb enable the formation of a first angle 151 between the rear linear beam 150 and the rear support 120 and a second angle 161 between the front beam 160 and the front support 130. FIG. lb further illustrates the auxiliary linear beam 170 connecting to the rear linear beam 150 and to the front beam 160 through a first junction and a second junction 184 respectively. The first junction 183 is depicted in FIG. lb substantially centered on the length of the rear linear beam 150 and the second junction 184 is also shown substantially centered on the length of the front beam 160 such that the distances on each side of the first and second junctions 183, 184, on the rear linear beam 150 and front beam 160 respectively, is minimized.
Moreover, FIG. lb illustrates the rear linear beam 150 and the front beam 160 connecting with the blade retaining base 145 in a third junction 185 also positioned substantially centered on the length of the blade retaining base 145. The beam configuration i.e.
rear linear beam 150, auxiliary linear beam 170 and front beam 160 and the support arrangement i.e. rear support 120 and front support 130, are shown in FIG. lb integrally formed together and with the blade retaining base 145 without requiring additional connection components or mechanism. The integrality of the structure of the blade holder 110 may be obtained by, but not limited to, injection molding process. The blade holder 110 illustrated in FIG la-lb is such that forces applied on the blade holder 110 by a skater are distributed amongst the beam configuration and support arrangement and transferred into the blade 115 and rolling arrangement with minimal energy loss.
Referring to FIG. 1c, there is shown a perspective view of the blade holder 110 as depicted in FIG. 1 a and lb. FIG lc the rear support 120 having a hollow center and having a top surface 121 for fixing the blade holder 110 the skate boot (not shown). Similarly, FIG 1c illustrates the front support 130 and its respective top surface 131 having a hollow center. FIG lc further illustrates the respective top surfaces 121, 131 of the rear support 120 and the front support 130 having different perimetrical dimensions to adapt to the fixation points on the skate boot. In other words, the dimensions of the attachment surface of the front section of the skate boot are different than the dimensions of the attachment surface of the rear section

14 of the skate boot resulting in the above-mentioned difference between the perimetrical dimensions of the front support 130 and the rear support 120.
Additionally, FIG. lc illustrates a beam configuration comprising the rear linear beam 150, the auxiliary linear beam 170 and the front beam 160 characterized similarly as in FIG. la and FIG lb. FIG. lc further depicts the blade retaining base 145 within which the rolling arrangement (not visible) is enclosed and within which the blade 115 is retained.
Referring now to FIG. 2a, there is shown a blade holder 210 and its rolling arrangement 240 in a cross-sectional side view of an ice skate 201 along its longitudinal direction. FIG. 2a illustrates the blade holder 210 comprising a rear support 220 and a front support 230 connected the skate boot of the ice skate 201.1t is to be noted that the blade retaining base is not visible in FIG. 2a as the sectional view of the blade holder 210 is along a plane parallel to said blade retaining base.
FIG. 2a further shows a rolling arrangement 240 having a first curvilinear contact surface 241 bearing directly against a second contact surface 242. In FIG. 2a the rolling arrangement 240 is shown in a first position in which the center of gravity and weight of the skater is to the front of the skate therefore the first curvilinear contact surface 241 bear against the second contact surface 242 between the rear support 220 and the front support 230 and is distant from the second contact surface 242 at the rear of the blade holder 210. It is to be noted that the second contact surface 242 in FIG. 2a is represented by the upper surface of the blade 215. Furthermore, FIG.
2a depicts an alternative configuration of the strengthening beams of the blade holder presented in FIG. la-lb. In FIG. 2a, the rear linear beam 250 and the front beam 260 connect with the rear support 220 and font support 230 at the highest point 281, 282 of their respective upper sections, closest to the seam of the skate boot of the skate 201. Additionally, the beam configuration FIG. 2a presents a plurality of auxiliary linear beams. The first auxiliary linear beam 271 connects to the rear support 220 at a first end and forms a first junction 291 with the rear linear beam 250 and with the second auxiliary linear beam 270. The second auxiliary linear beam 270 in turn forms a second junction 292 with the third auxiliary linear beam 272 and with the front beam 260. The third auxiliary linear beam 272 is shown connecting with the front support 230 of the blade holder 210. It is to be noted that FIG. 2a depicts the plurality of auxiliary linear beams 270, 271, 272 aligned together and substantially parallel to the skate boot of the skate 201 but said auxiliary linear beams 270, 271, 272 may also be envisioned in a different configuration. FIG.
2a further illustrates a third junction 285 formed by the rear linear beam 250, the front beam 260 and the rolling arrangement 240 and/or blade-retaining base (not visible).

Referring to FIG. 2b, there is shown the same cross-sectional view of the blade holder 210 of an ice skate 202 along its longitudinal direction, in which the rolling arrangement 240 is shown in a second position. In the second position of the rolling arrangement 240, the first curvilinear contact surface 241 bears against the 5 second contact surface 242 at the rear of the rolling arrangement 240 i.e. in the section 225 extending in the rear support 220. FIG. 2b further show the first curvilinear contact surface 241 being distant from the second contact surface 242 at the section of the rolling arrangement 240 extending between the rear and front supports 220, 230. The second position of the rolling arrangement 240 shown in FIG.
10 2b presents the maximum rotation of the first curvilinear contact surface 241 in relation to the second contact surface 242 generated by the motion 295 resulting from a weight shift of the skater from his/her toes to his/her heels.
Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown a cross-sectional view of a blade holder 300 along its longitudinal direction. The blade holder 300 illustrated in FIG. 3

15 depicts yet another alternative configuration of the beam structure. FIG. 3 shows the support arrangement having a rear support 320 and a front support 330 between which extend the rolling arrangement 340 comprising a first curvilinear contact surface 341 bearing against a second contact surface 342 similarly as described in FIGs.2a-2b. FIG. 3 shows the rolling arrangement in a first position wherein the weight of the skater is principally applied on the front of the skate boot (not shown) i.e. on the front support 330. In the first position shown in FIG. 3, the first curvilinear contact surface 341 bears against the second contact surface 342 at the section of the rolling arrangement 340 extending between the rear and front supports 320, and is shown distant from the second contact surface 342 at the rear end of the rolling arrangement 340. Additionally, FIG. 3 illustrates a beam configuration for which the rear linear beam 350 forms a first junction 381 with the auxiliary linear beam 370 and the rear support 320. The first junction 381 is shown positioned in the upper section 391 of the rear support 320, close to the top surface of the rear support 320 adapted to the interconnect with the skate boot. Similarly, FIG. 3 illustrates the front beam 360 forming a second junction 382 with the front support 330 and the auxiliary linear beam 370 connecting the rear support 320 and rear linear beam 350 to the front support 330 and front beam 360. FIG. 3 further shows the second junction 382 positioned in the upper section 392 of the front support 330, close to the top surface of the front support 330 adapted to the interconnect with the skate boot. The front beam 360 and the rear linear beam 350 are further shown forming a third junction 385 with the rolling arrangement 340 and/or blade retaining base (not visible in FIG.3).

16 Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an exemplification of a blade holder 400 without the presence of a beam configuration in its center portion 450.
FIG. 4 the blade holder 400 having no connection between the front support 430 and the rear support 420 thus illustrating the effect of a lack of rear linear beam, auxiliary linear and optional front beam when applying force on the blade holder generated e.g.
from the transfer of weight of a skater towards the heel. FIG. 4 further shows the rolling arrangement 440 flattening as a result of compression force such that the first curvilinear contact surface 441 no longer displays a radius of curvature and completely abuts the second contact surface 442. The example illustrated in FIG. 4 therefore depicts a vertical motion 460 of its rolling arrangement 440 as opposed to the intended rolling motion shown in FIG. 3 (392).
As is readily appreciated by the person skilled in the art, many modifications and variations may be devised given the above description of the principles of the inventive concept. It is intended that all such modifications and variations be considered as within the scope of the inventive concept, as it is defined in the appended patent claims.

17 ITEMIZED LIST OF EMBODIMENTS
1. A blade holder (110, 210, 310) for an ice skate (100, 201, 202), said blade holder extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising:
a blade-retaining base (145) configured to retain a skate blade (115, 215, 315);
a support arrangement extending upwardly from the blade-retaining base, the support arrangement comprising a front support (130, 230, 330) and a rear support (120, 220, 320) each having a top surface (121, 131) adapted to interconnect to a skate boot (101);
wherein the blade-retaining base comprises a rolling arrangement (140, 240, 340) comprising a first contact surface (141, 241, 341) being curvilinear and configured to directly or indirectly bear against a second contact surface (242, 342), the second contact surface forming part of either the rolling arrangement or the skate blade, such that upon rotating the first contact surface and the second contact surface relative each other, the first contact surface and the second contact surface roll against each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the rolling arrangement extends at least partly between the front and rear supports, and wherein the blade holder further comprises a rear linear beam (150, 250, 350) directly connecting the rear support to the blade-retaining base;
a front beam (160, 260, 360) directly connecting the front support to the blade-retaining base;
at least one auxiliary linear beam (170, 270, 271, 272, 370) connected in a first end to the rear linear beam and/or the rear support, and in a second end to the front beam and/or the front support.
2. The blade holder according to item 1, wherein the rear support and the front support respectively comprise a lower section and an upper section, wherein the rear linear beam connects to the rear support at the upper section (191, 391) of the rear support.
3. The blade holder according to item 2, wherein the front beam connects to the front support at the upper section (192, 392) of the front support.
4. The blade holder according to any of the preceding items, wherein the at least one auxiliary linear beam forms a first junction (183, 291, 381) with the rear linear beam and a second junction (184, 292, 382) with the front beam.

18 5. The blade holder according to item 4, wherein the first junction is substantially centered on the rear linear beam.
6. The blade holder according to item 4, wherein the second junction is substantially centered on the front beam.
7. The blade holder according to any of the preceding items, wherein said at least one auxiliary linear beam is integrally formed with the rear linear beam and the front beam.
8. The blade holder according to claim any of the preceding items, wherein the rear linear beam and the front beam form a third junction (185, 285, 385) with the blade retaining base.
9. The blade holder according to item 8, wherein the third junction is substantially centered on the blade retaining base between the rear support and the front support.
10. The blade holder according to any of the preceding items, wherein the rear support, the front support, the rear linear beam, the front beam, the auxiliary linear beam and the blade-retaining base are integrally formed together.
11. The blade holder according to any of the preceding items, wherein said blade holder is manufactured by means of an injection molding process.

19 12. A blade holder (110, 210, 310) for an ice skate (100, 201, 202), said blade holder extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising:
a blade-retaining base (140) configured to retain a skate blade (115, 215, 315);
a support arrangement extending upwardly from the blade-retaining base, the support arrangement comprising a front support (130, 230, 330) and a rear support (120, 220, 320) each having a top surface (121, 131) adapted to interconnect to a skate boot (101);
wherein the blade-retaining base comprises a rolling arrangement (140, 240, 340) comprising a first contact surface (141, 241, 341) being curvilinear and configured to directly or indirectly bear against a second contact surface (142, 242, 342), the second contact surface forming part of either the rolling arrangement or the skate blade, such that upon rotating the first contact surface and the second contact surface relative each other, the first contact surface and the second contact surface roll against each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the rolling arrangement extends at least partly between the front and rear supports, and wherein the blade holder further comprises a rear linear beam (150, 250, 350) directly connecting the rear support to the blade-retaining base;
at least one auxiliary linear beam (170, 270, 271, 272, 370) connected in a first end to the rear linear beam and/or the rear support, and in a second end to the front support.
13. The blade holder according to item 12, wherein the rear support and the front support respectively comprise a lower section and an upper section, wherein the rear linear beam connects to the rear support at the upper section (191, 391) of the rear support.
14. The blade holder according to item 12 or 13, wherein the at least one auxiliary linear beam forms a fourth junction (183, 291, 381) with the rear linear beam.
15. The blade holder according to item 14, wherein the fourth junction is substantially centered on the rear linear beam.
16. The blade holder according to any of items 12 to 15, wherein said at least one auxiliary linear beam is integrally formed with the rear linear beam.

17. The blade holder according to any of items 12 to 16, wherein the rear linear beam a fifth junction (185, 285, 385) with the blade retaining base.
18. The blade holder according to item 17, wherein the fifth junction is substantially centered on the blade retaining base between the rear support 5 and the front support.
19. The blade holder according to any of items 12 to 18, wherein the rear support, the front support, the rear linear beam, the auxiliary linear beam and the blade-retaining base are integrally formed together.

20. The blade holder according to any of items 12 to 29, wherein said blade 10 holder is manufactured by means of an injection molding process.

Claims (11)

2 1

1. A blade holder (110, 210, 310) for an ice skate (100, 201, 202), said blade holder extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising:
a blade-retaining base (145) configured to retain a skate blade (115, 215, 315);
a support arrangement extending upwardly from the blade-retaining base, the support arrangement comprising a front support (130, 230, 330) and a rear support (120, 220, 320) each having a top surface (121, 131) adapted to interconnect to a skate boot (101);
wherein the blade-retaining base comprises a rolling arrangement (140, 240, 340) comprising a first contact surface (141, 241, 341) being curvilinear and configured to directly bear against a second contact surface (242, 342), the second contact surface forming part of either the rolling arrangement or the skate blade, such that upon rotating the first contact surface and the second contact surface relative each other, the first contact surface and the second contact surface roll against each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the rolling arrangement extends at least partly between the front and rear supports, and wherein the blade holder further comprises a rear linear beam (150, 250, 350) directly connecting the rear support to the blade-retaining base;
a front beam (160, 260, 360) directly connecting the front support to the blade-retaining base;
at least one auxiliary linear beam (170, 270, 271, 272, 370) connected in a first end to the rear linear beam and/or the rear support, and in a second end to the front beam and/or the front support.

2. The blade holder according to claim 1, wherein the rear support and the front support respectively comprise a lower section and an upper section, wherein the rear linear beam connects to the rear support at the upper section (191, 391) of the rear support.

3. The blade holder according to claim 2, wherein the front beam connects to the front support at the upper section (192, 392) of the front support.

4. The blade holder according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one auxiliary linear beam forms a first junction (183, 291, 381) with the rear linear beam and a second junction (184, 292, 382) with the front beam.

5. The blade holder according to claim 4, wherein the first junction is substantially centered on the rear linear beam.

6. The blade holder according to claim 4, wherein the second junction is substantially centered on the front beam.

7. The blade holder according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one auxiliary linear beam is integrally formed with the rear linear beam and the front beam.

8. The blade holder according to claim any of the preceding claims, wherein the rear linear beam and the front beam form a third junction (185, 285, 385) with the blade retaining base.

9. The blade holder according to claim 8, wherein the third junction is substantially centered on the blade retaining base between the rear support and the front support.

10. The blade holder according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rear support, the front support, the rear linear beam, the front beam, the auxiliary linear beam and the blade-retaining base are integrally formed together.

11. The blade holder according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said blade holder is manufactured by means of an injection molding process.