US20150250258A1 - Rigid shoe shell of a skate - Google Patents
Rigid shoe shell of a skate Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150250258A1 US20150250258A1 US14/201,790 US201414201790A US2015250258A1 US 20150250258 A1 US20150250258 A1 US 20150250258A1 US 201414201790 A US201414201790 A US 201414201790A US 2015250258 A1 US2015250258 A1 US 2015250258A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- quarter
- upper edge
- resilient cushion
- skate
- rigid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 210000002435 tendon Anatomy 0.000 claims description 18
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 13
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 6
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 3
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 3
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 3
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000740 bleeding effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011358 absorbing material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000003484 anatomy Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003319 supportive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
- A43B5/16—Skating boots
- A43B5/1666—Skating boots characterised by the upper
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
- A43B23/02—Uppers; Boot legs
- A43B23/0245—Uppers; Boot legs characterised by the constructive form
- A43B23/028—Resilient uppers, e.g. shock absorbing
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a skate, especially to a rigid shoe shell of a skate.
- shoe shells of most of the skates are made of materials having high strength and stiffness.
- materials having high strength and stiffness may include carbon fibers, glass fibers, and plastic materials such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or the like.
- the materials can be pressed, injected, or extruded to be preformed as a panel, which is then cut, molded and cured to form the shoe shell.
- the shoe shell made of the high strength and stiffness materials is impact resistant and bending resistant, so as to provide good protection effects to feet of wearers of the skates.
- edges of the shoe shell can be hard and lack resilience.
- the hard edge of the shoe shell press and rub against the lower leg of the wearer during use, the hard edge concentrates forces on the wearer's lower leg, causing discomfort and possible injury.
- a shoe shell for a skate that is rigid, supportive, and provides protection to the wearer's foot, but which has an edge that reduces or avoids delivering concentrated forces to a wearer's leg upon contact with the leg.
- a rigid shoe shell of a skate has a heel portion, two quarter portions, and at least one resilient cushion region.
- the quarter portions are respectively formed on and extend from two opposite sides of the heel portion.
- Each of the quarter portions can have an eyelet portion disposed at an upper part of the quarter portion.
- the at least one resilient cushion region is formed on an upper edge of the rigid shoe shell and has increased flexibility relative to adjacent parts of the quarter portion.
- each of the at least one resilient cushion regions has multiple slits separately extending down from the upper edge of the rigid shoe shell and dividing the resilient cushion region into multiple strips.
- Each of the strips has an upper distal end being a free end.
- the upper edge of the rigid shoe shell resiliently presses against a lower leg of a wearer of the skate without concentrating forces on the lower leg of the wearer.
- the lower leg of the wearer is less likely to be wounded by the rigid shoe shell and less likely to become swollen, scraped, and even bleeding.
- the rigid shoe shell of the skate has good protection effect.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a rigid shoe shell of a skate
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a rigid shoe shell of a skate
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a rigid shoe shell of a skate
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a rigid shoe shell taken along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is an unfolded view of a rigid shoe shell embodiment configured as in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 is an unfolded view of a rigid shoe shell embodiment configured as in FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 7 is an operational perspective view of the rigid shoe shell in FIG. 5 assembled with a sole.
- a rigid shoe shell of a skate in accordance with an embodiment can be made of carbon fibers and/or glass fibers combined with one or more plastic material such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or the like.
- the carbon fibers, the glass fibers, and the plastic materials can be pressed, injected, or extruded to be preformed as a panel. Then the panel is cut and molded to form the rigid shoe shell having high strength and stiffness in three dimensions.
- the carbon fibers, the glass fibers, and the plastic materials can be directly molded and cured to form the three-dimensional rigid shoe shell.
- the rigid shoe shell comprises a heel portion 10 and two opposing quarter portions 11 .
- the heel portion 10 has two opposite sides.
- the quarter portions 11 are respectively formed on and extend from the sides of the heel portion 10 .
- the quarter portions 11 and the heel portion 10 are integrally formed as a single piece. In other embodiments, the heel and quarter can be formed separately and later attached to one another.
- Each of the quarter portions 11 has a lower eyelet portion 110 , an upper eyelet portion 111 and a top portion 112 between the upper eyelet portion 111 and the heel portion 10 .
- An upper edge 13 of each quarter portion 11 extends from the heel portion 10 through the quarter top portion 112 , the upper eyelet portion 111 and the lower eyelet portion 110 .
- the upper edge 13 dramatically changes direction, turning downwardly through an angle of about 90°, and at least about 75°, and having an apex 14 .
- Resilient cushion regions 20 are formed in the top portion 112 of each quarter portion 11 of the rigid shoe shell.
- each of the resilient cushion regions 20 multiple, spaced-apart slits 21 extend downwardly from the upper edge 13 of the rigid shoe shell to a border 23 , and divide the resilient cushion region 20 into multiple strips 22 .
- Each of the strips 22 of the resilient cushion regions 20 has an upper distal end being a free end. Since the strips are detached along their edges, they more readily bend upon application of a force. Thus, when a wearer's leg pushes against the cushion region, the strips resiliently deflect due to the force of the leg, increasing force distribution between the leg and the rigid shoe shell so as to increase comfort and reduce the risk of injury.
- the rigid shoe shell further comprises a tendon guard 12 extending upwardly from the heel portion 10 .
- the tendon guard 12 also has an upper edge 113 .
- the rear tendon guard 12 and the heel portion 10 are integrally formed as a single piece.
- the upper edge 113 of the tendon guard 12 also has a back resilient cushion region 30 comprising multiple, spaced apart slits 31 that define a plurality of strips 32 that can have structure and function similar to the slits 21 and strips 22 of the other cushion regions 20 .
- the cushion regions 20 , 30 increase wearer comfort for the sides and back of the wearer's leg when wearing a skate boot employing the illustrated rigid shoe shell of the skate.
- Some rigid shoe shell embodiments of the skate may not have a tendon guard. It is to be understood that in such embodiments a back resilient cushion region can be arranged along an upper edge in the heel portion 10 .
- each of the quarter resilient cushion regions 20 further has an arcuate border 23 .
- the slits 21 that form the strips 22 extend from the upper edge to the border 23 .
- the border 23 of the quarter resilient cushion region 20 is arcuate, having and has two ends and a middle part. The ends of the border 23 of the quarter resilient cushion region 20 intersect the upper edge of the quarter portion 11 , and thus define the ends of the cushion region 20 .
- a distance D 1 is defined between the middle part of the border 23 of the quarter resilient cushion region 20 and the upper edge of the corresponding quarter portion 11 .
- the distance D 1 preferably demarcates the longest slit 21 (and the strip 22 ) of the cushion region 20 . In preferred embodiments, the distance D 1 ranges from about 3 millimeter (mm) to 15 mm.
- the strips 21 in the cushion regions 20 are not all the same length. Specifically, they are longest in the middle part, and become progressively shorter moving toward the two ends. As such, the illustrated cushion regions 20 have greatest resilience in the middle part. Such differential resilience can contribute to assisting a wearer's leg into remaining in an ideal position relative to the skate shell. Further, in this configuration, the slit 21 on one side of a strip 22 may be a different length than the slit 21 on the other side of the strip 22 . As such, the strips 22 on one side of the middle part may tend to twist slightly when subjected to a force, and the strips 22 on the other side of the middle part may tend to twist slightly in an opposite direction when subjected to a force.
- a thickness W of the rigid shoe shell of the skate decreases in each of the quarter resilient cushion regions 20 .
- the thickness W progressively decreases moving from the arced border 23 of the quarter resilient cushion region 20 to the upper edge 13 of the corresponding quarter portion 11 .
- the thickness W of each of the quarter resilient cushion regions 20 at the upper edge 13 of the quarter portion 11 is 0.1 mm to 1 mm.
- the cushion regions 20 employ both the plurality of strips 22 and the decreasing thickness. It is to be understood that other embodiments may employ only strips 22 , and not have a decreasing thickness. Also, some embodiments may employ far fewer strips 22 , such as one, two, three or the like, combined with decreasing thickness. Also, the strips 22 may or may not follow an arcuate border, and in some embodiments, the portion of decreasing thickness may or may not be aligned with the border. Still further embodiments may employ a cushion region having decreasing thickness, but not employing strips.
- the rear resilient cushion region 30 is formed on the upper edge of the tendon guard 12 . Since the strips 32 of the rear resilient cushion region 30 are bendable, the upper edge of the rear extension sheet 12 that has the rear resilient cushion region 30 is resilient.
- the rear resilient cushion region 30 further has a border 33 .
- the border 33 of the rear resilient cushion region 30 preferably is arcuate and has two ends and a middle part. The ends of the border 33 of the rear resilient cushion region 30 preferably intersect with the upper edge of the tendon guard 12 .
- a distance D 2 is defined between the middle part of the border 33 of the rear resilient cushion region 30 and the upper edge of the tendon guard 12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the distance D 2 is 5 mm to 15 mm.
- a thickness of the rear resilient cushion region 30 decreases moving from the border 33 of the rear resilient cushion region 30 to the upper edge 113 of the tendon guard 12 .
- the thickness of the rear resilient cushion region 30 at the upper edge 113 of the tendon guard 12 is 0.1 mm to 1 mm.
- the rear resilient cushion region 30 may not employ decreasing skate shell thickness. Further, as the anatomy of the wearer's leg is different at the upper edge of the tendon guard, the border 33 can have a different shape than the borders 23 of the quarter resilient cushion regions 20 .
- the rigid shoe shell has two resilient cushion regions 20 in the top portion 112 of the quarter portion 11 , and two eyelet resilient cushion regions 40 .
- the illustrated eyelet resilient cushion regions 40 are respectively formed on the upper eyelet portions 111 of the quarter portions 11 , preferably at the location at which the upper edge is dramatically changing direction.
- the eyelet resilient cushion regions 40 comprise strips 42 defined by slits 41 that extend from the upper edge to a border 43 .
- the strips 42 are bendable, so that the upper edges of the quarter portions 11 at which the eyelet resilient cushion regions 40 are disposed are resilient.
- the eyelet resilient cushion regions 40 can have a different arcuate border shape than do cushion regions 20 .
- border 23 is generally concave relative to the upper edge
- border 43 is generally convex relative to the upper edge.
- the strips 42 are not as long as the strips 22 , and the eyelet resilient cushion regions 40 provide less resilience than do quarter resilient cushion regions 20 .
- the longest and most resilient of the strips 42 generally correspond to the apex 14 of the turning upper edge 13 in the upper eyelet portion 111 .
- the rigid shoe shell has two resilient cushion regions 20 A, which are labeled two quarter resilient cushion regions 20 A.
- the illustrated quarter resilient cushion regions 20 A are respectively formed on the upper edges of the quarter portions 11 in the top portion 112 adjacent to the heel portion 10 , and extend forwardly into the upper eyelet portion 111 of a corresponding one of the quarter portions 11 . Since the strips 22 A of the quarter resilient cushion region 20 A are bendable, the upper edges of the quarter portions 11 that have the quarter resilient cushion regions 20 A are resilient.
- a border 23 A of the quarter resilient cushion region 20 A can have an undulating arcuate shape. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, at least some of the slits 21 A are parallel to one another, but others of the slits 21 are not parallel to one another.
- the rigid shoe shell may be formed without a sole portion.
- a sole sheet is additionally attached to a bottom of the rigid shoe shell.
- the rigid shoe shell may be preformed as a planar panel 1 before being cured to a rigid state.
- FIGS. 5 and 6 correspond to configurations such as are depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively, but preformed as a planar panel 1 .
- Each of the quarter portions 11 on the panel 1 further has a sole support portion 131 .
- the sole support portion 131 is disposed at a lower part of the quarter portion 11 .
- the planar panel 1 preferably is wrapped about a mold, the sole sheet 15 added, and the sole support portions 151 are bent inwardly.
- a sole sheet 15 can be mounted on and adhered to the sole support portions 151 .
- the assembled rigid skate can be cured in the shape as depicted in FIG. 7 .
- the sole sheet and the rigid shoe shell may be integrally formed as a single piece.
- the rigid shoe shell of the skate can be combined with a toecap, linings, additional padding and/or impact absorbing materials, additional decorative elements, a blade holder (or chassis), laces, and so forth to form the skate.
- the rigid shoe shell of a skate embodiments as described herein are made of high strength and high stiffness materials that provide excellent impact resistance and bending resistance, and thus provide good protection effects to foot of a wearer of the skate.
- the resilient quarter resilient cushion regions 20 , 20 A, the resilient eyelet resilient cushion regions 40 , and the resilient rear resilient cushion region 30 With the resilient quarter resilient cushion regions 20 , 20 A, the resilient eyelet resilient cushion regions 40 , and the resilient rear resilient cushion region 30 , the upper edges of the rigid shoe shell resiliently presses against a lower leg of the wearer of the skate, but with modulated force that maximizes comfort and minimizes discomfort and risk of injury.
- the thicknesses of the rigid skate shall in one or more of the resilient quarter resilient cushion regions 20 , 20 A, the resilient eyelet resilient cushion regions 40 , and the resilient rear resilient cushion region 30 can be decreased toward the upper edge of the rigid shoe shell, the upper edge of the rigid shoe shell is more flexible.
- the lower leg of the wearer is not wounded by the rigid shoe shell and does not become swollen, scraped and even bleeding.
- the rigid shoe shell of the skate has good protection effect.
- additional structural arrangements can be employed to create the cushion regions.
- materials are selected and placed in the rigid skate shell so that the skate shell in the cushion region is configured with a more flexible mix of materials than elsewhere in the skate shell.
- a lower-modulus fiber and a relatively flexible injected plastic may be employed in the cushion region, while higher-modulus fibers are used elsewhere in the rigid skate shell.
- Such manipulation of materials can be use instead of or in addition to other structures discussed herein such as varying the thickness and/or forming the slots.
Abstract
A rigid shoe shell of a skate has a heel portion, two quarter portions respectively extending from two opposite sides of the heel portion, and at least one resilient cushion region formed on an upper edge of the rigid shoe shell. In some embodiments each of the at least one resilient cushion region has multiple strips that have an upper distal end being a free end. Since the strips are bendable, the upper edge of the rigid shoe shell resiliently presses against a lower leg of a wearer of the skate without rubbing against the lower leg of the wearer, thereby providing good protection effect.
Description
- 1. Field
- The present invention relates to a skate, especially to a rigid shoe shell of a skate.
- 2. Description of the Prior Art(s)
- In order to manufacture skates with good protection effects for hockey, ice skate, or inline skate, shoe shells of most of the skates are made of materials having high strength and stiffness. Such materials having high strength and stiffness may include carbon fibers, glass fibers, and plastic materials such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or the like. The materials can be pressed, injected, or extruded to be preformed as a panel, which is then cut, molded and cured to form the shoe shell. The shoe shell made of the high strength and stiffness materials is impact resistant and bending resistant, so as to provide good protection effects to feet of wearers of the skates.
- However, since the shoe shell is made of materials having high strength and stiffness, edges of the shoe shell can be hard and lack resilience. Thus, despite a soft liner being mounted on an inner surface of the shoe shell, when the hard edge of the shoe shell press and rub against the lower leg of the wearer during use, the hard edge concentrates forces on the wearer's lower leg, causing discomfort and possible injury.
- Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a shoe shell for a skate that is rigid, supportive, and provides protection to the wearer's foot, but which has an edge that reduces or avoids delivering concentrated forces to a wearer's leg upon contact with the leg.
- In accordance with one embodiment, a rigid shoe shell of a skate has a heel portion, two quarter portions, and at least one resilient cushion region. The quarter portions are respectively formed on and extend from two opposite sides of the heel portion. Each of the quarter portions can have an eyelet portion disposed at an upper part of the quarter portion. The at least one resilient cushion region is formed on an upper edge of the rigid shoe shell and has increased flexibility relative to adjacent parts of the quarter portion.
- In some such embodiments, each of the at least one resilient cushion regions has multiple slits separately extending down from the upper edge of the rigid shoe shell and dividing the resilient cushion region into multiple strips. Each of the strips has an upper distal end being a free end.
- Since the strips are bendable, the upper edge of the rigid shoe shell resiliently presses against a lower leg of a wearer of the skate without concentrating forces on the lower leg of the wearer. Thus, the lower leg of the wearer is less likely to be wounded by the rigid shoe shell and less likely to become swollen, scraped, and even bleeding. The rigid shoe shell of the skate has good protection effect.
- Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a rigid shoe shell of a skate; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a rigid shoe shell of a skate; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a rigid shoe shell of a skate; -
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a rigid shoe shell taken along line 4-4 ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is an unfolded view of a rigid shoe shell embodiment configured as inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 6 is an unfolded view of a rigid shoe shell embodiment configured as inFIG. 2 ; and -
FIG. 7 is an operational perspective view of the rigid shoe shell inFIG. 5 assembled with a sole. - With reference to
FIG. 1 , a rigid shoe shell of a skate in accordance with an embodiment can be made of carbon fibers and/or glass fibers combined with one or more plastic material such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or the like. In some embodiments, the carbon fibers, the glass fibers, and the plastic materials can be pressed, injected, or extruded to be preformed as a panel. Then the panel is cut and molded to form the rigid shoe shell having high strength and stiffness in three dimensions. In some embodiments, the carbon fibers, the glass fibers, and the plastic materials can be directly molded and cured to form the three-dimensional rigid shoe shell. - With reference to
FIGS. 1 to 3 , the rigid shoe shell comprises aheel portion 10 and twoopposing quarter portions 11. Theheel portion 10 has two opposite sides. Thequarter portions 11 are respectively formed on and extend from the sides of theheel portion 10. In the illustrated embodiment, thequarter portions 11 and theheel portion 10 are integrally formed as a single piece. In other embodiments, the heel and quarter can be formed separately and later attached to one another. - Each of the
quarter portions 11 has alower eyelet portion 110, anupper eyelet portion 111 and atop portion 112 between theupper eyelet portion 111 and theheel portion 10. Anupper edge 13 of eachquarter portion 11 extends from theheel portion 10 through thequarter top portion 112, theupper eyelet portion 111 and thelower eyelet portion 110. In the illustrated embodiment, as it extends from thetop portion 112 to theupper eyelet portion 111, theupper edge 13 dramatically changes direction, turning downwardly through an angle of about 90°, and at least about 75°, and having anapex 14. -
Resilient cushion regions 20 are formed in thetop portion 112 of eachquarter portion 11 of the rigid shoe shell. In each of theresilient cushion regions 20 multiple, spaced-apartslits 21 extend downwardly from theupper edge 13 of the rigid shoe shell to aborder 23, and divide theresilient cushion region 20 intomultiple strips 22. Each of thestrips 22 of theresilient cushion regions 20 has an upper distal end being a free end. Since the strips are detached along their edges, they more readily bend upon application of a force. Thus, when a wearer's leg pushes against the cushion region, the strips resiliently deflect due to the force of the leg, increasing force distribution between the leg and the rigid shoe shell so as to increase comfort and reduce the risk of injury. - With continued reference to
FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the rigid shoe shell further comprises atendon guard 12 extending upwardly from theheel portion 10. Preferably, thetendon guard 12 also has anupper edge 113. In the illustrated embodiment, therear tendon guard 12 and theheel portion 10 are integrally formed as a single piece. - Preferably, the
upper edge 113 of thetendon guard 12 also has a backresilient cushion region 30 comprising multiple, spaced apartslits 31 that define a plurality ofstrips 32 that can have structure and function similar to theslits 21 andstrips 22 of theother cushion regions 20. As such, thecushion regions - Some rigid shoe shell embodiments of the skate may not have a tendon guard. It is to be understood that in such embodiments a back resilient cushion region can be arranged along an upper edge in the
heel portion 10. - With continued reference to
FIG. 1 , in the illustrated embodiment, each of the quarterresilient cushion regions 20 further has anarcuate border 23. As noted above, preferably theslits 21 that form thestrips 22 extend from the upper edge to theborder 23. Theborder 23 of the quarterresilient cushion region 20 is arcuate, having and has two ends and a middle part. The ends of theborder 23 of the quarterresilient cushion region 20 intersect the upper edge of thequarter portion 11, and thus define the ends of thecushion region 20. A distance D1 is defined between the middle part of theborder 23 of the quarterresilient cushion region 20 and the upper edge of thecorresponding quarter portion 11. The distance D1 preferably demarcates the longest slit 21 (and the strip 22) of thecushion region 20. In preferred embodiments, the distance D1 ranges from about 3 millimeter (mm) to 15 mm. - As shown in
FIG. 1 and discussed above, thestrips 21 in thecushion regions 20 are not all the same length. Specifically, they are longest in the middle part, and become progressively shorter moving toward the two ends. As such, the illustratedcushion regions 20 have greatest resilience in the middle part. Such differential resilience can contribute to assisting a wearer's leg into remaining in an ideal position relative to the skate shell. Further, in this configuration, theslit 21 on one side of astrip 22 may be a different length than theslit 21 on the other side of thestrip 22. As such, thestrips 22 on one side of the middle part may tend to twist slightly when subjected to a force, and thestrips 22 on the other side of the middle part may tend to twist slightly in an opposite direction when subjected to a force. - With further reference to
FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, a thickness W of the rigid shoe shell of the skate decreases in each of the quarterresilient cushion regions 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the thickness W progressively decreases moving from the arcedborder 23 of the quarterresilient cushion region 20 to theupper edge 13 of thecorresponding quarter portion 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the thickness W of each of the quarterresilient cushion regions 20 at theupper edge 13 of thequarter portion 11 is 0.1 mm to 1 mm. - In the embodiment of
FIG. 4 , thecushion regions 20 employ both the plurality ofstrips 22 and the decreasing thickness. It is to be understood that other embodiments may employ only strips 22, and not have a decreasing thickness. Also, some embodiments may employ farfewer strips 22, such as one, two, three or the like, combined with decreasing thickness. Also, thestrips 22 may or may not follow an arcuate border, and in some embodiments, the portion of decreasing thickness may or may not be aligned with the border. Still further embodiments may employ a cushion region having decreasing thickness, but not employing strips. - As noted above, the rear
resilient cushion region 30 is formed on the upper edge of thetendon guard 12. Since thestrips 32 of the rearresilient cushion region 30 are bendable, the upper edge of therear extension sheet 12 that has the rearresilient cushion region 30 is resilient. - Moreover, the rear
resilient cushion region 30 further has aborder 33. Theborder 33 of the rearresilient cushion region 30 preferably is arcuate and has two ends and a middle part. The ends of theborder 33 of the rearresilient cushion region 30 preferably intersect with the upper edge of thetendon guard 12. A distance D2 is defined between the middle part of theborder 33 of the rearresilient cushion region 30 and the upper edge of thetendon guard 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance D2 is 5 mm to 15 mm. - In the illustrated embodiment, a thickness of the rear
resilient cushion region 30 decreases moving from theborder 33 of the rearresilient cushion region 30 to theupper edge 113 of thetendon guard 12. The thickness of the rearresilient cushion region 30 at theupper edge 113 of thetendon guard 12 is 0.1 mm to 1 mm. - In some embodiments the rear
resilient cushion region 30 may not employ decreasing skate shell thickness. Further, as the anatomy of the wearer's leg is different at the upper edge of the tendon guard, theborder 33 can have a different shape than theborders 23 of the quarterresilient cushion regions 20. - With reference next to
FIG. 2 , in a second preferred embodiment, the rigid shoe shell has tworesilient cushion regions 20 in thetop portion 112 of thequarter portion 11, and two eyeletresilient cushion regions 40. The illustrated eyeletresilient cushion regions 40 are respectively formed on theupper eyelet portions 111 of thequarter portions 11, preferably at the location at which the upper edge is dramatically changing direction. As with other embodiments, the eyeletresilient cushion regions 40 comprisestrips 42 defined byslits 41 that extend from the upper edge to aborder 43. As in other embodiments, thestrips 42 are bendable, so that the upper edges of thequarter portions 11 at which the eyeletresilient cushion regions 40 are disposed are resilient. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , the eyeletresilient cushion regions 40 can have a different arcuate border shape than do cushionregions 20. For example,border 23 is generally concave relative to the upper edge, whileborder 43 is generally convex relative to the upper edge. In the illustrated embodiment, thestrips 42 are not as long as thestrips 22, and the eyeletresilient cushion regions 40 provide less resilience than do quarterresilient cushion regions 20. However, as shown, the longest and most resilient of thestrips 42 generally correspond to the apex 14 of the turningupper edge 13 in theupper eyelet portion 111. - With reference next to
FIG. 3 , in a third preferred embodiment, the rigid shoe shell has tworesilient cushion regions 20A, which are labeled two quarterresilient cushion regions 20A. The illustrated quarterresilient cushion regions 20A are respectively formed on the upper edges of thequarter portions 11 in thetop portion 112 adjacent to theheel portion 10, and extend forwardly into theupper eyelet portion 111 of a corresponding one of thequarter portions 11. Since thestrips 22A of the quarterresilient cushion region 20A are bendable, the upper edges of thequarter portions 11 that have the quarterresilient cushion regions 20A are resilient. - As shown, a
border 23A of the quarterresilient cushion region 20A can have an undulating arcuate shape. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, at least some of theslits 21A are parallel to one another, but others of theslits 21 are not parallel to one another. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , 2, or 3, the rigid shoe shell may be formed without a sole portion. In these embodiments, instead of the sole portion integrally formed on the rigid shoe shell, a sole sheet is additionally attached to a bottom of the rigid shoe shell. - With further reference to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , in some embodiments, the rigid shoe shell may be preformed as a planar panel 1 before being cured to a rigid state.FIGS. 5 and 6 correspond to configurations such as are depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively, but preformed as a planar panel 1. Each of thequarter portions 11 on the panel 1 further has asole support portion 131. Thesole support portion 131 is disposed at a lower part of thequarter portion 11. - With further reference to
FIG. 7 , the planar panel 1 preferably is wrapped about a mold, thesole sheet 15 added, and thesole support portions 151 are bent inwardly. Thus, asole sheet 15 can be mounted on and adhered to thesole support portions 151. The assembled rigid skate can be cured in the shape as depicted inFIG. 7 . - Alternatively, the sole sheet and the rigid shoe shell may be integrally formed as a single piece.
- Once the rigid shoe shell of the skate is formed, further steps to manufacture a skate can be performed. For example, the rigid shoe shell can be combined with a toecap, linings, additional padding and/or impact absorbing materials, additional decorative elements, a blade holder (or chassis), laces, and so forth to form the skate.
- The rigid shoe shell of a skate embodiments as described herein are made of high strength and high stiffness materials that provide excellent impact resistance and bending resistance, and thus provide good protection effects to foot of a wearer of the skate. With the resilient quarter
resilient cushion regions resilient cushion regions 40, and the resilient rearresilient cushion region 30, the upper edges of the rigid shoe shell resiliently presses against a lower leg of the wearer of the skate, but with modulated force that maximizes comfort and minimizes discomfort and risk of injury. Moreover, as the thicknesses of the rigid skate shall in one or more of the resilient quarterresilient cushion regions resilient cushion regions 40, and the resilient rearresilient cushion region 30 can be decreased toward the upper edge of the rigid shoe shell, the upper edge of the rigid shoe shell is more flexible. Thus, the lower leg of the wearer is not wounded by the rigid shoe shell and does not become swollen, scraped and even bleeding. The rigid shoe shell of the skate has good protection effect. - It is to be understood that, in additional embodiments, additional structural arrangements can be employed to create the cushion regions. For example, in another embodiment, materials are selected and placed in the rigid skate shell so that the skate shell in the cushion region is configured with a more flexible mix of materials than elsewhere in the skate shell. For example, a lower-modulus fiber and a relatively flexible injected plastic may be employed in the cushion region, while higher-modulus fibers are used elsewhere in the rigid skate shell. Such manipulation of materials can be use instead of or in addition to other structures discussed herein such as varying the thickness and/or forming the slots.
- Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Claims (19)
1. A rigid shoe shell of a skate comprising:
a heel portion;
two quarter portions respectively formed on and extending from two opposite sides of the heel portion;
an upper edge; and
at least one resilient cushion region formed on the upper edge of the rigid shoe shell, each of the at least one resilient cushion region having multiple slits separately extending down from the upper edge of the rigid shoe shell and dividing the resilient cushion region into multiple strips, and each of the strips of the resilient cushion region having an upper distal end being a free end.
2. The rigid shoe shell as in claim 1 , wherein
each of the quarter portions further has an upper edge; and
the rigid shoe shell has two resilient cushion regions which are quarter resilient cushion regions, and the quarter resilient cushion regions are respectively formed on the upper edges of the quarter portions adjacent to the heel portion.
3. The rigid shoe shell as in claim 2 , wherein
each of the quarter resilient regions further has a border being arced and having
two ends connected to the upper edge of a corresponding one of the quarter portions; and
a middle part spaced apart from the upper edge of the corresponding quarter portion by 3 millimeter (mm) to 15 mm; and
a thickness of each of the quarter resilient cushion regions is decreased from the arced border of the quarter resilient cushion region to the upper edge of the corresponding quarter portion, and the thickness of each of the quarter resilient cushion regions at the upper edge of the quarter portion is 0 lmm to 1 mm.
4. The rigid shoe shell as in claim 1 , wherein
the heel portion further has an upper edge;
the rigid shoe shell further comprises a tendon guard formed on and extending from the upper edge of the heel portion, and having an upper edge; and
one of the at least one resilient cushion region is a rear resilient cushion region, and the rear resilient cushion region is formed on the upper edge of the tendon guard.
5. The rigid shoe shell as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
each of the quarter portions further has an upper edge and an eyelet portion disposed at an upper part of the quarter portion; and
the rigid shoe shell has two resilient cushion regions which are two eyelet resilient cushion regions, and the eyelet resilient cushion regions are respectively formed on the upper edges of the quarter portions and respectively correspond in position to the eyelet portions of the quarter portions.
6. The rigid shoe shell as claimed in claim 4 , wherein
each of the quarter portions further has an upper edge and an eyelet portion disposed at an upper part of the quarter portion; and
the rigid shoe shell has two resilient cushion regions which are two quarter resilient cushion regions, the quarter resilient cushion regions are respectively formed on the upper edges of the quarter portions adjacent to the heel portion, and each of the quarter resilient cushion regions extends forward to correspond in position to the eyelet portion of a corresponding one of the quarter portions.
7. A rigid shell for a skate, comprising:
a heel portion;
two quarter portions respectively formed on and extending from two opposite sides of the heel portion, each quarter portion having an upper edge; and
a resilient cushion region formed in one of the quarter portions at and adjacent a portion of the upper edge, the resilient cushion region defined between a border and the upper edge, the border being arcuate and having first and second ends, the border intersecting the upper edge at the first and second ends;
wherein the resilient cushion region is more flexible than the portion of the quarter portion adjacent the resilient cushion region.
8. The rigid shell for a skate of claim 7 , wherein the cushion region comprises a middle part disposed between first and second end parts, the first and second end parts being nearer the first and second ends, respectively, than is the middle part, and wherein the cushion region is more flexible in the middle part than in the first and second end parts.
9. The rigid shell for a skate of claim 8 , wherein the quarter portion in the cushion region has a reduced thickness relative to the portion of the quarter portion adjacent the cushion region.
10. The rigid shell for a skate of claim 9 , wherein the quarter portion in the cushion region becomes progressively thinner moving from the border toward the upper edge.
11. The rigid shell for a skate of claim 10 , wherein a plurality of slits extend from the border to the upper edge so as to define a plurality of strips that are attached at the border and have a free end at the upper edge.
12. The rigid shell for a skate of claim 11 , wherein a first slit on a first side of one of the strips is longer than a second slit on a second side of the one of the strips.
13. A rigid shell for a skate, comprising:
a heel portion;
two quarter portions respectively formed on and extending from two opposite sides of the heel portion, each quarter portion having a top portion, an upper eyelet portion, and a lower eyelet portion, an upper quarter edge extending through the top portion, upper eyelet portion, and lower eyelet portion, the upper quarter edge changing direction moving from the top portion to the upper eyelet portion so as to define a curve having an apex in the upper eyelet portion; and
a resilient quarter cushion region formed in one of the quarter portions at and adjacent the upper edge, the resilient quarter cushion region having a first end and a second end, the first end being in the top portion, the second end being in the upper eyelet portion, the apex being between the first and second ends;
wherein the upper edge has increased flexibility in the resilient quarter cushion region relative to the rest of the upper edge.
14. The rigid shell for a skate of claim 13 additionally comprising a tendon guard extending upwardly from the heel portion and having a tendon guard upper edge, a rear cushion region defined along a portion of the tendon guard upper edge, the tendon guard upper edge having increased flexibility in the rear cushion region relative to the rest of the tendon guard upper edge.
15. The rigid shell for a skate of claim 13 additionally comprising an arcuate border extending from the first end to the second end of the quarter cushion region, the border being spaced from the upper edge between the first and second ends, the quarter cushion region defined between the border and the upper edge.
16. The rigid shell for a skate of claim 15 , wherein a plurality of slits extend from the border to the upper edge so as to define a plurality of strips that are attached at the border and have a free end at the upper edge.
17. The rigid shell for a skate of claim 16 , wherein a first one of the strips is longer than a second one of the strips.
18. The rigid shell for a skate of claim 17 , wherein the arcuate border has a generally upwardly concave part in the top portion and a generally upwardly convex part in the upper eyelet portion.
19. The rigid shell for a skate of claim 16 , wherein a thickness of the strips progressively decreases moving from the border to the free end.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/201,790 US20150250258A1 (en) | 2014-03-07 | 2014-03-07 | Rigid shoe shell of a skate |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/201,790 US20150250258A1 (en) | 2014-03-07 | 2014-03-07 | Rigid shoe shell of a skate |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20150250258A1 true US20150250258A1 (en) | 2015-09-10 |
Family
ID=54016130
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US14/201,790 Abandoned US20150250258A1 (en) | 2014-03-07 | 2014-03-07 | Rigid shoe shell of a skate |
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US (1) | US20150250258A1 (en) |
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US3389481A (en) * | 1966-10-31 | 1968-06-25 | Harold H. England | Expandable shoe |
US3645017A (en) * | 1969-12-08 | 1972-02-29 | Amf Inc | Ski boot construction |
US4280286A (en) * | 1978-11-15 | 1981-07-28 | Nordica S.P.A. | Ski boot |
US5647150A (en) * | 1994-03-09 | 1997-07-15 | Nordica S.P.A. | Method for manufacturing footwear by injection-molding, and footwear obtained with said method |
US5718066A (en) * | 1995-04-06 | 1998-02-17 | Salomon S.A. | Sport boot with an adjustable upper |
US5819440A (en) * | 1996-01-26 | 1998-10-13 | Shimano, Inc. | Back support for a snowboard boot |
US6305103B1 (en) * | 2000-02-29 | 2001-10-23 | Gravis Footwear, Inc. | Footwear including a locking component |
US20060137226A1 (en) * | 2004-03-15 | 2006-06-29 | Cerbio Co., Ltd. | Ankle support to be attached to footwear and footwear equipped with it |
US20070151123A1 (en) * | 2005-12-29 | 2007-07-05 | Roces - S.R.L. | Inner boot, particularly for a sports shoe |
US7291181B1 (en) * | 2005-03-24 | 2007-11-06 | Joseph Lyons | Stump boot for an ankle disarticulation patient |
US20090243238A1 (en) * | 2007-10-10 | 2009-10-01 | Dasc, Llc | Skate boot |
-
2014
- 2014-03-07 US US14/201,790 patent/US20150250258A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3389481A (en) * | 1966-10-31 | 1968-06-25 | Harold H. England | Expandable shoe |
US3645017A (en) * | 1969-12-08 | 1972-02-29 | Amf Inc | Ski boot construction |
US4280286A (en) * | 1978-11-15 | 1981-07-28 | Nordica S.P.A. | Ski boot |
US5647150A (en) * | 1994-03-09 | 1997-07-15 | Nordica S.P.A. | Method for manufacturing footwear by injection-molding, and footwear obtained with said method |
US5718066A (en) * | 1995-04-06 | 1998-02-17 | Salomon S.A. | Sport boot with an adjustable upper |
US5819440A (en) * | 1996-01-26 | 1998-10-13 | Shimano, Inc. | Back support for a snowboard boot |
US6305103B1 (en) * | 2000-02-29 | 2001-10-23 | Gravis Footwear, Inc. | Footwear including a locking component |
US20060137226A1 (en) * | 2004-03-15 | 2006-06-29 | Cerbio Co., Ltd. | Ankle support to be attached to footwear and footwear equipped with it |
US7291181B1 (en) * | 2005-03-24 | 2007-11-06 | Joseph Lyons | Stump boot for an ankle disarticulation patient |
US20070151123A1 (en) * | 2005-12-29 | 2007-07-05 | Roces - S.R.L. | Inner boot, particularly for a sports shoe |
US20090243238A1 (en) * | 2007-10-10 | 2009-10-01 | Dasc, Llc | Skate boot |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SAKURAI SPORTS MFG. CO., LTD., TAIWAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:YANG, HSIN-CHIH;REEL/FRAME:032385/0595 Effective date: 20140307 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |