Skate boot

• US 20060179686A1
• Filed: 04/29/2005
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bauer Hockey, LLC
• Original Assignee: Bauer Hockey Incorporated (Old PSG Wind-down Ltd.)
• Inventors: Labonte, Ivan
• Granted Patent: US 7,398,609 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/89
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/1691 characterised by the higher part of the upper, e.g. surrounding the ankle, by the quarter or cuff

Abstract

A skate boot for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, an Achilles tendon having an upper part and a lower part that projects outwardly with relation to the upper part, the lower part merging with the heel, a plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes. The skate boot comprises an outer shell and a tendon guard affixed to the outer shell. The tendon guard is more flexible than the outer shell such that it allows backwards flexion of the ankle when the foot moves towards full extension.

Claims

1. A skate boot for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, an Achilles tendon having an upper part and a lower part that projects outwardly with relation to the upper part, the lower part merging with the heel, a plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes, said skate boot comprising:

(a) an outer shell comprising a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot;

an ankle portion for receiving the ankle, said ankle portion comprising a rear portion for facing at least partially the lower part of the Achilles tendon; and

medial and lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively; and

(b) a tendon guard affixed to said ankle portion for facing at least partially the upper part of the Achilles tendon, said tendon guard being more flexible than said outer shell such that said tendon guard allows backwards flexion of the ankle when the foot moves towards full extension.

2. A skate boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said tendon guard comprises a bottom portion affixed to said rear portion of said ankle portion and a flexing portion projecting upwardly from said bottom portion for facing at least partially the upper part of the Achilles tendon, said flexing portion being capable of flexing rearwardly from an initial position when pressure is applied on it and returning to said initial position when pressure is no longer applied on it.

3. A skate boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said tendon guard is made of by injection molding.

4. A skate boot as defined in claim 2, wherein said ankle portion comprises a lateral ankle side for facing the lateral malleolus and medial ankle side for facing the medial malleolus and said tendon guard comprises medial and lateral side portions extending forwardly from said bottom portion of said tendon guard and being affixed to said respective medial and lateral ankle sides of said ankle portion.

5. A skate boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said outer shell comprises a layer of thermoformable material and said outer shell is thermoformed such that said heel portion is substantially cup shaped for following the contour of the heel of the foot and said rear portion of said ankle portion is shaped for following the lower part of the Achilles tendon.

6. A skate boot as defined in claim 5, wherein said outer shell is thermoformed such that said ankle portion comprises a lateral ankle side with a cup-shaped lateral depression for receiving the lateral malleolus and a medial ankle side with a cup-shaped medial depression for receiving the medial malleolus.

7. A skate boot as defined in claim 6, wherein said cup-shaped lateral depression is below said cup-shaped medial depression.

8. A skate boot as defined in claim 7 further comprising an insole facing the plantar surface of the foot.

9. A skate boot as defined in claim 8, wherein said outer shell comprises a lower skirt portion foldable to overlap said insole.

10. A skate boot as defined in claim 9, further comprising an outsole affixed to a bottom surface of said insole.

11. A skate boot as defined in claim 5, wherein said outer shell comprises a medial skirt portion integrally formed with said medial side portion and a lateral skirt portion integrally formed with said lateral side portion, said medial and lateral skirt portions being folded inwardly to form a sole facing the plantar surface of the foot.

12. A skate boot as defined in claim 11, wherein said medial and lateral skirt portions are affixed together.

13. A skate boot as defined in claim 12 further comprising an outsole affixed to a bottom surface of said sole.

14. A skate boot as defined in claim 5, wherein said outer shell comprises an outer layer and an inner layer, said outer layer being more rigid than said inner layer.

15. A skate boot as defined in claim 14, wherein said layer of thermoformable material is an intermediate layer and said outer and inner layers are made of thermoformable material, said intermediate layer being between said outer and inner layers.

16. A skate boot as defined in claim 15, wherein said intermediate layer is made of thermoformable foam.

17. A skate boot as defined in claim 1, further comprising an inner lining affixed to an inner surface of said outer shell, said inner lining comprising an inner surface intended for contact with the heel, ankle and lateral and medial sides of the foot in use.

18. A skate boot as defined in claim 1, further comprising a footbed mounted inside said outer shell, said footbed comprising an upper surface for receiving the plantar surface of the foot and a wall projecting upwardly from said upper surface, said wall partially cupping the heel and extending up to a medial line of the foot.

19. An ice skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim 1.

20. A roller skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim 1.

21. A skate boot for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, an Achilles tendon having an upper part and a lower part that projects outwardly with relation to the upper part, the lower part merging with the heel, a plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes, said skate boot comprising:

(a) an outer shell comprising a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot;

an ankle portion for receiving the ankle, said ankle portion comprising a rear portion for facing at least partially the lower part of the Achilles tendon; and

medial and lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively; and

(b) a tendon guard comprising a bottom portion affixed to said ankle portion and a flexing portion projecting upwardly from said bottom portion for facing at least partially the upper part of the Achilles tendon, said flexing portion being more flexible than said outer shell such that said flexing portion is capable of flexing rearwardly for allowing backwards flexion of the ankle when the foot moves towards full extension.

22. A skate boot as defined in claim 21, wherein said flexing portion is capable of returning to an initial position when pressure is no longer applied on it.

23. A skate boot as defined in claim 21, wherein said tendon guard is made by injection molding.

24. A skate boot as defined in claim 21, wherein said ankle portion comprises a lateral ankle side for facing the lateral malleolus and medial ankle side for facing the medial malleolus and said tendon guard comprises medial and lateral side portions extending forwardly from said bottom portion of said tendon guard and being affixed to said respective medial and lateral ankle sides of said ankle portion.

25. A skate boot as defined in claim 21, wherein said outer shell comprises a layer of thermoformable material and said outer shell is thermoformed such that said heel portion is substantially cup shaped for following the contour of the heel of the foot and said rear portion of said ankle portion is shaped for following the lower part of the Achilles tendon.

26. A skate boot as defined in claim 25, wherein said outer shell is thermoformed such that said ankle portion comprises a lateral ankle side with a cup-shaped lateral depression for receiving the lateral malleolus and a medial ankle side with a cup-shaped medial depression for receiving the medial malleolus.

27. A skate boot as defined in claim 26, wherein said tendon guard comprises medial and lateral side portions extending forwardly from said bottom portion of said tendon guard and being affixed to said respective medial and lateral ankle sides of said ankle portion.

28. A skate boot as defined in claim 27 further comprising an insole facing the plantar surface of the foot.

29. A skate boot as defined in claim 28, wherein said outer shell comprises a lower skirt portion foldable to overlap said insole.

30. A skate boot as defined in claim 29, further comprising an outsole affixed to a bottom surface of said insole.

31. A skate boot as defined in claim 25, wherein said outer shell comprises a medial skirt portion integrally formed with said medial side portion and a lateral skirt portion integrally formed with said lateral side portion, said medial and lateral skirt portions being folded inwardly to form a sole facing the plantar surface of the foot.

32. A skate boot as defined in claim 31, wherein said medial and lateral skirt portions are affixed together.

33. A skate boot as defined in claim 32 further comprising an outsole affixed to a bottom surface of said sole.

34. A skate boot as defined in claim 25, wherein said outer shell comprises an outer layer and an inner layer, said outer layer being more rigid than said inner layer.

35. A skate boot as defined in claim 34, wherein said layer of thermoformable material is an intermediate layer and said outer and inner layers are made of thermoformable material, said intermediate layer being between said outer and inner layers.

36. A skate boot as defined in claim 35, wherein said intermediate layer is made of thermoformable foam.

37. A skate boot as defined in claim 21, further comprising an inner lining affixed to an inner surface of said outer shell, said inner lining comprising an inner surface intended for contact with the heel, ankle and lateral and medial sides of the foot in use.

38. A skate boot as defined in claim 21, further comprising a footbed mounted inside said outer shell, said footbed comprising an upper surface for receiving the plantar surface of the foot and a wall projecting upwardly from said upper surface, said wall partially cupping the heel and extending up to a medial line of the foot.

39. An ice skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim 21.

40. A roller skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim 21.

41. A skate boot for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, an Achilles tendon having an upper part and a lower part that projects outwardly with relation to the upper part, the lower part merging with the heel, a plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes, said skate boot comprising:

(a) an outer shell made of thermoformable material, said outer shell being thermoformed such that it comprises a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot;

an ankle portion for receiving the ankle and having a rear portion for facing at least partially the lower part of the Achilles tendon; and

medial and lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively; and

(b) a tendon guard affixed to said ankle portion for facing at least partially the upper part of the Achilles tendon, said tendon guard being made of a flexible material such that said tendon guard allows backwards flexion of the ankle when the foot moves towards full extension, said flexible material being made by injection molding.

42. A skate boot as defined in claim 41, wherein said tendon guard comprises a bottom portion affixed to said rear portion of said ankle portion and a flexing portion projecting upwardly from said bottom portion for facing at least partially the upper part of the Achilles tendon.

43. A skate boot as defined in claim 42, wherein said ankle portion comprises a lateral ankle side with a cup-shaped lateral depression for receiving the lateral malleolus and medial ankle side with a cup-shaped medial depression for receiving the medial malleolus.

44. A skate boot as defined in claim 43, wherein said tendon guard comprises medial and lateral side portions extending forwardly from said bottom portion of said tendon guard and being affixed to said respective medial and lateral ankle sides of said ankle portion.

45. A skate boot as defined in claim 43, wherein said cup-shaped lateral depression is below said cup-shaped medial depression.

46. A skate boot as defined in claim 42, wherein said flexing portion is capable of flexing rearwardly from an initial position when pressure is applied on it and returning to said initial position when pressure is no longer applied on it.

47. A skate boot as defined in claim 42, wherein said bottom portion of said tendon guard is affixed to said ankle portion via one of stitching, over molding, thermal bonding, high frequency welding, vibration welding, piping, zipper, adhesive and staples.

48. A skate boot as defined in claim 42, wherein said outer shell is thermoformed such that said heel portion is substantially cup shaped for following the contour of the heel of the foot and said rear portion of said ankle portion is shaped for following the lower part of the Achilles tendon.

49. A skate boot as defined in claim 48 further comprising an insole facing the plantar surface of the foot.

50. A skate boot as defined in claim 49, wherein said outer shell comprises a lower skirt portion foldable to overlap said insole.

51. A skate boot as defined in claim 50, further comprising an outsole affixed to a bottom surface of said insole.

52. A skate boot as defined in claim 41, wherein said outer shell comprises a medial skirt portion integrally formed with said medial side portion and a lateral skirt portion integrally formed with said lateral side portion, said medial and lateral skirt portions being folded inwardly to form a sole facing the plantar surface of the foot.

53. A skate boot as defined in claim 52, wherein said medial and lateral skirt portions are affixed together.

54. A skate boot as defined in claim 41, wherein said outer shell comprises an outer layer and an inner layer, said outer layer being more rigid than said inner layer.

55. A skate boot as defined in claim 54, wherein said layer of thermoformable material is an intermediate layer and said outer and inner layers are made of thermoformable material, said intermediate layer being between said outer and inner layers.

56. A skate boot as defined in claim 55, wherein said intermediate layer is made of foam.

57. A skate boot as defined in claim 41, further comprising an inner lining affixed to an inner surface of said outer shell, said inner lining comprising an inner surface intended for contact with the heel, ankle and lateral and medial sides of the foot in use.

58. A skate boot as defined in claim 41, further comprising a footbed mounted inside said outer shell, said footbed comprising an upper surface for receiving the plantar surface of the foot and a wall projecting upwardly from said upper surface, said wall partially cupping the heel and extending up to a medial line of the foot.

59. An ice skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim 41.

60. A roller skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim 41.

61. A skate boot for enclosing a human foot when in use, the foot having a heel, an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, an Achilles tendon having an upper part and a lower part that projects outwardly with relation to the upper part, the lower part merging with the heel, a plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes, said skate boot comprising:

(a) an outer shell comprising a heel portion for receiving the heel of the foot;

an ankle portion for receiving the ankle and having a rear portion for facing at least partially the lower part of the Achilles tendon; and

medial and lateral side portions for facing the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively; and

(b) a tendon guard for facing at least partially the upper part of the Achilles tendon, said tendon guard being made of a flexible material such that said tendon guard flexes rearwardly from an initial position when the foot moves towards full extension, said flexible material having enough resiliency such that said tendon guard returns to said initial position when pressure is no longer applied on it.

62. A skate boot as defined in claim 61, wherein said tendon guard is made by injection molding.

63. A skate boot as defined in claim 61, wherein said ankle portion comprises a lateral ankle side for facing the lateral malleolus and medial ankle side for facing the medial malleolus and said tendon guard comprises a bottom portion affixed to said rear portion of said ankle portion, medial and lateral side portions extending forwardly from said bottom portion and being affixed to said respective medial and lateral ankle sides of said ankle portion, and a flexing portion projecting upwardly from said bottom portion for facing at least partially the upper part of the Achilles tendon.

64. A skate boot as defined in claim 61, wherein said outer shell comprises a layer of thermoformable material and said outer shell is thermoformed such that said heel portion is substantially cup shaped for following the contour of the heel of the foot and said rear portion of said ankle portion is shaped for following the lower part of the Achilles tendon.

65. A skate boot as defined in claim 64, wherein said outer shell is thermoformed such that said ankle portion comprises a lateral ankle side with a cup-shaped lateral depression for receiving the lateral malleolus and a medial ankle side with a cup-shaped medial depression for receiving the medial malleolus.

66. A skate boot as defined in claim 65, wherein said cup-shaped lateral depression is below said cup-shaped medial depression.

67. A skate boot as defined in claim 66 further comprising an insole facing the plantar surface of the foot.

68. A skate boot as defined in claim 67, wherein said outer shell comprises a lower skirt portion foldable to overlap said insole.

69. A skate boot as defined in claim 68, further comprising an outsole affixed to a bottom surface of said insole.

70. A skate boot as defined in claim 61, wherein said outer shell comprises an outer layer and an inner layer, said outer layer being more rigid than said inner layer.

71. A skate boot as defined in claim 70, wherein said layer of thermoformable material is an intermediate layer and said outer and inner layers are made of thermoformable material, said intermediate layer being between said outer and inner layers.

72. A skate boot as defined in claim 71, wherein said intermediate layer is made of thermoformable foam.

73. A skate boot as defined in claim 61, further comprising an inner lining affixed to an inner surface of said outer shell, said inner lining comprising an inner surface intended for contact with the heel, ankle and lateral and medial sides of the foot in use.

74. A skate boot as defined in claim 61, further comprising a footbed mounted inside said outer shell, said footbed comprising an upper surface for receiving the plantar surface of the foot and a wall projecting upwardly from said upper surface, said wall partially cupping the heel and extending up to a medial line of the foot.

75. An ice skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim 61.

76. A roller skate comprising a skate boot as defined in claim 61.