Machine skates get the boot
An machine skate comprising a boot modifiable in length disposed on a blade holder frame, and a locking mechanism. The blade holder frame includes a recessed surface disposed on a forward section of the blade holder frame longitudinally along a longitudinal axis of the skate. The boot includes a heel portion disposed on the blade holder frame and a toe box portion slidable on the blade holder frame. The toe box portion includes a first slot disposed longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the skate, a perimeter wall extending downward from the first slot, and downwardly extending channel walls. The perimeter wall seats within the recessed forward surface of the blade holder frame to securably guide the toe box rearwardly or forwardly. The locking mechanism includes first and second detents disposed on the downwardly extending channel walls engaging a plurality of indentations disposed on the forward section of the blade holder frame.
An machine skate comprising:
a blade holder frame for holding an ice engaging blade, the blade holder frame having a forward section;
a boot comprising a heel portion disposed on the blade holder frame and a toe box portion slidable on the forward section of the blade holder frame, the toe box portion having downwardly extending first and second channel walls;
wherein the forward section of the blade holder frame extends between the first and second channel walls; and
wherein first and second detents disposed on either the forward section of the blade holder frame or the first and second channel walls engage a plurality of indentations disposed on either the forward section of the blade holder frame or the first and second channel walls to lock the toe box portion in a selected position and wherein the downwardly extending first and second channel walls are flexed from a relaxed position to an engaged position whereupon the first and second detents engage the plurality of indentations.
The machine skate and further comprising:
a first slot disposed within the toe box portion along a longitudinal axis of the skate, the slot having a perimeter wall extending downward; and
a recessed surface to receive the perimeter wall of the first slot, the recessed surface disposed within the blade holder frame along the longitudinal axis of the machine skate, the perimeter wall and the recessed surface slidably engageable within one another such that the toe box portion may slide rearwardly or forwardly guided by the perimeter wall and the recessed surface.
The machine skate and further comprising:
a bushing insertable within the first slot;
a threaded screw insertable through the bushing;
a nut having a rectangular configuration to threadably engage the screw, the nut disposed with in the recessed surface; and
wherein the threaded screw and bushing are positionable through the first slot to slidably secure the toe box to the blade holder frame.
The machine skate wherein the downwardly extending channel walls are resilient.
An machine skate comprising:
a blade holder frame having a forward section;
a boot disposed on the blade holder frame, the boot having a heel portion and a slidable toe box portion, the toe box portion having first and second downwardly extending channel walls, the forward section of the blade holder frame extending between the first and second channel walls;
first and second detents disposed on either the forward section of the blade holder frame or the first and second channel walls;
a plurality of indentations disposed on either the forward section of the blade holder frame or the first and second channel walls;
wherein the toe box is locked into a selected position upon the first and second detents engaging the plurality of indentations; and
wherein the first and second detents engage the plurality of indentations upon flexing the first and second channel walls toward the forward section of the blade holder frame.
The machine skate of claim 5 wherein the heel portion comprises left and right vamp sections, the left and right vamp sections engaging an outside surface of the toe box portion.
The machine skate of claim 5 and further comprising;
a first slot disposed within the toe box portion along a longitudinal axis of the skate, the slot having a perimeter wall extending downward; and
a recessed surface to receive the perimeter wall of the first slot, the recessed surface disposed longitudinally within the blade holder frame along the longitudinal axis of the skate, the first slot and the recessed surface slidably engageable with one another such that the toe box may slide rearwardly or forwardly guided by the perimeter wall.
The machine skate of claim 7 and further comprising:
a bushing;
a threaded screw insertable through the bushing;
a nut having a rectangular configuration to threadably engage the screw, the nut disposed within the recessed surface; and
wherein the threaded screw and bushing are positionable through the first slot to slidably secure the toe box to the blade holder frame.
The machine skate of claim 5 wherein the blade holder frame includes a slotted aperture extending therethrough and the side channel walls include apertures alignable with the slotted aperture, and further including a locking member extending through the apertures of the side channel walls and the slotted aperture of the blade holder frame, the locking member flexing the side channel walls toward the forward section of the blade holder frame to engage the first and second detents with the plurality of indentations.
A machine skate comprising:
a blade holder frame for holding an ice engaging blade, the blade holder frame including a recessed surface disposed longitudinally along a longitudinal axis of the skate;
a boot comprising:
a heel portion disposed on the blade holder frame; and
a toe box portion slidable on the blade holder frame, the toe box portion including
a first slot disposed longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the skate,
the first slot including a perimeter wall extending downward;
wherein the perimeter wall of the toe box portion seats within the recessed surface of the blade holder frame to slidably guide the toe box portion rearwardly or forwardly to adjust the length of the boot; and
wherein the locking mechanism comprising:
first and second channel members extending down from the toe box portion;
a forward section of the blade holder frame extendable between the first and second channel members;
first and second detents disposed on either the forward section of the blade holder frame or the first and second channel walls;
a plurality of indentations disposed on either the forward section of the blade holder frame or the first and second channel walls for engaging the first and second detents; and
wherein the first and second detents engage the plurality of indentations upon flexing the first and second channel members toward the forward section of the blade holder frame to lock the toe box portion at a selected position.
11. The machine skate of claim 10 and further comprising:
a bushing positionable within the slot of the toe box portion;
a threaded screw insertable through the bushing;
a nut having a rectangular configuration to threadably engage the screw;
a second slot disposed within the blade holder frame to receive and retain the nut; and
wherein the threaded screw secures the toe box portion to the blade holder frame upon threadably engaging the nut.
12. The machine skate of claim 10 wherein the first and second channel members are resiliently flexible from a first relaxed position to a second position whereupon the first and second detents engage the plurality of indentations.
13. The machine skate of claim 10 wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:
a surface defining a slotted aperture extending through the blade holder frame;
a first surface defining an aperture through the first channel wall;
a second surface defining an aperture through the second channel wall;
a locking member insertable through the slotted aperture of the blade holder frame, the aperture of the first channel wall and the aperture of the second channel wall; and
wherein the locking member urges the first and second channel walls toward the forward section of the blade holder frame to engage the first and second detents with the plurality of indentations.
14. The machine skate of claim 13 and further comprising:
a bushing positionable within the slot of the toe box portion;
a threaded screw insertable through the bushing;
a nut having a rectangular configuration to threadably engage the screw;
a second slot disposed within the blade holder frame to receive and retain the nut; and
wherein the threaded screw secures the toe box portion to the blade holder frame upon threadably engaging the nut.
15. The machine skate of claim 10 wherein the heel portion comprises a left vamp section and a right vamp section, the left and right vamp sections positionable over an outside surface of the toe box portion.
16. An machine skate comprising:
a blade holder frame having a forward section;
a boot disposed on the blade holder frame, the boot having a heel portion and a slidable toe box portion, the toe box portion having first and second downwardly extending channel walls, the forward section of the blade holder frame extending between the first and second channel walls;
first and second detents disposed on either the forward section of the blade holder frame or the first and second channel walls;
a plurality of indentations disposed on either the forward section of the blade holder frame or the first and second channel walls;
wherein the toe box is locked into a selected position upon the first and second detents engaging the plurality of indentations; and
wherein the first and second channel walls are resilient and are positionable between a relaxed position and a position whereupon the first and second detents engage the plurality of indentations.
17. The machine skate of claim 16 wherein the heel portion comprises left and right vamp sections, the left and right vamp sections engaging an outside surface of the toe box portion.
18. The machine skate of claim 16 and further comprising;
a first slot disposed within the toe box portion along a longitudinal axis of the skate, the slot having a perimeter wall extending downward; and
a recessed surface to receive the perimeter wall of the first slot, the recessed surface disposed longitudinally within the blade holder frame along the longitudinal axis of the skate, the first slot and the recessed surface slidably engageable with one another such that the toe box may slide rearwardly or forwardly guided by the perimeter wall.
19. The machine skate of claim 18 and further comprising:
a bushing;
a threaded screw insertable through the bushing;
a nut having a rectangular configuration to threadably engage the screw, the nut disposed within the recessed surface; and
wherein the threaded screw and bushing are positionable through the first slot to slidably secure the toe box to the blade holder frame.
20. The machine skate of claim 16 wherein the blade holder frame includes a slotted aperture extending therethrough and the side channel walls include apertures alignable with the slotted aperture, and further including a locking member extending through the apertures of the side channel walls and the slotted aperture of the blade holder frame, the locking member flexing the side channel walls toward the forward section of the blade holder frame to engage the first and second detents with the plurality of indentations.
21. An machine skate comprising:
a blade holder frame having a forward section;
a boot disposed on the blade holder frame, the boot having a heel portion and a slidable toe box portion, the toe box portion having first and second downwardly extending channel walls, the forward section of the blade holder frame extending between the first and second channel walls;
first and second detents disposed on either the forward section of the blade holder frame or the first and second channel walls;
a plurality of indentations disposed on either the forward section of the blade holder frame or the first and second channel walls;
wherein the toe box is locked into a selected position upon the first and second detents engaging the plurality of indentations; and
wherein the heel portion comprises left and right vamp sections, the left and right vamp sections engaging an outside surface of the toe box portion.
22. The machine skate of claim 21 and further comprising;
a first slot disposed within the toe box portion along a longitudinal axis of the skate, the slot having a perimeter wall extending downward; and
a recessed surface to receive the perimeter wall of the first slot, the recessed surface disposed longitudinally within the blade holder frame along the longitudinal axis of the skate, the first slot and the recessed surface slidably engageable with one another such that the toe box may slide rearwardly or forwardly guided by the perimeter wall.
23. The machine skate of claim 22 and further comprising:
a bushing;
a threaded screw insertable through the bushing;
a nut having a rectangular configuration to threadably engage the screw, the nut disposed within the recessed surface; and
wherein the threaded screw and bushing are positionable through the first slot to slidably secure the toe box to the blade holder frame.
24. The machine skate of claim 21 wherein the blade holder frame includes a slotted aperture extending therethrough and the side channel walls include apertures alignable with the slotted aperture, and further including a locking member extending through the apertures of the side channel walls and the slotted aperture of the blade holder frame, the locking member flexing the side channel walls toward the forward section of the blade holder frame to engage the first and second detents with the plurality of indentations.
25. An machine skate comprising:
a blade holder frame having a forward section;
a boot disposed on the blade holder frame, the boot having a heel portion and a slidable toe box portion, the toe box portion having first and second downwardly extending channel walls, the forward section of the blade holder frame extending between the first and second channel walls;
first and second detents disposed on either the forward section of the blade holder frame or the first and second channel walls;
a plurality of indentations disposed on either the forward section of the blade holder frame or the first and second channel walls;
wherein the toe box is locked into a selected position upon the first and second detents engaging the plurality of indentations; and
further comprising:
a first slot disposed within the toe box portion along a longitudinal axis of the skate, the slot having a perimeter wall extending downward; and
a recessed surface to receive the perimeter wall of the first slot, the recessed surface disposed longitudinally within the blade holder frame along the longitudinal axis of the skate, the first slot and the recessed surface slidably engageable with one another such that the toe box may slide rearwardly or forwardly guided by the perimeter wall.
26. The machine skate of claim 25 and further comprising:
a bushing;
a threaded screw insertable through the bushing;
a nut having a rectangular configuration to threadably engage the screw, the nut disposed within the recessed surface; and
wherein the threaded screw and bushing are positionable through the first slot to slidably secure the toe box to the blade holder frame.
27. The machine skate of claim 25 wherein the blade holder frame includes a slotted aperture extending therethrough and the side channel walls include apertures alignable with the slotted aperture, and further including a locking member extending through the apertures of the side channel walls and the slotted aperture of the blade holder frame, the locking member flexing the side channel walls toward the forward section of the blade holder frame to engage the first and second detents with the plurality of indentations.
28. An machine skate comprising:
a blade holder frame having a forward section;
a boot disposed on the blade holder frame, the boot having a heel portion and a slidable toe box portion, the toe box portion having first and second downwardly extending channel walls, the forward section of the blade holder frame extending between the first and second channel walls;
first and second detents disposed on either the forward section of the blade holder frame or the first and second channel walls;
a plurality of indentations disposed on either the forward section of the blade holder frame or the first and second channel walls;
wherein the toe box is locked into a selected position upon the first and second detents engaging the plurality of indentations; and
wherein the blade holder frame includes a slotted aperture extending therethrough and the side channel walls include apertures alignable with the slotted aperture, and further including a locking member extending through the apertures of the side channel walls and the slotted aperture of the blade holder frame, the locking member flexing the side channel walls toward the forward section of the blade holder frame to engage the first and second detents with the plurality of indentations.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to machine skates, and in particular to machine skates wherein the boot size is adjustable to accommodate different foot sizes.
Ice skating has been a popular recreational activity for many years, especially for children. However, children have growing feet, and to enjoy ice skating the skates should properly fit the child’s feet. Of course with growing feet, a new pair of skates must be purchased as the child’s feet grow, sometimes on an annual basis.
There exists in the prior art boots that are modifiable in length. However, there does not exist in the prior art an machine skate that can be modified in length, and yet be durable, and also have a minimum number of parts to keep down costs and be easy for children to use. Thus, there is a need to provide an machine skate that can be modified in length, durable to the rigors that children put skates through and also be simple for children to use. The machine skate of the present invention being modifiable in length, durable and simple to use is advantageous especially for use by youth whose foot size may change significantly in a short period of time.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises an machine skate that has a heel portion and a toe box portion which can be modifiable in length. The heel portion is disposed on a blade holder frame. The toe box portion is slidably disposed upon the blade holder frame and is slidable in relation to the heel portion. The toe box portion includes downwardly extending, resilient channel walls having detents disposed thereon which frictionally engage a plurality of indentations disposed upon the blade holder frame when the channel sidewalls are flexed inwardly and urged toward the blade holder frame.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The machine skate of the present invention is generally illustrated at 10 in FIG. 1. The machine skate 10 includes a boot 12 whose size may be modified in length. The boot 12 includes a toe box 14 and a heel portion 16 disposed on a blade holder frame 18. The toe box 14 slidably engages both the heel portion 16 and the blade holder frame 18. The toe box 14 is secured to the blade holder frame 18 by a locking mechanism 20. The blade holder frame 18 retains a blade 22 for engaging an ice surface, as is well known in the art. The boot 12 further includes a cuff portion 24 pivotally mounted to the heel portion 16 in a conventional manner by a pair of pivots 26 located on opposing sides of the cuff portion 24. Fastening means 28, including but not limited to laces and eyelets or adjustable straps, as are well known in the art, secure the cuff 24 to the leg and foot of a wearer. A suitable liner (not shown) has an elastic section proximate the toe box 14 so that the liner can accommodate different foot sizes. Such liners are known in the art.