Ice resurfacing blade

Abstract

The blade is made of heat-treated stainless steel that has one or two sharp edges for resurfacing ice, such as at an ice rink with an ice resurfacing machine. The preferred material is stainless steel. The blade lasts four times longer than a conventional blade, reducing the sharpening interval and reducing the cost of removal, replacement, shipping, and re-sharpening. Reduced maintenance lowers the chance that a worker will be injured during maintenance activities. The life of the blade is about 15 years compared to one year for conventional bladed. It does not corrode during storage. Because the blade is sharper and stronger than conventional ice resurfacing blades, it provides a flatter and smoother finished ice surface than conventionally available. The improved blade allows the ice to be resurfaced more quickly by allowing deeper cuts and faster operation of the resurfacing machine itself.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A blade for resurfacing ice that is mounted to a resurfacing machine comprising: 
 a corrosion resistant material; and    means for mounting said blade to said machine.    
     
     
         2 . The blade according to  claim 1  wherein said means for mounting is at least one mounting bolt that is securedly attached to said blade.  
     
     
         3 . The blade according to  claim 1  wherein said blade comprises 440C stainless steel.  
     
     
         4 . The blade according to  claim 1  wherein said blade is comprised at least in part of a refractory material.  
     
     
         5 . The blade according to  claim 1  wherein said corrosion resistant material is heat treatable to a hardness of about 55 on the Rockwell C scale.  
     
     
         6 . The blade according to  claim 1  wherein said blade is comprised of stiffening ridges.  
     
     
         7 . The blade according to  claim 1  wherein said blade is comprised of a first use edge and a second use edge.  
     
     
         8 . The blade according to  claim 7  wherein said blade has a front surface and said first use edge and said second use edge are located on said front surface.  
     
     
         9 . The blade according to  claim 1  wherein said blade is comprised of a safety cover that is removably mounted to said blade.  
     
     
         10 . The blade according to  claim 9  wherein said safety cover is removably mounted with at least one screw.  
     
     
         11 . A blade for resurfacing ice that is mounted to a resurfacing machine comprising: 
 a corrosion resistant material;    at least one mounting bolt that is securedly attached to said blade; and    a first use edge and a second use edge.    
     
     
         12 . The blade according to  claim 11  wherein said blade is further comprised of a safety cover that is removably mounted to said blade.  
     
     
         13 . The blade according to  claim 11  wherein said blade is comprised of 440C stainless steel.  
     
     
         14 . The blade according to  claim 11  wherein said blade has a front surface and said first use edge and said second use edge are located on said front surface.  
     
     
         15 . A method of producing a blade for resurfacing ice comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a corrosion resistant metal;    forming said metal to have at least one sharp edge;    forming said metal to define at least one receiver hole for receiving a mounting bolt;    heat treating said metal to a hardness of about 55 on the Rockwell C scale;    machining said blade after said heat treating; and    securing a mounting bolt through said blade to align with a defined mounting location.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising placing a bushing into said receiver hole for securedly fastening said mounting bolt to said blade.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said step of forming said metal forms two sharp edges on said blade.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said step of placing a bushing is machining a threaded hole through said bushing.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said step of selecting a corrosion resistant metal further comprises selecting a 440C stainless steel.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising mounting a safety cover to said blade.