Ice resurfacing blade

Abstract

A blade is made of a heat-treat-able and corrosion resistant steel, preferably 440C stainless, that has one or two sharp edges for resurfacing ice, such as at an ice rink with an ice resurfacing machine, such as a Zamboni® resurfacing machine. It uses at least one attached mounting bolt; and may have a removable safety cover mounted to it. The method of producing the blade includes: selecting a corrosion resistant metal; forming it to have one or two sharp edges; defining a receiver hole for receiving a threaded mounting bolt; heat-treating to a hardness of about 55; machining; and securing a mounting bolt through the blade to align with a mounting location. The blade may contain stiffening inserts. The blade may contain a bushing to secure and precisely locate the mounting bolt.

1 . An ice resurfacing blade that is adapted for mounting to a resurfacing machine, wherein: 
 said blade is comprised of a metal that is corrosion resistant and heat-treatable;    said blade comprises at least one straight and sharp first edge; and    a means for mounting said blade to the machine.    
   
   
       2 . The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for mounting is at least one threaded stud that is attached to said blade.  
   
   
       3 . The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein said blade is comprised of 440C stainless steel.  
   
   
       4 . The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein said blade is comprised of a refractory metal.  
   
   
       5 . The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein said corrosion resistant metal is heat-treated to a hardness of about 55 to 60 on the Rockwell C scale.  
   
   
       6 . The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein said blade is comprised of stiffening inserts.  
   
   
       7 . The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein said blade is comprised of a second use edge that is oriented opposite said first 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 oriented on said front surface.  
   
   
       9 . The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein said blade further is comprised of a safety cover that is removably mounted to said blade to enable cover removal after said blade is mounted to the resurfacing machine.  
   
   
       10 . The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein said blade weighs less than about 90 pounds.  
   
   
       11 . The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein said blade has a length between about 60 and 96 inches.  
   
   
       12 . The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein said blade has a blade angle between 15 and 65 degrees.  
   
   
       13 . An ice resurfacing blade for that is adapted for mounting to a resurfacing machine comprising: 
 a corrosion resistant, heat-treatable metal;    at least one stud that is affixed to said blade; and    a first use edge and a second use edge both of which are straight and sharp.    
   
   
       14 . The blade according to  claim 13 , wherein said metal is 440C stainless steel.  
   
   
       15 . The blade according to  claim 13 , wherein said blade has a front surface, said first use edge and said second use edge located on said front surface.  
   
   
       16 . A method of producing an ice resurfacing blade, comprising the steps of: 
 providing said blade comprised of corrosion resistant metal;    forming said blade to have at least one edge that is straight and sharp;    forming said blade to define at least one hole for receiving a threaded mounting stud;    heat-treating said blade to a hardness of about 55 to 60 on the Rockwell C scale;    sharpening said edge after said heat-treating step; and    securing said stud to align said blade with a predefined mounting location.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising placing a bushing in said blade for receiving said mounting stud.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said step of forming said blade is forming two straight and sharp edges.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said step of providing said blade further comprises providing a blade comprised of 440C stainless steel.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising removably mounting a safety cover to said blade.