Clear ice skate blade holder

Abstract

A blade holder comprising: (a) a body at least partly made of a clear material and comprising a front pedestal with a front inner surface, a rear pedestal with a rear inner surface and a bridge portion interconnecting said front and rear pedestals, the front and rear inner surfaces defining respective front and rear cavities, wherein the body further comprises a bottom portion having a longitudinal slot; (b) an ice skate blade received in the longitudinal slot; and (c) a graphical element inside one of the front and rear cavities, the graphical element being visible through the clear material and being located above the longitudinal slot.

1 . A blade holder comprising: 
 (a) a body at least partly made of a clear material and comprising a front pedestal with a front inner surface, a rear pedestal with a rear inner surface and a bridge portion interconnecting said front and rear pedestals, said front and rear inner surfaces defining respective front and rear cavities, wherein said body further comprises a bottom portion having a longitudinal slot;    (b) an ice skate blade received in said longitudinal slot; and    (c) a graphical element inside one of said front and rear cavities, said graphical element being visible through said clear material and being located above said longitudinal slot.    
     
     
         2 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said graphical element is characterized by at least one of a colored area, a mark, a symbol, and a logo.  
     
     
         3 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said graphical element is an insert.  
     
     
         4 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said cavity has an inner surface and said insert has a contour following said inner surface.  
     
     
         5 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said insert has a flange that at least partially overlies said top portion such that attachment of said top portion to the skate boot secures said insert inside said cavity.  
     
     
         6 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said insert is affixed to said inner surface.  
     
     
         7 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said insert is made by injection molding, blow molding or thermoforming.  
     
     
         8 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said insert is made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, polypropylene, polycarbonate, carbon, fiberglass, titanium, aluminum, Kevlar, paper, cardboard and foam.  
     
     
         9 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said cavity has an inner surface, said graphical element being constituted of paint applied to said inner surface.  
     
     
         10 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said cavity has an inner surface, said graphical element being a sticker affixed to said inner surface.  
     
     
         11 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said graphical element comprises colored liquid foam injected in said cavity.  
     
     
         12 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said clear material comprises a first region with a first degree of transparency and a second region with a second degree of transparency different from said first degree of transparency.  
     
     
         13 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said first region has a first surface finish and said second region has a second surface finish different from said first surface finish.  
     
     
         14 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said clear material is colored.  
     
     
         15 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said clear material is a material selected from the group consisting of Acrylic, clear polymer and polycarbonate.  
     
     
         16 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said graphical element is a first graphical element, said blade holder comprising a second graphical element inside the other one of said front and rear cavities.  
     
     
         17 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said first and second graphical elements are characterized by at least one of a colored area, a mark, a symbol, and a logo.  
     
     
         18 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said first and second graphical elements are first and second inserts.  
     
     
         19 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said clear material comprises a first region with a first degree of transparency and a second region with a second degree of transparency different from said first degree of transparency.  
     
     
         20 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 19 , wherein said first region has a first surface finish and said second region has a second surface finish different from said first surface finish.  
     
     
         21 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said clear material is colored.  
     
     
         22 . A blade holder as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said clear material is a material selected from the group consisting of Acrylic, clear polymer and polycarbonate.