Armouring/reinforcing applications associated with a sports skate or shoe

Abstract

The present invention is a retrofit appliqué kit for use with a sport skate and which includes a plurality of reinforcing articles, each exhibiting the features of flexibility and rigidity, and which are secured to exterior locations associated with the sport skate in order to provide localized protection and impact resistance. In one embodiment, the reinforced appliqués each exhibit an upper flexible rubber layer and a second rigid metal or aramid fiber based composite exhibiting a carbon backbone. In a further embodiment, a plurality of Keviar impregnated mat constructed reinforcing attachments are secured along the sides and rear of each hockey skate. A Kevlar mat tongue is securely fastened in place over a laced skate, by looping the straps around the underside of the skate boot through an aperture configured between the boot and the blade portion.

1 . A retrofit appliqué kit for use with a sport skate, comprising:
 at least one three dimensional article exhibiting the features of flexibility and rigidity; and   said article being secured to an exterior location associated with the sport skate to provide localized protection and impact resistance to a user.   
   
   
       2 . The appliqué kit as described in  claim 1 , said at least one article exhibiting a specified shape and size and further comprising a first flexible layer and a second rigid layer. 
   
   
       3 . The appliqué kit as described in  claim 2 , said flexible layer including at least a rubber. 
   
   
       4 . The appliqué kit as described in  claim 2 , said rigid layer including at least one of a metal or an aramid fiber based composite exhibiting a carbon backbone. 
   
   
       5 . The appliqué kit as described in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a UV, heat or oxygen based input for curing an initially soft appliqué into a hardened end state upon being applied to an exterior location of the skate. 
   
   
       6 . The appliqué kit as described in  claim 1 , further comprising at least a further reinforced tongue appliqué portion affixed to a front and upper extending surface of the skate. 
   
   
       7 . The appliqué kit as described in  claim 1 , said article exhibiting a specified shape and size and further comprising a Kevlar impregnated carbon fiber material. 
   
   
       8 . The appliqué kit as described in  claim 7 , each of said articles further comprising a substantially planar mat shaped portion. 
   
   
       9 . The appliqué kit as described in  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of Kevlar impregnated mat constructed reinforcing attachments secured at locations along both sides and rear of each skate. 
   
   
       10 . The appliqué kit as described in  claim 9 , further comprising a chemical adhesive for securing each of said mats in a selectively removable fashion. 
   
   
       11 . The appliqué kit as described in  claim 9 , further comprising said mats being permanently secured through the use of at least one of adhesives and in-molding techniques associated with said skate. 
   
   
       12 . The appliqué kit as described in  claim 9 , further comprising a Kevlar mat tongue portion including front apertures for receiving a first looped portion of a skate lace, upon fully lacing the skate, said tongue portion is securely fastened in place by looping associated straps around an underside of the skate boot and through an aperture configured between the boot and an underside extending blade portion and secured in place by inter-engaging clip ends associated with said straps. 
   
   
       13 . A retrofit appliqué kit for use with a hockey skate, comprising:
 a plurality of Kevlar impregnated mat constructed reinforcing attachments secured at locations along both sides and rear of each skate; and   a Kevlar mat tongue portion including front apertures for receiving a first looped portion of a skate lace and, upon fully lacing the skate, said tongue portion being securely fastened in place by looping associated straps around an underside of the skate boot.   
   
   
       14 . The appliqué kit as described in  claim 13 , further comprising a chemical adhesive for securing each of said mats in a selectively removable fashion. 
   
   
       15 . The appliqué kit as described in  claim 13 , further comprising said mats being permanently secured through the use of at least one of adhesives and in-molding techniques associated with said skate.