Runner for an ice skate

Abstract

An improved runner is disclosed, of the type associated with a boot portion to form an ice skate and defining, in use, a pair of edges, spaced-apart from one another along a lateral axis and, in use, forming the ice-engaging surfaces of the skate. The improvement comprises a pair of metal plates, one or more metal webs and a rigid polymeric portion. The plates are generally parallel to one another and axially spaced apart. Each plate defines a respective one of said edges in use. The webs extend between and rigidly connect the plates to define, with the plates, one or more voids between said plates, said voids including a channel having an opening directed, in use, away from the boot portion, said channel being bounded laterally by said plates. The polymeric portion is disposed in said channel and engages the plates to stiffen the runner.

1 . An improved runner, of the type operatively associated with a boot portion to form an ice skate and defining, in use, a pair of runner edges, spaced-apart from one another along a lateral axis, said runner edges, in use, forming the ice-engaging surfaces of the skate, wherein the improvement comprises:
 a pair of metal plates orientated substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart along the lateral axis, each of said metal plates defining a respective one of said runner edges in use;   one or more metal webs extending between and rigidly connecting the pair of plates to define, in combination with said pair of plates, one or more voids between said plates, said one or more voids including a first channel having an opening directed, in use, away from said boot portion, said first channel being bounded laterally by said plates; and   a first rigid polymeric portion disposed in said first channel and engaging the plates to stiffen the runner.   
   
   
       2 . A runner according to  claim 1 , wherein said one or more voids further comprises a second channel having an opening directed, in use, towards said boot portion, said second channel being bounded laterally by said plates. 
   
   
       3 . An improved runner, of the type operatively associated with a boot portion to form an ice skate and defining, in use, a pair of runner edges, spaced-apart from one another along a lateral axis, said runner edges, in use, forming the ice-engaging surfaces of the skate, wherein the improvement comprises:
 a pair of metal plates orientated substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart along the lateral axis, each of said metal plates defining a respective one of said runner edges in use;   one or more metal webs extending between and rigidly connecting the pair of plates to define, in combination with said pair of plates, one or more voids between said plates, said one or more voids including:
 a first channel having an opening directed, in use, away from said boot portion, said first channel being bounded laterally by said plates; and 
 a second channel having an opening directed, in use, towards said boot portion, said second channel being bounded laterally by said plates; and 
   a first rigid polymeric portion disposed in said first channel and engaging the plates to stiffen the runner.   
   
   
       4 . A runner according to  claim 3 , further comprising a second rigid polymeric portion disposed in said second channel and engaging the plates to stiffen the runner. 
   
   
       5 . A runner according to  claim 3 , wherein the plates and the first polymeric portion are shaped so as to mechanically engage one another. 
   
   
       6 . A runner according to  claim 4 , wherein the plates and the first polymeric portion are shaped so as to mechanically engage one another. 
   
   
       7 . A runner according to  claim 3 , wherein said one or more voids further comprises one or more passages disposed between said first and second channels and separated therefrom by said webs. 
   
   
       8 . A runner according to  claim 3 , wherein the first polymeric portion is carbon-fibre reinforced epoxy. 
   
   
       9 . A runner according to  claim 4 , wherein the first polymeric portion is carbon-fibre reinforced epoxy and the second polymeric portion is carbon-fibre reinforced epoxy. 
   
   
       10 . A runner according to  claim 3 , wherein the depth of the first channel is more than 10 mm. 
   
   
       11 . A runner according to  claim 3 , wherein the depth of the first channel is about 12 mm. 
   
   
       12 . A runner according to  claim 3 , wherein the first rigid polymeric portion adhesively engages the plates to stiffen the runner. 
   
   
       13 . A skate blade for use with a boot portion to form an ice skate, said skate blade comprising:
 a bridge operatively associated with the boot portion in use; and   a runner secured to the bridge and including:
 a pair of metal plates orientated substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart along the lateral axis, each of said metal plates defining a respective one of said runner edges in use; 
 one or more metal webs extending between and rigidly connecting the pair of plates to define, in combination with said pair of plates, one or more voids between said plates, said one or more voids including: a first channel having an opening directed, in use, away from said boot portion, said first channel being bounded laterally by said plates; and a second channel having an opening directed, in use, towards said boot portion, said second channel being bounded laterally by said plates; and 
 a first rigid polymeric portion disposed in said first channel and engaging the plates to stiffen the runner. 
   
   
   
       14 . A skate blade according to  claim 13 , further comprising a second rigid polymeric portion disposed in said second channel and engaging the plates to stiffen the runner. 
   
   
       15 . A skate blade according to  claim 13 , wherein the first polymeric portion is carbon-fibre reinforced epoxy. 
   
   
       16 . A skate blade according to  claim 13 , wherein the first polymeric portion is carbon-fibre reinforced epoxy and the second polymeric portion is carbon-fibre reinforced epoxy. 
   
   
       17 . A skate blade according to  claim 16 , wherein the first rigid polymeric portion and the second rigid polymeric portion adhesively engage the plates to stiffen the runner.