Ice skate pitch adjustment shim

Abstract

According to embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus for adjusting a forward pitch of an ice skate includes a shim. The shim has a top surface configured to contact a heel portion of a boot and a bottom surface configured to contact a heel plate of a blade holder. The thickness of the shim creates a distance between the heel portion of the boot and the heel plate of the blade holder. The shim thickness increases the steepness of the forward pitch of the ice skate boot. As an example the shim thickness may be between 5 mm and 20 mm. As another example, the shim may include a material such as styrene. As yet another example, the shim has an outer border that substantially matches the outer border of the heel plate.

1 . An apparatus for adjusting a forward pitch of an ice skate boot, the apparatus comprising:
 a heel shim including:
 a top surface configured to contact a heel portion of a boot, 
 a bottom surface configured to contact a heel plate of a blade holder, and 
 a thickness, 
   wherein the thickness of the heel shim is selected to create a distance between the heel portion of the boot and the heel plate of the blade holder to increase the steepness of the forward pitch of the ice skate boot.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heel shim further includes a plurality of apertures arranged to accommodate a corresponding plurality of fasteners and to allow the corresponding plurality of fasteners to secure the heel portion of the boot to the heel plate of the blade holder. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the heel shim has four apertures. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heel shim comprises styrene. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the thickness of the heel shim is between approximately 5 mm and 20 mm when the styrene is uncompressed. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heel shim further includes an outer border that substantially matches an outer border of the heel plate. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a toe shim including:
 a top surface configured to contact a toe portion of a boot, 
 a bottom surface configured to contact a toe plate of a blade holder, and 
 a thickness, 
   wherein the thickness of the toe shim is selected to create a distance between the toe portion of the boot and the toe plate of the blade holder to decrease the steepness of the forward pitch of the ice skate boot.   
     
     
         8 . An ice skate comprising:
 a boot including a bottom surface having a heel portion and a toe portion;   a blade holder including:
 a heel plate secured to the heel portion of the boot, and 
 a toe plate secured to the toe portion of the boot; and 
   a heel shim including a thickness and interposed between the heel portion of the boot and the heel plate of the blade holder,   wherein the thickness is selected to create a distance between the heel of the boot and the heel plate of the blade holder to increase the steepness of the forward pitch of the boot.   
     
     
         9 . The ice skate of  claim 8 , wherein the toe plate is secured directly to the toe portion of the boot. 
     
     
         10 . The ice skate of  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of fasteners configured to secure the heel plate to the heel portion of the boot, and
 wherein the heel shim further includes a plurality of apertures arranged to accommodate the plurality of fasteners.   
     
     
         11 . The ice skate of  claim 10 , wherein the heel shim has four apertures. 
     
     
         12 . The ice skate of  claim 8 , wherein the heel shim comprises styrene. 
     
     
         13 . The ice skate of  claim 12 , wherein the thickness of the heel shim is between approximately 5 mm and 20 mm when the styrene is uncompressed. 
     
     
         14 . The ice skate of  claim 8 , wherein the heel shim further includes an outer border that substantially matches an outer border of the heel plate. 
     
     
         15 . The ice skate of  claim 8 , further comprising a heel shim including a thickness and interposed between the toe portion of the boot and the toe plate of the blade holder, 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for adjusting a forward pitch of an ice skate boot, the apparatus comprising:
 a toe shim including:
 a top surface configured to contact a toe portion of a boot, 
 a bottom surface configured to contact a toe plate of a blade holder, and 
 a thickness, 
   wherein the thickness of the toe shim is selected to create a distance between the toe portion of the boot and the toe plate of the blade holder to decrease the steepness of the forward pitch of the ice skate boot.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the toe shim further includes a plurality of apertures arranged to accommodate a corresponding plurality of fasteners and to allow the corresponding plurality of fasteners to secure the toe portion of the boot to the toe plate of the blade holder. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the toe shim comprises styrene. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the toe shim further includes an outer border that substantially matches an outer border of the toe plate.