Skate boot including a thermoformable arch-support region

Abstract

A hockey skate boot includes a sole portion having a deformable arch-support region to accommodate feet having differently shaped arches. The deformable arch-support region may be made of a thermoformable material that is moldable when heated to match the arch of a given wearer's foot. After the arch-support region is molded to conform to a wearer's arch, it is allowed to cool so that it hardens and remains in the desired shape.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A skate boot, comprising:
 a lower portion including a heel region and a toe region;   an upper portion attached to or integral with the lower portion; and   an arch-support region in the lower portion comprising a thermoformable material that is moldable to conform to a wearer's arch when heated.   
     
     
         2 . The skate boot of  claim 1  wherein the arch-support region comprises a higher arch geometry than a wearer's arch before molding. 
     
     
         3 . The skate boot of  claim 1  further comprising an additional arch support positioned under the arch-support region. 
     
     
         4 . The skate boot of  claim 1  wherein the arch-support region comprises corrugations. 
     
     
         5 . The skate boot of  claim 4  wherein the corrugations are oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the skate boot. 
     
     
         6 . The skate boot of  claim 4  wherein the corrugations are oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the skate boot. 
     
     
         7 . The skate boot of  claim 1  wherein the lower portion comprises a composite boot form reinforced by structural fibers. 
     
     
         8 . The skate boot of  claim 1  wherein the thermoformable material comprises a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The skate boot of  claim 8  wherein the thermoplastic material has a melting temperature of 160 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         10 . The skate boot of  claim 8  wherein the thermoplastic material is reinforced with structural fibers. 
     
     
         11 . The skate boot of  claim 1  wherein the upper portion comprises a quarter panel having a bottom edge attached to a top edge of the lower portion. 
     
     
         12 . The skate boot of  claim 11  wherein the quarter panel comprises a thermoplastic fabric laminate. 
     
     
         13 . A method of fitting a skate boot including a thermoformable arch-support region to a wearer's foot, comprising:
 heating at least the thermoformable arch-support region to a temperature that softens the thermoformable arch-support region;   inserting the wearer's foot into the skate boot so that the arch of the wearer's foot presses down on the arch-support region;   waiting a sufficient time to allow the arch-support region to conform to the arch of the wearer's foot; and   removing the wearer's foot from the skate boot.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising tightening the skate boot to a desired fit after inserting the wearer's foot into the skate boot. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising allowing the skate boot to cool after removing the wearer's foot so that the arch-support region hardens to its pre-heated stiffness. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the elevated temperature is approximately 169 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         17 . A skate boot, comprising:
 a foot-receiving portion; and   an arch support in the foot-receiving portion comprising a material that is moldable to conform to a wearer's arch when heated.   
     
     
         18 . The skate boot of  claim 17  wherein the arch support comprises a higher arch geometry than a wearer's arch before molding. 
     
     
         19 . The skate boot of  claim 17  wherein the arch support comprises a thermoplastic material that has a melting temperature of 160 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         20 . The skate boot of  claim 19  wherein thermoplastic material is reinforced with structural fibers.