Skate

Abstract

A boot extension arrangement extends the upper boot portion of a skate to accommodate additional forward flex of the skater's lower leg about the ankle while maintaining or contributing to lateral stiffness. Two extenders are attached either side of the upper boot portion that oppose vertical buckling while allowing the boot to wrap around an open channel that accommodates bending movement of the user's lower leg about the ankle. The ability to flex forwardly and provide lateral stiffness throughout the movement contributes to better skater performance.

1 . A boot extension arrangement for use with a skate having a boot with two opposed series of eyelets for receiving a lace used for securement of the skate, said boot extension arrangement comprising;
 two extension portions located on opposite sides of an upper portion of said boot and defining a flexion channel therebetween to accommodate a user's leg when in a forward flexed position;   each extension portion projecting forwardly of a rearward most eyelet of said series of eyelets for receiving laces at a position forward of a conventional securement position and said forward position having at least two vertically spaced apertures for selectively receiving a lace at the forward position.   
     
     
         2 . A boot extension arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , said boot extension arrangement further includes two securement means located on opposite side of said boot for securing said boot extension arrangement to opposing series of eyelets;
 each securement means comprising a first securement aperture for mechanical securement of said boot extension arrangement through said top eyelet and a second securement aperture for securement to an eyelet below said top eyelet in said series of eyelets for receiving a lace.   
     
     
         3 . A boot extension arrangement as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said boot extension member is mechanically secured to said boot on an outside surface of the boot. 
     
     
         4 . A boot extension arrangement as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said boot extension member is mechanically secured to said boot on an inside surface of the boot. 
     
     
         5 . A boot extension arrangement as claimed in  claim 4  wherein a back edge of said boot extension arrangement is tapered in its thickness to reduce friction. 
     
     
         6 . A boot extension arrangement as claimed in  claim 4  including a removable padding material secured to said back edge of said boot extension arrangement. 
     
     
         7 . A boot extension arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said boot extension arrangement is an integral component of said boot. 
     
     
         8 . A boot extension arrangement as claimed in claim I wherein said extension portions include at least 3 apertures spaced generally vertically from one another for receiving laces. 
     
     
         9 . A boot extension for securement to a skate having two opposed series of eyelets for receiving a lace, said boot extension arrangement comprising;
 an extension portion having at least two vertically spaced apertures for selectively receiving laces;   a securement portion spaced from said extension portion for securement of said lace extension to the hockey skate;   said securement portion comprising a first securement aperture for mechanical securement of said boot extension to an upper eyelet in one of said opposed series of eyelets and a second securement aperture for securement to an eyelet below said top eyelet in said series of eyelets.   
     
     
         10 . A boot extension as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said second securement aperture is elongated in the vertical direction to accommodate various spacing's between eyelets on different skates. 
     
     
         11 . A boot extension arrangement as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said boot extension member is mechanically secured to said boot on an outside surface of the boot. 
     
     
         12 . A boot extension arrangement as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said boot extension member is mechanically secured to said boot on an inside surface of the boot. 
     
     
         13 . A boot extension arrangement as claimed in  claim 12  wherein a back edge of said boot extension arrangement is tapered in its thickness to reduce friction. 
     
     
         14 . A boot extension arrangement as claimed in  claim 12  including a removable padding material secured to said back edge of said boot extension arrangement. 
     
     
         15 . A boot extension arrangement as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said extension portions include at least  3  vertically spaced apertures for selectively receiving a lace. 
     
     
         16 . A skate comprising:
 a boot having a bottom portion and an upper portion having two sides;   each side of said upper portion of said boot including a boot extension portion extending forwardly of the junction between the upper portion and lower portion of the boot and defining a flexion channel therebetween to accommodate a user's leg when in a forward flexed position;   said boot having a securing set of two opposed series of eyelets for receiving a lace and securing a user's foot to the boot, and a vertically spaced extension set of two opposed series of eyelets located on each extension portion of the boot;   wherein a top eyelet of said extension set of two opposed series of eyelets is substantially forward of the rearmost eyelet of the securing set of two opposed series of eyelets.   
     
     
         17 . A skate as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said securing set of two opposed series of eyelets is located across the bottom portion of the boot and extends to where the upper portion and bottom portion of the boot meet. 
     
     
         18 . A skate as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said securing set of two opposed series of eyelets is located across the bottom portion of the boot and extends to partway up the upper portion of the boot. 
     
     
         19 . A skate as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said skate is an ice hockey skate. 
     
     
         20 . A skate as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said skate is a figure skate or a speed skate.