Skate

Abstract

A skate is disclosed, with a boot defining a foot receiving region. The boot includes a boot shell having a heel portion and side portions extending from the heel portion, the side portions of the boot shell defining a foot receiving opening, each side portion having an upper edge defining a part of a periphery of the foot receiving opening. A liner defines an inner layer of the boot at least partially surrounding the foot receiving region, the liner having an ankle portion, and upper segments extending upwardly from the ankle portion of the liner. Each of the upper segments extending over at least part of a respective one of the upper edges of the boot shell. The upper segments each define a seamless area extending continuously from the ankle portion of the liner and wrapping over the respective upper edges.

1 . A skate, comprising:
 a boot defining a foot receiving region adapted to receive a wearer's foot and ankle, the boot including:
 a boot shell having a heel portion and side portions extending from the heel portion to cover sides of at least part of the wearer's foot and ankle, the side portions of the boot shell defining a foot receiving opening, each side portion having an upper edge defining a part of a periphery of the foot receiving opening; and 
 a liner defining an inner layer of the boot at least partially surrounding the foot receiving region, the liner having an ankle portion adapted to face towards the wearer's ankle, and upper segments extending upwardly from the ankle portion of the liner, each of the upper segments extending over at least part of a respective one of the upper edges of the boot shell, the upper segments defining a seamless area extending continuously from the ankle portion of the liner and wrapping over the respective upper edges; and 
   a ground-engaging assembly attached beneath the boot.   
     
     
         2 . The skate as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the upper segments extend at least in part outside the boot, over part of an outer surface of the boot shell. 
     
     
         3 . The skate as defined in  claim 1 , wherein part of each of the upper segments define an outside surface of the boot. 
     
     
         4 . The skate as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the upper segments are secured to the boot shell outside of the foot receiving opening. 
     
     
         5 . The skate as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the upper segments are secured to the boot shell on an outer surface of the boot shell. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The skate as defined in  claim 5 , wherein a secured area of the upper segments on the outer surface of the boot shell is located below the upper edges. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The skate as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the seamless area defines a smooth surface devoid from fasteners exposed on the liner within the foot receiving opening. 
     
     
         11 . The skate as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the seamless area of the respective ones of the upper segments are symmetric relative to each other. 
     
     
         12 . The skate as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the boot includes an ankle pad for facing at least one side of an ankle of the wearer's foot. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The skate as defined in of  claim 12 , wherein the ankle portion of the liner covers the ankle pad. 
     
     
         15 . The skate as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the ankle pad has an upper edge extending along at least one of the upper edges of the boot shell. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The skate as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the ankle pad has an upper end extending over at least one of the upper edges of the boot shell, the upper end of the ankle pad covering the at least one of the upper edges along at least part of a length thereof, the upper end of the ankle pad extending between the upper segments of the liner and the upper edges of the boot shell. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The skate as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the ankle pad folds over at least one of the upper edges of the boot shell, wherein part of the ankle pad extends over an outer surface of the boot shell. 
     
     
         20 . The skate as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the upper edges each define a stepped recess, the stepped recess lowering the upper edges relative to a remainder of the upper edges adjacent the stepped recess. 
     
     
         21 . The skate as defined in  claim 20 , wherein the stepped recess is angled downwardly towards a rear end of the boot shell thereby increasingly lowering the upper edges towards the rear end of the boot shell. 
     
     
         22 . The skate as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the boot shell includes a tendon guard portion extending upwardly from the upper edges. 
     
     
         23 . The skate as defined in  claim 22 , wherein each seamless area extends over a length of the upper edges, from a base of the tendon guard portion towards an instep region of the boot shell and/or between the tendon guard portion and the uppermost eyelet of the boot. 
     
     
         24 . The skate as defined in  claim 22 , wherein each side portion of the boot shell has an instep region defining an edge of the side portion, wherein the edge of the side portion has a substantially vertical edge portion, each one of the upper edges merging with a respective one of the vertical edge portions to form an apex, each seamless area extending between the tendon guard portion and a respective one of the apex. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The skate as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the upper edges are straight when viewed from a side of the boot shell, from the apex to a radiused corner at a junction between a base of the tendon guard portion and the upper edges of the boot shell. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method of assembling a skate boot including at least a boot shell and a liner, the method comprising:
 covering part of an outer surface of the boot shell with part of upper segments of the liner,   securing the upper segments of the liner to the boot shell along upper edges of the boot shell, and   folding part of each one of the upper segments of the liner over a respective one of the upper edges of the boot shell.   
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . (canceled)