Skate with Foot Wrapping System

The present application claims priority on U.S. patent application No. 63/476,789 filed Dec. 22, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates generally to skates and, more particularly, to skate boots and liners for skate boots.

Skates such as those for use in the practice of ice hockey include a rigid boot shell, in many instances, and an inner liner. Such rigid boot shell may be molded, by thermoforming or injection molding, for example. Rigid boot shells may provide great impact protection and transmit propulsion forces more efficiently from the user to the ground surface compared to conventional lasted skate boots. However, a gain in rigidity may inversely affect comfort. Also, rigid boot shells may not conform to the anatomy of the foot when worn, even when tightly laced up. Dead space within the skate boot may cause undesirable movement of the foot and/or limit skate responsiveness.

In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a skate boot comprising: a rigid boot shell having at least a heel portion, a sole portion, and a medial quarter portion and a lateral quarter portion each extending forward of the heel portion towards a front end of the skate boot, the medial quarter portion and the lateral quarter portion defining a foot receiving cavity in between them, the foot receiving cavity having a volume for receiving at least a metatarsal region of a wearer's foot; a tongue extending between the medial quarter portion and the lateral quarter portion above the volume; a lacing system overlying the tongue and linking the medial quarter portion and the lateral quarter portion; and a foot wrapping member extending from the lateral quarter portion, the foot wrapping member movable relative to the rigid boot shell in a downward direction towards the sole portion of the rigid boot shell so as to vary the volume at least from a lateral side of the foot receiving cavity along the metatarsal region of the wearer's foot.

Further in accordance with the above aspect, for example, the lateral quarter portion has an edge extending from a front end of the rigid boot shell, the edge defining a notch, the foot wrapping member extending in the notch.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the foot wrapping member is secured to the lateral quarter portion.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the foot wrapping member extends from an edge of the lateral quarter portion.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the foot wrapping member is a first foot wrapping member, the skate boot including a second foot wrapping member secured to the medial quarter portion, the second foot wrapping member movable relative to the rigid boot shell.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the foot wrapping member includes a strip of flexible material.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the skate boot further comprises an inner boot having a sole portion and side portions extending from the sole portion, the side portions including a layer of foam and a layer of fabric overlying the layer of foam, the layer of fabric facing the foot receiving cavity, the inner boot having a strip of liner unattached to the rigid boot shell along an edge thereof, the strip of liner defining the foot wrapping member.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the skate boot further comprises a vamping, a portion of the vamping defining the foot wrapping member.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the vamping is located in a widest zone of the skate boot, on an outer surface of the rigid boot shell, the vamping having a first segment extending along a front end of the rigid boot shell and a second segment extending from an upper end of the first segment, the second segment extending rearwardly from the first segment, the vamping having a generally L-shape.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the vamping has eyelets defined therethrough, the foot wrapping member thereby defining the eyelets.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the vamping includes at least one of an elastomeric material, synthetic leather, plastic and composite material.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the vamping extends from the sole portion of the rigid boot shell.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the skate boot further comprises a toe cap, the toe cap having an extension, the extension of the toe cap defining the foot wrapping member, the extension overlying the notch.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the toe cap overlies part of the rigid boot shell in an overlapping region, the toe cap having a reduced thickness in the overlapping region.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the boot shell has a thickness that tapers towards a front end of the boot shell in the overlapping region.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, a sum of the thickness and the thickness at their respective smallest dimension in the overlapping region is substantially the same as a thickness of the toe cap immediately adjacent and fore of the front end of the boot shell.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, eyelets are defined through the extension, the eyelets are aligned along an edge of the boot shell defining an outline of the notch.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the eyelets are recessed relative to an outer surface of the extension.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the eyelets have a generally rectangular or square cross-section.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the eyelets have a cross-section that tapers in an inward direction.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the foot wrapping member is a first foot wrapping member, the skate boot including a second foot wrapping member secured to the medial quarter portion, the second foot wrapping member movable relative to the rigid boot shell.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the skate boot further comprises a vamping, a portion of the vamping defining the second foot wrapping member.

Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the skate boot further comprises a vamping, a portion of the vamping overlying at least part of the extension where the extension overlies the notch, the vamping and the toe cap thereby defining the foot wrapping member.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a skate boot comprising: a rigid boot shell having at least a heel portion, a sole portion, and medial and lateral quarter portions extending forward of the heel portion towards a front end of the skate boot, the medial and lateral quarter portions defining a foot receiving cavity in between them, the foot receiving cavity having a volume for receiving at least a metatarsal region of a wearer's foot, the lateral quarter portion having an edge extending from a front end of the rigid boot shell, the edge defining a notch.

Further in accordance with the above aspect, for example, the skate boot further comprises a foot wrapping member extending from the lateral quarter portion, in the notch, the foot wrapping member movable relative to the rigid boot shell in a downward direction towards the sole portion of the rigid boot shell so as to vary the volume at least from a lateral side of the foot receiving cavity along the metatarsal region of the wearer's foot.

The skate boot as defined above and described herein may further include one or more of the following features, in whole or in part, and in any combination.

illustrates a skate, such as the type worn for ice hockey. The skateincludes a bootand a ground-engaging assemblyattached beneath the boot, e.g. to the outer sole of the boot. The ground-engaging assemblyis shown as including a blade. It is understood that the particular skate configuration shown here is provided as an example only and that alternate configurations are possible, including, but not limited to, other types of ground engaging assemblies such as roller skate ground engaging assemblies including rollers or wheels. In the depicted embodiment, the skateis a hockey skate, though such skatemay be used for the practice of other sports, such as ringette and/or other activities such as ice skating, skating, inline roller hockey (with the ground engaging assembly adapted therefor) or the like.

The bootdefines a foot receiving cavityadapted to receive a wearer's foot and ankle. The foot receiving cavityhas an internal volume V (). Garments (padded or without integrated pads), such as socks, and/or protective wears, such as leg pads, ankle pads, etc. for covering at least part of the wearer's foot and/or ankle may be worn on the wearer's foot and/or ankle and may interface with at least some parts of the boot, within the internal volume V.

The bootincludes a boot shell. The boot shellextends about at least part of the wearer's foot and ankle and form the core of the boot. The boot shellis configured to provide rigidity/stiffness to the boot. The boot shelldefines the core structure of the boot. The boot shellprovides structural integrity of the boot. Rigidity of the boot shellmay allow for impact protection, control/stability of the bootduring strokes, and/or load transfer efficiency from the user to the ground-engaging assemblyduring skating. In at least some embodiments, the boot shellmay be molded, such as by thermoforming or injection-molding in a tridimensional piece shell, and include one or more layers. Other aspects of the boot shellwill be described later.

The bootincludes a linercovering at least part of an interior of the boot. The lineris adapted to face and/or contact the wearer's foot and ankle (or garments and/or protective wears worn on the wearer's foot and/or ankle). The linerdefines an inner layer of the bootand surfacesIN delimiting the foot receiving cavityof the boot.

The bootincludes a toe capconnected to the boot shell. In the depicted embodiment, the toe capis formed separately from a remainder of the boot shell, i.e. formed as a separate piece and secured to the boot shell, for instance via fasteners, adhesives, or overmolding. The toe capcan be made from a hard or stiff material to protect the toes of the wearer. Other configurations are also possible. For instance, the toe capmay be formed integrally with the boot shellas another possibility.

The bootincludes a tongueconnected to the toe cap. In some cases, the tonguemay be removably connected to the toe cap, for instance via fasteners or the like. The tongueextends from the toe cap, between opposite sides of the boot shell. The tongueis adapted to cover at least an instep region of the wearer's foot, ankle, and at least part of a lower leg region of the wearer. A lacing systemwith a lace(or more than one) extends over at least part of the tongueand attached at edges of the boot shell, to the opposite sides of the boot shell.

The bootincludes eyelets, which may be defined through the boot shellor by one or more separate parts, which may be referred to as facings, connected to the boot shell(on or along edges of the boot shell) on opposite sides thereof. The laceis threaded through at least part of the eyeletson opposite sides of the boot shellfor tightening the tongueon the wearer's foot thereby securing the boot shellonto the wearer's foot and/or ankle.

The bootincludes a tendon guardextending upwardly from a rearmost heel portion of the boot shell. The tendon guardis configured to protect upper portions of an Achilles tendon of the wearer. In some embodiments, at least part of the tendon guardmay be integrally formed with the boot shellso as to form a single, continuous part with the boot shell. The tendon guardmay however be removably attached to the boot shellin other embodiments.

illustrate an embodiment of the boot shell, shown in isolation. The boot shellincludes a sole portionthat has back and front endsR,F, which may correspond to back and front ends of the boot. The sole portionmay be connected to the ground-engaging assembly() and is shaped to receive the foot of the wearer thereover, in a particular embodiment with an inner liner and/or insole adapted to extend between the sole portionand the foot. In at least some embodiments, such as shown, the sole portionis integrally formed with a remainder of the boot shell. The sole portionmay be a separate part secured to the remainder of the boot shellin other embodiments. The boot shellalso includes a heel portionextending from the back endR of the sole portion, for receiving a heel of the foot of the wearer. The heel portionis generally curved to contour the heel and a rear of the foot. The boot shellincludes a toe portionextending from the front endF of the sole portion, for receiving toes of the wearer's foot. The toe portionis optional in at least some cases, since the toe portionmay form part of the toe cap, for example.

The boot shellincludes two opposite side portionsL,M. The side portionsL,M are connected to the sole portion, heel portionand toe portion. The portionsL,M extends from the heel portiontoward the toe portionto cover sides of at least part of the wearer's foot and ankle. The spaced apart side portionsL,M include a lateral quarter portionL and a medial quarter portionM for extending along at least an instep portion of the boot shell. As shown, the spaced apart side portionsL,M cooperate to surround the wearer's foot on opposite sides thereof.

The side portionsL,M define a foot-receiving openingof the boot shell. The foot receiving openingintersects with the lower leg of the wearer when the skate bootis worn.

Each side portionL,M has an edgeextending therealong. The edgemay extend continuously, as shown, from the toe portionto the heel portionor tendon guard portion. The edgehas an upper edge portionU along the foot-receiving opening. The upper edge portionU define part of a periphery of the foot receiving openingand extends partially about the wearer's lower leg. The edgeincludes a frontmost edge portionF extending generally along a metatarsal region of the foot. This portionF of the edgemay be generally straight (i.e., not curved) or stated otherwise have a straight or quasi straight outline. With respect to this portionF, generally straight is not limited to horizontal, meaning that said portionF may be angled relative to a horizontal plane when the boot shellrests on a leveled surface. The edgealso includes a curving edge portionM extending between the frontmost edge portionF and the upper edge portionU. The curving portionM extends upwardly from the frontmost edge portionF to reach the upper edge portionU. The curving edge portionM extends generally along a midfoot and ankle region of the foot. The boot shellincludes a tendon guard portionextending upwardly from the upper edge portionU, near the heel portionof the boot shell.

The side portionsL,M extends along a metatarsal region of the wearer's foot. The two side portionsL,M define the foot receiving cavityin between them. The foot receiving cavityhas an internal volume V which may be filled at least partially by the foot of the wearer, when the bootis worn. The internal volume V extends from the heel portionto the toe portion. The internal volume V may be defined as the free space or free volume available inside the bootto receive the foot of the wearer. As such, the liner, tongue, pads, etc., in the interior of the bootare not considered part of the internal volume V defined by the foot receiving cavity. Stated otherwise, the internal volume V may be surrounded by the tonguedefining an upper limit of the internal volume V in a metatarsal region (and/or toe region) of the foot receiving cavity, and the liner, which may interface between the boot shelland the foot (with or without paddings between the boot shelland the linerand/or foot). A cross-section of the bootis shown at, where a slice of the internal volume V in the metatarsal region of the foot receiving cavityis visible. A schematic cross-sectional representation of the foot in the metatarsal region is shown, surrounded by the boot shellwith the liner, and optionally a soft insoleS underneath the foot, and the tongue. As shown in, the foot may not take up the whole internal volume V in the metatarsal region of the foot-receiving cavity. As can be seen, the metatarsal region of the foot has a laterally decreasing thickness. A lateral side unused volume UV-L may thus be greater than a medial side unused volume UV-M. It may be desirable to reduce/limit such unused volume UV-L, UV-M to provide greater stability to the foot within the boot, reduce movement of the foot relative to the boot, and/or improve control/responsiveness of the skate for the player during skating.

Maintaining the contact between the foot and the bootwhile allowing movement of the lower leg may be desirable. In skating, freedom of movement between the lower leg of the wearer and the bootin a fore-aft direction may allow the natural biomechanical behaviour of the ankle, and leg during the impulsion and propulsion phase of the skating motion. This is illustrated in, with a range of motion (dorsiflexion) of the lower leg shown at two angular positions as the ankle flexes. In order to optimize the bearing surface of the ground-engaging assemblyduring the impulsion and propulsion phase of the skating motion, it may be desirable to limit heel lift relative to the boot. Heel lift may be limited by locking down the metatarsal region of the foot on the sole portion. In some embodiments of the skate boot, when the laceis tightened to press the tongueon the wearer's foot, the edgesof the boot shellmay remain generally upright, as can be seen in, or get slightly closer to one another. In other words, the boot shellmay not conform to the anatomy of the metatarsal region of the foot. The unused space/volume UV within the bootmay therefore remain. This may limit the lock down of the foot onto the sole portion(see broad arrow inillustrating this), stability of the foot within the bootand/or control of the skate to allow swifter directional change for the player when skating.

An embodiment of a foot wrapping systemA is presented with reference to. A skateA is shown in. The skateA includes a skate bootA, such as the skate boot, including a boot shellA, such as the boot shelldescribed above with respect to the skate boot. Like features will not be described again for conciseness, but bear the same reference numerals for simplicity.

The foot wrapping systemA includes a foot wrapping memberA extending from the side portionLA (lateral quarter portion). The foot wrapping memberA is movable relative to the boot shellA. In the depicted embodiment, the foot wrapping memberA cooperates with the lacing systemA, here including laceA, such that, upon tightening, the foot wrapping memberA may be pulled by the laceA towards the opposite side portionMA of the boot shellA. As such, the foot wrapping memberA may bend over the metatarsal region of the foot receiving cavityA and press downwardly against the tongueA. By pressing on the tongueA, the foot wrapping memberA may vary/reduce the internal volume V of the foot receiving cavityA about the metatarsal region of the wearer's foot. Stated otherwise, the unused volume UV between the wearer's foot, the tongueA and the boot shellA may be reduced, i.e., at least the lateral side unused volume UV-L. The foot wrapping memberA may therefore move in a downward direction, towards the sole portion of the rigid boot shell, to thereby exert a downward force on the tongueA to lock down the metatarsal region of the wearer's foot.

In an embodiment, the foot wrapping memberA includes a stripA of material attached to the boot shellA. The stripA may also be referred to as a flap, a band, or tab. As shown, the stripA extends from the edgeA of the boot shellA. In, the stripA extends from the lateral side portionLA of the boot shellA. The stripcould extend from the medial side portionMA in other embodiments.

The stripA is soft and flexible when compared to the rigid boot shellA. The stripA may not contribute substantially to the structural integrity and impact protection capabilities of the skate bootA, when compared to the boot shellA. The stripA may move and/or deform to better conform to the anatomical shape of the wearer's foot around the metatarsal area. Stated otherwise, the stripA may fold over the tongueA when stretched towards the opposite side of the boot shellA during tightening, to wrap over the tongueA. The edgesA of the rigid boot shellA may slightly move towards each other as the laceA is tensioned, without folding over the tongueA.

The foot wrapping memberA includes lace engaging componentsA. The lace engaging componentsA include eyelets in at least some embodiments. The lace engaging componentsA may be lace loops in some other embodiments. In the embodiment shown, the stripsA includes the eyelets. Holes through the stripA, without eyelets, could be contemplated.

With continued reference to, the stripA extends along only a segmentFA of the edgeA of the boot shellA. Stated otherwise, the stripA does not extend along the edgeA all the way up to the upper edgeUA. The foot wrapping memberA is confined in a forwardmost portion of the boot shellA. The forwardmost portion of the boot shellA may extend from the toe capA. Such forwardmost portion of the boot shellA may correspond to the forward half of the boot shellA, between the toe capA and the upper edgeUA. The portion of the edgeA extending generally along the lower leg and ankle of the wearer's foot when the bootA is worn is thus deprived of the foot wrapping memberA.

As shown inand with additional reference to, the foot wrapping memberA is delimited by a cutout or notchNA defined in the edgeA of the boot shellA. As can be seen, a discontinuity is defined in the outline of the edgeA between a front endA of the boot shellA and the upper edgeUA. As shown, a segmentFA of the edgeA extends from the front endA of the boot shellA and ends at a stepSA. Such segment of the edgeA from the front endA with the stepSA define an outline of the notchNA. As shown, the foot wrapping memberA extends in the notchNA. The foot wrapping memberA fills the space in the notchNA that is unoccupied by the boot shellA. As shown, the foot wrapping memberA may overlap, slightly, with the boot shellA along the outline of the notchNA. Such overlap may be on the inner surface of the boot shellA or outer surface of the boot shellA depending on the embodiments. The foot wrapping memberA could be joined to the boot shellA as an edge extension of the segmentFA of the edgeof the boot shellA defining the outline of the notchNA, as another possibility.