Abstract:
A boot extension arrangement extends the upper boot portion of a skate to accommodate additional forward flex of the skater&#39;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&#39;s lower leg about the ankle. The ability to flex forwardly and provide lateral stiffness throughout the movement contributes to better skater performance.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to hockey skates and in particular to improvements that allow increased leg flexion movement in the upper portion of the boot of the skate. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    My earlier U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,881 discloses a lace extension arrangement secured at the upper portion of a boot of a hockey skate that accommodates additional bending or flexion about the ankle in a forward/rearward direction. This increased flexion often provides improved performance for the user. 
         [0003]    In my earlier design, lace extensions are provided at the upper edge of the hockey boot that allows the user to thread the lace through one of several forwardly extending eyelets appropriate to define a forward end position of the top opening of the hockey skate (flexion channel). The series of generally horizontal eyelets allow the user to determine the amount of bending or leg flexion that is accommodated. In my preferred embodiment, the two extension arms are joined by a U-shaped portion that extends behind the heel of the boot and the arms are secured by securing mechanisms that engage the top eyelets of the skate. Three forwardly extending eyelets are provided and the user can select which of these eyelets is best for his skating preferences. 
         [0004]    The present invention also allows adjustment of the flexion channel and provides additional flexibility for the user to customize the installation of a combination boot and lace extender. The boot extender according to the invention allows the user to modify the characteristics of the skate and determine their own optimum or preferred position. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A boot extension arrangement according to the present invention is for use in association with the boot of a hockey skate. The hockey skate boot includes two opposed series of eyelets that cooperate with a tongue for adjustably closing the front portion of the skate using a lace. The boot extension arrangement comprises two extension portions located on opposite sides of an upper portion of the boot and cooperate to define an increased flexion channel therebetween to accommodate a user&#39;s leg when in a forward flex position. Each extension portion projects forwardly of a rearward-most eyelet of the series of eyelets for receiving laces at a position forward of a conventional securement position and has at least two vertically spaced apertures for selectively receiving a lace at the forward position. 
         [0006]    According to an aspect of the invention the boot extension arrangement further includes two securement means located on opposite sides of the boot for securing the boot extension arrangements to the opposing series of eyelets. Each securement is comprised of a first securement aperture for mechanical securement of the 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. 
         [0007]    According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the boot extension member is mechanically secured to the boot on an outside surface of the boot. 
         [0008]    According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the boot extension member is mechanically secured to the boot on an inside surface of the boot. 
         [0009]    In yet a further aspect of the invention, the boot extension arrangement includes removable padding material secured to an inside edge of the boot extension arrangement. 
         [0010]    In a preferred aspect of the invention the boot extension arrangement is an integral component of the boot. 
         [0011]    A boot extension for securement to a hockey skate comprises an extension portion having at least two vertically spaced apertures for selectively receiving laces at a forward position, and a securement portion spaced rearwardly of the forward portion for securement of said lace extension to the boot of the hockey skate. The securement portion comprises a first securement aperture for mechanical securement to the boot extension to an upper eyelet in one of said opposed series of eyelets of the hockey skate and a second securement aperture for securement to an eyelet below said top eyelet in said series of eyelets. 
         [0012]    In yet a further aspect of the invention, the second securement aperture is elongated in the vertical direction to accommodate different spacing between eyelets from one skate to a different skate. 
         [0013]    In a different aspect of the invention the lace extension concept is integrated with a hockey skate. The boat of the hockey skate has a bottom portion and an upper portion having two sides. Each side of the upper portion of the boot includes a boot extension portion extending forwardly of the junction between the upper portion and the lower portion of the boot and defines a flexion channel therebetween to accommodate a user&#39;s leg when in a forward flexed position. The boot has a securing set of two opposed series of eyelets for receiving a lace and securing the user&#39;s foot in the boot. A vertically spaced extension set of the two opposed series of eyelets are located on each extension portion of the boot. The top eyelet of the extension set of the two opposed series of eyelets is substantially forward of the rearmost eyelet of the securing set of the two opposed series of eyelets. In this way, the lace is passed through the eyelets, the user can utilize the series of eyelets on the extension portion of the boot to vary the length of the flexion channel. 
         [0014]    In a preferred aspect of the invention, the two opposed series of eyelets are located across the bottom portion of the boot and extend to where the upper portion and the bottom portion of the boot meet. 
         [0015]    In yet a further aspect of the invention, the securing set of two opposed series of eyelets is located across the bottom portion of the boot and extends to part way up the upper portion of the boot. 
         [0016]    With the present invention the user can selectively alter the length of the flexion channel and can use the lace system to vary the length of the flexion channel to optimize his performance. Significant improvements in performance are typically realized with respect to faster skating, more powerful acceleration per push and enhanced agility and stability. This system allows a user to experiment with different setups to find a particular setup that provides him with the desired performance and confidence. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a hockey skate with the extension member secured to one side of the boot of the skate; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2 . is a side view of the extension member designed to be secured to the hockey boot as an after-market product or as an adjustable or optional part of the hockey skate when originally sold; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the skate with two extension members secured to the boot; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  shows a portion of a user showing the ability of the modified hockey skate to accommodate extensive flexion of the leg within the upper portion of the boot; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a sideview of a boot, a person&#39;s foot and a boot stock measurement. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of a hockey skate  2  having a boot  4  of the traditional type having a lower boot portion  6  and an upper boot portion  8 . A tongue  10  is positioned within an opening of the skate and the skate is tightened about a user&#39;s foot using the two series of eyelets provided either side of the skate and tensioning the lace  12 . 
         [0024]    If the boot extension arrangement  20  was not present, two additional eyelets of the one series of eyelets would be visible at the upper portion of the upper boot. These eyelets are presently covered by the boot extension arrangement  20  which extends forwardly of the conventional securement position  19  of the lace and provides a series of forward eyelets  40  adjacent the front edge of the boot extension arrangement. These forward eyelets  40  as shown have three eyelets and the eyelets are vertically spaced. The vertical separation of these eyelets allows the user to select the number of eyelets he wishes to use to customize the flexion channel  30  defined between the achilles tendon guard  60  and the tongue  10 . The flexion channel  30  includes a length between the achilles guard  60  and the tongue  10  indicated as  32 . 
         [0025]    With the boot extension arrangement as shown in  FIG. 1  a user can modify conventional skates to customize the length of the flexion channel  30  and this has been found to significantly impact the skating characteristics of the user. The boot extension arrangement is shown as mechanically secured to the upper two eyelets of the conventional series of eyelets of a hockey skate and each extension member at the forward portion  26  thereof includes the series of forward eyelets  40  where adjacent eyelets of the series are vertically spaced. The vertical separation allows the mouth of the flexion channel  30  to vary lowering a front edge thereof if desired. Also the eyelets can be used in combination. 
         [0026]    As perhaps best shown in  FIG. 4  the boot extenders  22  are mechanically fastened to the upper boot  8  and extend the boot forward while still allowing inward curvature or deflection of boot narrowing and eventually determining a closed from of the flexion channel  30 . These extenders are not merely lace extenders as they cooperate and extend the upper boot portion and assist in providing lateral stability or stiffness. 
         [0027]    For example, a user may choose to only use the bottom pair of eyelets, or the bottom pair in combination with the middle eyelets, or all three pairs of eyelets. A user may also experiment using only the middle or upper eyelets. If the user only uses the lower pair of eyelets the length of the flexion channel  30  is generally lengthened and thus he can bend his leg farther forward before encountering. It has been found that the upper portion  8  of the conventional hockey skate is quite stiff and provides excellent side to side rigidity and stability for the skater. The boot extension members  22  are also of a relatively stiff material (i.e. similar to that of the boot) and thus form an extension of the boot and do not readily bend towards each other but rather deflect towards each other under the influence of the lace as the boot would deflect. This arrangement generally keeps the flexion channel  30  open until restricted by the laces. There is some deflection of the boot extension members towards each other at the forward edge and depending upon the tension applied to the laces, this adjustment is also variable by the user. 
         [0028]    As perhaps best shown in  FIG. 4  the boot extenders  22  are mechanically fastened to the upper boot  8  and extend the boot forward while still allowing inward curvature or deflection of boot narrowing and eventually determining a closed front of the flexion channel  30 . These extenders are not merely lace extenders as they cooperate and extend the upper boot portion and assist in providing lateral stability or stiffness. 
         [0029]    The boot extension members preferably are of a plastic that can be heated to allow some bending or curvature and then cooled. This provides for further customization by a supplier or the end user. A preferred material for the boot extension members is supplied by Dupont under the mark Delrin 100 ST™. 
         [0030]    The particular placement of the eyelets in a conventional boot at the upper portion of the boot (i.e. the top two or three eyelets) does vary from hockey skate to hockey skate. To accommodate this, the extension members  22  include at a rear edge of the extension member a single port, namely the upper port, for receiving a mechanical fastener and a slot type aperture  55  therebelow for receiving a second mechanical fastener. In this way the slot  55  provides flexibility to accommodate the different spacing and positioning of the eyelets that is encountered from skate to skate. The preferred length of the extension members  22  is approximately 1.5 inches and this provides a very significant modification of the flexion channel  30 . We have also found that these extension members can be sold in a shorter length (i.e. approximately 1 inch) and this will provide approximately 15 degrees of additional flexion whereas the longer member provides approximately 25 degrees of flexion forward. The distance between the top edge and the bottom edge of the boot extenders  22  is preferably about 1.25 to 1.5 inches. 
         [0031]    The rearward ports of the extension member provide firm securement of the member to the upper portion of the hockey boot and thus the extension members form extension portions of the boot and have similar type characteristics. The two securement points avoid pivoting of the extension member and the series of forward eyelets provide for significant adjustment by the end user to experience the skate at different adjustment points and determine a position that the particular user finds both advantageous and acceptable. As shown these members preferably extend the upper boot position either side thereof and provide some lateral stability due to the significant size top to bottom and the positive attachment at two or more points to function in the manner of the upper boot. The thickness of the extenders is similar to the walls of the upper boot and are not prone to buckling or folding. Movement of the extenders towards one another during lace tightening is transmitted back to the upper boot together with some deflection of the extenders. 
         [0032]    The particular material of the extension members must react to relative cold conditions that may occur playing hockey outside, for example, as well as much warmer temperatures that are experienced in the later part of the season. The Delrin 100 ST™ material is quite durable with respect to shocks and will not crack during normal use. Other similar materials can be used. The materials used for existing molded plastic hockey skates may also be suitable. 
         [0033]    In a preferred embodiment, the extension arms are made to be integral with the hockey boot and can also be made such that the upper portion of the boot is of a different material than the lower boot portion. It is desirable that the particular type of plastic used can also be adjusted or modified by the end user by heating of the plastic by placing the extension member in boiling water and/or providing low heat such as by a hair dryer it is possible to bend the plastic, and the typical modifications are to bend it slightly inwardly providing a desired curvature, however it is also possible to deflect it in the vertical plane perhaps to open up the upper edge, for example. Once the member has been appropriately adjusted by the user, it is cooled and set and generally retains that shape unless it is reheated and adjusted again. As shown in the drawings it is not only lengthening the flexion channel but also providing some of the same type of side to side stability for the extend flexion channel. In contrast the lower boot portion and the lace system is primarily about securement and comfort. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  shows a hockey boot with the two extension members applied or secured either side of the boot. It has been shown without the lace extending through the eyelets for clarity. The end user would select the appropriate eyelets he wishes to establish his particular length of the flexion channel and typically this is done merely by performance evaluation and/or comfort evaluation by the user. 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 5 , an extension measurement  100  is shown that is helpful in using the boot extenders on a particular boot. The boot stock measurement  104  is the measurement from the heel to the vertical line that passes through the forward most extension point  106  where the user&#39;s shin is restrained by the laces. Typically the 55 degree angle is a good base point. The boot stock measurement varies by the user. The extender length is then determined by measuring from the top eyelet  102  to point  106 . In most cases this is about 1 inch. The spaced vertical eyelets allow the user to adjust around this average setting. 
         [0036]    Modern skates are now very stiff and if tied in the conventional manner the angle of flexion is very restricted due to the stiffness of the boots. The extenders allow additional bend and contribute to lateral stiffness in the extended structure. 
         [0037]    These extenders use the stiffness of the upper portion of the boot to allow the extenders to pull the sides of the upper portion inwardly (providing side support) while extending the amount of flex. It can be appreciated that during skating a dynamic movement and deflection of the upper portion of the boot occurs and the extenders in combination with the boot maintain lateral stiffness. 
         [0038]    Building the component into a boot is advantageous as there are no separate connection members (possible point of weakness) and the product is more efficient, lighter and comfortable. 
         [0039]    It has been found that there are very significant increases in skate performance such as increased stride length, more power, expanded mobility, enhanced ankle flexion, greater knee bend and better balance to name a number of the improvements.  FIG. 4  shows a lower portion of a user with two skates and the extent that one leg is significantly bent while the other one is more vertical. 
         [0040]    The present invention provides a simple and effective approach for allowing a user to modify a conventional hockey skate or to modify the structure of a conventional hockey boot in a new manner that is integrated with the boot to provide a much greater flexion channel than conventional hockey skates. This approach of extending the upper portion of a boot is also useful in other stiff skates such as figure skates, speed skates and roller blades. The hockey skate application is perhaps more demanding and difficult. 
         [0041]    Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the appended claims.