Patent Abstract:
A customizable hockey skate includes a removable runner-blade assembly such that a runner-blade assembly having a first stiffness may be readily replaced with a runner-blade assembly having a second stiffness. The runner-blade assembly may be removably attached to first and second cups that are optionally removably attached to the sole of a skate boot. The first and second cups optionally are removably attachable at multiple lateral locations on the sole. Mounting plates to which the first and second cups are mounted may be included to provide damping interfaces between the first and second cups and the boot sole. The first and second cups may be separately removable from the sole such that the first cup may be replaced with a third cup (for example, a cup having a different stiffness than the first cup) without removal of the second cup.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/522,058, filed Aug. 10, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present embodiments are directed to an ice hockey skate system that is useful in providing optional blade stiffness and ease of swapping out ice hockey skate blades. 
         [0003]    For nearly 150 years, hockey has been an important winter pastime for outdoor enthusiasts. In that time, hockey has evolved in rules and equipment. For example, in 1879, teams had nine players on each side, yet today teams have only six players. Also, old fashioned hockey skates were once steel blades tied to the bottom of stiff pair of shoes, but today their construction can include over-molded stainless steel blades attached to high technology skate boots. 
         [0004]    Today the sport of ice hockey has spread to street hockey, which does not require any skate whatsoever to rollerblading and roller skating. However, the hockey skate is distinguishable over other forms of roller related skates, such as roller skates or roller blades because of the high rigidity required by the ice hockey skate. Accordingly, the only thing similar between a roller skate or roller blade and a hockey skate is the boot. All other aspects have diverged (though they may look similar) because of the very different requirements between ice hockey skates and roller blades, roller skates, etc. 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a prior art illustration depicting the present state of the art hockey skate  100 . As depicted, today&#39;s hockey skate  100  provides a standard leather or plastic boot  104  with a tendon guard  102  and a high stiffness arrangement comprising a skate blade  108  embedded in a one-piece blade holder  106  that is riveted or screwed onto the boot sole  112 . 
         [0006]    It is to innovative improvements related to ice hockey skates systems that the claimed invention is generally directed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present embodiments generally relate to an ice hockey skate system that is useful in providing optional blade stiffness and ease of swapping out ice hockey skate blades. Some embodiments of the present invention contemplate a hockey skate apparatus comprising: a first runner-blade assembly that possesses: a steel ice-hockey skate blade that extends in length between a front end and a back end and has an ice surface and a top surface; a runner that is integrated with the skate blade, the runner essentially covers the top surface and extends part way towards the ice surface; a front cup removably attached to the first runner-blade assembly towards the front end; a back cup removably attached to the first runner-blade assembly towards the back end, the back cup and the front cup are adapted to be independent from one another, the front cup and the back cup are of a different material than the runner; the front cup and the back cup are removably attached to an ice-skate boot sole such that when fully assembled, the cups and the first runner-blade assembly essentially form a rigid structure connected to the ice-skate boot sole; the first runner-blade assembly adapted to be replaced with a second runner-blade assembly that possesses a different stiffness than the first runner-blade assembly. 
         [0008]    Other embodiments contemplate the hockey skate wherein the front cup and the back cup have different vibration damping properties than the runner, wherein the front cup is removably attached to the first runner-blade assembly via a front bolt and the back cup is removably attached to the first runner-blade assembly via a back bolt, wherein the first runner-blade assembly is adapted to be replaced with the second runner-blade assembly by removing the front cup and the back cup from the ice-skate boot sole, wherein at least one of the cups is adapted to be removably attached to the ice-skate boot sole in various lateral positions, wherein the runner is composed of a polymer based material, wherein the cups are composed of magnesium, wherein further comprising either a front mounting plate between the front cup and the ice-skate boot sole or a back mounting plate between the back cup and the ice-skate boot sole, the runner essentially covers the top surface of the skate blade means the runner covers at least 90% of the top surface, the first runner-blade assembly is attached to the front cup by way of a bolt that is accommodated by a hole that penetrates both the skate blade and the runner. 
         [0009]    Yet other embodiments envision the hockey skate apparatus wherein the runner possesses a slot that accommodates the skate blade, and further, the skate blade is received by a plurality of different runners wherein each of the runners provides different stiffness. 
         [0010]    Other embodiments contemplate the hockey skate apparatus further comprising both a front mounting plate between the front cup and the ice-skate boot sole and a back mounting plate between the back cup and the ice-skate boot sole, wherein the mounting plate is metal, wherein the mounting plates are adapted to create a vibration damping interface, wherein the mounting plates further include at least one layer of dissimilar material adapted to create a vibration damping interface, wherein the at least one layer of dissimilar material is from the group consisting of: a metal plate, a polymer, a compliant metal (lead), compliant glue. 
         [0011]    Other embodiments contemplate a hockey skate apparatus comprising: a hockey boot possessing a boot sole that defines a toe end and a heal end; attached to the boot sole near the toe end is a first cup and attached to the boot sole near the heal end is a second cup, wherein the first cup is capable of being swapped out with a like first cup from the boot sole while the second cup remains attached; a first runner-blade assembly attached to the first and the second cups, the runner-blade assembly possessing a steel ice-hockey skate blade that extends in length between a front end and a back end and has an ice surface and a top surface; the runner-blade assembly further possessing a runner that is integrated with the skate blade, the runner covers a significant portion of the length of the top surface and extends part way towards the ice surface on both sides of the skate blade; the cups and the first runner-blade assembly when fully attached to the boot sole are essentially positionally fixed. 
         [0012]    Yet other embodiments envision the hockey skate apparatus wherein the first cup is a different material than the second cup, or wherein the cups are attached to the boot sole via at least one intermediary structure, wherein the at least one intermediary structure is an interface plate or wherein the at least one intermediary structure is made of a different material than the cups. 
         [0013]    Yet other embodiments contemplate a method comprising: providing a first runner-blade assembly that is fixedly connected to a first front cup and a first back cup wherein the first cups are attached to a hockey skate sole, the first cups are positionally static relative the first runner-blade assembly and the hockey skate sole; detaching the first cups from the hockey skate sole without detaching the first runner-blade assembly; attaching a second front cup and a second rear cup, that are fixedly connected to a second runner-blade assembly, to the hockey skate sole wherein the second runner-blade assembly has a different stiffness than the first runner-blade assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a prior art ice hockey skate. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are illustrations of an ice hockey skate constructed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 3A-3D  are illustrations of an ice hockey blade and runner and runner-blade assembly constructed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4A-4F  are illustrations of ice hockey cups including their construction with a ice hockey blade and runner-blade assembly constructed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 5A-5C  are illustrations of a mounting plate and the mounting plate&#39;s relationship with the runner-blade assembly constructed in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a method to swap out runner-blade assemblies in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Before proceeding with the detailed description, it is to be appreciated that the present teaching is by way of example only, not by limitation. The concepts herein are not limited to use or application with a specific ice hockey skate system or method. Thus, although the instrumentalities described herein are for the convenience of explanation shown and described with respect to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood and appreciated that the principles herein may be applied equally in various types of ice hockey skates. 
         [0021]    It should further be appreciated that the forgoing description is strictly intended for only ice hockey skates because the demands on the structures that comprise the inventive embodiments provide the essential rigidity absent in non-ice hockey skates, such as roller-blades, for example. Non-ice hockey skates, such as roller-blades require the kind of vibration related structures to compensate for rough asphalt and bumpy surfaces, which do not exist on a sheet of ice. 
         [0022]    Referring to the drawings in general, and more specifically to  FIG. 2A , shown therein is an illustration of a ice hockey skate arrangement  200  constructed in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In what follows, similar or identical structures may be identified using identical callouts. 
         [0023]    More specifically,  FIG. 2A  illustratively shows the hockey skate arrangement  200  possessing a hockey skate boot  218 , which is adapted to accommodate a hockey player&#39;s foot (not shown). The hockey skate boot  218  has a toe end (front end)  106  and a heal end (back end)  104 . Fixedly attached to the ice hockey skate boot sole  216  at the toe end  106  is a front mounting plate  208 . Fixedly attached to the ice hockey skate boot sole  216  at the heal end  106  is a rear mounting plate  206 . The front mounting plate  208  removably connects a front cup  202  to the toe end  106  of the boot sole  216  and the back mounting plate  206  removably connects a back cup  204  of the heal end  104  of the boot sole  216 . The term removably attached is used herein to indicate that an object is essentially rigidly attached to another object but removable such as by bolts, screws, etc. Objects which are glued or welded together are considered not removably attached because there is no intention to separate the objects. The front cup  202  and the back cup  204  are removably connected to a runner-blade assembly  220  via a front bolt  212  and a rear bolt  214  respectively. The term cup is used herein to mean any structure or mechanism suitable for directly or indirectly attaching the runner-blade assembly  220  to the skate boot. The runner-blade assembly  220  is comprised of an ice-hockey blade  211 , preferably made from stainless steel, that is integrated with a runner  210 , preferably made from a polymeric material, such as nylon to withstand impacts of a hockey puck, hockey stick, or other hockey skate, for example. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a preferred embodiment consistent with embodiments of the present invention wherein the front mounting plate  208  is recessed in the front cup  202  and the rear mounting plate  206  is recessed in the back cup  204  such that the cups  202  and  204  are essentially flush with the bottom/externally exposed part of the boot sole  216 . As shown by the illustrative embodiment, the constructed components essentially comprise the runner-blade assembly  220 , the cups  202  and  204 , the mounting plates  208  and  206  and the boot sole  216  to form, more or less, a rigid structure. That is, the constructed components when attached are immobile and static with the exception of the natural deflection properties associated with the structures that are dictated by modulus of elasticity and moment(s) of inertia. Hence, to a layman, the constructed components essentially feel like a solid rigid structure when attempted to be manipulated by a pair of hands. Certain embodiments contemplate the opening  280  can optionally be small enough to prevent a hockey puck from going through the opening  280 . Optional embodiments contemplate a shield (not shown) that can block a substantial portion, or all of, the opening  280 . 
         [0025]    With reference to  FIGS. 3A-3D , shown therein is an embodiment of the runner-blade assembly  220  consistent with embodiments of the present invention. As illustratively shown in  FIG. 3A , in conjunction with  FIG. 3B  and  FIG. 3C , the runner-blade assembly  220  is generally comprised of runner  210  that is integrated with an ice skate blade  211 . The ice skate blade  211  extends in length between a front end  308  and a back end  306 , whereby the front end  308  corresponds to approximately where the toe end  106  of the hockey skate boot  218  resides and the back end  306  corresponds to approximately where the heal end  104  of the hockey skate boot  218  resides (see  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). Certain embodiments of the present invention contemplate the front end  308  of the runner-blade assembly  220  extending beyond the toe end  106  of the hockey skate boot  218  (shown in  FIG. 2A ), and, optionally, the back end  306  of the runner-blade assembly  220  extending beyond the heal end  104  of the hockey skate boot  218  (shown in  FIG. 2A ). With further reference to the ice skate blade  211  embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3B , the ice skate blade  211  is defined by a top surface  312  and an ice surface  310 , whereby the ice surface  310  is adapted to be in contact with a sheet of ice (not shown). The runner  210  is integrated with the ice skate blade  211  such that the runner  210  essentially covers the top surface  312  of the ice skate blade  211 . As shown in the present illustrative embodiment, the front end  318  of the ice skate blade  211  extends beyond the runner  210 , however the back end  320  of the ice skate blade  211  does not extend beyond the runner  210 , hence, the runner  210  essentially covers the top surface  312  of the ice skate blade  211 . In this embodiment, essentially covers is contemplated to mean that at least 90% of the top surface  312  of the ice skate blade  211  is covered by the runner  210 . In optional embodiments, the back end  220  of the ice skate blade  211  extends beyond the runner  210 . As further shown, the ice skate blade  211  includes a front protrusion  316  that accommodates a front hole  304  and a rear protrusion  314  that accommodates a rear hole  304 . The front hole  304  and the rear hole  302  provide a suitable location for the front bolt  212  and the rear bolt  214  to respectively connect the runner-blade assembly  220  to the front cup  202  and the back cup  204 . Optional embodiments contemplate other means for removably connecting the runner-blade assembly  220  to the front cup  202  and the back cup  204 , such as pins, for example. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3C  provides an axial views of the front  308  of the runner-blade assembly  220  integrated with the runner  210  and the ice skate blade  211  and  FIG. 3D  provides an axial view of the front  308  of the runner-blade assembly  220  not integrated with the runner  210  and the ice skate blade  211 , consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3C , the runner  210  is adapted to accommodates the ice skate blade  211  via a slot  325 . The top of the runner  210  is also illustratively shown possessing a runner-blade tongue  336  that engages a cup  202 , discussed in more detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 5A and 5B .  FIG. 3D  illustratively shows the runner  210  extending over the top surface  312  of the ice skate blade  211  about 50% part way towards the ice surface  310 . In a preferred embodiment, the runner  210  extends between 25%-75% from the top surface  312  of the ice skate blade  211  towards the ice surface  310  of the ice skate blade  211 . Other embodiments contemplate the runner  210  extending from the top surface  312  of the ice skate blade  211  towards the ice surface  310  of the ice skate blade  211  in different percentages. Certain embodiments contemplate the runner  210  being made from a polymeric material such as nylon 6/6 to withstand being struck by a hockey puck. Yet other embodiments contemplate the runner  210  being constructed from a carbon fiber, such as a carbon mesh in a resin that is directionally positioned to provide various engineered stiffness. 
         [0027]    In an optional embodiment, the ice skate blade  211  and the runner  210  are irremovably connected. One embodiment contemplates the runner  210  formed over the ice skate blade  211  and a polymeric runner material molded over the ice skate blade  211  and cured with contiguous polymeric material in the holes  302  and  304 , thus locking the ice skate blade  211  to the runner  210 . Other embodiments contemplate a different means for irremovably connecting the runner  210  and the ice skate blade such as rivets, pins that are expanded in the holes  302  and  304 , over-molded bolts and pins, etc. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 4A-4E  illustratively show an embodiment of cups  202  and  204  in more detail. With reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , shown therein are perspective views of one half of the front cup  202  and one half of the back cup  204 , respectively. Both the front cup  202  and the back cup  204  show a hollowed out portion  408  and stiffening webs  406 . The hollowed out portion  408  provides weight reduction while the stiffening webs  406  increase the stiffness of the cups  202  and  204 . The front cup  202  illustratively shows a front runner-blade assembly cup space  402  that accommodates the front end  308  of the runner-blade assembly  220 . The front cup  202  further provides a front hole  304  adapted to align with the front hole  304  in the runner-blade assembly  220  to accommodate the front bolt  212 . Likewise, the back cup  204  illustratively shows a back runner-blade assembly cup space  404  that accommodates the back end  306  of the runner-blade assembly  220 . The back cup  204  further provides a back hole  302  adapted to align with the back hole  302  in the runner-blade assembly  220  to accommodate the back bolt  214 . The front runner-blade assembly cup space  402  and rear runner-blade assembly cup space  404  are recessed to accommodate the width of the runner-blade assembly  220 . The front and back cups  202  and  204  also provide top surfaces  410  and  412  and holes  414 , respectively, that can accommodate the mating surfaces of the front mounting plate  208  and the rear mounting plate  206 , which are removably attached via cup-plate bolts  413 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4C  illustratively shows an embodiment of a cut-away assembly of one half of the front cup  202  and one half of the back cup  204  with the ice skate blade  211  in a removably attached position. The ice skate blade  211  is shown without the runner  210  to illustrate the position of the ice skate blade  211  relative to the cups  202  and  204 . The front bolt  212  and the back bolt  214  are disposed in the respective holes  304  and  302  to help illustrate the placement of the ice skate blade  211 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4D  illustratively shows an embodiment of a cut-away assembly of one half of the front cup  202  and one half of the back cup  204  with the runner-blade assembly  220  in an attached position. The runner-blade assembly  220  is illustratively shown in a mounted position with the front bolt  212  and the back bolt  214  in the respective holes  304  and  302 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 4E  illustratively shows an embodiment of a full assembly of the front cup  202  and the back cup  204  with the runner-blade assembly  220  removably connected thereto. The runner-blade assembly  220  is in a mounted position with the front bolt  212  and the back bolt  214  disposed in the respective holes  304  and  302 . Hence, the back cup  204  is removably attached to the runner-blade assembly  220  towards the back end  306  and the front cup  202  is removably attached to the runner-blade assembly  220  towards the front end  308 . Because the front cup  202  is separate and independent from the back cup  204 , the front cup  202  can be replaced (swapped out) with a different front cup while the back cup  204  remains attached to the runner-blade assembly  220 , and vice-versa. The runner-blade assembly  220  fits, via a runner-blade tongue  336  (shown in  FIG. 3 ), into an accommodating runner-blade assembly slot  430  in the cups  202  and  204 . In the present embodiment, the front cup halves  202 A and  202 B and the back cup halves  204 A and  204 B are fixedly assembled together with epoxy, however other means for fixedly attaching the halves of the cups together contemplate bolts, welds, and other means known to those skilled in the art. In an optional embodiment, the front cup  202  and back cup  204  do not have halves but are rather formed as a single cup  202  and  204 . In another optional embodiment, the front cup halves  202 A and  202 B and the back cup halves  204 A and  204 B are removably assembled together with bolts, however other means for attaching the cup halves such pins, latches or quick releases are contemplated. Certain embodiments contemplate the cups  202  and  204  being made from metal, such as a titanium alloy or an aluminum alloy to withstand the shock impact of a hockey puck or stick, for example. Other embodiments contemplate the cups  202  and  204  being made out of composite carbon such as a woven carbon mesh in a resin. Yet other embodiments envision stiff composite polymer cups  202  and  204 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4F  illustratively shows a front view of the runner-blade assembly  220  removably attached to the front cup  202 . The runner-blade tongue  336  fits into the accommodating runner-blade assembly slot  430 , as shown. Certain embodiments contemplate the runner-blade assembly slot  430  comprising an angle that tapers from the opening of the slot  432  to the back of the slot  434  in order to improve the seating of the runner-blade assembly  220 , or more specifically the runner-blade tongue  336 , in the slot to a “snug fit”. Certain embodiments further contemplate the runner-blade tongue  336  possessing a similar angle to the angle of the tapered runner-blade assembly slot  430  in order to optimally mate. In a preferred embodiment, the tapered runner-blade assembly slot  430  is between 1 degree and 8 degrees whereby the opening of the slot  432  is wider than the back of the slot  434 . Other embodiments contemplate a taper as much as 25 degrees or more. Optional embodiments contemplate a compliant surface, such as a rubber coating, on the surface of slot  432  and/or the runner-blade tongue  336  to improve friction between the slot  432  and the runner-blade tongue  336  when assembled together with the bolts  212  and  214 . 
         [0033]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustratively show a mounting plate consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In certain embodiments, the front mounting plate  208  and the rear mounting plate  206  are essentially identical, herein generically designated as element  500 . Other embodiments contemplate the front and rear mounting plates  208  and  206  as having different shapes, but fundamentally both function to attach the cups  202  and  204  to the boot sole  216 . With continued reference to the mounting plate  500 , shown therein are three bolts  413  that are used to removably attach the cup  202  or  204  to the mounting plate  500 . Other means for removably attaching the cups  202  and  204  to the mounting plates  500  include quick releases, mating structures that removably interlock, just to name a few examples. Certain embodiments contemplate the mounting plates  500  integrated in (built in) the boot sole  216 . For example, the mounting plates  500  are formed in the rigid boot sole  216  such that the mounting plate top  502  is essentially flush with the top portion of the boot sole  216  that is in contact with a hockey player&#39;s foot or a sole insert (not shown) that is used as a cushion between the hard top portion and the hockey player&#39;s foot. Certain embodiments contemplate the mounting plate thickness  506  to be essentially the thickness of the boot sole  216 . In one embodiment, the boot sole  216  is constructed out of a hard plastic that is molded around by the boot sole  216  to fixedly retain the mounting plate  500  in the boot sole  216  exposing only the mounting plate top  502  and the mounting plate bottom  504 , wherein the mounting plate bottom  504  provides a surface that is adapted to be in contact with the top  410  or  412  of a cup  202  or  204 , respectively. Another optional embodiment contemplates the boot sole  216  being constructed from carbon fiber that is molded around to fixedly retain the mounting plate  500  exposing only the mounting plate top  502  and the mounting plate bottom  504 . In yet another optional embodiment, the mounting plate top  502  is slightly buried under the inside surface of the boot sole  216 , such that slotted shapes are machined out from the inside surface of the boot sole  216  to expose the slotted openings  510 . One embodiment contemplates the mounting plate  500  being textured to be better secured to the boot sole  216  when molded therein. The mounting plates  500  can be made of metal, such as aluminum, steel, titanium, etc., or can be a composite carbon material or polymer, for example, or ceramic. Yet other embodiments contemplate the mounting plates  500  constructed from a laminate of different materials sandwiched together that run parallel to the surface that mates with the ice hockey skate boot sole  216 . 
         [0034]    In an optional embodiment, shown in FIGS.  5 B 1  and  5 B 2 , the mounting plate  500  provides slotted openings  510  that accommodate the bolts  413  and allow for offset adjustment of the cups  202  and  204  and runner-blade assembly  220 . More specifically, as illustratively shown in FIG.  5 B 1 , the bolts  413  fixedly screw into accommodating holes  414  in the back cup  204  essentially retaining the cup  204  in an offset position to the far left to create an offset of the runner-blade assembly  220 . The back cup  204  is used herein to simplify the explanation; however the same optional adjustments can be done with the front cup  202 . FIG.  5 B 2  shows the inverse of FIG.  5 B 1  whereby the bolts  413  are positioned in the far right of the slots  510 , thus creating an offset with the runner-blade assembly  220  in the other direction. Optionally, the bolts  413  are positioned in the slots  510  of the front mounting plate  500  to the far left and the bolts  413  are positioned in the slots  510  of the rear mounting plate  500  to the far left, thus positioning the runner-blade assembly  220  offset to one side of the boot sole  216 , but without an angular offset. Optionally, the bolts  413  are positioned in the center of the slots  510  in the front and back mounting plates  500  for a neutral positioning of the runner-blade assembly  220 . Optionally, the bolts  413  are positioned in the slots  510  such that the positioning of the runner-blade assembly  220  offset has an angular offset (e.g., the bolts  413  are to the left side of the slots  510  in the rear mounting plate  500  and to the right side of the slots  510  in the front mounting plate  500 ). Other embodiments contemplate the tops  410  and  412  of the cups  202  and  204 , respectively, and/or the mounting plates  500  providing detents to position the offset in a standard manner, for example −3 (corresponding to the far left), −2, −1, 0 (corresponding to neutral), +1, +2, +3 (corresponding to the far right). In this way, a hockey player that knows their personal setting is a +1 (a little in offset to the right), for example, can simply move the mounting plate to +1 and tighten the bolts  413 . 
         [0035]    Certain embodiments contemplate the front mounting plate  208  and the back mounting plate  206  being joined together to form a one piece unit  520 , as illustratively shown in  FIG. 5C . A one piece unit  520  can improve the stiffness of the boot sole  216  and the manufacturability of integrating the mounting plates within or on the sole. Another embodiment contemplates a boot sole and the mounting plates being one and the same unit. For example, the one sole unit being a size-9, yet another being a size-12 unit that is integrated (sown in, glued in) the boot  218 . 
         [0036]    The slots  510  can accommodate a method for customizing the position of the runner-blade assembly  220  relative to the boot sole  216 . One embodiment contemplates loosening the bolts  413 , such as with an allen-key if it is an allen-head bolt, in the rear mounting plate  206  and in the front mounting plate  208 . This is accomplished by accessing the inside surface of the boot sole  216  by reaching inside the hockey skate boot  218 ; sliding the front cup  202  to a non-neutral position, such that the bolts  413  slide to one side of the slots  510  in the front mounting plate  208 ; sliding the back cup  204  to a non-neutral position, such that the bolts  413  slide to one side of the slots  510  in the rear mounting plate  206 , wherein the neutral position is when the bolts  413  are in the center of the slots  510 ; tightening the bolts  413  to essentially lock the cups  202  and  204  to the mounting plates  206  and  208  in an immobile arrangement to secure the offset positioning. The offset positioning can be optimized for a specific hockey skater. 
         [0037]    Certain embodiments contemplate a compliant gasket between the bottom surface  504  of the mounting plates  208  and  206  and the mating surface  410  and  412  of the cups  202  and  204 , respectively, such as a rubber gasket, a low elastic modulus metal gasket, a fabric gasket, etc. Such a surface adds friction to reduce the chance of any movement between the cups  202  and  204  and the mounting plates  208  and  206 . Yet other embodiments contemplate a compliant overcoat on the surfaces of the mounting plates  206  and  208  that mate with (are in contact with) the ice hockey skate boot sole  216 , such as a thin rubber or polymer paint, for example. Yet other embodiments contemplate an interlocking structure on the bottom surface  504  of the mounting plates  208  and  206  and the mating surface  410  and  412  of the cups  202  and  204 , respectively. Such interlocking structures can be grooves, waffle shapes, pins and accommodating holes, etc. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a method for exchanging (swapping out) a first runner-blade assembly that has a first stiffness with a second runner-blade assembly with a second stiffness that is different from the first stiffness.  FIG. 6  is described in conjunction with  FIGS. 2B and 4F . It should be recognized that the steps presented in the described embodiments of the present invention do not necessarily require any particular sequence unless otherwise stated. When the runner-blade assembly  220  needs to be replaced with a different runner-blade assembly because of damage, wear to the blade surface  310 , or to change the stiffness of the runner-blade assembly the following steps are carried out. With reference to step  602 , the front bolt  212  is loosened and removed from the front cup  202  and the rear bolt  214  is loosened and removed from the back cup  204 . As illustratively shown in step  604 , once the bolts  212  and  214  are removed, the first runner-blade assembly  220  is pulled-out from the corresponding runner-blade assembly slots  430  in the bottom of the cups  202  and  204 . A second runner-blade assembly is then inserted, via the second runner-blade assembly tongues  336 , in the corresponding runner-blade assembly slots  430  in the bottom of the cups  202  and  204 , step  606 . Once the holes  302  and  304  are aligned, the front bolt  212  is inserted and tightened in place and the rear bolt  214  is inserted and tightened in place. Certain embodiments contemplate a mating structure in the tongue  336  and corresponding runner-blade assembly slot  430  to align the holes  304  between the cups  202  and  204  and the runner-blade assembly  220 , such as a key and key-hole, or another tongue and groove system that extends from the opening of the slot  432  to the back of the slot  434 . A stiffer runner-blade assembly may be used for a heavier, more aggressive, or less tired hockey player, for example. 
         [0039]    It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with the details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the invention, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, the shape of the runner  210  and ice skate blade  211  may differ from the depicted embodiments to alter certain directional stiffness, for example, while still maintaining substantially the same functionality without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Another example can include alternate assemblies to construct the cups  202  and  204 , such as a molded or machined cup without a top  410  or  412  whereby the top  410  or  412  are attached later to form the complete cup  202  and  204 , or optionally no top exists, just receiving holes  414  for the bolts  413 , to name a few examples while still maintaining substantially the same functionality without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Further, for purposes of illustration, a first and second runner-blade assembly is used herein to simplify the description for a plurality of optional runner-blade assemblies. Additionally, as touched upon in conjunction with  FIGS. 2A and 2B , multiple styles of hockey skate boots, such as a goalie&#39;s boot or a defense player&#39;s boot, can operatively be employed while maintaining substantially the same functionality without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Another example can include alternate runner-blade assemblies that are shorter, longer, higher, etc., with the ability to interchangeably couple to the cups  102  and  104  to name a few examples while still maintaining substantially the same functionality without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Finally, although the preferred embodiments described herein are directed to standard ice hockey skate and related technology, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the teachings of the present invention can be applied to alternate types of ice hockey skates, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0040]    It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the invention disclosed and as ultimately defined in the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0