Granted Patent B2

US 7,290,355 · App. 10/810,554 · Granted Nov 6, 2007

Abstract

Claims (27)

1. A skate boot for enclosing a foot of a player, the foot having a forefoot and a front ankle portion, said skate boot having a tongue and an ankle portion with upper eyelets, said tongue comprising:

a) a first section covering the forefoot of the foot;

b) a second section connected to said first section via a flexing zone, said flexing zone having a thickness less than the first and second sections to permit folding and being located slightly above said upper eyelets and enabling said second section to be movable between a first position, in which said second section covers a portion of the front ankle portion of the foot; and a second position, in which said second section overlaps a portion of said first section, wherein, in use, the player can fold said second section over said first section for wearing said boot with said tongue in said second position whereby further protection for a portion of the forefoot is provided, wherein said second section comprises at least one flexing region for enabling said second section to expand laterally as it moves from said first position to said second position.

2. A skate boot as defined in claim 1 , wherein said flexing zone comprises a V-shaped groove.

3. A skate boot as defined in claim 1 , said tongue comprises a first layer attached to a second layer, said first and second layers being made of foam.

4. A skate boot as defined in claim 3 , wherein said first layer comprises on inner surface facing the foot, said first layer having a first density, said second layer having a second density, said second density being greater than said first density.

5. A skate boot as defined in claim 1 , wherein said flexing zone is a first flexing zone, said tongue further comprising a second flexing zone located below said first flexing zone.

6. A skate boot as defined in claim 1 , wherein said first section, said second section and said flexing zone are integrally formed.

7. A skate boot as defined in claim 6 , wherein said first section is of a first thickness, said second section is of a second thickness and said flexing zone is of a third thickness, wherein said third thickness is less than said first thickness and said second thickness.

8. A skate boot as defined in claim 7 , wherein said flexing zone comprises a V-shaped groove.

9. A skate boot as defined in claim 8 , wherein said flexing region is of a fourth thickness, wherein said fourth thickness is less than said first thickness and said second thickness.

10. A skate boot as defined in claim 9 , wherein said flexing region comprises a groove extending substantially perpendicular to said flexing zone.

11. A skate boot as defined in claim 8 , wherein said tongue is formed of multiple layers of material.

12. A skate boot as defined in claim 11 , wherein said tongue comprises a first layer attached to a second layer.

13. A skate boot as defined in claim 12 , wherein one of said first and second layers is made of foam.

14. A skate boot as defined in claim 12 , wherein both said first and said second layers are made of foam.

15. A skate boot as defined in claim 14 , wherein said first layer comprises an inner surface facing the foot, said first layer having a first density, said second layer having a second density, said second density being greater than said first density.

16. A skate boot as defined in claim 14 , wherein said foam is selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, polyethylene foam, ethylene polypropylene foam and polyurethane foam.

17. A skate boot as defined in claim 11 , wherein said first section, said second section and said flexing zone are integrally formed.

18. A skate boot as defined in claim 17 , wherein said first section is of a first Thickness, said second section is of a second Thickness and said flexing zone is of a third thickness, wherein said third thickness is less than said first thickness and said second thickness.

19. A skate boot as defined in claim 18 , wherein said flexing zone comprises a V-shaped groove.

20. A skate boot as defined in claim 19 , wherein said second section comprises at least one flexing region for enabling said second section to expand laterally as it moves from said first position to said second position.

21. A skate boat as defined in claim 20 , wherein said flexing region is of a fourth thickness, wherein said fourth thickness is less than said first thickness and said second thickness.

22. A skate boot as defined in claim 21 , wherein said flexing region comprises a groove extending substantially perpendicular to said flexing zone.

23. A skate boot for enclosing a foot of a player, the foot having a forefoot and a front ankle portion, said skate boot having a tongue and an ankle portion with upper eyelets, said tongue comprising:

a) a first section covering the forefoot of the foot;

b) a second section connected to said first section via a flexing zone, said flexing zone having a thickness less than the first and second sections to permit folding and being located slightly above said upper eyelets and enabling said second section to be movable between a first position, in which said section covers a portion of the front ankle portion of the foot; and a second position, in which said second section overlaps a portion of said first section, wherein, in use, the player can fold said second section over said first section for wearing said boot with said tongue in said second position whereby further protection for a portion of the forefoot is provided, said tongue comprises a first layer attached to a second layer, said first and second layers being made out of foam, wherein said first layer comprises an inner surface facing the foot, said first layer having a first density, said second layer having a second density, said second density being greater than said first density.

Assignments (14)