US2178424A - Ice skate - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 31, 1939. c, JOHNSON 2,178,424

ICE SKATE Filed June 7, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 och 1939.

c. I. JOHNSON 2,178,424

ICE SKATE I Filed June 7, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 31, 1939 TENT o FCE ICE SKATE Charles I. Johnson, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Nestor Johnson Mfg. 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June 7, 1937, Serial No. 146,731

8 Claims.

, The present invention relates generally to ice skates. More particularly the invention relates to that type of ice skate which is designed to be permanently attached to a shoe and comprises 5; as the main or essential parts thereof an elongated separately formed runner and a frame which serves to hold. the runner in place and support the shoe and consists of a pair of complemental one-piece stamped metal sections each 10; of which is shaped. to form (1) an elongated base part having a longitudinally extending inwardly facing groove in its central portion and having the bottom portion thereof, that is, the

portion beneath the grooved central portion, latlo; erally deflected to form a seat for the upper portion of the runner; (2) an upstanding weblike front part with the upper portion thereof extending outwardly at right angles and forming a plate-piece for engaging and supporting the 205016 portion of the shoe; and (3) a web-like rear part projecting upwardly from the rear end of the lower and having the upper portion thereof extending outwardly at right angles to form a plate-piece for engaging and supporting the 25 heel portion of the shoe.

One object of the invention is to provide an ice skate of this type which not only is an improvement upon, and more durable than, previously designed ice skates of the same general character, but also is stronger and lighter and may be produced at a lower cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ice skate of the type under consideration in which the runner holding and shoe supporting frame embodies a metallic tube which fits within and extends longitudinally of the grooves in the central portions of the base parts of the frame sections and operates-to hold the sections against relative vertical displacement as well as to render 4 them rigid and form an abutment or shoulder for the upper edge of the runner.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ice skate of the aforementioned type and character in which the web-like front and rear parts of the frame sections are shaped to form substantially vertical channels between them and have separately formed metallic tubular struts which fit snugly within the channels and serve to reinforce the web-like front and rear parts 0 against lateral bending or deflection and also to prevent relative longitudinal displacement of the frame sections.

A further object of the invention is to provide a skate of the type hereinbefore referred to in 55 which the plate pieces which are formed by the upper portionsof the web-like front and rear parts of the frame sections are deflected to form transversely extending wells thereacross and have cup-shaped members which fit within and extend across the wells and form bridges whereby the plate pieces of one frame section are cross-connected to the plate pieces of the other section.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an ice skate of the type and character here under consideration in which the tubular struts in the substantially vertically extending channels between the web-like front and rear parts of the frame sections extend between and engage the cup-shaped members in the wells and the tube between the base-parts of the frame sections and serve to transmit the weight of the person wearing the skate from such cup-shaped members to the tube and thus distribute the users weight as far as the supporting frame and runner are concerned.

In addition it is contemplated as one of the objects of the invention to provide a skate of the sectional frame type which is generally of new and improved design.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present ice skate will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are 7 more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a perspective showing a skate embodying the invention with a shoe applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a perspective of the skate without the shoe;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the skate without the cup-shaped members which normally fit within and extend transversely across the wells in the plate-pieces which are formed by the upper portions of the web-like front and rear parts of the frame sections.

Figure 4 is a perspective of one of the frame sections;

Figure 5 is a perspective of the other frame section;

Figure 6 is a perspective of the metallic tube which fits within and extends longitudinally of the grooves in the central portions of the base parts of the frame sections and operates to hold the sections against relative vertical displacement as well as to render them rigid and form an abutment or shoulder for the upper edge of the runner;

Figure '7 is a vertical transverse sectional view showing the manner in which the tube fits within the grooves in the central portions of the base parts of the frame sections and forms an abutment for the upper edge of the runner;

Figure 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view showing the manner in which the metallic tubular struts in the channels between the weblike front and rear parts of the frame sections serve to transmit load or weight from the cupshaped members in the wells to the tube in the grooves in the base parts of the frame sections;

Figure 9 is a horizontal section through the web-like front and rear parts of the frame sections;

Figure 10 is a perspective of one of the cupshaped members which fit within and extend across the wells and form bridges whereby the plate pieces of one frame section are cross connected to the plate pieces of the other frame section; and

Figure 11 is a perspective of one of the tubular struts.

The ice skate which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention. It is permanently connected, as hereinafter described, to a shoe S and comprises an elongated runner l2 and a frame l3. The runner is formed of steel or any other suitable material. It is narrow and has an ice engaging bottom edge i l and a frame engaging upper edge IS. The front and rear ends of the runner are curved upwardly so that the extremities thereof will not dig into the ice or otherwise impede the user of the skate during skating. The frame l3 serves, as hereinafter described, to hold the runner I2 in place and is attached to, and serves as a support for, the shoe S. It is of sectional design and consists of a pair of one-piece complemental sections it and H.

The frame section is is in the form of a metal stamping and is shaped to form an elongated base part it, a web-like front part I9 and a web-like rear part 26. The base part l8 of the frame section 56 is substantially coextensive with the runner i2 and has an inwardly facing longitudinal groove 2! in the central portion thereof. This groove is formed by deflecting the central portion of the base part [8 outwards and extends from a point slightly inwards of the front end of the base part it to a point slightly inwards of the rear end of said base part, as shown in Figure 4. It is tapered from the front end thereof to its rear end and is V-shaped in crosssection. The bottom portion of the base part [8 is deflected so that it is laterally offset and forms an elongated seat-forming member 22 for the runner and also an arcuate shoulder 23 at the front end of the member 22 and an arcuate shoulder 24 at the rear end of said member. The seat forming member 22 fits against and is welded to the upper portion of one of the side faces of the runner and the shoulders 23 and 24 are shaped conformably to and bear against the front and rear portions of the upper edge l of the runner 12 respectively. The front part 19 projects upwardly from the front portion of the base part I8 of the frame section i5 and its upper portion is bent outwards at right angles to form a platepiece 25. This piece is shaped to conform to one side of the sole portion of the shoe S and has a series of holes 25 along the margin thereof for rivets or attaching devices (not shown) which serve permanently to connect the shoe to the plate-piece 25. The web-like rear part 20 projects upwardly from the rear portion of the base part [8 of the frame section l6. It is spaced from the web-like front part i 8 and has the upper portion thereof bent laterally outwards at right angles to form a plate piece 2'5. This plate piece is shaped to conform to one-half of the heel portion of the shoe S and has holes 28 which extend vertically therethrough and accommodate rivets or other attaching devices for securing the heel portion of the shoe in fixed relation with the plate piece 21.

The frame section ll, like the frame section it is in the form of a metal stamping. It fits against and forms the complement of the section l6 and consists of an elongated base part 29, an upstanding web-like front part 30, and an upstanding web-like rear part M. The base part 23 fits against and is welded to the base part H! of the frame section it and is deflected so that the central portion thereof embodies a longitudinally extending inwardly facing groove 32 and its bottom or lower portion forms a laterally offset seat-forming member 33 with an arcuate shoulder 34 at its front end and an arcuate shoulder 35 at its rear end. The seat-forming member 33 is disposed directly opposite to the seat forming member 22 of the base part it of the frame section it and is welded to the upper portion of the adjacent face of the runner [2. The shoulder 34 is disposed directly opposite to the shoulder and abuts against the front por tion of the upper edge 15 of the runner l2. The shoulder 34 at the rear end of the seat forming member 33 is disposed directly opposite and conforms in shape to the shoulder 26 and rests against the rear portion of the upper edge l5 of the runner E2. The groove 32 is disposed in opposed relation with and opens onto the groove 2! and it like the latter is tapered from the front end thereof to its rear end and is V-shaped in cross-section. The upstanding web-like front part 30 of the frame section ll fits against and is suitably secured to the web-like front part !9 of the frame section l5 and has its upper portion bent outwardly at right angles to form a plate piece 35. The latter is in the form of a complement of the plate-piece 25 and embodies holes 3'! inwardly of the margin or edge thereof. It is shaped conformably to the other side of the sole portion of the shoe and is fixed to such side by way of rivets or like attaching devices extending through the holes 3?. The web-like rear part 3| of the frame section ll is disposed opposite and welded to the rear part 3! of the frame section l5 and has its upper end bent laterally at right angles to form a plate-piece 38. The latter engages and supports the other half of the heel portion of the shoe S and has holes 39 for attaching devices not shown. It is positioned in opposed relation with respect to the plate-piece 2'! and is in the form of the latters complement. The pieces 25 and 3G constitute a sole plate for the frame and the pieces 21 and 33 constitute a heel plate for the frame.

In order to reinforce and render rigid the frame sections G and ii and to hold the sections against relative vertical displacement a metallic tube 43 is provided. This tube fits within and extends longitudinally of the grooves 2i and 32 in the base parts of the frame sections. It is circular in cross-section and as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 is tapered .from the front endthereof to the rear end like the grooves 2| and 32. The bottom portion of the tube overlies and engages the upper edge E5 of the runner l2 and forms an abutment whereby the weight which is sustained or supported by the central portion of the frame i3 is transmitted to the central portion of the runner l2. The external diameter of the tube is such that the tube is in firm contact with the central portions of the base parts of the frame sections.

The lower portions of the web-like front parts l9 and 30 of the frame sections, that is, the portions between the plate-pieces 25-and 36 and the front endsof the base parts It! and 29 of said sections are deflected to form a pair of substantially vertically extending channels 4! between the front parts l9 and 30. These channels extend downwardly from the plate pieces 25 and 36 and intersect and communicate with the front ends of the grooves 2| and 32. They are shaped, as shown in Figure 9, so that the front portions thereof are wider than the rear portions, and have tubular struts 42 therein. These struts are formed of metal and are of sufficient cross-section that they conform to or fit snugly or securely within the channels. The lower ends of the struts rest on the front end of the reinforcing tube M, as shown in Figure 8. The tubes are preferably formed ofv seamless tubing and serve to prevent lateral bending or deflection of the web-like front parts 59 and 30 of the frame sections and also to prevent relative longitudinal displacement of the frame sections. The central portions of the web-like rear parts 2!) and 3! of the frame sections are deflected outwards to form a substantially vertically extending channel 43. This channel extends downwards from the platepieces 21 .and 38 and intersects and communicates with the rear ends of the grooves 2i and 32 of the base parts of the frame sections. It is similar in cross-section to the channels 4| between the web-like front parts of the frame sections and has a tubular reinforcing strut 44 therein. This strut is formed of metal and corresponds in cross-section to the channel 43. The

lower end of the strut rests on the rear end of the reinforcing tube 30. The strut M serves to prevent lateral bending or deflection of the weblike rear parts 20 and 3i of the frame sections and assists the tubular struts 42 in preventing relative longitudinal displacement of the frame sections.

The sole plate forming pieces 25 and 36 which are formed by the upper portion of the web-like front parts 59 and 3B of the frame sections are deflected at the central portions thereof to form a pair of wells 45. These wells extend transversely across the pieces 25 and 3t and preferably the front portions thereof are deeper than the rear portions. A pair of cup-shaped members G6 are associated with and fit within the wells 35 and form bridges whereby the pieces 25 and 36 are cross-connected. These members are in the form of metal stampings and are shaped conformably to the wells. The margins of the members extend upwards, as shown in Figure 10, for strengthening purposes and are flush with the top faces of the plate- pieces 25 and 36, as shown in Figure 2. The wells overlie and communicate with the upper ends of the channels 4! and the upper ends of the tubular struts 42 engage or abut against the central portions of the cupshaped members 46. As a result of the fact that the upper ends of the struts 42 abut against the central portionsof the cup-shaped members a portion of the weight of the person wearing the skate is transmitted from the members 45 to the reinforcing tube 40, which in turn serves to dis,- tribute the load or weight throughout the frame and the runner. The members 46 may, if desired, be welded in the. wells or placed loosely therein and held in place by the sole portion of the shoe S. The heel plate-forming pieces 21 and 38 arecentrally deflected to form a well 47. This well extends transversely across the two plates and its front portion is deeper than its rear portion, as shown in Figure 4. A cup-shaped member 48 is shaped conformably to, and fits within, the well 41 and serves to bridge or cross-connect the plate pieces 21 and 38. This member 48 is in the form of a metal stamping and has an upstanding margin which serves to reinforce the member as a whole and is flush at its upper edge to the top faces of the pieces 21 and 38. The well 47 overlies andcommunicates with the upper end of thechannel 33 and the upper end of the strut M in the channel 43 encases the central portion of the cup-shaped member 43 and transmits load from the latter to the rear end of the tube 40. The cup-shaped members 46 and 48 serve in addition to cross-connecting the pieces which form the sole and heel plates of the frame l3 to assist the struts 42 and 44 in holding the frame sections l9 and 38 against relative longitudinal displacement.

The herein described ice skate, due to the reinforcement that is afforded by the tube 40, the struts 42 and M, and the cup-shaped members 46 and 68, is able to withstand great shock without claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, an ice skate comprising a shoe supporting frame composed of a pair of separately formed comple mental stamping formed sections fixed together in opposed relation and having pieces at the top thereof forming sole and heel plates for the shoe and also having elongated base parts with the central portions thereof deflected outwards to form longitudinal inwardly facing tapered substantially full length registering grooves, an elongated runner secured to the bottom portions of said base parts of the frame sections beneath the grooves, and an elongated element, fitting snugly in and tapered correspondingly to the grooves and serving to reinforce the frame and also to prevent relative displacement of the frame sections.

2. As a new article of manufacture, an ice skate comprising a shoe supporting frame composed of a pair of separately formed complemental sections fixed together inside by side relation and having pieces at the top thereof. forming sole and heel plates for the shoe and also having elongated base parts with longitudinally extending inwardly facing grooves in the central portions thereof and their bottom portions offset laterally in opposite directions, an elongated runner extending lengthwise of the frameand having the upper portion thereof fitting between the bottom portions of the base parts of the frame sections, and an elongated separately formed element fitting snugly in and extending longitudinally of the grooves and resting on the upper edge of the runner and serving to reinforce the frame and also to prevent relative vertical displacement of the frame sections and to transmit load from said sections to the runner.

3. As a new article of manufacture, an ice skate comprising an elongated shoe supporting frame having a heel plate at its rear end and consisting of a pair of separately formed complemental sections fixed together in opposed relation and embodying elongated base parts and a pair of abutting web-like parts projecting upwards from the front ends of said base parts and having a sole plate at the top thereof and a substantially vertic-ally extending channel between them, an elongated runner secured to and extending longitudinally of the base parts of the frame sections, and a separately formed strut fitting in the channel and serving to reinforce said web-like parts against bending laterally and also to prevent relative longitudinal displacement of the frame sections.

4. As a new article of manufacture, an ice skate comprising an elongated shoe supporting frame having a heel plate at its rear end and consisting of a pair of separately formed complemental sections fixed together in opposed relation and embodying elongated base parts with longitudinally extending inwardly facing grooves in the central 1 portions thereof and their bottom portions offset laterally in opposite directions and, in addition embodying a pair of web-like parts projecting upwards from the front ends of said base parts and having a sole plate at the top thereof and a substantially vertical channel between them and leading to and communicating with the front portions of said grooves, an elongated runner extending longitudinally of the frame and having the upper portion thereof fitting between the bottom portions of the base parts of the frame sections, an elongated separately formed reinforcing element fitting snugly in and extending longitudinally of the grooves and resting on the upper edge of the runner and serving to reinforce the frame sections and also to prevent vertical displacement of said sections one relatively to the other, and a separately formed strut fitting in the channel and resting on the front end of the reinforcing element and serving to reinforce said web-like parts against bending laterally and also to prevent relative longitudinal displacement of the frame sections and transit load to the runner via said reinforcing element.

5. As a new article of manufacture, an ice skate comprising an elongated shoe supporting frame having a sole plate at its front end and consisting of a pair of separately formed complemental sections fixed together in opposed relation and embodying elongated opposed base parts and opposed web-like parts projecting upwards from the rear ends of said base parts and having a heel plate at the top thereof and a substantially vertically extending channel between them, an elongated runner secured to and extending longitudinally of the base parts of the frame sections, and a separately formed strut fitting in the channel and serving to reinforce said web-like parts against bending laterally and also to prevent relative longitudinal displacement of the frame sections.

6. As a new article of manufacture, anice skate comprising an elongated shoe supporting frame having a sole plate at its front end and consisting of a pair of separately formed complemental sections fixed together in side-by-side relation and embodying elongated opposed base parts with longitudinally extending inwardly facing grooves in the central portions thereof and their bottom portions offset laterally in opposite directions and also embodying opposed web-like parts projecting upwards from the rear ends of the base parts and having a heel plate at the top thereof and a substantially vertical channel between them and leading to and communicating with the rear ends of the grooves, an elongated runner extending longitudinally of the frame and having the upper portion thereof fitting between the bottom portions of the base parts of the frame sections, an elongated separately formed reinforcing element fitting snugly in and extending longitudinally of the grooves and resting on the upper edge of the runner and serving to reinforce the frame sections and to prevent relative vertical displacement of the latter, and a separately formed strut fitting in the channel and resting on the rear end of the reinforcing element and serving to reinforce said web-like parts and prevent them from bending laterally and also to prevent relative longitudinal displacement of the frame sections and transmit load to the runner via said element.

'7. As a new article of manufacture, an ice skate comprising an elongated shoe supporting frame consisting of a pair of separately formed complemental sections fixed together in side-by-side relation and embodying elongated opposed base parts with longitudinally extending inwardly facing grooves in the central portions thereof and their bottom portions offset laterally in opposite directions, and also embodying opposed web-like parts projecting upwards from the front ends of said base parts and having a sole plate at the top thereof and a substantially vertical channel extending between them and leading to and communicating with the front ends of the grooves and opposed web-like part-s projecting upwards from the rear ends of the base parts and having a heel plate at the top thereof and a substant ally vertical channel extending between them and communicating with the rear ends of the grooves, an elongated runner extending longitudinally of the frame and having the upper portion thereof fitting between and secured to the bottom portions of the base parts of the frame sections, an elongated reinforcing element fitting snugly in and extending lengthwise of the grooves and resting on the upper edge of the runner and serving to prevent relative vertical displacement of the frame sections, and reinforcing struts fitting in said channels with the lower ends thereof resting on the reinforcing element and serving to prevent relative longitudinal displacement of the frame sections and also to transmit load to the runner via said element.

8. As a new article of manufacture, an ice skate comprising an elongated supporting frame composed of a pair of complemental sections fixed together in side-by-side relation and embodying elongated base parts with longitudinally extending inwardly facing grooves therein and also embodying opposed web-like parts extending upwards from the base parts and having a channel between the centralportions thereof in communication at its lower end with the grooves and their upper ends shaped to form oppositely extending shoe engaging pieces with a well extending transstrut fitting in the channel with the lower end thereof resting on the reinforcing element, and a reinforcing member fitting in and extending transversely across the well and arranged so that it rests on the upper end of the strut and serves to cross-connect the shoe engaging pieces and also to transmit the load from the shoe to the runner via the strut and said reinforcing element.

CHARLES I. JOHNSON.

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