Methods Of Customizing Ice Blades And Their Use

Abstract

A method of customizing an ice blade to a user having the steps of measuring ice blade with, for example, a 3D scanner, to establish an initial calibration measurement set for the blade, and having the user use the blade on an ice surface. The blade may then be re-measured to detect wear patterns. The blade may then be customized in shape or sharpening based on the measured wear. In another embodiment the wear is used to provide function feedback to the user. In another embodiment, the user is biometrically evaluated, a preferred blade shape is determined based on the biometric evaluation and the fit of the preferred shape may be evaluated based on wear created of said blade when in use.

1 . A method of customizing an ice blade to a user, said method comprising the steps of:
 measuring an ice collecting surface of said ice blade to establish an initial calibration measurement date set representing a shape of said ice contacting surface of said ice, blade in an initial unused condition;   after said measuring, having the user use the ice blade on an ice surface, said use causing said ice contacting .surface of said ice blade to wear;   after the user using said ice blade, re-measuring said ice contacting surface of said ice blade to establish an ice blade wear measurement data set representing a shape of said ice contacting surface of said ice blade in a used condition;   after said re-measuring, measuring said wear of said ice contacting surface of said ice blade by comparing said ice blade wear measurement data set to said initial calibration measurement data set; and   then removing material from said ice blade according to said measured wear to apply a preferred shape to said ice contacting surface of said ice blade.   
     
     
         2 . A method of providing feedback to a user of an ice blade, said method comprising the steps of:
 measuring an ice contacting surface of said ice blade to establish an initial calibration measurement data set representing a shape of said ice contacting surface of said ice blade in an initial unused condition;   after said measuring, having the user use the ice blade on an ice surface, said use causing said ice contacting surface of said ice blade to wear;   after the user using said ice blade, re-measuring said ice contacting surface of said ice blade to establish an ice blade wear measurement data set representing a shape of said ice contacting surface of said ice blade in a used condition;   after said re-measuring, identifying a wear pattern in said ice contacting surface of said ice blade by comparing said ice blade wear measurement data set to said initial calibration measurement data set; and   then providing feedback to the user based on said identified wear pattern.   
     
     
         3 . A method of fitting an ice blade to a user, said method comprising the steps of:
 measuring at least one biometric parameter of the user;   measuring a wear of an ice contacting surface of said ice blade caused by the user's use of said ice blade on an ice surface, by comparing a shape of said ice contacting surface of said ice blade after the user's use to a shape of said ice contacting surface of said ice blade before the user's use; and   removing material from said ice contacting surface of said ice blade according to both of a) said at least one biometric parameter, and b) said measured wear, to apply a preferred shape to said ice contacting surface of said ice blade.   
     
     
         4 . A method of tilling an ice blade to a user, said method comprising the steps of:
 measuring at least one set of biometric parameters of the user which set of biometric parameters relate to the users's use of the ice blade on an ice surface;   measuring a wear of an ice contacting surface of said ice blade caused by the user's use, of said ice blade on said ice surface, by comparing a shape of said ice contacting surface of said ice blade after the user's use to a shape of said ice contact inn surface of said ice blade before the user's use;   removing material from said ice contacting surface of said ice blade to shape said ice contacting surface according to both of a) said at least one set of said biometric parameters, and b) said measured wear.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of measuring said wear of said ice contacting surface of said ice blade after a subsequent use by the user on said surface, and removing material from said ice contacting surface of said ice blade to adjust said shape of said ice contacting surface according to said subsequent measured wear. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said ice blade is a hockey skate blade, a figure skate blade, a speed skate blade, a downhill skate blade, or a sled runner. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of measuring said ice contacting surface of said ice blade comprises using a non-contact 3D scanner to measure a three-dimensional (3D) shape of said ice contacting surface of said ice blade. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of measuring said wear of said ice contacting surface of said ice blade comprises identifying a wear pattern in said ice contacting surface, and associating said wear pattern with at least one biomechanical action of the user, and said preferred ice contacting surface shape being adapted to improve said at least one biomechanical action, 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one biomechanical action comprises one or more of the user's posture, balance, kinetic awareness, gait, and technique. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of removing material from said ice blade shapes one or more of a radius of hollow of the ice contacting surface, at least one edge of the ice contacting surface, a height of the ice blade, a toe radius of the ice contacting surface, a heel radius of the ice contacting surface, a length of flat of the ice contacting surface, a balance point of the ice contacting surface, a working radius of the ice contacting surface, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of removing material from said ice blade is further according to at least one biometric parameter associated with the user. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises one or more static biometric measurements of the user selected from the group consisting of: gender, age, body posture, leg length, foot size, ankle rotation, toe rotation, range of foot flexion, foot pronation, hip alignment, torso length, arm length, shoulder width, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter further comprises a comparison of said one or more static biometric measurements associated with the left side of the user's body with respective ones of said one or more static biometric measurements associated with the right side of the user's body. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises one or more dynamic biometric measurements of the user selected from the group consisting of: arm swing, hip angles, knee angles, forward lean, backward lean, leg strength, stride time, stride length, stride width, lateral motion, lateral amplitude, weight distribution, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter further comprises a comparison of said one or more dynamic biometric measurements associated with the left side of the user's body with respective ones of said one or more dynamic biometric measurements associated with the right side of the user's body. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises joint and segment angle analysis data. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said joint and segment angle analysis comprises one or more of the user's trunk extension, trunk flexion, trunk lateral flexion, trunk rotation, hip extension, hip flexion, hip internal rotation, hip external rotation, hip abduction, hip adduction, knee extension, knee flexion, knee internal rotation, knee external rotation, ankle planter flexion, ankle dorsiflexion, foot inversion/adduction, and foot eversion/abduction. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises electromyography data. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises skating transition analysis data. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises skating acceleration and deceleration analysis data. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises one or more of the user's playing position, the user's level of experience, the user's preference for lateral mobility versus top speed, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises one or more of a skate manufacturer, a skate model, a skate size, a skate width, ice blade dimensions, a skate boot stiffness, a height of the ice contacting surface relative to a part of a skate, a lie of a skate footbed, a lie of a skate ice blade holder, a presence of aftermarket insoles, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises one or more dysfunctions of the user selected from the group consisting of: ankylossing spondilitis, scoliosis, joint limitations, segment limitations, and arthritis. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said ice blade is a hockey skate blade, a figure skate blade, a speed skate blade, a downhill skate blade, or a sled runner. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said step of measuring said ice contacting surface of said ice blade comprises using a non-contact 3D scanner to measure a three-dimensional (3D) shape of said ice contacting surface of said ice blade. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of associating said wear pattern with at least one biomechanical action of the user, and said feedback being adapted to improve said at least one biomechanical action. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said at least one biomechanical action comprises one or more of the user's posture, balance, kinetic awareness, gait, and technique. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said feedback comprises a recommendation for a training technique for the user. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said training technique relates to the user's use of the ice blades on the ice surface, or the user's body. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said feedback comprises a recommendation for a preferred shape of said ice blade for the user. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said preferred shape of said ice blade defines one or more of a radius of hollow of the ice contacting surface, at least one edge of the ice contacting surface, a height of the ice blade, a toe radius of the ice contacting surface, a heel radius of the ice contacting surface, a length of flat of the ice contacting surface, a balance point of the ice contacting surface, a working radius of the ice contacting surface, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said step of providing feedback is further based on at least one biometric parameter associated with the user. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises one or more static biometric measurements of the user selected from the group consisting of: gender, age, body posture, leg length, foot size, ankle rotation, toe rotation, range of foot flexion, foot pronation, hip alignment, torso length, arm length, shoulder width, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter further comprises a comparison of said one or more static biometric measurements associated with the left side of the user's body with respective ones of said one or more static biometric measurements associated with the right side of the user's body. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises one or more dynamic biometric measurements of the user selected from the group consisting of: arm swing, hip angles, knee angles, forward lean, backward lean, leg strength, stride time, stride length, stride width, lateral motion, lateral amplitude, weight distribution, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter further comprises a comparison of said one or more dynamic biometric measurements associated with the left side of the user's body with respective ones of said one or more dynamic biometric measurements associated with the right side of the user's body. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises joint and segment angle analysis data. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said joint and segment angle analysis comprises one or more of the user's trunk extension, trunk flexion, trunk lateral flexion, trunk rotation, hip extension, hip flexion, hip internal rotation, hip external rotation, hip abduction, hip adduction, knee extension, knee flexion, knee internal rotation, knee external rotation, ankle planter flexion, ankle dorsiflexion, foot inversion/adduction, and foot eversion/abduction. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises electromyography data. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises skating transition analysis data. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises skating acceleration and deceleration analysis data. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises one or more of the user's playing position, the user's level of experience, the user's preference for lateral mobility versus top speed, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises one or more of a skate manufacturer, a skate model, a skate size, a skate width, ice blade dimensions, a skate boot stiffness, a height of the ice contacting surface relative to a part of a skate, a lie of a skate footbed, a lie of a skate ice blade holder, a presence of aftermarket insoles, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises one or more dysfunctions of the user selected from the group consisting of: ankylossing spondilitis, scoliosis, joint limitations, segment limitations, and arthritis. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said feedback identifies:
 a) a lie angle that is too far back or the identified wear pattern being closer to a heel radius of said ice blade; or   b) a lie angle that is too far forward or the identified wear pattern being closer to a toe radius of said ice blade.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said feedback comprises a measure of the performance of said ice surface. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said ice blade is a hockey skate blade, a figure skate blade, a speed skate blade, a downhill skate blade, or a sled runner. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said step of measuring said wear of said. ice contacting surface of said ice blade comprises using a non-contact 3D scanner to measure a three-dimensional (3D) shape of said ice contacting surface of said ice blade. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said step of measuring said wear of said ice contacting surface of said ice blade comprises identifying a wear pattern in said ice contacting surface, and associating said wear pattern with at least one biomechanical action of the user, and said preferred ice contacting surface shape being adapted to improve said at least one biomechanical action, 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said at least one biomechanical action comprises one or more of the user's posture, balance, kinetic awareness, gait, and technique. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said step of removing material from said ice blade shapes one or more of a radius of hollow of the ice contacting surface, at least one edge of the ice contacting surface, a height of the ice blade, a toe radius of the ice contacting surface, a heel radius of the ice contacting surface, a length of flat of the ice contacting surface, a balance point of the ice contacting surface, a working radius of the ice contacting surface, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises one or more static biometric measurements of the user selected from the group consisting of: gender, age, body posture, leg length, foot size, ankle rotation, toe rotation, range of foot flexion, foot pronation, hip alignment, torso length, arm length, shoulder width, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter further comprises a comparison of said one or more static biometric measurements associated with the left side of the user's body with respective ones of said one or more static biometric measurements associated with the right side of the user's body, 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises one or more dynamic biometric measurements of the user selected from the group consisting of arm swing, hip angles, knee angles, forward lean, backward lean, leg strength, stride time, stride length, stride width, lateral motion, lateral amplitude, weight distribution, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter further comprises a comparison of said one or more dynamic biometric measurements associated with the left side of the user's body with respective ones of said one or more dynamic biometric measurements associated with the right side of the user's body. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises joint and segment angle analysis data. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein said joint and segment angle analysis comprises one or more of the user's trunk extension, trunk flexion, trunk lateral flexion, trunk rotation, hip extension, hip flexion, hip internal rotation, hip external rotation, hip abduction, hip adduction, knee extension, knee flexion, knee internal rotation, knee external rotation, ankle planter flexion, ankle dorsiflexion, foot inversion/adduction, and foot eversion/abduction. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises electromyography data. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises skating transition analysis data. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises skating acceleration and deceleration analysis data. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises one or more of the user's playing position, the user's level of experience, the user's preference for lateral mobility versus top speed, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises one or more of a skate manufacturer, a skate model, a skate size, a skate width, ice blade dimensions, a skate boot stiffness, a height of the ice contacting surface relative to a part of a skate, a lie of a skate footbed, a lie of a skate ice blade holder, a presence of aftermarket insoles, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said at least one biometric parameter comprises one or more dysfunctions of the user selected from the group consisting of: ankylossing spondilitis, scoliosis, joint limitations, segment limitations, and arthritis. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising the step of removing material from said ice contacting surface to apply an initial shape to said ice contacting surface based on said at least one biometric parameter, prior to said step of measuring said wear of said ice contacting surface. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising the step of recommending an initial shape of said ice blade, prior to said step of measuring said wear of said ice contacting surface. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of removing material from said ice contacting surface of said ice blade to apply an initial shape to said ice contacting surface based on said at least one set of biometric parameters, prior to said step of measuring said wear of said ice contacting surface. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said ice blade is a hockey skate blade, a figure skate blade, a speed skate blade, a downhill skate blade, or a sled runner. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said step of measuring a wear of said ice contacting surface of said ice blade comprises using a non-contact 3D scanner to measure a three-dimensional (3D) shape of said ice contacting surface of said ice blade.