Ice Skate with Retractable Blade Guard and Fall-Detection Actuator

The problem

Ice skating carries a constant risk of laceration. When a skater falls, especially in group training or competitive environments, according to the patent, an exposed blade can injure a skater or another person during a fall. Manual blade guards must be pulled off before stepping onto the ice and pushed back on after leaving, meaning they offer zero protection during the actual activity. According to the patent, the objective is to provide a skate that actively shields the blade during a fall without interfering with normal skating performance.

The solution

The design places a mechanical guard system directly on the blade holder. It operates in two distinct states: a sliding position for normal use and a guard position for emergencies.

1. In the sliding position, the front backplate (1-1) and rear backplate (1-3) fold inward against the holder, while the middle backplate (1-2) slides upward. The blade remains completely exposed for ice contact.
2. An attitude detection part (3) detects the skater’s posture using multiple gyroscopes.
3. When a fall is detected, a pin actuator (2-9)—specifically an electromagnet—pulls a spacer pin (2-6) out of its locking position.
4. A first spring (2-5), previously held under tension, pulls a slide bar (2-3) downward inside a vertical slide bar slot (2-4).
5. The slide bar pushes a first drive rod (2-1) and a second drive rod (2-2), which force the front and rear backplates to swing outward. Simultaneously, the middle backplate drops down over the blade.
6. Once the slide bar reaches the bottom of the slot, the spacer pin is pushed back into place by a second spring (2-7), locking the guard firmly over the blade so it cannot be pushed back up by impact pressure.

Who it is for

• Speed skating and hockey equipment brands looking to integrate active safety features into their high-performance boot lines to differentiate from standard models.
• Rink operators and rental fleets that need to reduce liability and medical incidents caused by blade cuts among beginners and public session skaters.
• Youth skating academies where young athletes frequently fall in close proximity to one another during group drills and require physical edge protection.
• Adaptive sports programs working with skaters who have limited balance control and face a higher frequency of uncontrolled falls on the ice.

How it works

The main parts

Operating steps

1. Normal skating: The slide bar (2-3) is held at the top of the slide bar slot (2-4) by the spacer pin (2-6). The first spring (2-5) is stretched and loaded with potential energy. The front and rear backplates fold inward, and the middle backplate sits high, leaving the blade clear.
2. Fall detection: The attitude detection part (3) registers angular velocity changes across its gyroscopes indicating a loss of upright posture. It sends a signal to the controller (3-1).
3. Release: The controller activates the pin actuator (2-9). The electromagnet pulls the spacer pin (2-6) laterally against the resistance of the second spring (2-7).
4. Deployment: Freed from the pin, the slide bar (2-3) moves downward under the force of the first spring (2-5). The drive rods (2-1, 2-2) push the hinged backplates outward while dragging the middle backplate down.
5. Locking: At the bottom of the stroke, the second spring (2-7) pushes the spacer pin back behind the slide bar, locking the guard rigidly in place so the skater’s weight or ice impact cannot force it open.
6. Reset: After the skater stands, an unlock rod (2-8) is used manually to retract the pin and pull the slide bar back up to the starting position.

Applications

Competitive speed skating training

Athletes practicing tight cornering at high speeds frequently lose their edge and crash into the padding or other skaters. The automatic guard deploys during a fall, helping prevent the long track blade from contacting teammates or the fallen skater as they slide across the ice.

Public recreational sessions

Beginners at community rinks fall unpredictably and often flail their legs while trying to stand. The mechanical guard ensures that the blade is physically blocked by the protection edge when a fall is detected.

Ice hockey practice drills

Players executing rapid stops and crossovers occasionally catch an edge and drop heavily. The comb-teeth guard provides coverage around the blade perimeter during pile-ups.

Figure skating jump landings

When a skater under-rotates a jump and falls hard on the landing foot, the blade can twist violently. The attitude detection part recognizes the sudden multi-axis rotation of a failed jump, triggering the backplate to drop and shield the toe pick and main edge when a fall is detected.

Adaptive and therapeutic skating

Programs for individuals with physical disabilities or balance disorders involve a much higher rate of falls. The automated nature of the guard means coaches do not need to manually attach safety devices that might interfere with the therapeutic experience, providing passive protection throughout the session.

Where it is less suitable

• Professional competition under current ISU rules - governing bodies strictly regulate skate dimensions and added mechanisms; this device would likely fail equipment inspection for sanctioned events.
• Ultra-lightweight racing boots - the metal pins, springs, and backplates add mass to the blade holder, which elite sprinters seeking every gram of advantage would reject.
• Aggressive inline or roller skating - the mechanism is engineered specifically for the geometry of an ice blade holder and the physics of falling on ice, not asphalt impacts.