ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 30 -- United States Patent no. 12,370,432, issued on July 29.
"Skate guard" was invented by Charles Sinek (Emeryville, Calif.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "An improved skate blade guard having one or more improvements of a Y-shaped blade receiving channel, drains for conducting melted ice out of the blade receiving channel, voids or slots that perform as shock absorbers and cushions during walking in the skate guards, an improved pick guard, improved manufacturability using exterior shape sculpting to promote even and consistent flow of molten resin during injection molding, and a tread that conforms to the curved shape of some skate blades."
The patent was filed on Au...