CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority on United States Patent Application No. 62/672,274 filed May 16, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The application relates generally to ice skates and, more particularly, to ice skates having replaceable blades.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Since skate boots are generally more durable than skate blades, it is known to provide skates with steel blades detachably received within a holder of the skate, such that the blades can be replaced when worn out or damaged. Furthermore, when traveling to locations where access to skate sharpening machines is difficult and/or not desirable, a hockey player and/or a team manager find value in carrying extra pre sharpened blades that can be easily/rapidly replaced. However, existing attachment mechanisms for the blades can be difficult to actuate, be difficult to access by a user, and/or require the use of tools to remove and replace the blade. Also, certain existing attachment mechanisms are sometimes prone to failing to retain the blade following an impact to such blade and/or holder. There is consequently a need for improvements to such attachment mechanisms.

SUMMARY

[0004] There is accordingly provided a skate comprising: a boot and a blade assembly; the blade assembly including: a blade holder attached beneath a sole of the boot, the blade holder having a bottom surface defining a groove and recesses extending upwardly from the groove; a blade including a body defining an ice-engaging edge and a top edge opposite the ice-engaging edge, projections extending from the top edge and away from the ice-engaging edge, a slot defined in one of the projections, the blade moveable with respect to the blade holder between an engagement position in which the top edge is received in the groove and a disengagement position in which the blade is disengaged from the recesses and the groove; a locking pin displaceable within the blade holder along a longitudinal axis between a locked position in which the locking pin is in engagement with the slot and an unlocked position in which the locking pin is disengaged from the slot; and a pin actuator received within a socket of the blade holder, the socket having at least one socket opening located on one of opposed lateral sides of the blade holder, the pin actuator engageable by a user for rotating the pin actuator about the longitudinal axis, the pin actuator in driving engagement with the locking pin such that rotation of the pin actuator induces translation of the locking pin along the longitudinal axis from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0005] The skate as defined herein may further include, in whole or in part, and in any combination, one or more of the following features.

[0006] The pin actuator is threadingly engaged to the locking pin.

[0007] The pin actuator includes a nut and a sleeve disposed around the nut and in driving engagement therewith, the nut threadingly engaged with the locking pin.

[0008] The at least one socket opening includes two socket openings, each of the two socket openings located on a respective one of the opposed lateral sides of the blade holder, the pin actuator accessible at both of the two socket openings.

[0009] The socket is bounded by first and second walls of the blade holder, the first and second walls being spaced apart from each other relative to the longitudinal axis, the pin actuator being received between the first and second walls.

[0010] An annular surface of the pin actuator is in contact with the first wall of the blade holder, a biasing member in engagement with both of the second wall and the pin actuator for biasing the annular surface against the first wall.

[0011] One of the annular surface and the first wall defines a plurality of circumferentially distributed ribs and the other of the annular surface and the first wall defines at least one ridge, the at least one ridge biased by the biasing member between two adjacent ones of the circumferentially distributed ribs such that free rotation of the pin actuator is limited.

[0012] The locking pin is slidably received within an aperture defined in the blade holder, the aperture extending along the longitudinal axis, rotation of the locking pin about the longitudinal axis limited by an engagement between a section of the pin and a peripheral surface of the aperture.

[0013] The engagement between the section of the pin and the peripheral surface of the aperture is created by the section of the pin and the peripheral surface having non circular corresponding cross-sections.

[0014] There is also provided a blade assembly for a skate, comprising: a blade holder adapted to be attached to a boot of the skate, and a blade removably securable to the blade holder; the blade holder including: first and second pedestals for attachment to the skate, a bottom surface of the blade holder defining a groove and recesses extending upwardly from the groove, the groove configured for receiving the blade therein, the recesses configured for receiving projections of the blade; a locking pin displaceable within the blade holder along a longitudinal axis between a locked position in which the locking pin is in engagement with the slot and an unlocked position in which the locking pin is disengaged from the slot; and a pin actuator received within a socket of the blade holder, the socket having at least one socket opening located on one of opposed lateral sides of the blade holder, the pin actuator rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof, the pin actuator in driving engagement with the locking pin such that rotation of the pin actuator about the longitudinal axis induces translation of the locking pin along the longitudinal axis from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0015] The blade assembly as defined herein may further include, in whole or in part, and in any combination, one or more of the following features.

[0016] The blade includes a body defining an ice-engaging edge and a top edge opposite the ice-engaging edge, projections extending from the top edge and away from the ice-engaging edge, a slot defined in one of the projections, the blade moveable with respect to the blade holder between an engagement position in which the top edge is received in the groove and a disengagement position in which the blade is disengaged from the recesses and the groove;

[0017] The pin actuator is threadingly engaged to the locking pin.

[0018] The pin actuator includes a nut and a sleeve disposed around the nut and in driving engagement therewith, the nut threadingly engaged with the locking pin.

[0019] The at least one socket opening includes two socket openings, each of the two socket openings located on a respective one of the opposed lateral sides of the blade holder, the pin actuator accessible at both of the two socket openings.

[0020] The socket is bounded by first and second walls of the blade holder, the first and second walls being spaced apart from each other relative to the longitudinal axis, the pin actuator being received between the first and second walls.

[0021] An annular surface of the pin actuator is in contact with the first wall of the blade holder, a biasing member in engagement with both of the second wall and the pin actuator for biasing the annular surface against the first wall.

[0022] One of the annular surface and the first wall defines a plurality of circumferentially distributed ribs and the other of the annular surface and the first wall defines at least one ridge, the at least one ridge biased by the biasing member between two adjacent ones of the circumferentially distributed ribs such that free rotation of the pin actuator is limited.

[0023] The locking pin is slidably received within an aperture defined in the blade holder, the aperture extending along the longitudinal axis, rotation of the locking pin about the longitudinal axis limited by an engagement between a section of the pin and a peripheral surface of the aperture.

[0024] The engagement between the section of the pin and the peripheral surface of the aperture is created by the section of the pin and the peripheral surface having non circular corresponding cross-sections. [0025] There is further provided a locking mechanism for a blade holder comprising: a pin actuator receivable within a socket of the blade holder via at least one opening of the socket, the pin actuator defining an external surface engageable by a user and an internal threaded surface; and a locking pin having a threaded portion threadingly engaged by the internal threaded surface of the pin actuator, wherein rotation of the pin actuator about a longitudinal axis of the locking pin causes translation of the locking pin along the longitudinal axis.

[0026] In the locking mechanism as defined herein, the pin actuator may also include a nut and a sleeve disposed around the nut and in driving engagement therewith, the nut defining the internal threaded surface and being threadingly engaged with the locking pin, the sleeve defining the external surface engageable by the user.

[0027] There is further still provided a removable blade for a skate, the removable blade comprising a body defining an ice-engaging edge, an elongated top edge opposite the ice-engaging edge, and two projections extending upwardly from the body, the elongated top edge being free of other projection between the two projections, each of the two projections configured for being received within a respective one of recesses defined by a blade holder of the skate, one of the two projections having an inwardly extending slot.

[0028] There is alternately provided a blade holder for a skate, comprising: first and second pedestals configured for attachment to the skate, the blade holder having a bottom surface having an elongated groove defined therein, the blade holder having recesses defined therein extending upwardly from the elongated groove, the elongated groove configured for receiving therein an elongated blade, each of the recesses configured for receiving therein a respective one of projections of the elongated blade, one of the recesses configured for receiving one of the projections that is a slotted projection including a slot; a locking pin received within an opening of the blade holder and displaceable along a longitudinal axis thereof between a locked position and an unlocked position, the opening communicating with one of the recesses, the one of the recesses receiving the slotted projection, the locking pin configured to be engaged with the slot in the locked position and disengaged from the slot in the unlocked position; and a pin actuator received within a cavity of the blade holder, the cavity having at least one opening located on one of opposed lateral sides of the blade holder, the pin actuator defining an external surface for being engaged by a user and an internal surface being threaded, the internal surface being threadingly engaged to the locking pin, the external surface being located at the at least one opening, rotation of the pin actuator about the longitudinal axis causing translation of the locking pin along the longitudinal axis from one of the locking position and the unlocking position to the other of the locking position and the unlocking position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Reference is now made to the accompanying figures in which:

[0030] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a blade assembly in accordance with one embodiment;

[0031] Fig. 1 a is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 1 ;

[0032] Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of a rear portion of the blade assembly of Fig.

1 ;

[0033] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rear portion of the blade assembly of Fig. 1 as shown in Fig. 2;

[0034] Fig. 4 is a top elevation view of a locking pin of the blade assembly of Fig. 1.

[0035] Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view of part of the blade assembly; a pin actuator being removed therefrom;

[0036] Fig. 6 is a partial rear perspective view of part of the blade assembly shown at a different orientation than Fig. 5;

[0037] Fig. 7a is a rear perspective view of the pin actuator in accordance with a particular embodiment;

[0038] Fig. 7b is a front perspective view of the pin actuator of Fig. 7a; and [0039] Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the blade assembly of Fig. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1 , the ice skate 10 (e.g. an ice hockey skate - hereinafter simply“skate”) which includes a blade assembly 20 attached beneath a sole 18 of the boot 12. The blade assembly 20 generally includes a blade holder assembly 22 and a blade 24.

[0041] The blade holder assembly 22 includes a blade holder 26 which includes a front pedestal 30 having a top end configured to be connected to the sole 18 of the ice hockey skate 10 along a toe portion 14, a rear pedestal 32 having a top end configured to be connected to the sole 18 in a heel portion 16, and a bridge portion 34 interconnecting the front and rear pedestals 30, 32. In the embodiment shown, each of the front and rear pedestals 30, 32 has a hollow configuration, with outer walls surrounding internal cavities 301 , 321. In a particular embodiment, the top end of each pedestal 30, 32 has a top opening 30a, 32a defined therein in communication with the pedestal internal cavities 301 , 321. One or more ribs may extend within the internal cavities 301 , 321 , for example dividing the internal cavities 301 , 321 in a plurality of adjacent hollow spaces. As shown in Fig. 1 , the bottom ends of each of the internal cavities 301 , 321 is closed by a respective one of bottom walls 31 , 33. A bottom surface 36 of the blade holder 26 is defined by the bottom walls 31 , 33 of the pedestals 30, 32 and by the bridge portion 34.

[0042] In the embodiment shown, the bridge portion 34 is spaced from the sole 18 of the boot 12, and is not connected thereto, such that a space 38 is defined between the sole 18 and the bridge portion 34, bordered by the front and rear pedestals 30, 32. Alternatively, the bridge portion 34 may extend up to the sole 18 of the boot 12; for example, the blade holder 26 may be defined as a continuous element without any apparent distinction between the pedestals 30, 32 and bridge portion 34. The bridge portion 34 may include a plurality of interconnected ribs defining openings therebetween. It is understood that the configuration of the front and rear pedestals 30, 32 and bridge portion 34 shown is exemplary only and that the front and rear pedestals 30, 32 and bridge portion 34 can alternatively have any other appropriate configuration. [0043] The bottom surface 36 of the blade holder 26 has an elongated groove 40 defined therein, and the blade holder 26 further includes front and rear recesses 42, 44 defined therein, extending upwardly from the elongated groove 40 in alignment with each pedestal 30, 32. The groove 40 and recesses 42, 44 may not be in communication with the pedestal’s internal cavities 301 , 321. As shown in Fig. 1 , the bottom walls 31 , 33 extend between the internal cavities 301 , 321 and the groove 40 and recesses 42, 44. In the embodiment shown, the groove 40 and recesses 42, 44 are communicating with the internal cavities 301 , 321. Alternatively, the groove 40 and recesses 42, 44 may be separate and disconnected from the internal cavities 301 , 321.

[0044] The blade 24 has a body 46 having a generally planar shape, preferably having a constant thickness. In a particular embodiment, the blade 24 is made of steel; other appropriate materials may alternately be used. The body 46 defines an ice-engaging edge 48 configured to slide on ice, and an elongated top edge 50 opposite the ice- engaging edge 48. Two projections 52, 54 extend upwardly from the body 46: a front projection 52 at the front of the blade 24, and a rear projection 54 at the rear of the blade 24. As shown, the elongated top edge 50 is free of other projection between the two projections 52, 54. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0045] The top edge 50 of the blade 24 and the elongated groove 40 of the holder 26 are configured and sized such as to be complementary and removably engageable together. The front projection 52 of the blade 24 and the front recess 42 are configured, positioned and sized such as to be removably engageable one into the other; the rear projection 54 of the blade 24 and the rear recess 44 are configured, positioned and sized such as to be removably engageable one into the other. More particularly, the projections 52, 54 and recesses 42, 44 are configured, positioned and sized such that the blade 24 and blade holder 26 are relatively moveable, with the projections 52, 54 moveable together within their respective recess 42, 44, between an engagement position and a disengagement position.

[0046] In the engagement position of the blade 24 and holder 26, abutting surfaces of the projections 52, 54 and recesses 42, 44 and interaction between a locking mechanism 28 (described further below) with the blade 24 prevent removal or disengagement of the projections 52, 54 from the recesses 42, 44, thus maintaining the blade 24 in the holder 26. In the disengagement position, the blade 24 is removed from the holder 26; the projections 52, 54 thus have appropriate freedom of movement within the respective recess 42, 44 to allow disengagement of the blade 24 from the recesses 42, 44 and elongated groove 40. Movement between the engagement and disengagement positions of the blade 24 and holder 26 may include translation (e.g. along a longitudinal direction of the blade 24 and/or along an angled direction non parallel to the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction) and/or rotation of the blade 24 (e.g. pivot around a point defined in or around the recess 42 of the front pedestal 30), depending on the configuration of the projections 52, 54 and recesses 42, 44.

[0047] In the embodiment shown, the front recess 42 extends through the bottom wall 31 of the front pedestal 30 so that the front projection 52 of the blade penetrates into the internal cavity 301 of the front pedestal 30; alternatively, the bottom wall 31 of the front pedestal 30 may be continuous so that the front projection 52 remains outside of the internal cavity 301.

[0048] Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the rear projection 54 defines a slot 60. More specifically, the rear projection has two opposed edges 54a (Fig. 3) and the slot 60 extends inwardly from one of the two opposed edges 54a toward the other. As described herein below, the slot 60 is configured to be engaged by the locking mechanism 28 for either maintaining the elongated blade 24 within the blade holder 26 or for allowing the elongated blade 24 to be removed from the blade holder 26 for substituting the blade 24 by another blade. It is understood that, alternatively, the slot 60 may be oriented forward instead of rearward with the locking mechanism 28 being located fore of the recess 44.

[0049] In the depicted embodiment, the two opposed edges 54a extend toward each other away from the blade body 46 such that the rear projection 54 has a tapering shape. Stated otherwise a width of the rear projection 54 decreases from a root located at the elongated top edge 50 to a tip of the rear projection 54.

[0050] Further in accordance with the depicted embodiment, the slot 60 of the rear projection 54 faces toward the rear, or the heel portion 16, of the skate 10 whereas the front projection 52 extends forwardly toward the front, or the toe portion 14, of the skate 10. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0051] The different components of the blade holder assembly 20 having been set forth, the locking mechanism 28 is now described in further detail herein below. The locking mechanism 28 configured for maintaining the blade 24 and blade holder 26 in their engagement position may be connected to the rear pedestal 32, and movable between a locked position (Fig. 3) and an unlocked position (Fig. 1).

[0052] Referring to Figs. 1-3, the bottom wall 33 of the rear pedestal 32 has an enlarged portion including an aperture 64 defined therethrough in communication with the recess 44. The aperture 64 is horizontal or approximately horizontal, and extends from a rear-facing surface of the rear pedestal 32 to the recess 44.

[0053] Referring to Figs. 1-4, the locking mechanism 28 includes a locking pin 28a engaged to the holder 26 and received in the aperture 64. The locking pin 28a has an engagement end 66 which, in the locked position, protrudes into the recess 44 and is received in the slot 60 of the rear projection 54 of the blade 24 (see Fig. 1), thus maintaining the rear projection 54 in the recess 44 and maintaining the blade 24 in the engagement position. In the unlocked position, the locking pin 28a is retracted into the bottom wall 33 and accordingly disengaged from the rear projection 54, so that the blade 24 can be removed. The locking pin 28a is displaceable along a longitudinal axis L (Fig. 3) thereof between the locked position and the unlocked position. The locking pin 28a is engaged with the slot 60 in the locked position and disengaged from the slot 60 in the unlocked position.

[0054] In the depicted embodiment, the locking mechanism 28 is completely located below an upper surface of the bottom wall 33, so that the locking mechanism 28 and blade 24 both remain outside of the internal cavity 321 of the rear pedestal 32 in all positions. In a particular embodiment, having the locking mechanism 28 completely located below the upper surface of the bottom wall 33 allows to replace/repair the whole mechanism without the rear pedestal 32 having to be removed from the boot 12. It is understood that it might be possible to have a portion of the mechanism protruding inside the internal cavity 321 of the rear pedestal 32 as long as such mechanism is not completely enclosed within the internal cavity 321 and is not inaccessible without the holder having to be removed.

[0055] The locking mechanism 28 further includes a pin actuator 28b which is manually rotatable. As can be best seen in Fig. 1 , the pin actuator 28b surrounds a portion of the locking pin 28a. As can be best seen in Fig. 3, the pin actuator 28b is received in a corresponding socket C defined through the blade holder 26 across its width, from one of lateral sides 19 (Fig. 2) of the blade holder 26 to the other, so that the pin actuator 28b is accessible to the user along both of the lateral sides 19 of the blade holder 26.

[0056] Referring also to Fig. 5, as shown, the socket C has two socket openings C1 ; each of the two socket openings C1 located at a respective one of the two opposed lateral sides 19 such that the pin actuator 28b is accessible by a user at two locations. As shown, the two locations are the two opposed lateral sides 19 of the blade holder 26. However, it is contemplated that the socket C has only one socket opening C1 located at only one of the two opposed lateral sides 19 of the blade holder 26. In the depicted embodiment, the socket C is bounded by two walls 35 that are spaced apart from each other relative to the longitudinal axis L (Fig. 3). The two walls 35 face each other and the pin actuator 28b is received therebetween. The aperture 64 extends through the two walls 35.

[0057] The pin actuator 28b may thus be directly accessible to the user for actuation without requiring inserting one or more fingers within the socket C of the holder 26, and is located completely outside of the internal cavities 301 , 321 of the pedestals 30, 32. In other words, an external or outer surface 28b1 (Fig. 2) of the pin actuator 28b is located at the socket openings C1 such that it is accessible by the user. The pin actuator 28b defines a finger-engaging portion of the locking mechanism 28, and accordingly the outer or external surface 28b1 of the pin actuator 28b may include any appropriate surface texture and/or shape (e.g. bumps) facilitating manipulation by the user.

[0058] The pin actuator 28b has a pin-engaging aspect to engage the locking pin 28a and a user-engageable aspect that allows a user to manipulate the pin actuator 28b. Although these two aspects may be accomplished by a single monolithic piece, it may be accomplished by a multi-piece assembly as disclosed herein and as described in more detail herein below.

[0059] Referring now to Figs. 7a, 7b, and 8, the pin actuator 28b includes a sleeve 28b2 and a nut 28b3. The sleeve 28b2 is disposed around and drivingly engages the nut 28b3. The sleeve 28b2 of the pin actuator 28b has an inner surface 28b4. At least a portion of the inner surface 28b4 of the sleeve 28b2 has a shape corresponding to that of an external surface 28b5 of the nut 28b3. In the embodiment shown, both of the inner surface 28b4 of the pin actuator 28b and the external surface 28b5 of the nut 28b3 are hexagonal and in abutment against each other such that both of the nut 28b3 and the sleeve 28b2 rotate integrally with each other. Stated differently, the hexagonal surfaces of the nut 28b3 and of the sleeve 28b2, when in abutment against one another, limit rotation of the nut 28b3 relative to the sleeve 28b2. The nut 28b3 may have an axially- conical external shape that might facilitate its proper insertion in the sleeve 28b2.

[0060] An inner surface 28b6 (Fig. 3) of the nut 28b3 is threaded and in a threading engagement with a threaded section 28a2 (Fig. 4) of the locking pin 28a. The sleeve 28b2 may be rubberized, ribbed, or otherwise texturized to facilitate engagement by the user. Rotation of the pin actuator 28b about the longitudinal axis L causes translation of the locking pin 28a along said longitudinal axis L from of one of the locked position and the unlocked position to the other of the locked position and the unlocked position for selectively locking or unlocking the elongated blade 24 within the blade holder 26.

[0061] Referring more particularly to Fig. 7b, the sleeve 28b2 has an annular projection 28b7 extending radially inward from the inner surface 28b4 and dividing the inner surface 28b4 in two portions. The annular projection 28b7 defines two spaced apart internal annular surfaces 28b8. One of the two spaced apart internal annular surfaces 28b8 is in abutment with the nut 28b3 for maintaining a relative axial position of the nut 28b3 with respect to the sleeve 28b2.

[0062] Referring more particularly to Figs 5 and 7a, the sleeve 28b2 has an annular surface 28b9 extending around the longitudinal axis L and extending radially from the external surface 28b1 to the inner surface 28b4 of the sleeve 28b2. The annular surface 28b9 is in abutment against one of the two cavity walls 35 of the blade holder 26. For limiting free rotation of the pin actuator 28b within the socket C about the longitudinal axis L, the annular surface 28b9 defines circumferentially distributed ribs 28b10 and the one of the two cavity walls 35, namely a rear one of the cavity walls 35, defines at least one ridge 35a.

[0063] Referring to Fig. 8, the sleeve 28b2 has an axial length LS relative to the axis L that is less than that LC of the socket C defined between the cavity walls 35. Hence, the sleeve 28b2 is movable within the socket C along the axis L (Fig. 3). To maintain a relative position between the cavity walls 35 and the sleeve 28b2, a biasing member B biases the pin actuator 28b in abutment with the cavity wall 35 such that the at least one ridge 35a is received between two circumferentially adjacent ones of the circumferentially distributed ribs 28b10 of the sleeve 28b2.

[0064] In the embodiment shown, the biasing member B is a spring S that is received within the pin actuator 28b. The biasing member B is in abutment with the other of the two spaced apart annular surfaces 28b8 defined by the sleeve 28b2 and is surrounded by the other of the two portions of the inner surface 28b4 of the sleeve 28b2. In the embodiment shown, a front one of the cavity walls 35 defines a lip 35b protruding axially toward the rear one of the cavity walls 35 and circumferentially extending all around the axis L for assisting in centering the spring S relative to said axis L. Any suitable biasing member may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0065] A friction device, such as for example a rubber washer, may be used to prevent vibrations caused by normal use of the skate from rotating the pin actuator 28b. Such a friction device may replace, or be complementary to, the ribs/ridge 28b10/35a described herein above.

[0066] Referring now to Figs. 3, 4, and 6, upon actuation of the pin actuator 28b, rotation of the locking pin 28a about the axis L is preferably limited. For this purpose, an anti-rotation feature is provided. As shown, the anti-rotation feature is created by an engagement between a peripheral section 28a1 of the locking pin 28a and an internal surface 64a of the aperture 64. In the embodiment shown, the anti-rotation feature is created by the engagement of non-circular corresponding cross-sections of the peripheral section 28a1 of the locking pin 28a and of the internal surface 64a of the aperture 64. As shown, the cross-section has a shape of a combination of a rectangle and a circle. Other shapes are contemplated. The non-circular corresponding cross- sections may not be identical to one another as along as their engagement limits rotation of one relative to the other about the axis L.

[0067] Referring to Figs. 4 and 6, in the embodiment shown, the locking pin 28a has a stopper 28a3 protruding from the peripheral section 28a1 that may be use to limit withdrawal of the locking pin 28a from the aperture 64. As shown, the stopper 28a3 is located on the peripheral section 28a1 proximate an intersection between said peripheral section 28a1 and the locking pin threaded section 28a2. The stopper 28a3 is slidably received within a groove 64b defined within the aperture 64 and extending radially away from the internal surface 64a of the of the aperture 64. The groove 64b allows the locking pin 28a to move axially along its axis along a length of the groove 64b.

[0068] In the embodiment shown, the aperture 64 is slightly bigger than the peripheral section 28a1 of the locking pin 28a such that a user can push the locking pin 28a upwardly up to a point where the stopper 28a3 is no longer within the groove 64b. The user may then continue pulling the locking pin 28a along its axis to pull the locking pin 28a out of the aperture 64. The possibility to remove the locking pin 28a from the aperture 64 may allow a user to replace one or more parts of the mechanism. It is understood that other stopping mechanisms are contemplated. For instance, the groove 64b and stopper 28a3 may be located at other locations.

[0069] In a particular embodiment, the locking mechanism 28, which remains at least in major part, and in some embodiments in entirety, outside of the pedestal’s internal cavities 301 , 321 , is easily accessible and engageable by the user, while still providing for sufficient retention of the blade in the blade holder.

[0070] The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed. For instance, the mechanism need not be located on the rear pedestal and may alternatively be located on the front pedestal. In another embodiment, the biasing member B may be disposed such that it abuts the rear one of the cavity walls 35. The external surface of the nut need not be hexagonal and other suitable shapes are considered. The location of the ribs 28b10 and the ridges 35a may be reversed such that the ridges are defined on the sleeve and the ribs are defined on the cavity wall. Still other modifications which fall within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to fall within the appended claims.