U.S. patent application number 10/356929 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-13 for child's roller skate.
Invention is credited to Magerer, Detlev, Weitgasser, Erwin.
Application Number | 20030209868 10/356929 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 3486876 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030209868 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weitgasser, Erwin ; et
al. |
November 13, 2003 |
Child's roller skate
Abstract
A child's roller skate; a frame therefor; a method of combining
a frame and shoe in a skate: a frame upper portion attachable to a
shoe bottom by a bolt and a nut. Means in the frame for accepting,
retaining and rotationally stabilizing the inserted nut so that the
bolt may be screwed into the nut by pressing it into the nut and
turning it relative to the frame, no separate tool being needed to
stabilize the nut. A bolt inserted vertically through bore; a nut
inserted laterally into a guide. A frame including front and rear
support receptacles for rotatably housing front and rear axles,
preferably via bearings, one per axle. One support receptacle,
preferably both, are formed integrally with the frame. The frame
preferably is formed of plastic. A frame lower portion, preferably
formed integrally with the frame extends beneath the frame upper
portion between the front support and rear receptacles. Brake
blocks attachable to frame in same manner as shoe. Reduced weight,
height, material, and assembly steps.
Inventors: |
Weitgasser, Erwin;
(Salzburg, AT) ; Magerer, Detlev; (Salzburg,
AT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Marshall A. Lerner
KLEINBERG & LERNER, LLP
Suite 1080
2049 Century Park East
Los Angeles
CA
90067
US
|
Family ID: |
3486876 |
Appl. No.: |
10/356929 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/11.27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 17/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/11.27 |
International
Class: |
A63C 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 13, 2002 |
AT |
GM 300/2002 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A frame for a child's roller skate, said frame comprising: a
frame upper portion adapted for approximation to a shoe, said frame
upper portion being attachable to a shoe by at least one bolt and
at least one nut for securing said bolt, said frame comprising
means for accepting insertion of said nut and for so confining and
rotationally stabilizing said inserted nut that said bolt may be
secured to said nut by rotation relative to said frame while
approximated to said nut; front and rear support receptacles for
rotatably housing front and rear axles, at least one of said front
and rear support receptacles being formed integrally with said
frame; and a frame lower portion extending beneath said frame upper
portion and connecting said front support receptacle to said rear
support receptacle.
2. A frame for a child's roller skate as set forth in claim 1,
wherein both of said front and rear support receptacles are formed
integrally with said frame.
3. A frame for a child's roller skate as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said integrally-formed support receptacle houses a bearing
set, said bearing set being capable of supporting an axle.
4. A frame for a child's roller skate as set forth in claim 3,
further comprising an axle supported by said bearing set and a pair
of wheels mounted on said axle.
5. A frame for a child's roller skate as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said frame is formed of plastic.
6. A frame for a child's roller skate as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said frame is further adapted for approximation to at least
one brake block, said frame being attachable to said brake block by
at least one bolt and at least one nut for securing said bolt, said
frame comprising means for accepting insertion of said nut and for
so confining and rotationally stabilizing said inserted nut that
said bolt may be secured to said nut by rotation relative to said
frame while approximated to said nut.
7. A frame for a child's roller skate as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said means for accepting insertion of said nut is
configured for insertion of said nut laterally and for
approximation of said bolt to said nut with said bolt oriented
substantially vertically.
8. A frame for a child's roller skate, said frame comprising: a
frame upper portion adapted for approximation to a shoe, said frame
upper portion being attachable to a shoe by at least one bolt and
at least one nut for securing said bolt, said frame comprising a
substantially vertical bore for accepting said bolt and a
substantially horizontal guide for accepting insertion of said nut
and retaining said nut, said nut being positionable within said
guide and in alignment with said vertical bore so as to receive
said bolt and to transmit torque from said bolt to said frame;
front and rear support receptacles for rotatably housing front and
rear axles, at least one of said front and rear support receptacles
being formed integrally with said frame; and a frame lower portion
extending beneath said frame upper portion and connecting said
front support receptacle to said rear support receptacle.
9. A frame for a child's roller skate as set forth in claim 8,
wherein said frame lower portion is formed integrally with said
frame upper portion.
10. A method of combining a shoe with a frame in a child's roller
skate, said method including the steps of: providing a shoe having
a sole; providing a frame, said frame comprising a frame upper
portion adapted for approximation to a shoe, said frame comprising
front and rear support receptacles for rotatably housing front and
rear axles, at least one of said front and rear support receptacles
being formed integrally with said frame, said frame comprising a
frame lower portion located below said frame upper portion and
connecting said front support receptacle to said rear support
receptacle; approximating said frame upper portion to said sole;
passing a bolt from said sole into said frame; inserting a nut into
said frame; approximating said bolt to said nut; and rotating said
bolt relative to said frame to secure said nut to said bolt.
Description
SPECIFICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Austrian Utility
Model Application No. GM 300/2002, filed May 13, 2002, the entirety
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a child's roller skate in which a
shoe forms a sole having a frame fastened to the sole by screws,
the frame providing for front and rear roller axles.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A child's roller skate generally comprises a frame which is
adapted in length to the relatively short child's shoe, but
otherwise is constructed in the same way as is an adult's roller
skate. Customarily the frame is screwed to shoe sole. The frame has
receptacles for front and a rear roller axles. On each roller axle,
two rollers are supported via bearings. The heavy weight of
metallic frames is disadvantageous for children's' roller skates.
Additionally, inserting the support axles into the receptacles of
the frame via the support frame makes the frame too tall to be
suitable for children and increases the danger of tilting about the
longitudinal axis of the shoe.
[0006] What is needed is a child's roller skate whose frame is
lighter and has reduced overall height.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An exemplary embodiment of the frame for a child's roller
skate in accordance with the present invention includes a frame
upper portion adapted for approximation to a shoe. The frame upper
portion is attachable to a shoe by a bolt and a nut. The frame
includes means for accepting insertion of the nut and for confining
and rotationally stabilizing the inserted nut so that the bolt may
be screwed into the nut by pressing it into the nut and turning it
relative to the frame. The frame also includes front and rear
support receptacles for rotatably housing front and rear axles. One
and preferably both support receptacles are formed integrally with
the frame. A frame lower portion extends beneath the frame upper
portion and connects the front support receptacle to the rear
support receptacle. The result is a lightweight, rigid frame which
can be secured to a shoe without the need to hold the nut with a
wrench or other tool, because the frame retains and stabilizes the
nut while the bolt is turned.
[0008] In an exemplary embodiment of the frame for a child's roller
skate in accordance with the present invention, the support
receptacle houses a bearing set, the bearing set being capable of
supporting an axle. The single bearing set can replace the pair of
bearing sets commonly used in a four-wheeled roller skate. The
number of parts and assembly steps is reduced. The omission of an
additional support structure between the frame and the bearing set
(or other axle-supporting structure) reduces the weight and overall
height of the frame.
[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the frame is formed of plastic,
further reducing weight and cost.
[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the frame is further adapted for
approximation to at least one brake block, the frame is attachable
to the brake block by a bolt and a nut, and the frame includes
means for accepting insertion of the nut and for so confining and
rotationally stabilizing the inserted nut that the bolt may be
secured to the nut by rotation relative to the frame while
approximated to the nut. Thus, the brake block, like the shoe may
be attached to the frame with minimal tools.
[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the means for accepting
insertion of the nut is configured for insertion of the nut
laterally and for approximation of the bolt to the nut with the
bolt oriented substantially vertically. The nut is inserted from
the side. The bolt is inserted into the nut from above.
[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the frame includes a
substantially vertical bore for accepting the bolt and a
substantially horizontal guide for accepting insertion of the nut
and retaining the nut. The nut is positionable within the guide and
in alignment with the vertical bore so as to receive the bolt and
to transmit torque from the bolt to the frame.
[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the frame lower portion is
formed integrally with the frame upper portion.
[0014] An exemplary method of combining a frame and a shoe in a
child's roller skate includes the method including the steps of
providing a shoe having a sole and providing a frame. The frame has
a frame upper portion adapted for approximation to a shoe. The
frame also has front and rear support receptacles for rotatably
housing front and rear axles, at least one of the front and rear
support receptacles being formed integrally with the frame. The
frame also has a frame lower portion located below the frame upper
portion and connecting the front support receptacle to the rear
support receptacle; approximating the frame upper portion to the
sole. The method includes the further steps of passing a bolt from
the sole into the frame, inserting a nut into the frame,
approximating the bolt to the nut; and rotating the bolt relative
to the frame to secure the nut to the bolt.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of
the present invention, reference should be had to the following
detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numbers and
wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
frame for a child's roller skate in accordance with the invention;
and
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a section along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a partial side sectional view, and FIG. 2 a
sectional view, of an exemplary embodiment of a roller skate 40 in
accordance with the present invention, comprising a shoe 42 having
a sole 44 including a sole forefoot portion 64, a sole heel portion
66, a sole bottom surface 68, and a sole top surface 70. With
reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and particularly FIG. 1, a sole front
bore 72 is defined vertically within the sole forefoot portion 64
and is open at the sole bottom surface 68 and at the sole top
surface 70. A sole rear bore 74 is defined vertically within the
sole heel portion 66 and is open at the sole bottom surface 68 and
at the sole top surface 70. The sole 44 is formed of nylon, rubber,
metal, wood, or any other material suitable for a sole for roller
skating footwear.
[0019] With continued reference to FIG. 1, a frame 46 includes a
frame upper portion 78, a frame top surface 76, a frame lower
portion 80, a frame front end 102 defining a frame front face 138,
and a frame rear end 104 defining a frame rear face 140. The frame
46 is formed of a plastic material, although it could be formed of
another hard, stiff, strong, durable material. The shape and
material of the frame 46 allow it to carry the loads imposed on a
child's roller skate while adding very little weight. Moreover, to
the extent to which the frame 46 can be made bilaterally
symmetrical and undercuts can be avoided, simple forming tools may
be used.
[0020] With continued reference to FIG. 1, a frame front mounting
slide-in guide 82 is formed in the frame upper portion 78 proximate
the front support receptacle 48. A vertical frame front mounting
bore 98 is formed in the frame upper portion 78 and is open at the
frame front mounting slide-in guide 82 and at the frame top surface
76. A bolt 122 passes through a washer 126, through the sole front
bore 72, through the frame front mounting bore 98 and into the
frame front mounting slide-in guide 82, where it is secured to a
nut 124 which is lodged in the frame front mounting slide-in guide
82, securing the frame 46 to the sole 44.
[0021] With continued reference to FIG. 1, a frame rear mounting
slide-in guide 84 is formed in the frame upper portion 78 proximate
the rear support receptacle 56. A vertical frame rear bore 100 is
formed in the frame upper portion 78 and is open at the rear
slide-in guide 84 and at the frame top surface 76. A bolt 122
passes through a washer 126, through the sole rear bore 74, through
the frame rear bore 100 and into the frame rear mounting slide-in
guide 84, where it is secured to a nut 124 which is lodged in the
frame rear mounting slide-in guide 84, securing the frame 46 to the
sole 44.
[0022] With continued reference to FIG. 1, a front brake block
slide-in guide 90 is formed in the frame upper portion 78 proximate
the frame front end 102. A slanted front brake block mounting bore
134 is formed in the frame front end 102 and is open at the front
brake block slide-in guide 90 and at the frame front face 138. A
bolt 122 passes through a rubber front brake block 88 and through
the front brake block bore 134 and is secured to a nut 124 which is
lodged in the front brake block slide-in guide 90, securing the
front brake block 88 to the frame front end 102.
[0023] With continued reference to FIG. 1, a rear brake block
slide-in guide 94 is formed in the frame upper portion 78 proximate
the frame rear end 104. A slanted rear brake block mounting bore
136 is formed in the frame rear end 104 and is open at the rear
brake block slide-in guide 94 and at the frame rear face 140. A
bolt 122 passes through a rubber rear brake block 92 and through
the rear brake block bore 136 and is secured to a nut 124 which is
lodged in the rear brake block slide-in guide 94, securing the rear
brake block 92 to the frame rear end 104.
[0024] With continued reference to FIG. 1, each of the
aforementioned slide-in guides 82, 84, 90, and 94 opens laterally
to form a guide access opening 86. The dimensions of each of the
slide-in guides 82, 84, 90, and 94 and the dimensions of the nuts
124 are predetermined such that each nut may be inserted into one
of the slide-in guides 82, 84, 90, and 94 through a guide access
opening 86, but such that each nut is not free to rotate within the
respective slide-in guide 82, 84, 90, and 94. Thus, each bolt 122
may be threaded into the corresponding nut 124 without the need of
a separate tool to stabilize the nut 124. Assembly is hastened and
simplified. In the assembled product, the nuts 124 are contained
within the slide-in guides 82, 84, 90, and 94 and are thereby
protected from impingement.
[0025] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the frame 46 forms a
front support receptacle 48 and a rear support receptacle 56. The
front support receptacle 48 houses a front bearing set 50 and a
front axle 52 which has attached to it a pair of front wheels 54.
The rear support receptacle 56 houses a rear bearing set 58 and a
rear axle 60 which has attached to it a pair of rear wheels 62. The
wheels 54 and 62 may be formed of metal, plastic, urethane and the
like in the conventional manner.
[0026] It should be noted that, in a conventional four-wheeled
skate, one bearing set would couple each axle end to a wheel,
requiring a total of four bearing sets (eight, if each ring of
bearings of a set is counted individually). In accordance with the
present invention, however, only one bearing set is required for
each axle. Thus, half the number of bearing sets is required and a
simple, inexpensive fastener such as a bolt suffices to secure the
wheel to the axle end, further reducing the cost of parts and
assembly.
[0027] It should further be noted that, in a conventional
four-wheeled skate, each axle is carried by a support frame which
is itself attached to the frame or chassis of the skate by means of
a large bolt, bushings, and a tongue-and-bearing arrangement. These
additional, separate parts are costly and they complicate the
assembly of the roller skate. They also add weight. Finally, they
undesirably increase the height of the skate. However, in
accordance with the present invention, the front support receptacle
48, being formed integrally with the frame 46, allows the frame 46
directly to support the front bearing set 50. Likewise, the
integrally formed rear support receptacle 56 allows the frame 46
directly to support the rear bearing set 58. Thus, the child's
roller skate in accordance with the present invention requires few
parts and assembly steps, is light, and can be constructed to ride
close to the ground, the height being determined essentially by the
diameter of the wheels.
[0028] With particular reference to FIG. 2, a sectional view of the
embodiment of FIG. 1 along line 2-2, it can be seen that the guide
access opening 86 allows insertion of the nut 124 into the frame
rear mounting slide-in guide 84. FIG. 2 shows nuts 124 resembling
hexagonal nuts; however, nuts having a square or star shape are
preferred for simpler insertion and better stabilization within the
slide-in guides. It can also be seen that the single rear bearing
set 58 supports the rear axle 60, to which the two rear wheels 62
are attached in a simple manner without the need of bearing sets at
the ends of the rear axle 60.
* * * * *