U.S. patent application number 11/213095 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-22 for in-line roller skate with internal support and external ankle cuff.
This patent application is currently assigned to K-2 Corporation. Invention is credited to Meibock, Antonin A., Sauter, Thomas M., Svensson, John E..
Application Number | 20050280222 11/213095 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25031991 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050280222 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sauter, Thomas M. ; et
al. |
December 22, 2005 |
In-line roller skate with internal support and external ankle
cuff
Abstract
A roller skate includes an upper, including a substantially
nonrigid upper portion secured to a base. A frame secured to the
base carries a plurality of wheels. The substantially nonrigid
upper portion is reinforced by a substantially rigid internal heel
counter. An ankle support cuff assembly is pivotally secured to the
internal heel counter. The ankle support cuff assembly includes a
substantially rigid ankle support cuff that is pivotally secured on
lateral and medial sides to the internal heel counter. Ankle pad
lines the interior of the ankle support cuff. Ankle support cuff is
fastened by a selectively securable fastener about the skater's
ankle. The ankle support cuff assembly pivots freely in the forward
and aft direction relative to the internal heel counter.
Inventors: |
Sauter, Thomas M.; (Seattle,
WA) ; Meibock, Antonin A.; (Calgary, CA) ;
Svensson, John E.; (Buk-ku Pasan, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTENSEN, O'CONNOR, JOHNSON, KINDNESS, PLLC
1420 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 2800
SEATTLE
WA
98101-2347
US
|
Assignee: |
K-2 Corporation
Vashon
WA
|
Family ID: |
25031991 |
Appl. No.: |
11/213095 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11213095 |
Aug 26, 2005 |
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10617317 |
Jul 9, 2003 |
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10617317 |
Jul 9, 2003 |
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09753750 |
Jan 2, 2001 |
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09753750 |
Jan 2, 2001 |
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08668278 |
Jun 21, 1996 |
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6168172 |
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08668278 |
Jun 21, 1996 |
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08484467 |
Jun 7, 1995 |
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08484467 |
Jun 7, 1995 |
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08094576 |
Jul 19, 1993 |
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5437466 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/11.221 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 5/1666 20130101;
A43B 5/1625 20130101; A43B 7/20 20130101; A43B 7/28 20130101; A43B
5/049 20130101; A43B 5/1691 20130101; A63C 17/06 20130101; A43B
5/0401 20130101; A43B 5/0466 20130101; A43B 5/165 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/011.221 |
International
Class: |
A63C 017/02 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. An in-line skate comprising: a frame rotatably supporting a
plurality of in-line wheels; a shoe portion comprising a base
secured to the frame and a nonrigid upper portion secured to the
base; a rigid heel counter secured to the base and disposed between
an outer layer of the nonrigid upper portion and an inner lining;
an ankle support assembly including a rigid ankle cuff covered by a
flexible shell, the rigid ankle cuff having oppositely-disposed
pivot extensions that are pivotably attached to the heel counter
such that the ankle support assembly is pivotable about a
transverse axis substantially independently of the shoe portion,
and a U-shaped portion adapted to wrap about the skater's ankle;
and wherein the inner lining overlies an inner surface of the rigid
ankle cuff.
2. The skate of claim 1, wherein the rigid ankle cuff includes
concave portions adapted to accommodate the malleoli protrusions of
a skater's ankle.
3. The skate of claim 1, wherein the inner lining is not secured to
the rigid heel counter.
4. The skate of claim 1, wherein the inner lining is a lined foam
pad.
5. The skate of claim 1, wherein the ankle support assembly further
comprises a securable closure strap.
6. The skate of claim 1, wherein the shoe portion further comprises
a tongue that extends upwardly from the upper portion and is
engaged by the ankle support assembly.
7. The skate of claim 1, wherein a gap is defined between a lower
rear edge of the ankle support assembly and an upper rear edge of
the nonrigid upper portion.
8. The skate of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the rigid
ankle cuff is exposed between the flexible shell and the nonrigid
upper portion.
9. The skate of claim 1, further comprising a rigid toe guard
secured to the base and overlying a toe portion of the nonrigid
upper portion.
10. The skate of claim 1, wherein the nonrigid upper portion
comprises a breathable fabric.
11. A skate comprising: a frame rotatably supporting a plurality of
wheels; a base secured to the frame; a nonrigid upper portion
secured to the base and formed from flexible materials; a rigid
heel counter secured to the base and disposed between an outer
layer of the nonrigid upper portion and an inner lining layer; and
an ankle support assembly comprising a rigid ankle cuff defining
lateral and medial arms that pivotably attach to the rigid heel
counter and a U-shaped portion extending above the nonrigid upper
portion, and a securable nonrigid shell disposed over an outer
surface of the rigid ankle cuff; wherein the ankle support assembly
is constrained to pivot about an axis transverse to a longitudinal
axis defined by the base.
12. The skate of claim 11, wherein the rigid ankle cuff includes
concave portions adapted to accommodate the malleoli protrusions of
a skater's ankle.
13. The skate of claim 11, wherein the inner lining layer is a
lined foam pad.
14. The skate of claim 11, wherein the nonrigid upper portion
further comprises a tongue portion that extends upwardly to engage
the ankle support assembly.
15. The skate of claim 11, further comprising a rigid toe guard
secured to the base and overlying a toe portion of the nonrigid
upper portion.
16. The skate of claim 11, wherein the nonrigid upper portion
comprises a breathable fabric.
17. A skate having a plurality of wheels, a base defining an upper
surface, a lower surface and a longitudinal axis, a frame secured
to the base for mounting the plurality of wheels, and a nonrigid
upper portion adapted to receive a skater's foot and secured to the
base, the nonrigid upper portion extending upwardly from the base
and adapted to terminate below the ankle of the received skater's
foot, the improvement comprising: a rigid heel counter secured to
the base and disposed between an outer layer of the nonrigid upper
portion and an inner foam layer and an ankle support assembly
pivotally connected to the internal heel counter, the rigid ankle
support assembly comprising a rigid ankle cuff support and a
nonrigid shell portion covering an outer surface of the rigid ankle
cuff support.
18. The skate of claim 17, wherein the rigid ankle cuff includes a
C-shaped portion and oppositely-disposed pivot extensions that are
pivotably attached to the heel counter.
19. The skate of claim 18, wherein the oppositely-disposed pivot
extensions include concave portions adapted to accommodate the
malleoli protrusions of a skater's ankle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
10/617,317, filed Jul. 9, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/753,750, filed Jan. 2, 2001, now abandoned,
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.
08/668,278, filed Jun. 21, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,172, which
is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/484,467,
filed Jun. 7, 1995, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 08/094,576, filed Jul. 19, 1993, now
U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,466.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to in-line roller skate
constructions and, more particularly, to pivoting ankle support
structures for in-line roller skates.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In-line roller skates typically include a plurality of
aligned wheels with parallel axles secured to a skate frame. A
skate boot or shoe is attached to the top of the frame. Most skate
manufacturers currently construct the boots and shoes ("the skate
upper") with a base, a plastic shell extending upwardly from the
base, and a removable liner. The shell may include a cuff portion
pivotally attached to a lower portion of the shell to ease fore and
aft movement of the skater's leg while providing medial and lateral
support. Alternatively, the plastic shell may extend upwardly to
the top of the skate above the ankle without the cuff being
pivotally secured to the lower portion. Rigid hockey skates are
also in the prior art. These skates typically do not have a plastic
outer shell. Hockey skates may have a leather or leather/nylon
outer shell with internal stiffening/support members. While hockey
skate constructions provide necessary support for this sport, they
do not easily flex forwardly and rearwardly.
[0004] Most in-line roller skates are very maneuverable and are
capable of higher speeds than those customarily associated with
conventional paired wheel roller skates. In-line roller skating is
generally considered to require higher levels of skill,
coordination, and strength than conventional paired wheel roller
skating because of the narrow, lateral support base associated with
in-line roller skates. Specifically, while balancing in the forward
and rear direction is relatively easy for even inexperienced
skaters, balancing in the sideward or lateral direction is
difficult because of the narrow support base and is heavily
dependent upon the skater's balancing and coordination skills.
Proper ankle and foot supports within the upper shoe portion of the
in-line roller skate aid in lateral balancing.
[0005] To obtain the optimum performance from an in-line roller
skate, it is important that the in-line roller skate be maintained
in a substantially vertical position. The upper shoe portion of the
in-line roller skate serves competing purposes of providing support
and comfort; comfort in a shoe not usually being associated with a
high degree of support. In other words, the incorporation of rigid
support structures in the upper shoe portion of the in-line roller
skate tends to add stiffness and bulk and, considering the warm
weather environments conducive to in-line roller skating, tends to
make the skates heavy, hot, and uncomfortable. Because serious
ankle and other injuries can result if comfort is favored over
support, proper support in an in-line roller skate has been the
dominant design criteria in the past.
[0006] As discussed briefly above, the conventional upper shoe
portion of the in-line roller skate is usually formed of rigid,
nonbreathable, plastic materials having an inner liner. The plastic
material generally forms the outer structure of the upper shoe
portion, thereby requiring that a soft inner liner of sponge rubber
or other like material be included to provide comfort to the user.
Since such soft materials combined with the rigid plastic shell are
good insulators and do not readily transmit heat or air away from
the user's foot, the result is a hot upper shoe portion.
[0007] To provide lateral stability, conventional alpine ski boot
designs have readily been adapted to in-line roller skates. These
boots provide support and durability, characteristics necessary for
in-line roller skates. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,351,537 and 5,171,033 ("the
'033 patent) are both exemplary of rigid, injection-molded boots
adapted to winter sports, such as ice skating and alpine skiing,
which have been modified for in-line roller skating applications.
These patents disclose an upper boot portion that comprises a hard
plastic outer shell with a soft inner liner. While this type of
boot design is well-suited for cold weather sports, the upper shoe
portion tends to be hot and uncomfortable when used in warm weather
sports such as in-line roller skating. The '033 patent suggests
that by including "primarily unobstructed ventilation ports" in the
rigid synthetic outer shell of the upper shoe portion, air can
circulate around the skater's foot, thereby eliminating some of the
heat associated with the hard plastic outer shell. While this
patent seeks to address the issue of comfort, the disclosed upper
shoe portion is still configured of two parts, including a hard
plastic outer shell and a soft inner liner, that in warm weather
conditions can be uncomfortable compared to conventional walking
and/or running shoes due to excessive heat buildup. The result is
that the skater's feet are often hot, damp, and uncomfortable.
[0008] Another problem with the adoption of injection molded
ski-type boots to in-line roller skating is that, while providing
excellent lateral stiffness and rigidity for lateral ankle support,
these boots also create unnecessary and unwanted forward/rearward
stiffness and rigidity. Ski-type boots detract from the performance
characteristics of the skate because they limit the range of motion
of the skater's legs and feet and, therefore, the ability of the
skater to utilize the full extent of his strength and agility.
[0009] Further, it is desirable for an in-line roller skate upper
shoe portion to be lightweight. Boots that are well-suited to
skiing applications wherein it is not necessary to raise and lower
the boot with every movement of the foot (because the skier relies
on gravity to provide the forward or downward motion) prove heavy
and bulky when adapted to in-line roller skating. When skating on a
flat surface, the in-line roller skater must lift the boot with
every stride to provide a forward impetus and a heavy upper shoe
portion causes fatigue and reduces skating enjoyment.
[0010] Alternative modes of providing both comfort and adequate
support for in-line roller skating have been suggested.
Specifically, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,963,252, 4,418,929, and 5,069,462
show roller skate frames that include a platform adapted to allow
the skater to wear a conventional street shoe that is inserted into
a series of braces and supports. These skates offer alternative
shoe and frame designs to the rigid plastic outer shell and inner
liner of the conventional in-line roller skate. However,
significant problems exist with such designs in that the adjustable
braces and supports of these designs, while needed to accommodate
numerous shoe sizes and shapes, are bulky and uncomfortable.
Additionally, there is a limited range of shoe types that the
skates will accommodate and, thus, there is the additional
requirement that the skater have the proper shoe type to properly
utilize the skate.
[0011] The outer plastic shells of previous in-line roller skates
have created difficulty in styling the skates, such as has been
done with hiking boots and other footwear that have not had rigid
outer shells. However, the rigid outer shells were thought to be
necessary to provide adequate medial and lateral support while
allowing ease of fore and aft movement of the leg of the skater
relative to the skater's foot during skating. A recreational skater
may not have the required strength and ability to utilize a low-cut
skate that provides ease of movement. The skate would not provide
enough lateral and medial support. Skates that do provide lateral
and medial support and that do not include the rigid plastic outer
shell construction include hockey skates. Hockey skates do provide
adequate lateral and medial support for the skater's ankle.
However, fore and aft movement of the lower leg of the skater
relative to the skater's foot is also limited. The hockey skate
uppers are generally quite rigid and unforgiving. Therefore, a need
exists to provide a skate that includes an upper structural support
member for medial and lateral support while providing for ease of
fore and aft movement without totally encompassing the skater's
foot in a rigid plastic shell.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In accordance with the present invention, a skate for
receiving a foot of a skater is disclosed. The skate includes a
frame, a rigid base, a substantially nonrigid upper portion, and a
substantially rigid upper portion. The frame has a means for riding
on a surface. The rigid base is securely attached to the frame. The
base is adapted to support the bottom of the skater's foot and
includes a heel portion and a toe portion adapted to support the
areas beneath the heel, ball, and toes of the skater's foot. The
substantially nonrigid upper portion is adapted to receive the
skater's foot. It substantially covers the top and ankle of the
skater's foot and is permanently affixed to the rigid base. The
substantially rigid upper portion is coupled to the nonrigid upper
portion and to the rigid base. The rigid upper portion includes an
ankle support cuff extending above the skater's ankle when wearing
the skate. The rigid upper portion is adjacent only to portions of
the nonrigid upper portion, leaving a substantial portion of the
vamp of the skate without rigid support directly adjacent thereto.
The nonrigid upper portion extends to above the cuff.
[0013] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the
substantially nonrigid upper portion includes an outer shell. The
ankle support cuff is disposed beneath the outer shell. In one
aspect of the invention, the substantially nonrigid upper portion
also includes billows in a front portion and a rear portion of the
ankle area of the upper portion. The billows are adapted to allow
flexible movement of the substantially nonrigid upper portion.
[0014] In another preferred aspect of the invention, the
substantially rigid upper portion further includes an internal heel
counter beneath the outer shell. The ankle support cuff is
pivotally connected to the internal heel counter. An external heel
counter may also extend upwardly from the base around the heel
portion of the upper portion on the outside of the outer shell.
[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the internal heel
counter and the ankle support cuff are pivotally interconnected
with a reduced section of heel counter material, the heel counter
and ankle support cuff being integrally formed.
[0016] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the heel
counter includes two sides with recesses along the inner portion of
the tops thereof. The ankle support cuff includes lower edges
disposed at least partially within the recesses. Preferably, the
recesses include grooves extending downwardly therein. The cuff
includes downwardly-projecting tongues on either side thereof
disposed within the grooves. The recesses in the sides of the heel
counter are preferably arcuate in shape and complementary
arcuately-shaped tongues exist on the sides of the cuff. The
recesses are preferably disposed on the inner sides of the heel
counter with the lower portion of the cuff overlapping the heel
counter on the inner sides thereof.
[0017] A further aspect of the preferred embodiment of the
invention includes substantially rigid support panels disposed on
the sides of the interface between the heel counter and the ankle
support cuff. The support panels are fixed to the heel counter such
that the ankle support cuff is movable relative to the panels.
[0018] One aspect of an alternate embodiment of the invention
includes arcuate slots within the arcuate portions of the heel
counter. In this embodiment, the cuff further includes pins through
the bottom arcuate portions thereof. The pins extend through the
slots in the heel counter.
[0019] In another alternate embodiment of the invention, the
arcuate portions of the heel counter and the arcuate portions of
the cuff are interconnected with arms attached therebetween. These
arcuate portions of the heel counter preferably include recesses
for receiving the arcuate portions of the cuff.
[0020] The preferred embodiment of the invention may also be
described as a skate for receiving a foot of the skater that
includes a frame, a rigid base, an external heel counter, an upper
having an outer shell, a substantially rigid internal heel counter,
and a substantially rigid ankle support cuff. The frame has wheels
or a blade for riding on a surface. The rigid base is securely
attached to the frame. The external heel counter extends upwardly
from the base around the heel portion of the skate. The outer shell
is constructed of substantially soft pliable material. The internal
heel counter is disposed beneath the outer shell and extends around
the heel area of the skate above the top of the external heel
counter. The ankle support cuff is pivotally coupled to the
internal heel counter and disposed beneath the outer shell.
Preferably, the internal heel counter also includes at least one
groove along at least a portion thereof for receiving the lower
edge of the cuff in substantially sliding engagement therewith.
[0021] The above-described skate construction provides a skate that
has great aesthetic appeal without substantial plastic material on
the external body of the skate. The skate also provides superior
lateral and medial support while allowing fore and aft movement of
the lower leg of the skater relative to the skater's foot, with the
cuff being pivotally secured within the upper.
[0022] A further embodiment of the present invention includes a
substantially rigid internal heel counter and an external
substantially rigid ankle cuff. The skate includes a base defining
an undersurface, an upper surface, a toe end, and a heel end. A
frame is secured to the undersurface of the base for mounting a
plurality of wheels or other ground engaging member. A
substantially nonrigid upper portion is secured to the upper
surface of the base. A substantially rigid internal heel counter is
secured to and extends upwardly from the heel end of the base and
is received within and covered by the substantially nonrigid upper
portion. The substantially rigid ankle cuff, fastenable about a
skater's ankle, is pivotally secured to an upper portion of the
heel counter. The substantially rigid ankle cuff is able to pivot
forwardly freely relative to the internal heel counter,
substantially without resistance from the nonrigid upper
portion.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, a substantially rigid ankle cuff
is secured to the heel counter and substantially nonrigid upper
portion only by the pivotal connection to the internal heel counter
and is otherwise separate from the nonrigid upper portion. An ankle
pad lines an interior surface of the ankle cuff and extends
downwardly, terminating at a free lower end within the internal
heel counter. This embodiment of the invention allows the ankle
cuff to pivot substantially freely from resistance due to the lower
portion of the skate to follow the natural motion of the lower leg
of a skater.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages
of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same
become better understood by reference to the following detailed
description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention illustrating a soft boot skate with a rigid heel
counter and cuff pivotally interconnected within the outer shell of
the skate;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the skate of FIG. 1 showing
the soft portion of the upper and the toe cap in phantom view;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the
skate illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 with sections of the interior of
the skate cut away to show the cuff/counter interface;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view cut vertically
through the skate and extending through the pivot locations of the
cuff;
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present
invention including a pivot neck between the heel counter and
internal cuff;
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention
illustrating flex arms used between the internal cuff and heel
counter;
[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates another alternate embodiment with a
single flex arm to secure the internal cuff to the heel
counter;
[0032] FIG. 8 illustrates another alternate embodiment with a flex
cross at the interface between the heel counter and cuff;
[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment with the arcuate
interconnection between the internal cuff and heel counter being
reversed from previous embodiments;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a side view of an alternate embodiment without
substantial interconnection between the internal cuff and heel
counter other than a tongue and groove arrangement;
[0035] FIG. 11 illustrates another alternate embodiment utilizing a
pin and slot arrangement between the internal cuff and heel
counter;
[0036] FIG. 12 illustrates another alternate embodiment with a pin
and slot arrangement;
[0037] FIG. 13 is an illustration of flex billows that may be used
on the external shell of the skate to provide for movement of the
cuff portion of the skate relative to the lower portion;
[0038] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the internal support structure of the skate showing inner and outer
supports covering the joints between the internal cuff and heel
counter;
[0039] FIG. 15 provides a side elevation view of an alternate
embodiment of the present invention, including an internal heel
counter (shown in phantom) and an external ankle support cuff
pivotally secured thereto;
[0040] FIG. 16 provides a perspective view of the skate of FIG. 15
with a portion of the ankle support cuff assembly broken away for
clarity; and
[0041] FIG. 17 provides a cross-sectional view of the skate of FIG.
15, taken through a transverse plane passing through the pivot axis
of the ankle cuff.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, an in-line roller skate 10 made
according to the present invention is disclosed. In-line skate 10
includes an upper 12 connected to a frame 14 that secures wheels
16. Upper 12 includes a rigid base 18 for interconnection to frame
14. Preferably, rigid base 18 extends beneath upper 12
substantially from heel to toe. An external heel counter 20 is
preferably integrally formed with base 18. Alternatively, external
heel counter 20 could be omitted or formed separately, unattached
to base 18. A toe cap 22 is also separately formed and attached to
base 18 to protect the toe end of the skate from scuffs and wear. A
toe cap 22 also protects the skater's foot from impacts with hard
surfaces.
[0043] Most of the rest of upper 12 is constructed of soft,
breathable, pliable material of the type commonly used in shoes or
hiking boots. Thus, synthetic or natural leathers and meshes or
other fabrics may be used to construct the soft portions of upper
12. These portions include a forefoot portion 24 generally below
the ankle area of the skate and an ankle portion 26 at and above
the ankle portion of the skate. Laces 28 are preferably used to
secure upper 12 tightly around the foot of the skater in a
conventional fashion. However, buckles, straps, Velcro.TM.-type
hook-and-loop fasteners, or other fasteners may alternatively be
used. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, forward billows
32 and aft billows 30 are secured within cutout portions of upper
12 just over the heel and between the ankle and forefoot portions
26 and 24 of upper 12. Forward and aft billows 32 and 30 allow ease
of flexing of ankle portion 26 relative to forefoot portion 24.
[0044] Much of the construction of the upper of the skate is
similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,466, incorporated
herein by reference. The skate disclosed in the parent application
(U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,466) ("the '466 patent) includes a soft
pliable upper. The upper disclosed in the '466 patent provides
medial and lateral support as well as fore and aft flexibility with
a rigid external heel counter pivotally interconnected with a rigid
external cuff. The same concept is employed in the present
invention. However, the present application provides further
details and constructions with a rigid heel counter and cuff placed
inside the relatively soft outer shell 44 of upper 12. An internal
heel counter 34 is preferably attached to base 18 by connection to
an outer shell 44 and a last board 52 (illustrated in FIG. 3).
Internal heel counter 34 rises from base 18 beginning at
approximately the middle of the sides of base 18 upwardly toward
ankle portion 26 of upper 12. Internal heel counter 34 then
gradually descends to a position below aft billows 30 at the rear
of the heel portion of upper 12 and above external heel counter 20.
Thus, internal heel counter 34 is cantilevered upwardly from
external heel counter 20 except that it has outer shell 44 placed
therebetween in the preferred embodiment.
[0045] FIG. 2 further illustrates the heel counter/internal cuff
construction. The right and left sides of internal heel counter 34
are substantially the same except for variations due to differences
in the anatomical shapes and movements between the medial and
lateral sides of the skater's feet. The uppermost portion of both
sides of internal heel counter 34 includes recesses with arcuate
lower boundaries. The bottom of the recesses preferably includes
grooves 40 into which an ankle cuff 36 is engaged with a tongue and
groove configuration. Pivot pins 38 are secured at the radial
centers of the arcuate portions and extend between ankle cuff 36
and internal heel counter 34. Preferably, pivot pins 38 are rivets.
Pivot pins 38 allow fore and aft movement of ankle cuff 36 relative
to internal heel counter 34. Pivot pins 38 restrict lateral and
medial flex of ankle cuff 36. Ankle cuff 36 is constructed of a
rigid material such as plastic or fiber-reinforced plastic. The
material is rigid relative to the softer portions of upper 12 that
surround most of the rest of the foot of the skater. Ankle cuff 36
is preferably U-shaped as viewed from above such that it surrounds
the lower leg of the skater and ankle of the skater from behind
toward the front of the skate. Ankle cuff 36 preferably does not
entirely surround the ankle or lower leg of the skater but
preferably extends in front of the ankle bones. Thus, ankle cuff 36
provides medial and lateral support to the skater's ankle while
allowing fore and aft flex about pivot pin 38. Ankle portion 26 of
upper 12 is able to flex fore and aft with ankle cuff 36 since it
is secured therearound and is of a softer, more flexible material
than ankle cuff 36. Thereby, with the above described construction,
a skate is provided that has the pleasing aesthetic appearance of a
sport shoe or hiking boot with superior medial and lateral support
and fore and aft flexibility that are required for in-line
skating.
[0046] The arrangement of pivot pin 38 and groove 40 with a cuff
tongue 42 (as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4) provides a strong and
supportive interconnection between ankle cuff 36 and internal heel
counter 34. Both medial and lateral flex are restricted by both
sides of ankle cuff 36 with this arrangement since there is a
vertical space between pivot pin 38 and the tongue and groove
arrangement.
[0047] FIG. 3 further illustrates the details of the layering of
upper 12. As discussed above, a cuff tongue 42 extends downwardly
from cuff 36 to interface with groove 40 of heel counter 34. Thus,
a sliding arrangement exists between cuff 36 and heel counter 34 at
the interface between the two with a semicircular tongue and groove
interface. The portion of internal heel counter 34 that extends
above pivot pin 38 is preferably on the outside of ankle cuff 36 to
provide additional support when any portion of cuff 36 is pushed
outwardly in a medial or lateral direction.
[0048] As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, upper 12 includes the outer shell
44 mentioned above substantially encompassing the majority of upper
12. Outer layer or shell 44 is preferably constructed of a leather
or flexible man-made materials. Outer shell 44 is secured to base
18, toe cap 22, and external heel counter 20. Outer shell 44
extends to the top of upper 12 where it is preferably joined to an
inner lining 46. Inner lining 46 lines the interior walls of upper
12. Inner lining 46 is preferably a breathable material such as a
tricot or other conventional breathable lining. A soft padding 48
is secured between inner lining 46 and ankle cuff 36 and internal
heel counter 36 and 34. Padding 48 also preferably extends between
inner lining 46 and outer shell 44 in areas that do not include
heel counter 34 and ankle cuff 36. Padding 48 is preferably a
conventional padding such as an open-cell foam material.
[0049] FIG. 3 also illustrates skate tongue 50 extending in a
conventional manner in front portion of upper 12.
[0050] A last board 52 permanently secures the above-described
portions of upper 12 to base 18. Preferably, rivets or other
fasteners extend through frame 14, base 18, and last board 52.
Adhesives are also used. Outer shell 44 as well as internal heel
counter 34 extend at least partially beneath last board 52 to be
sandwiched securely between last board 52 and base 18. The secure
connection of upper 12 to base 18 provides a skate that is superior
in performance to any skates that include removable liners since
the foot of the skater can be more securely held within the skate
and to the base and frame. An insole 54 is placed over last board
52 within skate upper 12.
[0051] Turning now to FIGS. 5-13, alternate embodiments of the
invention will now be discussed. In the figures, most details of
the uppers are not illustrated to more clearly depict the
arrangement of the cuffs and heel counters. Also note that the last
two digits of each numbered element correspond to like-numbered
elements in previous embodiments.
[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present
invention. Note that like reference numbers are used throughout
FIG. 5 except that the number 100 has been added to each. Internal
heel counter 134 is connected to internal cuff 136 by a pivot neck
138. Pivot neck 138 is small enough so as to create a "live hinge"
between cuff 136 and heel counter 134. In this embodiment, cuff 136
may either be in the form of side panels within the sides of upper
112 or may extend around the back of the skate in a generally
U-shaped configuration. The details of most of upper 112 are not
illustrated in FIG. 5 so as to more clearly represent internal heel
counter 134, pivot neck 138, and internal cuff 136. The remaining
details are similar to those disclosed above in connection with
FIGS. 1 through 4. Movement of internal cuff 136 is also shown in
phantom lines in FIG. 5. With cuff 136 having a U-shaped
configuration, the structural integrity to provide medial and
lateral support to the ankle of the skater is provided in a simple,
low-cost, integral construction with internal heel counter 134
while fore and aft pivoting motion is still allowed.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 6, an embodiment of the present
invention with an internal cuff 236 interfacing with an internal
heel counter 234 does not include a pivot pin at the center of the
radius of curvature of the interface. In this embodiment, internal
cuff 236 is interconnected with internal heel counter 234 by a
tongue and groove arrangement as discussed above. However, forward
and rearward arms 258 and 260 bias cuff 236 to a neutral position
and hold cuff 236 within groove 240. Forward and rearward arms 258
and 260 form a "V" shape with the bottoms of the arms being
connected to a heel counter pin secured between the arms and
internal heel counter 234 beneath the lowest portion of groove 240.
Alternatively, groove 240 may simply be a recess on the sides of
internal heel counter 234. The upper ends of arms 258 and 260 are
secured to guide holes 262 within heel counter 234 by guide pins
264. Guide pins 264 slide within arcuate guide holes 262 and hold
the sides of cuff 236 against heel counter 234. Arms 258 and 260
may be on the interior or exterior of internal heel counter 234.
Arms 258 and 260 are preferably constructed from a tough
elastomeric material. The remaining details of the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 6 are similar to the embodiments discussed
above.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 7, another alternate embodiment
similar to that of FIG. 6 will be described. In this embodiment, a
single elastomeric arm 358 is fixedly secured on both ends in a
horizontal fashion to internal heel counter 334. Arm 358 is secured
across the lower portion of the recess in internal heel counter 334
with the lowermost part of cuff 336 disposed between arm 358 and
heel counter 334. Arm 358 is elastic in nature and flexible to
permit fore and aft movement of cuff 336 relative to internal heel
counter 334. Depending on the elasticity of arm 358, the lower
arcuate edge of heel counter 336 may rocker inside the recess
created within the top of heel counter 334, thus pulling somewhat
upwardly with guide pin 364 on arm 358. The recess within the top
of heel counter 334 may have a greater radius of curvature so as to
permit such rockering.
[0055] Another embodiment will now be discussed in connection with
FIG. 8. This embodiment is similar to that of FIGS. 6 and 7
discussed above. In this embodiment, a flex cross 438 is
interconnected between cuff 436 and internal heel counter 434. The
upper arm 462 of flex cross 438 is secured to cuff 436 although,
alternatively, multiple arms may be connected to cuff 436 with one
or more multiple arms connected to internal heel counter 434.
Again, cuff arm 462 and heel counter 458 are connected at their
ends to cuff 436 and heel counter 434, respectively. Thus, the
elastic nature of flex cross 438 allows movement of cuff 436
relative to heel counter 434 with either rockering or pivoting
sliding action between the arcuate portions of each.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 9, another alternate embodiment,
includes reversed arcuate portions of the heel counter 534 and cuff
536 such that cuff 536 includes a concave portion while heel
counter 534 contains convex portions. In this case, heel counter
534 may extend upwardly to just above the ankle bones of the
skater. Cuff 536 permits movement of the lower leg of the skater
relative to internal heel counter 534. Either a recess or a groove
540 with a cuff tongue 542 interfaces between the two elements.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 10, an embodiment is shown wherein no
positive pivotal or linkage connection is created between a cuff
636 and a heel counter 634 other than a tongue and recess or tongue
and groove arrangement. The fact that cuff 636 and internal heel
counter 634 are held within outer shell 44 of upper 612 provides
enough retention of the elements such that no rivet or other
fastening means is necessary.
[0058] FIG. 11 illustrates another alternate embodiment of the
invention wherein a recess 740 in the top of the internal heel
counter 734 is provided to overlap cuff 736. However, in this
embodiment, a guide hole 762 in the form of an elongate arcuate
slot is provided in the bottom of cuff 736 adjacent a recessed
portion 740 of internal heel counter 734. A heel counter pin 756
extends through recess portion 740 and through guide hole 762 to
restrict the movement of cuff 736 and provide additional strength
thereto.
[0059] A slight rearrangement of this construction is shown in FIG.
12. In FIG. 12, the same guide pin/guide hole arrangement is
utilized except that a groove 840 is provided in the bottom of the
recess into which a cuff tongue 842 extends. In this embodiment,
cuff 836 is further restricted and strengthened from medial and
lateral movement since cuff tongue 842 cannot move laterally or
medially but only slide within groove 840. Note that the actual
pivot axis of cuff 836 may be above heel counter pin 856 due to
guide hole 862 being arcuate and providing room for movement. Thus,
the pivot axis may be at the ankle bones (malleoli) of the skater
without having a rivet or pin projecting inwardly at that same
location.
[0060] Referring now to FIG. 13, an additional element will be
described relating to the external portion of upper 912. In this
embodiment, full billows 966 are provided between ankle portion 926
and forefoot portion 924 to allow the two portions as well as cuff
936 and internal heel counter 934 to move relative to each other.
Billows 966 is an elastic rubbery material that is easily flexible
without breaking down. In this embodiment, full billows 966 extends
from the front of the boot down below the ankle bone to above the
heel behind the ankle bone in an arcuate fashion. Billows 966 would
then extend around the rear of the skate to a substantially mirror
configuration on the other side of the skate.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 14, additional support structures
preferably added to the basic structure described above relative to
FIGS. 1 through 4 will now be discussed. In FIG. 14, the entire
soft portion of upper 12 has been removed to expose last board
1052, internal heel counter 1034, and internal cuff 1036. The
construction of these three elements and arrangement in FIG. 14 are
substantially similar to that discussed above with regard to FIGS.
1 through 4. However, outer supports 1068 and inner supports 1070
have also been added to provide a smooth transition between these
elements and for greater support and comfort. Outer supports 1068
are constructed of a plastic material and overlay the cuff and heel
counter intersection of the skate and extend slightly forwardly
therefrom. This provides additional rigidity to the pivotal and
tongue and groove arrangement of the support structure and wraps
around the foot of the skater to provide additional support.
Likewise, inner supports 1070 cover the intersection between cuff
1036 and heel counter 1034 on the inside of these elements and also
cover the inside of pivot pin 1038, which may be a rivet or other
fastener. Thus, inner supports 1070 not only provide additional
structural support for the foot of the skater to help maintain the
proper orientation of the in-line skate, but also provide smooth
transition between the elements for maximum comfort. Supports 1068
and 1070 are fixedly secured to internal heel counter 1034.
Supports 1068 and 1070 are slidably secured to internal cuff 1036
such that they nest against cuff 1036 so as to not hinder the
movement thereof in the fore and aft directions. However, supports
1068 and 1070 further strengthen cuff 1036 in the lateral and
medial directions and provide further support around the foot of
the skater beyond that provided by heel counter 1034.
[0062] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various
changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. The basic concepts and constructions
disclosed could be modified such as by placing them on the exterior
of the skate on the outside of outer shell 44 or by changing the
arrangement in any number of ways while still maintaining basic
concepts of having the rigid cuff interconnected to the heel
counter in a pivotal fashion.
[0063] A further embodiment of the present invention showing one
such alternate construction is illustrated in FIGS. 15-18. The
skate 1110 illustrated in FIG. 15 is constructed similarly to the
skate 10 of FIG. 1, with the exception of the construction and
mounting of the pivotal ankle support cuff. Thus, those details of
the embodiment of FIGS. 15-18 in common with those of FIG. 1 will
not be described in great detail. Generally, the skate 1110
includes an upper 1112 that is connected to a frame 1114 between
the sidewalls of which are rotatably secured a plurality of wheels
1116. The upper 1112 includes a rigid base 1118, the underside of
which is secured the frame 1114. Securement of the base 1118 to the
frame 1114 may be by riveting, threaded fasteners, adhesion, or
other manners, as previously described, or the base 1118 and the
frame 1114 may be integrally formed. In the embodiment illustrated,
the base 1118 is rigid the full length of the upper 1112 from the
forward toe end to the rear heel end of the base. However, it
should be understood that the present invention also applies
equally well to a skate that may include a flexing base 1118 having
either a heel end that is unsecured to and able to lift away from
the rear end of the frame, or including a split frame having front
and rear segments.
[0064] The upper 1112 also includes a substantially nonrigid upper
portion 1120 that receives and surrounds the foot of a skater. The
nonrigid upper portion 1120 runs from a forward, toe end 1122 of
the base 1118 to a rear, heel end 1124 of the base 1118. The
nonrigid upper portion 1120 is formed from flexible materials, as
previously described, such as leather, canvas, nylon fabric, or
flexible plastic. The forward end of the nonrigid upper 1120 is
protected by a toe guard 1126 formed of a rigid or substantially
rigid plastic material. The toe guard is secured to the edge of the
toe end 1122 of the base 1118, and rises outwardly therefrom to
wrap the sides and upper edge of the toe portion of the
substantially nonrigid upper portion 1120. The nonrigid upper
portion 1120 also includes a vamp opening 1128 that overlaps a
tongue 1130 secured at the forwardmost end of the vamp opening
1128, and selectively closed by a fastener such as a lace 1132.
[0065] The nonrigid upper portion 1120 is internally reinforced by
an internal heel counter 1134. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the
internal heel counter 1134 has a generally U-shaped configuration
and is secured about a lower U-shaped edge thereof to the perimeter
of the heel end 1124 of the base 1118. The internal heel counter
1134 rises upwardly from the base 1118, and wraps the rear and
lateral and medial sides of the heel of a skater. The heel counter
1134 terminates below the malleoli, or ankle bones, of the skater,
and extends forwardly to the beginning of the instep of the
skater's foot. While the internal heel counter 1134 is received
within and covered by the substantially nonrigid upper 1120,
portions of the internal heel counter 1134 may be exposed for
aesthetic reasons. In the illustrated embodiment, lateral and
medial (not shown) apertures 1136 are defined in the nonrigid upper
portion 1120, to expose an underlying portion of the internal heel
counter 1134.
[0066] The internal heel counter 1134 has a substantially rigid
construction and may be suitably formed of a rigid or substantially
rigid plastic or metal. In the embodiment illustrated, the internal
heel counter 1134 is formed from a fiber-reinforced resin such as a
graphite fiber reinforced polyester resin composite. The nonrigid
upper portion 1120 extends to cover and protect the full height of
the internal heel counter 1134, except for the exposed portion of
the heel counter at the apertures 1136. The nonrigid upper portion
1120 terminates below the malleoli of the user, with the exception
of the tongue 1130, which extends upwardly along the front side of
the ankle, as best shown in FIG. 16. The upper 1112, formed of the
nonrigid upper portion 1120, reinforced by the internal heel
counter 1134, and the base 1118 thus do not in any way restrict
pivoting or flexing of the user's ankle.
[0067] In order to support the user's ankle in the lateral and
medial directions while enabling flexure of the ankle to a
predetermined extent in the forward and rearward direction that is
unrestricted by the nonrigid upper portion, the skate of FIGS.
15-17 includes an independent ankle support cuff assembly 1140. The
ankle support cuff assembly 1140 includes a substantially rigid
ankle support cuff 1142, an internal ankle pad 1144 (FIGS. 16 and
17), a partial external ankle shell 1146, and a selectively
securable fastener 1148.
[0068] The ankle cuff 1142 has a rigid or substantially rigid
construction. The external ankle cuff 1142 has a generally U-shaped
configuration defining lateral and medial sides that each
terminates at a lower end in pivot extensions 1152. The cuff 1142
is contoured so that it wraps around and supports the rear side of
the ankle and extends over the malleoli, including concave portions
to accommodate the malleoli protrusions of a skater's ankle. The
pivot extensions 1152 extend downwardly below the malleoli, and are
pivotally secured by rivets 1150 to the lateral and medial sides of
the heel counter 1134. The pivotal connection provided at the
rivets 1150 is horizontally aligned with but slightly below the
pivot axis of the ankle. The ankle support cuff 1142 can be
constructed from similar materials as described above for the
internal heel counter 1134.
[0069] The ankle pad 1144 wraps about the user's ankle and extends
downwardly inside the ankle support cuff 1142. The ankle pad 1144
is formed from a soft cushioning material, such as an elastomeric
foam. The ankle pad 1144 is larger than the ankle support cuff
1142, extending further upwardly, forwardly, and downwardly than
the ankle support cuff 1142. When combined with the tongue 1130,
the ankle pad 1144 completely wraps the user's ankle. The pad 1144
projects downwardly into the interior of the upper 1112, defining a
lower edge that terminates just above an insole 1160. However, the
pad 1144 is not connected to or secured to the internal heel
counter 1134 or the upper 1120, but rather is independent thereof.
The ankle pad 1144 is lined with a fabric sheet 1162, which extends
over the inner surface of the pad 1144 and wraps downwardly and
over the outer surface of the pad 1144. In a preferred embodiment,
the fabric sheet 1162 extends further downwardly over an upper edge
of the ankle support cuff 1142. The fabric 1162 forms a portion of
the exterior shell 1146 of the ankle cuff. The exterior shell 1146
is finished by the securable fastener, such as a strap with a
hook-and-loop closure, that surrounds the forward side of the
ankle, crossing in front of the tongue 1130 to fasten the ankle
cuff assembly about the user's lower leg, just above the ankle. The
ankle cuff assembly 1140, consisting of the cuff 1142, pad 1144,
shell 1146, and strap 1148, is coupled to the upper 1112 only
through pivotal connection of the cuff 1142 to the internal heel
counter 1134 at the pivot points defined by the rivets 1150, except
that the tongue 1130 extends upwardly into the cuff. This enables
the user to freely flex the ankle, pivoting the ankle support cuff
assembly 1110 relative to the heel counter 1134 freely and without
resistance, in the fore and aft direction.
[0070] A gap is defined between the partial ankle shell 1146 and
the nonrigid upper 1120. While a lateral and medial rivet pivot is
disclosed, other pivoting constructions, such as those described
above, may be utilized, including a flexible linkage between the
upper and lower portions of an integrated cuff and heel counter
assembly, or a bellows linkage. The lower edge of the internal heel
counter 1134 may be secured to the base 1118 by any of the methods
disclosed above, such as sewing, adhesion, or riveting. Likewise,
the ankle pad 1144 and partial ankle shell 1146 may be adhered to
the ankle cuff 1142 by various methods known to those in shoe
construction, such as by stitching, as is preferred, or by
adhesion.
[0071] These and various other alterations and variations to the
disclosed embodiments may be made, all within the scope of the
present invention. For example, while an in-line skate has been
disclosed, ice skates are also within the scope of the present
invention. It is thus intended that the scope of the invention be
defined by the claims dependent hereto, and not by the disclosed
embodiments.
[0072] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various
changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *