U.S. patent application number 12/059467 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for spokeless wheel inline skate.
Invention is credited to Alexander Konstantinou.
Application Number | 20080238008 12/059467 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39792929 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080238008 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Konstantinou; Alexander |
October 2, 2008 |
Spokeless Wheel Inline Skate
Abstract
An inline skate includes a boot having a sole, a toe area, and a
heel area. The skate has a plurality of wheels each wheel
respectively including: a bearing having an inner race, and a wheel
mount rigidly mounted between the wheel frame and the inner race
for mounting the inner race to the wheel frame in a rotationally
fixed manner.
Inventors: |
Konstantinou; Alexander;
(Weston, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER GREENBERG STEMER LLP
P O BOX 2480
HOLLYWOOD
FL
33022-2480
US
|
Family ID: |
39792929 |
Appl. No.: |
12/059467 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60921048 |
Mar 30, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/11.223 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 17/06 20130101;
A63C 17/223 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/11.223 |
International
Class: |
A63C 17/06 20060101
A63C017/06 |
Claims
1. An inline skate, comprising a boot having a sole, a toe area,
and a heel area; a wheel frame mounted on said sole; a plurality of
wheels each wheel respectively including: a bearing having an inner
race; and a wheel mount rigidly mounted between said wheel frame
and said inner race for mounting said inner race to said wheel
frame in a rotationally fixed manner.
2. An inline skate according to claim 1, wherein each said wheel
mount is affixed to said wheel frame by a respective hinge and a
respective fastener opposite said hinge, said fastener has an
elastic element disposed at said fastener between said wheel frame
and said wheel mount.
3. An inline skate according to claim 2, wherein said hinge of said
wheel mount is on a side of said wheel mount that is directed
toward said toe area and said fastener is on a side of said wheel
mount that is directed toward said heel area.
4. An inline skate according to claim 3, wherein said elastic
element is configured to regulate the movement of said wheel mount
relative to said boot.
5. An inline skate according to claim 4, wherein said wheel frame
is selectively mounted to said sole of said boot.
6. An inline skate according to claim 1, wherein said wheel mounts
are removeably affixed to said wheel frame.
7. An inline skate according to claim 1, wherein each said wheel
has a respective rubber portion.
8. An inline skate according to claim 7, wherein each bearing has a
respective outer race, each said outer race respectively has a
projection extending about a circumference of said outer race
projecting into said rubber portion to secure said rubber portion
to said bearing outer race.
9. An inline skate according to claim 8, wherein said projection is
T-shaped.
10. An inline skate according to claim 2, wherein said fastener
passes through said elastic element.
11. An inline skate according to claim 1, wherein said boot
includes a rigid tongue that is affixed to said boot by a pivot
axis in said toe area of said boot.
12. An inline skate according to claim 11, wherein said rigid
tongue includes additional pivot axes over a length of said rigid
tongue thereby making the tongue articulated.
13. An inline skate according to claim 12, wherein said rigid
tongue is curved in a transverse direction of said boot and
includes padding on a backside thereof.
14. An inline skate according to claim 12, wherein said rigid
tongue is formed of aluminum and includes padding on a backside
thereof.
15. An inline skate according to claim 14, wherein said rigid
tongue is curved in a transverse direction of said boot.
16. An inline skate according to claim 12, wherein said rigid
tongue projects beyond a top of said boot, said tongue includes
straps configured for attaching said tongue to a leg of a skater.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/921,048, filed on Mar. 30, 2007, entitled
Spokeless Wheel Inline Skate; the prior application is herewith
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention pertains to a spokeless or hollow
wheel inline skate. Inline skates are used for fitness, fun, and
transportation.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] An inline skate typically has includes a set of at least
four wheels. The each wheel is provided with bearings. The outer
race of the bearing is pressed into a plastic or metal rim of the
wheel. A removable axle is inserted through the bearing, at the
center axis of the wheel, and into a frame provided for mounting
the wheels of the skate in a line.
[0006] The axles are hollow and have a thread for receiving a
screw, which secures the axle and thus the wheel to the frame.
[0007] The support for the lower leg and ankle in the front to back
direction is typically provided by increased stiffness of the back
of the skate boot. The increased stiffness of the back of the boot
provides stability for the user of the inline skate.
[0008] The disadvantages of prior wheel configurations are that the
axle of the wheel is low to the ground. Therefore, when an object
such as a rock, stick, or other debris is struck by the wheels, the
wheels are impeded causing the skater to stumble and possibly fall.
Furthermore, because the wheels disposed in a fixed relationship to
the boot, the wheels cannot deflect to absorb shock when the wheels
strike debris. The disadvantages of the support for the lower leg
being in the back of the boot is that more support is required on
the front side of the leg or shin and increased rigidity in the
rear of the boot does provide the best support the front of the
leg. The replacement and maintenance of the wheel is time consuming
because each wheel must be individually disassembled and rotated or
replaced.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a
spokeless wheel inline skate, which overcomes the above-mentioned
disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this
general type and which is more versatile and easier to use and
overcomes the disadvantages disclosed above. The spokeless wheel
inline skate has an axle for the wheel that is defined by the inner
race of a bearing and, which is offset to the topside of the wheel.
This allows the inline skate to be better able to ride over debris.
The spokeless inline skate has wheels that are mounted in a hinged
manner with an elastic member which allows the wheel to deflect
thereby further improving the skates ability to ride over debris
The skate also has a rigid support for the front side of the foot
and leg. The support provided by the present invention improves the
stability of the skate towards the front of the skate by better
supporting the lower shin area of a skater. The present invention
provides that a removable wheel frame may be provided with all the
wheels rigidly attached thereon so that all the wheels may be
easily removed by removing and replacing or rotating the wheel
frame.
[0010] With the foregoing and other objects in view there is
provided, in accordance with the invention, an inline skate having
a boot having a sole, a toe area, and a heel area. The skate has a
plurality of wheels each wheel respectively including: a bearing
having an inner race, and a wheel mount rigidly mounted between the
wheel frame and the inner race for mounting the inner race to the
wheel frame in a rotationally fixed manner.
[0011] In accordance with an added feature of the invention, each
the wheel mount is affixed to the wheel frame by a respective hinge
and a respective fastener opposite the hinge. The fastener has an
elastic element disposed at the fastener between the wheel frame
and the wheel mount.
[0012] In accordance with another added feature of the invention,
the hinge of the wheel mount is on a side of the wheel mount that
is directed toward the toe area and the fastener is on a side of
the wheel mount that is directed toward the heel area.
[0013] In accordance with an additional feature of the invention,
the elastic element is configured to regulate the movement of the
wheel mount relative to the boot.
[0014] In accordance with still an additional feature of the
invention, the wheel frame is selectively mounted to the sole of
the boot.
[0015] In accordance with still yet an additional feature of the
invention, the wheel mounts are removeably affixed to the wheel
frame.
[0016] In accordance with still another additional feature of the
invention, each wheel has a respective rubber portion.
[0017] In accordance with still yet another additional feature of
the invention, each bearing has a respective outer race. Each outer
race respectively has a projection extending about a circumference
of the outer race projecting into the rubber portion to secure the
rubber portion to the bearing outer race.
[0018] In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the
projection is T-shaped.
[0019] In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the
fastener passes through the elastic element.
[0020] In accordance with another additional feature of the
invention, the boot includes a rigid tongue that is affixed to the
boot by a pivot axis in the toe area of the boot.
[0021] In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention,
the rigid tongue includes additional pivot axes over a length of
the rigid tongue thereby making the tongue articulated.
[0022] In accordance with still yet a further feature of the
invention, the rigid tongue is curved in a transverse direction of
the boot and includes padding on a backside thereof.
[0023] In accordance with still yet another feature of the
invention, the rigid tongue is formed of aluminum and includes
padding on a backside thereof.
[0024] In accordance with still yet another further feature of the
invention, the rigid tongue is curved in a transverse direction of
the boot.
[0025] In accordance with another additional feature of the
invention, the rigid tongue projects beyond a top of the boot. The
tongue includes straps configured for attaching the tongue to a leg
of a skater.
[0026] Other features which are considered as characteristic for
the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0027] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in a spokeless wheel inline skate, it is nevertheless
not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various
modifications and structural changes may be made therein without
departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and
range of equivalents of the claims.
[0028] The construction of the invention, however, together with
additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood
from the following description of the specific embodiment when read
in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of
example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the
accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
similar elements. In the drawings:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the inline skate
according to the invention showing the skate with fixed wheels in
an unbuckled or open position;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the inline skate
according to the invention showing the skate with hinged wheels in
a buckled or closed position;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the inline skate wheel
assembly according to the invention showing the hinged wheels;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the inline skate wheel
assembly according to the invention showing the fixed wheels;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the inline skate wheel
assembly with partial section views according to the invention
showing the fixed wheels;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a wheel and bearing;
and.
[0036] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the inline skate
wheel assembly area with partial section views of the bearing and
wheel according to the invention showing the fixed wheel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the
invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown
in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this
description.
[0038] FIGS. 1, and 2 illustrate an inline skate 1 having a boot 2.
The boot has a toe area 23 and a heel area 24. The boot can be
secured around a foot/lower leg of a skater with straps having
buckles and or laces 3. At a toe section of the boot 2 a rigid
tongue 4 is affixed in a hinged manner at a pivot 5 so that the
rigid tongue 4 can be pivoted away from the boot 2. The rigid
tongue 4 has additional pivot points 6 so that the rigid tongue 4
can easily conform to the foot of the skater. The rigid tongue 4 is
provided with a soft backing 7 such as foam, padding, or rubber,
which allows the rigid tongue 4 to conform to the skater's foot in
a comfortable manner. The rigid tongue 4 may be formed from
aluminum or a rigid plastic such as polypropylene, nylon, etc. The
rigid tongue 4 can project beyond a top 25 of the boot 2 and be
strapped by straps 41 directly to the leg 26 of the skater for
additional support. Also, the tongue 4 is curved in the direction
transverse to a skater's foot in order to conform to the foot and
ankle region.
[0039] FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 7 show spokeless or hollow wheels 10 that
are rigidly attached to a wheel frame 20 that is mounted on a sole
22 of the boot 2. The wheels have a rubber portion 11, which is
provided for rolling on a surface that the skater will skate on.
The rubber portion 11 is connected to an outer race 12 of a bearing
13. The connection can be via an intermediate ring 34 or the rubber
portion 11 may be mounted directly on the outer race 12. It is
possible that the rubber portion 11 be removable from the bearing
13 so that the rubber portion 11 can be replaced after it is worn
out. It is also possible in this configuration for the entire wheel
frame 20 to be removed from the sole 22 of the boot 2 thereby
replacing or rotating all the wheels 10 at once.
[0040] The bearing 13 has also has an inner race 14. A wheel mount
15 is rigidly fixed to the inner race 14 of the bearing 13. The
wheel mount 15 is also rigidly attached to the wheel frame 20
thereby affixing the wheel 10 to the skate 1 in a rotational
manner. The mounting of the inner race 14 by the wheel mount 15
secures the inner race 14 in a rotationally fixed manner and
permits the outer race 12 to rotate thereby allowing rotation of
the wheels 10. The wheel mount 15 may be permanently molded to the
wheel frame 20 or it can be removeably mounted by fasteners, such
as screws. The wheel mount 15 can be a u-shape on both sides of the
wheel 10. It is also possible for the wheel mount 15 to be affixed
to the inner race 14 on only one side of the wheel 10.
[0041] FIGS. 2 and 3 show wheels 10 that are mounted in a hinged
manner to the wheel frame 20. The wheel mount 15 is affixed to the
wheel frame 20 by a hinge or pin 16 on a side of the wheel mount 15
that is towards the front of the skate 1. an elastic member 17 with
a fastener 18 affixes the opposite side of the wheel mount 15 (side
that is toward the rear of the skate) to the wheel frame 20. The
compression of the elastic member 17 allows the wheel to pivot
upward around the hinge 16 towards the wheel frame 20 when the
wheels 10 strike debris. The elastic member 17 can be provided as a
compression spring, TPE element, or rubber element.
[0042] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of the wheel frame 20, wheel
10, and the bearing 13. The bearing 13 is shown as a dual ball
bearing, however, it is possible that single roller bearings be
used as well. The outer race(s) 12 are rigidly attached to the
rubber portion 11 by a t-shaped projection 19 on the intermediate
ring 34, which holds the dual ball bearings. While the projection
19 is shown as T-shaped, it is possible for the projection to have
any other shape which will hold the wheel to the bearing 13. It is
also possible for the outer race(s) 12 to be directly attached to
the projection 19. It is also possible for the rubber portion 11 to
be molded to the outer race 12, where the outer race 12 is provided
with features that will secure or lock the rubber portion 11
thereto. FIG. 7 also serves to illustrate the connection of the
wheel mount 15 to the inner race(s) 14 of the bearing 13 and of the
wheel mount 15 to the wheel frame 20. FIG. 7 also shows a joint
seal 21 between two bearing channels 32 of the dual bearing 13.
* * * * *