U.S. patent application number 15/895972 was filed with the patent office on 2019-08-15 for single-wall inline skate frame and skate.
This patent application is currently assigned to K2 Sports, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is K2 Sports, LLC. Invention is credited to Dodd H. Grande, Hoyoung Lee, John Erik Svensson, Stefanie Zulauf.
Application Number | 20190247739 15/895972 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67399960 |
Filed Date | 2019-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190247739 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Svensson; John Erik ; et
al. |
August 15, 2019 |
SINGLE-WALL INLINE SKATE FRAME AND SKATE
Abstract
An inline skate frame and axle assembly includes a frame having
single sidewall that mounts a plurality of outwardly-extending axle
assemblies. The sidewall has a wheel-mounting portion, a forward
attachment portion and a rearward attachment portion. A forward
attachment member includes a leg that extends outwardly from the
sidewall between wheels on the skate, and a first attachment plate
that cooperatively with the first attachment portion is configured
to attach a skate base. A similar rearward attachment member
comprises a leg and a second attachment plate that cooperatively
with the second attachment portion is configure to attach the skate
base. In embodiments the axle assemblies are rotationally locked to
the sidewall, and include a cap member rotationally locked to the
axle to prevent wheel rotation from loosening and wheel retaining
connector.
Inventors: |
Svensson; John Erik;
(Vashon, WA) ; Grande; Dodd H.; (Seattle, WA)
; Lee; Hoyoung; (Pusan, KR) ; Zulauf;
Stefanie; (Puyallup, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
K2 Sports, LLC |
Seattle |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
K2 Sports, LLC
Seattle
WA
|
Family ID: |
67399960 |
Appl. No.: |
15/895972 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 17/068 20130101;
A63C 17/06 20130101; A63C 17/0046 20130101; A63C 17/226 20130101;
A63C 2203/42 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63C 17/22 20060101
A63C017/22; A63C 17/06 20060101 A63C017/06 |
Claims
1. An inline skate frame assembly for an inline skate having a base
and a plurality of wheels, the assembly comprising a frame and a
plurality of axle assemblies: the frame comprising: a sidewall
having a wheel-mounting portion, a forward attachment portion
extending upwardly from the wheel-mounting portion, and a rearward
attachment portion extending upwardly from the wheel-mounting
portion; a forward attachment member having a leg extending away
from the wheel-mounting portion and a first attachment plate
extending upwardly from the leg, wherein the sidewall forward
attachment portion and the first attachment plate are configured to
be attached to a toe portion of the base; and a rearward attachment
member having a leg extending away from the wheel-mounting portion
and a second attachment plate extending upwardly from the leg,
wherein the sidewall rearward attachment portion and the second
attachment plate are configured to be attached to a heel cup
portion of the base; and each axle assembly comprising: an axle
shaft fixed to the wheel-mounting portion having a proximal portion
that extends through the wheel-mounting portion, a distal portion
configured to rotatably support one of the plurality of wheels, and
a flange extending outwardly between the proximal portion and the
distal portion and configured to abut the wheel-mounting portion;
and a first connector that engages the distal portion of the axle
shaft and is configured to retain the skate wheel on the axle
shaft.
2. The inline skate frame assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
second connector that engages the proximal portion of the axle
shaft such that the flange and the second connector clampingly
engage the sidewall.
3. The inline skate frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the forward
attachment portion of the sidewall is parallel to the first
attachment plate.
4. The inline skate frame assembly of claim 3, wherein the forward
attachment portion of the sidewall and the first attachment plate
are configured to slidably receive a mounting boss extending from a
lower surface of the base.
5. The inline skate frame assembly of claim 4, wherein the rearward
attachment portion of the sidewall is parallel to the second
attachment plate.
6. The inline skate frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the leg of
the forward attachment member is configured to extend between two
adjacent wheels of the plurality of wheels.
7. The inline skate frame assembly of claim 6, wherein the leg of
the forward attachment member is hourglass shaped.
8. The inline skate frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the
wheel-mounting portion of the sidewall further comprises: (i) a
plurality of apertures, each aperture configured to slidably
receive the proximal portion of the axle shaft of an associate one
of the plurality of axle assemblies, and (ii) a plurality of
protrusions, each protrusion associated with one of the plurality
of apertures, and further wherein the flange of each axle shaft
comprises a shaped portion that is configured to engage an
associated one of the plurality of protrusions such that the
engagement prevents the axle shaft from rotating relative to the
frame.
9. The skate frame assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cap
member having an annular flange disposed between a distal end of
the axle shaft and a head of the first connector, wherein the cap
member is rotationally locked to the axle shaft such that the
annular flange is disposed between a head of the first connector
and the associated wheel assembly.
10. The inline skate frame assembly of claim 9, wherein the distal
portion of the axle shaft comprises a reduced diameter portion
configured to slidably receive the cap member, and a geometric
feature configured to rotationally lock the received cap
member.
11. The inline skate frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the leg of
the forward attachment member has a concave forward edge and a
concave rearward edge defining a narrow intermediate portion.
12. The inline skate frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the forward
attachment member is spaced apart from the rearward attachment
member such that the forward attachment member is configured to
engage a toe portion of the base and the rearward attachment member
is configured to engage a heel cup portion of the base.
13. A pair of inline skates, each inline skate having the inline
skate frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame sidewall is
disposed on a medial side of each skate of the pair of inline
skates.
14. An inline skate frame configured to mount a plurality of wheels
for an inline skate having a base, the skate frame comprising: a
single sidewall having a wheel-mounting portion, a forward
attachment portion extending upwardly from the wheel-mounting
portion, and a rearward attachment portion extending upwardly from
the wheel-mounting portion; a forward attachment member having a
leg extending away from the wheel-mounting portion and a first
attachment plate extending upwardly from the leg, wherein the
sidewall forward attachment portion and the first attachment plate
are configured to be attached to a toe portion of the base; and a
rearward attachment member having a leg extending away from the
wheel-mounting portion and a second attachment plate extending
upwardly from the leg, wherein the sidewall rearward attachment
portion and the second attachment plate are configured to be
attached to a heel cup portion of the base.
15. The skate frame of claim 14, further comprising an axle shaft
fixed to the wheel-mounting portion and having a proximal portion,
a distal portion, and a flange extending outwardly from the
proximal portion, wherein: (i) the proximal portion is fixed to the
wheel-mounting portion of the sidewall, (ii) the distal portion is
configured to rotatably support one of the plurality of wheels, and
(iii) the flange is configured to abut the wheel-mounting portion,
the skate frame further comprising a first connector that engages
the distal portion of the axle shaft and is configured to retain a
skate wheel on the axle shaft.
16. The skate frame of claim 15 further comprising a second
connector that engages the proximal portion of the axle shaft such
that the flange and the first connector clampingly engage the
sidewall.
17. The skate frame of claim 14, wherein the forward attachment
portion of the sidewall is parallel to the first attachment plate
and the rearward attachment portion of the sidewall is parallel to
the second attachment plate.
18. The skate frame of claim 17, wherein the forward attachment
portion of the sidewall and the first attachment plate are
configured to slidably receive a first mounting boss extending from
a lower surface of the base, and the rearward attachment portion of
the sidewall and the second attachment plate are configured to
receive a second mounting boss extending from a lower surface of
the base.
19. The skate frame of claim 14, wherein the leg of the forward
attachment member is configured to extend between two wheels of the
plurality of wheels and the leg of the rearward attachment member
is configured to extend between two other wheels of the plurality
of wheels.
20. The skate frame of claim 19, wherein the leg of the forward
attachment member is hourglass shaped.
21. The skate frame of claim 14, further comprising a cap member
having an annular flange disposed between a distal end of the axle
shaft and a head of the first connector, wherein the cap member is
rotationally locked to the axle shaft.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Inline skates are known in the art and provide a user with
recreation, exercise, competition, and/or transportation.
Conventional inline skates typically include an inverted-U-shaped
frame having parallel sidewalls configured to mount wheel axles
therebetween, with an upper wall configured to be fixedly attached
to a sole or base portion of a boot that receives the user's foot.
A plurality of wheels are mounted to the frame between the
sidewalls, typically rotatably about parallel spaced-apart axes.
Prior art inline skate rotatably mount 2, 3, 4, or 5 wheels to the
parallel sidewalls. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,093, to
Svensson et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety. See also U.S. Pat. No. 7,214,337, to Grande, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0002] Skate vibration during use, caused by traversing rough
surfaces may result in premature skater fatigue and/or discomfort.
On source of undesirable vibration is the conventional mounting of
the wheels of the inline skate to a U-shaped frame with the wheels
supported one both ends between the sidewalls of the skate frame.
Prior attempts to minimize both skater discomfort and premature
fatigue associated with skate vibration include skates having
various types of mechanical systems to isolate the foot of the
skater from vibrational energy. Such systems rely on combinations
of mechanical pivot and linkage systems, together with dampeners
and shock absorbers to minimize the adverse effect of vibrational
energy.
[0003] Conventional frame construction, with relatively rigid
parallel sidewalls connected by an upper wall for mounting the
base, and further connected by wheel axis near the bottom of the
sidewall, results in a relatively rigid box beam type of structure.
It would be beneficial to provide a frame structure that would
reduce wheel vibration to improve inline skater with a smoother
more comfortable experience.
SUMMARY
[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify
key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to
be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
[0005] A skate frame and axle assembly is configured to attach to a
base, and to rotatably mount a plurality of wheel assemblies. The
frame and axle assembly include a frame having a single sidewall,
with a wheel-mounting portion, a forward attachment portion and a
rearward attachment portion. The attachment portions extend from
the wheel-mounting portion. A forward attachment member has a leg
that extends away from the wheel-mounting portion, and a first
attachment plate that extends upwardly from the leg. The forward
attachment portion and the first attachment plate are configured to
attach to a toe portion of the base. Similarly, a rearward
attachment member has a leg that extends away from the
wheel-mounting portion, and a second attachment plate that extends
upwardly from the leg. The rearward attachment portion and the
second attachment plate are configured to attach to a heel cup
portion of the base. Each axle assembly includes an axle shaft that
is fixed to the wheel-mounting portion of the frame, and includes a
proximal portion that extends through the base, and a distal
portion configured to rotatably support a wheel. An axle flange
extends outward between the proximal portion and the distal portion
to abut the wheel-mounting portion of the base. A first connector
for retaining the skate wheel on the axle shaft engages the distal
portion of the axle shaft. In an embodiment a second connector
engages the proximal portion of the axle shaft such that the flange
and the first connector cooperatively clamping the sidewall.
[0006] In an embodiment the forward attachment portion of the
sidewall is parallel to the first attachment plate.
[0007] In an embodiment the forward attachment portion of the
sidewall and the first attachment plate are configured to slidably
receive a mounting boss extending from a lower surface of the
base.
[0008] In an embodiment the rearward attachment portion of the
sidewall is parallel to the second attachment plate.
[0009] In an embodiment the leg of the forward attachment member
extends between two of the plurality of wheels.
[0010] In an embodiment the legs of the forward and rearward
attachment members are wide at either end and narrow in the middle,
e.g., hourglass shaped.
[0011] In an embodiment the wheel-mounting portion of the sidewall
has a plurality of apertures that receive the proximal portion of
the shaft of an associate one of the axle assemblies and a
plurality of protrusions, each protraction associated with one of
the plurality of apertures, and further wherein the flange of the
axle shaft comprises a shaped portion that is configured to engage
an associated one of the plurality of protrusions such that the
engagement prevents the axle shaft from rotating relative to the
frame.
[0012] In an embodiment a cap member having an annular flange is
disposed between a distal end of the axle shaft and a head of the
first connector, wherein the cap member is rotationally locked to
the axle shaft, and isolates the first connector from rotational
motion of the associated wheel assembly. For example, the distal
portion of the axle shaft may have a reduced diameter portion
configured to slidably receive the cap member, and a geometric
feature configured to rotationally lock the received cap
member.
[0013] In an embodiment the leg of the forward attachment member
has a concave forward edge and a concave rearward edge defining a
narrow intermediate portion configured to extend between adjacent
wheels of the skate.
[0014] In an embodiment the forward attachment member is spaced
apart from the rearward attachment member such that the forward
attachment member is configured to engage a toe portion of the base
and the rearward attachment member is configured to engage a heel
cup portion of the base.
[0015] A pair of skates each include a skate frame and axle
assembly is configured to attach to a base, and to rotatably mount
a plurality of wheel assemblies. The frame and axle assembly
include a frame having a single sidewall, with a wheel-mounting
portion, a forward attachment portion and a rearward attachment
portion. The attachment portions extend from the wheel-mounting
portion. A forward attachment member has a leg that extends away
from the wheel-mounting portion, and a first attachment plate that
extends upwardly from the leg. The forward attachment portion and
the first attachment plate are configured to attach to a toe
portion of the base. Similarly, a rearward attachment member has a
leg that extends away from the wheel-mounting portion, and a second
attachment plate that extends upwardly from the leg. The rearward
attachment portion and the second attachment plate are configured
to attach to a heel cup portion of the base.
[0016] Each axle assembly includes an axle shaft that is fixed to
the wheel-mounting portion of the frame, and includes a proximal
portion that extends through the base, and a distal portion
configured to rotatably support a wheel. An axle flange extends
outward between the proximal portion and the distal portion to abut
the wheel-mounting portion of the base. A first connector for
retaining the skate wheel on the axle shaft engages the distal
portion of the axle shaft. For each skate the frame sidewall is
disposed on a medial side of the skate.
[0017] An inline skate frame configured to mount a plurality of
wheels for an inline skate having a base includes a single sidewall
having a wheel-mounting portion, a forward attachment portion
extending upwardly from the wheel-mounting portion, and a rearward
attachment portion extending upwardly from the wheel-mounting
portion. A forward attachment member having a leg extending away
from the wheel-mounting portion and a first attachment plate
extending upwardly from the leg, wherein the sidewall forward
attachment portion and the first attachment plate are configured to
be attached to a toe portion of the base. A rearward attachment
member having a leg extending away from the wheel-mounting portion
and a second attachment plate extending upwardly from the leg,
wherein the sidewall rearward attachment portion and the second
attachment plate are configured to be attached to a heel cup
portion of the base.
[0018] In an embodiment the frame further includes an axle shaft
fixed to the wheel-mounting portion and having a proximal portion,
a distal portion, and a flange extending outwardly from the
proximal portion, wherein the proximal portion is fixed to the
wheel-mounting portion of the sidewall, the distal portion is
configured to rotatably support one of the plurality of wheels, and
the flange is configured to abut the wheel-mounting portion, and
further comprising a first connector that engages the distal
portion of the axle shaft and is configured to retain the skate
wheel on the axle shaft.
[0019] In an embodiment a second connector that engages the
proximal portion of the axle shaft such that the flange and the
first connector clampingly engage the sidewall.
[0020] In an embodiment the forward attachment portion of the
sidewall is parallel to the first attachment plate and the rearward
attachment portion of the sidewall is parallel to the second
attachment plate.
[0021] In an embodiment the forward attachment portion of the
sidewall and the first attachment plate are configured to slidably
receive a first mounting boss extending from a lower surface of the
base, and the rearward attachment portion of the sidewall and the
second attachment plate are configured to receive a second mounting
boss extending from a lower surface of the base.
[0022] In an embodiment the leg of the forward attachment member is
configured to extend between two adjacent wheels of the plurality
of wheels and the leg of the rearward attachment member is
configured to extend between two other adjacent wheels of the
plurality of wheels.
[0023] In an embodiment the leg of the forward attachment member is
hourglass shaped. In an embodiment a cap member having an annular
flange disposed between a distal end of the axle shaft and a head
of the first connector, wherein the cap member is rotationally
locked to the axle shaft and isolates the first connector from
rotational motion of the associated wheel assembly.
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 an embodiment of a
low-vibration inline skate in accordance with the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 2A is a right side view of the inline skate shown in
FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 2B is a perspective lower side view of the base of the
inline skate shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the forward and rearward
bosses for attachment to the frame;
[0028] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the frame for the inline
skate shown in FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 3B is a plan view of the frame for the inline skate
shown in FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a rear exploded view showing the frame and the
base for the inline skate shown in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the front wheel and axle
assembly for the inline skate shown in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing another embodiment of the
axle assembly for the inline skate shown in FIG. 1; and
[0033] FIG. 7 shows is an exploded view showing another embodiment
of the axle assembly for the inline skate shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Referring now to the FIGURES which illustrate a currently
preferred embodiment of a single-wall inline skate 100 in
accordance with the present invention with the foot enclosure
portions not shown, wherein like identifiers indicate like parts.
FIG. 1 is a front-right perspective view of the inline skate 100,
FIG. 2A is a right side view of the single-wall inline skate 100,
and FIG. 2B is a lower side view of the base 102 of the skate 100.
The boot or foot-enclosing portion and conventional lacing, straps
and the like are not shown to better illustrate novel aspects of
the single-wall inline skate 100. In the currently preferred
embodiment, the inline skate 100 shown in FIG. 1 is intended for
the left foot of the user. The right-foot skate has a similar
arrangement but in mirror symmetry.
[0035] The skate 100 includes four wheel assemblies 110 rotatably
mounted to a frame 120 having a single sidewall 122. In other
embodiments the skate may include a different number of in-line
wheel assemblies 110, for example two, three, five, or six wheel
assemblies. Unlike conventional inline skates, the outer or lateral
side of the wheel assemblies 110 are not obscured by a frame
sidewall or other frame structure.
[0036] A contoured skate base 102 is attached to the frame 120. The
base 102 is configured to underlie and support the skater's foot.
The base 102 includes a forward foot portion 102A that is integral
with a rearward heel cup portion 102B. An ankle collar 104 is
pivotably attached to the heel cup portion 102B.
[0037] As seen most clearly in FIG. 2B, which shows the base 102 in
isolation, a first attachment boss 101 extends downwardly from the
forward portion 102A of the base 102 and a second attachment boss
103 extends downwardly from the heel portion 102B of the base 102.
The first and second attachment bosses 101, 103 are configured to
be attached to the frame 120 with fasteners 105A, 106A (FIG. 2A)
that extend through boss apertures 105, 106 and corresponding
apertures 121, 121' in the frame 120. Other attachment methods are
contemplated, and may be used to attach the frame to the base of
the skate boot.
[0038] The wheel assemblies 110 include an elastic ground-engaging
portion 111 for example an abrasion-resistant, high-density
urethane annular wheel. The ground-engaging wheel 111 is fixedly
attached to a hub 113 having a central through aperture. A bearing
assembly 112 is installed in the central aperture. The bearing
assemblies 112 in a current embodiment includes a pair of coaxial
and spaced-apart bearing subassemblies positioned in the wheel 112
central aperture with a spacer therebetween. Each of the wheel
assemblies 110 is rotatably mounted on a corresponding one of axle
assemblies 140. The axle assemblies 140 are attached to the frame
sidewall 122 in a cantilevered arrangement, such that the wheel
assemblies 110 are approximately centered below the base 102.
[0039] A perspective view of the frame 120 is shown in isolation in
FIG. 3A, and a plan view of the frame 120 is shown in FIG. 3B.
Refer also to FIG. 4, which shows an exploded back view of the base
102 and the frame 120. The frame sidewall 122 includes a lower
section defining a wheel mounting portion 124 having a plurality of
apertures 123 for mounting the axle assemblies 140. The sidewall
122 is preferably located medially, i.e., on the right (or
interior) side for the left-foot skate shown in FIG. 1, and on the
left (or interior) side for the right-foot skate (not shown). A
plurality of locking protrusion 125, each associated with one of
the apertures 123, are also visible in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
[0040] The sidewall 122 further includes a forward attachment
portion 126 extending upwardly from a front section of the wheel
mounting portion 124 and a rearward attachment portion 128
extending upwardly from a back section of the wheel mounting
portion 124. Each attachment portion 126 and 128 includes an
attachment aperture 121. A generally L-shaped forward attachment
member 130 extends from the front section of the sidewall 122. The
forward attachment member 130 includes a leg 131 fixed to, or
integral with, and extending away from the sidewall 122 and an
attachment plate 132 extending upwardly from the leg 131. The
attachment plate 132 is generally parallel to the forward
attachment portion 126 of the sidewall 122. Similarly, an L-shaped
rearward attachment member 135 extends from a back section of the
sidewall 122. The rearward attachment member 135 includes a leg 136
fixed to, or integral with, the sidewall 122 and an attachment
plate 137 extending upwardly from the leg 136. The attachment plate
137 is generally parallel to the rearward attachment portion 128 of
the sidewall 122. The attachment plates 132, 137 include an
aperture 121' aligned with a corresponding attachment aperture 121
in the sidewall 122.
[0041] The leg 131 of the forward attachment member 130 and the leg
136 of the rearward attachment member 135 are hourglass shaped,
i.e., wide at each end and narrow in the middle, as seen most
clearly in FIG. 3B. In particular, the legs 131, 136 are sized and
shaped to extend between neighboring wheel assemblies 110, for
example at an elevation above the axle assemblies 140. For example,
in this embodiment the forward attachment member 130 extends
between the two front wheel assemblies 110 and the rearward
attachment member 135 extends between the two rear wheel assemblies
110 (see FIG. 2A).
[0042] Referring again to FIGS. 2B and 4, the first and second
attachment bosses 101, 103 each include a transverse aperture 105,
106 respectively, that is sized and positioned to slidably receive
conventional attachment hardware (not shown), for attaching the
base 102 to the frame 120. The first attachment boss 101 of the
base 102 slidably engages the frame 120 between the forward
attachment portion 126 of the sidewall 122 and the corresponding
plate 132 of the forward attachment member 130. Attachment members
105A, 106A (FIG. 2A) extend through corresponding apertures 121,
121', and boss apertures 105 or 106 to attach the base 102 to the
frame 120. The second attachment boss 103 of the base 102 slidably
engages the frame 120 between the rearward attachment portion 128
of the sidewall 122 and the plate 137 of the rearward attachment
member 135. It will be appreciated that the first and second bosses
101, 103 extending down from the foot pad portion of the base 102
provide a leverage arm that improve the user's ability to control
the skate frame 120.
[0043] In an alternative embodiment (not shown) a transverse
attachment plate extends between a top end of the attachment
portions 126, 128 and the corresponding attachment plate 132, 137,
and the skate base is attached to the frame with attachment members
that extend vertically through mounting apertures in the transverse
attachment plate.
[0044] FIG. 5 shows a front end of the frame 120 and wheel
assemblies 110, with one of the axle assemblies 140 in exploded
view. The axle assemblies 140 include a main axle member 141 having
an axle shaft 145 configured to slidably engage the corresponding
bearing assembly 112. An outer end 146 of the axle shaft 145 is
threaded, and configured to engage an attachment bolt 149. An inner
end of the axle shaft 145 defines a flange 143, and an end portion
142 extends through the corresponding aperture 123 in the wheel
mounting portion 122 of the frame 120. The end portion 142 includes
a threaded aperture 147, and the main axle member 141 is fixed to
the frame 120 with an attachment member 148 that engages the
threaded aperture 147. In this embodiment the attachment member 148
is configured to permanently fix the axle member 141 to the wheel
mounting portion 122. In other embodiments the attachment member
148 is removable, such that the axle member 141 may be removed. The
end portion 142 is sized such that the flange 143 and the
attachment member 148 clampingly engage the frame 120. The flange
143 includes a shaped portion 144, for example a flat face portion
that is sized and shaped to engage a corresponding one of the
locking protrusions 125 on the wheel mounting portion 122 of the
frame 120, such that the main axle member 141 is prevented from
rotating with respect to the frame 120.
[0045] The attachment member 148 in this embodiment fixes the axle
member 141 to the sidewall 122. In alternative embodiments the axle
members are permanently fixed to the sidewall 122. For example, the
attachment member 148 may be configured with a drive head that only
allows the attachment member 148 to be rotated in the direction
that tightens the attachment. Alternatively the axle member may be
co-formed with the sidewall 122, or formed as a single piece that
is permanently affixed to the sidewall 122 by welding, brazing,
adhesives, or the like.
[0046] It will be appreciated by persons of skill in the art that
with this arrangement the main axle member 141 is advantageously
not pre-tensioned by the attachment members 148 and 149. In
addition, removing and replacing the wheel assemblies 110 is
simplified because the main axle member 141 is prevented from
rotating when removing and replacing the attachment member 149.
[0047] An alternative embodiment of an axle assembly 240 is shown
in FIG. 6. The axle assembly 240 is similar to the axle assembly
140 described above, but provides protection against unintentional
loosening of the attachment member 149 during use. In this
embodiment the main axle member 241 has an axle shaft 245 that
includes one or more shaped end recesses or notches 244 (two
shown). An annular cap member 250 is disposed between attachment
member 149 and the main axle member 141 and corresponding bearing
assembly 112. The cap member 250 includes a central aperture 252
configured to receive the threaded end of attachment member 149
therethrough. The annular cap member 250 includes corresponding
protrusions 254 that are configured to engage the end notches 244
on the axle shaft 245. The shaped flange 143 engages the flange
protrusion 125 preventing the axle member 141 from rotating, and
the engagement of the protrusions 254 with the end notches 244
similarly prevents the cap member 250 from rotating. The annular
cap member 250 isolates the attachment member 149 from the
rotational motion of the bearing assembly 112. The annular cap
member 250 therefore protects the attachment member 149 from coming
loose due to the rotations of the wheel assembly 110, improving
safety to the skater.
[0048] Another alternative embodiment of an axle assembly 240 is
shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment the axle member 341 includes an
axle shaft 345 having a reduced-diameter distal end 344. A cap
member 350 is configured to slidably engage the distal end 344 in a
manner that rotationally locks the cap 350 to the axle shaft 345,
i.e., such that the cap member 350 will not rotate with respect to
the axle member 341. In this embodiment the distal end 344 includes
one or more outwardly-extending ribs 347, and the cap member 350
includes a tubular portion 354 having one or more channels 357, and
a flange 352. The tubular portion 354 is configured to slide onto
the distal end 344 such that the ribs 347 slidably engage
corresponding channels 357 such that the cap member 350 is
rotationally locked with the axle member 341. Alternative locking
mechanisms are contemplated. For example the tubular portion 354
and distal end 344 may be non-circular, e.g., oval or polygonal. In
another example the tubular portion 354 may include a shaped distal
end, for example a plurality of teeth or longitudinal extensions,
that are configured to engage corresponding recesses in the axle
member 341. The cap member in these various embodiments are
configured to prevent the rotation of the wheel assembly, for
example the bearing assembly 112 from frictionally transmitting
rotational forces to the attachment bolt 149, to prevent the
attachment bolt 149 from coming loose from the axle member.
[0049] While illustrative embodiments 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.
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