U.S. patent application number 16/378326 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-03 for single-wall inline skate frame with box beam wall.
This patent application is currently assigned to K2 Sports, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is K2 Sports, LLC. Invention is credited to Hoyoung Lee, John Erik Svensson.
Application Number | 20190299083 16/378326 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68054619 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190299083 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Svensson; John Erik ; et
al. |
October 3, 2019 |
SINGLE-WALL INLINE SKATE FRAME WITH BOX BEAM WALL
Abstract
A one-sided inline skate frame for an inline skate includes a
wheel mounting portion that rotatably mounts a plurality of inline
skate wheels on one side of the wheel mounting portion. A box beam
sidewall extends up from the wheel mounting portion. The box beam
sidewall includes an outer wall section, an inner wall section, an
upper wall section, and a lower wall section. The wall sections
define a channel through the box beam sidewall. A forward base
attachment member extends from an upper, forward portion of the box
beam sidewall, and a rearward base attachment member extends from a
rearward portion of the box beam wall. The forward and rearward
based attachment members are configured for mounting a skate base
to the frame.
Inventors: |
Svensson; John Erik;
(Vashon, WA) ; Lee; Hoyoung; (Pusan, KR) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
K2 Sports, LLC |
Seattle |
WA |
US |
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|
Assignee: |
K2 Sports, LLC
Seattle
WA
|
Family ID: |
68054619 |
Appl. No.: |
16/378326 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15895972 |
Feb 13, 2018 |
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16378326 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63C 17/06 20130101;
A63C 17/226 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63C 17/22 20060101
A63C017/22; A63C 17/06 20060101 A63C017/06 |
Claims
1. A one-sided inline skate frame for an inline skate having a base
and a plurality of wheels, the frame comprising: a wheel mounting
portion configured to rotatably mount the plurality of wheels in an
inline configuration such that the plurality of wheels are disposed
on one side of the wheel mounting portion; a box beam sidewall
extending upwardly from the wheel mounting portion, the box beam
sidewall comprising an outer portion, an inner portion, an upper
portion, and a lower portion, wherein the outer, inner, upper, and
lower portions define a channel through the box beam sidewall; and
a forward base attachment member extending from an upper end of the
box beam sidewall, and a rearward base attachment member extending
from the upper end of the box beam sidewall, wherein the forward
and rearward base attachment members configured to attach to the
base.
2. The one-sided inline skate frame of claim 1, wherein the wheel
mounting portion comprises a plurality of separate nodes, each node
configured to mount at least one of the plurality of wheels.
3. The one-sided inline skate frame of claim 1, wherein the wheel
mounting portion comprises three nodes, each of the plurality of
nodes configured to rotatably mount at least a corresponding one of
the plurality of wheel.
4. The one-sided inline skate frame of claim 1, wherein the forward
and the rearward base attachment members extend at a right angle
from the box beam sidewall.
5. The one-sided inline skate frame of claim 4, wherein the
rearward base attachment member comprises an upper portion
extending from the box beam sidewall and an L-shaped portion having
a first leg extending from the box beam sidewall parallel to the
upper portion and a second leg joining the first leg to the upper
portion.
6. The one-sided inline skate frame of claim 1, wherein the box
beam sidewall further comprises at least one transverse aperture
through the outer portion and the inner portion of the box beam
sidewall.
7. The one-sided inline skate frame of claim 1, wherein the box
beam sidewall further comprises at least two transverse apertures
through the outer portion and the inner portion of the box beam
sidewall.
8. The one-sided skate frame of claim 1, wherein the box beam
sidewall further comprises at least one edge cutout.
9. The one-sided skate frame of claim 1, wherein the box beam
sidewall comprises extruded aluminum.
10. The one-sided skate frame of claim 2, wherein the wheel
mounting portion comprises three mounting nodes, and wherein the
forward base attachment member is disposed longitudinally between a
forward node and a center node, and the rearward base attachment
member is disposed longitudinally between the center node and a
rearward node.
11. A one-sided inline skate comprising: a frame; a foot securing
portion comprising a foot-supporting base attached to the frame,
and an ankle collar attached to the base; the frame comprising: a
wheel mounting portion configured to rotatably mount the plurality
of wheels in an inline configuration such that the plurality of
wheels are disposed on one side of the wheel mounting portion; a
box beam sidewall extending upwardly from the wheel mounting
portion, the box beam sidewall comprising an outer portion, an
inner portion, an upper portion, and a lower portion, wherein the
outer, inner, upper, and lower portions define a channel through
the box beam sidewall; and a forward base attachment member
extending from an upper end of the box beam sidewall, and a
rearward base attachment member extending from the upper end of the
box beam sidewall, wherein the forward and rearward base attachment
members configured to attach to the base.
12. The one-sided inline skate of claim 11, wherein the wheel
mounting portion comprises a plurality of separate nodes, each node
configured to mount at least one of the plurality of wheels.
13. The one-sided inline skate of claim 11, wherein the forward and
the rearward base attachment members extend at a right angle from
the box beam sidewall.
14. The one-sided inline skate of claim 11, wherein the box beam
sidewall further comprises at least one transverse aperture through
the outer portion and the inner portion of the box beam
sidewall.
15. The one-sided inline skate of claim 11, wherein the box beam
sidewall further comprises at least one edge cutout.
16. The one-sided skate of claim 11, wherein the box beam sidewall
comprises extruded aluminum.
17. A method for constructing a frame for a one-sided inline skate,
the method comprising: extruding a skate blank comprising, the
blank comprising: i) a box beam sidewall section defining a through
channel, ii) a wheel mounting section extending from a bottom side
of the sidewall section, and iii) a base mounting section defining
a through channel and extending from a top side of the sidewall
section; machining the wheel mounting section to produce wheel
mounting nodes with through apertures configured to receive wheel
axles; machining the sidewall section to shape a front end and a
rear end of the sidewall section, and to define at least one
transverse aperture through the sidewall section; and machining the
base mounting section to define a forward base attachment portion
with a mounting aperture and a rearward base attachment portion
with a mounting aperture.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising machining the
sidewall section to produce an edge cutout in the sidewall
section.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the skate blank comprises an
aluminum extrusion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 15/895,972, filed Feb. 13, 2018, the entire disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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 on 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.
[0004] 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
[0005] 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.
[0006] A one-sided inline skate frame for an inline skate having a
base and a plurality of wheels includes a wheel mounting portion
configured to rotatably mount the plurality of wheels in an inline
configuration such that the plurality of wheels are disposed on one
side of the wheel mounting portion. A box beam sidewall extends
upwardly from the wheel mounting portion, the box beam sidewall has
an outer portion, an inner portion, an upper portion, and a lower
portion, wherein the outer, inner, upper, and lower portions define
a channel through the box beam sidewall. A forward base attachment
member extending from an upper end of the box beam sidewall, and a
rearward base attachment member extending from the upper end of the
box beam sidewall, wherein the forward and rearward base attachment
members configured to attach to the base.
[0007] In an embodiment the wheel mounting portion has a plurality
of separate nodes, each node configured to mount at least one of
the plurality of wheels.
[0008] In an embodiment the wheel mounting portion has three nodes,
each of the plurality of nodes configured to rotatably mount at
least a corresponding one of the plurality of wheel.
[0009] In an embodiment the forward and the rearward base
attachment members extend at a right angle from the box beam
sidewall.
[0010] In an embodiment the rearward base attachment member has an
upper portion extending from the box beam sidewall and an L-shaped
portion having a first leg extending from the box beam sidewall
parallel to the upper portion and a second leg joining the first
leg to the upper portion.
[0011] In an embodiment the box beam sidewall further includes at
least one transverse aperture through the outer portion and the
inner portion of the box beam sidewall.
[0012] In an embodiment the box beam sidewall further includes at
least two transverse apertures through the outer portion and the
inner portion of the box beam sidewall.
[0013] In an embodiment the box beam sidewall further has at least
one edge cutout.
[0014] In an embodiment the box beam sidewall is extruded
aluminum.
[0015] In an embodiment the wheel mounting portion has three
mounting nodes, the forward base attachment member is disposed
longitudinally between a forward node and a center node, and the
rearward base attachment member is disposed longitudinally between
the center node and a rearward node.
[0016] A one-sided inline skate has a frame, and a foot securing
portion with a foot-supporting base attached to the frame, and an
ankle collar attached to the base. The frame has a wheel mounting
portion configured to rotatably mount the plurality of wheels in an
inline configuration such that the plurality of wheels are disposed
on one side of the wheel mounting portion. The frame also has a box
beam sidewall extending upwardly from the wheel mounting portion,
the box beam sidewall comprising an outer portion, an inner
portion, an upper portion, and a lower portion, wherein the outer,
inner, upper, and lower portions define a channel through the box
beam sidewall. A forward base attachment member extends from an
upper end of the box beam sidewall, and a rearward base attachment
member extending from the upper end of the box beam sidewall,
wherein the forward and rearward base attachment members configured
to attach to the base.
[0017] In an embodiment the wheel mounting portion comprises a
plurality of separate nodes, each node configured to mount at least
one of the plurality of wheels.
[0018] In an embodiment the forward and the rearward base
attachment members extend at a right angle from the box beam
sidewall.
[0019] In an embodiment the box beam sidewall further comprises at
least one transverse aperture through the outer portion and the
inner portion of the box beam sidewall. In an embodiment the box
beam sidewall further comprises at least one edge cutout.
[0020] In an embodiment the box beam sidewall is extruded
aluminum.
[0021] A method for constructing a frame for a one-sided inline
skate, includes extruding a skate blank comprising, the blank
comprising: i) a box beam sidewall section defining a through
channel, ii) a wheel mounting section extending from a bottom side
of the sidewall section, and iii) a base mounting section defining
a through channel and extending from a top side of the sidewall
section; machining the wheel mounting section to produce wheel
mounting nodes with through apertures configured to receive wheel
axles; machining the sidewall section to shape a front end and a
rear end of the sidewall section, and to define at least one
transverse aperture through the sidewall section; and machining the
base mounting section to define a forward base attachment portion
with a mounting aperture and a rearward base attachment portion
with a mounting aperture.
[0022] In an embodiment the method includes machining the sidewall
section to produce an edge cutout in the sidewall section.
[0023] In an embodiment the skate blank is an aluminum
extrusion.
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 an upper front left side view of a first
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 lower right-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 an upper right-side 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 back exploded view showing the frame and the
base for the inline skate shown in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded detail 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;
[0033] FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing another embodiment of the
axle assembly for the inline skate shown in FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of another embodiment of
a one-sided frame for an inline skate in accordance with the
present invention, configured to support three wheels;
[0035] FIG. 9 is a side view of the frame for an inline skate shown
in FIG. 8;
[0036] FIG. 10 is a back view of the frame for an inline skate
shown in FIG. 8; and
[0037] FIG. 11 describes a method for making the one-sided frame
for an inline skate shown in FIGS. 8-10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] This disclosure is in the field of inline skates. As used
herein, "upward," "upwardly," "upper," and similar terms are
defined conventionally to refer to a direction generally
perpendicular to axles of the inline skate and away from the ground
during use of the inline skate, and "vertical" and "vertically" are
similarly defined to mean a direction perpendicular to axles of the
inline skate. Similarly, "forward" and "rearward" and similar terms
are conventionally defined to refer generally to the direction
aligned with the skate frame and perpendicular to the "upward"
direction.
[0039] Refer now to the FIGURES which illustrate currently
preferred embodiments of single-wall inline skates and skate frames
in accordance with the present invention. In some embodiments such
inline skates may include foot enclosure portions not shown
herein.
[0040] FIG. 1 is an upper front-right side view of a single-wall
inline skate 100 in accordance with the present invention and FIG.
2A is a right side view of the single-wall inline skate 100. FIG.
2B is a lower side view of the base 102 of the inline skate 100.
Conventional boot or foot-enclosing portions and conventional
lacing, straps, and the like are not shown to better illustrate
novel aspects of the single-wall inline skate 100. The inline skate
100 shown in FIG. 1 is intended for the left foot of the user. A
right-foot skate has a similar arrangement but may preferably be
constructed in mirror symmetry to the inline skate 100 shown in
FIG. 1.
[0041] 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 inline
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 mounted for rotation on a
corresponding axle assembly 140 that is attached to the sidewall
122 on one side only (i.e., in a cantilevered attachment), such
that the wheel assemblies 110 are not obscured by a frame sidewall
or other frame structure.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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 (FIG. 3A). Other attachment
methods are contemplated, and may be used to attach the frame to
the base of the skate boot. See, for example, the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 8-10 and discussed below.
[0044] The plurality of inline wheel assemblies 110 each includes
an elastic ground-engaging portion 111 for example an
abrasion-resistant, high-density urethane 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.
[0045] A perspective view of the one-sided 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 protrusions 125, each associated with one of
the apertures 123, are also visible in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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).
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.
[0050] In alternative embodiments (see, for example, FIGS. 8-10)
one or more mounting plates extend perpendicularly from an upper
portion of the sidewall 122, for example forward and rearward
plates, and the base 102 is attached to the upper face of the one
or more mounting plates, for example with bolts that extend through
apertures in the mounting plates and engage nut plates embedded in
the base, as is known in the art.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] 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.
[0056] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of an inline skate 400
with a one-sided frame 420, in accordance with the present
invention, wherein the base 402, the ankle collar 404 and wheels
411 are illustrated in broken line. Refer also to FIG. 9, which
shows an upper-rear view of the one-sided frame 420 in
isolation.
[0057] The frame 420 has a lower wheel mounting portion 424, a
central box beam sidewall 427 that extends up from the wheel
mounting portion 424, and forward and rearward base attachment
portions 426 and 428 that extend outwardly from an upper end of the
box beam sidewall 427. As used herein a "box beam wall" or a "box
beam sidewall" is defined to mean a structural wall having inner
and outer wall portions (e.g., left and right wall portions) that
are connected to each other on opposite edges by joining wall
portions (e.g., upper and lower wall portions), such that the wall
portions define a channel therethrough. The definition expressly
encompasses such box beam structures that also have intermediate
connecting members, for example posts or elongate ledges, between
the inner and outer wall portions.
[0058] In this embodiment the wheel mounting portion 424 is
configured to mount three wheels 411 inline. The wheel mounting
portion 424 includes a front wheel node 424A, a middle wheel node
424B, and a rear wheel node 424C. Each wheel node 424A, 424B, and
424C is configured to rotatably support a corresponding one of the
wheels 411. In other embodiments the wheel mounting portion may be
configured to mount more or fewer wheels 411, for example 2, 4, 5,
or 6 wheels. The wheel nodes 424A, 424B, 424C in this embodiment
define recesses between adjacent wheel nodes, reducing the amount
of material in the frame 420 and therefore provide the advantage of
a lower-weight frame 420. The plural wheel nodes also provide
aesthetic advantages.
[0059] In other embodiments the wheel mounting portion 424 may have
more or fewer wheel nodes. For example, in an embodiment the wheel
mounting portion may include a forward wheel node configured to
mount more than one wheel and a rearward wheel node configured to
mount one or more wheels. In other embodiments the wheel mounting
portion may not define separate wheel nodes, for example the wheel
mounting portion may be generally rectangular, defining a linear
lower edge (similar to the wheel mounting portion 124 shown in FIG.
3A). In still other embodiments the lower edge of the wheel
mounting portion may have a curved wavy shape in the longitudinal
direction for example a sinusoidal shape. Other shapes for the
wheel mounting portion will be apparent to persons of skill in the
art, based on the teachings contained herein.
[0060] The box beam wall 427 extends upwardly from, and is
generally aligned with, the wheel mounting portion 424. The box
beam wall 427 is discussed in more detail below. The forward base
attachment plate 426 extends away from a top end of the box beam
wall 427 at or near a front end of the box beam wall 427.
Similarly, the rearward base attachment plate 428 extends away from
a top end of the box beam wall 427 at or near the back end of the
wall 427. The attachment plates 426, 428 extend in the direction of
the wheels 411. As seen most clearly in FIG. 8, one or both of the
attachment plates 426, 428 may be positioned wholly or partially
lower than a plane defined by a top end of the wheels 411, such
that the attachment plate 426 and/or 428 is positioned between an
upper portion of two adjacent wheels 411, allowing the base 402 to
be advantageously positioned as low as possible without interfering
with rotation of the wheels 411.
[0061] As seen most clearly in FIG. 8, in this embodiment the wheel
mounting portion 424 is configured to mount three wheels 411. The
forward based mounting plate 426 is disposed longitudinally between
the front node 424A and the center node 424B, and the rearward
based mounting plate 428 is disposed longitudinally between the
center node 424B and the rearward node 424C. This configuration
allows one or both of the mounting plates 426, 428 to be positioned
lower on the frame 420 extending partially between adjacent wheels
411, which allows the user's foot to be relatively closer to the
ground during use.
[0062] Refer now also to FIG. 10, which shows a back end view of
the one-sided frame 420. The rearward attachment plate 428 in this
embodiment comprises an upper portion 428U that is located higher
than the forward attachment plate 426 and includes apertures 429
(FIG. 9) for fixing the base 402 to the frame 420. The rearward
attachment plate 428 also includes an L-shaped lower portion 428L
comprising a first leg that extends downwardly from the upper
portion 428U and a second leg that extends from the first leg to
the wall 427, defining an opening 425, and providing a sturdy,
light-weight construction supporting heel of the base 402. In the
current embodiment the L-shaped portion 428L is relatively narrow
and positioned at a back end of the upper portion 428U, to produce
a relatively lower weight frame 420. In other embodiments the
L-shaped portion 428L may be substantially the same length in the
longitudinal direction as the upper portion 428U. The L-shaped
portion 428L significantly improves the strength and rigidity of
the rearward attachment plate 428. In other embodiments the
rearward attachment plate 428 is a simple, single plate (similar to
the forward attachment plate 426) and may be substantially coplanar
with the forward attachment plate 426, i.e., such that the rearward
attachment plate does not provide any "lift" for the heel.
[0063] Referring still to FIGS. 9 and 10, the box beam wall 427
includes an outer wall portion 431 (facing the wheels 411) and a
spaced-apart inner wall portion 433, with a gap or opening 435
formed therebetween. An upper wall portion 437 and a lower wall
portion 439 connect the outer and inner wall portions 431, 433,
producing a box beam structure. This box beam wall 427 has been
found to provide an excellent strength to weight ratio for the wall
427.
[0064] The box beam walls 431, 433 in this embodiment further
define large transverse apertures, for example forward aperture 451
and rearward aperture 453 and an edge cutout 455 between the base
attachment portions 426, 428. The apertures 451, 453 and edge
cutout 455 reduce the weight of the box beam wall 427, and may be
engineered to provide a desired flexibility in the frame 420. In
other embodiments the box beam walls may include a plurality of
smaller apertures and/or cutouts, for example.
[0065] The wheels 411 may be attached to the wheel mounting portion
424 with axle assemblies such as those shown in FIGS. 5-7. In other
embodiments axles are permanently fixed to the wheel mounting
portion 424 of the one-sided frame.
[0066] In a currently preferred embodiment the one-sided frame 420
is configured to have an extrudable cross section along the length
of the frame 420. As will be apparent to persons of skill in the
art from FIGS. 9 and 10, the one-sided frame 420 in the current
embodiment may be fabricated by extruding a blank (not shown)
having a cross section generally similar to the back view shown in
FIG. 10 including openings 425 and 435. For example, the one-sided
frame 420 may comprise an aluminum extrusion or aluminum alloy
extrusion. The blank may then be machined, for example removing
material to form the wheel nodes 424A, 424B, 424C, attachment
plates 426, 428, large apertures 451, 453, edge cutout 455, and the
frame's 420 front and rear shaped ends.
[0067] A method for producing the one-sided frame 500 is
illustrated in FIG. 11. In this method a skate blank is first
extruded 502. The skate blank includes a central box beam wall
section with at least one through channel, a wheel mounting section
extending from the wall section, and a base mounting section
optionally including a through channel.
[0068] The wheel mounting section is machined 504 to produce wheel
mounting nodes 424A, 424B, 424C, and an aperture for the axles is
drilled. The box beam wall section is machined 506 to shape the
ends, and to define one or more apertures and edge cutouts, for
example the apertures 451, 453 and edge cutout 455. The base
mounting section is machined 508 to define the forward base
attachment member 426 and the rearward base attachment member 428,
including mounting apertures 429.
[0069] It is contemplated, and will be apparent to persons of skill
in the art, that the inline skate frame 120 shown in FIGS. 3A and
3B may be readily modified to include a box beam sidewall above the
wheel mounting portion 124, similar to the box beam sidewall 427
shown in FIG. 8-10.
[0070] 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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