EP0710141B1 - In-line rollschuh - Google Patents

In-line rollschuh Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0710141B1
EP0710141B1 EP94923975A EP94923975A EP0710141B1 EP 0710141 B1 EP0710141 B1 EP 0710141B1 EP 94923975 A EP94923975 A EP 94923975A EP 94923975 A EP94923975 A EP 94923975A EP 0710141 B1 EP0710141 B1 EP 0710141B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
skater
line roller
base
base portion
foot
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP94923975A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0710141A4 (de
EP0710141A1 (de
Inventor
Antonin A. Meibock
John E. Svensson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
K2 Corp
Original Assignee
K2 Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=27536712&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0710141(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Priority claimed from US08094576 external-priority patent/US5437466B1/en
Priority claimed from US08/179,302 external-priority patent/US5549310A/en
Priority claimed from US08/188,961 external-priority patent/US5470085A/en
Priority to DE9422133U priority Critical patent/DE9422133U1/de
Priority to DE9421940U priority patent/DE9421940U1/de
Priority to DE9422262U priority patent/DE9422262U1/de
Application filed by K2 Corp filed Critical K2 Corp
Priority to DE9422299U priority patent/DE9422299U1/de
Publication of EP0710141A1 publication Critical patent/EP0710141A1/de
Publication of EP0710141A4 publication Critical patent/EP0710141A4/de
Publication of EP0710141B1 publication Critical patent/EP0710141B1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C17/00—Roller skates; Skate-boards
    • A63C17/14—Roller skates; Skate-boards with brakes, e.g. toe stoppers, freewheel roller clutches
    • A63C17/1409—Roller skates; Skate-boards with brakes, e.g. toe stoppers, freewheel roller clutches contacting one or more of the wheels
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
    • A43B5/04—Ski or like boots
    • A43B5/0401—Snowboard boots
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
    • A43B5/04—Ski or like boots
    • A43B5/0427—Ski or like boots characterised by type or construction details
    • A43B5/0466—Adjustment of the side inclination of the boot leg; Canting
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
    • A43B5/16—Skating boots
    • A43B5/1625—Skating boots made from materials with different rigidities
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
    • A43B5/16—Skating boots
    • A43B5/1641—Skating boots characterised by the sole ; characterised by the attachment of the skate
    • A43B5/165—Skating boots characterised by the sole ; characterised by the attachment of the skate with ventilation means in the sole
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
    • A43B5/16—Skating boots
    • A43B5/1666—Skating boots characterised by the upper
    • A43B5/1691—Skating boots characterised by the upper characterised by the higher part of the upper, e.g. surrounding the ankle, by the quarter or cuff
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
    • A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
    • A43B7/28—Adapting the inner sole or the side of the upper of the shoe to the sole of the foot
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
    • A63C17/00—Roller skates; Skate-boards
    • A63C17/04—Roller skates; Skate-boards with wheels arranged otherwise than in two pairs
    • A63C17/06—Roller skates; Skate-boards with wheels arranged otherwise than in two pairs single-track type

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to in-line roller skate boots for securely holding and supporting the skater's foot and, more particularly, to in-line roller skate boots having special boot construction to reduce rigid materials surrounding the skater's foot.
  • In-line roller skate boots generally include a boot upper, an insole, and a base all mounted on a frame carrying a plurality of wheels that are mounted in-line, one behind the other, rotatable in a common, longitudinally extending, plane of rotation.
  • the boot upper is shaped to fit around the wearer's foot and ankle and may include lacing, buckles, straps, and/or other securing arrangements, a tongue, and/or a toe cap, all providing support for the skater's foot.
  • the lower frame of the in-line roller skate provides the rigid substructure or undercarriage for supporting the boot upper and the in-line roller skate wheels.
  • the boot upper of the in-line roller skate serves competing purposes of providing support and comfort; comfort in a boot upper not usually being associated with a high degree of support.
  • the incorporation of rigid support structures in the boot upper tends to add stiffness and bulk, and, considering the warm-weather environments conducive to in-line roller skating, tends to make the skate, heavy, hot, and uncomfortable. Because serious ankle and other injuries can result if comfort is favored over support, providing proper support in an in-line roller skate boot upper has been the dominant design criterion in the past.
  • the boot upper is constructed of a molded plastic shell that includes the base, the plastic shell is usually a rigid, nonbreatheable material.
  • the plastic material of the shell generally forms the outer structure of the boot upper, providing any necessary support to the ankle of the wearer.
  • a separate soft inner liner of sponge rubber or other like material is generally included within the plastic shell to provide a modicum of comfort to the user. The liner, thus, becomes very important with this type of construction to provide adequate padding for foot comfort. 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 boot upper.
  • alpine ski boot designs tend to be rather rigid and unyielding, such designs are not readily adaptable to in-line skating where some flexing is beneficial.
  • additional padding is often added to the liner of the in-line roller skate boot to improve comfort, and to allow a single rigid shell to be adaptable to different feet.
  • additional padding diminishes skater control over the skate, since this isolates the wearer from the feel of the skate and the skating surface.
  • the heel of the skater tends to float up and down within the boot upper so that control is diminished because of the movement of the skater's foot within the boot.
  • the '033 patent suggests that, by including "primarily unobstructed ventilation ports" in the rigid synthetic outer shell of the boot upper, 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 boot upper is still configured of two parts, including a hard plastic outer shell and a soft inner liner. In warm weather conditions the boot can be uncomfortable compared to conventional walking and/or running shoes, due to excessive heat buildup and perspiration accumulation. The result is that the skater's feet are often hot, damp, and uncomfortable.
  • 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 a skater to utilize the full extent of his strength and agility.
  • Racers for example, prefer lower top skates and are lightweight, flexible , and yet provide lateral ankle support.
  • Currently available boots may be either too high and too stiff in any direction or, in the opposite end of the spectrum, too soft laterally.
  • in-line roller skate boot uppers are lightweight. When skating on a flat surface, the in-line roller skater must lift the boot with every stride to provide a forward impetus. 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. The heavy boot upper causes fatigue and reduces skating enjoyment.
  • FR-A-2668072 discloses an ice or roller blade skate boot having a rigid sole, a flexible raised shoe and a rigid rear stirrup rigidly connected to the sole and extending from either side of the rear portion of the shoe over most of the height of the shoe to keep the foot in place and prevent lateral flexions of the ankle whilst allowing forward and backward flexions.
  • the skate has a rigid chassis extending under the sole and the shoe, the stirrup and the sole are all rigidly attached to the chassis by one rear screw or bolt and one front screw or bolt. This arrangement does not provide good lateral stiffness for the shoe, particularly in the sole area of the shoe.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,067,736 shows a conventional brake adapted for use in in-line roller skating.
  • a pad is retained in a brake housing, the housing being securely fastened to the lower frame portion of the in-line roller skate.
  • Other patents specifically U.S. Patents Nos. 5,052,701 and 5,028,058, disclose similar braking pads having different configurations mounted on the rear of in-line roller skates. However, in all of these designs, it is necessary for the skater to maneuver or reposition at least one of his feet to properly apply the brake.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,171,032 suggests a method of braking by horizontally forcing one or more plates against the in-line roller skate wheel(s). The plates are actuated by a hand control 80, causing brake pads 40 to move substantially horizontally toward in-line roller skate wheel(s) 98.
  • Braking apparatus used on in-line roller skates must be configured to minimize possible damage to the braking system caused by the user falling or bringing the skate into contact with fixed objects.
  • the design must further avoid debris from becoming jammed in the brake, causing the brake to fail to function and thereby failing to control the skater's speed.
  • the brake must be designed to avoid inadvertently jamming against the wheel(s) during skating. It is thus important to position the braking apparatus within the lower frame portion of the in-line roller skate to protect the moving parts of the brake from debris or from being damaged due to impacts.
  • the boots and liners of the present invention were developed to overcome the drawbacks and limitations inherent to prior skate boots.
  • the boots of the present invention provide increased support and comfort, hence, better control due to their construction and the interaction between the soft portions of the boot upper and the various support structures.
  • This invention provides an in-line roller skate having an upper shoe portion and a lower frame portion, said upper shoe portion being adapted to support a skater's foot and being positioned upwardly adjacent said lower frame portion, and said lower frame portion including a plurality of wheels rotatable in a common, longitudinally extending plane of rotation, wherein said upper shoe portion comprises: a nonrigid shoe portion adapted to receive a skater's foot, said nonrigid shoe portion being formed of a substantially soft, pliable material, adapted to allow air to circulate around the skater's foot and including an instep portion; support means interconnected with said nonrigid shoe portion for providing support for said upper shoe portion to aid said skater in maintaining said in-line roller skate in a substantially vertical position, means for interconnecting said support means at an interface provided by the support means to said lower frame portion; said support means including a base portion having an upper surface supporting the sole of the skater's foot; said nonrigid shoe portion being interconnected with said base portion, the interconnection between the non
  • the present invention provides an in-line roller skate having a comfortable and soft, pliable, breatheable shoe portion including a base and an ankle support cuff.
  • the shoe portion may incorporate strategically placed rigid and semirigid structures to provide needed support for the skater's foot.
  • the structures may comprise a heel counter integral with the soft, pliable, breatheable shoe portion or be attached to the base portion for connection to the soft, upper portion of the shoe.
  • an ankle support cuff hingedly attached to the internal or external heel counter.
  • Arch, heel, and ball supports for the foot may also be provided within the shoe portion, specifically the base portion, to improve the support and comfort of the in-line roller skate.
  • the ankle support cuff is adjustably attached to the heel counter to provide both lateral and longitudinal adjustment of the ankle support cuff with respect to the base portion.
  • the base portion may be provided with means for attachment to a lower frame portion, generally supporting a plurality of wheels rotatable in a common plane of rotation.
  • the attachment means of the base to the lower frame portion may allow both lateral and longitudinal movement of the upper shoe portion with respect to the lower frame portion.
  • the base and lower frame portion may be a single molded unit.
  • the present invention may also include a speed control, including a pressure plate above a minimum of one, but preferably two, of the in-line wheels.
  • the pressure plate is biased away from the in-line wheels in a substantially vertical direction.
  • the speed control Upon actuation of the speed control, the pressure plate is forced substantially downward until it contacts at least one in-line wheel. Actuation of the speed control can be accomplished using either a lever, or alternatively, by a cable actuating means.
  • the present invention departs from the teachings of the prior art by forming a substantial part of the upper shoe portion of soft, pliable, breatheable materials capable of transmitting air and heat directly therethrough, while also properly supporting the user's foot.
  • the support is provided in a few critical areas, such as the ankle and heel of the user's foot, using rigid materials. Semirigid materials may also be used in some support portions.
  • the upper shoe portion of the present invention comprises a soil, pliable, breatheable shoe material in combination with a rigid or semirigid base portion and ankle support cuff
  • the body of the upper shoe portion is comfortable for a skater to wear while the base portion and ankle support cuff of the upper shoe portion provide the support needed to allow a skater to easily maintain the in-line roller skate wheels oriented vertically on their roller surfaces while skating.
  • rigid with respect to the present invention means a plastic material highly resistant to bending or flexing, while “semirigid” means that the material, while capable of resisting a substantial deforming force, is also able to bend or be temporarily deformed by a force somewhat greater than the normal force encountered in use.
  • Heat-moldable refers to both rigid and semirigid plastic materials that become reasonably pliable and formable at a higher temperature than would customarily be associated with in-line roller skating.
  • nonrigid “nonrigid,” “soft,” and “pliable” describe materials such as leather, cloth, or mesh fabrics of various densities that have a certain flexibility and “give” to them as compared to a rigid or semirigid material and, thus, are more comfortable for a skater when placed adjacent a skater's foot.
  • the term “breatheable” refers to a material through which air can readily pass and is distinguished from molded plastic materials of either the rigid or semirigid type that are substantially impervious to air transmission or which simply provide ventilation ports for air circulation.
  • attachment means for attaching the base portion of the in-line roller skate to the lower frame.
  • the attachment means compensates for lateral and longitudinal adjustment of the boot upper with respect to the lower frame and includes pegs and hooks to properly align the boot upper and the lower frame during assembly.
  • the base portion and lower frame may be a single molded unit.
  • the skate includes a base having first and second longitudinal slots and first and second base fasteners.
  • the first base fastener is slidable within the first longitudinal slot and the second base fastener is slidable within the second longitudinal slot.
  • the frame has first and second transverse slots and first and second frame fasteners slidably engaged within the first and second transverse slots, respectively.
  • the first and second frame fasteners are engaged with the first and second base fasteners, respectively.
  • the first and second longitudinal slots of this alternate embodiment each include a narrow slot portion and a wide slot portion having a greater width than the narrow slot portion.
  • the narrow slot portion is centered below the wide slot portion.
  • the first and second base fasteners include head portions that are nonrotatably engaged within the wide slot portions of the first and second longitudinal slots, respectively.
  • the in-line roller skate 21 includes a soft, pliable, breatheable shoe portion 22, which is preferably made of breatheable materials of the type commonly used in running shoes. Leather or leather-like man-made materials may be used, as may cloth fabrics and mesh fabric materials. Since the principal physical support for the skater's foot in the present invention is provided by strategically positioned support members, including an exterior ankle support cuff 23 and a base portion 39 to be described hereafter, the materials used to construct the shoe portion 22 are chosen for comfort, breathability, and heat transmissibility to cool the skater's foot. For purposes of describing the present invention, the shoe portion 22, the base portion 39, and the ankle support cuff 23 together form what is referred to as the entire upper shoe portion.
  • the in-line roller skate 21 of the present invention includes a base portion 39, a heel counter 41, a soft, pliable, breatheable shoe portion 22, which in one embodiment includes a rigid or semirigid toe portion 24, and an ankle support cuff 23 having a conventional securing strap 26. While the preferred embodiments will be discussed in detail below, it is understood that the shoe portion 22 may integrally include both the toe portion 24 and the heel counter 41.
  • the heel counter 41 and/or the toe portion 24 may be laminated externally of the shoe portion 22 or be integrally contained within the shoe portion 22. Alternatively, the heel counter 41 and/or the toe portion 24 may both be an integral part of the base portion 39 or one or the other may be attached to the base portion 39 while the other is attached to the shoe portion 22.
  • the material comprising the heel counter 41 and the toe portion 24 may be rigid or semirigid materials, depending on the intended use of the in-line roller skate 21 and the desired degree of support.
  • In-line roller skate 21 further includes an external ankle support cuff 23 having a conventional securing strap 26.
  • the ankle support cuff 23 is shown hingedly mounted on the heel counter 41.
  • the ankle support cuff 23 which is made of either rigid or semirigid material, can likewise be an integral part of the soft, pliable, breatheable shoe portion 22, the preferred embodiment of the present invention mounts the ankle support cuff 23 internally and hingedly to the heel counter 41.
  • the ankle support cuff 23 can, alternatively, be externally mounted to the heel counter 41.
  • heel counter 41 can itself be an integral part of the soft boot or an external counter bonded to the soft boot.
  • the ankle support cuff 23 can include both longitudinal canting means 25 and lateral canting means 27, which will be described in detail hereinafter.
  • FIGURE 1 discloses an external lace cover 29, which may be integrally connected to the soft, pliable, breatheable shoe portion 22 at its base 26 so that the lace cover can be pivoted forwardly to allow easy access to the shoe laces and the interior of the shoe.
  • conventional shoelaces 28 may be provided inward of the lace cover 29.
  • Internal tongue 29a is provided to prevent the laces 28 from bearing directly on the skater's foot.
  • FIGURE 1 Also illustrated in FIGURE 1 is a lower frame portion 31 that is typically formed of injection-molded plastic or metal and a speed control 33, which will be described in detail hereinafter.
  • the lower frame portion 31 may alternatively be made of fiberglass with an epoxy resin or graphite with an epoxy resin.
  • a plurality of in-line wheels 35 are mounted on axle means 36, which will also be described in detail hereinafter.
  • the in-line wheels 35 are mounted for rotation in a common longitudinal plane.
  • Axle means 36 are shown fitted in upwardly extending notches 37 in lower frame portion 31 in a manner such that wheels 35 can be easily replaced or interchanged when worn. While the notches 37 are shown for purposes of describing the present invention, it will be understood that a variety of methods of mounting the in-line wheels 35 can be used, including mounting methods that allow variation in the vertical positioning of the axes of rotation of the in-line wheels 35.
  • FIGURES 2A and 3A illustrate the base portion 39 made in accordance with the present invention.
  • the base portion 39 can be a relatively simple flat sole or a relatively complex contoured sole containing supports and attachment means.
  • the base portion 39 will be described in its more complex form, it being understood that not all of the supports or attachments described hereinafter need be included in every embodiment of the present invention.
  • the base portion 39 includes a sole portion 40, an integrally connected heel counter 41 for cupping the back of the skater's heel, and raised support lip 43 on the sides of the base portion 39 in the area of the ball of the skater's foot.
  • the sole portion 40 has an upper surface and a lower surface.
  • the upper portion of the sole portion 40 may be anatomically fitted to the user's foot by molding or other known techniques as described hereinafter, to evenly distribute pressure along the bottom of the foot.
  • the heel counter 41, and the raised support lips 43 provide support to aid the skater in maintaining the in-line roller skate in a substantially vertical position.
  • the lower portion of the sole portion 40 provides an interface for mounting the upper shoe portion onto the lower frame portion where the upper shoe portion and the lower frame portion are separate units. Because in this invention much of the upper shoe portion is formed of soft, pliable, breatheable material, the footbed portion, and other supports, including primarily the ankle support cuff 23, provide substantially all of the needed support and stability for the skater's foot.
  • the sole portion 40 of the base portion 39 may include an arch support portion 45, a heel support 47, and a ball support 49.
  • the supports 45, 47, and 49 contour the base portion 39 to the user's foot and are preferably made of a heat-moldable plastic integrally mounted in the sole portion 40 of the footbed portion 39.
  • the use of heat-moldable plastic enables a skater to heat the moldable plastic supports 45, 47, and 49 by conventional means, such as a hair dryer, to a temperature sufficient to cause them to become pliable.
  • the footbed portion 39 can then be anatomically fitted to the skater's foot by placing the foot therein and allowing the heat-moldable plastic to cool and harden in a shape conforming to the skater's foot.
  • the plastic supports 45, 47, and 49 may be included as desired or required depending on skate design criteria and the form of the mounting means contained within the base portion 39.
  • the heel counter 41 and the raised support lips 43 may also be fabricated from heat-moldable plastics. As with the supports 45, 47, and 49, the heel counter 41 and the raised support lip 43 can be anatomically fitted to the user's foot using a conventional hot air heat source.
  • the base portion 39 of the present invention can thus be formed to fit the user's foot, thereby minimizing unwanted movement of the skater's foot within the upper shoe portion, while simultaneously improving the overall comfort of the upper shoe portion.
  • FIGURES 2A and 3A show the heel counter 41 as an integral part of the base portion 39
  • other embodiments of the present invention may integrally mount the heel counter 41 in the soft shoe portion 22, while the base portion 39 would primarily comprise sole portion 40.
  • the base portion 39 could contain an additional heel counter portion such that the shoe portion 22, and the integral heel counter 41, are laminated thereto in a known fashion.
  • the sole portion 40 of base portion 39 is shown to include a pair of front mounting means 51a and at least one identical rear mounting means 51b.
  • Mounting means 51a and 51b are adapted to allow the upper shoe portion to be mounted to the lower frame portion 31 in a manner such that the upper shoe portion may be moved both laterally and longitudinally with respect to lower frame 31 as desired by the user.
  • mounting means 51a and 51b each include a plate 53 having a threaded opening 54a formed therein and adapted to receive a complementary threaded fastener such as 54b (FIGURE 3A), which is sized to extend upwardly through a portion of the lower frame portion 31.
  • Each plate 53 is mounted in an oversized cavity 54c formed in the sole portion 40, such that the plate 53 can move both laterally and longitudinally within the cavity 54c when the fastener 54b is loosened in the threaded opening 54a.
  • the fasteners 54b are tightened to hold the upper shoe portion in position.
  • the base portion 39 can be permanently fastened to the lower frame portion 31 using conventional fastening means, such as rivets.
  • the base portion 39 and the lower frame portion 31 can be integrally combined in a single injection-molded unit such as shown in FIGURE 16B. This embodiment does not allow adjustment of the upper shoe portion with respect to the lower frame portion 31, but does provide substantial desired rigidity and strength between the upper shoe portion and the lower frame portion 31.
  • base portion 39a of the present invention is disclosed, without the raised support lips 43, but including a toe portion 24.
  • the soft, pliable, breatheable shoe portion 22 may be laminated to the base portion 39 such that toe portion 24 provides additional laminating surface, adding support and strength to the shoe portion 22.
  • the toe portion 24 can be extended rearward sufficiently to provide the earlier described support function of lips 43.
  • the durable, semirigid toe portion 24 further protects the soft pliable material comprising the shoe portion 22 from damage caused by scuffing the toe, or by the toe of the in-line roller skate 21 bumping or scraping the road surface or other objects.
  • FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate an ankle support cuff 23 made according to the present invention.
  • the ankle support cuff 23 is secured to the heel counter 41 through lateral support apertures 55 and longitudinal support aperture 56 (shown in FIGURES 2A and 2B) in a manner to be described hereinafter.
  • the ankle support cuff 23 can be rigidly fixed to the heel counter 41, allowing very limited flex of the ankle support cuff 23 with respect to the footbed portion 39 and the lower frame portion 31.
  • the in-line roller skate becomes a substantially rigid unit with no longitudinal or lateral adjustment and flexibility is limited to that produced by the flex of the materials comprising the ankle support cuff 23, the heel counter 41, and base portion 39.
  • the material used in the fabrication of the ankle support cuff 23 can be selected for its characteristic flexibility, which may range from very rigid to a pliable, but semirigid material.
  • ankle support cuff 23 can be hingedly attached to the heel counter 41 through lateral support apertures 55, thus allowing forward and rearward pivotal movement of the ankle support cuff 23.
  • the heel counter 41 can either be an integral part of the base portion 39 or of the shoe portion 22. Hinging of the cuff allows the skater to flex his ankle forward and rearward with ease, while providing considerable rigidity in the lateral direction.
  • the ankle support cuff 23 is adjustable both longitudinally (FIGURE 4) and laterally (FIGURE 5) as described more fully hereinafter.
  • the ankle support cuff 23 in combination with the base portion 39 and the heel counter 41, supports the skater's ankle and foot and assists the skater in maintaining a substantially upright ankle position.
  • the ankle support cuff 23 is preferably made of a semirigid plastic and may be made of a heat-moldable plastic similar to the heat-moldable plastics described above with respect to the footbed supports 45, 47, and 49. As with the heat-moldable plastics in the base portion 39, the heat-moldable plastic ankle support cuff 23 can also be heated with hot air and formed for a better fit.
  • In-line roller skating requires substantial shoe support in combination with the strength, coordination, and agility of the skater to maintain the in-line roller skate in a near vertical position.
  • the various support components of the present invention described heretofore including the ankle support cuff 23, the heel counter 41, and the base portion 39, provide the needed support, thus allowing soft, pliable, breatheable shoe portion 22 to be made of material such as leather, mesh fabric, or the like, to enhance the comfort of the in-line roller skate.
  • any of the known materials commonly used in running shoes to provide comfort and to dissipate heat by allowing air circulation about the user's foot can be used in the present invention to accomplish the goal of providing a comfortable, cool, in-line roller skate whose principal foot support comes from strategically placed support structures rather than from a rigid molded boot.
  • the ankle support cuff 23 of the present invention may include a canting system for lateral and longitudinal tilt adjustments.
  • the preferred embodiment of the canting system comprises two movable parts, each respectively associated with either the ankle support cuff 23 or the heel counter 41 and capable of being securely locked together.
  • a skater wishing to tilt the ankle support cuff longitudinally or laterally loosens the longitudinal canting means 25 or the lateral canting means 27 and moves the two parts with respect to one another to position the ankle support cuff 23 according to the skater's preference.
  • the lateral canting means 27 can be placed on either the inside or the outside of the ankle-supporting cuff 23. Phantom views in FIGURE 4 show the support cuff 23 adjusted to various longitudinally canted positions, while in FIGURE 5, the phantom views show the ankle support cuff 23 adjusted to various laterally canted positions as desired by the skater.
  • the soft, pliable, breatheable shoe portion 22 substantially surrounds the skater's foot and extends above the ankle support cuff 23.
  • the extension of the shoe portion 22 above the ankle support cuff 23 prevents the upper portion of the semirigid ankle support cuff 23 from uncomfortably binding against the skater's ankle or calf
  • the internal tongue 29a also extends above the ankle support cuff 23 to prevent the ankle support cuff 23 from binding against the skater's shin when substantial longitudinal forward force is applied against the ankle support cuff 23 and securing strap 26.
  • the canting mechanism includes a cap nut 101 mounted to or within the heel counter 41 such that its internally threaded barrel 103 extends into a slot 117 in the heel counter 41.
  • the outer surface of the heel counter 41 in the region adjacent the slot 117 includes a plurality of surface grooves 109 arranged on opposite sides of the slot, so that the grooves on one side of the slot are angled relative to those on the opposite side in a chevron-like configuration.
  • the ankle support cuff 23 includes an opening 104 outwardly adjacent the internally threaded barrel 103 into which is inserted a plug 111 having surface grooves 113 sized and configured to engage the surface grooves 109.
  • the plug 111 includes a central opening 112 into which is inserted a cap screw 114 threaded to engage the internally threaded barrel 103 of the cap nut 101. It will be understood that tightening of the cap screw 114 relative to the cap nut 101 causes the cooperating grooves 109 and 113 on the heel counter 41 and the plug 111, respectively, to engage each other, to fix the position of the ankle support cuff 23 with respect to the base portion 39. When the cap screw 114 is loosened, the grooves 109 and 113 can be disengaged, and the cap nut 101 can be moved within the slot 117 to allow the ankle support cuff 23 to be canted relative to the base portion 39.
  • the lower frame portion 31 comprises a frame rail 57b, which preferably includes notches 37 (shown in FIGURE 1) in which the axle means 36 are held to allow in-line wheels 35 to be easily interchanged or replaced. While the notches 37 are shown for purposes of describing the present invention, it will be understood that a variety of methods for mounting the in-line wheels 35 can be used, including mounting methods that allow vertical adjustments of the axis of rotation of the plurality of in-line wheels 35.
  • the in-line wheels 35 are mounted to be rotatable in a common longitudinal plane of rotation.
  • the lower frame portion 31 further includes a brake or speed control 33 having an actuating lever 59.
  • contoured speed control plate 61 In use, a skater reaches down and pulls upward on the actuating lever 59 forcing contoured speed control plate 61 to bear against the in-line wheels 35.
  • the actuating lever 59 may be arranged and configured such that, in use, speed control plate 61 bears against the in-line wheels 35 by pushing down on actuating lever 59. This mechanism is discussed in further detail hereafter.
  • the contoured speed control plate 61 contacts a minimum of two wheels, typically the two rearmost wheels on the in-line roller skate.
  • the contoured speed control plate 61 may contact from as few as one in-line wheel 35 to as many as all of the in-line wheels 35 mounted on the lower frame portion 31.
  • FIGURES 9 and 10 show the speed control means 33 of FIGURE 8 in longitudinal cross section in its unactuated and actuated or braking positions, respectively.
  • the contoured speed control plate 61 is movable on a vertical shaft 62 in a substantially vertical direction, toward and away from the in-line wheels 35.
  • a biasing spring 63 acts to bias the contoured speed control plate 61 away from the in-line wheels 35.
  • the contoured speed control plate 61 moves in a downward direction to contact the in-line wheels 35.
  • the contoured speed control plate 61 can be made of any suitable material, including plastic or a metal such as aluminum.
  • FIGURE 13 there is shown an exploded view of the lower frame portion 31 of the present invention, including the speed control 33.
  • the contoured speed control plate 61 is shown positioned between an upper mounting bracket 65 and a lower mounting bracket 67.
  • the mounting brackets 65 and 67 are securely attached between frame rails 57a and 57b using appropriate fastening means, such as machine screws 69.
  • the contoured speed control plate 61 is movable in a substantially vertical direction within the mounting brackets 65 and 67, from an uppermost position, such as that shown in FIGURES 9 and 11, to a lowermost position wherein the contoured speed control plate 61 contacts the in-line wheels 35, as shown in FIGURES 10 and 12.
  • the actuating lever 59 is mounted to pivot about a fulcrum pin 73, which is in turn mounted between the frame rails 57a and 57b by means of a fastener 69, and is attached at its inner end to a pressure plate 71. Accordingly, when the actuating lever 59 is raised, pressure is applied to the pressure plate 71 in a downward direction.
  • the pressure plate 71 being directly connected to the contoured speed control plate 61, causes the contoured speed control plate 61 to move in a downward direction toward the lower mounting bracket 67. This downward movement results in contact of the contoured speed control plate 61 with the in-line wheels 35.
  • the downward motion of the contoured speed control plate 61 is limited first, and preferably, by its contact with the in-line wheels 35. However, if the contoured speed control plate 61 continues to move in a downward direction, the biasing spring 63 will eventually become fully collapsed before the pressure plate 71 contacts the upper mounting bracket 65, and before a lower portion 66 of the contoured speed control plate 61 contacts the lower mounting bracket 67.
  • FIGURES 11 and 12 show a second embodiment of the present invention wherein the actuating lever 59 is replaced with a cable 75.
  • the biasing spring 63 again biases the contoured speed control plate 61 away from in-line wheels 35.
  • a cable pressure housing 77 applies a downward force against the pressure plate 71, forcing the contoured speed control plate 61 to move in a downward direction toward the in-line wheels 35.
  • the cable 75 uses as its anchoring member, the lower mounting bracket 67. Shortening of the cable 75 causes the distance between the pressure plate 71 and the lower mounting plate 67 to be reduced, thereby forcing the contoured speed control plate 61 downwardly.
  • the cable 75 can apply force to the in-line wheels 35 as needed to control the speed of or bring the in-line wheels 35 to a stop. It will be understood that the cable 75 can run upward to the area of the skater's knee or belt where it can be easily grasped, or held in the skater's hands so that the skater can continuously apply speed control pressure as needed. A conventional handgrip can be attached to the cable to allow it to be more easily held and pressure applied by the skater.
  • a cable or similar actuating means could be attached to the actuating lever 59 (in FIGURES 8- 10), so that the skater could pull up on the cable to cause the end of actuating lever 59 to move upward, forcing the contoured speed control plate 61 against the in-line wheels 35.
  • FIGURE 13 shows a conventional system for mounting the in-line wheels 35 within the frame rails 57a and 57b.
  • an in-line wheel 35 is mounted on a bearing hub 35a having a central opening.
  • the axle 36 which comprises an internally threaded cap nut 36a and a cooperating threaded cap screw 36b, extends through the frame rails 57a and 57b, spacer washers 36c and 36d on opposite sides of the in-line wheel 35, and through the opening in the bearing hub 35a.
  • the internally threaded cap nut 36a and the cooperatingly threaded screw 36b are sized such that, when the screw is fully threaded into the nut, an axle of uniform diameter is provided on which the in-line wheel 35 can rotate.
  • the caps of the screw and nut grip the outer surfaces of the frame rails adjacent flame notches 37.
  • FIGURE 14 shows an embodiment of a contoured speed control plate 61a, as applied to three in-line wheels 35
  • FIGURE 15 shows an embodiment wherein the contour speed control plate 61 is applied to four in-line wheels 35.
  • a skater using the actuating lever 59 can apply force to the in-line wheels 35, in the manner heretofore described, as needed to control the speed or stop the in-line wheels 35.
  • a cable such as 75 can be used to apply drag force to the contoured speed control plates 61a or 61b.
  • the contoured speed control plate 61 can be applied to as many wheels as desired for adequate speed control. While not illustrated, it is also possible and considered to be within the scope of this invention, using either the actuating lever, or the cable of the present invention to have more than one speed control 33 applying downward pressure to a single contour speed control plate 61, or multiple contoured speed control plates, in more than one position along the frame rails 57a and 57b.
  • the preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the contoured speed control plate 61 is housed substantially above the in-line wheels 35 and securely maintained between the frame rails 57a and 57b, has advantages over the prior art in that the speed control 33 is substantially removed from debris including rocks, dirt, grass, et cetera, which could become entangled in a speed control positioned lower on the frame rails 57a and 57b.
  • the present invention protects the components of the speed control from damage due to the lower frame portion 31 contacting rigid objects or being carelessly handled.
  • FIGURE 16A there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with the soil, pliable, breatheable shoe portion 22 laminated in place on the base portion 39a, as described above with respect to FIGURES 2B and 3B.
  • FIGURE 16B discloses the base portion 39 having a frame portion 31 molded integrally therewith.
  • a soil upper shoe portion may be laminated therein in a known fashion, such as by applying glue along the base and lower sides of the shoe in the area of the heel and toe supports and then curing.
  • the base portion 39 While there are manufacturing cost advantages in having the upper shoe portion separable from the lower frame portion 31, it is also desirable in some skate designs for the base portion 39 to be both laterally and longitudinally adjustable with respect to the lower frame portion. It is also advantageous to have the base portion 39 molded integrally with the lower frame portion 31. More specifically, certain rigidity improvements can be obtained by eliminating the interface between the base portion 39 and the lower frame portion 31, and eliminating the fastening means used to securely hold the two components together.
  • FIGURE 17 there is shown a rear sectional view of the embodiment of FIGURE 16A of the present invention showing an ankle support cuff 23, a soft, pliable, breatheable shoe portion 22, a lateral canting means 27 and a external heel counter 41.
  • adhesive may be applied at interface 48 to bond the shoe portion 22 to the heel counter 41 and the base portion 39.
  • the in-line roller skate boot 221 includes a boot upper 220 having a soft, pliable, breatheable portion 222, which is preferably made of breatheable materials such as ballistic nylon mesh.
  • the breatheable portion 222, the base portion 239, and the ankle support cuff 223 together form what is referred to in this description as the boot upper 220.
  • the in-line roller skate boot 221 also includes a base portion 239, a heel counter 241, and a rigid or semirigid toe portion 224.
  • Ankle support cuff 223 has both a conventional securing strap 226 and a second strap 228.
  • the breatheable portion 222 may integrally include the toe portion 224, the heel counter 241 and/or the ankle support cuff 223, or the toe portion, heel counter and/or ankle support cuff may be laminated or fastened externally of the breatheable portion 222.
  • FIGURE 18 also discloses an external lace cover 229 and a securing strap 232.
  • the external lace cover 229 is preferably integrally connected to the soft, pliable, breatheable portion 222 at its base 230 so that the lace cover 229 can be pivoted forward to allow easy access to the shoelaces and the interior of the shoe.
  • the securing strap 232 secures that portion of the breatheable portion 222, which extends above the exterior ankle support cuff 223.
  • the substantially nonelastic but flexible strap 228 diagonally crosses the instep of the skater's foot.
  • the strap 228 is preferably secured to the base portion 239 of the in-line roller skate boot using slots 234, which are disposed on opposite sides of the in-fine roller skate boot, preferably in the heel counter 241.
  • the strap 228 includes two parts, each of which is threaded through one of the slots 234 and secured to the other using a Velcro hook-and-loop fastening material 320.
  • the strap 228 may also be riveted or screwed to the heel counter 241 using appropriate fasteners and may have an appropriate buckle or ratchet mechanism for securing the two parts of the strap together over the skater's instep under tension or for securing a single strap to either side of the heel counter 241 under tension.
  • the heel of the preferred embodiment includes a general L-shaped hook 237 that extends downwardly from the bottom of the heel and rearwardly toward the rear of the heel.
  • the base portion 239 includes a generally cylindrical peg 238 or other protrusion that extends downwardly from the bottom of the base portion 239. Both the peg 238 and the hook 237 are located along a central axis 240 extending over the length of the boot.
  • the preferred embodiment includes a peg 238 and a hook 237
  • alternate embodiments could include two pegs, two hooks, or other protrusions extending downwardly from the base portion 239.
  • the base portion could include indentations or holes adapted to receive pegs or hooks extending upwardly from the lower frame.
  • the lower frame 235 could include a front and rear bracket (not shown), wherein frame rails of the lower frame could be adapted to be securely fastened to the boot upper 220.
  • peg 238 and hook 237 on the base portion 239 of the in-line roller skate boot ensures that the upper boot portion 233 is properly aligned upon placement of the boot upper 220 onto the lower frame 235.
  • the configuration also allows separate brackets to be formed and attached to the base portion 239, so that different lower frames can be interchangeably mated with different boot upper designs.
  • Boot upper designs may be altered in any manner desired without altering the removable bracket or lower frame design, as long as the contour of the base portion 239 remains substantially fixed.
  • lower frames bearing links and dimensions including options such as rockering, wheel brakes, and differing numbers or sizes of wheels, can be used with the same boot.
  • different running assemblies can be used with the same boot, as long as the base portion and brackets are suitably configured.
  • boot upper 220 mounted onto the lower frame 235.
  • lower frame 235 is adjustable relative to boot upper 220.
  • the boot upper 220 preferably includes a breatheable portion 222 and a base portion 239.
  • Base portion 239 is preferably constructed of a polymeric material with fiber reinforcement.
  • Lower frame 235 includes frame rails 242L and 242R, wheels 244, and forward and rearward brackets 246 and 248.
  • Rails 242L and 242R are preferably constructed of a graphite composite.
  • Rails 242R ad 242L lie in parallel vertical planes that are perpendicular to base portion 239 of boot upper 220.
  • rails 242L and 242R are adapted to secure five wheels 244 lying in a intermediate vertical plane between rails 242L and 242R, although a lesser or greater number of wheels can be used.
  • Rails 242L and 242R are connected to forward and rearward brackets (246 and 248) with rail fasteners 249.
  • left rail 242L is secured to forward bracket 224 with two rail fasteners 249 extending through holes bored just below the upper edge of rail 242L.
  • Rail fasteners 249 can also be any standard fastener that adequately secures rails 242L and 242R to brackets 246 and 248.
  • rails 242L and 242R and brackets 246 ad 248 can be one piece, such that rail fasteners 249 are not needed.
  • the specific configuration of rails 242L and 242R in brackets 246 and 248 could also be varied as long as the primary purpose of providing an adjustable mounting to base portion 239 is served.
  • Brackets 246 and 248 have upside-down U-shaped cross sections. The top portions of brackets 246 and 248 lie in horizontal planes parallel to portions of base portion 239. Each of brackets 246 and 248 has a bracket slot 251 running in a longitudinal direction or, in other words, parallel to rails 242L and 242R. Bracket slots 251 allow for longitudinal adjustment of lower frame 235 relative to base portion 239.
  • Base portion 239 also includes forward and rearward base slots 253 and 255.
  • Base slots 253 and 255 extend generally perpendicular to bracket slots 251.
  • Forward base slot 253 is formed by forward ridge 257 that extends across almost the entire width of base portion 239 beneath the portion of the boot upper 220 that holds the ball of the foot above base portion 239.
  • the forward ridge 257 projects below the remainder of base portion 239 such that no interference with forward bracket 246 is allowed, other than with forward ridge 257.
  • Forward ridge 257 has an elongated oval shape, with rounded ends in a flat bottom surface parallel to the upper portion of forward bracket 246.
  • a rear ridge 259 is disposed under the heel of the foot of the skater and projects downwardly from base portion 239.
  • Rear ridge 259 is similar in shape and function to forward ridge 257 and forms rear base slot 255.
  • Rear ridge 259 is not as wide as forward ridge 257, since that portion of the base is narrower.
  • Rear base slot 255 is parallel to forward base slot 253.
  • the length of forward and rearward base slots 253 and 255 can be changed, as can their transverse orientation.
  • Rearward base slot 255 can even be extended such that greater rearward adjustment is allowed, compared to forward adjustment.
  • the horizontal plane of the bottom surface of rearward ridge 259 is spaced farther above wheels 244 than is the horizontal plane of the bottom surface of forward ridge 257.
  • Base support ribs 261 are also illustrated in FIGURE 20.
  • Base support ribs 261 provide structural support between rearward ridge 259 and forward ridge 257 and in front of forward ridge 257. Because of the unique cross-ribbed structure of base support ribs 261, torsional, longitudinal, and lateral support is provided for base portion 239, while weight is reduced. Base support ribs 261 will be discussed in more detail in connection with FIGURE 23.
  • Lower frame 235 is attached to base portion 239 with frame fasteners 263 and base fasteners 265.
  • Frame fasteners 263 are screws with fastener shoulders 267 and threaded shafts 269. Two such frame fasteners 263 are preferably used, one for forward bracket 246 and one for rearward bracket 248.
  • Fastener shoulders 267 are disposed adjacent the heads of frame fasteners 263. The diameter of fastener shoulders 267 is only slightly smaller than the width of bracket slots 251, as fastener shoulders 267 are engaged within slots 251 when in use.
  • Threaded shafts 269 project upwardly from fastener shoulders 267 to threadably engage base fasteners 265.
  • Base fasteners 265 include heads 271 and threaded sleeves 273. Threaded shafts 269 threadably engage the threaded bores of sleeves 273. Two base fasteners 265 are used in the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 21, one in each of base slots 275 and 277. Heads 271 of base fasteners 265 are disposed at the upper ends of sleeves 273. Heads 271 are oriented in horizontal planes within slots 275 and 277, while sleeves 273 are generally perpendicular to heads 271. Heads 271 have flat surfaces on the forward and rearward sides such that they do not rotate, yet slidably engage slots 275 and 277.
  • slots 275 and 277 are similar, except for the length of slots 275 and 277, forward slot 275 generally being longer than rearward slot 277.
  • Slots 275 ad 277 have slotted plates 279 molded within them.
  • Slotted plates 279 are preferably constructed of aluminum, although other materials of comparable strength, preferably of light weight, may alternatively be used. This construction provides for decreased wear and resistance to deformation upon the tightening of fasteners 263 and 265.
  • Slotted plate 279 is nested between a narrow slot portion 281 and a wide slot portion 283. The outside perimeters of slotted plates 279 are within the outside perimeters of ridges 257 and 259.
  • Narrow slot portion 281 is disposed beneath slotted plate 279 and has a bottom rim defined by ridges 257 and 259 of forward and rearward base slots 253 and 255, respectively.
  • the width of narrow slot portion 281 is slightly larger than the diameter of sleeve 273 of base fastener 265.
  • the narrowest portion of head 271 is that portion between the flat surfaces on the forward and rearward sides of head 271.
  • the width of wide slot portions 283 is narrower than the widest width or diameter of head 271. This arrangement provides for a nonrotatable engagement of head 271 within wide slot portions 283.
  • the bottom surface of head 251 rides upon slotted plate 279.
  • a slot shoulder 285 is formed around the top of the perimeter of wide slot portion 283.
  • Forward and rearward slot covers 287 and 289 are provided to fit over forward and rearward base slots 257 and 259 upon slot shoulders 285.
  • the shape of forward and rearward slot covers 287 and 289 matches the outer shape of slot shoulder 285, i.e., they have an oblong, oval shape.
  • the thickness of forward and rearward slot covers 287 and 289 is such that a generally smooth-topped surface of base portion 239 is presented when forward and rearward slot covers 287 and 289 are in place.
  • the thickness of wide slot portion 283 is slightly greater than the thickness of heads 271 of base fasteners 265 such that base fasteners 265 are free to slide back and forth within forward and rearward base slots 251 and 253 when not tightened to frame fasteners 263.
  • base slots 275 and 277 are disposed directly above and transverse to the longitudinal axis of bracket slots 251.
  • This arrangement allows for a wide range of longitudinal or lateral adjustments or a combination of both, depending on the preferences of the individual skater. Adjustment is accomplished by loosening frame fasteners 263. While frame fasteners 263 are loosened, base fasteners 265 are not allowed to turn, since the flat sides of heads 271 are restrained by wide slot portions 283. Thus, loosening of the fasteners can be accomplished with only one tool. Once fasteners 263 and 265 are loosened, longitudinal and lateral adjustment is made, after which, fasteners 242 and 244 are again tightened. The tightening of fasteners 263 and 265 creates enough friction between the top surface of brackets 246 and 248 and the bottom surface of ridges 257 and 259 so that movement of one with respect to the other is prevented.
  • FIGURE 23 illustrates the preferred configuration of base support ribs 261.
  • Base support ribs 261 include a peripheral rib 293 that extends around base portion 239, inward of the outside contours of base portion 239.
  • Peripheral rib 293 extends around the perimeter of base portion 239, near the outer edges of base portion 239.
  • Cross ribs 295 form cross patterns within peripheral rib 293 between forward ridge 257 and rearward ridge 259 and extend radially forward of forward ridge 257, from a point at about the middle of the forward side of forward ridge 257.
  • Peripheral ribs 293 and cross ribs 295 provide torsional, longitudinal, and lateral structural support to base portion 239, while not adding significantly to the weight of base portion 239.
  • FIGURE 25 shows another embodiment of the boot upper 220', including the substantially nonelastic, but flexible strap 228.
  • FIGURE 25 shows the boot upper 220' attached to a lower frame 235 supporting a plurality of wheels 244.
  • the strap 228 is fastened to a forward portion of the heel counter 241, with the in-line skate upright and facing forward.
  • the strap 228 securely holds the skater's heel into the rearward portion of the heel counter 241.
  • the semirigid and rigid support means By securely holding the skater's heel into the heel counter, the semirigid and rigid support means, specifically, the base portion 239, the heel counter 241 and the ankle support cuff 223, are always properly positioned around the skater's foot, thereby providing the necessary support without having to add bulky rigid materials around less critical portions of the skater's foot. Without the strap 228, the skater's foot may float up and down within the boot upper 220', thereby allowing undesired movement of the skater's foot such that control of the skate is diminished.
  • FIGURE 26 there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with the soil, pliable, breatheable portion 222 laminated in place on the base portion 239, as described above.
  • the boot upper 220 may be attached to the lower frame in any of the preferred embodiments or, if the base portion 239 and the lower frame 235 are an integrally molded unit as shown in FIGURE 28, the breatheable portion 222 may simply be laminated thereto, such as by applying glue along the lower sides of the base portion 239, in the area of the heel counter 241 and the toe portion 224, and then curing.
  • FIGURE 27 there is shown a rear sectional view of the embodiment of FIGURE 26, illustrating the ankle support cuff 223, the soft, pliable, breatheable portion 222, the lateral canting means 227, and the external heel counter 241.
  • adhesive may be applied at interface 248 to bond the breatheable portion 222 to the heel counter 241 and the base portion 239.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
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Claims (21)

  1. In-Line-Rollschuh (21), der einen oberen Schuh und einen unteren Rahmen (31) hat, wobei der obere Schuh so angepaßt ist, daß er den Fuß eines Rollschuhfahrers stützt und nach oben gerichtet benachbart zum unteren Rahmen (31) angeordnet ist, und wobei der untere Rahmen (31) mehrere Räder (35) aufweist, die in einer gemeinsamen, in Langsrichtung sich ausdehnenden Drehebene drehbar sind, wobei der obere Schuh aufweist:
    ein nicht-steifes Schuhteil (22), welches angepaßt ist, einen Fuß eines Rollschuhfahrers aufzunehmen, wobei das nicht-steife Schuhteil aus einem im wesentlichen weichen, biegsamen Material gebildet ist, welches angepaßt ist, der Luft zu erlauben, um den Fuß des Rollschuhfahrers zu zirkulieren, und einen Ristbereich aufweist;
    eine Stützeinrichtung, die mit dem nicht-steifen Schuhteil zum Bereitstellen einer Stütze für den oberen Schuh verbunden ist, um dem Rollschuhfahrer helfen, den In-Line-Rollschuh in einer im wesentlichen vertikalen Position zu halten, eine Einrichtung zum Verbinden der Stützeinrichtung an einer Grenzfläche, die durch die Stützeinrichtung vorgesehen ist, mit dem unteren Rahmen;
    wobei die Stützeinrichtung eine Basis (39) aufweist, die eine obere Flache (40) hat, die die Sohle des Fußes des Rollschuhfahrers lagert;
    wobei da nicht-steife Schuhteil mit der Basis verbunden ist, wobei die Verbindung zwischen dem nicht-steifen Schuhteil und der Basis das nicht-steife Schuhteil an der Basis der Stützeinrichtung zumindest an der Zehe und der Ferse eines Fußes des Benutzers befestigt, wobei ein größeres Teil des Ristbereichs des nicht-steifen Schuhteils nicht überdeckt ist;
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
    das nicht-steife Schuhteil an der Basis längs der Seiten der Basis im Bereich der Zehe befestigt ist.
  2. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Basis (239) eine Sohle und eine Ferse aufweist, wobei die Sohle einen nach unten ragenden Stift (238) und die Ferse einen nach unten ragenden Haken (237) hat.
  3. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Basis (39) im wesentlichen steif ist.
  4. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 1, wobei eine Fußknöchelstützstulpe (23) durch eine Befestigungseinrichtung (25, 27, 55, 56) mit dem Rest der Stutzeinrichtung verbunden ist, wobei die Fußknöchelstützstulpe (23) eine Einrichtung (26) zum Sichern der Fußknöchelstützstulpe (23) am Fußknöchel des Rollschuhfahrers aufweist, wodurch die Fußknöchelstützstulpe (23) die Stützeinrichtung nach oben von der Grenzfläche zwischen dem unteren Rahmen (31) und dem oberen Schuh auf eine Position über dem Fußknöchel des Rollschuhfahrers ausdehnt und das nicht-steife Schuhteil (22) sich von der Dauerverbindung zur Stützstulpe (23) ausdehnt.
  5. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Stützeinrichtung des oberen Schuhs außerdem ein Fersengegenstück (41) zum schalenartigen Halten der Ferse des Fußes des Rollschuhfahrers aufweist, wobei das Fersengegenstuck (41) und die Fußknöchelstützstulpe (23) durch die Befestigungseinrichtung (25, 27, 55, 56) verbunden sind, das Fersengegenstück (41) und die Fußknöchelstützstulpe (23) vertikal die Stützeinrichtung nach oben von der Grenzfläche zwischen dem unteren Rahmen (31) und dem oberen Schuh zu einer Position über den Fußknöchel des Rollschuhfahrers ausdehnt, um dem Rollschuhfahrer zu helfen, den In-Line-Rollschuh in einer im wesentlichen vertikalen Position zu halten.
  6. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Stützeinrichtung aufweist:
    eine Fußknöchelstütztulpe (23) zum Umgeben eines Fußknöchelbereichs des nicht-steifen Schuhteils (22), wobei die Fußknöchelstützstulpe (23) einen Riemen (26) hat, um die Fußknöchelstützstulpe (23) am Fuß da Rollschuhfahrers zu sichern;
    ein Fersengegenstück (41), um die Ferse des Fußes des Rollschuhfahrers schalenartig zu halten, wobei das Fersengegenstück (41) und die Fußknöchelstützstulpe (23) durch die Befestigungseinrichtung (25, 27, 55, 56) verbunden ist; und
    wobei die Basis (39) eine obere Fläche (40) hat, um den Fuß des Rollschuhfahrers aufzunehmen, und eine untere Fläche, um eine Grenzfläche zwischen dem unteren Rahmen (31) und dem oberen Schuh bereitzustellen, wobei die Fußknöchelstüzstulpe (23) und das Fersengegenstück (41) die Stützeinrichtung nach oben von der Basis (39) auf eine Position über den Fußknöchel des Rollschuhfahrers vertikal ausdehnt, um dem Rollschuhfahrer zu helfen, den In-Line-Rollschuh in einer in wesentlichen vertikalen Position zu halten, und wobei die Fußknöchelstützstulpe (23) und das Fersengegenstück (41) an der Basis (39) befestigt ist.
  7. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 6, wobei das Fersengegenstück (41) ein integrales Teil der Basis (39) ist und außerdem eine Befestigungseinrichtung umfaßt, um das nichtsteife Schuhteil (22) am Fersengegenstück (41) zu sichern, und das integrale Basisteil (39), das Fersengegenstück (41) und die Basis (39) dem Rollschuhfahrer helfen, den In-Line-Rollschuh in einer im wesentlichen vertikalen Position halten.
  8. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 7, wobei der untere Rahmen (31) ein integrales Teil der Basis (39) ist.
  9. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 6, der einen Riemen (228) aufweist, der angeordnet und ausgebildet ist, den Rist des Rollschuhfahrers zu kreuzen, um den Fuß des Rollschuchfahrers an der Basis (39) zu halten, wobei der Reimen (228) an der Basis (39) auf jeder Seite des Fußes des Rollshuhfahrers gesichert ist.
  10. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 6, wobei der Riemen (228) angeordnet und ausgebildet ist, um über den Rist des Fußes des Rollschuhfahrers zu laufen und am Fersengegenstück (241) befestigt ist.
  11. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 6, wobei die Basis einen ersten Kranz (257) und ein erstes und zweites Basisbefestigungsteil (265) aufweist, wobei der erste Kranz (257) einen ersten Basisschlitz (253) bildet, wobei das erste Basisbefestigungsteil (265) im ersten Basisschlitz (253) gleiten kann, wenn dieses gelöst ist, um zu ermöglichen, daß sich die Basis in bezug auf den Rahmen verschiebt, wobei das erste und zweite Basisbefestigungsteil (265) voneinander längs der Längsachse beabstandet ist.
  12. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 11, wobei die Basis außerdem einen zweiten Kranz (259) aufweist, der einen zweiten Basisschlitz (255) bildet, der in Längsrichtung vom ersten Basisschlitz (253) beabstandet ist, wobei das weite Basisbefestigungsteil (265) im zweiten Basisschlitz (255) verschiebbar ist.
  13. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 4, wobei das nicht-steife Schuhteil (22) im wesentlichen ein äußeres, gewebtes Stoffmaterial und eine innere Schaumpolsterung mit offenen Zellen umfaßt, wobei das nicht-steife Schuhteil (22) außerdem ein offen-maschiges Material umfaßt, welches erlaubt, daß die Luft um den Fuß des Rollschuhfahrers zirkuliert.
  14. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Einrichtung zum Verbinden des oberen Schuhs mit dem unteren Rahmen (31) eine Einrichtung zum Einstellen der Lage des oberen Schuhs in bezug auf den unteren Rahmen (31) aufweist.
  15. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Befestigungseinrichtung zum Verbinden der Fußknöchelstützstulpe (23) an der Stützeinrichtung eine Einrichtung (27) aufweist, um zu erlauben, daß sich die Fußknöchelstützstulpe (23) nach vorne und nach hinten in bezug auf den unteren Rahmen (31) dreht
  16. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Befestigungseinrichtung zum Verbinden der Fußknöchelstützstulpe (23) an der Stützeinrichtung eine Einrichtung (25) umfaßt, um zu erlauben, daß sich die Fußknöchelstützstulpe (23) seitlich in bezug auf den unteren Rahmen (31) dreht.
  17. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Stützeinrichtung sich an die Form des Fußes des Rollschuhfahrers anpassen kann, und wobei die Basis (39) horizontal ist, wobei die horizontale Basis (37) eine obere Fläche (40) hat, um den Fuß des Rollschuhfahrers aufzunehmen, und eine unter Fläche, um eine Grenzfläche zwischen den unteren Rahmen (31) und dem oberen Schuh bereitzustellen, wobei die obere Fläche (40) der Basis (39) im wesentlichen die Kontur der Form des Fußes des Rollschuhfahrers hat, der damit in Kontakt ist, wobei die untere Fläche der Basis (39) eine Befestigungseinrichtung umfaßt, um die Basis (39) am unteren Rahmen (31) zu sichern, wobei die Befestigungseinrichtung eine seitliche und längliche Einstellung des oberen Schuhs in bezug auf den unteren Rahmen (31) erlaubt.
  18. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 17, wobei die Basis (39) außerdem ein integrales Fersengegenstück (41) umfaßt, um die Ferse des Fußes des Rollschuhfahrers schalenförmig zu halten.
  19. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 17, wobei die Basis (39) außerdem eine hochgezogene Stütze (43) auf jeder Seite der Basis (39) benachbart zum Ballen des Fußes des Rollschuhfahrers aufweist, um den Fuß des Rollschuhfahrers seitlich auf der Basis (39) zu stützen.
  20. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 17, wobei die Basis (39) außerdem eine Stützeinrichtung (45, 57, 49) aufweist, die integral mit der Basis (39) verbunden ist, um eine Stütze für den Boden des Fußes des Rollschuhfahrers bereitzustellen.
  21. In-Line-Rollschuh nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Stützeinrichtung halbsteif ist und zumindest teilweise aus wärme-formbaremKunstoff gebildet ist, der geeignet ist, an die Form des Fußes des Rollschuhfahrers durch Erwärmen des Kunststoffmaterials sich anzupassen, um dieses aufzuweichen, wobei erlaubt wird daß sich dieses abkühlt, während der Fuß des Rollschuhfahrers im oberen Schuh in Kontakt mit der Stützeinrichtung positioniert ist.
EP94923975A 1993-07-19 1994-07-19 In-line rollschuh Expired - Lifetime EP0710141B1 (de)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE9422299U DE9422299U1 (de) 1993-07-19 1994-07-19 Rollschuh mit in einer Reihe liegenden Rädern
DE9422133U DE9422133U1 (de) 1993-07-19 1994-07-19 Rollschuh mit in einer Reihe liegenden Rollen
DE9422262U DE9422262U1 (de) 1993-07-19 1994-07-19 Rollschuh mit einer in Reihe liegenden Rollen
DE9421940U DE9421940U1 (de) 1993-07-19 1994-07-19 Rollschuh mit in einer Reihe liegenden Rollen

Applications Claiming Priority (11)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US94576 1993-07-19
US08094576 US5437466B1 (en) 1993-07-19 1993-07-19 In-line roller skate
US10074593A 1993-08-02 1993-08-02
US100745 1993-08-02
US08/120,629 US5452907A (en) 1993-07-19 1993-09-13 Skate with adjustable base and frame
US120629 1993-09-13
US179302 1994-01-10
US08/179,302 US5549310A (en) 1993-07-19 1994-01-10 In-line roller skate with improved frame assembly
US08/188,961 US5470085A (en) 1993-07-19 1994-01-26 Braking apparatus for in-line roller skates
PCT/US1994/008155 WO1995003101A1 (en) 1993-07-19 1994-07-19 In-line roller skate
US188961 2005-07-25

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0710141A1 EP0710141A1 (de) 1996-05-08
EP0710141A4 EP0710141A4 (de) 1996-09-11
EP0710141B1 true EP0710141B1 (de) 1999-07-21

Family

ID=27536712

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94923975A Expired - Lifetime EP0710141B1 (de) 1993-07-19 1994-07-19 In-line rollschuh

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EP (1) EP0710141B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH09500306A (de)
CN (1) CN1106872C (de)
AT (1) ATE182277T1 (de)
AU (1) AU7400494A (de)
DE (2) DE710141T1 (de)
WO (1) WO1995003101A1 (de)

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US5678833A (en) * 1995-06-07 1997-10-21 Rollerblade, Inc. Adjustable fit in-line skate
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE710141T1 (de) 1996-10-10
WO1995003101A1 (en) 1995-02-02
CN1128499A (zh) 1996-08-07
CN1106872C (zh) 2003-04-30
DE69419612T2 (de) 2000-05-04
EP0710141A4 (de) 1996-09-11
JPH09500306A (ja) 1997-01-14
AU7400494A (en) 1995-02-20
DE69419612D1 (de) 1999-08-26
EP0710141A1 (de) 1996-05-08
ATE182277T1 (de) 1999-08-15

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