The present invention relates to a shoe, particularly to a skate with in-line
wheels that allows size adjustment.
Nowadays it is known to manufacture skates provided with a frame that
supports a plurality of in-line wheels and is associated, in an upward region,
with a shell of adjustable length, so as to allow the skate to be used by
different people or, if the user is still growing, by the same user for a long
period of time.
In this regard, EPA 00128112.0 discloses a skate provided with a frame
for supporting a plurality of in-line wheels, which is associated in an
upward region with a heel unit above which a cuff is in turn associated, said
cuff wrapping around the lower part of the leg of the user.
A toe unit is further associated with the front part of the frame and can
slide longitudinally so as to allow to vary, by way of the activation of
suitable adjustment means, the size of said skate according to the size of the
foot of the user.
The toe unit and the heel unit constitute a shell for containing, together
with the cuff, an advantageously soft innerboot.
Said innerboot, made of non-stretch material, is provided at the toe with
a suitable longitudinal elongation device, which is constituted for example
by stretchable bands.
The adjustment means used in said skate comprise an actuator, which is
arranged outside said frame approximately below the toe unit and can be
actuated directly by the user so as to arrange said toe unit selectively with
respect to the frame.
In particular, the actuator has a first position, in which said toe unit can
slide freely with respect to the frame, and a second position, in which the
toe unit is locked with respect to the frame.
The main drawback of this known type of skate consists of the fact that
the toe unit and the heel unit, in order to perform a suitable containment of
the foot, must have raised lateral edges that partially overlap each other
according to a telescopic configuration.
Another drawback of the cited known type of skate relates to the fact that
said telescopic arrangement of the toe unit and the heel unit requires
precision manufacturing, with low tolerances, so as to avoid the possibility
of jamming or the presence of excessive clearances.
Another drawback is the fact that the presence of a toe unit and of a heel
unit that have a large surface causes low comfort and reduced breathability
for the foot, since these components are usually made of rigid and non-breathable
materials.
U.S. 4,684,140 is also known which discloses a device that is adapted to
adjust the length of a skate and is arranged below the frame.
Such known type of device is constituted by a lever that activates the
movement of a pivot that is arranged at right angles and below the frame
and is provided with a toothed tab that is adapted to interact with a
complementarily shaped set of teeth formed below said frame.
The main drawback of such known type of adjustment device is the fact
that its manual activation is particularly awkward and troublesome, since the
user must act at a region that is located below the skate frame.
The aim of the present invention is therefore to solve the above noted
problems, eliminating the drawbacks of the cited known art, and thus to
provide a skate with adjustable size that is highly comfortable for the user,
said adjustable size entailing low manufacturing costs.
Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a skate
that allows to perform mostly simple and rapid manufacturing operations
that entail very low manufacturing costs.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a skate that has
reduced weight and dimensions, said structure allowing good breathability
and at the same time optimum containment of the foot and effective
transmission of forces to the ground.
Another object of the invention is to provide a skate whose size can be
modified always rapidly and effectively, without the possibility of causing
jamming or other adjustment defects.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a skate that is sturdy
and aesthetically pleasant.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a skate that is
structurally simple and has low manufacturing costs.
This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent
hereinafter are achieved by an adjustment device, particularly for adjusting
the length of a skate, said skate comprising:
- a frame provided with first means for connection to two or more
wheels;
- a shell, which is associated with said frame in order to accommodate
at least the heel of the user;
- a toe unit, which is slidingly associated with said shell and/or said
frame in order to accommodate the tip of the user's foot;
characterized in that it comprises slider means that can be actuated by
the user, are associated substantially transversely to said toe unit in contrast
with elastic means, and interact selectively with said frame and/or shell.
Advantageously, in said adjustment device said slider means comprise
second engagement means, which are adapted to act selectively with one or
more abutment elements, which are associated with said frame and/or said
shell.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become
better apparent from the detailed description of a particular embodiment
thereof, illustrated by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of some components of a
skate, such as a frame associated with a shell, a cuff, a toe unit and a slider; Figure 2 is a sectional view of a detail of Figure 1, taken along the line
II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial bottom perspective view of the skate with which the
toe unit is associable; Figures 4 and 5 are two separate top perspective views of the toe unit,
with which a slider is associable so that it can slide transversely; Figures 6 and 7 are two separate partially sectional views, taken along a
longitudinal plane, of the frame associated with the toe unit, with the slider
respectively in the temporary locking position and in the release position; Figure 8 is a sectional view of the invention, taken along the line VIII-VIII
of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a sectional view of the invention, taken along the line IX-IX
of Figure 7; Figures 10 and 11 are two separate top perspective views of the toe unit
associated with the frame, with the slider shown respectively in the
temporary locking position and in the release position.
In the examples of embodiment that follow, individual characteristics,
given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with
other different characteristics that exist in other examples of embodiments.
With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally
designates a skate, which is shown partially and comprises a frame 2.
In the described embodiment, the frame 2 has a transverse cross-section
that is preferably shaped like an inverted letter U and is therefore provided
with a first flat base 3, at the ends of which two first wings, generally
designated by the reference numeral 4, protrude downward and
approximately at right angles.
The frame 2 is provided with first means for connection to one or more
in-line wheels, not shown, which are preferably constituted by one or more
pairs of through holes, which are designated by the reference numeral 5 and
are formed at matching regions of the first wings 4, and by seats for pivots
for the pivoting of said wheels.
Said holes 5 are provided proximate to the lower edge of each wing 4 so
as to be arranged in succession with respect to each other at a preset
distance from each other.
A shell 6 is associated with the frame 2 in an upward region and affects,
or extends over a portion of the base 3 that corresponds to the region of the
foot that goes from the heel to approximately the plantar arch.
More particularly, the shell 6 is constituted by a first flat and horizontal
plate 7, which is associated or rigidly coupled above the base 3.
The first plate 7 is provided, laterally and at the rear, with a first raised
edge 8 for wrapping around the heel of the foot.
A cuff 9 for wrapping around the lower part of the leg of the user is
associated in an upward region with said first raised edge 8 so that it can
rotate about a pivoting axis that is substantially transverse to the base 3.
One or more fastening levers 13 for a soft innerboot, not shown, are
associable with the cuff and with the shell.
At the first upper surface, designated by the reference numeral 10, of
the first plate 7 there is a first slot 11 that is provided longitudinally starting
from the front edge of said plate and has a substantially C-shaped profile in
a transverse cross-section.
The front end of the first slot 11 is partially closed transversely because
two first tabs, generally designated by the reference numeral 12, are
associated or rigidly coupled thereto.
At the front of the frame 2 it is possible to associate slidingly a toe unit,
designated by the reference numeral 14, which comprises a second flat base
15 that is provided laterally and at the front with a second raised edge 16 for
partially wrapping around the tip of the foot.
The second base 15 can rest at least partially at the first front region,
designated by the reference numeral 17, of the base 3, which is not affected
by the shell 6.
The reference numeral 18 designates the tips of the second raised edge
16 that protrude to the rear of the second base 15.
A second flat tab 20 protrudes at right angles to the third rear edge,
designated by the reference numeral 19, of the second base 15,
approximately at a central axis; said tab has an approximately T-shaped plan
shape and lies on the same plane as the second base 15.
The second tab 20 is therefore provided with a stem 21, which is
connected at one end at right angles to the third rear edge 19 of the second
base 15 and is provided, at the opposite end, with a head 22 that is
approximately as wide as the first slot 11 of the first plate 7 of the shell 6.
It is therefore possible to insert the second tab 20 in the first slot 11 by
way of a downward movement.
Said first slot therefore allows the sliding engagement of the second tab
20 until said tab abuts against the first tabs 12, so as to prevent the axial
extraction of said second tab 20 from said first slot 11.
Abutment elements protrude upward and at right angles to the first front
region 17 and from the base 3 of the frame 2 and are preferably constituted
by a plurality of first toothed profiles 23 and by a plurality of second
toothed profiles 24, each of which is arranged along a same longitudinal
axis and is parallel to the others.
The first toothed profiles 23 are therefore constituted by a plurality of
first teeth, each designated by the reference numeral 25a, which are
arranged mutually in succession at a preset distance from each other.
Likewise, the second toothed profiles 24 are constituted by a plurality of
second teeth, each designated by the reference numeral 25b, which are
identical to the first teeth 25a, so as to allow the alignment, along an axis
that is transverse to the first base 3, of each first tooth 25a with a
corresponding second tooth 25b.
A gap, designated by the reference numeral 50, is formed between each
one of said first teeth 25a and between each one of said second teeth 25b.
The first teeth 25a and the second teeth 25b also have, in a cross-section
taken transversely to the base 3, a shape that is approximately like an
inverted letter L, and are therefore provided with a first wing 26, which at
one end is connected at right angles to the base 3 and at the opposite end is
connected to a first protrusion 27, which protrudes laterally thereto and is
directed toward the outer edges of the base 3.
A second slot 29 and a third slot 30 are formed longitudinally at the
second lower surface, designated by the reference numeral 28, of the second
base 15 of the toe unit 14; said slots are parallel to each other at a distance
equal to the distance between the first toothed profiles 23 and the second
toothed profiles 24, so as to slidingly accommodate them.
Said second slot 29 and said third slot 30 have, in a transverse cross-section,
a shape that is advantageously complementary to the shape of the
first teeth 25a and of the second teeth 25b, so as to allow, by way of a front
insertion of the toe unit 14, to slidingly position said first and second teeth
at said second and third slots, respectively.
The toe unit 14 is therefore allowed to slide substantially longitudinally
with respect to the base 3; furthermore, if said toe unit 14 is pulled upward,
the interaction of the first protrusions 27 with the respective surfaces of said
second slot 29 and said third slot 30 prevents any vertical extraction of said
toe unit 14 with respect to the first base 3.
A fourth slot 31 and a fifth slot 32 are also formed transversely to the
second lower surface 28 of the second base 15, preferably at a region that is
adjacent to the second tab 20, affect or extend over the entire width of said
second lower surface 28 and are arranged at right angles to said second slot
29 and said third slot 30, so as to intersect them.
Said fourth slot 31 and said fifth slot 32 are deeper than said second slot
29 and said third slot 30 and are arranged at a mutual distance that is
equivalent to the center distance between said first and second teeth.
The fourth slot 31 and the fifth slot 32 are also at least as wide as the gap
50 between two first consecutive teeth 25a and therefore between two
consecutive second teeth 25b.
A recess or hollow 33 is formed on one side of the second raised edge 16
of the toe unit 14, starting from the second lower surface 28, and is
connected to the fourth and fifth slots 31 and 32 at a wall 34 formed in a
downward region by said recess or hollow 33 at right angles to said second
lower surface 28.
Once the arrangement of the first toothed profiles 23 and of the second
toothed profiles 24 has been determined, at the respective second slot 29
and third slot 30 of the toe unit 14 the longitudinal sliding of said toe unit
with respect to the first base 3 can be set in a selected arrangement and
locked temporarily by using an adjustment device, which preferably
comprises a slider means designated by the reference numeral 35.
Said slider means comprises a cheek 36, whose plan shape is
approximately complementary to the shape of the recess or hollow 33 and
from which a first arm 37a and a second arm 37b protrude, said arms being
arranged parallel to each other at a mutual distance equal to the distance
between the fourth slot 31 and the fifth slot 32.
The first arm 37a and the second arm 37b are each shaped
approximately like a face-down letter F and have a maximum height and an
overall length and width that are approximately equal to, or at the most
slightly smaller than, the corresponding dimensions of said fourth slot 31
and said fifth slot 32.
The first arm 37a and the second arm 37b are therefore each constituted
by a straight bar 38, whose height is slightly less than the gap 50 between
the upper ends of the first and second teeth 25a, 25b and the lower surface
28 of the second base 15; second engagement means protrude below the
straight bar 38 and at right angles thereto and are preferably constituted by a
third tooth 39a and a fourth tooth 39b, which are adapted to be arranged
temporarily in the gap 50 between said first teeth 25a and between second
teeth 25b.
More particularly, the third tooth 39a and the fourth tooth 39b are
approximately as high as, or at the most slightly higher than, said first teeth
25a and second teeth 25b.
The third tooth 39a is slightly shorter than the distance between the first
toothed profiles 23 and the second toothed profiles 24, while the fourth
tooth 39b is approximately as long as said second teeth 25b are wide.
Furthermore, the third tooth 39a and the fourth tooth 39b have such
dimensions that they affect together either the gap 50, provided between two
contiguous first teeth 25a and two contiguous second teeth 25b, or arrange
themselves laterally thereto so as to allow the axial movement of the toe unit
14 with respect to the first base 3.
Once a chosen first tooth 25a and the corresponding second tooth 25b
have been interposed between the fourth and fifth slots 31 and 32, it is then
possible to push manually the cheek 36 of the slider 35 toward the hollow or
recess 33 of the toe unit 14, so as to produce the gradual insertion of the first
arm 37a and of the second arm 37b in the respective fourth slot 31 and fifth
slot 32.
An elastically compressible element is arranged between the wall 34 of
the recess or hollow 33 and the cheek 36 of the slider 35 and is preferably
constituted by a spring 40, which pulls said slider 35 toward the outside of
the toe unit 14 and of the first base 3 of the frame 2.
A depression 41 is formed transversely on the upper surface of the
straight bar 38 of said first arm 37a and said second arm 37b at a region
located above the third tooth 39a, and has a chosen length that is
approximately equal to the length of said third tooth 39a or fourth tooth 39b.
A second protrusion 42 protrudes in a downward region at right angles
to the upper surface of said fourth slot 31 and said fifth slot 32, can be
arranged at the depression 41, and abuts against the step-like surfaces
formed at the ends of the depression 41 when the relative position of the
slider 35 and of said fourth and fifth slots varies.
With reference to Figures 8 and 10, arranging the third tooth 39a
between two adjacent first teeth 25a arranges the fourth tooth 39b between
two adjacent second teeth 25b and arranges the second protrusion 42 in
abutment against the step-like surface of the depression 41 that lies closest
to the fourth tooth 39b.
This accordingly prevents the extraction of the slider 35 of the toe unit
14 due to the traction applied by the spring 40, consequently keeping said
slider 35 in the position for temporarily blocking the longitudinal sliding of
the toe unit 14 with respect to the base 3 of the frame 2.
Vice versa, with reference to Figures 9 and 11, pushing manually on the
cheek 36 so as to arrange it in contact with the recess or hollow 33 places
the third tooth 39a at the region of the first base 3 that is interposed between
the first toothed profiles 23 and the second toothed profiles 24 and arranges
the fourth tooth 39b in the region of said first base 3 that is interposed
between the second profiles 24 and the adjacent end of the respective fourth
slot 31 and fifth slot 32, so as to allow the longitudinal sliding of the toe
unit 14 with respect to the first base 3.
It has thus been found that the skate according to the present invention
has achieved the intended aim and objects, an adjustment device having
been provided which allows to vary easily and quickly the length of said
skate thanks to the arrangement and lateral activation of the slider with
respect to the toe unit.
The invention is of course susceptible of numerous modifications and
variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.
Thus, for example, it is possible to provide toothed profiles and slots that
have different configurations and arrangements with respect to the one
described.
One might also provide, for example, a slider that has a configuration
that is different from the one described and has a different number of arms.
The materials used, as well as the dimensions that constitute the
individual components of the invention, may of course be more pertinent
according to requirements.
The various means for performing certain different functions need not
certainly coexist only in the illustrated embodiment but can be present per
se in many embodiments, including ones that are not illustrated.
The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. TV2002A000135 from
which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by
reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole
purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such
reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each
element identified by way of example by such reference signs.