GB2304293A - Guard for in-line skates - Google Patents

Abstract

A guard 1 for in-line skates which prevents the rollers on the skates from rotating, and can be used for example on one skate may be made of rubber or similar material and fits underneath the rollers and includes a frictional element 18 pressing against the edge 10 of at least one roller preventing it from rotating, and means 20 for connecting the frictional element to the skate e.g. by establishing a connection to the boot or to another roller. Holes 24 for fingers or a tool are provided for putting on and taking off.

Description

IMPROVED COVER FOR IN-LINE SKATES The present invention relates to a guard for in-line (roller) skates. The guard is lightweight, easy to carry. easy to use, adaptable to a variety of sizes of in-line skates and inexpensive to manufacture. The guard prevents the rollers or wheels of in-line skates from rotating. enabling the user to to walk rather than skate on their in-line skates, as required when entering settings such as retail stores and eating establishments.

Increased interest in physical fitness has resulted in increased popularity of cardiovascular sports such as in-line skating. Such skating is popular as both a recr. > ational activity and as a means of transportation.

In-line roller skates consist of a boot and wheels or rollers which are attached to the boot. The boot may also include a brake at the back of the boot to enable the skater to come to a halt.

Learning in-line skating can be difficult. The rotation of the rollers may cause beginners to lose their balance and frequently results in beginners falling. To prevent falls, beginners sometimes wear one skate and one shoe. However, this option may put a beginner off-balance because the leg with the shoe is a different height than the leg with the skate. Furthermore, this option does not give a beginner a true sensation of the balance required to in line roller skate. Because balance is important to in-line skaters. the beginner often attempts to learn using both skates. falls, becomes frustrated and abandons the sport.

Few skaters carry shoes to change into if the skater wishes to enter a commercial building. Many owners of commercial premises prohibit skaters from entering their premises. The concerns of these owners include potential injury to other persons and to the skaters, and the unruly atmosphere caused by skaters skating rather than walking.

In-line skating is cardiovascular exercise which has the maximum benefit if the skater is able to swing both arms freely. Skaters strive to move quickly, darting in between pedestrians, bicycles and other vehicles, Accessories impede'this speedy movement and can put a skater off-balance. For these reasons, skaters avoid carrying hand-held accessories, whenever possible.

During their skate, skaters may need to cross (1) rough ground such as stairs, steps, beaches, land undergoing construction and undeveloped land, (2) obstacles such as walls, inclines. and railway ties, or (3) slippery ground. The rollers on the skates make it difficult for skaters to cross rough ground. siippery ground and obstacles. Many experienced skaters have had serious injuries resulting from falls from their attempts to cross such ground and obstacles.

Many beginners abandon their skate or tum back when faced with such hazards In the past. skaters have sometimes diverted their course to avoid these hazards. However, this may detract from the enjoyment of the skate and may lengthen the duration of the skate. Other skaters proceed with their course and have been injured by falling.

Skaters wearing ice skates use guards to protect their blades and to help the skaters to walk on ground. These guards are described in United States Patent Number 4,021,054 (Csutor) and in French Patent Number 2232912 (Dupuy). However, these guards cannot be used for in-line skates because the guards are not adaptable to rollers.

Canadian patent application number 2,065,834 (Lemay) describes a guard for in-line roller skates. This guard resembles a guard for ice skates. The guard consists of an extruded polyvinyl chloride rail which has a longitudinal groove to accept the wheels of an in-line roller skate. The inside walls of this groove are lined with inward facing teeth which clamp onto a typical in-line roller skate wheel. A retention strap over the top of the in-line roller skate boot keeps the guard in its ptace. A wheel chock fastened into the longitudinal groove of the rail prevents fore and aft movement of the in-line roller skate within the guard.

This guard, however. has a number of disadvantages. It is cumbersome and heavy, has mechanical parts which can break, is difficult to use. and is fairty expensive to manufacture. The guard shifts during use. It cannot be used for different sizes of in-line roller skates. For these reasons, the guard is not widely used by avid in-line skaters. Although the guard may stabilize the second foot of a beginner, the guard throws beginners off balance because the leg with the guard is longer than the leg with only the skate.

Thus, a need exists for a guard for in-line skates which is lightweight. easy to carry, easy to use, inexpensive to manufacture. and effectively prevents the rollers on the skates from rotating. It would be helpful if the guard could be used for different sizes of in-line roller skates. A need also exists for a guard which does not substantially add to the height and weight of the second skate. so that the second skate stabilizes the beginner's footing and gives the beginner a true sense of the balance required for in-line roller skating.

Summary of the Invention The present invention fulfills these needs. It provides a guard for a skate having a boot and in-line rollers with edges. The guard includes a frictional element pressing against the edge of at least one roller preventing it from rotating and means for connecting the frictional element to the skate. The connecting means may connect the frictional element to the boot or to another roller.

In one case, the frictional element and the connecting means are made of rubber, for example, neoprene. Where the connecting means is rubber, the connecting means presses against a part of the skate1 possibly another roller, the back of the boot of the skate. a brake at the back of the boot. or the front of the boot. The guard may be made of a collapsible material so that the guard fits into a pouch or a pocket.

The frictional element may also have an exterior portion adapted to engage the surface of the ground without substantial slippage. In one instance, the exterior portion is a tread.

The guard may also include means for applying the guard to or removing the guard from the skate. The applying means may be one or more apertures in the guard. The applying means could additionally include a hand held tool for insertion into the apertures facilitating the application or removal of the guard.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood from a reading of the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and a review of the drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of a guard attached to an in-line skate according to one embodiment of the invent ion.

FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the guard of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an elevation view of the front of the guard of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an elevation view of the back of the guard of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 shows a cover mounted on the skate.

FIGS. 6-12 show other embodiments utilizing a rounded tread profile and a brake-receiving "cut-out".

Detailed Description FIGURE 1 shows a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a guard. The guard is constructed using lightweight rubber or other suitable material. Thus, the guard is easy to Carry, easy to use and is inexpensive to manufacture.

It can be used for a range of different sizes of roller blade skates. It effectively prevents the rollers on skates from rotating, thus making it easier for (1) skaters to cross rough or slippery ground or obstacles, (2) skaters to enter premises whose owners currently prohibit access to skaters, and (3) beginners to learn how to skate.

As can be seen in FiGURE 1, an in-line roller skate 2 typically consists of a boot 4 and a number of rollers 6. The boot 4 has a front 14 and a back 16 The back 16 may also have a brake (not shown).

Each roller 6 resembles a disc with a relatively flat top and bottom and a rounded edge 10 which contacts the surface 12 of the ground. The rollers 6 are attached to the boot 4 with a pin 8. The rollers 6 rotate about pin 8. As is apparent from FIGURE 2, the rollers 6 are longitudinally aligned.

Absent a guard which presses against the rollers 6. the rollers rotate about pin 8 and roll over the surface 12 of the ground when the skate is in use.

FIGURE 1 shows how the guard 1 of this invention is interposed between the edge 10 of the rollers 6 and the surface 12 of the ground thereby preventing the rollers 6 from rotating.

FIGURE 1 shows the guard 1 of this invention. It includes a frictional element 18 pressing against the edge 10 of at least one roller 6 preventing it from rotating and means 20 for connecting the frictional element 18 to the skate 2. In the preferred embodiment, the frictional element 18 and the connecting means 20 is a single piece of neoprene. The connecting means 20 presses against the edge 10 of the front roller 7 and the back 16 of the boot 4 thereby connecting the frictional element 18 to the skate. Where the back 16 of the boot 4 has a brake (not shown), the connecting means 20 may press against the brake, In an alternative, the connecting means 20 connects the frictional element 18 to another roller 6. In yet another alternative, the connecting means 20 connects the frictional element 18 8 to the front 14 of the boot 4.In that embodiment, the connecting means 20 presses against the edge 10 of the back roller 9 and the front 14 of the boot 4 thereby connecting the frictional element to the skate.

In the preferred embodiment, the guard 1 is made of a synthetic rubber such as neoprene. Neoprene is lightweight and allows the guard 1 to be collapsed into a pouch or a pocket or tucked into a belt for storage The guard 1 may be made using different colours of neoprene and with different logos on the neoprene.

Neoprene is obtained by the polymerization of chloroprene, a colourless liquid derivative of butadiene resistant to oil and aging and used in waterproofing products. The manufacture of a mould to make the guard 1 of this invention and the extrusion of neoprene is known to those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment. the dimensions of the guard 1 after it is applied to the boot 4 are (1) 3" from the surface 12 to the upper edge 10 of the front roller 7, (2) 6 from the surface 12 to the upper edge 10 of the rear roller 9; (3) 12" from the front edge 10 of the front roller 7 to the back edge 10 of the back roller 9. The thickness of the neoprene wall, in applied condition, is about 114" These dimensions may be varied substantially depending on the size of the skate 2 and the size of the guard 1 without departing from the scope of this invention.

As can be seen in FIGURE 1, an exterior portion of the frictional element 18 is adapted to engage the surface 12 of the ground without substantial slippage. In the preferred embodiment. the exterior portion is a tread. As can be seen in FIGURES 2. 3 and 4, the tread rolls up the front of the guard and up the back of the guard so that the tread contacts the surface 12 of the ground when a skater is walking.

The guard 1 includes a means 24 for applying the guard to or removing the guard 1 from the skate 2. In the preferred embodiment. the applying means 24 are two apertures 24 in the guard 1. A skates fingers fit within the apertures 24 to pull the guard 1 onto the skate 2 or to remove the guard 1 from the skate 2.

The guard could include a hand held tool such as a plastic stick to help a skater remove the guard 1 from the skate 2.

The connecting means 20 may include a means for fastening the guard 1 to the skate 2. The fastening means (not shown) may be one or more buttons on the back 16 or front 14 of the boot 4 so that the guard 1 is actually stored on the skate 2.

Iii use, a skater simply uncuris the guard 1, uses one finger to keep the front of the guard pressed against the top edge 10 of the front roller 7. inserts one finger into the apertures 24 and pulls the guard over the remaining rollers 6 and up the back 16 of the boot 4. The skater then removes the finger from the apertures 24. Because the guard 1 is made of neoprene or a like material. the guard snaps into place, pressing against the back of the boot 4 with little slippage. The guard 1 also presses against the edge 10 of the rollers 6 preventing them from rotating and helps a skater to walk without falling.

Because the guard 1 is made of a flexible material, it can be used for a range of sizes of skates. The guard simply stretches to accommodate larger sizes of skates and contracts to accommodate smaller sizes of skates. This helps in manufacturing, packaging and labelling the guard as it need only be offered for sale in a limited range of sizes (for example. small, medium, large).

Further Embodiment: Radiused Interior Sole. Exterior Tread Surfaces FIG. 7 shows another, preferred embodiment of the invention, having (i) a "cut-out" or cut-away portion on one of each pair of covers for accommodating the brake assembly of a convcntional in-line skate, (ii) a tread portion having a rounded bottom surface instead of a flat bottom surface, (iii) tread elements which are substantially hcmisphcrical instead oí linear, and (iv) an inner wheel-receiving lower (sole) surface which is substantially concave, instead of substantially flat, for gripping the wheels or rollers of the in-line skate.

This embodiment of the invention is designed to be easily mounted on and removed from a typical modem in-line skate, which may have a brake device such as a rear brake pad. Skates of this type are cornmcrcially available from Rollerblade, Inc. of Minneapolis. Minnesota, as well as from other manufaclurers. The design and construction of skates of this typc are depicted and discussed in the following U.S. Patents assigned to Rollerblade, Inc., the teachings of which are incorporated herein by rcfcrcnce: 5,411,276; 5,408,763; 5,380,020; 5,342,070; 5,340,132; and 5,331,752.

In particular, FIG. 7 shows a typical right-side in-line skate 500 having a brake assembly 510, upon which is mounted a cover 520 in accordance with the noted embodiment of the invention, having a brake-receiving cut-out 530 through which the brake assembly 510 protrudes when the cover 520 is mounted on the skate 500.

Molded into the lower portion of the cover 520 is a tread portion 540 (corresponding to the outsole portion of a shoe). The tread portion 540 includes a plurality of raised, substantially hcmisphcrical tread clcmcnts 542 which provide enhanced traction when walking on wet or loose granular surfaces.

Rounded Inner Surface: Unlike the previously-discussed cover, both the outer tread surface and corresponding inner wheel receiving (sole) surface are rounded or radiused. As indicated in the drawings, the inner radiused surface has a radius substantially similar to that of the typical in-line skate wheel, so as to maximi7e the inner surface area of the cover in contact with the skate wheels. As a result, gripping force applied to the wheels is maximized.

It can be seen from the drawings that the inner radiused surface continues from beneath the wheels all the way up the forward portion of the cover, such that the front whccl, for example, is substantially surrounded by the radiused iller surface along both its bottom and forward-facing surfaces.

Similarly, the radiused inncr surface continues up the rearward portion of the cover, such that the rear wheel is substantially surrounded along both its bottom and rcar-lacillg surfaces.

As a result of the radiused contact surfaces running along the front, botlonl and rear of the wheeled portion of the skate, gripping force exerted by the cover upon the wheels is maximized, such that the wheels of the skate are positively locked when the cover is in use. Walking safety is thus maxiniized.

Rounded Outer Surface; the rounded outer surface providcs significant advantages over the prcviously-discu.ssed flat outcr tread configuration. In particular, the rounded cross-section of the tread, coupled with the rounded inner surface, yields a lower cover portion (i.e. "sonic" portion) which is of substantially conslant thickness regardless of whether the user's foot rolls lalerally while walking. As a result, when the user walks in the cover having the rounded tread, a more natural "fcel" is presented to the user. Walking comfort and conlrol are iiicreascd. while user fatigue is reduced.

In addition, the rounded surface reduces wear and substantially increases tread life, in that it has been observed that the natural laleral rolling behavior of walking tends to "knock off' the corners of the cover having the flat tread design.

SIemispherical Tread Elements: The heinispherical tread elements shown in the drawings also present advantages. First, the tread design utilizing such clemenls is substantially sclf- cleaning, and unlike the flat "block" tread discussed above, does not trap or accumulate debris.

Secondly, the hemispherical tread cements cooperate with the rounded tread profile in permitting a natural lateral rolling motion of the uscr's foot while walking. Finally, the hemispherical tread elements provide increased traction while walking over wet or loose granular surfaces.

Brake-Receiving Cut-Out: As will be understood by reference to the drawings, the use of the brake-receiving "cut-out" signiiicanlly increases the ease of installing and removing the cover according to the present invention, particularly when a bulky brake device is in place on the inline skate. In addition, since the "cut-out" surrounds the brake device, the retention force between the cover and the in-line skate is actually increased, thereby enhancing user control and safety while walking.

In many pairs of in-line skates currently in production, only one skate (typically the rightside skate) is fitted with a braking device 510. In such cascs, the pairs of covers can be sold with only one side (referrcd to as the "brake side") having a brake-receiving cut-out portion.

Reinforcinz Bcad Portions: Reference to the drawings also shows that thcrc is a reinforcing bead portion surrounding the brake the cut-out portion, and a rcinforcing bead around the upper portion of the cover. The reinforcing bead portion acts as a "drawstring". causing the upper cover portion to close tightly around the upper portion C)f the in-line skate, thereby increasing the retention force holding the covcr to the skate, and thus ejihancijig use1 control and safcty while walking.

Eyelet: In a preferred embodiment an eyelet is provided in the upper potion of each cover. This is typically utilized for attaching a pair of covers togelher, as by a slrap. but can also be utilized to assist in pulling the covers onto the skates. When an eyelet is provided a reinforcing bead portion is also provided, and molded around the eyelet portion, to increase strength and thereby reduce the possibility of tearing, particularly when the covet is heing applied or removed.

Pull-On Tab: The cover also utilizes a pull-on tab 590 molded integrally with the cover and located on the uppcr surface of the cover near the forward portion thereof: Vhen donning the covers, the user can grasp the pull-on tab 540 to assist in pulling the forward portion ol the covel over the forward portion of the skate 500.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, departures may be made to these preferred embodiments without departing from the scope of this invention.

Claims (21)

CLAIMS:

1. A guard for a skate having a boot and in-line rollers. each roller having an edge, the guard compnsing: o a frictional element pressing against the edge of at least one roller preventing it from rotating; and means for connecting the frictional element to the skate.

2. A guard as set out in claim 1, wherein the connecting means connects the frictional element to the boot.

3. A guard as set out in claim 1, wherein the connecting means connects the frictional element to another roller.

4. A guard as set out in claim 1 2 or 3, wherein the frictional element and the connecting means are made of rubber.

5. A guard as set out in claim 4, wherein the frictional element and the connecting means are made of a single piece of neoprene.

6. A guard for a skate having a boot and in-line rollers each roller having an edge, the guard comprising: o a frictional element pressing against the edge of the rollers preventing them from rotating; and means for connecting the frictional element to the skate.

wherein the frictional element and the connecting means are made of a single piece of rubber.

7 A guard as set out in claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein rubber of the connecting means presses against the skate.

8. A guard as set out in claim 4 , 5 or 6, wherein the boot has a front and a back and the rubber of the connecting means presses against the back of the boot.

9. A guard as set out in claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the back of the boot includes a brake, and wherein the rubber of the connecting means presses against the brake.

10. A guard as set out in claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the boot has a front and a back and the rubber of the connecting means presses against the front of the boot.

11. A guard as set out in claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the rubber of the connecting means presses against another roller.

12. A guard as set out in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guard is collapsible.

13. A guard as set out in any one of the preceding clans, urein the skate is for travel over a surface and the frictional element further comprises an exterior portion adapted to engage the surface without substantial slippage.

14 A guard as set out in any one of the preceding dlains, further comprising roans for applying the guard to or removing the guard from the skate.

15. A guard as set out in claim 14, wherein the applying means comprises one or more apertures in the guard.

16. A guard as set out in claim 15, wherein the applying means is a hand held tool for insertion into the apertures.

17. A guard as set out in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting means further comprises a means for fastening the guard to the skate.

18. A guard as set out in claim 17, wherein the fastening means is a button.

19. A guard for an in-line skate comprising a frictional element connectable to the skate for inhibiting rotation of at least one roller of the skate.

20. A guard for an in-line skate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 or 6 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.

21. An in-line skate in combination with a guard in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.