US20030209867A1

US20030209867A1 - Roller skate

Info

Publication number: US20030209867A1
Application number: US10/356,925
Authority: US
Inventors: Erwin Weitgasser; Detlev Magerer
Original assignee: Skechers USA Inc II
Current assignee: Skechers USA Inc II
Priority date: 2002-05-13
Filing date: 2003-01-30
Publication date: 2003-11-13
Also published as: CN1473642A; WO2003097184A3; JP2005519718A; AU2003212425A8; AT5881U1; WO2003097184A2; AU2003212425A1; CA2430596A1; TW200306222A

Abstract

A roller skate: a shoe forming a sole; a rail placed against the sole; first and second wheel truck adapters (“adapters”) each fastened to the sole by a bolt passing through the rail; wheel trucks attachable to the adapters. The bottom surface of the rail is profiled. The top surface of each adapter is profiled to engage the bottom surface of the rail. The adapters when pressed against the rail are rotationally and laterally stabilized but may slide lengthwise along the rail. One fastener secures each adapter to the sole. The relative locations and separations of the fasteners, and the points at which the fasteners penetrate the rail, are determined primarily with reference to the structure of the sole. Adapters are stabilized in angle relative to one another substantially without reference to the distance between them. Adapters may be spaced apart any distance within a range accommodated by a single rail. Thus, fewer parts and steps are needed to assemble the roller skate and fewer rails are needed to construct roller skates of all desired sizes. Optionally, a rail may define a channel through which a fastener may be inserted at any of a range of lengthwise locations. Optionally, one wheel truck may be modified to carry a wheel-equipped fork, resulting in a three-wheeled roller skate.

Description

This application claims the benefit of Austrian Utility Model Application No. GM 299/2002, filed May, 13, 2002, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a roller skate in which a shoe forms a sole having a wheel frame fastened to the sole by screws, the wheel frame having receptacles for front and rear roller axles.

2. Description of the Related Art

Roller skates with rollers (“wheels”) arranged in two pairs on a front axle and a rear axle generally comprise a wheel frame (“frame”) consisting of an impact plate (or “stop plate”). The stop plate can be fastened to the sole of the shoe. The stop plate comprises receptacles (“adapters”) for the two axles, which are held with their support in the adapters. These frames must be adapted to the particular shoe size, which requires separate frame sizes, at least for different ranges of shoe sizes. Different frame sizes require different forming tools, so that not only a corresponding construction cost but also the maintaining of a rather expensive stock must be reckoned with.

It would be desirable to have a roller skate of the type described above, for which the manufacturing and storage costs were significantly reduced while still being able to adapt the frame to particular shoe size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of the roller skate in accordance with the present invention includes a shoe having a sole which forms a sole bottom surface. A rail is provided having a rail bottom surface and defining a rail longitudinal axis. A first adapter forms a first adapter top surface adapted to fit the rail bottom surface and is movable along the rail longitudinal axis when approximated to the rail. The first adapter can be tightly fastened to the sole; and when it is, the first adapter and the rail are substantially fixed with reference to the sole. A first truck is also provided. The first truck is adapted for mounting on the first adapter and has at least one wheel. A single fastener can thus be used to attach the adapter and the rail to the sole.

In another exemplary embodiment of the roller skate in accordance with the present invention, there is also a second adapter like the first and a second truck like the first. The second adapter is stabilized relative to the first, with the use of only one fastener for each adapter.

In another exemplary embodiment, the rail bottom surface forms a rail profile and the first adapter top surface forms an adapter profile complementary to the rail profile. The rail profile stiffens the rail. The complementary profiles facilitate angular and lateral stabilization of the adapter relative to the rail.

The rail profile comprises a left guide, a right guide, and a groove therebetween for stabilizing the adapter relative to the rail. The first adapter, when first adapter top surface is approximated to the rail bottom surface, is substantially fixed in yaw, pitch, roll, lateral translation, and vertical translation with reference to the rail while being able to slide longitudinally along the rail.

Another exemplary embodiment further comprises a fastener. The sole, rail, and first adapter are penetrable by the fastener and securable tightly together thereby. The fastener may comprise a bolt, a nut for securing the bolt, and a washer for securing the sole to the bolt.

In another exemplary embodiment, the rail is longitudinally movable over at least a range of positions relative to the first adapter and relative to the sole while the sole, the rail, and the first adapter are penetrated by the fastener. The rail is no longer so movable when the fastener is tightly secured.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first adapter is fastenable to the sole at a first fastening location on the sole, the second adapter is fastenable to the sole at a second fastening location on the sole, and the first adapter and the second adapter are spaced apart by a distance determined by the first fastening location and the second fastening location when the first adapter and the second adapter are tightly fastened to the sole. However, the rail will substantially fix the second adapter relative to the first adapter when the first adapter and the second adapter are tightly fastened to the sole as long as the first adapter and the second adapter are spaced apart by any distance within a predetermined range of distances.

In another exemplary embodiment, the first adapter, the second adapter, the rail, and the sole are tightly securable together by means of no more than two fasteners.

An exemplary embodiment of a frame for a roller skate in accordance with the present invention includes a rail having a rail top surface, a profiled rail bottom surface, and a rail first end and a rail second end. A first adapter is located proximate the rail first end and a second adapter is located proximate the rail second end. Each of the adapters has a wheel truck or other means for supporting a skating wheel assembly. The first adapter and the rail first end can be together tightly secured to the skate shoe with a single fastener. A second adapter and the rail second end are likewise together tightly securable to a roller skate shoe by means of a single fastener. At least one of the adapters forms an adapter top surface profiled to engage the profiled rail bottom surface. The adapters, when both tightly secured to a roller skate shoe bottom, are substantially rotationally and laterally fixed relative to one another by virtue of engagement of the profiled rail bottom surface with the at least one profiled adapter top surface.

In another exemplary embodiment of a frame in accordance with the present invention, when the first adapter and the second adapter are tightly secured to a roller skate shoe bottom and spaced apart a predetermined distance, the engagement of the profiled rail bottom surface with the at least one profiled adapter top surface substantially fixes the first adapter in angle and lateral position relative to the second adapter in a manner independent of the predetermined distance therebetween, so long as the predetermined distance is within a predetermined range of distances.

A fastener-receiving bore may be formed in the rail proximate the at least one profiled adapter top surface.

Alternatively, a fastener-receiving channel may be formed in the rail proximate the at least one profiled adapter top surface, the channel perforating the rail and extending longitudinally in the rail for accommodating a fastener at any one of a predetermined range of locations on the rail.

Also described in accordance with the present invention is a method of constructing a roller skate. A skate shoe is provided with a sole forming a sole bottom surface including a sole first end and a sole second end. A rail is provided including a first rail end and a second rail end. A first adapter is provided, equipped to support a wheel-bearing truck. The rail first end is approximated to the sole bottom surface proximate the sole first end. The first adapter is approximated to the rail proximate the rail first end. The rail second end is oriented toward the sole second end. A first fastener is secured about the first adapter and the sole first end, fixing the first adapter relative to the sole first end. The second adapter is approximated to the rail proximate the sole second end. A second fastener is secured about the second adapter and the sole second end. The distance of the second fastener from the first fastener is determined solely with reference to the sole.

Also described in accordance with the present invention is a method of stabilizing a second wheel truck adapter (“second adapter”) relative to a first wheel truck adapter (“first adapter”) on a bottom surface of a sole of a roller skate to which both are to be secured. A lengthwise-oriented rail is approximated to the sole bottom surface, a first end of the rail being proximate a first end of the sole and a second end of the rail being oriented toward a second end of the sole, the rail comprising a rail bottom surface. The first adapter is approximated to the rail bottom surface proximate the first end of the rail and fixed relative to the rail by securing a first fastener relative to the first adapter and the sole. The second adapter is approximated to the rail bottom surface proximate the sole second end. By means of a profile on the rail bottom surface engaged with a complementary profile on the approximated second adapter, the second adapter is stabilized in pitch, yaw, roll, and lateral position relative to the rail. By means of a second fastener secured relative to the second adapter and the sole, the second adapter is stabilized in vertical position and longitudinal position relative to the rail.

The roller skate and roller skate frame in accordance with the present invention provide a rail on which the two adapters can shift longitudinally. Screws or bolts extending through the rail may connect the adapters to the sole.

The two adapters are separate, yet are connected to one another via a rail and are adjusted in their mutual interval along the rail. Thus, the frame can be easily adapted to the shoe size. One needs only to cut the rail to the appropriate length and connect the adapters. Since the adapters for the axles are fastened to the sole by screws or bolts extending through the rail, the adapters and the rail are locally fixed relative to the shoe sole by the screws or bolts. This assures simple mounting because the position of the adapters for the axles relative to the shoe is determined by the screw holes or bores in the sole of the shoe. In addition, because screws or bolts connect the rail and the adapters to the sole of the shoe, the mounting cost is not much more than for a one-part frame. The rail of the frame, which rail extends between the adapters for the axles, assures a mutual, torsion-proof support of the adapters.

The rail provides a torsion-proof connection between the adapters and guides the adapters while allowing them to slide along the rail until they are fixed. Especially simple construction is achieved by engaging the rail in at least one longitudinal groove of the adapters and using the screws or bolts to clamp the rail between the sole and the adapters. Support is provided and play is eliminated when the screws or bolts are tightened. Only relatively simple forming tools are needed because of the longitudinal grooves for the adapters.

The adapters for the axles can preferably be formed of plastic. The rail generally is formed as a metal profile. Since the adapters for the front and the rear axles can be designed in a corresponding manner, the costs for construction and storage are also reduced. The adapters for the front and the rear axles, formed separately, allow a manufacturer to selectively equip frames with different axles, because only suitable adapters may be connected to the rail of a particular frame.

A three-point support for a roller skate can be achieved, instead of a four-point support, by providing an individual rear roller on the rear axle. This arrangement can provide good operating performance even in curves, especially if a front steering axle is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numbers and wherein: [0026]
FIG. 1 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the roller skate in accordance with the invention; [0027]
FIG. 2 shows a section along line II-II in FIG. 1; [0028]
FIG. 3 shows a partially exploded front view of an exemplary embodiment of the roller skate in accordance with the invention; [0029]
FIG. 4 shows sectional view of the rail thereof; [0030]
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the rail of an exemplary embodiment of the roller skate in accordance with the present invention; [0031]
FIG. 6 shows a bottom plan view of the rail of an alternative embodiment of the roller skate in accordance with the present invention; and [0032]
FIG. 7 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the roller skate in accordance with the present invention. [0033]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a partial side sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a [0034] roller skate 40 in accordance with the present invention, comprising a shoe 42 having a sole 44, a rail 46, a front adapter 48, a front truck 50, a front axle 52, a pair of front wheels 54, a rear adapter 56, a rear truck 58, a rear axle 60, and a pair of rear wheels 62.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, the sole [0035] 44 is formed of nylon, rubber, metal, wood, or any other material suitable for a sole for roller skating footwear. The sole 44 includes a sole forefoot portion 64 and a sole heel portion 66 and forms a sole bottom surface 68 and a sole top surface 70. A 6.5 millimeter diameter sole front bore 72 is defined vertically within the sole forefoot portion 64 and is open at the sole bottom surface 68 and at the sole top surface 70. A 6.5 millimeter diameter sole rear bore 74 is defined vertically within the sole heel portion 66 and is open at the sole bottom surface 68 and at the sole top surface 70.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, the [0036] rail 46 is formed of aluminum alloy, although it could be formed of magnesium, titanium, steel, or another hard, stiff, strong, durable material. The rail 46 includes a rail top surface 76, a rail bottom surface 78, a rail front end 80 and a rail rear end 82.
FIG. 2 shows a partial front sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 along section line II-II of FIG. 1. The [0037] rail top surface 76 is substantially flat and is suitable for approximation to the sole bottom surface 68. The rail bottom surface 78 defines a rail profile 90 which includes a rail central groove 84, a downward-turned rail left edge portion 86 parallel to the rail central groove 84, and a downward-turned rail right edge portion 88 parallel to and coplanar with the rail left edge portion 86.
With continued reference to FIG. 2 and with reference again to FIG. 1, a 6.5 millimeter diameter rail front bore [0038] 98 is defined in the rail 46 proximate the rail front end 80 and is open at the rail top surface 76 and at the rail bottom surface 78. A 6.5 millimeter diameter rail rear bore 100 is defined in the rail 46 proximate the rail rear end 82 and is open at the rail top surface 76 and at the rail bottom surface 78.
With reference again to FIG. 1, the [0039] front adapter 48 is formed of a high-strength polymer such as nylon, although it could be formed of aluminum alloy, magnesium, titanium, steel, or another hard, stiff, strong, durable material. The front adapter 48 forms a front adapter top surface 102; a front adapter mounting bore 104 including a fastener-seating surface 106; a front adapter truck mounting bore 108; and a front adapter truck pivot bore 110. With particular reference to FIG. 2, the front adapter top surface 102 forms an adapter profile 112. The adapter profile 112 matches the aforementioned rail profile 90 and includes a broad adapter central plateau 92 flanked by an adapter left guide 94 and an adapter right guide 96.
The [0040] rear adapter 56 is formed as recited above for the front adapter 48. The rear adapter 56 forms a rear adapter top surface 114, a rear adapter truck mounting bore 116, and a rear adapter truck pivot bore 118. Like the front adapter top surface 102, the rear adapter top surface 114 forms an adapter profile 112 which matches the rail profile 90.
FIG. 3 shows an exploded front view of an exemplary embodiment of the roller skate in accordance with the present invention including the [0041] shoe 42, sole forefoot portion 64, and sole bottom surface 68. Also shown are the rail top surface 76, rail bottom surface 78, rail central groove 84, rail left edge portion 86, and rail right edge portion 88. Also shown are the adapter central plateau 92, adapter left guide 94 and adapter right guide 96.
For assembly, the [0042] rail top surface 76 is approximated to the sole bottom surface 68, the rail front end 80 being proximate the sole forefoot portion 64. The front adapter top surface 102 is approximated to the rail bottom surface 78 proximate the rail front end 80, the front adapter 48 being oriented so that the front adapter truck pivot bore 110 is forward of the front adapter truck mounting bore 108. Because the adapter profile 112 fits the rail profile 90, the front adapter 48 may slide longitudinally on the rail 46 but is not free to move laterally or vertically relative to the rail 46 and is not free to rotate relative to the rail 46.
A [0043] front fastener 120, comprising a bolt 122, a nut 124, and a washer 126, is passed through the sole front bore 72, through the rail front bore 98, and through the front adapter mounting bore 104. The front fastener 120 is secured by tightening the nut 124 on the bolt 122. The nut 124 presses against the fastener-seating surface 106, clamping the front adapter 48 and the rail 46 between the nut 124 and the sole bottom surface 68.
Because the [0044] rail top surface 76 is tightly engaged with the sole bottom surface 68, and because the front fastener 120 occupies the rail front bore 98, the rail 46 is fixed relative to the sole 44. Because the front adapter top surface 102 is tightly engaged with the rail bottom surface 78, and because the front fastener 120 occupies the front adapter mounting bore 104, the front adapter 48 is not free to slide on the rail 46. Because the adapter profile 112 fits the rail profile 90, the front adapter 48 is not free to rotate or to move laterally or vertically relative to the rail 46. Thus, the front adapter 48 is fixed relative to the sole forefoot portion 64.
Next, the rear adapter [0045] top surface 114 is approximated to the rail bottom surface 78 proximate the rail rear end 82, the rear adapter 56 being oriented so that the rear, adapter truck pivot bore 118 is aft of the rear adapter truck mounting bore 116. A rear fastener 128, comprising a bolt 122, a nut 124, and a washer 126, is passed through the sole rear bore 74, the rail rear bore 100, and the rear adapter mounting bore 115. The rear fastener 128 is secured by tightening the nut 124 in the manner recited above for the front adapter 48 and with like effect.
With reference to FIG. 1, it is noteworthy that only a [0046] front fastener 120 and a rear fastener 128 are needed to secure the front adapter 48, the rear adapter 56 and the rail 46 to the shoe 42. Thus, the number of parts and the number of steps during assembly are kept to a minimum.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is also noteworthy that the [0047] rail 46, being formed of a strong, stiff material and having the aforementioned rail profile 90, resists torsion, thereby stabilizing the front adapter 48 with respect to the rear adapter 56. Additionally, the rail 46 and the sole 44 cooperate to further resist bending and torsion, thereby further stabilizing the front adapter 48 with respect to the rear adapter 56. Thus, the roller skate 40 can reliably absorb the mechanical loads that are applied to it during skating.
FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the [0048] rail 46 of an exemplary embodiment of the roller skate in accordance with the present invention. The rail top surface 76 is substantially flat. The rail bottom surface 78 defines a rail profile 90 including a rail central groove 84, a downward-turned rail left edge portion 86, and a downward-turned rail right edge portion 88.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the [0049] rail 46 of an exemplary embodiment of the roller skate in accordance with the present invention comprising a rail front end 80, a rail front bore 98, a rail rear end 82, and a rail rear bore 100. It is noteworthy that the rail 46 may be cut to a predetermined length, and the rail front bore 98 and the rail rear bore 100 may be spaced a predetermined distance apart, in order to fit a sole having a particular size.
FIG. 6 shows a bottom plan view of the [0050] rail 46 of an alternative embodiment of the roller skate 40 in accordance with the present invention comprising a rail front end 80, a rail front channel 130, a rail rear end 82, and a rail rear channel 132. The rail 46 may be cut to a predetermined length which accommodates a sole 44 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of any one of a range of sizes.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, the [0051] shoe 42 is supplied having its sole a front bore 72 and sole rear bore 74 spaced apart by a distance which will depend on the exact size of the sole 44 within the range of sizes. The rail front channel 130 and the rail rear channel 132 are of sufficient length to allow insertion of the front fastener 120 and the rear fastener 128 and attachment of the front adapter 48 and the rear adapter 56. After the front fastener 120 and the rear fastener 128 are secured, the front adapter 48 and the rear adapter 56 are spaced apart by a fixed distance determined by the separation between the sole front bore 72 and the sole rear bore 74. Also at that time, the rail 46 is fixed with reference to the sole 44 because the rail 46 is clamped between the sole bottom surface 68 and the front adapter top surface 102 and the rear adapter top surface 114. Thus, a smaller number of different-sized rails 46 may suffice for a larger number of different-sized soles 44.
With continued reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the [0052] rail 46 of an alternative embodiment of a roller skate 40 in accordance with the present invention has one rail front channel 130 (as shown in FIG. 6) and one rail rear bore 100 (as shown in FIG. 5). With reference again to FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the longitudinal position of the rail 46 is fixed not only because the rail 46 is clamped between the sole bottom surface 68 and the front adapter top surface 102 and the rear adapter top surface 114, but also because the rail rear bore 100 allows little or no longitudinal freedom of movement about the rear fastener 128. In this embodiment, a single rail 46 may accommodate soles 44 of a plurality of different sizes while at the same time fixing the longitudinal position of the rail 46 relative to the sole 44 before the front fastener 120 or the rear fastener 128 is secured. It will be appreciated that the rail front channel 130 and the rail rear bore 100 may be replaced by a rail front bore 98 and a rail rear channel 132 while preserving the function of the embodiment.
To complete the [0053] roller skate 40, the trucks and wheels are added: the front truck 50 includes a front truck through-bore 134 and a front truck pivot 136. The front truck 50 supports the front wheels 54 by means of a conventional bearing arrangement. The front wheels 54 are formed of a high-strength material such as nylon, aramid, or metal alloy and are equipped with tires formed of solid polyurethane or another suitable material.
The [0054] front truck pivot 136 is inserted into the front adapter truck pivot bore 110 and the front truck 50 through-bore is approximated to the front adapter truck mounting bore 108. A suitable fastening system (typically a heavy-duty bolt and nut in combination with washers and bushings) is interposed to affix the front truck 50 to the front adapter 48.
The [0055] rear truck 58 includes a rear truck through-bore 138 and a rear truck pivot 140. The rear wheels 62 are of the same type as the front wheels 54. The rear truck 58 supports the rear wheels 62 and is attached to the rear adapter 56 in the manner recited above for the front truck 50.
FIG. 7 shows a partial side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the [0056] roller skate 40 in accordance with the present invention in which a modified rear adapter 142 directly supports a rearward-extending fork 144 which carries a rear axle 60. The fork according to FIG. 7 supports a single trailing inboard rear wheel, illustrating that a different type of roller skate 40 in accordance with the present invention may be made by selectively equipping the same shoe 42 and rail 46 with different adapters having wheels in different numbers or differently arranged.
While the foregoing detailed description has described several embodiments of a roller skate and roller skate frame in accordance with the present invention, it is to be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. It will be appreciated that the embodiments discussed above and the virtually infinite embodiments that are not mentioned could easily be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is to be limited only by the claims as set forth below. [0057]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A roller skate, comprising:

a shoe;

a sole formed on said shoe, said sole forming a sole bottom surface;

a rail, said rail forming a rail top surface adapted for approximation to said sole bottom surface; said rail forming a rail bottom surface; said rail defining a rail longitudinal axis;

a first adapter, said first adapter forming a first adapter top surface adapted for approximation to said rail bottom surface; said first adapter being movable along said rail longitudinal axis when so approximated; said first adapter being tightly fastenable to said sole when so approximated; said first adapter and said rail being substantially fixed with reference to said sole when said first adapter is tightly fastened to said sole; and

a first truck, said first truck being adapted for mounting on said first adapter, said first truck comprising at least one wheel.

2. A roller skate as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a second adapter, said second adapter forming a second adapter top surface adapted for approximation to said rail bottom surface; said second adapter being movable along said rail longitudinal axis when so approximated; said second adapter being tightly fastenable to said sole when so approximated;

said second adapter and said rail being substantially fixed with reference to said sole when said second adapter is tightly fastened to said sole; and

a second truck, said second truck being adapted for mounting on said second adapter, said second truck comprising at least one wheel.

3. A roller skate as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rail bottom surface forms a rail profile and said first adapter top surface forms an adapter profile complementary to said rail profile.

4. A roller skate as set forth in claim 3, wherein said rail profile comprises a left guide, a right guide, and a groove therebetween.

5. A roller skate as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first adapter, when first adapter top surface is approximated to said rail bottom surface, is substantially fixed in yaw, pitch, roll, lateral translation, and vertical translation with reference to said rail while being able to slide longitudinally along said rail.

6. A roller skate as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a fastener;

said sole, said rail, and said first adapter being penetrable by said fastener and securable tightly together thereby.

7. A roller skate as set forth in claim 6, wherein said fastener comprises a bolt and a nut for securing the bolt.

8. A roller skate as set forth in claim 6, wherein said rail is longitudinally movable over at least a range of positions relative to said first adapter and relative to said sole while said sole, said rail, and said first adapter are penetrated by said fastener; and wherein said rail is no longer so movable when said fastener is tightly secured.

10. A roller skate as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first adapter is fastenable to said sole at a first fastening location on said sole, said second adapter is fastenable to said sole at a second fastening location on said sole, and said first adapter and said second adapter are spaced apart by a distance determined by said first fastening location and said second fastening location when said first adapter and said second adapter are tightly fastened to said sole;

wherein said rail is so formed as to substantially fix said second adapter relative to said first adapter when said first adapter and said second adapter are tightly fastened to said sole as long as said first adapter and said second adapter are spaced apart by any distance within a predetermined range of distances.

11. A roller skate as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first adapter, said second adapter, said rail, and said sole are tightly securable together by means of no more than two fasteners.

12. A frame for a roller skate, comprising:

a rail, said rail having a rail top surface, a profiled rail bottom surface, a rail first end and a rail second end;

a first adapter located proximate said rail first end and a second adapter located proximate said rail second end, each of said first and second adapters comprising means for supporting a skating wheel assembly;

said first adapter and said rail first end being together tightly securable to a roller skate shoe by means of a single fastener;

said second adapter and said rail second end being together tightly securable to a roller skate shoe by means of a single fastener;

at least one of said first adapter and said second adapter forming an adapter top surface profiled to engage said profiled rail bottom surface;

said first adapter and said second adapter, when both tightly secured to a roller skate shoe bottom, being substantially rotationally and laterally fixed relative to one another by virtue of engagement of said profiled rail bottom surface with said at least one profiled adapter top surface.

13. A frame as set forth in claim 12, wherein, when said first adapter and said second adapter are tightly secured to a roller skate shoe bottom and spaced apart a predetermined distance, said engagement of said profiled rail bottom surface with said at least one profiled adapter top surface substantially fixes said first adapter in angle and lateral position relative to said second adapter in a manner independent of said predetermined distance therebetween, so long as said predetermined distance is within a predetermined range of distances.

14. A frame as set forth in claim 12, wherein a fastener-receiving bore is formed in said rail proximate said at least one profiled adapter top surface.

15. A frame as set forth in claim 12, wherein a fastener-receiving channel is formed in said rail proximate said at least one profiled adapter top surface, said channel perforating said rail and extending longitudinally in said rail for accommodating a fastener at any one of a predetermined range of locations on said rail.

16. A method of constructing a roller skate, the method including the steps of:

providing a skate shoe comprising a sole forming a sole bottom surface comprising a sole first end and a sole second end;

providing a rail, said rail comprising a first rail end and a second rail end;

providing a first adapter, said first adapter being equipped to support a wheel-bearing truck;

approximating said rail first end to said sole bottom surface proximate said sole first end;

approximating said first adapter to said rail proximate said rail first end;

orienting said rail second end toward said sole second end;

securing a first fastener about said first adapter and said sole first end, said first fastener fixing said first adapter relative to said sole first end;

approximating said second adapter to said rail proximate said sole second end; and

securing a second fastener about said second adapter and said sole second end,

the distance of said second fastener from said first fastener being determined solely with reference to said sole.

17. A method of stabilizing a second wheel truck adapter relative to a first wheel truck adapter on a bottom surface of a sole of a roller skate to which both are to be secured, the method including the steps of:

approximating a lengthwise-oriented rail to said sole bottom surface, a first end of said rail being proximate a first end of said sole and a second end of said rail being oriented toward a second end of said sole, said rail comprising a rail bottom surface;

approximating said first adapter to said rail bottom surface proximate said first end of said rail;

fixing said first adapter relative to said rail by securing a first fastener relative to said first adapter and said sole;

approximating said second adapter to said rail bottom surface proximate said sole second end;

by means of a profile on said rail bottom surface engaged with a complementary profile on said approximated second adapter, stabilizing said second adapter in pitch, yaw, roll, and lateral position relative to said rail;

by means of a second fastener secured relative to said second adapter and said sole, stabilizing said second adapter in vertical position and longitudinal position relative to said rail.