US20040207164A1 - In-line roller skate - Google Patents
In-line roller skate Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040207164A1 US20040207164A1 US10/842,024 US84202404A US2004207164A1 US 20040207164 A1 US20040207164 A1 US 20040207164A1 US 84202404 A US84202404 A US 84202404A US 2004207164 A1 US2004207164 A1 US 2004207164A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- line roller
- roller skate
- base
- skater
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
-
- 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
- A63C17/067—Roller skates; Skate-boards with wheels arranged otherwise than in two pairs single-track type with adjustable position of the foot plate or shoe relative to the chassis
-
- 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
- A63C17/1418—Roller skates; Skate-boards with brakes, e.g. toe stoppers, freewheel roller clutches contacting one or more of the wheels with radial movement against the roll surface of the wheel
-
- 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
- A63C17/22—Wheels for roller skates
- A63C17/226—Wheel mounting, i.e. arrangement connecting wheel and axle mount
-
- 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
- A63C2017/1472—Hand operated
-
- 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
- A63C2017/149—Stick operated
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
- A63C2203/00—Special features of skates, skis, roller-skates, snowboards and courts
- A63C2203/42—Details of chassis of ice or roller skates, of decks of skateboards
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to in-line roller skates having an upper shoe portion for securely holding the skater's foot connected by an appropriate fastening means to a lower frame portion that may include an in-line wheel brake or speed control system and means for quickly and easily replacing worn wheels.
- In-line roller skates generally include a plurality of wheels, mounted in-line, one behind the other, rotatable in a common, longitudinally extending, plane of rotation.
- the wheels are typically carried and supported by a lower frame portion attached to an in-line roller skate shoe or boot.
- a conventional in-line roller skate also includes an upper shoe (or boot) portion that is securely attached to the lower frame portion.
- the upper shoe portion provides the support for the skater's foot, while the lower frame portion provides the rigid substructure or undercarriage for the in-line roller skate wheels.
- In-line roller skates are very maneuverable and are capable of higher speeds than those customarily associated with conventional paired wheel roller skates. In-line roller skating is generally considered to require higher levels of skill, coordination, and strength than conventional paired wheel roller skating because of the narrow, lateral support base associated with in-line roller skates. Specifically, while balancing in the forward and rear direction is relatively easy for even inexperienced skaters, balancing in the sideward or lateral direction is difficult because of the narrow support base and is heavily dependent upon the skater's balancing and coordination skills. Proper ankle and foot supports within the upper shoe portion of the in-line roller skate aid in lateral balancing.
- the upper shoe portion of the in-line roller skate serves competing purposes of providing support and comfort; comfort in a shoe not usually being associated with a high degree of support.
- the incorporation of rigid support structures in the upper shoe portion of the in-line roller skate tends to add stiffness and bulk and, considering the warm weather environments conducive to in-line roller skating, tends to make the skates heavy, hot, and uncomfortable. Because serious ankle and other injuries can result if comfort is favored over support, proper support in an in-line roller skate has been the dominant design criteria in the past.
- the conventional upper shoe portion of the in-line roller skate is usually formed of rigid, nonbreathable, plastic materials having an inner liner.
- the plastic material generally forms the outer structure of the upper shoe portion, thereby requiring that a soft inner liner of sponge rubber or other like material be included to provide a modicum of comfort to the user. 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 upper shoe portion.
- the upper shoe portion tends to be hot and uncomfortable when used in warm weather sports such as in-line roller skating.
- the '033 Patent suggests that by including “primarily unobstructed ventilation ports” in the rigid synthetic outer shell of the upper shoe portion, 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 upper shoe portion is still configured of two parts, including a hard plastic outer shell and a soft inner liner, which can be uncomfortable in warm weather conditions, compared to conventional walking and/or running shoes, due to excessive heat buildup. 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 the skater to utilize the full extent of his or her strength and agility.
- an in-line roller skate upper shoe portion is lightweight. 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 to be heavy and bulky when adapted to in-line roller skating. When skating on a flat surface, the in-line roller skater must lift the boot with every stride to provide a forward impetus, and a heavy upper shoe portion causes fatigue and reduces skating enjoyment.
- U.S. Pat. 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. Pat. No. 5,052,701 and No. 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 or her feet to properly apply the brake.
- 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.
- an in-line roller skate having a comfortable and soft, pliable, breathable 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, breathable 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.
- an inline roller skate includes a frame rotatably supporting the longitudinally aligned wheels, a substantially rigid base including a sole portion and support members such as a heel cup, an ankle support cup and/or a toe cup, that extend upwardly from the sole portion, a breathable shoe upper that is attached at a lower edge to the sole portion of the base, and wherein at least some of the lower edge of the shoe portion is not blocked by the foot support members such that air circulation through the lower edge of the shoe portion is promoted.
- a substantially rigid base including a sole portion and support members such as a heel cup, an ankle support cup and/or a toe cup, that extend upwardly from the sole portion, a breathable shoe upper that is attached at a lower edge to the sole portion of the base, and wherein at least some of the lower edge of the shoe portion is not blocked by the foot support members such that air circulation through the lower edge of the shoe portion is promoted.
- 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 roller wheels.
- the pressure plate is biased away from the in-line roller 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 roller 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 out of soft, pliable, breathable 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 soft, pliable, breathable 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.
- the term “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.
- non-rigid “non-rigid,” “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.
- breathable 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.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the soft, pliable, breathable shoe portion and semirigid ankle support cuff attached to the lower frame portion of the present invention;
- FIG. 2A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the footbed portion of the present invention, illustrating the lip supports and the heel counter;
- FIG. 2B is a perspective view of another embodiment of the footbed portion of the present invention, illustrating a modified toe portion;
- FIG. 3A is a sectional side view of the footbed portion of FIG. 2A of the present invention, including the heel counter, raised support lips, and the frame mounting means;
- FIG. 3B is a sectional side view of the footbed portion of FIG. 3A of the present invention, including the heel counter, toe portion, and frame mounting means;
- FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the present invention, illustrating the ankle support cuff, the ankle support cuff canting means in section, and alternate longitudinal canting positions of the ankle support cuff;
- FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the present invention, illustrating the ankle support cuff and ankle support cuff adjustment means in section, and alternative lateral canting positions of the ankle support cuff;
- FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the ankle support cuff adjustment means
- FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of the ankle support cuff adjustment means
- FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the lower frame portion of the present invention, including a speed control means
- FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrammatic partial side sectional views illustrating a speed control means made in accordance with the present invention and showing the speed control means in its nonbraking and braking modes, respectively;
- FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrammatic partial side sectional views of a second embodiment of the speed control means of the present invention, illustrating a cable actuating means for the speed control;
- FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the lower frame portion of one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the speed control means of the present invention, wherein braking is applied to three of the four in-line roller wheels of the in-line roller skate;
- FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of still another alternate embodiment of the speed control means of the present invention, wherein braking is applied to all of the in-line roller wheels of an in-line roller skate;
- FIG. 16A is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the soft, pliable, breathable shoe portion, an external lace cover, and the semirigid ankle support cuff and securing strap attached to a lower frame portion;
- FIG. 16B is a partial perspective view of the present invention illustrating an alternative embodiment having the footbed portion and lower frame portion combined as a single injection-molded unit;
- FIG. 17 is a sectional rear view of the upper shoe portion, showing the heel counter and ankle support cuff.
- an in-line roller skate 21 made according to the present invention is disclosed.
- the in-line roller skate 21 includes a soft, pliable, breathable shoe portion 22 , which is preferably made of breathable 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, breathable 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 .
- 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, breathable 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 hereafter.
- FIG. 1 discloses an external lace cover 29 , which may be integrally connected to the soft, pliable, breathable 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 shoe laces 28 may be provided inward of the lace cover 29 .
- Internal tongue 29 a is provided to prevent the laces 28 from bearing directly on the skater's foot.
- FIG. 1 Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is a lower frame portion 31 which is typically formed of injection-molded plastic or metal and a speed control 33 , which will be described in detail hereafter.
- 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 roller wheels 35 is mounted on axle means 36 that will also be described in detail hereafter.
- the in-line roller 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.
- FIGS. 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 hereafter 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 hereafter, 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, breathable 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.
- FIGS. 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
- 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 51 a and at least one identical rear mounting means 51 b.
- Mounting means 51 a and 51 b 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 the lower frame 31 , as desired by the user.
- mounting means 51 a and 51 b each include a plate 53 having a threaded opening 54 a formed therein and adapted to receive a complementary threaded fastener, such as 54 b (FIG. 3A), which is sized to extend upwardly through a portion of the lower frame portion 31 .
- Each plate 53 is mounted in an oversize cavity 54 c formed in the sole portion 40 such that the plate 53 can move both laterally and longitudinally within the cavity 54 c when the fastener 54 b is loosened in the threaded opening 54 a.
- the fasteners 54 b are tightened to hold the upper shoe portion in position. While it is preferred that the upper shoe portion be both laterally and longitudinally adjustable with respect to the lower frame portion 31 , it will be understood that the base portion 39 can be permanently fastened to the lower frame portion 31 using conventional fastening means, such as rivets.
- base portion 39 and the lower frame portion 31 can be integrally combined in a single injection-molded unit such as shown in FIG. 16B.
- This embodiment would not allow adjustment of the upper shoe portion with respect to the lower frame portion 31 , but would provide substantial desired rigidity and strength between the upper shoe portion and the lower frame portion 31 .
- base portion 39 a of the present invention is disclosed, without the raised support lips 43 , but including a toe portion 24 .
- the soft, pliable, breathable shoe portion 22 may be laminated to the base portion 39 as 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 prevents 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.
- FIGS. 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 FIGS. 2A and 2B) in a manner to be described hereafter.
- 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 (FIG. 4) and laterally (FIG. 5), as described more fully hereafter.
- the ankle support cuff 23 in combination with the base portion 39 and the heel counter 41 , support the skater's ankle and foot and assist 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 .
- 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, breathable 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 FIG. 4 show the support cuff 23 adjusted to various longitudinally canted positions, while in FIG. 5, the phantom views show the ankle support cuff 23 adjusted to various laterally canted positions as desired by the skater.
- the soft, pliable, breathable shoe portion 22 that 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 29 a 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 57 b, which preferably includes notches 37 (shown in FIG. 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 roller wheels 35 .
- the actuating lever 59 may be arranged and configured such that, in use, speed control plate 61 bears against the in-line roller 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 roller wheel 35 to as many as all of the in-line wheels 35 mounted on the lower frame portion 31 .
- FIGS. 9 and 10 show the speed control means 33 of FIG. 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 roller wheels 35 .
- a biasing spring 63 acts to bias the contoured speed control plate 61 away from the in-line roller 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.
- FIG. 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 57 a and 57 b 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 FIGS. 9 and 11, to a lowermost position wherein the contoured speed control plate 61 contacts the in-line roller wheels 35 , as shown in FIGS. 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 57 a and 57 b 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 roller wheels 35 .
- the downward motion of the contoured speed control plate 61 is limited first, and preferably, by its contact with the in-line roller wheels 35 . However, if the contoured speed control plate 61 continued to move in a downward direction, the biasing spring 63 would 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 .
- FIGS. 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 roller 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 roller 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 roller wheels 35 as needed to control the speed of or bring the in-line wheels 35 to a stop.
- the cable 75 can run upwardly 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 FIGS. 8-10), so that the skater could pull up on the cable to cause the end of actuating lever 59 to move upwardly, forcing the contoured speed control plate 61 against the in-line roller wheels 35 .
- FIG. 13 shows a conventional system for mounting the in-line wheels 35 within the frame rails 57 a and 57 b.
- an in-line roller wheel 35 is mounted on a bearing hub 35 a having a central opening.
- the axle 36 which comprises an internally threaded cap nut 36 a and a cooperating threaded cap screw 36 b, extends through the frame rails 57 a and 57 b, spacer washers 36 c and 36 d on opposite sides of the in-line roller wheel 35 , and through the opening in the bearing hub 35 a.
- the internally threaded cap nut 36 a and the cooperatingly threaded screw 36 b 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 roller wheel 35 can rotate.
- the caps of the screw and nut grip the outer surfaces of the frame rails adjacent frame notches 37 .
- FIGS. 14 and 15 the contour speed control plate 61 of the present invention is shown shaped to apply drag to more than two of the in-line roller wheels 35 .
- FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of a contoured speed control plate 61 a as applied to three in-line roller wheels 35
- FIG. 15 shows an embodiment wherein the contour speed control plate 61 is applied to four in-line roller wheels 35 .
- a skater using the actuating lever 59 can apply force to the in-line roller wheels 35 in the manner heretofore described as needed to control the speed or stop the in-line roller wheels 35 .
- a cable such as 75 can be used to apply drag force to the contoured speed control plates 61 a or 61 b.
- 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 contour speed control plates in more than one position along the frame rails 57 a and 57 b.
- the preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the contoured speed control plate 61 is housed substantially above the in-line roller wheels 35 and securely maintained between the frame rails 57 a and 57 b, has advantages over the prior art in that the speed control 33 is substantially removed from debris including rocks, dirt, grass, etc., which could become entangled in a speed control positioned lower on the frame rails 57 a and 57 b.
- 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.
- FIG. 16A there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with the soft, pliable, breathable shoe portion 22 laminated in place on the base portion 39 a as described above with respect to FIGS. 2B and 3B.
- FIG. 16B discloses the base portion 39 having a frame portion 31 molded integrally therewith.
- a soft 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.
- FIG. 17 there is shown a rear sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 16A of the present invention showing an ankle support cuff 23 , a soft, pliable, breathable shoe portion 22 , a lateral canting means 27 and an 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 .
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
- Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)
Abstract
In-line roller skate including a soft, pliable, and comfortable shoe body having structural foot support components positioned in selected strategic areas such as the ball, heel, and ankle. In one embodiment, the structural components are made of semirigid plastic that may be heat-moldable to conform to the user's foot. The shoe sole may also include heat-moldable materials so it can be anatomically formed to the foot. The shoe is mounted on a frame that supports a plurality of in-line wheels. At least a portion of the flexible shoe portion that is adjacent the sole is exposed, and free from blockage by the support structure, thereby promoting the circulation of air through the breathable shoe portion.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/426,177, filed Apr. 28, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/261,224, filed Sep. 30, 2002, which is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/068,595, filed Feb. 6, 2002, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/877,544, filed Jun. 8, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,818), which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/587,374, filed Jun. 1, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,110), which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/379,461, filed Aug. 23, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,030), which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/209,321, filed Dec. 9, 1998 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,459), which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/811,134, filed Mar. 3, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,796), which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/484,467 filed Jun. 7, 1995 (abandoned), which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/094,576, filed Jul. 19, 1993, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,466.
- The present invention generally relates to in-line roller skates having an upper shoe portion for securely holding the skater's foot connected by an appropriate fastening means to a lower frame portion that may include an in-line wheel brake or speed control system and means for quickly and easily replacing worn wheels.
- In-line roller skates generally include a plurality of wheels, mounted in-line, one behind the other, rotatable in a common, longitudinally extending, plane of rotation. The wheels are typically carried and supported by a lower frame portion attached to an in-line roller skate shoe or boot. A conventional in-line roller skate also includes an upper shoe (or boot) portion that is securely attached to the lower frame portion. The upper shoe portion provides the support for the skater's foot, while the lower frame portion provides the rigid substructure or undercarriage for the in-line roller skate wheels.
- In-line roller skates are very maneuverable and are capable of higher speeds than those customarily associated with conventional paired wheel roller skates. In-line roller skating is generally considered to require higher levels of skill, coordination, and strength than conventional paired wheel roller skating because of the narrow, lateral support base associated with in-line roller skates. Specifically, while balancing in the forward and rear direction is relatively easy for even inexperienced skaters, balancing in the sideward or lateral direction is difficult because of the narrow support base and is heavily dependent upon the skater's balancing and coordination skills. Proper ankle and foot supports within the upper shoe portion of the in-line roller skate aid in lateral balancing.
- To obtain the optimum performance from an in-line roller skate, it is important that the in-line roller skate be maintained in a substantially vertical position. The upper shoe portion of the in-line roller skate serves competing purposes of providing support and comfort; comfort in a shoe not usually being associated with a high degree of support. In other words, the incorporation of rigid support structures in the upper shoe portion of the in-line roller skate tends to add stiffness and bulk and, considering the warm weather environments conducive to in-line roller skating, tends to make the skates heavy, hot, and uncomfortable. Because serious ankle and other injuries can result if comfort is favored over support, proper support in an in-line roller skate has been the dominant design criteria in the past.
- In prior designs, the conventional upper shoe portion of the in-line roller skate is usually formed of rigid, nonbreathable, plastic materials having an inner liner. The plastic material generally forms the outer structure of the upper shoe portion, thereby requiring that a soft inner liner of sponge rubber or other like material be included to provide a modicum of comfort to the user. 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 upper shoe portion.
- To provide lateral stability, conventional alpine ski boot designs have readily been adapted to in-line roller skates. These boots provide support and durability characteristics necessary for in-line roller skates. U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,537 (“the '537 Patent”) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,033 (“the '033 Patent”) are both exemplary examples of rigid, injection-molded boots adapted to winter sports, such as ice skating and alpine skiing, which have been modified for in-line roller skating applications. These patents disclose an upper boot portion that comprises a hard plastic outer shell with a soft inner liner. While this type of boot design is well suited for cold weather sports, the upper shoe portion tends to be hot and uncomfortable when used in warm weather sports such as in-line roller skating. The '033 Patent suggests that by including “primarily unobstructed ventilation ports” in the rigid synthetic outer shell of the upper shoe portion, 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 upper shoe portion is still configured of two parts, including a hard plastic outer shell and a soft inner liner, which can be uncomfortable in warm weather conditions, compared to conventional walking and/or running shoes, due to excessive heat buildup. The result is that the skater's feet are often hot, damp, and uncomfortable.
- Another problem with the adoption of injection-molded ski-type boots to in-line roller skating is that, while providing excellent lateral stiffness and rigidity for lateral ankle support, these boots also create unnecessary and unwanted forward/rearward stiffness and rigidity. 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 the skater to utilize the full extent of his or her strength and agility.
- Further, it is desirable for an in-line roller skate upper shoe portion to be lightweight. 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 to be heavy and bulky when adapted to in-line roller skating. When skating on a flat surface, the in-line roller skater must lift the boot with every stride to provide a forward impetus, and a heavy upper shoe portion causes fatigue and reduces skating enjoyment.
- Alternative modes of providing both comfort and adequate support for in-line roller skating have been suggested. Specifically, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,963,252, 4,418,929, and No. 5,069,462 show roller skate frames that include a platform adapted to allow the skater to wear a conventional street shoe that is inserted into a series of braces and supports. These skates offer alternative shoe and frame designs to the rigid plastic outer shell and inner liner of the conventional in-line roller skate. However, significant problems exist with such designs in that the adjustable braces and supports of these designs, while needed to accommodate numerous shoe sizes and shapes, are bulky and uncomfortable. Additionally, there is a limited range of shoe types that the skates will accommodate, and thus, there is the additional requirement that the skater have the proper shoe type to properly utilize the skate.
- Because speed beyond that of conventional skating is associated with in-line roller skating, there is a further need for speed control systems on in-line roller skates. Prior solutions to speed control include the placement of bumpers or friction pads on the front or rear of at least one of the skates, allowing the skater to tip or lift his or her foot, either forward or rearward, to bring the bumper into contact with the skating surface. Accordingly, the skater drags the bumper along until he or she has slowed to a desired speed. While this system has proven satisfactory for paired wheel roller skates using pairs of wheels in a side-by-side configuration as the support base, the narrow lateral support base of in-line roller skates makes this breaking maneuver difficult. Accordingly, speed control on in-line roller skates employing this type of drag brake requires a high level of skill and coordination to be performed properly. Higher speeds make it difficult for the skater to raise or remove the weight from one foot to properly position the bumper for contact with the skating surface.
- U.S. Pat. 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. Pat. No. 5,052,701 and No. 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 or her feet to properly apply the brake.
- Some alternative braking methods have been proposed that apply friction plates or pads to the wheels of the in-line roller skate. U.S. Pat. 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 control80, 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. More importantly, 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.
- Another problem with prior art designs for in-line skates involves the need to be able to quickly and easily replace wheels as they become worn. Most current systems require major disassembly of either the lower frame portion or the wheel and mounting axle structure in order to replace a wheel. In this regard, there is a long-felt need for a method of readily replacing or interchanging in-line roller wheels.
- In accordance with the present invention, an in-line roller skate is disclosed having a comfortable and soft, pliable, breathable 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, breathable shoe portion or be attached to the base portion for connection to the soft, upper portion of the shoe. Further included in the preferred embodiment of the invention is 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.
- In an embodiment of the invention, an inline roller skate includes a frame rotatably supporting the longitudinally aligned wheels, a substantially rigid base including a sole portion and support members such as a heel cup, an ankle support cup and/or a toe cup, that extend upwardly from the sole portion, a breathable shoe upper that is attached at a lower edge to the sole portion of the base, and wherein at least some of the lower edge of the shoe portion is not blocked by the foot support members such that air circulation through the lower edge of the shoe portion is promoted.
- 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. Alternatively 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 roller wheels. The pressure plate is biased away from the in-line roller wheels in a substantially vertical direction. Upon actuation of the speed control, the pressure plate is forced substantially downward until it contacts at least one in-line roller wheel. Actuation of the speed control can be accomplished using either a lever or, alternatively, by a cable actuating means.
- Further included in the frame portion of the present invention are means for quickly releasing and replacing the in-line wheels, such as when worn or damaged.
- The present invention departs from the teachings of the prior art by forming a substantial part of the upper shoe portion out of soft, pliable, breathable 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. In particular, the upper shoe portion of the present invention comprises a soft, pliable, breathable shoe material in combination with a rigid or semirigid base portion and ankle support cuff. As a result, 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.
- The term “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.
- In general, a combination of heat moldable “rigid” and “semirigid” plastic materials is used in combination with soft, pliable, breathable materials, in an in-line roller skate, to provide greater comfort, without foregoing the support that has previously been achieved using “rigid” materials. It will be understood that the terms “rigid” and “semirigid” may thus refer not only to the type or hardness of material used in the in-line roller skate, but also to the thickness of the material. Similarly, the terms “non-rigid,” “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 “breathable” 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.
- The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the soft, pliable, breathable shoe portion and semirigid ankle support cuff attached to the lower frame portion of the present invention;
- FIG. 2A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the footbed portion of the present invention, illustrating the lip supports and the heel counter;
- FIG. 2B is a perspective view of another embodiment of the footbed portion of the present invention, illustrating a modified toe portion;
- FIG. 3A is a sectional side view of the footbed portion of FIG. 2A of the present invention, including the heel counter, raised support lips, and the frame mounting means;
- FIG. 3B is a sectional side view of the footbed portion of FIG. 3A of the present invention, including the heel counter, toe portion, and frame mounting means;
- FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the present invention, illustrating the ankle support cuff, the ankle support cuff canting means in section, and alternate longitudinal canting positions of the ankle support cuff;
- FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the present invention, illustrating the ankle support cuff and ankle support cuff adjustment means in section, and alternative lateral canting positions of the ankle support cuff;
- FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the ankle support cuff adjustment means;
- FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view of the ankle support cuff adjustment means;
- FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the lower frame portion of the present invention, including a speed control means;
- FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrammatic partial side sectional views illustrating a speed control means made in accordance with the present invention and showing the speed control means in its nonbraking and braking modes, respectively;
- FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrammatic partial side sectional views of a second embodiment of the speed control means of the present invention, illustrating a cable actuating means for the speed control;
- FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the lower frame portion of one embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the speed control means of the present invention, wherein braking is applied to three of the four in-line roller wheels of the in-line roller skate;
- FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of still another alternate embodiment of the speed control means of the present invention, wherein braking is applied to all of the in-line roller wheels of an in-line roller skate;
- FIG. 16A is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the soft, pliable, breathable shoe portion, an external lace cover, and the semirigid ankle support cuff and securing strap attached to a lower frame portion;
- FIG. 16B is a partial perspective view of the present invention illustrating an alternative embodiment having the footbed portion and lower frame portion combined as a single injection-molded unit; and
- FIG. 17 is a sectional rear view of the upper shoe portion, showing the heel counter and ankle support cuff.
- Referring to FIG. 1, an in-
line roller skate 21 made according to the present invention is disclosed. The in-line roller skate 21 includes a soft, pliable,breathable shoe portion 22, which is preferably made of breathable 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 exteriorankle support cuff 23 and abase portion 39 to be described hereafter, the materials used to construct theshoe portion 22 are chosen for comfort, breathability, and heat transmissibility to cool the skater's foot. For purposes of describing the present invention, theshoe portion 22, thebase portion 39, and theankle 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 abase portion 39, aheel counter 41, a soft, pliable,breathable shoe portion 22, which in one embodiment includes a rigid orsemirigid toe portion 24 and anankle support cuff 23 having aconventional securing strap 26. While the preferred embodiments will be discussed in detail below, it is understood that theshoe portion 22 may integrally include both thetoe portion 24 and theheel counter 41. Theheel counter 41 and/or thetoe portion 24 may be laminated externally of theshoe portion 22 or be integrally contained within theshoe portion 22. Alternatively, theheel counter 41 and/or thetoe portion 24 may both be an integral part of thebase portion 39 or one or the other may be attached to thebase portion 39 while the other is attached to theshoe portion 22. The material comprising theheel counter 41 and thetoe 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 externalankle support cuff 23 having aconventional securing strap 26. Theankle support cuff 23 is shown hingedly mounted on theheel counter 41. Although it will be understood that theankle support cuff 23, which is made of either rigid or semirigid material, can likewise be an integral part of the soft, pliable,breathable shoe portion 22, the preferred embodiment of the present invention mounts theankle support cuff 23 internally and hingedly to theheel counter 41. Theankle support cuff 23 can, alternatively, be externally mounted to theheel counter 41. It will also be understood thatheel counter 41 can itself be an integral part of the soft boot or an external counter bonded to the soft boot. Theankle support cuff 23 can include both longitudinal canting means 25 and lateral canting means 27, which will be described in detail hereafter. - FIG. 1 discloses an
external lace cover 29, which may be integrally connected to the soft, pliable,breathable shoe portion 22 at itsbase 26 so that the lace cover can be pivoted forwardly to allow easy access to the shoe laces and the interior of the shoe. Referring also to FIG. 16A, conventional shoe laces 28 may be provided inward of thelace cover 29.Internal tongue 29 a is provided to prevent thelaces 28 from bearing directly on the skater's foot. - Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is a
lower frame portion 31 which is typically formed of injection-molded plastic or metal and aspeed control 33, which will be described in detail hereafter. Thelower frame portion 31 may alternatively be made of fiberglass with an epoxy resin or graphite with an epoxy resin. A plurality of in-line roller wheels 35 is mounted on axle means 36 that will also be described in detail hereafter. The in-line roller wheels 35 are mounted for rotation in a common longitudinal plane. Axle means 36 are shown fitted in upwardly extendingnotches 37 inlower frame portion 31 in a manner such thatwheels 35 can be easily replaced or interchanged when worn. While thenotches 37 are shown for purposes of describing the present invention, it will be understood that a variety of methods of mounting the in-line roller wheels 35 can be used, including mounting methods that allow variation in the vertical positioning of the axes of rotation of the in-line roller wheels 35. - FIGS. 2A and 3A illustrate the
base portion 39 made in accordance with the present invention. Thebase portion 39 can be a relatively simple flat sole or a relatively complex contoured sole containing supports and attachment means. For purposes of the present description, thebase portion 39 will be described in its more complex form, it being understood that not all of the supports or attachments described hereafter need be included in every embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 3A, thebase portion 39 includes asole portion 40, an integrallyconnected heel counter 41 for cupping the back of the skater's heel, and raisedsupport lip 43 on the sides of thebase portion 39 in the area of the ball of the skater's foot. In a preferred embodiment, thesole portion 40 has an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper portion of thesole portion 40 may be anatomically fitted to the user's foot by molding or other known techniques as described hereafter, to evenly distribute pressure along the bottom of the foot. Theheel counter 41, and the raisedsupport lips 43 provide support to aid the skater in maintaining the in-line roller skate in a substantially vertical position. The lower portion of thesole 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, breathable material, the footbed portion, and other supports, including primarily theankle support cuff 23, provide substantially all of the needed support and stability for the skater's foot. - The
sole portion 40 of thebase portion 39 may include anarch support portion 45, aheel support 47, and aball support 49. The supports 45, 47, and 49 contour thebase portion 39 to the user's foot and are preferably made of a heat-moldable plastic integrally mounted in thesole portion 40 of thefootbed 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. Thefootbed 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 thebase portion 39. - The
heel counter 41 and the raisedsupport lips 43 may also be fabricated from heat moldable plastics. As with thesupports heel counter 41 and the raisedsupport lip 43 can be anatomically fitted to the user's foot using a conventional hot air heat source. Thebase 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. - While FIGS. 2A and 3A show the
heel counter 41 as an integral part of thebase portion 39, other embodiments of the present invention may integrally mount theheel counter 41 in thesoft shoe portion 22, while thebase portion 39 would primarily comprisesole portion 40. Alternatively, thebase portion 39 could contain an additional heel counter portion such that theshoe portion 22 and theintegral heel counter 41 are laminated thereto in a known fashion. - Again referring to FIGS. 2A and 3A, the
sole portion 40 ofbase portion 39 is shown to include a pair of front mounting means 51 a and at least one identical rear mounting means 51 b. Mounting means 51 a and 51 b are adapted to allow the upper shoe portion to be mounted to thelower frame portion 31 in a manner such that the upper shoe portion may be moved both laterally and longitudinally with respect to thelower frame 31, as desired by the user. In particular, mounting means 51 a and 51 b each include aplate 53 having a threadedopening 54 a formed therein and adapted to receive a complementary threaded fastener, such as 54 b (FIG. 3A), which is sized to extend upwardly through a portion of thelower frame portion 31. Eachplate 53 is mounted in anoversize cavity 54 c formed in thesole portion 40 such that theplate 53 can move both laterally and longitudinally within thecavity 54 c when the fastener 54 b is loosened in the threadedopening 54 a. When the skater adjusts the position of the upper shoe portion to its desired location with respect to thelower frame portion 31, the fasteners 54 b are tightened to hold the upper shoe portion in position. While it is preferred that the upper shoe portion be both laterally and longitudinally adjustable with respect to thelower frame portion 31, it will be understood that thebase portion 39 can be permanently fastened to thelower frame portion 31 using conventional fastening means, such as rivets. In addition, thebase portion 39 and thelower frame portion 31 can be integrally combined in a single injection-molded unit such as shown in FIG. 16B. This embodiment would not allow adjustment of the upper shoe portion with respect to thelower frame portion 31, but would provide substantial desired rigidity and strength between the upper shoe portion and thelower frame portion 31. - Referring to FIGS. 2B and 3B, an alternate form of
base portion 39 a of the present invention is disclosed, without the raisedsupport lips 43, but including atoe portion 24. In this embodiment, the soft, pliable,breathable shoe portion 22 may be laminated to thebase portion 39 as such thattoe portion 24 provides additional laminating surface adding support and strength to theshoe portion 22. In addition, thetoe portion 24 can be extended rearward sufficiently to provide the earlier described support function oflips 43. The durable,semirigid toe portion 24 further prevents the soft pliable material comprising theshoe 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. - FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an
ankle support cuff 23 made according to the present invention. Theankle support cuff 23 is secured to theheel counter 41 throughlateral support apertures 55 and longitudinal support aperture 56 (shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) in a manner to be described hereafter. In one embodiment, theankle support cuff 23 can be rigidly fixed to theheel counter 41, allowing very limited flex of theankle support cuff 23 with respect to thefootbed portion 39 and thelower frame portion 31. In this mode, 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 theankle support cuff 23, theheel counter 41, andbase portion 39. As a means of controlling flexibility, the material used in the fabrication of theankle support cuff 23 can be selected for its characteristic flexibility, which may range from very rigid to a pliable, but semirigid material. - In an alternative embodiment,
ankle support cuff 23 can be hingedly attached to theheel counter 41 throughlateral support apertures 55, thus allowing forward and rearward pivotal movement of theankle support cuff 23. As discussed earlier, theheel counter 41 can either be an integral part of thebase portion 39 or of theshoe 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. In still another embodiment of the present invention, theankle support cuff 23 is adjustable both longitudinally (FIG. 4) and laterally (FIG. 5), as described more fully hereafter. - The
ankle support cuff 23, in combination with thebase portion 39 and theheel counter 41, support the skater's ankle and foot and assist the skater in maintaining a substantially upright ankle position. Theankle 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 thebase portion 39, the heat moldable plasticankle 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, theheel counter 41, and thebase portion 39, provide the needed support, thus allowing soft, pliable,breathable 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. It will be understood that 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. In general, the preferred embodiment of the canting system comprises two movable parts, each respectively associated with either theankle support cuff 23 or theheel counter 41 and capable of being securely locked together. As will be described hereafter, 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 theankle support cuff 23 according to the skater's preference. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the lateral canting means 27 can be placed on either the inside or the outside of theankle supporting cuff 23. Phantom views in FIG. 4 show thesupport cuff 23 adjusted to various longitudinally canted positions, while in FIG. 5, the phantom views show theankle support cuff 23 adjusted to various laterally canted positions as desired by the skater. - As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 16A, the soft, pliable,
breathable shoe portion 22 that substantially surrounds the skater's foot and extends above theankle support cuff 23. The extension of theshoe portion 22 above theankle support cuff 23 prevents the upper portion of the semirigidankle support cuff 23 from uncomfortably binding against the skater's ankle or calf. In a similar fashion, theinternal tongue 29 a also extends above theankle support cuff 23 to prevent theankle support cuff 23 from binding against the skater's shin when substantial longitudinal forward force is applied against theankle support cuff 23 and securingstrap 26. - Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the longitudinal and lateral canting mechanisms of the present invention are disclosed in detail. In a preferred embodiment, the canting mechanism includes a
cap nut 101 mounted to or within theheel counter 41 such that its internally threadedbarrel 103 extends into aslot 117 in theheel counter 41. The outer surface of theheel counter 41 in the region adjacent theslot 117 includes a plurality ofsurface 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. Theankle support cuff 23 includes an opening 104 outwardly adjacent the internally threadedbarrel 103 into which is inserted a plug 111 havingsurface grooves 113 sized and configured to engage thesurface grooves 109. The plug 111 includes acentral opening 112 into which is inserted acap screw 114 threaded to engage the internally threadedbarrel 103 of thecap nut 101. It will be understood that tightening of thecap screw 114 relative to thecap nut 101 causes the cooperatinggrooves heel counter 41 and the plug 111, respectively, to engage each other, to fix the position of theankle support cuff 23 with respect to thebase portion 39. When thecap screw 114 is loosened, thegrooves cap nut 101 can be moved within theslot 117 to allow theankle support cuff 23 to be canted relative to thebase portion 39. - Referring now to FIG. 8, one embodiment of the
lower frame portion 31 of the present invention is disclosed. Thelower frame portion 31 comprises aframe rail 57 b, which preferably includes notches 37 (shown in FIG. 1) in which the axle means 36 are held to allow in-line wheels 35 to be easily interchanged or replaced. While thenotches 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. Thelower frame portion 31 further includes a brake orspeed control 33 having an actuatinglever 59. In use, a skater reaches down and pulls upward on theactuating lever 59, forcing contouredspeed control plate 61 to bear against the in-line roller wheels 35. Alternatively, those skilled in the art will recognize that the actuatinglever 59 may be arranged and configured such that, in use,speed control plate 61 bears against the in-line roller wheels 35 by pushing down on actuatinglever 59. This mechanism is discussed in further detail hereafter. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the contouredspeed control plate 61 contacts a minimum of two wheels, typically the two rearmost wheels on the in-line roller skate. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the contouredspeed control plate 61 may contact from as few as one in-line roller wheel 35 to as many as all of the in-line wheels 35 mounted on thelower frame portion 31. - FIGS. 9 and 10 show the speed control means33 of FIG. 8 in longitudinal cross section in its unactuated and actuated or braking positions respectively. The contoured
speed control plate 61 is movable on avertical shaft 62 in a substantially vertical direction, toward and away from the in-line roller wheels 35. A biasingspring 63 acts to bias the contouredspeed control plate 61 away from the in-line roller wheels 35. When a force overriding the biasingspring 63 is applied to theactuating lever 59, the contouredspeed control plate 61 moves in a downward direction to contact the in-line wheels 35. Contact between thespeed control plate 61 and the in-line wheels 35 creates friction sufficient to impose a drag on the in-line roller wheels 35, thus slowing or stopping the rotation of the wheels thereby controlling the speed of the skater. Varying the force applied to theactuating lever 59 varies the drag on the in-line roller wheels 35. It will be understood that application of a selected force will slow but not necessarily stop the in-line roller wheels 35 so that the skater's speed can be controlled, such as when descending a grade. The contouredspeed control plate 61 can be made of any suitable material, including plastic or a metal such as aluminum. - Referring now to FIG. 13, there is shown an exploded view of the
lower frame portion 31 of the present invention, including thespeed control 33. The contouredspeed control plate 61 is shown positioned between anupper mounting bracket 65 and alower mounting bracket 67. The mountingbrackets speed control plate 61 is movable in a substantially vertical direction within the mountingbrackets speed control plate 61 contacts the in-line roller wheels 35, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12. - The
actuating lever 59 is mounted to pivot about afulcrum pin 73, which is in turn mounted between the frame rails 57 a and 57 b by means of afastener 69, and is attached at its inner end to apressure plate 71. Accordingly, when the actuatinglever 59 is raised, pressure is applied to thepressure plate 71 in a downward direction. Thepressure plate 71, being directly connected to the contouredspeed control plate 61, causes the contouredspeed control plate 61 to move in a downward direction toward thelower mounting bracket 67. This downward movement results in contact of the contouredspeed control plate 61 with the in-line roller wheels 35. The downward motion of the contouredspeed control plate 61 is limited first, and preferably, by its contact with the in-line roller wheels 35. However, if the contouredspeed control plate 61 continued to move in a downward direction, the biasingspring 63 would eventually become fully collapsed before thepressure plate 71 contacts the upper mountingbracket 65, and before a lower portion 66 of the contouredspeed control plate 61 contacts thelower mounting bracket 67. - FIGS. 11 and 12 show a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the actuating
lever 59 is replaced with acable 75. The biasingspring 63 again biases the contouredspeed control plate 61 away from in-line roller wheels 35. When thecable 75 is pulled in an upwardly direction, acable pressure housing 77 applies a downward force against thepressure plate 71, forcing the contouredspeed control plate 61 to move in a downward direction toward the in-line roller wheels 35. In this embodiment of the present invention, thecable 75 uses as its anchoring member, thelower mounting bracket 67. Shortening of thecable 75 causes the distance between thepressure plate 71 and thelower mounting plate 67 to be reduced, thereby forcing the contouredspeed control plate 61 downwardly. As with the earlier described embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, thecable 75 can apply force to the in-line roller wheels 35 as needed to control the speed of or bring the in-line wheels 35 to a stop. It will be understood that thecable 75 can run upwardly 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. Alternatively, a cable or similar actuating means could be attached to the actuating lever 59 (in FIGS. 8-10), so that the skater could pull up on the cable to cause the end of actuatinglever 59 to move upwardly, forcing the contouredspeed control plate 61 against the in-line roller wheels 35. - FIG. 13 shows a conventional system for mounting the in-
line wheels 35 within the frame rails 57 a and 57 b. In particular, an in-line roller wheel 35 is mounted on abearing hub 35 a having a central opening. Theaxle 36, which comprises an internally threadedcap nut 36 a and a cooperating threadedcap screw 36 b, extends through the frame rails 57 a and 57 b,spacer washers 36 c and 36 d on opposite sides of the in-line roller wheel 35, and through the opening in the bearinghub 35 a. The internally threadedcap nut 36 a and the cooperatingly threadedscrew 36 b 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 roller wheel 35 can rotate. The caps of the screw and nut grip the outer surfaces of the frame railsadjacent frame notches 37. - Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, the contour
speed control plate 61 of the present invention is shown shaped to apply drag to more than two of the in-line roller wheels 35. FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of a contouredspeed control plate 61 a as applied to three in-line roller wheels 35, and FIG. 15 shows an embodiment wherein the contourspeed control plate 61 is applied to four in-line roller wheels 35. Accordingly, a skater using theactuating lever 59 can apply force to the in-line roller wheels 35 in the manner heretofore described as needed to control the speed or stop the in-line roller wheels 35. Alternatively, a cable such as 75 can be used to apply drag force to the contouredspeed control plates 61 a or 61 b. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that, with appropriate modification of the mounting structure, the contouredspeed 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 onespeed control 33 applying downward pressure to a single contourspeed control plate 61 or multiple contour speed control plates in more than one position along the frame rails 57 a and 57 b. - The preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the contoured
speed control plate 61 is housed substantially above the in-line roller wheels 35 and securely maintained between the frame rails 57 a and 57 b, has advantages over the prior art in that thespeed control 33 is substantially removed from debris including rocks, dirt, grass, etc., which could become entangled in a speed control positioned lower on the frame rails 57 a and 57 b. In addition, by maintaining thespeed control 33 substantially between the frame rails 57 a and 57 b, the present invention protects the components of the speed control from damage due to thelower frame portion 31 contacting rigid objects or being carelessly handled. - Referring to FIG. 16A, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with the soft, pliable,
breathable shoe portion 22 laminated in place on thebase portion 39 a as described above with respect to FIGS. 2B and 3B. - As discussed heretofore, FIG. 16B discloses the
base portion 39 having aframe portion 31 molded integrally therewith. A soft 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. - 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 thebase portion 39 to be both laterally and longitudinally adjustable with respect to the lower frame portion. It is also advantageous to have thebase portion 39 molded integrally with thelower frame portion 31. More specifically, certain rigidity improvements can be obtained by eliminating the interface between thebase portion 39 and thelower frame portion 31, and eliminating the fastening means used to securely hold the two components together. - Referring now to FIG. 17, there is shown a rear sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 16A of the present invention showing an
ankle support cuff 23, a soft, pliable,breathable shoe portion 22, a lateral canting means 27 and anexternal heel counter 41. As discussed heretofore, adhesive may be applied atinterface 48 to bond theshoe portion 22 to theheel counter 41 and thebase portion 39. - While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (16)
1. An in-line roller skate for receiving a skater's foot, the skate comprising:
a frame having a plurality of longitudinally aligned wheels rotatably secured thereto;
a substantially rigid base securely attached to the frame, the base including a sole portion and support members that extend upwardly from the sole portion; and
a flexible and breathable shoe portion adapted to receive a skater's foot, wherein the shoe portion is attached at a lower edge to the sole portion of the base, and wherein at least some of the lower edge of the shoe portion is not blocked by the support members such that air circulation through the lower edge of the shoe portion is promoted;
wherein the support members include a semirigid heel counter secured to the sole portion of the base and an ankle support cuff pivotally coupled to the heel counter.
2. The in-line roller skate of claim 1 , wherein the flexible and breathable shoe portion is permanently affixed to the base.
3. The in-line roller skate of claim 1 , wherein the support members further include a toe cup secured to the sole portion of the base.
4. The in-line roller skate of claim 1 , wherein the support members further include a pair of oppositely-disposed support lips disposed proximate the balls of the received skater's foot.
5. The in-line roller skate of claim 1 , wherein the sole portion of the base is contoured to generally conform to the received skater's foot.
6. The in-line roller skate of claim 1 , wherein the frame is made from a composite material.
7. The in-line roller skate of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the base is made of a heat-moldable plastic such that the sole portion of the base can be anatomically fitted to the received skater's foot.
8. The in-line roller skate of claim 1 , wherein the base is made from a material selected from an injection-molded plastic, a fiberglass with an epoxy resin, or a graphite with an epoxy resin.
9. The in-line roller skate of claim 1 , wherein the sole portion of the base is a substantially flat plate.
10. The in-line roller skate of claim 1 , wherein frame and base are integrally formed in a single injection-molded unit.
11. The in-line roller skate of claim 1 , further comprising a canting system for longitudinal tilt adjustment of the ankle support cuff.
12. The in-line roller skate of claim 11 , further comprising a canting system for lateral tilt adjustment of the ankle support cuff.
13. The in-line roller skate of claim 1 , wherein the flexible and breathable shoe portion further comprises a vamp portion securable with a releasable fastener, and having an internal tongue and an external lace cover.
14. The in-line roller skate of claim 1 , wherein the flexible and breathable shoe portion is laminated to the base.
15. The in-line roller skate of claim 1 , wherein at least portions of the flexible and breathable shoe portion comprise a mesh fabric material.
16. A roller skate for receiving a skater's foot, the skate comprising:
a frame having a plurality of wheels rotatably secured thereto;
a substantially rigid base securely attached to the frame, the base including a sole plate and supplemental support members that extend upwardly from the sole plate; and
a flexible and breathable shoe upper, wherein the shoe upper is attached to the sole plate along a lower periphery of the shoe upper, and wherein at least some of the lower periphery of the shoe upper is disposed away from the supplemental support members such that air circulation through the breathable shoe portion is promoted;
wherein the supplemental support members include an ankle support cuff pivotally coupled to the heel counter, the ankle support cuff further comprising a support strap.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/842,024 US20040207164A1 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2004-05-07 | In-line roller skate |
Applications Claiming Priority (11)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08094576 US5437466B1 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1993-07-19 | In-line roller skate |
US48446795A | 1995-06-07 | 1995-06-07 | |
US08/811,134 US5848796A (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1997-03-03 | In-line roller skate |
US09/209,321 US6152459A (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1998-12-09 | In-line roller skate |
US09/379,461 US6139030A (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1999-08-23 | In-line roller skate |
US09/587,374 US6254110B1 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2000-06-01 | In-line roller skate |
US09/877,544 US6367818B2 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2001-06-08 | In-line roller skate |
US10/068,595 US6499748B2 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2002-02-06 | In-line roller skate |
US10/261,224 US6598888B2 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2002-09-30 | In-line roller skate |
US10/426,177 US6749203B2 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2003-04-28 | In-line roller skate |
US10/842,024 US20040207164A1 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2004-05-07 | In-line roller skate |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/426,177 Continuation US6749203B2 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2003-04-28 | In-line roller skate |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040207164A1 true US20040207164A1 (en) | 2004-10-21 |
Family
ID=22245969
Family Applications (11)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08094576 Expired - Lifetime US5437466B1 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1993-07-19 | In-line roller skate |
US08/120,629 Expired - Lifetime US5452907A (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1993-09-13 | Skate with adjustable base and frame |
US08/811,134 Expired - Lifetime US5848796A (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1997-03-03 | In-line roller skate |
US09/209,321 Expired - Lifetime US6152459A (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1998-12-09 | In-line roller skate |
US09/379,461 Expired - Lifetime US6139030A (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1999-08-23 | In-line roller skate |
US09/587,374 Expired - Lifetime US6254110B1 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2000-06-01 | In-line roller skate |
US09/877,544 Expired - Fee Related US6367818B2 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2001-06-08 | In-line roller skate |
US10/068,595 Expired - Fee Related US6499748B2 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2002-02-06 | In-line roller skate |
US10/261,224 Expired - Fee Related US6598888B2 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2002-09-30 | In-line roller skate |
US10/426,177 Expired - Fee Related US6749203B2 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2003-04-28 | In-line roller skate |
US10/842,024 Abandoned US20040207164A1 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2004-05-07 | In-line roller skate |
Family Applications Before (10)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08094576 Expired - Lifetime US5437466B1 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1993-07-19 | In-line roller skate |
US08/120,629 Expired - Lifetime US5452907A (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1993-09-13 | Skate with adjustable base and frame |
US08/811,134 Expired - Lifetime US5848796A (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1997-03-03 | In-line roller skate |
US09/209,321 Expired - Lifetime US6152459A (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1998-12-09 | In-line roller skate |
US09/379,461 Expired - Lifetime US6139030A (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1999-08-23 | In-line roller skate |
US09/587,374 Expired - Lifetime US6254110B1 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2000-06-01 | In-line roller skate |
US09/877,544 Expired - Fee Related US6367818B2 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2001-06-08 | In-line roller skate |
US10/068,595 Expired - Fee Related US6499748B2 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2002-02-06 | In-line roller skate |
US10/261,224 Expired - Fee Related US6598888B2 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2002-09-30 | In-line roller skate |
US10/426,177 Expired - Fee Related US6749203B2 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2003-04-28 | In-line roller skate |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (11) | US5437466B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR0130815B1 (en) |
TW (1) | TW302731U (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100156058A1 (en) * | 2008-12-19 | 2010-06-24 | Sport Maska Inc. | Skate |
US20110173841A1 (en) * | 2009-12-21 | 2011-07-21 | Mcduff Rodrique | Quarter Configuration for Footwear |
US20120204452A1 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2012-08-16 | Scott Van Horne | Hockey skate |
US20140013628A1 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2014-01-16 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Hockey skate |
US9510639B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2016-12-06 | Bauer Hockey, Inc. | Hockey skate |
US9878229B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2018-01-30 | Bauer Hockey, Llc | Skate with injected boot form |
US9936762B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 | 2018-04-10 | Sport Maska Inc. | Skate and method of manufacture |
Families Citing this family (142)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20010022434A1 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 2001-09-20 | Sauter Thomas M. | In-line roller skate with internal support and external ankle cuff |
US5802741A (en) * | 1993-07-19 | 1998-09-08 | K-2 Corporation | Snowboard boot |
US6168172B1 (en) * | 1993-07-19 | 2001-01-02 | K-2 Corporation | In-line roller skate |
US5437466B1 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1997-11-18 | K 2 Corp | In-line roller skate |
WO1995013120A1 (en) * | 1993-11-09 | 1995-05-18 | Nordica S.P.A. | In-line skate |
US6079128A (en) * | 1993-11-30 | 2000-06-27 | Bauer Nike Hockey Inc. | Skate boot construction with integral plastic insert |
US5740620A (en) * | 1994-07-05 | 1998-04-21 | Comfort Products, Ltd. | Elastomeric connecting means for footwear |
US5873584A (en) * | 1995-01-17 | 1999-02-23 | Rike Inline, Inc. | In-line roller skate frame |
US5940991A (en) * | 1995-04-07 | 1999-08-24 | Performance Materials Corporation | Non-planar article formed from thermoplastic composite material and method of forming non-planar article |
US5570894A (en) * | 1995-05-25 | 1996-11-05 | Jeannette L. Brandner | Device for linear skate preventing undesirable shifting of wheel support |
US6149852A (en) * | 1995-05-30 | 2000-11-21 | Benetton Sportsystem S.P.A. | Method for obtaining a shoe, and shoe obtained with said method |
IT1279496B1 (en) * | 1995-12-27 | 1997-12-10 | Nordica Spa | PROCEDURE FOR THE CREATION OF A FOOTWEAR AND FOOTWEAR OBTAINED WITH THE SAID PROCEDURE |
FR2736514B1 (en) * | 1995-07-11 | 1997-09-26 | Salomon Sa | SNOW SURF BOOTS COMPRISING AN INTERNAL HULL AND A HINGED RIGID BACK |
JP2812912B2 (en) * | 1995-11-10 | 1998-10-22 | 株式会社シマノ | Snowboard boots |
FR2740984B1 (en) | 1995-11-14 | 1997-12-12 | Salomon Sa | SKATE CHASSIS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD |
FR2741277B1 (en) * | 1995-11-20 | 1998-01-09 | Salomon Sa | ROLLER SKATES |
FR2742064B1 (en) | 1995-12-08 | 1998-01-09 | Salomon Sa | WHEEL SKATE |
US5894684A (en) * | 1996-01-26 | 1999-04-20 | Vans, Inc. | Snowboard boot ankle support device |
US5775707A (en) * | 1996-02-15 | 1998-07-07 | Primal Products, Inc. | Skate wheel fastening system |
USD377958S (en) * | 1996-02-21 | 1997-02-11 | Far Great Plastics Industrial Co., Ltd. | Gaiter for skate boot |
USD377957S (en) * | 1996-02-21 | 1997-02-11 | Far Great Plastics Industrial Co., Ltd. | Gaiter for a skate boot |
FR2745988B1 (en) * | 1996-03-15 | 1998-09-04 | SPORTS SHOES GUIDED BY LEGGERS AND ADAPTED BRAKING DEVICE | |
FR2746023B1 (en) * | 1996-03-18 | 1998-05-07 | SLIDING APPARATUS SUCH AS IN-LINE WHEELS | |
USD422044S (en) * | 1996-03-29 | 2000-03-28 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Skate boot |
US6015157A (en) * | 1996-04-01 | 2000-01-18 | Fancyform Design Engineering | Roller skate adaptable to user, style, and terrain |
IT1288602B1 (en) * | 1996-04-04 | 1998-09-23 | Stylus Spa | FOOTWEAR STRUCTURE, PARTICULARLY FOR SKATING |
US5779247A (en) * | 1996-05-03 | 1998-07-14 | Anselmo; Anthony Gray | Wheeled all terrain recreational device |
EP0813825B1 (en) * | 1996-06-08 | 1999-03-17 | Shimano Inc. | Snowboard boot |
USD382932S (en) * | 1996-06-12 | 1997-08-26 | Chou Ming-Ho | Boot for a skate |
IT1288634B1 (en) | 1996-07-01 | 1998-09-23 | Nordica Spa | BRAKING CONTROL DEVICE PARTICULARLY FOR SKATES |
US6047972A (en) * | 1996-07-03 | 2000-04-11 | Rudolph; Robert K | In-line skate and method of forming same |
US6276696B1 (en) | 1996-07-12 | 2001-08-21 | Jon Garfield Wong | In-line roller skates |
FR2753106A1 (en) * | 1996-09-12 | 1998-03-13 | Rossignol Sa | Roller skate with wheels in line and brake |
FR2755586B1 (en) * | 1996-11-08 | 1999-01-29 | Salomon Sa | METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A SHOE TO A SPORTS ARTICLE CHASSIS |
FR2755585B1 (en) * | 1996-11-08 | 1999-01-29 | Salomon Sa | SPORT SHOE WITH MOBILE COLLAR |
US20050034330A1 (en) * | 1996-11-12 | 2005-02-17 | Baychar | Running shoes, hiking shoes and boots, snowboard boots, alpine boots, hiking boots, and the like, having waterproof/breathable moisture transfer characteristics |
US7147911B2 (en) * | 1996-11-12 | 2006-12-12 | Solidawater Holdings | Waterproof/breathable technical apparel |
US20050214501A1 (en) * | 1996-11-12 | 2005-09-29 | Waterproof/breathable technical apparel | |
US5738937A (en) * | 1996-11-12 | 1998-04-14 | Baychar; | Waterproof/breathable liner and in-line skate employing the liner |
US7314840B2 (en) * | 1996-11-12 | 2008-01-01 | Solid Water Holdings | Waterproof/breathable, moisture transfer, soft shell Alpine boots, and snowboard boots, insert liners and footbeds |
US6048810A (en) * | 1996-11-12 | 2000-04-11 | Baychar; | Waterproof/breathable moisture transfer liner for snowboard boots, alpine boots, hiking boots and the like |
US6981341B2 (en) | 1996-11-12 | 2006-01-03 | Solid Water Holdings | Waterproof/breathable moisture transfer composite capable of wicking moisture away from an individual's body and capable of regulating temperature |
US7125816B1 (en) | 1996-11-12 | 2006-10-24 | Solid Water Holdings | Waterproof/breathable technical apparel |
US20040200094A1 (en) * | 1996-11-12 | 2004-10-14 | Baychar | Softboots and waterproof /breathable moisture transfer composite and liner for in-line skates, ice-skates, hockey skates, snowboard boots, alpine boots, hiking boots and the like |
US8569190B2 (en) | 1996-11-12 | 2013-10-29 | Solid Water Holdings | Waterproof/breathable moisture transfer liner for snowboard boots, alpine boots, hiking boots and the like |
US20040058102A1 (en) * | 1996-11-12 | 2004-03-25 | Baychar | Moisture transfer liner for alpine boots, snowboard boots inline skates, hockey skates, hiking boots and the like |
US6003882A (en) * | 1996-11-14 | 1999-12-21 | V-Formation, Inc. | Customizable skate with removable wheel hangers |
US5974696A (en) * | 1997-01-24 | 1999-11-02 | Sport Maska Inc. | Skate boot having an outsole with a rigid insert |
US5915703A (en) * | 1997-01-09 | 1999-06-29 | Rike Industries, Inc. | In-line skate axle and related assembly method |
DE19700497A1 (en) * | 1997-01-09 | 1998-07-16 | Jan Ortwig | Inline skater |
US6012726A (en) * | 1997-02-13 | 2000-01-11 | K-2 Corporation | In-line skate with temperature dependent support |
US5797610A (en) | 1997-02-13 | 1998-08-25 | K-2 Corporation | Ventilated in-line skate |
FR2759552B1 (en) | 1997-02-19 | 1999-04-23 | Salomon Sa | SPORT SHOE WITH RIGID FRAME |
IT1293354B1 (en) * | 1997-05-09 | 1999-02-25 | Nordica Spa | LOCKING DEVICE, PARTICULARLY FOR SKATES WHEELS |
FR2763220B1 (en) * | 1997-05-16 | 1999-08-20 | Salomon Sa | MULTI-POINT SPORTS SHOE |
US6374516B1 (en) | 1997-05-16 | 2002-04-23 | Salomon S.A. | Boot with an adjustable length upper adapted for skating |
IT1293370B1 (en) * | 1997-06-13 | 1999-02-25 | Tecnica Spa | ROLLER SKATE WITH FOOTWEAR AND ROLLER CARRIAGE WITH MUTABLE POSITION. |
IT1293377B1 (en) * | 1997-06-26 | 1999-02-25 | Nordica Spa | STRUCTURE OF SHOE |
US5924706A (en) * | 1997-07-10 | 1999-07-20 | Roller Cerby Skate Corporation | Skate boot construction |
US5951028A (en) * | 1997-07-28 | 1999-09-14 | Land Roller, Inc. | Roller skate |
KR100312138B1 (en) * | 1997-09-04 | 2001-12-28 | 조민호 | Polyester partially drawn yarn and manufacturing method thereof |
IT1297292B1 (en) * | 1997-11-06 | 1999-09-01 | Stylus Spa Ora Toifin Spa | FRAME STRUCTURE FOR ICE SKATES PARTICULARLY FOR SPEED |
US5954366A (en) * | 1997-11-17 | 1999-09-21 | Forman; Kathy | Platform attachment for an in-line skate |
KR100294723B1 (en) * | 1997-11-18 | 2001-09-17 | 시마노 요시조 | Snowboard Boots Back Support System |
IT1297300B1 (en) * | 1997-11-27 | 1999-09-01 | Tecnica Spa | SHOE WITH WHEELS IN LINE |
CH691888A5 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 2001-11-30 | Lange Internat Sa | Roller skate online. |
US5997015A (en) * | 1998-01-14 | 1999-12-07 | Bellehumeur; Alex R. | Brake for inline skates |
USD410516S (en) * | 1998-01-23 | 1999-06-01 | K-2 Corporation | In-line skate frame |
IT245499Y1 (en) * | 1998-01-23 | 2002-03-22 | Alessandro Marcolin | HULL STRUCTURE FOR SPORT SHOES |
US6217039B1 (en) | 1998-02-02 | 2001-04-17 | Minson Enterprises Co., Ltd. | Adjustable skate |
US6916027B2 (en) | 1998-02-02 | 2005-07-12 | Minson Enterprises, Co. Ltd. | Adjustable skate |
US6102412A (en) * | 1998-02-03 | 2000-08-15 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Skate with a molded boot |
US6065762A (en) * | 1998-03-11 | 2000-05-23 | Brelvi; Nazir A | Multidirectional in-line roller skate |
FR2776896B1 (en) | 1998-04-03 | 2000-06-30 | Salomon Sa | SPORT SHOE WITH PARTIALLY COVERED RIGID FRAME |
FR2778534B1 (en) | 1998-05-12 | 2000-07-13 | Salomon Sa | SPORT SHOE WITH RIGID INTERNAL FRAME |
US6497421B1 (en) * | 1998-07-07 | 2002-12-24 | Innovo International Limited | Skating and other apparatus |
US6688613B1 (en) * | 1998-10-19 | 2004-02-10 | John C. Malloy | Roller skating device |
US6663118B1 (en) | 1998-12-02 | 2003-12-16 | Shimano, Inc. | Snowboard interface with an upper portion that translates and rotates relative to a lower portion |
US6145854A (en) * | 1999-04-07 | 2000-11-14 | Cheng; Tsan-Hsiung | In-line roller skate |
EP1078659A3 (en) * | 1999-08-20 | 2002-04-03 | Kim, Mu-jung | Skate blade angle controlling device of skates for short track |
FR2801771B1 (en) | 1999-12-01 | 2003-02-07 | Salomon Sa | SPORTS SHOE WITH VARIABLE RIGIDITY |
US6364323B1 (en) | 1999-12-07 | 2002-04-02 | The Burton Corporation | Tool-free adjustment system for a leg support member of a binding |
US6422579B1 (en) | 2000-01-27 | 2002-07-23 | First Team Sports, Inc. | Adjustable size skate design |
FR2804878B1 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2002-07-05 | Salomon Sa | SPORTS CHASSIS |
FR2805172B1 (en) * | 2000-02-22 | 2002-05-03 | Rossignol Sa | INTERFACE ELEMENT USED ON A SURFBOARD |
US6478312B1 (en) | 2000-06-23 | 2002-11-12 | Gary M. Petrucci | Brake system for a wheeled article |
FR2812212B1 (en) * | 2000-07-28 | 2003-02-07 | Salomon Sa | ADJUSTABLE SKATE |
NL1016759C2 (en) * | 2000-11-30 | 2002-05-31 | Jean Jacques Van Hartesveldt | Roller skate with a brake. |
WO2002052969A1 (en) | 2000-12-28 | 2002-07-11 | Alpinestars Spa | Sports footwear having a protective structure with a plurality of articulation |
EP1221290B1 (en) * | 2001-01-08 | 2005-04-13 | Calzaturificio S.C.A.R.P.A. S.p.A. | Ski boot |
US7255623B2 (en) * | 2001-03-28 | 2007-08-14 | Steven Davis | Self-stabilizing rotating toy |
ITTV20010050A1 (en) | 2001-04-23 | 2002-10-23 | Tecnica Spa | ARTICULATED REINFORCEMENT STRUCTURE AND FOOTWEAR EQUIPPED WITH SUCH STRUCTURE |
US20020163146A1 (en) | 2001-05-02 | 2002-11-07 | Bennett D. Paul | Fast entry elastic vamp closure skate |
US6918601B2 (en) | 2001-05-18 | 2005-07-19 | K-2 Corporation | Tool-less size-adjustable in-line skate |
DE10147660B4 (en) * | 2001-09-27 | 2008-01-31 | Mako Sport Sportartikel-Vertriebs Gmbh | Footwear for a roller sports device |
US6382640B1 (en) | 2001-10-17 | 2002-05-07 | Michael Killian | Latitudinal aligned mono-wheel skate device |
ITTV20020055A1 (en) * | 2002-05-17 | 2003-11-17 | Benetton Spa | IMPROVED SPORTS FOOTWEAR |
US20080131648A1 (en) | 2003-06-23 | 2008-06-05 | Solid Water Holdings | Waterproof/breathable, moisture transfer, soft shell alpine boots and snowboard boots, insert liners and footbeds |
ITPN20020056A1 (en) * | 2002-07-18 | 2004-01-19 | Mgm Spa | SHOE STRUCTURE FOR WHEEL OR ICE SKATES. |
US20040021282A1 (en) * | 2002-07-31 | 2004-02-05 | Grattini Ron A. | Miniature skateboard/skate |
KR20020070228A (en) * | 2002-08-03 | 2002-09-05 | 박영관 | The speed controler of the INLINESKATE and SKATEBOARD |
CA2399880C (en) * | 2002-08-27 | 2012-11-13 | Troy Stacey Crowder | Adjustable hockey skate blade system |
ITBG20020034A1 (en) * | 2002-10-21 | 2004-04-22 | Benetton Spa | IMPROVED SHOE STRUCTURE. |
US6932360B2 (en) * | 2002-11-01 | 2005-08-23 | Andreas C. Wegener | Adjustable frame assembly for skates |
US6941224B2 (en) * | 2002-11-07 | 2005-09-06 | Denso Corporation | Method and apparatus for recording voice and location information |
ITBG20020046A1 (en) * | 2002-12-23 | 2004-06-24 | Benetton Group S P A Ora Benetton Trading Usa In | IMPROVED SHOE STRUCTURE WITH MONOBLOCK FRAME. |
US6796292B2 (en) * | 2003-02-26 | 2004-09-28 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Engine air amount prediction based on engine position |
KR20040105147A (en) * | 2003-06-05 | 2004-12-14 | 황광선 | Inline skate |
CA2537737C (en) | 2003-09-10 | 2012-10-23 | Jas D. Easton, Inc. | Article of footwear comprising a unitary support structure and method of manufacture |
CA2441754A1 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2005-03-19 | Sport Maska Inc. | In-line skate wheels and wheel frame assembly |
JP4063744B2 (en) * | 2003-09-24 | 2008-03-19 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Control device for hybrid vehicle |
NL1024416C2 (en) * | 2003-10-01 | 2005-04-05 | Leora Miriam Rosner | Assembly of an elongated skate frame and a footrest comprising at least one shoe sole, boot sole or a support part that can be attached to a shoe sole or boot sole. |
US20070281567A1 (en) * | 2004-04-05 | 2007-12-06 | Solid Water Holding | Waterproof/breathable technical apparel |
US20070294920A1 (en) * | 2005-10-28 | 2007-12-27 | Soft shell boots and waterproof /breathable moisture transfer composites and liner for in-line skates, ice-skates, hockey skates, snowboard boots, alpine boots, hiking boots and the like | |
US20070141940A1 (en) * | 2005-10-28 | 2007-06-21 | Lightweight, breathable, waterproof, soft shell composite apparel and technical alpine apparel | |
US7167104B2 (en) * | 2004-06-16 | 2007-01-23 | M/A-Com, Inc. | System and method to wirelessly communicate information between traffic control signs and vehicles |
US7397390B2 (en) * | 2004-06-16 | 2008-07-08 | M/A-Com, Inc. | Wireless traffic control system |
CA2536282A1 (en) * | 2005-02-14 | 2006-08-14 | Normand Tremblay | Braking assembly for a roller skate |
KR100743495B1 (en) * | 2005-11-17 | 2007-08-01 | 김홍기 | In-line skate |
US7455305B2 (en) * | 2005-12-12 | 2008-11-25 | Alex Bellehumeur, Trustee of the Alex Bellehumeur Family Trust dated August 24, 1988 | Vertically reciprocating skate brake |
FR2902981B1 (en) * | 2006-06-28 | 2008-10-31 | Salomon Sa | SHOE WITH RIGID SHELL |
US7762681B2 (en) * | 2006-09-08 | 2010-07-27 | Peckham Jr Alfred H | Skate covering with integral, downwardly projecting LED illumination system |
FR2906733A1 (en) * | 2006-10-04 | 2008-04-11 | Jerome Larosa | Braking device for slowing rear wheel of inline skate, has brake shoe articulated on axle and exerting pressure on wheel when skate is supported on ground by user, supports assembled on body of skate, and pull-off spring for lifting shoe |
FR2910245B1 (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2009-03-20 | Salomon Sa | SPORTS SHOE |
WO2008083479A1 (en) | 2007-01-09 | 2008-07-17 | Sport Maska Inc. | Hybrid skate boot |
CA2675197C (en) | 2007-01-12 | 2016-04-12 | Sport Maska Inc. | Skate boot with improved flexibility |
US20090079147A1 (en) * | 2007-09-20 | 2009-03-26 | Landroller, Inc. | Roller skate |
WO2009049244A1 (en) * | 2007-10-10 | 2009-04-16 | Dasc Skating Llc | Skate boot |
US20110083286A1 (en) * | 2009-10-08 | 2011-04-14 | Hsin-Chih Yang | Method for manufacturing a one-piece shoe shell |
US8512269B1 (en) | 2010-03-09 | 2013-08-20 | William Scott Stano | Molded ankle-foot orthoses and methods of construction |
US10675508B2 (en) | 2010-04-08 | 2020-06-09 | Cetatek Holdings Inc. | Coupleable fin apparatuses and boot toe bodies |
WO2014056066A1 (en) | 2012-10-12 | 2014-04-17 | Cetatek Holdings Inc. | Boot sole system and fin for same |
AU2011238388B2 (en) | 2010-04-08 | 2014-10-30 | Cetatek Holdings Inc. | Flippers, boots, systems including same, and methods of using same |
US8955233B2 (en) | 2013-02-07 | 2015-02-17 | Liliana A. Dean | Skate dryer and method for using |
ITUD20130103A1 (en) | 2013-08-06 | 2015-02-07 | Ghedin Patrizia | ADJUSTMENT DEVICE FOR A SPORTS FOOTWEAR |
US20150048578A1 (en) * | 2013-08-13 | 2015-02-19 | Powerslide Sportartikelvertriebs Gmbh | Arrangement for a two-track roller skate |
US20160100650A1 (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2016-04-14 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Skate boot including a thermoformable arch-support region |
WO2016120242A1 (en) * | 2015-01-28 | 2016-08-04 | Powerslide Gmbh | Roller skate system having rail and shoe |
US10130138B2 (en) * | 2016-01-22 | 2018-11-20 | Apex Sports Group, Llc | Exoskeletal boot |
CN106582003B (en) * | 2016-11-01 | 2019-11-05 | 爱柯迪股份有限公司 | A kind of regulating mechanism of electric-powered shoes |
US11712637B1 (en) | 2018-03-23 | 2023-08-01 | Steven M. Hoffberg | Steerable disk or ball |
RS20201126A1 (en) | 2020-09-18 | 2022-03-31 | Vladimir Banjac | Roller skates - sneakers with two pairs of deatachable wheels |
Citations (96)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US310923A (en) * | 1885-01-20 | Skate | ||
US334739A (en) * | 1886-01-26 | Roller-skate | ||
US700377A (en) * | 1900-12-03 | 1902-05-20 | Julius Sakrzewski | Combined road and ice skate. |
US829900A (en) * | 1905-04-27 | 1906-08-28 | Robert Warren Shelmire | Skate. |
US1034649A (en) * | 1912-03-27 | 1912-08-06 | Charles De Los Rice | Roller-skate. |
US1371623A (en) * | 1920-04-28 | 1921-03-15 | Ickenroth Anthony | Roller-skate brake |
US1524286A (en) * | 1921-12-06 | 1925-01-27 | Julien A Bried | Brake for roller skates |
US1527840A (en) * | 1924-05-08 | 1925-02-24 | Chomin Harry | Skate |
US1539445A (en) * | 1922-11-24 | 1925-05-26 | Theodoor Van Buuren | Wheel skate |
US1798590A (en) * | 1930-04-12 | 1931-03-31 | Henry J Collis | Skating sandal |
US1801205A (en) * | 1930-05-22 | 1931-04-14 | Edward M Mirick | Skate |
US1868548A (en) * | 1931-03-06 | 1932-07-26 | Joseph C Turner | Roller skate |
US2048916A (en) * | 1935-05-25 | 1936-07-28 | Frank A Bentzlin | Roller skate |
US2118892A (en) * | 1936-11-11 | 1938-05-31 | Mays Earle Walten | Skating footwear |
US2120987A (en) * | 1935-08-06 | 1938-06-21 | Alan E Murray | Process of producing orthopedic shoes and product thereof |
US2147455A (en) * | 1934-10-26 | 1939-02-14 | Alan E Murray | Rigid-bottomed shoe with skate attached |
US2218209A (en) * | 1939-03-20 | 1940-10-15 | Western Cartridge Co | Roller skate |
US2644692A (en) * | 1951-05-28 | 1953-07-07 | Kahlert Ernest | Roller skate |
US2763071A (en) * | 1952-09-25 | 1956-09-18 | Napier Clive Hastings Kingsley | Boots, shoes and like articles of footwear |
US2868553A (en) * | 1957-03-14 | 1959-01-13 | Rieckman Werner | Combination ice and roller skates |
US2909375A (en) * | 1957-10-09 | 1959-10-20 | Warner Robert | Roller skate |
US2998260A (en) * | 1960-01-26 | 1961-08-29 | Meyer Paul | Combined shoe and interchangeable skates |
US3387852A (en) * | 1966-07-25 | 1968-06-11 | Sarro Emma De | Detachable and removable roller skates |
US3437344A (en) * | 1967-04-07 | 1969-04-08 | Chicago Roller Skate Co | Roller skate |
US3767220A (en) * | 1972-03-13 | 1973-10-23 | R Peterson | Foot worn two-wheeled vehicle |
US3807062A (en) * | 1971-01-22 | 1974-04-30 | Karku Sport Ab | Athletic boot |
US3844574A (en) * | 1972-07-07 | 1974-10-29 | K Kosono | Roller skate toe stop assembly |
US3901520A (en) * | 1974-06-21 | 1975-08-26 | Raymond Lee Organization Inc | Skate |
US3963252A (en) * | 1973-06-26 | 1976-06-15 | Carlson Ronald G | Roller skate |
US4003582A (en) * | 1975-11-13 | 1977-01-18 | Maurer Jeffrey A | Skate board wheel brake assembly |
US4088334A (en) * | 1977-03-25 | 1978-05-09 | Johnson Elmer E | Skateboard brake |
US4108451A (en) * | 1975-08-14 | 1978-08-22 | Scheck Sr Wilson | Roller skates with hand brakes |
US4181227A (en) * | 1978-08-03 | 1980-01-01 | Edward Balstad | Roller skate braking assembly |
US4275895A (en) * | 1980-01-24 | 1981-06-30 | Edwards Jesse O | Roller skate brake |
US4295547A (en) * | 1980-03-31 | 1981-10-20 | Dungan D Patrick | Brake assembly for small vehicles |
US4351537A (en) * | 1979-01-19 | 1982-09-28 | Warrington Inc. | Multipart skate |
US4385456A (en) * | 1981-03-06 | 1983-05-31 | Jean Livernois | Preformed lining component for skate boots and the like |
US4453726A (en) * | 1980-05-09 | 1984-06-12 | Tsh-Handels Ag | Roller skate or the like with brake attachment |
US4492385A (en) * | 1982-07-21 | 1985-01-08 | Olson Scott B | Skate having an adjustable blade or wheel assembly |
US4531537A (en) * | 1980-04-21 | 1985-07-30 | Xomox Corporation | Plug valve for reduced leakage |
US4563825A (en) * | 1981-11-20 | 1986-01-14 | Nava & C. S.P.A. | Boot particularly for sportswear |
US4654985A (en) * | 1984-12-26 | 1987-04-07 | Chalmers Edward L | Athletic boot |
US4657265A (en) * | 1985-12-13 | 1987-04-14 | Ruth Paul M | Convertible skate |
US4666169A (en) * | 1984-04-12 | 1987-05-19 | Roller Barons, Inc. | Skate apparatus |
US4718181A (en) * | 1985-07-02 | 1988-01-12 | Icaro Olivieri & C.S.P.A. | Binding device, particularly for securing the foot to a bearing structure of a sporting implement |
US4719926A (en) * | 1986-02-28 | 1988-01-19 | Nelson Ronald E | Hinged foot and ankle brace |
US4771555A (en) * | 1986-09-16 | 1988-09-20 | Kabushiki Kaisha Patine Shokai | Waterproof boot having removable ventilation means |
US4773658A (en) * | 1984-10-01 | 1988-09-27 | Warrington Inc. | Skate |
US4776111A (en) * | 1986-08-27 | 1988-10-11 | Crowley Kevin J | Footwear stabilizer |
US4807893A (en) * | 1988-03-21 | 1989-02-28 | Huang Chuan H | Roller skate |
US4811498A (en) * | 1985-08-06 | 1989-03-14 | Salomon S. A. | Ski boot |
USD300685S (en) * | 1986-10-02 | 1989-04-18 | Reebok International Ltd. | Pivoting ankle stabilizer |
US4826183A (en) * | 1986-03-26 | 1989-05-02 | Jan Bratland | Skate |
US4892332A (en) * | 1988-11-04 | 1990-01-09 | Ryan Jennings | Braking system for roller skis |
US4898403A (en) * | 1989-01-27 | 1990-02-06 | Johnson Lennart B | Roller ski |
US4909523A (en) * | 1987-06-12 | 1990-03-20 | Rollerblade, Inc. | In-line roller skate with frame |
US4932675A (en) * | 1986-11-28 | 1990-06-12 | Scott B. Olson | Skate assembly |
US4936295A (en) * | 1987-09-22 | 1990-06-26 | Crane Larry A | Lateral support for ankle |
US4943072A (en) * | 1989-08-24 | 1990-07-24 | Sy Henig | Side-actuated braking system for paired, wheeled, foot vehicles |
US4943075A (en) * | 1989-08-18 | 1990-07-24 | Gates Patrick G | Pair of wheeled skate-skis with brakes usable on most terrains |
US4964229A (en) * | 1989-02-03 | 1990-10-23 | Sport Maska, Inc. | Method and apparatus for vacuum molding multi-layer footwear |
US4988122A (en) * | 1990-01-31 | 1991-01-29 | Saunders Adah W | Roll ice shoe |
USD315941S (en) * | 1989-08-23 | 1991-04-02 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Roller skate brake |
US5028058A (en) * | 1987-06-12 | 1991-07-02 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Hub and brake assembly for in-line roller skate |
US5031341A (en) * | 1988-12-13 | 1991-07-16 | Salomon S.A. | Rear-entry ski boot |
US5046746A (en) * | 1989-02-27 | 1991-09-10 | Gierveld Beheer B.V. | Frame for a skate, method for the manufacture thereof, skating shoe and skate |
US5048848A (en) * | 1987-06-12 | 1991-09-17 | Rollerblade, Inc. | In-line roller skate with axle aperture plugs for simplified wheel installation |
US5052701A (en) * | 1989-08-23 | 1991-10-01 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Roller skate with pivoting brake |
USD323540S (en) * | 1990-07-05 | 1992-01-28 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Roller skate |
US5088748A (en) * | 1990-12-28 | 1992-02-18 | Design Continuum Inc. | Anti-lock braking system for skates |
US5090138A (en) * | 1990-06-11 | 1992-02-25 | Robert Borden | Spring shoe device |
US5092614A (en) * | 1990-07-10 | 1992-03-03 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Lightweight in-line roller skate, frame, and frame mounting system |
USD324713S (en) * | 1989-11-22 | 1992-03-17 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Long blade roller skate |
US5129663A (en) * | 1990-12-18 | 1992-07-14 | Mike Soo | Roller/ice skate base |
US5143387A (en) * | 1991-09-03 | 1992-09-01 | Jeff M. Colla | Roller skate brake assembly having toe actuator within the boot |
US5177884A (en) * | 1989-09-07 | 1993-01-12 | Salomon S.A. | Cross-country ski shoe |
US5184834A (en) * | 1991-10-01 | 1993-02-09 | Yu Chung Hsiung | Skate shoe having an adjustable plate mounted thereto |
US5190301A (en) * | 1991-03-13 | 1993-03-02 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Fastening system for the wheels of an in-line roller skate |
US5192099A (en) * | 1991-08-27 | 1993-03-09 | Riutta Raine R | Roller skate starting and stopping aids |
US5211409A (en) * | 1992-02-04 | 1993-05-18 | Out Of Line Sports, Inc. | Mechanically activated skate brake and method |
US5226875A (en) * | 1991-12-02 | 1993-07-13 | James Johnson | Athletic footwear with integral ankle support |
US5253882A (en) * | 1992-02-04 | 1993-10-19 | Out Of Line Sports, Inc. | Hand activated skate brake and method |
US5280931A (en) * | 1992-11-20 | 1994-01-25 | Thistle Sports Enterprises, Inc. | Roller brake |
US5280930A (en) * | 1992-08-21 | 1994-01-25 | David R. Smathers | Hydraulic braking system for in-line roller skates |
US5331752A (en) * | 1992-01-14 | 1994-07-26 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Skate with detachable shoe |
US5342070A (en) * | 1993-02-04 | 1994-08-30 | Rollerblade, Inc. | In-line skate with molded joe box |
US5380020A (en) * | 1993-01-28 | 1995-01-10 | Rollerblade, Inc. | In-line skate |
US5393078A (en) * | 1992-06-09 | 1995-02-28 | Salomon S.A. | Skate with in-line wheels |
US5397141A (en) * | 1993-07-30 | 1995-03-14 | Canstar Sports Group Inc. | In-line skate construction |
US5411278A (en) * | 1991-07-31 | 1995-05-02 | Koflach Sport Gesellschaft M.B.H. & Co. Kg. | Skating shoe |
US5437466A (en) * | 1993-07-19 | 1995-08-01 | K-2 Corporation | In-line roller skate |
US5480168A (en) * | 1995-01-09 | 1996-01-02 | Far Great Plastics Industrial Co., Ltd. | Quick adjustable fastening means to adjust the position of a gaiter on a roller skate |
US5499461A (en) * | 1993-03-24 | 1996-03-19 | Salomon S.A. | Boot for guiding sports |
US5678330A (en) * | 1989-06-21 | 1997-10-21 | Nki-Tm, Inc. | Shoe with integral ankle support and improved ankle brace apparatus |
US5775008A (en) * | 1991-10-23 | 1998-07-07 | Bussell; Mark H. | Footwear including a supramalleolar ankle foot orthosis |
US6168172B1 (en) * | 1993-07-19 | 2001-01-02 | K-2 Corporation | In-line roller skate |
Family Cites Families (59)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US916289A (en) * | 1909-03-23 | William Henry Fitzgerald | Combined ice and roller skate. | |
US593278A (en) * | 1897-11-09 | Skate | ||
US1187817A (en) * | 1915-11-04 | 1916-06-20 | Henry James Collis | Skate-strap. |
US1355680A (en) * | 1920-01-21 | 1920-10-12 | Winchester Repeating Arms Co | Screw-on skate |
US1597108A (en) * | 1923-05-31 | 1926-08-24 | Frederick W Planert | Skate-strap fastener |
US1607103A (en) * | 1925-09-30 | 1926-11-16 | Thore J Sesby | Roller skate |
US1610700A (en) * | 1925-10-26 | 1926-12-14 | Spalding & Bros Ag | Athletic shoe |
US1726579A (en) * | 1927-03-24 | 1929-09-03 | Charles H Oestrick | Skate |
US2121907A (en) * | 1937-09-17 | 1938-06-28 | Clarence V Easton | Footwear |
US2179592A (en) * | 1939-02-24 | 1939-11-14 | Theodore R Goettie | Roller skate brake |
US2290523A (en) * | 1941-05-19 | 1942-07-21 | Bauer Theodor | Roller skate |
US2362824A (en) * | 1944-02-24 | 1944-11-14 | Melville G Hueston | Ankle support for boots |
US2505076A (en) * | 1948-10-22 | 1950-04-25 | Recordia Mfg Co Inc | Sandal with a quickly detachable closure strap |
US2643888A (en) * | 1951-03-03 | 1953-06-30 | Jr William H Hargis | Ski binding |
US2741039A (en) * | 1953-05-11 | 1956-04-10 | Wesley C Mathews | Ankle cinch for high boots |
FR1136599A (en) | 1955-11-29 | 1957-05-15 | Roller skiing | |
US3112119A (en) * | 1961-04-25 | 1963-11-26 | Corlise M Sweet | Roller skate with heel brake |
US3234667A (en) * | 1963-07-01 | 1966-02-15 | Us Rubber Co | Shoe having inside stay-on strap |
US3224785A (en) * | 1963-07-22 | 1965-12-21 | Gerald W Stevenson | Rider stabilized roller skate provided with brake means actuated by tilting of the brake |
US3287023A (en) * | 1964-07-16 | 1966-11-22 | Chicago Roller Skate Co | Roller skate |
US3580594A (en) * | 1969-05-20 | 1971-05-25 | Chicago Roller Skate Co | Toe stop mounting for roller skates |
AT319810B (en) * | 1971-03-25 | 1975-01-10 | Marker Hannes | Stabilizer for cross-country skiing boots |
DE2329917A1 (en) | 1973-06-12 | 1975-01-09 | Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie | IGNITION SYSTEM FOR COMBUSTION MACHINERY |
CA1025008A (en) * | 1975-02-05 | 1978-01-24 | Lucien Dallaire | Roller skate with maneuverability adjustments |
DE2512648A1 (en) | 1975-03-21 | 1976-09-23 | Johannes Landes | Layered thermoplastic ornamental panel - has deformable layers, one extending beyond weld as overlapping flange |
IT1038428B (en) | 1975-05-26 | 1979-11-20 | Nuova San Giorgio Spa | PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR WINDING A RESERVE OF YARN ON A TUBE FOR SPOOLS |
US3999772A (en) * | 1975-07-24 | 1976-12-28 | Brennan William J | Roller skate |
CH602147A5 (en) | 1976-06-02 | 1978-07-31 | Gerold Steeb | Roller skate for strapping to a user's shoe |
DE2800187A1 (en) * | 1977-01-07 | 1978-07-13 | Hans Martin | SKI AND ICE SKATING BOOTS |
US4366631A (en) * | 1979-03-16 | 1983-01-04 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Athletic shoe |
US4298209A (en) * | 1979-07-23 | 1981-11-03 | John Peters | Detachable roller skate with rear brake |
US4418929A (en) * | 1980-04-07 | 1983-12-06 | Gray William J | Single roller skate |
NL183014B (en) * | 1980-08-20 | 1988-02-01 | Krienbuehl Franz | DEVICE FOR CONNECTING A SKATE TO A SHOE. |
US4345774A (en) * | 1980-09-11 | 1982-08-24 | R. C. Sports, Inc. | Roller skate apparatus |
US4468045A (en) * | 1982-01-12 | 1984-08-28 | Sarazen Philip R | Attachment system for detachable roller skates |
US4417737A (en) * | 1982-09-13 | 1983-11-29 | Hyman Suroff | Self-propelled roller skate |
FR2558351A1 (en) | 1984-01-24 | 1985-07-26 | Technisynthese Sarl | Improvements to shoes |
FR2585260B1 (en) | 1985-07-29 | 1988-05-27 | Bect Pierre | SKI FOR SLOPES AND GRASS SLOPES |
NL189112C (en) | 1986-09-23 | 1993-01-18 | Wintersport Leerdam B V | NORWEGIAN SKATE AND PROFILE INTENDED FOR SUCH A SKATE. |
FR2622119B1 (en) * | 1987-10-23 | 1990-09-07 | Murga Jose | CASTER SKATE HAVING AT LEAST TWO CASTERS MOUNTED IN A MEDIAN PLAN |
DE8807537U1 (en) * | 1987-12-21 | 1988-07-28 | Alpina Tovarna Obutve, n.sol.o., Žiri | Cross-country ski boot |
US5067736A (en) * | 1989-08-22 | 1991-11-26 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Slotted brake for in-line roller skate |
USD321393S (en) | 1989-08-23 | 1991-11-05 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Slotted roller skate |
FR2659534B1 (en) | 1990-03-16 | 1994-09-23 | Salomon Sa | SHOE / PAD ASSEMBLY AND SHOE FOR SUCH AN ASSEMBLY. |
USD327565S (en) | 1990-06-22 | 1992-07-07 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Sport boot |
US5068956A (en) * | 1990-07-03 | 1991-12-03 | Rollerblade | In-line roller skate fastening system and method of assembling the same |
US5171033A (en) * | 1990-07-03 | 1992-12-15 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Ventilated boot and in-line roller skate with the same |
USD327360S (en) | 1990-07-05 | 1992-06-30 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Ventilated boot |
FR2668072A1 (en) * | 1990-10-19 | 1992-04-24 | Vullierme International Sarl | Skating boot for ice or having small wheels in line, with flexible trainer (gym shoe, slipper, short boot) and rear stirrup piece |
EP0516784A1 (en) * | 1990-12-28 | 1992-12-09 | NORDICA S.p.A | Skate with aligned wheels |
USD334225S (en) | 1991-06-13 | 1993-03-23 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Long blade roller skate |
CA2063535A1 (en) * | 1991-06-13 | 1992-12-14 | Andrzej M. Malewicz | Torsionally stiffened in-line roller skate frame having dual side walls |
FR2678488A1 (en) * | 1991-07-04 | 1993-01-08 | Salomon Sa | MARKET SHOE WITH ARTICULATED COLLAR REINFORCEMENT. |
US5171032A (en) * | 1991-11-05 | 1992-12-15 | William Dettmer | Brake device for in-line skates |
USD344119S (en) | 1992-01-14 | 1994-02-08 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Roller skate frame |
ATE163363T1 (en) * | 1992-04-29 | 1998-03-15 | Benetton Sportsystem Spa | ROLLER SKATE WITH BRAKE DEVICE |
EP0567948B1 (en) * | 1992-04-29 | 1996-09-11 | NORDICA S.p.A | Braking device on a roller skate |
FR2697728B1 (en) * | 1992-11-06 | 1995-01-13 | Salomon Sa | Shoe intended for the practice of a sliding sport. |
USD347672S (en) | 1993-01-28 | 1994-06-07 | Rollerblade, Inc. | In-line skate |
-
1993
- 1993-07-19 US US08094576 patent/US5437466B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-08-18 TW TW084218227U patent/TW302731U/en unknown
- 1993-08-31 KR KR1019930017140A patent/KR0130815B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-09-13 US US08/120,629 patent/US5452907A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1997
- 1997-03-03 US US08/811,134 patent/US5848796A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1998
- 1998-12-09 US US09/209,321 patent/US6152459A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1999
- 1999-08-23 US US09/379,461 patent/US6139030A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2000
- 2000-06-01 US US09/587,374 patent/US6254110B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-06-08 US US09/877,544 patent/US6367818B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2002
- 2002-02-06 US US10/068,595 patent/US6499748B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-09-30 US US10/261,224 patent/US6598888B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2003
- 2003-04-28 US US10/426,177 patent/US6749203B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2004
- 2004-05-07 US US10/842,024 patent/US20040207164A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (100)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US310923A (en) * | 1885-01-20 | Skate | ||
US334739A (en) * | 1886-01-26 | Roller-skate | ||
US700377A (en) * | 1900-12-03 | 1902-05-20 | Julius Sakrzewski | Combined road and ice skate. |
US829900A (en) * | 1905-04-27 | 1906-08-28 | Robert Warren Shelmire | Skate. |
US1034649A (en) * | 1912-03-27 | 1912-08-06 | Charles De Los Rice | Roller-skate. |
US1371623A (en) * | 1920-04-28 | 1921-03-15 | Ickenroth Anthony | Roller-skate brake |
US1524286A (en) * | 1921-12-06 | 1925-01-27 | Julien A Bried | Brake for roller skates |
US1539445A (en) * | 1922-11-24 | 1925-05-26 | Theodoor Van Buuren | Wheel skate |
US1527840A (en) * | 1924-05-08 | 1925-02-24 | Chomin Harry | Skate |
US1798590A (en) * | 1930-04-12 | 1931-03-31 | Henry J Collis | Skating sandal |
US1801205A (en) * | 1930-05-22 | 1931-04-14 | Edward M Mirick | Skate |
US1868548A (en) * | 1931-03-06 | 1932-07-26 | Joseph C Turner | Roller skate |
US2147455A (en) * | 1934-10-26 | 1939-02-14 | Alan E Murray | Rigid-bottomed shoe with skate attached |
US2048916A (en) * | 1935-05-25 | 1936-07-28 | Frank A Bentzlin | Roller skate |
US2120987A (en) * | 1935-08-06 | 1938-06-21 | Alan E Murray | Process of producing orthopedic shoes and product thereof |
US2118892A (en) * | 1936-11-11 | 1938-05-31 | Mays Earle Walten | Skating footwear |
US2218209A (en) * | 1939-03-20 | 1940-10-15 | Western Cartridge Co | Roller skate |
US2644692A (en) * | 1951-05-28 | 1953-07-07 | Kahlert Ernest | Roller skate |
US2763071A (en) * | 1952-09-25 | 1956-09-18 | Napier Clive Hastings Kingsley | Boots, shoes and like articles of footwear |
US2868553A (en) * | 1957-03-14 | 1959-01-13 | Rieckman Werner | Combination ice and roller skates |
US2909375A (en) * | 1957-10-09 | 1959-10-20 | Warner Robert | Roller skate |
US2998260A (en) * | 1960-01-26 | 1961-08-29 | Meyer Paul | Combined shoe and interchangeable skates |
US3387852A (en) * | 1966-07-25 | 1968-06-11 | Sarro Emma De | Detachable and removable roller skates |
US3437344A (en) * | 1967-04-07 | 1969-04-08 | Chicago Roller Skate Co | Roller skate |
US3807062A (en) * | 1971-01-22 | 1974-04-30 | Karku Sport Ab | Athletic boot |
US3767220A (en) * | 1972-03-13 | 1973-10-23 | R Peterson | Foot worn two-wheeled vehicle |
US3844574A (en) * | 1972-07-07 | 1974-10-29 | K Kosono | Roller skate toe stop assembly |
US3963252A (en) * | 1973-06-26 | 1976-06-15 | Carlson Ronald G | Roller skate |
US3901520A (en) * | 1974-06-21 | 1975-08-26 | Raymond Lee Organization Inc | Skate |
US4108451A (en) * | 1975-08-14 | 1978-08-22 | Scheck Sr Wilson | Roller skates with hand brakes |
US4003582A (en) * | 1975-11-13 | 1977-01-18 | Maurer Jeffrey A | Skate board wheel brake assembly |
US4088334A (en) * | 1977-03-25 | 1978-05-09 | Johnson Elmer E | Skateboard brake |
US4181227A (en) * | 1978-08-03 | 1980-01-01 | Edward Balstad | Roller skate braking assembly |
US4351537A (en) * | 1979-01-19 | 1982-09-28 | Warrington Inc. | Multipart skate |
US4275895A (en) * | 1980-01-24 | 1981-06-30 | Edwards Jesse O | Roller skate brake |
US4295547A (en) * | 1980-03-31 | 1981-10-20 | Dungan D Patrick | Brake assembly for small vehicles |
US4531537A (en) * | 1980-04-21 | 1985-07-30 | Xomox Corporation | Plug valve for reduced leakage |
US4453726A (en) * | 1980-05-09 | 1984-06-12 | Tsh-Handels Ag | Roller skate or the like with brake attachment |
US4385456A (en) * | 1981-03-06 | 1983-05-31 | Jean Livernois | Preformed lining component for skate boots and the like |
US4563825A (en) * | 1981-11-20 | 1986-01-14 | Nava & C. S.P.A. | Boot particularly for sportswear |
US4492385A (en) * | 1982-07-21 | 1985-01-08 | Olson Scott B | Skate having an adjustable blade or wheel assembly |
US4666169A (en) * | 1984-04-12 | 1987-05-19 | Roller Barons, Inc. | Skate apparatus |
US4773658A (en) * | 1984-10-01 | 1988-09-27 | Warrington Inc. | Skate |
US4654985A (en) * | 1984-12-26 | 1987-04-07 | Chalmers Edward L | Athletic boot |
US4718181A (en) * | 1985-07-02 | 1988-01-12 | Icaro Olivieri & C.S.P.A. | Binding device, particularly for securing the foot to a bearing structure of a sporting implement |
US4811498A (en) * | 1985-08-06 | 1989-03-14 | Salomon S. A. | Ski boot |
US4657265A (en) * | 1985-12-13 | 1987-04-14 | Ruth Paul M | Convertible skate |
US4719926A (en) * | 1986-02-28 | 1988-01-19 | Nelson Ronald E | Hinged foot and ankle brace |
US4826183A (en) * | 1986-03-26 | 1989-05-02 | Jan Bratland | Skate |
US4776111A (en) * | 1986-08-27 | 1988-10-11 | Crowley Kevin J | Footwear stabilizer |
US4771555A (en) * | 1986-09-16 | 1988-09-20 | Kabushiki Kaisha Patine Shokai | Waterproof boot having removable ventilation means |
USD300685S (en) * | 1986-10-02 | 1989-04-18 | Reebok International Ltd. | Pivoting ankle stabilizer |
US4932675A (en) * | 1986-11-28 | 1990-06-12 | Scott B. Olson | Skate assembly |
US4909523A (en) * | 1987-06-12 | 1990-03-20 | Rollerblade, Inc. | In-line roller skate with frame |
US5048848A (en) * | 1987-06-12 | 1991-09-17 | Rollerblade, Inc. | In-line roller skate with axle aperture plugs for simplified wheel installation |
US5028058A (en) * | 1987-06-12 | 1991-07-02 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Hub and brake assembly for in-line roller skate |
US4936295A (en) * | 1987-09-22 | 1990-06-26 | Crane Larry A | Lateral support for ankle |
US4807893A (en) * | 1988-03-21 | 1989-02-28 | Huang Chuan H | Roller skate |
US4892332A (en) * | 1988-11-04 | 1990-01-09 | Ryan Jennings | Braking system for roller skis |
US5031341A (en) * | 1988-12-13 | 1991-07-16 | Salomon S.A. | Rear-entry ski boot |
US4898403A (en) * | 1989-01-27 | 1990-02-06 | Johnson Lennart B | Roller ski |
US4964229A (en) * | 1989-02-03 | 1990-10-23 | Sport Maska, Inc. | Method and apparatus for vacuum molding multi-layer footwear |
US5046746A (en) * | 1989-02-27 | 1991-09-10 | Gierveld Beheer B.V. | Frame for a skate, method for the manufacture thereof, skating shoe and skate |
US5678330A (en) * | 1989-06-21 | 1997-10-21 | Nki-Tm, Inc. | Shoe with integral ankle support and improved ankle brace apparatus |
US4943075A (en) * | 1989-08-18 | 1990-07-24 | Gates Patrick G | Pair of wheeled skate-skis with brakes usable on most terrains |
US5052701A (en) * | 1989-08-23 | 1991-10-01 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Roller skate with pivoting brake |
USD315941S (en) * | 1989-08-23 | 1991-04-02 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Roller skate brake |
US4943072A (en) * | 1989-08-24 | 1990-07-24 | Sy Henig | Side-actuated braking system for paired, wheeled, foot vehicles |
US5177884A (en) * | 1989-09-07 | 1993-01-12 | Salomon S.A. | Cross-country ski shoe |
USD324713S (en) * | 1989-11-22 | 1992-03-17 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Long blade roller skate |
US4988122A (en) * | 1990-01-31 | 1991-01-29 | Saunders Adah W | Roll ice shoe |
US5090138A (en) * | 1990-06-11 | 1992-02-25 | Robert Borden | Spring shoe device |
USD323540S (en) * | 1990-07-05 | 1992-01-28 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Roller skate |
US5092614A (en) * | 1990-07-10 | 1992-03-03 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Lightweight in-line roller skate, frame, and frame mounting system |
US5129663A (en) * | 1990-12-18 | 1992-07-14 | Mike Soo | Roller/ice skate base |
US5088748A (en) * | 1990-12-28 | 1992-02-18 | Design Continuum Inc. | Anti-lock braking system for skates |
US5190301A (en) * | 1991-03-13 | 1993-03-02 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Fastening system for the wheels of an in-line roller skate |
US5411278A (en) * | 1991-07-31 | 1995-05-02 | Koflach Sport Gesellschaft M.B.H. & Co. Kg. | Skating shoe |
US5192099A (en) * | 1991-08-27 | 1993-03-09 | Riutta Raine R | Roller skate starting and stopping aids |
US5143387A (en) * | 1991-09-03 | 1992-09-01 | Jeff M. Colla | Roller skate brake assembly having toe actuator within the boot |
US5184834A (en) * | 1991-10-01 | 1993-02-09 | Yu Chung Hsiung | Skate shoe having an adjustable plate mounted thereto |
US5775008A (en) * | 1991-10-23 | 1998-07-07 | Bussell; Mark H. | Footwear including a supramalleolar ankle foot orthosis |
US5226875A (en) * | 1991-12-02 | 1993-07-13 | James Johnson | Athletic footwear with integral ankle support |
US5331752A (en) * | 1992-01-14 | 1994-07-26 | Rollerblade, Inc. | Skate with detachable shoe |
US5211409A (en) * | 1992-02-04 | 1993-05-18 | Out Of Line Sports, Inc. | Mechanically activated skate brake and method |
US5253882A (en) * | 1992-02-04 | 1993-10-19 | Out Of Line Sports, Inc. | Hand activated skate brake and method |
US5393078A (en) * | 1992-06-09 | 1995-02-28 | Salomon S.A. | Skate with in-line wheels |
US5280930A (en) * | 1992-08-21 | 1994-01-25 | David R. Smathers | Hydraulic braking system for in-line roller skates |
US5280931A (en) * | 1992-11-20 | 1994-01-25 | Thistle Sports Enterprises, Inc. | Roller brake |
US5380020A (en) * | 1993-01-28 | 1995-01-10 | Rollerblade, Inc. | In-line skate |
US5342070A (en) * | 1993-02-04 | 1994-08-30 | Rollerblade, Inc. | In-line skate with molded joe box |
US5499461A (en) * | 1993-03-24 | 1996-03-19 | Salomon S.A. | Boot for guiding sports |
US6367818B2 (en) * | 1993-07-19 | 2002-04-09 | K-2 Corporation | In-line roller skate |
US6254110B1 (en) * | 1993-07-19 | 2001-07-03 | K-2 Corporation | In-line roller skate |
US5437466B1 (en) * | 1993-07-19 | 1997-11-18 | K 2 Corp | In-line roller skate |
US5437466A (en) * | 1993-07-19 | 1995-08-01 | K-2 Corporation | In-line roller skate |
US6139030A (en) * | 1993-07-19 | 2000-10-31 | K-2 Corporation | In-line roller skate |
US6168172B1 (en) * | 1993-07-19 | 2001-01-02 | K-2 Corporation | In-line roller skate |
US5397141A (en) * | 1993-07-30 | 1995-03-14 | Canstar Sports Group Inc. | In-line skate construction |
US5480168A (en) * | 1995-01-09 | 1996-01-02 | Far Great Plastics Industrial Co., Ltd. | Quick adjustable fastening means to adjust the position of a gaiter on a roller skate |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9833036B2 (en) | 2008-12-19 | 2017-12-05 | Sport Maska Inc. | Skate |
US8387286B2 (en) | 2008-12-19 | 2013-03-05 | Sport Maska Inc. | Skate |
US20100156058A1 (en) * | 2008-12-19 | 2010-06-24 | Sport Maska Inc. | Skate |
US20120204452A1 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2012-08-16 | Scott Van Horne | Hockey skate |
US20140013628A1 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2014-01-16 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Hockey skate |
US8684368B2 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2014-04-01 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Hockey skate |
US20140202040A1 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2014-07-24 | Easton Sports, Inc. | Hockey skate |
US9004502B2 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2015-04-14 | Easton Hockey, Inc. | Hockey skate |
US20110173841A1 (en) * | 2009-12-21 | 2011-07-21 | Mcduff Rodrique | Quarter Configuration for Footwear |
US9510639B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2016-12-06 | Bauer Hockey, Inc. | Hockey skate |
US9878229B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2018-01-30 | Bauer Hockey, Llc | Skate with injected boot form |
US10413804B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2019-09-17 | Bauer Hockey, Llc | Skate with injected boot form |
US11235225B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2022-02-01 | Bauer Hockey Llc | Skate with injected boot form |
US9936762B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 | 2018-04-10 | Sport Maska Inc. | Skate and method of manufacture |
US10897952B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 | 2021-01-26 | Sport Maska Inc. | Skate and method of manufacture |
US12048351B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 | 2024-07-30 | Sport Maska Inc. | Skate and method of manufacture |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20020089131A1 (en) | 2002-07-11 |
US6749203B2 (en) | 2004-06-15 |
US6367818B2 (en) | 2002-04-09 |
US5437466A (en) | 1995-08-01 |
US5452907A (en) | 1995-09-26 |
US20010026053A1 (en) | 2001-10-04 |
KR0130815B1 (en) | 1998-04-10 |
KR950002812A (en) | 1995-02-16 |
US5437466B1 (en) | 1997-11-18 |
US6598888B2 (en) | 2003-07-29 |
US5848796A (en) | 1998-12-15 |
US20030193152A1 (en) | 2003-10-16 |
TW302731U (en) | 1997-04-11 |
US20030025286A1 (en) | 2003-02-06 |
US6254110B1 (en) | 2001-07-03 |
US6499748B2 (en) | 2002-12-31 |
US6152459A (en) | 2000-11-28 |
US6139030A (en) | 2000-10-31 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6499748B2 (en) | In-line roller skate | |
EP0710141B1 (en) | In-line roller skate | |
US11122855B2 (en) | Hockey skate | |
US9004502B2 (en) | Hockey skate | |
US5794362A (en) | Size adjustable athletic boot | |
EP1355703B1 (en) | In-line roller skate with internal support and external ankle cuff | |
EP0625062A4 (en) | Beam off-set roller skate. | |
WO1995003101B1 (en) | In-line roller skate | |
CA2801233C (en) | Hockey skate | |
CA2340477C (en) | In-line roller skate | |
US20210251332A1 (en) | Skate or other footwear | |
CA2166540C (en) | In-line roller skate | |
WO1997009099A1 (en) | In-line skate with liner-attached brake actuator |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |