US20050179310A1

US20050179310A1 - Multi-layered skate wheel

Info

Publication number: US20050179310A1
Application number: US11/060,457
Authority: US
Inventors: George Miller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-12
Filing date: 2005-02-11
Publication date: 2005-08-18

Abstract

The present invention is a wheel that may be used with in-line skates, conventional roller skates, skateboards or the like. The wheel of the present invention includes a hub having a tire body circumscribing thereto. This tire body includes a first layer fabricated from a first material that is secured to a second layer fabricated from a second material. Each layer being circumscribing attached to the hub. Thus providing for each layer to be exposed. The first layer or first material is preferably polyurethane having a first durometer, known as a hard durometer polyurethane. The second layer or second material is preferably a polyurethane having a second durometer, different from the first, known as a softer durometer.

Description

This is a Utility Patent Application for Provisionally File Application No. 60/544,102.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a multi-layered skate wheel and more particularly to a multi-layered skate wheel preferably for use with in-line skates, skate boards, or the like, comprising multiple exposed polyurethane layers having varied durometers. This configuration will provide a versatile wheel for enabling efficient gripping capabilities, especially for turns or the like, without sacrificing speed, shock absorption and/or traction.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A skater's performance depends not only on the skater's skill, but also relies heavily on the structure and design of the particular wheel. A hard wheel, for example, provides adequate means for speed, but lacks efficient vibration absorption. A soft wheel, for example, provides adequate vibration absorption with increase traction, inherently decreasing speed capabilities.
Thus it is seen there is a need to improve on the convention wheel. For example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,622 issued to Roderick et al, there is disclosed a multilayer skate wheel. This wheel includes an inner layer and an outer layer, each layer having differing durometers. Though this wheel may offer a means of improving damping and/or grip, this wheel does not address the need for gripping and speed, especially when maneuvering and/or turning with the skates.
Accordingly, it is seen that previous efforts do not provide the benefits intended with the present invention, such as providing a long lasting, durable and aesthetically pleasing product. Additionally, prior techniques do not suggest the present inventive combination of component elements as disclosed and claimed herein. The present invention achieves its intended purposes, objectives and advantages over the prior art device through a new, useful and unobvious combination of component elements, which is simple to use, with the utilization of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, assemble, test and by employing only readily available material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a wheel that may be used with in-line skates, conventional roller skates, skateboards or the like. The wheel of the present invention includes a hub having a tire body circumscribing thereto. This tire body includes a first layer fabricated from a first material that is secured to a second layer fabricated from a second material. Each layer being circumscribing attached to the hub. Thus providing for each layer to be exposed. The first layer or first material is preferably polyurethane having a first durometer, known as a hard durometer polyurethane. The second layer or second material is preferably a polyurethane having a second durometer, different from the first, known as a softer durometer.
Having two exposed layers, each of different durometers, provides for a wheel with added versatility and durability. In use, the hard durometer polyurethane will enable the skater the adequate speed for a successful run, while the softer durometer polyurethane will render adequate and efficient gripping for facilitating turns or the like. This will ultimately provide a user with a wheel that offers adequate control inherently increasing speed and safety during use.
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide for a wheel for use with in-line skates, skateboards or the like which will overcome the deficiencies, shortcomings, and drawbacks of prior wheels and methods thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a wheel for use with in-line skates that offers adequate control and traction for turns and the like, without sacrificing speed or shock absorption.
Still another object of the present invention, to be specifically enumerated herein, is to provide a wheel in accordance with the preceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that would be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.
Although there have been many inventions related to a wheels for use with in-line skates, conventional skates, skate boards or the like, none of the inventions have address a versatile wheel have multiple exposed layers. The present invention meets the requirements of the simplified design, compact size, low initial cost, low operating cost, ease of installation and maintainability, and minimal amount of training to successfully employ the invention.
The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and application of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the wheel of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the wheel of the present invention, taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.
Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1-2 thereof, the wheel 10, of the present invention will be described. The present invention is a wheel 10 which is designed and configured, or as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, to be used with conventional in-line skates, roller skates, skate boards or the like.
The wheel 10 comprises a hub 12, having a flange portion 14, and a tire body 16. The tire body 16 includes a first layer 18 and a second layer 20. This hub includes substantially conventional features, such as a central aperture (illustrated, but not labeled), so as to enable securement to conventional axles. The flange portion 14 of the hub extends partially into each layer of the tire body for rendering adequate adhesion thereto. The flange portion enhances the conventional hub so as to allow for the first and second layers to be secured thereto.
Each layer, 18 and 20, is exposed to provide for the layers to be in direct contact to the desired skating surface. Thus providing for each layer to perform a specific purpose and task. The first layer 18 is fabricated from a first material. This first material is a hard durometer polyurethane. The second layer 20 is fabricated from a second material. This second material is softer than the first material.
The purpose of the first layer 18 is to allow for the wheel to travel at a high velocity or speed when on a smooth surface. The purpose of the second layer 20, is to provide adequate grip and vibration absorption when turning or maneuvering the wheel. This configuration will inherently enhance performance and durability.
Providing for such an outcome, the first layer 18 is ideally fabricated from a polyurethane with a Shore A hardness between 85 A and 100 A. The second layer 20 is ideally fabricated from a polyurethane with a Shore A hardness between 75 A-90 A.
For added durability, the width W1 of the first layer is larger than the width W2 of the second layer. Preferably, first layer should be between 51% to 75% of the total width of the wheel.
To provide for an aesthetically pleasing product, each layer can be fabricated from a different color.

EXAMPLE

By way of example, pluralities of wheels as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 have been made and have been utilized. These wheels were fabricated as defined below and used on conventional in-line skates. The users successfully competed in races utilizing the wheels. The wheels final dimensions included a height of 84 mm and a width of 0.938 inches.

Layer Durometer/Width

Layer A 91 A

Layer B 89 A

width W1 .591 inches

width W2 .344 inches
It was observed that the wheels, as fabricated from the above dimensions, preformed exceptionally well. Speed was not hindered. Layer B allowed the user adequate gripping and resistance during turns, while Layer A allow for continual speed during use. The overall performance of the skater, when utilizing the wheels as defined above, improved drastically.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A wheel comprising:

a first layer fabricated from a first material;

a second layer fabricated from a second material;

a hub;

said first layer and said second layer being secured to said hub;

said first layer and said second layer being exposed and circumferencly surrounding said hub; and

said first material being different than said second material.

2. A wheel as in claim 1 wherein said hub further includes a flange that extends upwardly and circumferenially and extends into said first layer and said second layer.

3. A wheel as in claim 1 wherein said first material is a hard material and said second material is softer than said first material.

4. A wheel as in claim 2 wherein said first material is a hard material and said second material is softer than said first material.

5. A wheel as in claim 1 wherein first layer has a first width and said second layer has a second width and said first layer is larger in width than said second layer.

6. A wheel as in claim 5 wherein said first layer is substantially between 51% to 75% of a total width of said wheel.

7. A wheel as in claim 5 wherein said first layer is fabricated from a hard durometer.

8. A wheel as in claim 5 wherein said first layer is fabricated from polyurethane.

9. A wheel as in claim 8 wherein said second layer is fabricated from polyurethane.

10. A wheel as in claim 7 wherein said first material including Shore A hardness between 85 A and 100 A.

11. A wheel as in claim 10 wherein said second material including Shore A hardness between 75 A-90 A.

12. A wheel as in claim 11 wherein said hub further includes a flange that extends upwardly and circumferenially and extends into said first layer and said second layer.

13. A wheel as in claim 11 wherein said first layer is fabricated from polyurethane.

14. A wheel as in claim 13 wherein said second layer is fabricated from polyurethane.

15. A wheel as in claim 14 wherein said first layer is substantially between 51% to 75% of a total width of said first layer and said second layer.

16. A wheel as in claim 1 wherein said wheel is adapted to fit on a roller skate.

17. A wheel as in claim 15 wherein said wheel is adapted to fit on a roller skate.

18. A wheel as in claim 14 wherein said first material including Shore A hardness 91 A and said second material including Shore A hardness 89.

19. A wheel as in claim 18 said first layer is substantially between 51% to 75% of a total width of said first layer and said second layer.

20. A wheel as in claim 19 wherein said first layer is substantially between 60% to 64% of a total width of said first layer and said second layer