US3037784A - Roller skate - Google Patents

Description

J1me 1962 D. s. WILLIAMS 3,037,784

ROLLER SKATE Filed Nov. 22, 1960 2 S heets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR.

A'TTUE/VEYS' June 5,'1962 D. s. WILLIAMS 3,037,784

ROLLER SKATE Filed Nov. 22, 1960 2 SheetsSheet 2 iliHl INVENTOR.

gamz zflzaz/z zxm my M ATTORNEYS- United States Patent 3,037,734 ROLLER SKATE Daniel S. Williams, 394 Spruce St., Pottstown, Pa.

Filed Nov. 22, 1960, Ser. No. 70,950

3 Claims. (Cl. 28011.26)

This invention relates to a roller skate, and more particularly to a roller skate having an improved mechanism for permitting adjustment between the heel member and sole member so that the roller skate can be readily and conveniently adjusted to the desired length as desired or required.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a roller skate which is adapted to be made of strong light weight plastic material and wherein the roller skate is especially suitable for use by young children since the roller skate of the present invention embodies a novel adjusting mechanism which permits the child to readily adjust the skate to the desired length without requiring the use of any special wrench or the like, or without requiring assistance from an adult or other person.

A further object of the invention is to provide a roller skate which includes a safety back brake which will help prevent the child using the skates from falling backwards, forward or turning the ankle, and wherein the skates of the present invention include a unique adjustable locking mechanism that permits the user such as a small child to position the heel and toe members at the proper location, and wherein after the parts have been adjusted to the desired location, they will remain in that location or position until the child desires to again adjust the length of the roller skates.

Still another object is to provide such roller skates that are economical to manufacture and efficient in operation and which are rugged in structure and foolproof in use.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification and claims, taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts are referred to and indicated by like reference characters and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view illustrating a roller skate constructed according to the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of the roller skate of the present invention, with parts broken away and in section.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the lines 44 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a view generally similar to FIGURE 4 but showing the parts in a different or adjusted position.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of the shank with the external threads or ribs thereon.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective View showing a portion of the barrel or tube.

FIGURE 8 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the locking mechanism of the present invention and showing the tube with the shank therein and illustrating the parts in unlocked position so that relative movement between the tube and shank can take place.

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 8 but showing the parts in locked position.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view generally similar to FIGURES 8 and 9, but illustrating a modification.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 through 11 of the drawings, there is illustrated a roller skate which is especially suitable for use by small or young children learning to skate, and wherein the skate can be used indoors or outdoors, and the various parts of the skate are adapted to be made of a suitable material such as a tough colorful plastic of a suitable composition. One of the skates is indicated generally by the numeral 30, FIGURE 1, and it is to be understood that a pair of the skates 30 are adapted to be used and each has the same construction and each includes a heel member 31 as well as a sole member or toe member 32. The heel member 31 is shaped to include a horizontally disposed base portion 33, FIGURE 2, and depending from the base portion 33 and secured thereto or formed integral therewith is a generally V-shaped cradle 34 which has a rear axle 35 extending through the lower portion thereof. A pair of rear wheels 36 are mounted on the outer ends of the axle 35 as shown in the drawings.

The skate 30 further includes a flanged section which is indicated generally by the numeral 37, and the flanged section 37 depends from the base portion of the heel member and as shown in the drawings the flanged sec tion 37 has its lower edge as indicated by the numeral 38 normally spaced above a surface such as a floor surface 39 whereby the flanged section will provide a safety feature that will help prevent a child from falling backwards, forward, turning an ankle or the like. The flanged section 37 is shaped to include spaced apart side portions 40 which are cut away as at 42 so as to provide clearance for the wheels 36, and the flanged section 37 also includes a rear portion 43 which is provided with an arcuate recess 44.

Extending upwardly from the base portion 33 and aflixed thereto or formed integral therewith is a pair of spaced apart apertured brackets 45, and the numeral 46 indicates a strap which may be made of a suitable flexible plastic material. The retaining strap 46 is provided with a plurality of notches or teeth 47 on one end portion thereof, while the other end of the strap 46 is provided with slots or openings 48 and 49 for receiving the toothed portion 47 so that the strap can be maintained in its proper position on the childs ankle or foot.

The side portions 40 are further provided with upper skirt portions 41 which are arranged in a generally raised position above the rear wheels 36.

The heel member 31 further includes a vertically disposed end portion 50, FIGURE 10, and the end portion '50 is shaped to include an intermediate enlarged rounded section 51 as well as upper portions 52 of reduced size. Vertically disposed spaced parallel brace pieces 53 extend between the rounded section 51 and the cradle 34 and are secured thereto or formed integral therewith so as to help maintain the parts in their proper spaced position or location. There are also provided inclined or angularly arranged brace members 54 which extend between the brace pieces 53 and the skirt portions 41 and which are secured thereto, and the numeral 55 designates each of a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed brace elements which are secured between the brace members 54 and the enlarged rounded section 51 of the end portion 50 whereby a rugged construction is provided that provides support for the various parts such as the horizontally disposed hollow tubular shank 56. The shank 56 forms part of an adjustable locking mechanism that is indicated generally by the numeral 57, and the locking mechanism 57 further includes a hollow tube or barrel 58 as later described in this application. As shown in FIGURE 6 for example the shank '56 includes two groups or sets of threads or ribs and each group of ribs is indicated generally by the numeral 59 and it will be seen that each group 59 embodies a plurality of spaced parallel arcuate ribs 60which distend an arc of approximately a yd p s d s demsmb r ,1 29 Q h Sid a 67.;being shaped to include ,a generally tnangu larly or protuberanesj l, FIGURE 7,

7 60 defines therebctween a'groove 62. The shank 56 is t rme r rid d ith P wtd ametr wh PP 1 s udina ysa s shannd ,Q -I s. 3,, smith pair of, groups oft ribs 59 are separated by, the. pa r of a n lscfi A L hnWn .in th 1 dra in s t e gs WW1??? 1 i shaped to -ri l itlde .21,horizontally;gdisr osed base piece which i nprov dedjw th antun en ns g ra 9 s? toe-:piece. 6 6, adiacent the iront thereohwand depe ing surfaces as indicated the i v to be made of tough unbreakable plastic material and the skates are appealing in'appearance and also incor- Ih S ank in mimeii i i ihi iszsrnooth and free'of threads or ribs.,,,, t,

mbers ar i i ediat-l hr ow rfls f ynan aw i CIQSS? his a pa nf; ron heels tha n d th me 5 One d rrhesihaaa 6 i s re .t -Qrfli maiin pie e ,;and' he ume al. 7 1 9atsaf nta w i h 7 extends between the side sections 68 and the ax are! Wit li h l ld fi 3st i ls-hm liq tt kl i V an t e. sha kfiimdapt d tqt ljessc ntd hollqw when; an h iub t5tr r x t shun o ewe urfaced th base p ce the ube'sfl, hs nsh l wan ius a yand, ota a l re vedthere ahe 9s Pi e 69 A iqnzs r humbs. 58:9 i n e i r the w h wa o h vin'g its end; .open wherebythe ,shank 56 can headhelp brace andsupport the :tube 58,- [and the numeral 72' indicates a horizontally disposed brace ,which extends between the. side sections 6 88,,and theyb race 'n is also also .securedto the end p orsecured to the lower portion of the tube SSj-wherebythe f t b :W -.b\-P P 1Y S p ted nda a ed ini desired location, Dianietricallyr opposed brace-arrns lli x e d bstwesn h i n su fa 10 t t ds sad sm-6 and the outer, surface of the tube 158 as shown. in

jacent elementsj tube 58 is with: oft: rectedor inwardlydisposed diametrically opposed tongues As shown in th drawingsthe tube isl provided surfacesgfil and "(6 willfpr ovide a slight carnrning or ll in orderto fiurther strengthen and bracethetad f hed n ac on n l w r j e p p e ntc en al, 9:

t pn-b s t ng fi hs han an be e at veo re h b i is ml e adii st s i mtt Ho e t ae ed action a can be overcome by. applying manual Lpressure oi th memb s-3 2 1. fl nat he e t ve n h o thear dll er skate can be adjusted as desired by the child,

IJReferring nowQto FIGUREJ Z of the drawings there isiHu t at da S ght' siifica n 'o it diu ta l king. mechanism which isg-indicated generally by the numerporate or embody certain functional features which are believed to be advantageous. The skates can be used indoors or outdoors and arestrong and light in weight and the skates include the flanged section 37 which has its loweredge 38= arrangedijust above the floor surface or other surface 39m which the skates are being used so that the flanged'section 37 Will function as a safety factor orsafctybaek brake whereby in the eventthe child or user starts to fall'jbackwardsor to the side, the edges? iivill shove: into engagement with the floor surface'i39 in order to help ria'intai'n the child upright;

Thegjsiltate includes the sole membe'r32which is provid'edwith generally closed toe piecef66 that is secured to or formed integral with the base piece 65, and the niece 66 is adapteid'fto snugly receiv'eftherein the toe porden of the childs:shoeorfoohahd as shown in the drawingsfthere is provided on the rear intermediate portion oil the toe piece 66 a generallycircular enlangeni'ent 7 8. v'lThisiprojection'or portion 78 helps guidethe childisshoe into the toefp'ortionbfi and exerts a wedging and with less likelihoodfo'f accidental disengagement of the shoe'frornthe"skate 'As shownfin the drawings the ear bortionrof'the toe pieCe6'6'isopen so that the jchilds shoecan fit' therein, and theentire front'ofthetoe piece j oscdfl I I r f jThe'skate includes the novel locking'rnechanism which isrnamnwgmanry by the nunier'al 57 so that the child using the skates ca readily adjust the skates'to thencsiredf or required length without requiring any special pullor'fwithout requiring outside assistance and the'lockparallel arcuate rib members 60, an'dthe fibfmer'nbers 'arespacedfrornLeach other so as o provide grooves 62 therebetween, and there are also .provided the longitudinallyextendingchannels 63. The shank 56 includes 'the smooth portion which is free of ribs and this smooth portionfhelps provide a guiding elementas for example when initially inserting the shank into tube 58.,

When thelength of the skates is being changed or adjusted, the parts'arearr'anged so that the pair of channels 63 are in alignment or registry .with the hair of int 5 -afi i W is S thatth k s me ha i m 7 57f has generally thesanne construction and operation. as

the previously, described lockingarnechanismr 57. 'However, the locking rnechanisrn 57., includes a shank-56f whichv is provided with diametrically opposed longitudinally extending channels- 63 for at times receiving the tongues '74 of the tube 58 asjfor, example when the length I the? roller ,skatelis .tofbe eidjustedand in ,addition the s n :6 ,-v t luq s w vsm ns. 9 a ua e spaced p a e ribs'59' which are separated from cachother as, at- ;7l7

nineteen; .2lt ri 9; e yzext thrpughfl naar vqf PP K t M li ht y le an 9 aaa r t t n fimat ly 07,; V .7 f om. e foregoing, :ity is apparent that there, hasgbecn whereasthe ribs :60 shownfint FlGllRE 6 extend through provided, roller skates which areespecially suitable for use by small children learningtto skate. and wherein'substanti ally all ofthepartsofithe' roller skates are adapted wardly disno'seditongue's 14 0a the tub e 58 whereby the shank can be moved in or out of thetube as desired, and after theflishank and tube have been positioned at the desired location relative to each other, the heel member 31 and sole member=32 can be turned slightly so as to cause the tongues 74 tobe moved out of registrywith the channels :63 Whereby no further longitudinal relative movementbetween the shank and tube can take'place. When the lugs or tongues 74 move out of engagement with the channels 63, the'tongueswill move into engagement with the grooves 62 b etweenthe ribsi60 'In FIGURE 4' the parts are shown in locked position sothat no further lengthwise adjustment ofthe skates can occur, While in FIGURE 5 the parts are shown in a difierent positionwherein the tongues 74 are in registry with the channels 63 so that with the partsin the position of FIGURE .5. the length ofhthe skates can be varied or regulated as desired. In FIGURE 8 the tongues74 are in registry with the channels 63 so that themechanism S7 is in unlocked position whereby thez-length of thel'skates cangbe'changedor varied," while'in- FIGURES the so thatthe skate can be worn more comfortably tongues 74 are out of registry with the channels 63 so that the skates will be locked.

The ribs 60 are adapted to be provided with outer flattened surfaces 62, and the tube 58 has inner flattened surfaces 76 so that for example as shown in FIGURE 8 when the flat surfaces 61 and 76 are contiguous to each other there will be no camming or wedging action, while when the parts are in the position of FIGURE 9, outer edge portions of the ribs 60 will snugly engage the flat surfaces 76 so as to exert a holding or wedging action which will help prevent the shank from accidentally rotating or turning from its locked position. However, this holding action can be overcome by the child applying manual pressure to the parts such as the members 31 and 32 so that the lengthwise adjustment of the skates can take place when desired. In effect by providing the slightly flattened surfaces 61 on the shank 56, it will be seen that the distance between the pair of flat surfaces or sections 61 will be slightly less than the distance or length between points spaced 90 from the flat surfaces 61 so that when the flat surfaces 61 are contiguous to the flattened shoulders 76, there will be no wedging action, but when the shank 56 is turned a quarter turn or approximately ninety degrees, the flat surfaces 61 will be moved away from the flat shoulders 76 so that the high points on the shank 56 will engage the flat shoulders 76 to exert the previously described oamming or holding action.

The notched or toothed portion 47 of the strap '46 is adapted to engage the openings 48 and 49 whereby the strap can be maintained in its desired position.

The shank 56 is rigidly affixed to or formed integral with the end portions 50, and the braces 53, 54 and 55 are arranged in such a manner that the shank will be supported in the necessary horizontal position whereby the proper alignment can be maintained or insured between the shank and tube of the locking mechanism. Similarly the tube 58 is firmly aflixed to the various parts of the sole member 32 as previously stated so that the tube 58 will likewise be properly held in the correct position for coaction with the shank of the heel member 31.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in difierent shapes or sizes.

An important aspect or feature of the present invention is the unique adjustable locking mechanism as previously described. With the present invention a small child can properly position the parts so as to adjust the length as desired, and it is only necessary to move the sole member and heel member relative to each other by a twisting action so that the tongues are in registry with the channels, and then the members can be adjusted to the desired length whereby afterwards the heel member and sole member can be returned to their normal position so that the base portion 33 and base piece 65 are co-planar whereby the skate will be in the desired locked position. The upper surfaces of the base portion 33 and base piece 65 are adapted to be roughened so as to help prevent slippage between the childs shoe and these parts, and this roughened surface is indicated generally by the numeral 79 in FIGURE 11. The locking mechanism is constructed so that the parts can be readily and easily adjusted even by a small child, and the skates can be made inexpensively by utilizing plastic materials for the various parts. In addition the skate incorporates the safety features as previously stated such as the safety brake which includes the flanged section 37. When the heel member and toe member are aligned they will be locked, as for example whenthe parts are in the position shown in FIGURE 2.

It is to be noted that according to the present invention there has been provided an improved roller skate which differs from prior roller skates by including or embodying a diflerent strap, and wherein there is provided a different locking mechanism which includes the straight spaced parallel grooves, as for example as shown in FIG- URE 6, and wherein the back portion of the skate is different as for example as shown in the left side portions of FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings, and the skate embodies or utilizes wheels which are small in diameter, and also it is to be noted that the toe piece 66 is of a generally closed construction at its front portion, and the toe piece 66 is provided with the projection or enlargement 78 thereon, and this construction of the toe piece insures that there will be a better fit of the childs shoe in the skate.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

What is claimed is:

1. In a roller skate, a heel member and a sole member, means adjustable connecting said heel member and sole member together, said means embodying a hollow tube afiixed to one of said members *and said tube being provided with a pair of inwardly disposed diametrically opposed tongues, a shank aflixed to the other of said members, and said shank being provided with diametrically opposed spaced apart channels for selectively receiving therein said tongues, an external portion of said shank having two groups of arcuate ribs, adjacent ribs defining therebetween grooves for selectively receiving therein said tongues, said two groups of the ribs being separated by said channels, said tube being provided with inwardly disposed shoulders which are provided with flattened surfaces, and said ribs having flat surfaces mounted for movement into and out of a position contiguous to the flattened surfaces of said shoulders.

2. Ina roller skate, a heel member and a sole member, means adjustably connecting said heel member and sole member together, said means embodying a hollow tube aflixed to one of said members and said tube being provided with a pair of inwardly disposed diametrically opposed tongues, a shank aflixed to the other of said members, and said shank being provided with diametrically opposed spaced apart channels for selectively receiving therein said tongues, an external portion of said shank having two groups of arcuate ribs, adjacent ribs defining therebetween grooves for selectively receiving therein said tongues, said two groups of ribs being separated by said channels, said tube being provided with spaced apart diametrically opposed shoulders that have flat surfaces thereon, and said ribs having flat surfaces mounted for movement into and out of a position contiguous to the flat surfaces of the shoulders, the tongues of the tube being interposed between the shoulders of the tube, said channels having their longitudinal axes arranged at right angles with respect to the longitudinal axes of the grooves.

3. In a roller skate, a heel member and a sole member, said heel member including a horizontally disposed base portion, a V-shaped cradle depending from said heel member, a horizontally disposed rear axle mounted in said cradle, rear wheels'connected to the ends of said axle, a flanged section depending from said heel member and said flanged section having its lower end terminating at a point just above the lower periphery of the rear wheels, said flanged section including spaced apart side portions which are cut away to provide clearance for the rear wheels, the side portions further embodying upper skirt portions, said flanged section further including a rear portion provided with an arcuate recess, apertured brackets extending upwardly from the rear of the heel member, a strap extending through said apertured brackets, a vertically disposed end portion depending from the front of the heel member, said end portion including an intermediate enlarged rounded section and upper portions of reduced size, vertically disposed spaced parallel brace pieces extending between said cradle and the rounded section and aifixed thereto, inclined brace members extending between said brace pieces and said skirt portions, spaced apart brace elements extending between said brace members and end portion and secured thereto, a hori- =zontal1y disposed-hollow: shank 'afiix ed' .to v the intermediate enlargedrounded section of said end--portion,- saidsli'ank having: on its. exterior two 1 groups n of spaced apart arcu'ate ribs; there *beinggroov'es defined between. adjacent ribs, "the ends-oft the; ribs being'separated'from teachcotber -lby diametrically-. opposed longitudinally' extending channels, saidribs having-flattened outer-"surfaces. thereon,; said :shzink further including a smooth outer 'endportion'iree :of ribs; said hole member; further including a horizontally disposed base piece'having an upstanding generally closed toe'zpiece adjacent; the front thereof, a lpairi .of :spaced apart side;members,dependingifrom said :base piece and said side members .:including enlarged agenerallyiriangular shaped sections which are joined at theinlowe'r surfaces by art-jarcuatev crosspiece, a front axle extending between 7 said 1 triangular. shaped I'sections andsarranged .;above said .crosspiece, 5 front Ex /heels journaled= on the :ends of said --front :a'xle, a horizontally disposedopena endedytube, ifor ndju stably: receiving "therein said Eshank, end isaidytube having ratportion: :thereof "afiixed to: the lower; surface. of

saidbasepiece,saidrtube beingvalsogafiixed to said cross- 7 -,pi'ece-,::a horizontally;disposed-brace extending between named brace being 'also affixed to; saidtnbeg d a'metrically opposed arn sfpositioned'above saidlast no med brace and 68 said arms lextendingrbetween said triangular sections and tube and secured thereto, apair of diametrically opposed tongues Iprojeeting inwardly from an end of saidv tube for :selectively1 engaging, the grooves; and channels of ;the

jshank -theinterior of the tube being proyided Withdiametrically opposed; thickened-shoulders having fiat surfaces, th'efiabsurfaces of the ribs, being mountedfor movement;towardshand away from the flat surfacesof the should a ReferencesCitedin the file of'thispatent vmr gm PA EN S Great Britain

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