WO1999066995A1

WO1999066995A1 - Frame for in-line roller skate having a removable element

Info

Publication number: WO1999066995A1
Application number: PCT/CA1998/000613
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bertrand Racine
Original assignee: Bauer Inc.
Priority date: 1998-06-23
Filing date: 1998-06-23
Publication date: 1999-12-29
Also published as: AU8096598A

Abstract

A frame for a roller skate with a connection side and a rolling side opposite to connection side, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame to extend radially from said rolling side, wherein said rolling side of the frame is provided with a removable portion.

Description

Frame for in-line roller skate having a removable element

Field of the invention

The invention relates to in-line roller skates, and more particularly to a frame for an in-line roller skate having a removable element.

Background of the invention

Over the past few years roller skating and particularly in-line roller skating has enjoyed an immense resurgence in popularity. No longer limited to indoor rings specifically designed for that purpose, skating today has become an outdoor leisure activity, an economic and healthy means of transportation, and a competitive sport.

The changes in the nature of skating have necessitated appropriate changes in the design and manufacture of the skates themselves. Today's skaters demand skates which are much lighter in weight and easier to control than the traditional bi-axte quad-wheeled skates of the past.

The original design of the modern in-line skate was relatively simple. Generally, such skates consisted of a wheel frame attached to a skate boot. The skate boot itself was based on either an ice skate boot or on a downhill ski boot. The former had a relatively flat sole interfacing with the planar surface of the foot and made from conventional material such as a thermoplastic rubber, while the latter was typically a molded plastic boot having an integral structure.

A first type of conventional roller skate boot comprises a boot upper sewn to a sole. The sole interfaces with and protects the plantar surface of the foot while the boot upper surrounds and secures the remaining portions of the foot (e.g. dorsal portion) instep. Soles may either be formed from a layer of a single material or from several layers of a single or different materials. In the latter case, the layers are bonded together to form a laminate. In both cases, at any particular point on the sole, the material(s) of which the sole is formed is (are) identical to that (those) at every (or almost every) other point on the sole. The second type of boot comprises a molded lower, attached to a frame, and a molded upper, provided on top of the lower.

The wheel frame typically consisted of two parallel rails connected by a bridging portion to form a long inverted "U"-shaped structure. The wheels would be mounted within the frame by being rotatably mounted on the rails. The bridging portion served to connect the rails together and acted as a point of attachment for the wheel frame to the skate boot. In this respect, the bridging portion was also generally flat. It would interface with the underside of the boot sole and would be secured thereto by suitable fasteners, such as bolts or rivets. A relatively thin planar attachment plate might have been placed between the frame and the sole in some skates.

Today, several types of in-line roller skates are manufactured, each one corresponding to a specific use. For instance, one can find skates specifically designed for speeding.

Among the newest types of skates, the so-called "aggressive" skate is probably the one that is the most subject to severe and though conditions. Indeed, the skaters use their skates to slide on ramps or other similar structure types for instance. The most performing skaters even realize style figures while sliding down. Such uses are very demanding for the skates, in particular for the boot and frame, which must bear very intensive friction forces. If standard skates are chosen for such a use, premature wear appears very quickly.

Considering the popularity of this type of skating, there is a strong demand for an in-line roller skate better adapted to these extremely severe use conditions. Objects and statement of the invention

It is thus an object of the invention to provide a frame for a roller skate specifically adapted to the "aggressive" type of skating.

It is another object of the invention to provide a frame for a roller skate offering possibilities to extend the life of the skates subjected to intensive wear.

As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a frame for a roller skate comprising a connection side for connection to a sole boot of a skate and a rolling side opposite to connection side, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame to extend radially from said rolling side, wherein said rolling side of the frame is provided with a removable portion.

This arrangement is of particular interest with a skate designed for a rough environment or rough conditions, for instance to slide along ramps. A worn-out portion can thus be replaced by a new one.

Mainly for reasons of equilibrium, the removable portion is preferably provided in the central portion of said frame.

Advantageously, the removable portion comprises a complete cross-section of said frame. The frame comprises a first frontal portion, a second rear portion and a third substantially central portion, wherein said third portion corresponds to said removable portion. The first and second portions are preferably independent from each other.

In another variant, the removable portion comprises a partial cross-section of said frame. Thus, the frame comprises a first frontal portion, a second rear portion and a third substantially central portion, wherein said third portion corresponds to said removable portion. Advantageously, said first and second portions are connected to each other.

In a further variant, said removable portion is a plate connectable to said frame. The frame may be provided with a recess adapted for engagement of the removable portion. The recess is preferably provided with fastening holes adapted to receive fasteners to connect said removable portion to the frame.

In any variant, the removable portion is advantageously a ramp adapter comprising a free end profile adapted to slide on a ramp. The free end profile may have a concave shape.

The removable portion is preferably wear resistant.

As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention also provides a roller skate comprising a frame, a footwear element mounted to said frame to accommodate a skater's foot, said footwear element being provided with a sole, said frame comprising a connection side for connection to the sole and a rolling side opposite to connection side, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame to extend radially from said rolling side, wherein said rolling side of the frame is provided with a removable portion.

The removable portion is advantageously a ramp adapter comprising a free end profile adapted to slide on a ramp. A selection of adapters of different free end profiles can be offered to the user. For instance, the free end profile has a concave shape.

The frame is preferably provided with a seat adapted for engagement of the removable portion, the seat being provided with fastening holes adapted to receive fasteners to connect said removable portion to the frame. The set-up or removal operations are thus easy to carry out. Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and the drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

A detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is provided hereinbelow, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a skater sliding along a ramp;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an in-line βkate according to the invention;

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a skate according to the invention used to slide along a ramp;

Figure 4 is a further perspective view of an in-line skate according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view illustrating an in-line skate according to the invention used on a rolling surface;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view illustrating an in-line skate according to the invention used on a ramp or the like;

Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of an in-line skate provided with a frame having a removable portion.

Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views of a variant of an in-line skate provided with a frame having a removable portion. Figure 11 is a perspective view of another variant of an in-line skate provided with a frame having a removable portion.

In the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of examples. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Figures 1 to 6 show an in-line roller-skate according to the invention. Examples of skating surfaces used with "aggressive skating" are also shown. For instance in figures 1 , 3 and 6, various positions are shown of a skate sliding along a ramp or other similar structure. In such positions, the standard load supporting elements, namely the wheels, are less or not used. The load is for instance supported by the frame and/or the boot. The rolling motion is also replaced by a sliding motion. The components in contact with the sliding surface are thus subject to wear.

Referring to figure 2, there is a roller skate 10 comprising a footwear element 20 and a wheel frame 50 connected to the footwear element. The footwear element may comprise a liner 20 and a shell 30 surrounding the lower portion of the liner. The frame comprises two parallel rails and the wheels 14 are conventionally rotatably mounted within the frame. The frame may be made with any lightweight material providing sufficient rigidity, for instance aluminum, plastic, composite, etc.

The frame 50 is comprised of two longitudinal rails interconnected by bridging portions. Wheels are conventionally mounted within the frame. The frame is secured to the shell as described above, by conventional means, through fastening holes provided in the central portion of the frame. To facilitate the sliding along the ramps or the like, the rolling side of at least one of the rails is provided with a ramp adapter 55, for instance an inverted-U shaped recess, in which the ramp may be located or guided. The adapter is preferably provided in the central portion of the rolling side and comprises a free end profile 35 (see figure 7) adapted for sliding on ramps. Such a guiding means provides longitudinal stability and helps the skater to maintain his equilibrium when sliding along ramps or the like. The free end profile preferably has a concave shape, for instance, hemispherical.

According to the invention, the ramp adapter 55 is removable. It is preferably made of a different material than that of the rest of the frame. For instance, the main portions of the frame 50 are preferably made of a material providing good rigidity characteristics such as aluminum. The removable portion is rather made of plastic or composite material, or a wear resistant material.

Figures 7 to 11 illustrate several variants of a frame provided with a removable adapter.

In figures 7 and 8, the outer central portion of at least one of the rails is provided with an adapter recess or seat 59, on which the adapter is removably connected, for instance with fasteners 57. Several fastener types can be used, for instance screws, bolts and nuts, etc. Corresponding fastening holes are provided in the adapter seat.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a variant in which the frame comprises three portions: a first frontal portion 52, for connection to the front portion of the boot, a second rear portion 53, for connection to the rear portion of the boot, and a third substantially central portion 55. This latter portion is easily removable, for instance by unscrewing a fastener such as a screw or the like for attachment to the sole of a skate boot or an adapter plate thereof. Figure 11 illustrates a variant with the front and rear portions connected together by the bridging portion 54. The bridging portion is the portion of the frame that links the two rails. In this variant, the bridging portion extends longitudinally between the front and rear portions of the frame. It may also serves as an attachment point to the removable plate, for instance with fasteners such as screws or the like. The bridging portion and the side walls of the front and rear portions of the frame define a recess for insertion of the removable portion.

In any variant the frame is preferably of a reversible construction. When a first side or rail is worn out, the user can easily remove the frame, turn it to place the front portion at the rear and reassemble the frame to the rest of the skate. In doing so, the rails of the frame are changed from one side to the other. The portion of the frame in sliding contact with the ramp or the like, that can be worn out on a first side of the skate, may be changed for the opposite one. The life of the frame is therefore doubled. A preferred reversible frame is of a symmetrical construction.

The above description of preferred embodiments should not be interpreted in a limiting manner since other variations, modifications and refinements are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For instance the adapter may be made of materials with either high or low friction coefficient to customize the skate according to the performance of the skater and desired sliding characteristics. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A frame for a roller skate comprising a connection side for connection to a sole boot of a skate and a rolling side opposite to connection side, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame to extend radially from said rolling side, wherein said rolling side of the frame is provided with a removable portion.

2. A frame according to claim 1, wherein said portion is provided in the central portion of said frame.

3. A frame according to any one of claim 1 or 2, wherein said removable portion comprise a complete section of said frame.

4. A frame according to claim 3, wherein said frame comprises a first frontal portion, a second rear portion and a third substantially central portion, wherein said third portion corresponds to said removable portion.

5. A frame according to claim 4, wherein said first and second portions are independent from each other.

6. A frame according to any one of claim 1 or 2, wherein said removable portion comprises a partial section of said frame.

7. A frame according to claim 6, comprising a first frontal portion, a second rear portion and a third substantially central portion, wherein said third portion corresponds to said removable portion.

8. A frame according to claim 7, wherein said first and second portions are connected to each other.

. A frame according to claim 6, wherein said removable portion is a plate connectable to said frame.

10. A frame according to any one of preceding claims, wherein the frame is provided with a recess adapted for engagement of the removable portion.

11. A frame according to claim 10, wherein said recess is provided with fastening holes adapted to receive fasteners to connect said removable portion to the frame.

12. A frame according to any one of preceding claims, wherein said removable portion is a ramp adapter comprising a free end profile adapted to slide on a ramp.

13. A frame according to claim 9, wherein the free end profile has a concave shape.

14. A frame according to any one of preceding claims, wherein said removable portion is wear resistant.

15. A roller skate comprising a frame according to any one of preceding claims, said roller skate comprising a footwear element mounted to said frame to accommodate a skater's foot, said footwear element being provided with a sole.