WO2002013926A1

WO2002013926A1 - Adjustable in-line skate wheel stop

Info

Publication number: WO2002013926A1
Application number: PCT/CA2000/000947
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Palleschi
Original assignee: Michael Palleschi
Priority date: 2000-08-16
Filing date: 2000-08-16
Publication date: 2002-02-21
Also published as: AU2000266758A1

Abstract

This invention relates to a novel adjustable in-line skate wheel stop. More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel adjustable length in-line skate wheel stop which can be removably applied to the wheels of an in-line skate to thereby temporarily immobilize the wheels of the skate and enable the skater to walk or climb while wearing the skates with the removable stop. When the skater wishes to resume skating, the wheel stop is removed. A wheel stop for use in association with an in-line skate comprising: (a) a base member; (b) a wheel abutment member which can be positioned at any location on the base member; and (c) an adjustable length member which cooperates with the base member and enables the base member and the wheel abutment member to be held against the wheel of an in-line skate.

Description

ADJUSTABLE IN-LINE SKATE WHEEL STOP

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a novel adjustable in-line skate wheel stop.

More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel adjustable length in-line skate wheel stop which can be removably applied to the wheels of an in-line skate to thereby temporarily immobilize the wheels of the skate and enable the skater to walk or climb while wearing the skates with the removable stop. When the skater wishes to resume skating, the wheel stop is removed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In-line skates have become very popular as recreational and sports equipment during the past decade. Millions of in-line skates have been sold. In-line skates are usually equipped on the underside of a boot with four, or occasionally five, wheels which are disposed in forward serial alignment with one another. The in-line skate is also usually equipped with a brake pad at the rear of the row of in-line wheels on one of the skates.

In-line skates typically have bearing mounted wheels which are made for easy rolling over the ground. As a consequence, because there is very little friction inhibiting forward or rearward movement of the wheels, it is often difficult for a skater to stand still on a pair of in-line skates, or stop from rolling forward on an incline, or climb stairs and hills without difficulty. Usually the skater must hold onto a stationary object, such as a hand rail, while climbing stairs, or a tree or post or some other stationary object while on an incline, in order to prevent the in-line skates from rolling forward or backward. Because there is no wheel brake device, there is a high risk of injury while the skater is standing still, walking up or down stairs or slopes, or moving across rough terrain.

There has been a continuing longstanding need for an easy to use device which will prevent the wheels of an in-line skate from rotating when the skater does not want the wheels to rotate, such as when the skater wants to walk or climb. U.S. Patent No. 5,236,224, Anderson et al., discloses a removable wheel cover for an inline type skate. The cover includes a front boot designed to inwardly receive the skate's front wheel. The cover also includes a rear boot designed to inwardly receive the skate' s rear wheel. A pair of flexible, resilient straps connect the two boots of the cover together. When not in use, the cover can be folded into a small volume and easily stored within a user's pocket.

A serious problem with the Anderson et al. removable wheel cover is that although the front boot portion 20 fits over a front wheel of an in-line skate, and the rear boot portion 22 fits over a rear wheel of the skate, there is nothing which prevents the skater from "skating out of" the removable wheel cover. The front boot portion of the Anderson et al. removable wheel cover is formed of flexible resilient straps. Thus the wheels can easily roll out of the guard when the skater places the skate and guard on the ground. The toe 14 of the front boot 20 of the in-line skate is not prevented from rolling forward out of the resilient removable wheel cover. There is also no mechanism in the Anderson et al. guard which prevents the middle wheels from rolling forward, and hence preventing the skater from skating out of the resilient removable wheel cover.

U.S. Patent No. 5,924,733, Palleschi, July 20, 1999, discloses a resilient in-line skate wheel stop which can be stretched over the wheels and boots of an in-line skate and includes one or more wedges which impinge against the facing areas of adjacent wheels and frictionally prevent the wheels from rotating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a wheel stop for use in association with an in-line skate comprising: (a) a base member; (b) a wheel abutment member which can be positioned at a location on the base member; and (c) an adjustable length member which cooperates with the base member and enables the base member and the wheel abutment member to be held against the wheel of an in-line skate.

The base member can be elongated, and can have on one surface thereof a mechanism for enabling the position of the wheel abutment member to be releasably locked on the base member. The position securing member can be a set of ribs formed on the top surface of the base member.

The base member can have along the side thereof a longitudinal channel in which the wheel abutment member can be slidably engaged. The wheel stop can include a second wheel abutment member slidably mounted on the base member. The base member can have two sets of ribs located in separate areas of the top surface of the base member and the first and second wheel abutting members can have formed therein respective rib engaging members which can be congruent with the ribs on the base member, and can enable the position of the two wheel abutting members to be adjusted in position.

The first and second wheel abutment members can have formed in the top interior surfaces thereof curved surfaces which can be designed to correspond with the curved exterior surfaces of an in-line skate wheel.

The wheel abutment member can have formed thereon a flexible member which can fit against the base member and prevent the slidable wheel engagement member from separating from the base member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention, but which should not be construed as restricting the spirit or scope of the invention in any way:

Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an adjustable in-line skate wheel stop installed on an-line skate.

Figure 2 illustrates a detailed side view of the adjustable in-line skate wheel stop with one of the movable wheel brakes raised.

Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the adjustable in-line skate wheel stop.

Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of the one of the adjustable in-line skate wheel stops.

Figure 5 illustrates a side partial section view of the pair of adjustable wheel brakes and the base of the in-line skate wheel stop.

Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of a second embodiment of the adjustable in-line skate wheel stop. Figure 7 illustrates an isometric view of the base of the adjustable in-line skate wheel stop.

Figure 8 illustrates a side partial section view of the movable wheel brake.

Figure 9 illustrates an end view of one half of the slidable wheel brake.

Figure 10 illustrates a bottom view of one-half of the slidable wheel brake.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an in-line skate with an adjustable in-line skate wheel stop installed on the two central wheels of the in-line skate. Specifically, as seen in Figure 1, the in-line skate 2 which includes a boot 4, four wheels 6, a wheel carriage 8, and a rear friction brake 10, has installed thereon a wheel stop 12, according to the invention. The wheel stop 12, with its first and second sliding brakes 18, 20 fit over and abut the central two wheels of the skate 2, and is held in place by a pair of straps 14. As seen in Figure 1, the rear strap 14 is shown passing over the top rear end of the wheel carriage 8. However, it is understood that the rear strap 14 can pass over the top arch area of the boot 4, and in many skate designs, this will be the case. The central pair of wheels is stopped from turmng by first sliding wheel brake 18 and second sliding wheel brake 20, which are snapped in place on rack 16 in a position where they abut the respective central wheels and stop them from turning.

Figure 2 illustrates a detailed side view of the adjustable in-line skate wheel stop 12, with one of the movable wheel brakes 20 raised for movement prior to being snapped down into position. The first sliding wheel brake 18 and the second sliding wheel brake 20 can be moved on rack 16 to accommodate different wheel spacings on commercial in-line skates. Figure 2 also illustrates side slide channel 26, along which the positions of first sliding wheel brake 18 and second sliding wheel brake 20 can be moved, and snapped into position. Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the adjustable wheel stop 12 according to the invention. The longitudinal rack 16 enables the first sliding wheel brake 18 and the second sliding wheel brake 20 to be moved in a longitudinal direction towards or away from one another. The first and second sliding wheel brakes 18 and 20, once moved to the appropriate positions to accommodate the wheel spacing of a particular in-line skate, are held in position on the rack 16 by respective snaps that snap into position in the side slide channel 26. Figure 3 also illustrates the ribbed interiors of the first and second brakes 18, 20. The ribs 34 provide improved wheel friction surfaces and lighten the weight of the brakes 18, 20. Figure 3 also illustrates the pivot points 36 where the straps (not shown) are pivotably attached to the respective brakes 18, 20.

Figure 4 illustrates a side isometric view of one of the wheel brakes 20, and the ribbed carved recess for the wheel of the in-line skate. The pair of ribbed tracks 34 are located on the interior side surfaces of the brake 18. Figure 4 also illustrates the channel snap 38, the strap fastening pivot 36, and a channel stop 32, which protrudes into the channel 26 of the rack 16.

Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the wheel stop 12 with a cut-away view of brake 20. The brake 20 has on its bottom interior surface a plurality of ribs 30 which engage with the top track ribs 22 of the rack 16. Figure 5 also illustrates the snap 38 which snaps into place in slide channel 26 when brake 20 is moved down into position on rack 16. Figure 5 also illustrates in dotted lines channel stop 32 which protrudes into and slides in the slide channels 26 on each side of rack 16. The stops 32 prevent the brakes 18 and 20 from separating from the rack when the brakes 18 and 20 are moved on the rack 16.

Figure 6 illustrates a side isometric view of the wheel stop 12 according to the invention. A wheel stop 12 is constructed of a longitudinal rack 16 on which first sliding wheel brake 18 and second sliding wheel brake 20 can be moved in a longitudinal direction. The first and second sliding wheel brakes 18 and 20 can be fixed in position on the rack 16 by means of a ribbed track 22. The first and second sliding wheel brakes 18 and 20 are held in position on the rack by having a portion thereof slide and be retained in side slide channel 26. Figure 6 also illustrates the strap slot 24, and adjustable length strap 14 shown in dotted lines. Figure 7 illustrates a side isometric view of the rack 16, without the first and second sliding wheel brakes 18 and 20 mounted thereon. Figure 7 in particular illustrates the pair of ribbed tracks 22 which are located on the top surfaces of the forward and rear portions of the rack 16. Figure 7 also illustrates the side slide channels 26 in which the first and second sliding wheel brakes 18 and 20 (not shown) slide in order to enable the first and second sliding wheel brakes 18 and 20 to be engaged with the respective pair of ribbed tracks 22.

Figure 8 illustrates a side elevation view of the first sliding wheel brake 18, and in particular, the construction of the curved wheel friction surface 28 in the interior of the first sliding wheel brake 18. This surface as discussed previously can be ribbed. The curvature of wheel friction surface 28 is designed to match the exterior curvature of a standard in-line skate wheel. This maximizes frictional engagement and hence wheel braking action, for the first sliding wheel brake 18. Figure 8 also illustrates the set of rib track engaging ribs 30, which are designed to engage closely with the set of rib tracks 22 that are constructed in the rack 16. A first sliding wheel brake 18, as illustrated in Figure 8, also includes the flexible channel stop 32, which is designed to slidingly engage with and fit into side slide channel 26 of the rack 16 (see Figure 5).

Figure 9 illustrates an end view of half of the first sliding wheel brake 18, including the configuration of the curved ribbed wheel friction surface 28, the underlying rib track engaging ribs 30, and the channel stop 32. It will be understood that the first sliding wheel brake 18, as illustrated in Figure 9, represents only half of the wheel brake 18, and a mirror opposite section mates with the half section shown in Figure 9.

Figure 10 illustrates a bottom view of one half of a sliding wheel brake 18, including the rib track engaging ribs 30, and the flexible channel stop 32.

A big advantage of the wheel stop 12, according to the invention, is that it can be adjusted to fit various wheel spacings because the distances between the wheels of in-line skates produced by various manufacturers such as Rollerblade, K2, Bauer, and the like, are not standard. Consequently, a brake stop which does not have adjustable wheel friction members cannot fit snugly and firmly against the wheels of a variety of in-line skates on the market. The wheel stop 12, constructed according to the invention, provides a simple, easy to use method of enabling a wheel stop, which is light, inexpensive and portable, by virtue of the adjustable position of the first and sliding wheel brakes 18 and 20, to fit different wheel spacings of various types of inline skates on the commercial market.

Furthermore, the strap 14, by being adjustable, such as using a buckle, snaps or a hook and pile fastener (Velcro™) or some other simple length adjustable securing mechanism, ensures that the brake stop 12 will fit all commercially available in-line skates. In this way, the wheels of the in-line skate are securely gripped and immobilized by the first and second sliding wheel brakes 18 and 20, which are adjustable in position on the ribbed rack 16. When installed on the wheels of an in-line skate 2, the skater can walk with ease in the skates, climb up inclines without rolling backward, navigate downward slopes under full control, climb stairs and deal with all types of situations where the skater can securely step without the wheels 6 of the skate 2 rolling and causing falls and potential harm to the skater. The size of the wheel stop 12 is small and lightweight and can readily be carried in a pocket or back pack of the in-line skater. The wheel stop 12 can be formed of plastic, using well known plastic forming techniques such as injection molding and the like.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A wheel stop for use in association with an in-line skate comprising: (a) a base member; (b) a wheel abutment member which can be positioned at any location on the base member; and

(c) an adjustable length member which is associated with the base member and the wheel abutment member and enables the wheel abutment member to be held against the wheel of an in-line skate.

2. A wheel stop as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base member is elongated, and has on one surface thereof a mechanism for enabling the position of the wheel abutment member to be releasably locked on the base member.

3. A wheel stop as claimed in claim 2 wherein the position securing member is a set of ribs formed on the top surface of the base member.

4. A wheel stop as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base member has along the side thereof a longitudinal channel in which the wheel abutment member can be slidably engaged.

5. A wheel stop as claimed in claim 1 including a second wheel abutment member slidably mounted on the base member.

6. A wheel stop as claimed in claim 5 wherein the base member has two sets of ribs located in separate areas of the a of the base member and the first and second wheel abutting members have formed therein respective rib engaging members which enable the position of the two wheel abutting members to be adjusted.

7. A wheel stop as claimed in claim 6 wherein the first and second wheel abutment members have formed in the top interior surfaces thereof curved surfaces which are designed to correspond with the curved exterior surfaces of an in-line skate wheel.

8. A wheel stop as claimed in claim 7 wherein the interior surfaces are ribbed.

9.. A wheel stop as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wheel abutment member has formed thereon a flexible member which fits against the base member and retards the slidable wheel engagement member from separating from the base member.

10. A wheel stop as claimed in claim 4 wherein the wheel abutment member has thereon a protrusion which can be releasably snapped into place in the channel.

11. A wheel stop as claimed in claim 4 wherein the wheel abutment member has thereon a pivot member which enables the adjustable length member to be pivotally secured to the wheel abutment member.