Land vehicles – Skates – Wheeled skate
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-02
2001-12-11
Vanaman, Frank (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Skates
Wheeled skate
C280S011180, C280S011270
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328317
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention is related to a gliding equipment, in particular for practicing ice skating or hard surface skating, of the type constituted of a frame defined by lower lateral flanges on which the gliding member or members are attached, depending on whether it is a blade for skating on ice, or wheels for skating on a hard surface, and an upper plate intended to be integral with the external sole of a skater's boot.
The invention is more specifically related to a frame for this type of skate, intended to provide a connection between the gliding members, such as a blade or wheels, and the user's foot, or more precisely his boot, the frame being interposed therebetween.
2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
Frames of the aforementioned type have to exhibit substantial mechanical resistance characteristics, while also remaining as light as possible so as not to occasion too much effort on the part of the athlete.
It has been known to manufacture such frames by molding synthetic materials that offer the advantage of enabling one to obtain a fair variety of shapes.
As a result, these frames are generally made by injection, generally by using a polyamide reinforced with glass fibers, and they are made either all in one piece or in two parts.
However, in order that these frames fulfill the minimum stiffness requirements necessary for the satisfactory functioning of the skate, the ratio of fibers must be on the order of 30%, and in addition, in order to improve stiffness, they must have several reinforcement ribs.
However, the cost of production of such an equipment is, in fact, a precise function of the price of the materials, and especially the ratio of fibers together with the number of ribs required, which complicates the molding process.
In addition, the fact that this type of frame is open at its lower portion constitutes a trap for dust and other dirt, such as mud, for example, when rain mixes with dust.
The aforementioned disadvantage is all the more bothersome because ribs are present at the lower portion of the frame, and they too constitute nooks and crannies that are apt to accumulate said dirt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the aim of the instant invention to overcome these disadvantages by suggesting an improved frame enabling the aforementioned disadvantages to be overcome, and also retaining all its stiffness whilst requiring a smaller ratio of fibers, and doing away with all the reinforcement ribs in its lower portion.
To this end, the invention is related to a gliding equipment, in particular for practicing ice skating or hard surface skating, of the type constituted by a frame defined by lateral flanges on which are attached the gliding member or members, such as a blade or wheels, and an upper plate intended to be integral with the external sole of a boot, wherein the frame is constituted by a hollow body that is hermetically closed, both in the transverse as well as in the longitudinal directions, simultaneously defining the lateral flanges, the upper plate and the end parts. Such a construction enables the elimination of the reinforcement ribs, without any loss of stiffness, nor any increase in weight, due to the rigid one-piece and self-supporting structure obtained in this manner.
The instant invention is also related to the characteristics that will become apparent from the description that follows, and these should be considered either singly or as per all possible technical combinations thereof.
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patent: 4088336 (1978-05-01), Chapel
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patent: 5662338 (1997-09-01), Steinhauser, Jr.
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Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Salomon S.A.
Vanaman Frank
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