Land vehicles – Skates – Wheeled skate
Reexamination Certificate
1997-09-30
2001-08-21
Mar, Michael (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Skates
Wheeled skate
C280S011270
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276695
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an in-line skate.
Conventional in-line skates comprise a support for a shoe and rigid wings or tabs associated with the support and between which aligned wheels are pivoted. The use of these skates is increasingly specifically orientated towards speed skating, hockey, slalom, or long-distance skating such as marathons.
Specifically for hockey or slalom, the athlete changes skating direction by means of a short stroke with frequent lateral thrusts of the foot, which are transmitted directly to the skate. Quick increases in speed are also frequent and can be obtained by again exerting strong lateral thrusts at a high rate and with a short stroke.
The drawback that can be observed in these conventional skates is the difficulty in customizing the skate according to the extent of these thrusts, to the length of the stroke, and to the physical characteristics of the skater.
This customization also has the drawback that it requires different characteristics for engaging in long-distance speed competitions instead of hockey or slalom: in this case lateral thrusts are less frequent and the stroke is longer because the track does not require sudden direction changes and because the increase in speed does not have to compensate for the sharp braking performed during hockey or slalom.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,324 discloses a roller skate in which a support is associated below the shoe. The support is in turn associable with the wheel supporting frame, and there are means to allow a longitudinal movement of the support with respect to the frame, as well as means to allow the longitudinal movement of the intermediate wheel with respect to the outer wheel.
The support also has transverse slots which act as seats for screws that allow to lock the sole of the shoe.
This solution is specifically provided to allow to change the mutual axial alignment of the individual wheels with respect to the frame to which they are pivoted, and therefore it is not specifically suitable for solving the above mentioned drawbacks.
The solution is also structurally very complicated, with adjustments that require a long time and special tools.
In any case, the transmission of efforts from the shoe to the frame must occur by means of the screws that fix the sole to the support and by means of the screws that connect the support to the frame; on one hand this may allow displacements with respect to the selected adjustment, caused by the considerable stresses applied during the lateral movement of the skate when speed is being increased, with the consequent forming of possible plays, and on the other hand this provides incomplete and non-optimum transmission of efforts from the foot to the wheels.
Moreover, the cost of this solution is high.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the described technical problems and to solve the drawbacks described above in conventional types by providing an in-line skate that allows the user to customize the skate according to the specific sport of hockey, slalom, or long-distance speed skating, while maintaining an optimum transmission of efforts from the foot to the wheels.
Within the scope of this aim, an important object is to provide a skate that allows the user to achieve these customizations rapidly and easily without requiring particular instruments or tools.
Another object is to provide a skate that has low manufacturing costs.
Another object is to provide a skate in which it is possible to rapidly and easily replace the wheels completely depending on whether slalom or speed skating is being practiced.
Another object is to provide a skate whose maneuverability characteristics can be modified by the user according to specific requirements such as the type of use or the skill level achieved.
Another important object is to provide a skate that is structurally simple, can be easily industrialized, and can be obtained with conventional machines and equipment.
Another object is to provide a skate that associates with the preceding characteristics that of being reliable and safe in use.
This aim, these objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by an in-line skate, characterized in that it comprises a frame associated with a support having a plurality of in-line wheels, means being provided for adjusting the position of said support with respect of said frame.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2203278 (1940-06-01), Foley
patent: 2985461 (1961-05-01), Lynn et al.
patent: 4058324 (1977-11-01), Dellaire
patent: 4499674 (1985-02-01), Olivieri
patent: 4657265 (1987-04-01), Ruth
patent: 5046746 (1991-09-01), Gierveld
patent: 5295701 (1994-03-01), Reiber et al.
patent: 5303940 (1994-04-01), Brandner
patent: 5366232 (1994-11-01), Pozzobon et al.
patent: 5449183 (1995-09-01), Klamet et al.
patent: 5452907 (1995-09-01), Miebock et al.
patent: 5580070 (1996-12-01), Bekessy
patent: 2566672 (1984-06-01), None
patent: 8701675 (1989-02-01), None
Edauw Peter
Foffano Massimo
LandOfFree
In-line skate does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with In-line skate, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and In-line skate will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2542497