Land vehicles – Skates – Wheeled skate
Patent
1998-06-01
2000-06-06
Mai, Lanna
Land vehicles
Skates
Wheeled skate
280 112, A63C 1700, A63C 1714
Patent
active
060708859
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to roller skates, and in particular to off-line roller skates.
2. Background Discussion
Roller skates are well known and come in a wide variety of configurations. Two broad categories of skates are in-line and off-line skates. An in-line skate is one in which the wheels are positioned below the foot of the skater directly under and along the longitudinal axis of the skate's base plate, or skater's foot. Currently, in-line skates are very popular. An off-line skate is one in which the wheels of the skate are laterally displaced from the longitudinal axis of the base plate. For beginners, it can be difficult to maintain one's balance when skating on in-line skates. The reason for this is because all the wheels are directly under the longitudinal axis of the base plate, and the contact with the ground provided by the in-line skate wheels is narrow. Therefore, when a skater leans to one side, the lateral pressure exerted on the in-line skates can result in an unstable condition where the wheels may slide sideways in a skid, producing a fall. Moreover, certain natural objects such as twigs, small rocks, or cracks in streets and sidewalks, can inhibit the rotation of the small wheels of the in-line skate. Particularly troublesome for in-line skaters is where street or side walk cracks line up with the in-line skate wheels, jamming the wheels and throwing the skater off balance. Also, the jarring effects in-line skates and conventional off-line roller skates are subjected to on rough or irregular streets or sidewalks limit their use. Overall in-line skates and conventional off-line roller skates are maneuverable and fast. With off-line skates, however, it is easier to maintain one's balance, and off-line skates are more stable than in-line skates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides an off-line skate which has the desirable characteristics of speed, stability, balance, maneuverability, smoothness of ride, and energy conservation because of the skate's unique wheel configuration enhances momentum. The skate of this invention can easily roll over objects such as small holes, twigs, pebbles, rough surfaces, and cracks in streets and sidewalks which can inhibit the performance of conventional skates. The skate is safe and easy to learn and skate on for both children and adults who have found in-line skating to be difficult or intimidating. It is comfortable and suitable for travel both for short and long distances on city and suburan streets and sidewalks. Lastly, the skate of this invention is fun and exciting to skate on and gives new meaning to recreational skating.
The roller skate of this invention has several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims which follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled, "DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS," one will understand how the features of this invention provide its benefits, which include speed, stability, balance, maneuverability and ease of use, smoothness of ride, and effort minimizing skating.
The first feature of the roller skate of this invention is that it includes a support which is attached to a skater's foot, for example as a foot plate integral with, or secured to, a boot or shoe worn by a skater, or a frame which may be easily attached or detached to the boot or shoe and adjusted to accommodate different foot sizes. The support has a central longitudinal axis, first and second opposed sides, a forward end, and a rear end.
The second feature is a first pair of non-aligned axles attached to the forward end of the support and which extend sideways from the first side of the support, and a second pair of non-aligned axles attached to the rear end of the support and which extend sideways from the second side of the support. These axles ar
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Connors John J.
Mai Lanna
Restifo Jeff
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