Abstract: A friction brake may be designed to work with either inline or quad skates. The friction brake is adjustable and/or can be made specifically to fit virtually any skate of a skater. The friction brake is preferably comprised of a cuff, one or more compression members, brake frame, brake pad, primary tension member, second tension member, and third tension member. Although the friction brake does not have to include all of the tension members, the friction brake works best when all of the tension members are present.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an apparatus and method for removably securing an article of footwear suitable for walking, running, or bicycling to a wheeled skate. Further, the present invention also teaches a brake device for use with a wheeled skate. In addition, the present invention teaches a wheeled skate including a suspension system that can be propelled with the use of linear or side stroke skating techniques. Moreover, the present invention teaches a quad wheeled skate having advantageous structure and function for recreational skating and aerobic exercise.

Abstract: The skate assembly includes a bogie frame including a brake pad, a pad support and a wear compensation system. Such a system includes an articulation, enabling the pad support to be lifted relative to the rest of the frame, and a movable locking lever. During braking, the lever is fastened into the slots provided for fastening the lever. When the pad has worn out, the user can unlock the lever and rotate the support so as to bring again the pad close to the ground. In this way, notwithstanding the wear of the pad, the need for excessively tilting the skate for braking is avoided. The adjustment system is very simple from the manufacturing standpoint, and is easy and quick to lock.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an apparatus and method for removably securing an article of footwear suitable for walking, running, or bicycling to a wheeled skate. Further, the present invention also teaches a brake device for use with a wheeled skate. In addition, the present invention teaches a wheeled skate that can be propelled with the use of linear or side stroke skating techniques. Moreover, the present invention teaches a quad wheeled skate having advantageous structure and function for recreational skating and aerobic exercise.

Abstract: A braking system preferably for an in-line skate includes a brake pad mounted to a forward end of a skate frame and an elevated front wheel attached to the skate frame by two pivot arms. The pivot arms are biased forward which is in a clockwise direction with respect to their pivot point. When skating normally, the pivot arms bias the wheel against the brake pad, but the wheel is elevated from the skating surface and thus the brake is not engaged. When skating in a rearward direction, or desiring a push start, the skater rotates the toe portion of the skate downward and raises the heel. The front wheel will engage the skating surface and the reaction force on the wheel due to friction between it and the skating surface will urge the wheel forward and increase the contact pressure between it and the brake pad.

Abstract: An improved hinge system for pivotally coupling a skate lower portion to a skate upper cuff. The multi-hinge design incorporates a four link chain mechanism that greatly increases the number of design options for a hinged boot. The pivot axis defined by the four link chain can be designed to shift through a path of travel that generally coincides with the path of travel of the anatomical pivot axis defined by the user's foot and leg. The upper cuff and boot lower portion account for two of the four links of the four link mechanism. The other two links are either rigid bars with pin connections on both the upper cuff and the lower portion, or roller links with a pin connection to the upper and a slot like sliding surface on the lower portion. A slider link can be substituted for the roller and a slide surface can be substituted for the slot.

Abstract: A braking device for skates having a shoe composed of a quarter which is articulated to a shell which is associated with a supporting frame for two or more wheels. The device has a traction element which operatively connects the quarter to lever system which actuates the movement of a braking element which is slidingly and freely rotatably associated with the frame in a region located in the interspace between two adjacent wheels. The motion occurs in contrast with a spring.

Abstract: An improved hinge system for pivotally coupling a skate lower portion to a skate upper cuff. The multi-hinge design incorporates a four link chain mechanism that greatly increases the number of design options for a hinged boot. The pivot axis defined by the four link chain can be designed to shift through a path of travel that generally coincides with the path of travel of the anatomical pivot axis defined by the user's foot and leg. The upper cuff and boot lower portion account for two of the four links of the four link mechanism. The other two links are either rigid bars with pin connections on both the upper cuff and the lower portion, or roller links with a pin connection to the upper and a slot like sliding surface on the lower portion. A slider link can be substituted for the roller and a slide surface can be substituted for the slot.

Abstract: A braking device, particularly usable for skates comprising a shoe composed of a quarter which is articulated to a shell associated with a supporting frame for two or more wheels, and comprising at least one traction element which is connected at one end to a tab which protrudes from a braking element which is located in a region which is adjacent to the last wheel and oscillates in contrast with at least one flexible element. In the braking device, the traction element is associated, at its other end, with two levers which operatively interact with the quarter and allow to take up the traction element when the quarter oscillates backward so as to place the braking element in contact with a braking surface.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate in accordance with this present invention includes at least four integral independent suspension system aligned under the chassis platform having all forks axles pivotally in forward motion and opposite direction from each other. The integral independent suspension system all parts and components are integrated in a body-frame, includes at least two independent shock absorber mechanisms in which the front shock absorber suspension mechanisms interconnects with the rear shock absorber secondary mechanisms, in which the rear shock absorber mechanisms support the pivotally forks axles and wheel system. The main chassis system supports the front brake and central rolling-brake. The integral independent suspension and the removable boot systems are interconnected with the chassis system trough a plurality of removable fasteners. The removable boot supports the front and rear anatomical-frame structure and the rear integral independent suspension support the main brake system.

Abstract: A brake for an in-line roller skate consisting of a rubber block (4) fixed to the end of a rigid support (5) at the rear of the skate, and intended to brake the skate by rubbing on the ground. The rigid support (5) has at least one cut-out (13) into which a piece (14) of elastic or viscoelastic material is force-fitted. This construction has the effect of damping the vibrations which are due to the block bouncing along the ground.

Abstract: A braking system preferably for an in-line skate includes a brake pad mounted to a forward end of a skate frame and an elevated front wheel attached to the skate frame by two pivot arms. The pivot arms are biased forward which is in a clockwise direction with respect to their pivot point. When skating normally, the pivot arms bias the wheel against the brake pad, but the wheel is elevated from the skating surface and thus the brake is not engaged. When skating in a rearward direction, or desiring a push start, the skater rotates the toe portion of the skate downward and raises the heel. The front wheel will engage the skating surface and the reaction force on the wheel due to friction between it and the skating surface which will urge the wheel forward and increase the contact pressure between it and the brake pad.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a flexing base skate (10) includes an upper shoe portion (12) mounted on a base (14). The base includes a forefoot region (20) secured to a forward frame segment (26) carrying forward wheels (18a, 18b). A heel region (24) of the base is secured to a rearward frame segment (28) that carries rearward wheels (18c, 18d). The base defines and flexes at a reduced thickness metatarsal head portion (22), with the skater's heel and the rearward frame segment elevating freely relative to the forward frame segment. A spring (72) incorporated into the base biases the skate to the unflexed configuration. The forward frame section overlaps the rearward frame section for lateral stability. An alternate embodiment provides a rigid full length frame (112) and a flexible base (104) mounted only at the forefoot region (106) to the frame. The base (104) flexes at a metatarsal head portion (108), and is constructed to form an integral spring biasing the base against the frame.