In-line Wheels (e.g., In-line Skates) Patents (Class 280/11.221)
  • Publication number: 20040207164
    Abstract: In-line roller skate including a soft, pliable, and comfortable shoe body having structural foot support components positioned in selected strategic areas such as the ball, heel, and ankle. In one embodiment, the structural components are made of semirigid plastic that may be heat-moldable to conform to the user's foot. The shoe sole may also include heat-moldable materials so it can be anatomically formed to the foot. The shoe is mounted on a frame that supports a plurality of in-line wheels. At least a portion of the flexible shoe portion that is adjacent the sole is exposed, and free from blockage by the support structure, thereby promoting the circulation of air through the breathable shoe portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Antonin A. Meibock, John E. Svensson
  • Publication number: 20040195786
    Abstract: A roller skate frame includes a wheel-mounting plate for mounting wheels thereon, a shoe-mounting plate projecting transversely from a top end of the wheel-mounting plate and disposed at one side of the wheel-mounting plate that is opposite to the wheels, a plurality of wheel-mounting protrusions projecting from the wheel-mounting plate, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs, each of which projects transversely from a bottom end of the wheel-mounting plate and interconnects two adjacent ones of the protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Hendrikus Adrianus van Egeraat
  • Publication number: 20040178588
    Abstract: Disclosed is a roller blade shoe that has a shoe body having a cavity in an outsole thereof. A housing is accommodated in the cavity of the shoe body and an underside of the housing is opened. A plurality of roller assemblies are collapsibly installed lengthwise of the housing in an in-line pattern. Each roller assembly includes a lever fork having an upper end pivotably supported on a sidewall of the housing and a roller installed at a lower end of the lever fork. A manipulating handle is pivotably installed at the shoe body and rotated in a forward or backward direction to accommodate/withdraw the roller assemblies into/from the housing. A roller driving wire includes a withdrawing wire and an accommodating wire that are arranged in parallel to each other and both ends of which are connected to the roller assembly. A roller locking device cooperates with the roller driving wire. A brake is mounted on a rear end of the outsole of the shoe body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Sang-Cheol Yoo
  • Publication number: 20040160023
    Abstract: An in-line skate having a pliable boot and a base frame capable of dispersing the stress thereof to further prevent breakage of members thereof such that the lifespan of the in-line skate is prolonged, includes a lower seat provided with two flanges below a shoe body thereof, a base frame for fitting the lower seat and provided with corresponding through holes for inserting the flanges below the lower seat, lugs formed by downwardly extending the front through holes at the base frame for fitting the flanges into a tracking system, the flanges fitted through rear through holes fitted into the two sides of the tracking system, and a lower protection seat. The shoe body, base frame and tracking system are combined into one flexible body using rivets or screws, thereby obtaining a practical product having enhanced effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Shi-Pei Liu
  • Publication number: 20040145129
    Abstract: A modular roller skating apparatus includes a frame having a pair of interchangeable frame portions. A plurality of wheel assemblies is axially mounted to the frame in an in-line configuration, each assembly having a pair of releasably coupled hub portions. When coupled, the hub defines a female receptacle for detachably coupling to a corresponding male structure of a tire such that worn tires may be conveniently replaced without replacing an entire wheel assembly. A boot having a lower portion for receiving a skater's foot is releasably mounted atop the frame and includes conventional lacing. An upper boot portion is provided for surrounding a skater's ankle. Laterally spaced eyelets along respective edges of upper and lower portions enable another lace to adjustably connect the boot portions and, more particularly, to provide enhanced support to a skater's ankle and leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Manuel Polanco
  • Publication number: 20040130107
    Abstract: A roller skate includes a roller frame having a pair of walls, and one or more plates secured between upper portions of the walls, a number of wheels are rotatably secured between the walls, the walls of the roller frame each includes a forwardly extending arm having an upper portion and a middle portion, a frontmost wheel is rotatably secured between the arms, and a reinforcing panel is secured between the arms and includes an inner peripheral surface having a curvature similar to a curvature of an outer peripheral portion of the frontmost wheel, to reinforce the arms, and to prevent the frontmost wheel from being contacted with the reinforcing panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Deng Ing Tzeng
  • Patent number: 6749203
    Abstract: In-line roller skate including a soft, pliable, and comfortable shoe body having structural foot support components positioned in selected strategic areas such as the ball, heel, and ankle. In one embodiment, the structural components are made of semirigid plastic that may be heat-moldable to conform to the user's foot. The shoe sole may also include heat-moldable materials so it can be anatomically formed to the foot. The shoe is mounted on a frame that supports a plurality of in-line roller wheels and includes structure for easily removing and replacing the wheels. The shoe-frame connection may be laterally and longitudinally adjustable. A speed control or brake, which applies a frictional force downwardly onto some or all of the in-line roller wheels, is mounted on the frame. Canting adjustment is provided to allow the ankle support to be canted laterally or longitudinally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Antonin A. Meibock, John E. Svensson
  • Patent number: 6746027
    Abstract: An adjustable skate includes a boot, a liner, and a bladder. The boot includes an upper and a sole, the upper having a toe cap and a heel portion. The liner is mounted in the boot and includes a bottom plate slidably mounted on the sole and a toe box on a front end of the bottom plate. A chamber for receiving a foot of a wearer's foot is defined between the toe box of the liner and the heel portion of the boot. The bladder is mounted between the toe box of the liner and the toe cap of the boot. The bladder has a volume that is adjustable through inflation of air into the bladder or discharge of air out of the bladder, thereby moving the liner along a lengthwise direction of the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Mike Soo
  • Patent number: 6742788
    Abstract: A replaceable skate assembly includes a boot, a base mounted on a bottom of the boot, and a locking device mounted in the base. The locking device includes a positioning rod, a locking pawl, and a spring. Thus, the base may be assembled on and detached from the bottom of the boot quickly, easily and conveniently, thereby facilitating the user using the replaceable skate assembly. In addition, the bottom of the boot is integrally formed with the boot, without having to additionally provide an aluminum alloy structure on the bottom of the boot, thereby simplifying the procedure of fabrication, and thereby decreasing the cost of fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventors: Zi-Yang Li, Wen-Qing Li
  • Patent number: 6726225
    Abstract: An ankle support, particularly for in-line skates, which includes a base support that wraps about the users heel and a spaced upper support which wraps about the user's leg. The upper and base supports are fixedly joined by a plurality of struts. At least one stop secured to either the upper support or the struts abuts a stop on the base support to provide a hard stop for maximum braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Stewart, Christopher A. Robinette, James Thorne, Allen W. Van Noy
  • Patent number: 6688613
    Abstract: A roller skating device combining advantages of conventional roller and in-line skates, and skateboards is presented. A “boot” (as defined herein) for snugly encasing a selected foot of a user has an undercarriage, i.e. a frame, connected to it in fixed relation. A rigid member having a planar top is affixed to the undercarriage, preferably behind the heel of the boot, for engaging the free foot of the user, i.e., the foot not wearing this invention. A plurality of rollers, connected to the undercarriage, rollingly support the undercarriage, and all connected to it, on a skatable surface. The free foot engages the planar top by resting on and, at selected times, pressing forcefully against the planar top to help control the device during operation. Two exemplary embodiments are described herein: an embodiment having a rectangular pattern of rollers and an embodiment having a single line of rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: John C. Malloy
  • Publication number: 20040007836
    Abstract: A roller skate includes an upper 1112, including a substantially non-rigid upper portion 1120 secured to a base 1118. A frame 1114 secured to the base carries a plurality of wheels 1116. The substantially non-rigid upper portion is reinforced by a substantially rigid internal heel counter 1134. An ankle support cuff assembly 1110 is pivotally secured to the internal heel counter 1134. The ankle support cuff assembly includes a substantially rigid ankle support cuff 1142 that is pivotally secured on lateral and medial sides to the internal heel counter. Ankle pad 1144 lines the interior of the ankle support cuff 1142. Ankle support cuff 1142 is fastened by a selectively securable fastener 1148 about the skater's ankle. The ankle support cuff assembly pivots freely in the forward and aft direction relative to the internal heel counter 1134.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Sauter, Antonin A. Meibock, John E. Svensson
  • Patent number: 6676138
    Abstract: A shoe-plate, adapted to hold a boot of a user, is pivotally mounted on the middle portion of an elongated frame. The frame has one or two rear wheels and a fork pivoted on its front portion around a vertical axis, and supporting a front wheel. Steering system connect the shoe-plate with the fork so that a pivotal movement of the shoe-plate causes a pivotal movement of the fork. The shoe-plate may be pivoted around a vertical or a longitudinal, horizontal axis. In the latter case, the skate also comprises adaptable restraining system connecting the trunk of the user to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Michele Rosso
  • Patent number: 6663116
    Abstract: A vehicle truck for supporting a ground contacting device, and an independent-suspension turnable skate vehicle truck which supports a wheel or wheels or a runner or ski, and a boot having in-line wheels or tandem wheels is provided. The independent-suspension turnable skate vehicle truck has one or more deflecting beams attached to a wheel axle hanger and the opposite end attached to a skate vehicle mounting structure. The deflecting beam has at least one horizontal component and/or at least one vertical component. The vertical components resist vertical deflection of the wheel axle hangers to restrict upward and downward movement of the wheels or other ground contacting portions. The horizontal component controls most twisting motions controlling turning of the deflecting beam and wobble of the wheel. The truck and mounting surface are adaptable to permit changes to the number of wheels or ground contacting portions, the position of the wheels, and the thickness of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Brian Lee Evans
  • Publication number: 20030227143
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a steerable inline skate which allows user to change direction more easily and reduce the abrasion of wheels to thus lengthen the life of the wheels by allowing front and rear wheels 30 and 50 among a plurality of wheels arranged in a line to be steered within a predetermined angle utilizing the structure of a trapezoidal linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Tak Eun, Sun-kyu Yang
  • Publication number: 20030227142
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Arthur G. Erdman
  • Publication number: 20030213150
    Abstract: A sports shoe, particularly for skates, constituted by a rigid sole and by a separate soft upper, which surrounds at least part of the heel, the rigid sole being associated or formed monolithically with a frame that surrounds the foot at least laterally for containing a soft innerboot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: BENETTON GROUP S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Caeran
  • Patent number: 6648344
    Abstract: A skate frame (20) for an in-line skate (18) having a shoe portion (22) and a plurality of wheels (24) capable of traversing a surface. The skate frame includes an elongate structural member comprised of a structural material having a first average density. The structural member having first and second sidewalls (62 and 68), each having an upper end and a lower end. The structural member also includes a shoe mounting portion (50) spanning between at least a portion of the upper ends of the sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls having a wheel load introduction portion (58), wherein loads associated with the wheels are transferred to the structural member. The shoe mounting portion having a shoe load introduction portion, wherein loads associated with the shoe portion are transferred to the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventor: Dodd H. Grande
  • Patent number: 6644673
    Abstract: The present invention provides a suspension system for in-line skates. The in-line skate includes a boot and a tracking system attached to the sole of the boot. Opposing rocking arms that hold the wheels are connected to the tracking system using a truncated axle. In addition, an adjustable spring can be configured between the opposing rocker arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Sprung Suspensions, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Keith Longino
  • Publication number: 20030193152
    Abstract: In-line roller skate including a soft, pliable, and comfortable shoe body having structural foot support components positioned in selected strategic areas such as the ball, heel, and ankle. In one embodiment, the structural components are made of semirigid plastic that may be heat-moldable to conform to the user's foot. The shoe sole may also include heat-moldable materials so it can be anatomically formed to the foot. The shoe is mounted on a frame that supports a plurality of in-line roller wheels and includes structure for easily removing and replacing the wheels. The shoe-frame connection may be laterally and longitudinally adjustable. A speed control or brake, which applies a frictional force downwardly onto some or all of the in-line roller wheels, is mounted on the frame. Canting adjustment is provided to allow the ankle support to be canted laterally or longitudinally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Antonin A. Meibock, John E. Svensson
  • Patent number: 6631911
    Abstract: A combined structure of a sports shoe and an in-line skate mainly comprises an in-line wheel device buried in the shoe bottom of a sports shoe. The in-line wheel device comprises a base, whereon a linkage set, a position plate, a wheel position mechanism and a torsion spring are combined in order at both sides by position pins and shaft bars and arrangement at each side is homologous with the other side such that wheels are set among two sides and arranged in in-line state. Besides, a control mechanism is combined to the rear of the base and can control wheels to be unfolded and taken in automatically such that the shoe body combined with an in-line wheel device can take wheels in the sole ordinarily for walking and running, and unfold wheels automatically when the user wants to take skating sport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventors: Ching-Long Chen, Ching-Lin Chen
  • Publication number: 20030146586
    Abstract: The frame of an in-line skate (FIG. 8B) supports a wheel (10), allowing a skater to effectively slow down and stop, using an athletic stance that skiers on snow and ice skaters on ice use. The wheel (10) has a hub (20A), allowing a wheel to rotate around the axle (13A) vertically and at an inclination. The hub has axle roller bearings (23B). The wheel (10) includes friction band surfaces (11A) on the sides of the wheel. When rotating at an inclination the wheel's friction surface contacts a friction surface (11B), inside the wheel-well or an axle friction surface or a combination thereof to slow or break the wheel. The wheel (10) assembly includes self-aligning springs (14A/B). Individual parts can be technically designed to allow various model solutions that will satisfy the abilities of a beginner to an expert. The wheel assembly frame can be attached to an in-line skate, an in-line skateboard, a downhill in-line ski and a downhill in-line skateboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Myron Stuart Hurwitz
  • Patent number: 6598888
    Abstract: In-line roller skate including a soft, pliable, and comfortable shoe body having structural foot support components positioned in selected strategic areas such as the ball, heel, and ankle. The shoe body may be made of a material that allows air circulation for coolness. In one embodiment, the structural components are made of semi-rigid plastic that may be heat moldable to conform to the user's foot. The shoe sole may also include heat moldable materials so that it can be anatomically formed to the foot. The shoe is mounted on a frame that supports a plurality of in-line roller wheels and includes structure for easily removing and replacing the wheels. The shoe-frame connection may be laterally and longitudinally adjustable. A speed control or brake, which applies a frictional force downwardly onto some or all of the in-line roller wheels, is mounted on the frame. Canting adjustment is provided to allow the ankle support to be canted laterally or longitudinally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Antonin A. Meibock, John E. Svensson
  • Patent number: 6598887
    Abstract: An in-line roller skate with a braking device including a certain number of wheels (11) disposed longitudinally between two plates of a frame (22) of the skate. A control lever (1) articulated at the rear of the boot about a pivot shaft (19) can be actuated by a backward movement of the skate cuff. When rotating, the lower part (2) of the lever (1) pushes a rod (3) forwards and lengthways against return means (10a, 10b), said rod carrying brake pads (5) in an equal number to the number of the discs (6) placed on the wheels 8 (11) and ramps (7a, 7b) co-operating with complementary parts of the frame guiding the rod in order, during a forward movement, to bring the pads into contact with an upper part of the rotating discs. The ramps are positioned between two wheels so as to assure gentle and gradual braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Gaston Haldemann
  • Patent number: 6595529
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Arthur G. Erdman
  • Patent number: 6592130
    Abstract: A frame particularly usable for in-line or ice skates, comprising two mutually facing approximately vertical walls, transversely to which there are, along the same longitudinal axis, multiple holes for placing the hubs of respective wheels. The frame has, in a transverse cross-section, an oval shape which is closed in the interspace between at least two adjacent wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Benetton Group S.p.A.
    Inventors: Flavio Frigo, Nicola Bonora
  • Patent number: 6588771
    Abstract: An adjustable fit in-line skate is disclosed having a rigid frame carrying a plurality of skate wheels. A boot is secured to the frame with the boot having a toe portion and a heel portion. The heel portion has a sole plate which is carried over the length of the frame. The toe portion receives the sole plate and is slidably attached to the heel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Benetton Sportsystem USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Jack Olson, Thomas Lee Spaulding, Alan Eugene Doop
  • Patent number: 6585273
    Abstract: A hidden device in a multifunctional sports shoe comprises a roller mechanism and an actuating mechanism. The roller mechanism is disposed under a bottom sole of the shoe and the actuating mechanism, being attached to the roller mechanism. The roller mechanism further comprises an upper base frame, a lower base frame, and four pairs of cross arms, a roller frame with lined up rollers. The upper and the lower base frames at two longitudinal lateral sides have elongated sliding grooves respectively for these pairs of cross arms slidably moving along. The upper base frame and the wheel seat frame are fastened to the bottom sole on the sports shoe. The actuation mechanism further comprises a shaft disposed next to an end of the upper base frame transversely. A ratchet wheel, two rolling wheels, and a rotary disk with a turning stem are provided on the shaft. A ratchet stop with a press knob engages with the ratchet wheel. The elastic cords join these pairs of cross arms and wound on the rolling wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Chiu
  • Publication number: 20030116930
    Abstract: Rolling devices such as roller skates, skateboards, rolling skis, and scooters are known which steer by tilt, but either the wheels do not tilt, or the mechanism is of complex design, or the wheels shift sideways upon tilt. A rolling device shall have tilt-steering wheels which tilt with the device, and which stay in the middle of the platform when steering, and which are cheaply manufactured. This invention comprises a wheel pair, consisting of two wheels 3a, 3b affixed to wheel-holders 4a, 4b, which are interconnected by two cross-guides 5, 6 thus forming a parallelogrammic link chain. The two cross-guides 5, 6 swivel having their swivel axes 9a, 9b oriented parallel to each other providing an angle between the set of swivel axes 9a, 9b and the set of pivot axes 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d of the four links which constitute the chain. The cross-guides are fixed at the device platform using three universal joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Wolfram Gorisch
  • Patent number: 6581943
    Abstract: An in-line skate apparatus has a frame for attachment to the sole of a shoe with a pair of outer, substantially flat side faces, a front end, a rear end, and a lower edge. A plurality of wheels are rotatably mounted on the frame in a line from the front end to the rear end of the frame, and a cut out extends upwardly from the lower edge between an adjacent pair of wheels. A separate H-block is releasably mounted in the cut-out so as to substantially fill the cut-out, and has a width at least equal to the width of the frame, so that its outer side faces are substantially flush with the outer side faces of the frame. The H-block has an arcuate, downwardly directed sliding region extending across its width and along at least part of the height of each side face, whereby the sliding region of the H-block includes the only sliding surface of the apparatus during sliding maneuvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Sunshine Distribution, Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas C. Wegener
  • Patent number: 6578930
    Abstract: The “ICE WHEELS” consists of a wheel assembly, which permits interchange with in-line skate wheels for use on ice that reduces weight and or the rolling resistance on ice while the wheel is perpendicular to the ice. The wheel consists of a lightweight hub, bearing accommodating counterbores and an outer ring containing multiple ice-engaging structures and relief grooves. The ice-engaging structures comprise of an outer circumferential contact means, inner circumferential contact means, a new medial circumferential contact means and multiple support surfaces. A new feature of this invention is the elimination of one or both of the inner circumferential contact means penetration into the ice while the wheel is perpendicular to the ice. This leaves either a flat support surface; a flat support surface with one inner circumferential contact means or two support surfaces with a medial circumferential contact means in between while the wheel is perpendicular to the ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventors: Richard L. Alderman, Donald C. Hue
  • Publication number: 20030098554
    Abstract: An in-line skate adjustment device comprises a truck, a toe box and a heel with the heel fixed to the front and the rear sections over the truck; two ribs in parallel being provided over the front truck; an insertion rod between the two ribs; two reinforcement wings extending downwards from both sides of the toe box to slide relatively to the ribs; a slide carriage sitting between two reinforcement wings in relation to the insertion rod of the truck; a gear rack and a slot on one side of each the rib of the truck while a corresponding gear rack and a fixation hole on each the reinforcement wing with a bolt being inserted through the fixation hole and the slot; and a nut to press against the two toothed gear racks for adjusting the position of the toe box in relation to the heel and the truck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Ting-Hsing Chen
  • Patent number: 6561525
    Abstract: An in-line skating device of a roller skate has a base which is fastened to the sole of a boot of the roller skate is fastened pivotally with a wheel carrier. The wheel carrier is provided with a plurality of wheels pivoted thereto in sequence. The carrier is formed of at least two pairs of carrying plates. Two carrying plates of each pair are connected in a parallel manner and are pivoted in the longitudinal direction. The wheels are respectively pivoted between the two carrying plates. The pivoting point of two adjoining carrying plates is located on the axle of one of the wheels. When the base turns in relation to the carrier, the carrying plates of one pair displace in relation to the carrying plates of other pair, thereby enabling the wheels pivoted to the carrying plates of one of the pairs to remain in contact with the ground surface so as to enable the roller skate to be started swiftly at a fast pace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Tien-Chiu Chou
  • Patent number: 6557863
    Abstract: A skate body having a first body portion and a second body portion that are releasably secured together. A brake device includes a brake seat mounted to one of the first and second body portions and a brake block. The brake seat includes a resilient hook member and a rib formed on an inner wall thereof. The brake block includes an engaging groove releasably engaged with the rib of the brake seat and a retaining piece releasably engaged with the resilient hook member of the brake seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Angel Lime Plastic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lung-Chuan Chen
  • Patent number: 6557864
    Abstract: An in-line roller skate is described, which consists of a chassis (2) equipped with at least two rollers (3) and which has two platforms (4, 5) and a boot (1) with a flexible upper resting on the platforms and connected to these platforms by a rigid part consisting of a footbed (17) connected to the inside of the flexible upper. The sole is thus securely held between the rigid footbed and at least the rear platform of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Lange International S.A.
    Inventor: David Lenoir
  • Patent number: 6550159
    Abstract: A skate boot is disclosed which comprises a foot element adapted to be mounted to a ground engaging skating implement and for receiving at least partially the foot of a skater, and an articulated cuff for encircling and supporting the ankle of a skater. The articulated cuff is partially inserted in the foot element and slidably coupled to the foot element to permit unrestrained limited pivotal motion of the articulated cuff relative to an axis coinciding approximately with the pivot axis of the skater's ankle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Bauer Nike Hockey Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Madore
  • Patent number: 6550789
    Abstract: At least one walking member is detachably connectable to an in-line skate to enable the wearer of the in-line skate to connect the walking member to the in-line skate, thus enabling the wearer to walk while wearing the in-line skate. Two walking members can be provided on alternative sides of the in-line skate wheels to provide a more stable platform for the wearer of the in-line skate. Since the two walking members are removable, the walking members do not detract from the aerodynamic and functional performance of the in-line skate, and can be manufactured together with the skate or, alternatively, can be added to the skate after purchase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Richard S. Gaster
  • Publication number: 20030067125
    Abstract: A skate comprises a base having front and rear base parts which are separated from each other; a boot having front and rear boot parts which are attached to upper surfaces of the front and rear base parts, respectively; a base connector for connecting the front and rear base parts with each other in a manner such that a spacing between them can be adjusted, and for guiding movement of the rear base part with respect to the front base part; a clamper for releasably clamping the front and rear boot parts to each other so that relative movement therebetween is prevented; and front and rear ground contactors detachably joined to lower surfaces of the front and rear base parts, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: Sang Hwan Park
    Inventor: Sang Hwan Park
  • Publication number: 20030062697
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multifunctional shoe which includes a shoe, a locating part, a sliding device and a locking device. The shoe has a sole provided with at least an accommodation. The locating part is fixed by a fixing member inside the accommodation and is a hollow body with the opening thereof is directed downward, thereby forming a mounting opening at the bottom of the sole. The sliding device contains a wheel and a wheel base. The wheel base corresponds to the locating part in form so that it can be received in the locating part. The locking device is located at the side of the locating part. A lock pin is disposed inside the locking device and is controllable from the outside of the sole to be axially moved. The sliding device is fixed inside the locking device while the small part of the wheel projects from the sole for sliding purpose; moreover, the sliding device can be stored or disassembled without projection on the sole for walking purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventor: Wei-Yen Chu
  • Publication number: 20030062698
    Abstract: A device for disabling or otherwise allowing the wearer of an in-line skate to walk on the in-line skate without activating the wheels may include a clamping member to clamp the wheels. A switch may be activated which in turn activates or deactivates the clamping member. A walking member may also be provided, the walking member being coupled to the skate and moveable between first and second positions. In the first position the walking member may be secured such that the wearer may walk on the walking member. In the second position, the walking member is positioned such that it will not interfere when skating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Richard S. Gaster, Michelle E. Gaster
  • Publication number: 20030062696
    Abstract: A shoe and a wheel device include one end detachably secured together with a projection-and-lock notch engagement. A toe member and a heel member are engaged on the front and the rear portions of the shoe. A latch is attached to the wheel device for latching and securing the heel member and the rear portion of the shoe to the wheel device. A quick release lock device is attached to the middle portion of the wheel device and engageable with the heel member for locking the heel member and the middle portion of the shoe to the wheel device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventor: Fang Chuan Shih
  • Patent number: 6527283
    Abstract: A frame of an in-line skate of the type constituted of a main body that includes a transverse base equipped with at least one front support surface for the boot and one rear support surface for the boot, each of these forming a U-shaped front platform and a rear platform by extending downwardly, either by two lateral projecting parts on which are attached two parallel independent flanges adapted to receive a series of wheels, or directly by the flanges when these flanges form a one-piece element with an upper transverse connecting portion, wherein the front and rear support surfaces of the boot are connected together by an intermediate arch in order to constitute an anti-torsion base for the frame and an element for transmitting forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: Laurent Bonaventure
  • Publication number: 20030030237
    Abstract: A wheel holder assembly includes a mounting frame fixedly mounted inside one bottom hole of the sole of a shoe, a wheel holder frame turned about a shaft in the mounting frame to hold a wheel between a received (the non-operative) position and an extended (the operative) position, a torsional spring adapted to support the wheel holder frame in the extended position, and a spring-supported, press pin-controlled locking device adapted to lock the wheel holder frame between the received position and the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Chuan Hsun Lo, Teng Wang Lin
  • Patent number: 6517090
    Abstract: An in-line roller skate. The skate is made of a boot having a front portion, a rear portion, and a truck chassis for supporting a plurality of rotatably mounted in-line wheels. The wheels define the rolling plane of the in-line roller skate. The truck chassis is pivotally connected to the rear portion of the boot by a pivot-like member and is connected to the front of the boot by a translating connection member. The translating connection member allows a sliding movement of the boot with relation to the chassis along a given length in a direction substantially normal with relation to the rolling plane. The in-line skate further comprises a resilient member located between the front portion of the chassis and the front portion of the boot for absorbing vibrations in the in-line roller skate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Bauer Nike Hockey Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-François Fullum
  • Publication number: 20030011151
    Abstract: An inline skate wheel mount with foldable wheels includes a base plate, two side plates locked to two sides of the base plate and confining a receiving space therebetween, a plurality of wheel sets movably connected to the side plates and located at a bottom portion of the wheel mount, a linkage movably connected to the wheel sets for controlling extension of the wheel sets out of the wheel mount and folding of the wheel sets in the receiving space between the side plates, and a press positioning structure disposed between tail ends of the side plates for retaining and positioning the wheel sets. Folding and extension mechanisms of the wheel sets are based upon the principle of linkage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Yung-Chen Lai, Chao-Ming Ko
  • Publication number: 20030001347
    Abstract: A combined structure of a sports shoe and an in-line skate mainly comprises an in-line wheel device buried in the shoe bottom of a sports shoe. The in-line wheel device comprises a base, whereon a linkage set, a position plate, a wheel position mechanism and a torsion spring are combined in order at both sides by position pins and shaft bars and arrangement at each side is homologous with the other side such that wheels are set among two sides and arranged in in-line state. Besides, a control mechanism is combined to the rear of the base and can control wheels to be unfolded and taken in automatically such that the shoe body combined with an in-line wheel device can take wheels in the sole ordinarily for walking and running, and unfold wheels automatically when the user wants to take skating sport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Ching-Long Chen, Ching-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 6499748
    Abstract: In-line roller skate including a soft, pliable, and comfortable shoe body having structural foot support components positioned in selected strategic areas such as the ball, heel, and ankle. The shoe body may be made of a material that allows air circulation for coolness. In one embodiment, the structural components are made of semi-rigid plastic that may be heat moldable to conform to the user's foot. The shoe sole may also include heat moldable materials so that it can be anatomically formed to the foot. The shoe is mounted on a frame that supports a plurality of in-line roller wheels and includes structure for easily removing and replacing the wheels. The shoe-frame connection may be laterally and longitudinally adjustable. A speed control or brake, which applies a frictional force downwardly onto some or all of the in-line roller wheels, is mounted on the frame. Canting adjustment is provided to allow the ankle support to be canted laterally or longitudinally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Antonin A. Meibock, John E. Svensson
  • Patent number: 6497420
    Abstract: A skate with adjustable size has a toe unit and a heel unit. The heel unit is slidingly associated with the toe unit through sliders and a fastener constituted by a screw is adapted to adjust and lock the mutual axial position of the heel unit with respect of the toe unit. The fastener is operated through a folding lever associated with the skate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Roces S.R.L.
    Inventor: Marco Ricci
  • Patent number: 6491308
    Abstract: A roller skate which includes a frame, a structure for fixing the frame to a person's foot, and at least two balls, which are freely rotatably supported by concave rollers. Axes of rotation of the rollers extend in a horizontal direction, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the frame. A roller is located between the two balls which are arranged side by side. The roller bears against both balls during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Ball-skate AG
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Stefanus Antonius Maria Bakx
  • Publication number: 20020171210
    Abstract: A size-adjustable in-line skate having a base carrying a plurality of wheels thereon. An upper is secured to a top surface of the base and defines a heel portion, a toe portion, and diametrically opposed side wall portions. The upper is supported by a support structure that includes a heel cup and a toe cup. The toe cup is secured to the toe portion of the upper and slideably coupled to the base so that the toe cup can slide longitudinally with respect to the base. An actuator is coupled to the toe cup and travels therewith. When the actuator is translated, engagement members on the actuator disengage with detents on the base to allow the toe cup to freely slide between longitudinal positions to adjust the shoe size of the skate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas M. Sauter, Darrin John Haugen