Abstract: The “MODIFIED WHEELS FOR ICE” consists of a wheel assembly which permits interchange with in-line skate wheels for use on ice that minimizes damage from fractures in the ice, particularly when the wheel is at an angle from perpendicular to the ice while pushing off or turning. The wheel is consists of a lightweight hub, bearing accommodating counterbores and an outer ring containing multiple contact means. When the wheel is at an angle from perpendicular to the ice the outer circumferential contact means being smaller in diameter than the inner circumferential contact means allows both contact means to engage the ice. A new load bearing support surface is both adjacent to the inner and outer circumferential contact means and parallel to the ice when the wheel is at a predetermined angle from perpendicular to the ice. The function of the support surface is to limit the penetration of the contact means into the ice.

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. The skate frame also includes core material (64) disposed within at least one of the first and second sidewalls or within the shoe mounting portion.

Abstract: An adjustable in-line skate structure includes a frame and a boot including a toe section, a heel section and a cuff section. Adjustable means are provided for adjusting the toe portion with respect to the heel section and the cuff section. The adjustable means includes cooperating transverse teeth portions belonging to the toe section and the heel section, an insertion cavity and an insertion block, and an adjustment fastener assembly. The adjustment fastener assembly is provided for urging the insertion block to move upward along walls of the insertion cavity so as to loosen the transverse teeth portion of the toe section from the transverse teeth of the heel portion. A latch assembly is also provided to permit adjustment at a connection point of the toe section, heel section and cuff section.

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 means is operated through a folding lever associated with the skate.

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.

Abstract: A method of making footwear. The method is suited generally to making skate boots and, more specifically, to making ice skates and in-line roller skates. The method comprises the steps of: (a) positioning a skin assembly over a structural inner shell component; (b) adhesively affixing the skin assembly to the structural inner shell component by applying pressure on the entire surface of the skin assembly; (c) perforating lace eyelets through the structural inner shell and the skin assembly; and (d) mounting a toe box and a tongue to the front portion of the structural inner shell component.

Abstract: A chassis for a gliding sport element, such as a skate, and, more particularly, such as an in-line roller skate, which includes such chassis. The chassis includes at least one support surface capable of receiving a boot and at least one lateral flange having at least one stiffening rib formed on at least one of the flanges. The gliding member(s), such as wheels, are mounted to the lateral flange(s).

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.

Abstract: A heeling apparatus includes a shoe with a unique feature in the heel that allows one to walk, run, or roll seamlessly. The appearance is that of normal footwear because of the covert wheel assembly. The stealth wheel in the heel gives one the ability to roll or slide in areas you could only walk. Heeling is a new activity that employs a unique method of rolling and requires a newly learned skill set of balance, positioning, and coordination.

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.

Abstract: A frame for a sports article, especially a frame for a roller skate, including a front upper portion provided to receive the front portion of a boot, and a rear upper portion provided to receive the rear portion of a boot. The front upper portion and the rear upper portion are part of the same planar upper surface. The frame further includes two cylindrical holes provided to receive two fixing elements, the holes extending in the longitudinal plane of the frame and their respective axes being spaced from one another by a value E of between about 164 mm and 170 mm, more particularly equal to about 167 mm. Moreover, a substantially cylindrical cavity centered on the axis of the cylindrical hole is provided in the upper surface. The invention is also directed to a line of boots for a roller skate and to a line of frames therefor.

Abstract: An in-line skate with a main skate frame, a skate boot coupled to the skate frame, a carriage frame pivotally coupled adjacent to an anterior end of the main skate frame, a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the carriage frame to form a pivoting wheel group, and at least one wheel rotatably coupled adjacent to the posterior end of the main skate frame to form a fixed wheel group. A pivot axis of the carriage frame can be horizontally located anterior to a reference point that is three-tenths of the length of the open inner volume of the skate boot from the anterior end of the open inner volume, and the pivot axis could be aligned with or anterior to the anterior end of the skate boot. The pivot axis can be vertically located immediately adjacent to the sole of the skate boot, or it can be coincident with or distal to the sole of the skate boot relative to the wheels of the in-line skate.

Abstract: A boot/sport article assembly wherein the boot has at least one locking member, the sport article has at least one associated locking device complementary to the locking member to define at least one locking system, respectively, and at least one element of each locking system is elastically displaceably mounted in the vertical direction so as to block the boot against the sport article by traction in the vertical direction during the locking operation.

Abstract: A skateboard comprising a rigid elongated board having front and rear portions, and front and rear wheel trucks mounted to the underside of the board. The wheel trucks each have multiple wheels mounted in-line. A steering platform is at the front of the board for use by the rider to steer the board. The steering platform is rotatable and is connected by a linkage system to the wheel trucks wherein, by rotating the steering platform, each wheel within their respective truck is equally angularly displaced to effect a turning movement of the board.

Abstract: A wheel for roller skates or roller boards, the wheel having a non-rotating axle of rotation and a wheel body rotatable around an axle of rotation, the wheel includes means for measuring the speed at the wheel and means in the wheel for determining its rate of rotation and/or the actual rate of travel of a user of the roller skate or roller board or other sports equipment containing the wheel.

Abstract: A skate particularly adapted for speed contests has a foot-receiving boot hinged about a fore-foot section of the sole to a in-line wheel-mounting or blade-mounting truck so that the heel-section of the boot can be rotatively lifted away from the truck while keeping the skate is full contact with the skating surface. The boot is biased down toward the truck by a strong spring in a first embodiment of the invention, or by the resiliency of a hinge-forming web linking the boot to the truck in an alternate embodiment. A quickly set mechanism is provided to lock the boot onto the truck to turn the device into a conventional skate.

Abstract: A skate including a frame provided with a detachable connection to a shoe and with which mutually inline wheels are associated. The skate further includes a device for temporarily supporting the single frame in a stable position when the shoe is not associated with the frame. The device can be deactivated by the engagement of the shoe with the frame, so as to allow the user to use the skate.

Abstract: A boot adapted to the practice of skating and a method of manufacturing such boot, the boot including a shell base equipped with a rigid sole adapted to be attached on the frame of a skate and a heel reinforcement part, and a flexible liner that is positioned inside the shell base including of a padded upper part surrounding the foot and at least one outer pocket portion. The shell base according to the invention has a rigid collar portion that extends the heel reinforcement and the pocket portion at least partially covers the collar portion so as to ensure at least partially the retention of the flexible liner in the shell base. The invention relates to a boot structure encompassing the essential functions of foot retention and controlled flexibility, and whose assembly is made easier.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in-line skate wheel that includes: (a) a braking portion including a high friction surface material having a hardness from about 75 to about 95 Shore A, and a coefficient of friction from about 0.45 to about 1.5; and (b) a skating portion including a low friction surface material having a hardness from about 75 to about 95 Shore A, and a coefficient of friction from about 0.1 to about 0.45. The skating portion includes a higher proportion of low friction surface material than the braking portion. The wheel delivers variable traction in response to the angle of wheel contact with the ground, without sacrificing a smooth ride or wheel durability. Utilizing the variable traction of the wheel a skater can stop safely and reliably, using known ice-skating maneuvers, wherein the wheel is turned away from the skater's direction of travel.

Abstract: An 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 areas. 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 which may be heat moldable to conform to the user's foot. The sole of the shoe may also include heat moldable materials so that it can be anatomically formed to the user's 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.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate of the type which includes a shell with a support for the wheels and a quarter which is slidingly associated with the shell. Struts for the selective axial movement of the quarter is associated with the shell of the skate.

Abstract: The present inline skates have a braking system allowing the brakes to be used simultaneously. One embodiment of the invention comprises a frame with a rear wheel carrier and a braking wheel carrier rotatingly mounted on the frame through a first cylinder and an axle and interlocking through a notch on a braking wheel carrier and a fourth cylinder on a first rear wheel carrier while the first rear wheel and a braking wheel are rotatingly mounted on their respective carriers. Another mobile rear wheel is handled by its carrier rotatingly mounted on the second cylinder affixed to the frame. The braking force is regulated through a screw and a pair of friction cylinders. Carrier rotation limiting cylinders are affixed to the frame. The front wheels are standard fixed wheels rotatingly mounted on the frame.

Abstract: Skates with in-line wheels, each comprising a supporting structure to which supports are connected for a plurality of wheels, wherein at least one of the central wheels is coupled to the supporting structure so that it can change the level of its rotation axis.

Abstract: A frame for skates and the like iwth a structure that includes at least one bearing surface engageable by a boot or the like, and a side flange. One or more ground-engaging members are attached to the frame. The components of the structure of the frame are made of at least two at least partially mutually assembled materials having different mechanical properties.

Abstract: A skate for receiving a foot of a skater includes a frame holding in-line wheels. A rigid base is securely attached to the frame. An external heel counter extends upwardly from the base around the heel portion of the skate. An upper having an outer shell of substantially soft pliable material extends upwardly from the base. A substantially rigid internal heel counter is disposed beneath the outer shell. The internal heel counter extends around the heel area of the skate above the top of said external heel counter. A substantially rigid ankle support cuff is pivotally coupled to the internal heel counter and disposed beneath the outer shell.