Abstract: An in-line roller skate has a boot for receiving the foot of a user, the boot including a heel portion, a toe portion and a bottom portion. An outsole is disposed along the bottom portion of the boot. A chassis including a pair of elongated, parallel frames is attached to the bottom portion of the skate. A recess is disposed in the outsole of the boot. A plurality of wheels are mounted on the chassis, wherein at least one of the plurality of wheels is partially recessed within the recess of the outsole.

Abstract: The skate boot construction includes a unitary plastic heel/ankle counter insert which may be secured externally or internally to a soft boot mounted on a skate truck. The insert includes two spaced side portions joined by a U-shaped heel section which extend along the sides of a skater's foot. Above the side portions and the heel section are two forwardly projecting side flaps joined by an arcuate back section which are connected to the spaced side portions by two outwardly bowed hinge sections positioned over a skater's ankle bones. An arcuate slit extends through the heel/ankle counter between the heel section and arcuate back section and runs for a distance along either side of the heel/ankle counter. End slits extend transversely above and below each end of the arcuate slit. Cutaway portions below the side flaps extend inwardly toward the end slits and with the end slits define the edges of the bowed hinge sections.

Abstract: A unitary, homogeneously molded boot and support for a roller or ice skate is provided as a one piece unit having no juncture between the boot and the support. The boot may be molded with either a roller skate or an ice skate chassis by forming the chassis of a first plastic having a high stiffness characteristic when cooled. The chassis is then placed in a boot injection mold and a second heated plastic is injected into contact with the chassis. The second plastic is more flexible when cooled than the first plastic, but is compatible therewith so that the two flow together and form an integral, unitary structure. The unitary boot is formed with a pivotal upper due to three slits in the boot which cooperate to provide opposite fulcrum sections about which the upper pivots.

Abstract: The skate chassis of the present invention includes a single, homogeneous, integrally molded upper boot and truck assembly which more evenly distributes internal stresses created in the chassis during use. The truck assembly may include a beam extending at an angle from the upper boot to form an axle hub for attaching the wheels. Also, an impact post may be integrally formed with the truck assembly to provide both vertical support and a surface for the rotation of the axle hub and beam. The one piece chassis provides improved handling and maneuverability while simplifying the manufacturing process.