Abstract: A wrist guard for protecting a wearer's wrist includes a first rigid plate member and a second rigid plate member. The plate members are connected by a hinge such that the first and second plate members pivot relative to each other about an axis generally parallel to a bending axis of the wrist. The hinge accommodates substantially unrestricted downward pivotal movement and a substantially restricted upward pivotal movement.

Abstract: A roller skate brake for a roller skate having at least two rolling wheels mounted in-line. Each rolling wheel has a circumferential surface and is rotatably mounted to the roller skate about a rolling wheel axle. The brake includes a braking wheel also having a circumferential surface. The braking wheel is rotatably mounted about the roller skate about a braking wheel axle approximately parallel the rolling wheel axle. The braking wheel is mounted to the roller skate so that the circumferential surface of the roller skate wheel can be brought into contact with the circumferential surface of the rolling wheel. The brake also includes a braking lever for braking the rotation of the braking wheel when in contact with the rolling wheel, thus braking the rolling wheel. The circumferential surface of the rolling wheel is generally convex and the circumferential surface of the braking wheel may be generally concave.

Abstract: The skate with aligned wheels includes a shell and a quarter. The quarter is provided with a plurality of holes adapted to engage with a plurality of lugs of the shell for adjusting the position of the quarter on the shell.

Abstract: An in-line skate includes a boot lower and a frame intricately formed through monocoque construction. The boot lower and frame are formed from a material having a predetermined stiffness. A boot upper is secured to the boot lower. The boot upper includes a material selected to have a stiffness less than the stiffness of said boot lower.

Abstract: An in-line skate includes a boot having an upper secured to a sole. The boot has a molded toe box secured to the sole. Walls of the toe box define a cavity sized to receive the toes of a skater's foot. The boot further includes a sewn portion stitched to the edges of the toe box.

Abstract: The present invention provides a torsionally stiffened, in-line roller skate frame having dual side walls having particular application to competitive speed skating. The frame is attachable to a skate boot and mounts a plurality of wheels for rotation in a common plane. A frame embodying the present invention includes first and second longitudinally extending side rails, each having first and second walls and each strengthened to resist skating generated twisting forces by reinforcing members extending between the first walls of the side rails and reinforcing members that extend between the first and second walls of each side rail. Each side rail includes a contoured wall portion and a planar wall portion. Preferably the frame is made of a graphite filled nylon material.

Abstract: A skating vehicle has a frame with a blade or rollers mounted thereon and a boot for mounting a detachable shoe in a locked position thereon. The boot includes a rigid wall which encircles the sole of the shoe cradled within, and a rearward projection in the toe portion which enters a slot in the shoe sole when the shoe is inserted and moved forward, locking the shoe in the boot. A rear semirigid cuff is lined with a padding whose lower edge is proximate with and communicates with the upper edge of the shoe during skating. The cuff is closed with an adjustable latch which comprises the single device required to mount and dismount the shoe. The multi-use shoe includes a semirigid outer heel attached to the sole extremity and a semirigid outer tongue overlying the shoe upper.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate brake having a progressively engagable braking surface and a method for applying such a brake are provided herein. A brake embodying the present invention includes selectively located relief apertures that enable a skater to controllably collapse and deform the brake pad such that the braking surface engages the skating surface from the trailing edge forwardly. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of relief apertures each having a substantially crescent shaped, cross-sectional configuration extend from the braking pad braking surface upwardly into the braking pad. The relief apertures further provide a means for controlling the abrasive wear on the rear portion of the brake pad so that the braking surface will engage the skating surface from the trailing edge forward to the leading edge throughout its use life.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fastening system that is not subject to loosening and that is useful for attaching one member to another member. The invention provides an arrangement for mounting a wheel to an in-line roller skate and comprises mutually engagable undulating surface patterns disposed on a skate frame side rail and the bottom surface of the head of the wheel axle. The threaded fastener that is attached to the other end of the axle may also include a surface pattern that is mutually engagable with a surface pattern on the other side rail to provide locking engagement between the threaded fastener and the axle head on both sides of the skate frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved in-line roller skate that cools and drys a skater's foot, provides increased performance, and increased comfort. The skate of the present invention includes a boot having a plurality of venting apertures selectively located therein so as to achieve an interchange of air between the inside of the boot and the external environment thereby providing a cooling and drying circulation of air with in the boot of the in-line roller skate. A skate according to the present invention further includes a cuff pivoting on a pair of guide rails attached to the boot.