Abstract: Skate boot apparatuses, a skate, and a method are provided. A base including an upper face configured to receive a wearer's foot and a lower face configured to structurally support a skate mechanism is provided. An integral upper support is provided, the integral upper support extending upwardly from the base to a point above an ankle of the wearer, the integral support having a varying rigidity decreasing from a high rigidity near the base to a low rigidity near the point above the ankle of the wearer.

Abstract: Skate boot apparatuses, a skate, and a method are provided. A base including an upper face configured to receive a wearer's foot and a lower face configured to structurally support a skate mechanism is provided. An integral upper support is provided, the integral upper support extending upwardly from the base to a point above an ankle of the wearer, the integral support having a varying rigidity decreasing from a high rigidity near the base to a low rigidity near the point above the ankle of the wearer.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for securing a foot in a footwear item and a footwear item using the apparatus are provided. Pivot members are disposed on opposing sides of a closure configured to secure an opening in an upper of the footwear item, the pivot members being positioned on a surface of the footwear item between the opposing sides of the closure and a heel section of the footwear item. A securing including end sections and a force member is provided. Each of the end sections includes a fastener-receiving opening configured for a fastener to pass therethrough. The force member extends from the end sections and curves around the pivot members to engage the closure. Tension applied to the fastener applies force to the end sections resulting in tension in the force member causing a securing force being applied against the closure.

Abstract: A flexing base skate includes an upper shoe portion mounted on a base. The base includes a forefoot region secured to a forward frame segment carrying forward wheels. A heel region of the base is secured to a rearward frame segment that carries rearward wheels. A second embodiment provides a rigid full length frame and a base mounted at the forefoot region to the frame. The base flexes at a metatarsal portion, and forms an integral spring biasing the base against the frame. The base includes a guide for lateral alignment of the heel region with the frame. Another embodiment provides a forward frame segment carrying forward wheels and a rearward frame segment carrying rearward wheel.

Abstract: A roller skate includes an upper, including a substantially nonrigid upper portion secured to a base. A frame secured to the base carries a plurality of wheels. The substantially nonrigid upper portion is reinforced by a substantially rigid internal heel counter. An ankle support cuff assembly is pivotally secured to the internal heel counter. The ankle support cuff assembly includes a substantially rigid ankle support cuff that is pivotally secured on lateral and medial sides to the internal heel counter. Ankle pad lines the interior of the ankle support cuff. Ankle support cuff is fastened by a selectively securable fastener about the skater's ankle. The ankle support cuff assembly pivots freely in the forward and aft direction relative to the internal heel counter.

Abstract: Apparatuses, a system, and a method for engaging a wearer's toes within an interior of a footwear item are provided. A panel is configured to extend at least partially across a toebox of the interior of the footwear item. An attachment mechanism is configured to position the panel in the interior of the footwear item so that the panel is positioned inside the toebox to engage an edge of at least one of the wearer's toes. The panel includes a flexible or stretchable material such as neoprene. The attachment mechanism includes at least one of stitching, adhesive bonding, and thermal welding. The attachment mechanism joins the panel to the interior of the footwear item at a plurality of points along at least one of a lower edge of the panel and side edges of the panel, such as by joining the panel to an insole.

Abstract: A flexing base skate (100) 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 of the base is secured to a rearward frame segment (28) that carries rearward wheels (18c, 18d). A second embodiment (100) provides a rigid full length frame (112) and a base (104) mounted at the forefoot region (106) to the frame. The base flexes at a metatarsal portion (108), and forms an integral spring biasing the base against the frame. The base includes a guide (118) for lateral alignment of the heel region with the frame. Another embodiment (210) provides a forward frame segment (226) carrying forward wheels (218) and a rearward frame segment (228) carrying rearward wheel (218).

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.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for securing a foot in a footwear item and a footwear item using the apparatus are provided. Pivot members are disposed on opposing sides of a closure configured to secure an opening in an upper of the footwear item, the pivot members being positioned on a surface of the footwear item between the opposing sides of the closure and a heel section of the footwear item. A securing including end sections and a force member is provided. Each of the end sections includes a fastener-receiving opening configured for a fastener to pass therethrough. The force member extends from the end sections and curves around the pivot members to engage the closure. Tension applied to the fastener applies force to the end sections resulting in tension in the force member causing a securing force being applied against the closure.

Abstract: Skate boot apparatuses, a skate, and a method are provided. A base including an upper face configured to receive a wearer's foot and a lower face configured to structurally support a skate mechanism is provided. An integral upper support is provided, the integral upper support extending upwardly from the base to a point above an ankle of the wearer, the integral support having a varying rigidity decreasing from a high rigidity near the base to a low rigidity near the point above the ankle of the wearer.

Abstract: Apparatuses, a system, and a method for engaging a wearer's toes within an interior of a footwear item are provided. A panel is configured to extend at least partially across a toebox of the interior of the footwear item. An attachment mechanism is configured to position the panel in the interior of the footwear item so that the panel is positioned inside the toebox to engage an edge of at least one of the wearer's toes. The panel includes a flexible or stretchable material such as neoprene. The attachment mechanism includes at least one of stitching, adhesive bonding, and thermal welding. The attachment mechanism joins the panel to the interior of the footwear item at a plurality of points along at least one of a lower edge of the panel and side edges of the panel, such as by joining the panel to an insole.

Abstract: A flexing base skate (100) 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 of the base is secured to a rearward frame segment (28) that carries rearward wheels (18c, 18d). A second embodiment (100) provides a rigid full length frame (112) and a base (104) mounted at the forefoot region (106) to the frame. The base flexes at a metatarsal portion (108), and forms an integral spring biasing the base against the frame. The base includes a guide (118) for lateral alignment of the heel region with the frame. Another embodiment (210) provides a forward frame segment (226) carrying forward wheels (218) and a rearward frame segment (228) carrying rearward wheel (218).

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.

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 first embodiment of a flexing base skate (100) 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 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 plate (72) incorporated into the base biases the skate to the unflexed configuration. The forward frame segment overlaps the rearward frame segment for lateral stability. An alternate embodiment (100) provides a rigid full length frame (112) and a flexible base (104) mounted only at the forefoot region (106) to the frame. The base flexes at a metatarsal head portion (108), and is constructed to form an integral spring biasing the base against the frame.

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.

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.

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.

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.