Turnable wheeled skate

Abstract

A turnable wheeled skate having first and second wheels. The first and second wheels may be located fore and aft of the foot receiving portion of the skate and one, the other or both may be turnable. Several embodiments are disclosed including, but not limited to, a skate that is turnable by tilting the skate perpendicular to a line-of-direction or that provides turnable, paired wheels or that receives a users foot at a level below the top of the first and second wheels. The skate may provide a skating experience that more closely approximates ice-skating.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to roller skates, in-line skates, and other wheeled devices that couple to a person's feet. More specifically, the present invention relates to enhancing the turnability of a wheeled skate and/or providing a skating experience that more closely approximates ice-skating.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The prior art is replete with wheeled devices that couple to a user's feet. These include conventional roller skates, in-line skates, and wheeled devices for cross-country ski training, among others. Exemplary prior art devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 6,425,586; 5,997,015; 5,401,040; 4,659,095; 4,138,127; and 3,442,523; among others.

[0003] Most of the devices disclosed in these patents utilize a fixed position wheel arrangement that provides either no or very limited turnability. To execute a turn, a user typically lifts one skate over the other and places the raised skate down at an angle to the first. The position of the raised skate when once again placed on the ground constitutes the new line of direction. To execute a sharper turn, a user may lift his or her skate several times making small incremental turns each time. While this turning technique may also be practiced in ice skating, ice skating typically permits a higher degree of turning, without lifting a leg, due to a slightly curved blade and the more aggressive angle-of-attach that can be achieved between an ice skate blade and ice.

[0004] One attempt to increase the turnability of a wheeled skate is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,442,523. FIG. 1 is a reproduction of FIG. 2 of this patent. The '523 patent discloses a conventional roller skate having two pairs of wheels, each provided under the “shoe” of the skate. The wheel mount assembly includes a short angled shaft to which an axle is coupled. Rotation of the shoe relative to the shaft causes the axle to rotate thus changing the orientation of the attached wheels relative to the skate.

[0005] FIG. 1 shows that there is little clearance between the shoe base or plate 2 and the top of wheel 3. If a user executes a turn that is more than a “gentle” turn, the base contacts the wheel, stopping the wheel and potentially causing a fall. Thus, the device of the '523 patent is both limited in turnability and dangerous. This and like skates are also disadvantageous in that they are relatively elevated imparting a “stilts-like” effect. Skate configurations in which the “shoe” is lower to the ground may be more inherently stable and may also more closely approach an ice-skating experience.

[0006] A need thus exists for a wheeled skate that provides enhanced turnability, and that may also provide greater stability and an experience that more closely approximates ice-skating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is intended to overcome shortcomings of the prior art and positively contribute to the wheeled skate art. Among other aspects, the present invention provides a turnable skate with enhanced stability and that may afford a wheeled-skate experience that approaches ice-skating.

[0008] In one aspect, the present invention includes a skate with a base and a member for releasably coupling a foot to the base. A first wheel may be provided substantially forward of a user's foot and a second wheel may be provided substantially rearward of a user's foot. Tilting the skate in a plane substantially perpendicular to the line-of-direction of the skate causes the at least one of the first and second wheel to change position relative to the base, thereby turning the skate.

[0009] In another aspect, the present invention includes paired turnable wheels. In yet another aspect, the present invention includes a turnable wheel coupled to the skate by a substantially longitudinally disposed shaft that extends rearward or forward of the foot receiving region of the base. And in yet another aspect, the present invention includes fore and aft wheels that are smaller in combined length than a shoe mounted on the skate.

[0010] The present invention discloses other aspects and embodiments, which are discussed or alluded to below.

[0011] The attainment of the foregoing and related advantages and features of the invention should be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art, after review of the following more detailed description of the invention taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a prior art skate.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a skate in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the skate of FIG. 1 without the shoe.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the rear wheel assembly (with one wheel removed for clarity) of the skate of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an underside view of the skate of FIG. 1 in a turning position.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view of a skate having a braking mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a skate having two turnable wheel arrangements in accordance with the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a side view of a skate having a motor in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a skate 5 in accordance with the present invention is shown. Skate 5 may have a shoe 8 or other foot receiving device (straps, Velcro®, laces, etc.) that is mounted to a supportive base 10. FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of skate 5 without shoe 8.

[0021] Base 10 has a shoe or like device mounting region 12. A front wheel arrangement 20 is provided forward of mounting region 12 and a rear wheel assembly 30 is provided rearward of mounting region 12. Rear wheel assembly 30 as shown is turned slightly. The mounting region is preferably provided in a plane that is substantially parallel to the ground, though the base may rise upward toward the rear or have other configurations without departing from the present invention. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2-3, two integrally formed forks 15 extend from mounting region 12 to receive a front wheel 22. Note that other configurations for mounting a front wheel may be utilized.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 4, a side view of the rear wheel assembly (with one wheel removed for clarity) 30 is provided. Rear wheel assembly 30 may be mounted to base 10 via an extender 18 which serves to position wheel assembly 30 rearward of shoe 8 and mounting region 12. The extender may be mounted to base 10 via screws or weld or be formed together with the base as one integral piece. Rear wheel assembly 30 of the embodiment of FIGS. 2-8, preferably has two wheels 32 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 4). By providing wheel assemblies 20,30 forward and rearward of the base, respectively, the overall height of the skate may be reduced relative to conventional roller skates.

[0023] Suitable wheels 22,32 for the front and rear assemblies 20,30 as illustrated in FIG. 2-8 are commercially available 4″ wheels. It should be recognized that larger wheels tend to afford a smoother ride. Thus larger wheels, from 4″ up to a foot or more may be used. Wheels smaller than 4″ may also be used without departing from the present invention, as may wheels of different sizes. A trade-off may occur between a smooth ride and ease-of-portability. Smaller wheels, for example, approximately 6″ or 7″ or less may permit a skate to be more readily placed and carried in a day-pack or other similarly sized bag or pack.

[0024] Extender 18 includes a cylindrical opening 19. Axle mounting member 34 also has a cylindrical or like opening 31. Mounting shaft (or screw) 36 is provided through openings 19 and 31 and effectively mounts wheel assembly 30 to extender 18. An axle 38 is provided in member 34 which is coupled to and supports rear wheels 32.

[0025] A change in vertical angle of the skate in a plane perpendicular to the line-of-direction causes shaft 36 to rotate. Since shaft 36 is provided at an angle, &agr;, from horizontal, rotation of the shaft causes a rotation of axle 38 relative to the line-of-direction which causes a rotation of the attached wheels 32, thus turning the skate. The greater the change in vertical angle of the shoe, the greater the turning provided by the skate. The angle, &agr;, of shaft 36 may be set by trial and error to any angle that achieves a desired amount of turning. This angle may be between 10 and 20 degrees or between 5 and 30 degrees or other. If two turnable wheel assemblies are used (as shown in FIG. 7), then the angle of each shaft may be reduced. If more acute turning is desired, the shaft angle may be increased.

[0026] FIG. 4 also illustrates a vertical heel-line 61, a rearward extending horizontal toe-line 62 and a base-line 63. The vertical heel-line 61 is intended to be a line running vertically downward from the interior surface of the shoe that the contacts the back of a user's heel 9 in use. FIG. 4 illustrates that axle 38 is rearward of the vertical heel-line 61. The rearward extending horizontal toe-line 62 is a line running substantially horizontally from the interior surface that receives a user's big toe in use. The base-line 63 is a line extending substantially horizontally from the top of base 10. In determining base-line, a shoe heel or equivalent structures (for example, the plastic or like forms used in newer skates) are not part of the base. FIG. 4 shows that the top 33 of wheel 32 is above the horizontal tow-line 62 and base-line 63.

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates an underside view of skate 5 (without shoe 8) in a turning position. Note that wheels 32 are also slightly turned in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 illustrates that axle mounting member 34 supports a pin 41 that is received in a groove 42 in extender 18. Pin 41 limits the range of rotation of the wheel assembly around shaft 36, thus assuring that when the skate is placed down the wheels contact the ground in a proper position for rolling. FIG. 5 also shows the bottom side of the braking mechanism discussed with reference to FIGS. 6 and 8.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 6, a side view of skate 5 having a braking mechanism 50 in accordance with the present invention is shown. Braking mechanism 50 includes a support member 51 that fits over axle mounting member 34 and a brake pad 52. A cable 54 is attached to brake pad 52 via stopper 55 and runs through the interior of shaft 36 (also shown in FIG. 4) which is formed as a hollow cylinder. A bias mechanism such as coil springs or foam rubber or the like 58 (shown in FIG. 5) is provided in a recess in support member 51 and biases brake pad 52 off of wheels 32.

[0029] The opposite end of cable 54 is attached to a handle or like activation device 60. This handle may attach to the waist of a user or to their hands via wrist guards or the like. To activate, the user pulls the trigger 64 towards the stay 65 (in the direction of arrows A) which causes cable 54 to pull pad 52 into contact with wheels 32, thereby braking the skate. Note that other braking scenarios could be implemented on a skate in accordance with the present invention, including but not limited to braking arrangements with activation handles located on the skate.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 7, a perspective view of a skate 5 having two turnable wheel assemblies in accordance with the present invention is shown. Front wheel assembly 130 includes an extender 118 and paired wheels 122 that are similar to extender 18 and rear wheels 32, respectively, Note that the angle of the rotation shaft of wheel assembly 130 is preferably opposite that of rotation shaft 36 such that wheels 122 turn in a manner complementary to wheels 32, enhancing skate turning. FIG. 7 shows that axle 138 is forward of a vertical toe-line 161 that extends vertically from the interior surface of shoe 8 in front of a user's big toe, and the top 133 of wheel 122 is above a forward extending horizontal toe-line 162 that extends from the interior surface of shoe 8 that receives a user's big toe.

[0031] It should be noted that while FIG. 2 illustrates a single wheel in the front and paired wheels in the front, the wheel assemblies of FIG. 2 could be reversed, i.e., the turning assembly being placed in front (as in FIG. 7) and a single wheel in the rear, without departing from the present invention. An embodiment having a single wheel in front and a single wheel in the back with shaft and axle or like turning provided to one of said single wheels is also within the present invention. Furthermore, wheels may also be added beyond those shown in FIGS. 2-8 without departing from the present invention.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 8, a side view of a skate having a motor in accordance with the present invention is shown. Skate 5 in FIG. 8 is similar to skate 5 as presented in FIG. 2, et al., though in the embodiment of FIG. 8 the skate include a motor assembly 70. Motor assembly 70 may include a friction drive wheel 71, a drive-shaft or the like 72, a motor 74, a battery 75 and a housing 76. Housing 76 is slideably coupled to base 10 and biased by spring 78 such that drive wheel 71 contacts front wheel 22. Drive shaft 72 incorporates a miter gear, but any suitable drive mechanism (many of which are known) may be used. Motor 74 may be a DC electric motor and battery 75 may be a nickel metal hydride battery, though any suitable motor or battery may be used. Housing 76, shown in cross-section, includes a resealable panel that permits access the motor assembly components and particularly to battery 76 for changing.

[0033] The motor assembly is preferably configured, in one representative embodiment, to function as follows. Motor 74 is configured to turn-on when wheel 22 is being turned at a speed above a threshold, for example, 3 mph. The motor then runs at a given speed which is sufficient to propel a person (i.e., to operate under load) until battery 75 runs out of power or the motor is turned-off. Turn-off occurs when drive wheel 71 runs above a threshold speed for a given period of time, for example, 2-5 seconds. The turn-off conditions may occur when wheel 22 is lifted off the ground (no longer under load) or cable 79 (similar to and possibly coupled with brake cable 54) is pulled which compresses bias spring 78 and pulls drive wheel 71 off of front wheel 22 (thereby removing the load from the drive wheel). Motor assemblies that turn-on at a given speed and turn-off at a given speed are known in the art.

[0034] FIG. 8 also shows fasteners 81 which bind shoe 8 to base 10, though glue and other fastening means may be used, and spring 58 (mentioned with reference to FIG. 6 that biases break pad 52 off of wheel 32).

[0035] Suitable materials for skate manufacture are known in the art. Nonetheless, for shoe manufacture they may include leather and plastic and other materials, and for base or support structure they may include metals or plastics. The wheels may be made of rubber, polyurethane or other suitable material.

[0036] While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wheeled skate, comprising:

a support base having a longitudinal axis and a foot receiving region provided at least in part on said longitudinal axis;

a member for releasably coupling a foot at said receiving region;

a first wheel provided substantially forward of said receiving region; and

a second wheel provided substantially rearward of said receiving region;

wherein at least one of said first wheel and said second wheel turns relative to said base as the skate is tilted in a plane perpendicular to the line-of-direction of the skate.

2. The skate of claim 1, further comprising:

a shaft extending rearward from said base in a manner substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.

3. The skate of claim 2, further comprising:

a rear wheel axle coupled between said shaft and said second wheel and configured for rotation perpendicular to said shaft.

4. The skate of claim 1, further comprising:

a third wheel coupled through a rear wheel axle to said second wheel;

a shaft projecting rearward of said base; and

an axle mounting member that rotatably couples said rear wheel axle to said rearward projecting shaft.

5. The skate of claim 4, further comprising an extender member configured to hold said shaft at a given angle.

6. The skate of claim 5, wherein said given angle is between 5 and 30 degrees.

7. The skate of claim 4, wherein tilting of said skate causes rotation of said axle about said shaft which in turn causes turning of said second and third wheels relative to said base.

8. The skate of claim 1, wherein said foot coupling member is configured to define a vertical heel-line and an axis of rotation of said second wheel is provided rearward of said vertical heel-line.

9. The skate of claim 8, wherein said base is configured to define a rearward horizontal base-line and the top of said second wheel is above said rearward horizontal base-line.

10. The skate of claim 1, wherein said foot coupling member is configured to define a rearward extending horizontal toe-line and the top of said second wheel is above said horizontal toe-line.

11. The skate of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second wheels is less than about six inches in diameter.

12. The skate of claim 1, further comprising:

a fourth wheel coupled through a front wheel axle to said first wheel;

a shaft projecting forward of said base; and

an axle mounting member that rotatably couples said front wheel axle to said forward projecting shaft.

13. The skate of claim 1, wherein said first and second wheels and said base are configured so that no wheel having a diameter equal to or greater than said first or second wheel is provided between said first and second wheel.

14. A wheeled skate, comprising:

a first wheel;

a second wheel; and

a base structure that is coupled to and supports said first and second wheels;

wherein said second wheel turns relative to said base as the skate is tilted in a plane perpendicular to the line-of-direction of the skate and the top of said second wheel is above a horizontal toe-line extending from said skate towards said second wheel.

15. The skate of claim 14, further comprising a turning mechanism that provides turnability to said second wheel, said turning mechanism including an angled shaft projecting from said base structure and a second wheel axle rotatably coupled to said shaft.

16. The skate of claim 14, wherein said first wheel is provided substantially forward of said base structure and said first wheel is turnable relative to said base structure.

17. The skate of claim 14, wherein said first and second wheels and said base are configured so that no wheel having a diameter equal to or greater than said first wheel or said second wheel is provided between said first and second wheels.

18. A wheeled skate, comprising:

a base;

a foot coupling device coupled to said base;

a first wheel provided at one of substantially forward or rearward of said foot coupling device;

a second wheel and a third wheel that are provided at the other of substantially forward or rearward of said coupling device;

wherein said second and third wheels turn relative to said base as the skate is tilted in a plane perpendicular to the line-of-direction of the skate.

19. The skate of claim 18, further comprising a turning mechanism that provides turnability to said second and third wheels, said turning mechanism including an angled shaft projecting rearward of said base in a manner substantially parallel to a vertical plane through a longitudinal axis of said base.

20. The skate of claim 18, wherein said first wheel is provided substantially forward of said base and said first wheel is turnable relative to said base structure.

21. The skate of claim 18, wherein said first, second and third wheels and said base are configured so that no wheel having a diameter equal to or greater than said first, second or third wheel is provided therebetween.

22. A wheeled skate, comprising:

a base having a longitudinal axis;

a foot coupling device coupled to said base;

a first wheel;

a second wheel and a third wheel; and

a shaft extending forward or rearward of said foot coupling device substantially in parallel with a vertical plane through said longitudinal axis;

wherein said second and third wheels are coupled to said shaft and rotate relative to the shaft in a manner that turns the skate.

23. The skate of claim 22, wherein said second and third wheels are provided in a paired relationship and coupled to a common axle.

24. The skate of claim 1, further comprising a hand activated braking mechanism.

25. The skate of claim 14, further comprising a hand activated braking mechanism.