In-line roller skate
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.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an in-line roller skate having at least one wheel that is recessed into the outsole of the skate, and more particularly, to an in-line roller skate having a reduced center of gravity.
2. Description of the Related Art
To achieve greater performance from in-line roller skates, skate designers and manufacturers continue to search for designs and manufacturing techniques to improve the handling, maneuverability, support, comfort, speed and durability which a skate can offer.
Maneuverability and speed continue to be two important design factors. The intended use of a particular skate drives the design. For example, maneuverability and speed are a major design factor for art, hockey and recreational in-line roller skates. Clearly speed would be the major factor in a speed skate design. Depending upon the use of the skate numerous skate designs have been introduced to improve maneuverability and speed for users.
The use of different sized wheels, where the smaller wheels are positioned beneath the heel or toe of the skate and the larger wheels beneath the heel, is known to provide greater maneuverability and lower height. British Patent No. 1,555,623 discloses a single track roller skate having front rollers which are of a smaller diameter than the rear rollers allowing the user to execute maneuvers of small and large arcs.
Moreover, it is known to provide a skate having a rear wheel of a larger diameter ensures improved stability as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,746. Large wheels decrease rolling resistance but at the cost of elevating the foot and increasing foot strain to balance on the higher foot platform.
However, the skates of the prior art must use different sized wheels to achieve greater stability and/or maneuverability. This increases production costs and complicates wheel replacement.
Thus, there is a need for an in-line roller skate which ensures high maneuverability and/or stability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the invention to provide an in-line roller skate having a lower center of gravity to improve maneuverability and stability.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an in-line roller skate having a plurality of wheels and a reduced foot elevation to provide a lower center of gravity and reduce turning movement for the user.
According to these and other objects of the present invention there is provided an in-line roller skate comprising 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.
These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment relative to the accompanied drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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The boot further includes an upper portion to form a cavity for receiving the user's foot. Laces further secure the user's foot within the boot. Although laces are illustrated it should be appreciated that other securing means, for example, buckles, straps, etc., could be used to secure the user's foot within the boot.
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A second embodiment of a chassis is shown in
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Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An in-line roller skate comprising:
- a boot for receiving the foot of a user, the boot including a heel portion, a toe portion and a bottom portion;
- an outsole disposed along the bottom portion of the boot;
- a chassis including a pair of elongated, parallel frames attached to the bottom portion of the skate, said frames having opposed front and rear ends and wherein said frames are free of any connecting structure at said front ends;
- a recess disposed in the outsole of the boot; and
- a plurality of wheels mounted on said chassis, at least one of said plurality of wheels being partially recessed within said recess of said outsole.
2. The in-line roller skate of claim 1, wherein said recess is located in the outsole at the toe portion of the boot.
3. The in-line roller skate of claim 2, further comprising a first wheel mounted on the chassis at the toe portion of the boot.
4. The in-line roller skate of claim 3, wherein said first wheel is partially disposed within said recess.
5. The in-line roller skate of claim 3, further comprising a second wheel mounted on the chassis behind the first wheel.
6. The in-line roller skate of claim 5, wherein both said first and second wheels partially extend into said recess.
7. The in-line roller skate of claim 5, wherein said second wheel is partially disposed within said recess.
8. The in-line roller skate of claim 1, wherein said plurality of wheels have the same size diameter.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 7, 2004
Publication Date: Jul 7, 2005
Applicant: Roller Derby Skate Corporation (Atglen, PA)
Inventors: Walter Frazier (Glen Carbon, IL), Curtis Labeda (Lake Elsinore, CA)
Application Number: 10/752,094