STRUCTURE OF INLINE SKATES
The present invention relates generally to an improved structure of inline skates, which provides a cushion, a wheel with a gearwheel on its side, and a pawl assembly. By pressing down the weight, the wheel with gearwheel on its side occludes the pawl assembly, which stops the wheel with gearwheel on its side from rolling one-wayly. Thereby, the improved structure of inline skates is more ergonomic and exercise injuries can be prevented. In addition, a brake is provided for providing shock absorption and more powerful acceleration. Besides, automatic support upright is also provided for avoiding tumbles.
The present invention relates generally to inline skates, and particularly to inline skates that combining a one-way roll stop device and a cushion for providing the inline skates with superior braking effect during sliding as well as with more forceful acceleration holds. Thereby, an improved structure of inline skates with ergonomics, exercise-injury prevention, and comfort is provided.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONInline skating is a rising roller-skating exercise. To date a variety of types has developed including mainly recreational, figure, cross-country, acrobatic, and speed. Special structures are designed for cross-country and speed inline skates to meet their speed demands or requirements by special environments. In addition, extraordinary and long-term trainings are required to handle and use them appropriately. The basic structure and function thereof similar to recreational inline skates, details of the inline skates of these types are not described here. In the following, recreational, figure, and acrobatic inline skates are described in detail.
First, for a recreational inline skate, the structure thereof includes a boot, a base under the boot, and a plurality of wheels adapted on the base. There is no front brake pad. When the left leg slides, it is necessary to use the right leg to press the ground and push backwards in the direction slightly deviating from the direction of sliding then a forward force for the left leg is given. Owing to the larger wheel diameter with the longer span, it is laborious to press and push slantingly both legs alternately for maintaining sliding for a long time. In addition, it violates ergonomics as well. Besides, recreational inline skates do not provide effective braking disposal. Some brands add rear brake pads behind the roller skates. While braking, the player has to put forth his strength to raise his feet upwards with his ankles pushed downwards so that the rear brake pads under the ankles can produce friction with the ground. By doing this, slight braking effect is attained. However, the braking effect is very poor, and the braking action violates ergonomics as well. Furthermore, the rear brake pads tend to make both legs stuck with and bump against each other and consequently make the player stumble when he alternates his legs to slide or when he comers (forward or backward crossovers). Thereby, most players disassemble the rear brake pads by themselves, which makes the rear brake pads exist in name only.
Moreover, for a figure inline skate, a front brake pad is adapted at the first-wheel position of a recreational inline skate, and all wheels are shrunk and arranged behind the front brake pad. Hence, the figure inline skate slides slower and unstable. When sliding forward, the center of gravity leans forward. Slight incaution results in touch of the front brake pad on the sliding leg on the ground, which is very dangerous because it will cause the player trip forward.
As for an acrobatic line skate, no brake is adapted thereon because a brake device that is like the one on a recreational or a figure inline skate obstructs absolutely acrobatic movements and thereby results in danger. However, it does not mean that an acrobatic inline skate need not a brake device. In fact, tumbles when wearing acrobatic inline skates occur frequently. Some severe injuries even happened.
To sum up, various current inline skates cannot provide an effective and safe brake device. A special braking skill, that is, T-stop, refers to turning aside and opening both legs abruptly during sliding to make both legs perpendicular to the direction of sliding for attaining braking effect. However, this skill needs long-term practices. Slight incaution tends to result in tumble and accidental injuries such as scrapes, collision injuries, and sprains. Besides, the skill violates ergonomics. In addition to ease of wear on the inline skates, T-stop is not applicable in all fields. If the field is slightly slippery, unsmooth, or has too much grip, falling over tends to happen. Thereby, improved brake device of inline skates is desired for solving inconveniences in operations and problems of frequent exercise injuries.
Owing to the drawbacks and imperfections of inline skates described above, the present invention provides inline skates complying with ergonomics, being exercise-injury preventive, shock absorptive, and comfortable. In addition, the inline skates according to the present invention provide multiple brakes as well as providing more powerful acceleration. By supporting upright automatically, the inline skates according to the present provide active safety for players.
SUMMARYAn objective of the present invention is to provide an improved structure of inline skates, which can achieves superior braking effect in a manner complying ergonomics. In addition, the inline skates according to the present invention can support upright automatically on the go for preventing tumbles. Thereby, exercise injuries are reduced or avoided accordingly, and active safety is provided.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an improved structure of inline skates, which can provide effectively more forceful acceleration holds as well as shock-absorbing capability for comfort. Thereby, the operation quality of the inline skates is improved.
In order to achieve the objectives and effects described above, the present invention provides an improved structure of inline skates, which includes a boot, a base, a wheel set, one or more one-way roll stop devices, and one or more cushions. When the base is pressed, the wheels of the wheel set are pressed accordingly. The cushion eases the stress through compression thereof. When the cushion compresses, it drives said one or more one-way roll stop devices to step rolling. Thereby, braking effect and an acceleration hold are provided. In addition, shock-absorbing effect is provided as well by the cushion.
In order to make the structure and characteristics as well as the effectiveness of the present invention to be further understood and recognized, the detailed description of the present invention is provided as follows along with preferred embodiments and accompanying figures.
The base 20 is adapted on the bottom of the boot 10, and comprises one or more connection plates 21 and two side plates 22 adapted under both sides of the connection plate 21, respectively. At the front end of the side plate 22, a long pivotal bore 221 is adapted. Behind and above the long pivotal bore 221, two securing holes 222 are adapted. In addition, behind the long pivotal bore 221, three pivotal holes (not shown in the figures) are adapted for pivoting the wheel set 30. The wheel set 30 includes a front wheel 31, two center wheels 32, and a rear wheel 33. The front wheel 31 is adapted between said two long pivotal bores 221 by means of a screw bolt assembly 34. The center wheels 32 and the rear wheel 33 are adapted between corresponding pivotal holes of the side plates 22 behind the long pivotal bores 221 by means of screw bolt assemblies 35, respectively.
The one-way roll step device 40 includes a gearwheel 41 and a pawl assembly 42. The gearwheel 41 is an annular-shaped slice and is smaller slightly in diameter than the front wheel 31. It is manufactured integrally and is mounted pivotally at the centers on both sides of the front wheel 31. Alternatively, the annular-shaped slices can be secured at the centers on both sides of the front wheel 31. First gearteeth 411 with one-way hook-shaped teeth are adapted on the periphery of the gearwheel 41. The pawl assembly 42 includes an elastic plate 421 and pawls 422 on both sides under the elastic plate 421. The elastic plate 421 is roughly a U-shaped plate. The shape here according to a preferred embodiment is used for description but not for limiting its scope. On both ends of the elastic plate 421, two wing plates 423, which extend upwards and outwards, are adapted. One or more sets of a plurality of second gearteeth 425 are adapted on the pawl 422, which has two long bores 424. The pawl assembly 42 are secured on the securing bores 222 by passing screw bolt assemblies 426 through the long bores 424 and the securing bores 222, and the wing plates 423 of the elastic plate 421 connect against the underside of the corresponding connection plate 21 while making the second wheelteeth 425 of the pawls 422 correspond to the first wheelteeth 411 of the gearwheels 41. Thereby, the pawl assembly 42 can move up and down in the long bores 424 by means of the screw bolt assemblies 426. Moreover, because the elastic plate 421 has elasticity and can extend and compress, the pawl assembly 42 can have elastic cushion effect accordingly, which occurs when the gearwheel 41 is not locked but can slide freely.
The cushion 50 is adapted on one side of the side plates 22, respectively, including two sliding block and sleeve assemblies 51, two springs 52, two adjustment shafts 53, and two nuts. The sliding block and sleeve assembly 51 is an assembly with a sleeve 511 and a sliding block 512, which is a long block corresponding to the long pivotal bore 221 with a shorter length. A pivotal hole 514 is adapted at the lower end of the sliding block and sleeve assembly 51. The pivotal hole 514 is used for passing the screw bolt assembly 34 and securing the sliding block and sleeve assembly 51 on the side of the front wheel 31 with the sliding block 512 inset in the long pivotal bore 221. A trench 513 is adapted from the top of the sleeve 511 (as shown in
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From the description above, it is known that the present has at least the following effects and features:
- 1. If the cushion and the one-way roll stop device according to the present invention are adapted in the front wheel, when the front wheel is pressed to some extent while rolling backwards, the front wheel has the capability of stopping rolling backwards and one-wayly. If the cushion and the one-way roll stop device according to the present invention are adapted in the rear wheel, when the rear wheel is pressed to some extent while rolling forwards, the rear wheel has the capability of stopping rolling forwards and one-wayly.
- 2. According to the present invention, if forward propelling is desired by pressing backwards, because the propelling leg is pressed downwards by weight and the front wheel is pushed backwards, which is in a back-rolling status, thereby, back-rolling is stopped one-wayly. Consequently, a hold for propelling forward that is more powerful and more ergonomic is given.
- 3. The operation of the braking function on the front wheel according to the present invention is similar to the gearwheel in front of a general figure skate or to the brake pad in front of a conventional four-wheel skate, and is done by tipping toes while sliding backwards. At this moment, the front wheel is pressed while rolling backwards, thereby, a braking function that is more ergonomic and safe is given. The braking effect of the rear wheel is similar to the braking effect of the rear brake pad in a recreational inline skate. When the player slides forwards, if he puts forth his strength to raise his feet upwards with his weight pushed downwards the rear wheel, at which moment the rear wheel is pressed to some extent and rolling forward, a braking effect that stops rolling forwards is attained. The baking effect is far superior to the braking effect of the rear brake pad in a recreational inline skate according to the prior art without the drawbacks and danger brought about by the latter.
- 4. As provided in the front and the rear wheels according to the present invention, when the player steps forward, because of the cushions adapted thereon, tiptoes and ankles are cushioned and shock-absorbed. Thereby, ergonomic effect is attained.
- 5. When the players is about to fall down forwards carelessly, because the front wheel is pressed by weight while rolling backwards, a braking force is given for stopping rolling backwards and one-wayly. Thereby, the player is supported upright automatically. When the players is about to fall down faceup carelessly, because the rear wheel is pressed by weight while rolling forwards, a braking force is given for stopping rolling forwards. Thereby, the player is supported by the reaction force upright automatically.
Accordingly, the present invention conforms to the legal requirements owing to its novelty, non-obviousness, and utility. However, the foregoing description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, not used to limit the scope and range of the present invention. Those equivalent changes or modifications made according to the shape, structure, feature, or spirit described in the claims of the present invention are included in the appended claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. An improved structure of inline skates, comprising:
- a boot;
- a base, securing at the bottom of the boot, comprising one or more connection plates, and two side plates being adapted on both sides of the bottom of the connection plate, respectively with a plurality of pivotal holes thereon;
- a wheel set, comprising a plurality of wheels, a front wheel, and a rear wheel, and the plurality of wheels, the front wheel, and the rear wheel being pivoted on the side plates;
- one or more one-way roll stop devices, comprising a gearwheel and a pawl assembly, the gearwheel securing on the side of the front wheel or the rear wheel, the pawl assembly securing on the side plate, and the gearwheel and the pawl assembly corresponding to positions of each other; and
- one or more cushions, one end thereof being adapted on the side plate corresponding to the front wheel or the rear wheel, and the other end thereof connecting to the front wheel or the rear wheel and the gearwheel through a screw bolt assembly;
- wherein when the base is pressed, the cushion is compressed and drives the gearwheel to contact with the pawl assembly for stopping the front wheel or the rear wheel from rolling one-wayly.
2. The improved structure of inline skates of claim 1, wherein the cushion includes a sliding block and sleeve assembly, a spring, and an adjustment shaft, the sliding block and sleeve assembly connecting with the front wheel or the rear wheel and the gearwheel through the screw and bolt assembly, the sliding block and sleeve assembly including a sleeve with a trench adapted for accommodating the spring and the adjustment shaft, and the top end of the adjustment shaft securing at the bottom of the connection plate.
3. The improved structure of inline skates of claim 2, wherein the side plate connects pivotally with the front wheel or the rear wheel through a long pivotal bore, the sliding block and sleeve assembly further including a sliding block, the sliding block being a long block corresponding to the long pivotal bore with a shorter length, and the sliding block being able to inset in the long pivotal bore.
4. The improved structure of inline skates of claim 2, wherein the adjustment shaft has threads thereon with one or more nuts, and the spring is confined between the trench and the nuts for adjusting the compression force of the spring.
5. An improved structure of inline skates, comprising:
- a boot;
- a base, securing at the bottom of the boot, comprising one or more connection plates, and two side plates being adapted on both sides of the bottom of the connection plate, respectively with a plurality of pivotal holes thereon;
- a wheel set, comprising a plurality of wheels and a front wheel, the plurality of wheels being pivoted on the side plates, and the front wheel connecting with the plurality of wheels through a front side plate;
- one or more one-way roll stop devices, comprising a gearwheel and a pawl assembly, the gearwheel securing on the side of the front wheel, the pawl assembly securing on the side plate, and the gearwheel and the pawl assembly corresponding to positions of each other; and
- one or more cushions, one end thereof being adapted on the side plate corresponding to the front wheel, and the other end thereof connecting to the front wheel and the gearwheel through a screw bolt assembly;
- wherein when the base is pressed, the cushion is compressed and drives the gearwheel to contact with the pawl assembly for stopping the front wheel from rolling one-wayly.
6. An improved structure of inline skates, comprising:
- a boot;
- a base, securing at the bottom of the boot, comprising one or more connection plates, and two side plates being adapted on both sides of the bottom of the connection plate, respectively with a plurality of pivotal holes thereon;
- a wheel set, comprising a plurality of wheels and a front wheel, the plurality of wheels being pivoted on the side plates, and the front wheel connecting with the plurality of wheels through a front side plate;
- one or more one-way roll stop devices, comprising a side gearwheel and a side pawl assembly, the side gearwheel securing inside of the front wheel, the side pawl assembly securing on the front side plate, and the side gearwheel and the side pawl assembly corresponding to positions of each other;
- one or more cushions, one end thereof being adapted on the side plate corresponding to the front wheel, and the other end thereof connecting to the front wheel, the front side plate, and the side gearwheel through a screw bolt assembly; and
- one or more driving apparatus, adapted on the side plate;
- wherein when the base is pressed downwards, the cushion is compressed and drives the driving apparatus to press the side pawl assembly to occlude the side gearwheel for stopping the front wheel from rolling one-wayly.
7. The improved structure of inline skates of claim 6, wherein the driving apparatus has a contact inclined plane.
8. An improved structure of inline skates, comprising:
- a boot;
- a base, securing at the bottom of the boot;
- a wheel set, comprising a plurality of wheels and a front wheel;
- one or more cushions, connecting to the front wheel and the base; and one or more one-way roll stop devices, being adapted at the location corresponding to the front wheel, and by accompanying the cushion making the one-way roll stop device in an occlusion and cease-rolling status or a free-sliding and maintain-rolling status;
- wherein when the base is pressed while the front wheel rolling backwards, the cushion is compressed and drives the one-way roll stop device for stopping the front wheel from rolling one-wayly.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 11, 2007
Publication Date: Feb 7, 2008
Inventor: YEN-NIEN CHANG (TAIPEI COUNTY)
Application Number: 11/761,010
International Classification: A63C 17/14 (20060101);