Shock absorbing tandem roller skate
The present invention is a shock absorbing tandem roller skate including a shoe or boot, a shoe plate secured to the shoe, at least one shock absorbing unit secured to the shoe plate, at least a first pair of wheels secured to the at least one shock absorbing unit, at least a second pair of wheels, a first brake unit for providing braking to the at least a first pair of wheels, and a second brake unit for providing braking to the at least a second pair of wheels. The shock absorbing mechanism of the at least one shock absorbing unit flex and absorb shock horizontally and diagonally in a simultaneous manner to provide a steering mechanism for the user. The present invention is also directed to skateboards and scooters that may utilize the shock absorbing technology of the present invention.
The present invention is directed to roller skates and other industries involving carrying products that require wheel assembly mechanisms. More specifically, the invention is directed to a shock absorbing tandem roller skate. The invention is also directed to the skateboard and scooter industries, as well as other industries involving carrying products that require tandem wheel assembly mechanisms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONRoller skates have been around for many years and have provided enjoyment and health benefits to many people around the world. Generally, roller skates are used for recreation, freestyle and/or exercise wherein each skater can roller skate at his or her own speed or pace, from a leisure pace to a fast competition pace, depending on that skater's desire and physical health. Some skaters also use roller skates in their profession, such as food deliverers or runners at certain fast food restaurants. Roller skates can be used on many different types of surfaces, such as wood, cement, or asphalt, and the parts or components, such as the wheels and brake system, of a roller skate may vary according to the surface that the roller skate will generally be used on.
The present invention is an improved tandem roller skate that allow skaters to turn with better control for skates that may travel at a high rate of speed and on rough surfaces. Thus, this improved control ability for skaters should also provide the skaters with improved safety when the present invention is used appropriately.
The present invention works by incorporating shock absorbing means that enable a skater to instantly turn at will by shifting the weight of the skater wherein the shifting of the weight makes the shock absorbing mechanism flex according to the skater's motion and direction of the skater's lean. The innovation in the present invention is that the parts or components of the improved roller skate may be assembled in a building block system for high strength assembly to handle moderate to extreme treatment from the skater. The shock absorbing mechanism of the roller skate of the present invention flex and absorb shock horizontally and diagonally in a simultaneous manner to create an automatic steering mechanism for improved safety and skating enjoyment.
Applying universal shock absorption to a roller skate will alleviate tension, bruising and strain directed to the knees, ankles, shins and feet of skaters. Also, this factor allows skaters to handle rough surfaces and roads with added comfort. Additional safety is provided by the braking mechanism that may be long lasting for constant braking abilities at all times. The added braking is enhanced by being assisted from the shocking function of the rear wheels while engaging the brake. Certain braking materials are specifically designed for asphalt and road conditions.
The shock absorbing technology of the present invention can be used in the skateboard and scooter industries, as well as other industries involving carrying products that require tandem wheel assembly mechanisms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a shock absorbing tandem roller skate comprising a roller skate shoe, a shoe plate secured to the shoe, a first shock absorbing unit and a second shock absorbing unit secured downward from the shoe plate, at least a first pair of wheels adapted for being secured to and being in communication with the first shock absorbing unit, at least a second pair of wheels adapted for being secured to and being in communication with the second shock absorbing unit, a first brake means or unit for providing braking to the at least a first pair of wheels, and a second brake means or unit for providing braking to the at least a second pair of wheels. The shock absorbing mechanism of each of the first and second shock absorbing units flex and absorb shock horizontally and diagonally in a simultaneous manner to provide a steering mechanism to the user for improved safety and skating enjoyment. The present invention may also be a skateboard comprising some or all of the above-described components, excluding the shoe, of the shock absorbing tandem roller skate. The present invention may additionally be a scooter comprising some or all of the above-described components, excluding the shoe, of the shock absorbing tandem roller skate.
It should be understood that the above-attached figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONReferring to
The roller skate shoe or boot 120 is adapted for receiving a foot of a user or skater. As a non-limiting example and as shown in
As a non-limiting example and as shown in
As a non-limiting example and as shown in
Each of the front and rear shock absorbing units 180F,180R correspondingly includes a bracket 184F,184R having a plurality of fastener apertures 186F,186R and a plurality of spring apertures 188F,188R located at predetermined positions, a shoulder member 190F,190R having a plurality of fastener apertures 192F,192R and a plurality of spring apertures 194F,194R located at predetermined positions, and other corresponding components described below. Each bracket 184F,184R functions as a two-way shock absorbing housing. As shown in
When a system including four horizontally-mounted compression springs 196F,196R is employed as the shock absorbing means or system, two of the four corresponding horizontally-mounted compression springs 196F,196R compress while the other two corresponding compression springs 196F,196R extend, wherein the compression springs 196F,196R keep the shoulder member 190F,190R in a centered position under pressure that is evenly adjusted by means of four horizontal allen plugs 198F,198R. This assembly will function from the skater shifting weight from left to right, or vice versa, and for the shoulder member 190F,190R to rotate accordingly from the distribution of pressure that is transferred to the skate mechanisms from the skater for exact desired directional turning. Two large thin washers 199F,199R separate the bracket 184F,184R from the shoulder member 190F,190R to ensure smooth rotation of the shoulder member 190F,190R. Each shoulder member 190F,190R has two arm attachments 200aF,200bF,200aR,200bR, wherein each arm attachment 200aF,200bF,200aR,200bR accommodates one wheel pin 202aF,202bF,202aR,202bR that is secured by means of a small alien plug 204aF,204bF,204aR,204bR and a wheel 260aF,260bF,260aR,260bR. Each arm attachment 200aF,2D0bF,200aR, 200bR is mounted to the bottom of the corresponding shoulder member 190F,190R by means of a fastener 206aF,206bF,206aR,206bR and is secured by a lock nut 208aF,208bF,208aR,208bR. Each arm attachment 200aF,200bF,200aR,200bR has two small allen plugs 210aF,210bF,210aR,210bR mounted diagonally. The two allen plugs 210aF,210bF,210aR,210bR accommodate two diagonally mounted compression springs 212aF,212bF,212aR,212bR, wherein one end of the diagonally mounted compression spring 212aF,212bF,212aR,212bR rests over the allen plug 210aF,210bF,210aR,210bR and the other end rests in the angled hole 214aF,214bF,214aR,214bR in the corresponding shoulder member 190F,190R. Each diagonally mounted compression spring 212aF,212bF,212aR,212bR is to be evenly adjusted by means of two allen plugs 216aF,216bF,216aR,216bR mounted from the top of the corresponding shoulder member 190F,190R for each of the assemblies of the arm attachments 200aF,200bF,200aR,200bR. Two of the arm attachments 200aF,200bF, 200aR,200bR are synchronized by means of the arm attachments' parts that will force the two arm attachments 200aF,200bF, 200aR,200bR to perform a cam action that shifts in opposite directions at the same time; this function is shown in
Each of the front and rear shock absorbing units 180F,180R may be secured to the shoe plate 140 by means of a high density titanium clevis pin 220F,220R mounted from the top of the shoe plate 140 in the assembly order thereof. Each clevis pin 220F,220R is assembled through the corresponding bracket 184F,184R, through two large washers 199F,199R, through the shoulder member 190F,190R, through thrust bearing member 222F,222R, through a brace 224, and through disc spring 226F,226R, and then secured by means of an allen plug 228F,228R. As shown in
As a non-limiting example and as shown in
Also as a non-limiting example and as shown in
The main purpose of the mentioned two means and methods of securing the front and rear brake units 320F,320R is to transfer the high tension points created by the front brake unit 320F and rear brake unit 320R when the brake units 320F,320R are engaged under heavy weight and high vibration. The two angled fasteners 328F,328R are respectively assembled through the top of the front and rear ends 146,148 of the shoe plate 140 through the brake bodies 322,332 and fastened into the angled threaded portion of the bracket 184F,184R. This is to counter the high tension put on the front brake unit 320F and rear brake unit 320R, moving the pressure from the upper corner of the bracket 184F,184R and the shoe plate 140 and transferring it to the reinforced angled fasteners 328F,328R located at the top of the front end 146 and rear end 148 of the shoe plate 140. This is to insure firm stable assemblage.
The totality of parts that make up the full assembly has a final stabilizing means and method to achieve a power tying mechanism that bring all mentioned parts together to function as one multi-flexing unit under extreme skating usage by way of the brace block 380 that is firmly secured to the shoe plate 140 by way of four horizontal fasteners 382 assembled through the shoe plate 140 and mounted into the brace block 380 to complete the parts power tying function. The brace block 380 is secured to the brace 224 by means of two vertical fasteners 384 that are assembled through the bottom of the brace 224 into the brace block 380. The front end and rear end of the brace 224 make up the link assembly that is a major part in the front and rear shock absorbing units 180F,180R. This power tie will also assist in minimizing vibration that makes its way up through the skates through the feet into the shins and up to the knees of the skater. The power tie means and method creates a grounding effect through the uniting of mentioned parts all to become one connected assembly that will assist the health, well-being and safety of the skater.
Some or all of the fastener apertures are adapted for receiving, or allowing passage of, fasteners that secure components of the shock absorbing tandem roller skate 100 to one another. As non-limiting examples, some fastener apertures are threaded vertically, horizontally or in an angled direction to accommodate corresponding threaded fasteners. It is obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the apertures may not be threaded, and thus other types of fasteners, such as nuts and bolts, may be alternatively implemented in the present invention. It is also obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the components of the shock absorbing tandem roller skate 100 may be secured to one another by alternative means, such as injection molding.
In another aspect of the shock absorbing roller skate 100 and as shown in
The shock absorbing technology of the present invention can be used in the skateboard industry and scooter industry, as well as various industries involving carrying products that require wheel assembly mechanisms.
As a non-limiting example and as shown in
As a non-limiting example and as shown in
As a non-limiting example and as shown in
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or as shown in the attached figures, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A shock absorbing tandem roller skate comprising:
- a shoe adapted for receiving a foot of a user;
- a shoe plate adapted for being secured to said shoe, said shoe plate comprising a top side, a bottom side, a front end, and a rear end, said shoe plate defining a longitudinal axis from said front end to said rear end, wherein said shoe plate is positioned below said shoe, and wherein said shoe and said shoe plate are in longitudinal alignment with respect to one another;
- a first shock absorbing unit adapted for being secured to said shoe plate, said first shock absorbing unit having a shock absorbing mechanism that flexes and absorbs shock horizontally and diagonally in a simultaneous manner to provide a steering mechanism for the user and that flexes according to the motion of the user and to the direction of lean of the user when the weight of the user shifts;
- a second shock absorbing unit adapted for being secured to said shoe plate, said second shock absorbing unit having a shock absorbing mechanism that flexes and absorbs shock horizontally and diagonally in a simultaneous manner to provide a steering mechanism for the user and that flexes according to the motion of the user and to the direction of lean of the user when the weight of the user shifts;
- at least a first pair of wheels adapted for being secured to and being in communication with said first shock absorbing unit, said at least a first pair of wheels defining a longitudinal axis from a first wheel to a second wheel of said at least a first pair of wheels, wherein said longitudinal axis of said at least a first pair of wheels is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said shoe plate;
- at least a second pair of wheels adapted for being secured to and being in communication with said second shock absorbing unit, said at least a second pair of wheels defining a longitudinal axis from a first wheel to a second wheel of said at least a second pair of wheels, wherein said longitudinal axis of said at least a second pair of wheels is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said shoe plate and is generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said at least a first pair of wheels;
- means for providing braking to said at least a first pair of wheels; and
- means for providing braking to said at least a second pair of wheels.
2. The shock absorbing tandem roller skate according to claim 1, wherein said shoe plate further comprising a body portion extending between said front end and said rear end of said shoe plate, a pair of opposite sidewalls, and a plurality of fastener apertures located at predetermined locations along said shoe plate, wherein each of said opposite sidewalls has a front end cutout about said front end and a rear end cutout about said rear end for accommodating the shapes of said first and second shock absorbing units, and wherein said front end cutouts are aligned opposite one another and said rear end cutouts are aligned opposite one another.
3. The shock absorbing tandem roller skate according to claim 1, wherein said first shock absorbing unit is positioned generally downward from said bottom side of said shoe plate about said front end of said shoe plate, and wherein said second shock absorbing unit is positioned generally downward from said bottom side of said shoe plate about said rear end of said shoe plate.
4. The shock absorbing tandem roller skate according to claim 1, wherein said shock absorbing mechanism of each of said first and second shock absorbing units comprises a plurality of horizontally-mounted compression springs wherein at least two of said horizontally-mounted compression springs correspondingly compress while at least two of said horizontally-mounted compression springs correspondingly extend.
5. The shock absorbing tandem roller skate according to claim 1, wherein said means for providing braking to said at least a first pair of wheels is secured about said front end of said shoe plate and said means for providing braking to said at least a second pair of wheels is secured about said rear end of said shoe plate.
6. The shock absorbing tandem roller skate according to claim 1, further comprising a brace block and a brace having a first end and a second end, wherein said brace block is adapted for being secured to said shoe plate and said brace is adapted for being secured to said brace block, wherein said first end of said brace is secured about said first shock absorbing unit and said second end of said brace is secured about said second shock absorbing unit, and wherein said brace block and said brace are adapted for mechanically communicating with said first and second shock absorbing units to function as one multi-flexing unit.
7. The shock absorbing tandem roller skate according to claim 1, further comprising a second shoe plate, wherein said second shoe plate is secured above said top side of said shoe plate about said front end of said shoe plate.
8. A shock absorbing tandem roller skate comprising:
- a roller skate shoe adapted for receiving a foot of a user, said shoe having a front end, a rear end, an upper portion, and a bottom having a bottom side;
- a shoe plate adapted for being secured to said shoe, said shoe plate having a top side, a bottom side, a front end, a rear end, a body portion extending between said front end and said rear end of said shoe plate, a pair of opposite sidewalls, and a plurality of fastener apertures located at predetermined locations along said shoe plate, wherein each of said opposite sidewalls has a front end cutout about said front end and a rear end cutout about said rear end wherein said front end cutouts are aligned opposite one another and said rear end cutouts are aligned opposite one another, said shoe plate defining a longitudinal axis from said front end to said rear end, wherein said shoe plate is positioned below said shoe, and wherein said shoe and said shoe plate are in longitudinal alignment with respect to one another;
- a first shock absorbing unit adapted for being secured to said shoe plate, wherein said first shock absorbing unit is positioned generally downward from said bottom side of said shoe plate about said front end of said shoe plate, said first shock absorbing unit having a shock absorbing mechanism that flexes and absorbs shock horizontally and diagonally in a simultaneous manner to provide a steering mechanism for the user and that flexes according to the motion of the user and to the direction of lean of the user when the weight of the user shifts;
- a second shock absorbing unit adapted for being secured to said shoe plate, wherein said second shock absorbing unit is positioned generally downward from said bottom side of said shoe plate about said rear end of said shoe plate, said second shock absorbing unit having a shock absorbing mechanism that flexes and absorbs shock horizontally and diagonally in a simultaneous manner to provide a steering mechanism for the user and that flexes according to the motion of the user and to the direction of lean of the user when the weight of the user shifts;
- at least a first pair of wheels adapted for being secured to and being in communication with said first shock absorbing unit, said at least a first pair of wheels defining a longitudinal axis from a first wheel to a second wheel of said at least a first pair of wheels, wherein said longitudinal axis of said at least a first pair of wheels is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said shoe plate;
- at least a second pair of wheels adapted for being secured to and being in communication with said second shock absorbing unit, said at least a second pair of wheels defining a longitudinal axis from a first wheel to a second wheel of said at least a second pair of wheels, wherein said longitudinal axis of said at least a second pair of wheels is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said shoe plate and is generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said at least a first pair of wheels;
- means for providing braking to said at least a first pair of wheels; and
- means for providing braking to said at least a second pair of wheels.
9. The shock absorbing tandem roller skate according to claim 8, wherein said shock absorbing mechanism of each of said first and second shock absorbing units comprises a plurality of horizontally-mounted compression springs wherein at least two of said horizontally-mounted compression springs correspondingly compress while at least two of said horizontally-mounted compression springs correspondingly extend.
10. The shock absorbing tandem roller skate according to claim 8, wherein said means for providing braking to said at least a first pair of wheels is secured about said front end of said shoe plate and said means for providing braking to said at least a second pair of wheels is secured about said rear end of said shoe plate.
11. The shock absorbing tandem roller skate according to claim 8, further comprising a brace block and a brace having a first end and a second end, wherein said brace block is adapted for being secured to said shoe plate and said brace is adapted for being secured to said brace block, wherein said first end of said brace is secured about said first shock absorbing unit and said second end of said brace is secured about said second shock absorbing unit, and wherein said brace block and said brace are adapted for mechanically communicating with said first and second shock absorbing units to function as one multi-flexing unit.
12. The shock absorbing tandem roller skate according to claim 8, further comprising a second shoe plate, wherein said second shoe plate is secured above said top side of said shoe plate about said front end of said shoe plate.
13. A shock absorbing skateboard comprising:
- a board comprising a top side, a bottom side, a front end, a rear end, and a body portion extending between said front end and said rear end, said board defining a longitudinal axis from said front end to said rear end;
- a first shock absorbing unit adapted for being secured to said board, said first shock absorbing unit having a shock absorbing mechanism that flexes and absorbs shock horizontally and diagonally in a simultaneous manner to provide a steering mechanism for the user and that flexes according to the motion of the user and to the direction of lean of the user when the weight of the user shifts;
- a second shock absorbing unit adapted for being secured to said board, said second shock absorbing unit having a shock absorbing mechanism that flexes and absorbs shock horizontally and diagonally in a simultaneous manner to provide a steering mechanism for the user and that flexes according to the motion of the user and to the direction of lean of the user when the weight of the user shifts;
- at least a first pair of wheels adapted for being secured to and being in communication with said first shock absorbing unit, said at least a first pair of wheels defining a longitudinal axis from a first wheel to a second wheel of said at least a first pair of wheels, wherein said longitudinal axis of said at least a first pair of wheels is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said board; and
- at least a second pair of wheels adapted for being secured to and being in communication with said second shock absorbing unit, said at least a second pair of wheels defining a longitudinal axis from a first wheel to a second wheel of said at least a second pair of wheels, wherein said longitudinal axis of said at least a second pair of wheels is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said board and is generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said at least a first pair of wheels.
14. The shock absorbing skateboard according to claim 13, wherein said board further comprising a plurality of fastener apertures located at predetermined locations along said board.
15. The shock absorbing skateboard according to claim 13, wherein said first shock absorbing unit is positioned generally downward from said bottom side of said board about said front end of said board, and wherein said second shock absorbing unit is positioned generally downward from said bottom side of said board about said rear end of said board.
16. The shock absorbing skateboard according to claim 13, wherein said shock absorbing mechanism of each of said first and second shock absorbing units comprises a plurality of horizontally-mounted compression springs wherein at least two of said horizontally-mounted compression springs correspondingly compress while at least two of said horizontally-mounted compression springs correspondingly extend.
17. The shock absorbing skateboard according to claim 11, further comprising a front foot strap device and a rear foot strap device.
18. The shock absorbing skateboard according to claim 17, wherein each of said foot strap devices comprises a foot strap, a comfort pad, and a swiveling securing fastener.
19. A shock absorbing scooter comprising:
- a scooter board comprising a top side, a bottom side, a front end, a rear end, and a body portion extending between said front end and said rear end, said scooter board defining a longitudinal axis from said front end to said rear end;
- a neck extending upwardly from said front end of said scooter board, said neck comprising a first end and a second end wherein said first end of said neck is positioned about said front end of said scooter board;
- a handle bar adapted for being secured about said second end of said neck;
- a first shock absorbing unit adapted for being secured to said scooter board, said first shock absorbing unit having a shock absorbing mechanism that flexes and absorbs shock horizontally and diagonally in a simultaneous manner to provide a steering mechanism for the user and that flexes according to the motion of the user and to the direction of lean of the user when the weight of the user shifts;
- a second shock absorbing unit adapted for being secured to said scooter board, said second shock absorbing unit having a shock absorbing mechanism that flexes and absorbs shock horizontally and diagonally in a simultaneous manner to provide a steering mechanism for the user and that flexes according to the motion of the user and to the direction of lean of the user when the weight of the user shifts;
- at least a first pair of wheels adapted for being secured to and being in communication with said first shock absorbing unit, said at least a first pair of wheels defining a longitudinal axis from a first wheel to a second wheel of said at least a first pair of wheels, wherein said longitudinal axis of said at least a first pair of wheels is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said scooter board; and
- at least a second pair of wheels adapted for being secured to and being in communication with said second shock absorbing unit, said at least a second pair of wheels defining a longitudinal axis from a first wheel to a second wheel of said at least a second pair of wheels, wherein said longitudinal axis of said at least a second pair of wheels is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said scooter board and is generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said at least a first pair of wheels.
20. The shock absorbing scooter according to claim 19, wherein said scooter board further comprising a plurality of fastener apertures located at predetermined locations along said scooter board.
21. The shock absorbing scooter according to claim 19, wherein said first shock absorbing unit is positioned generally downward from said bottom side of said scooter board about said front end of said board, and wherein said second shock absorbing unit is positioned generally downward from said bottom side of said scooter board about said rear end of said board.
22. The shock absorbing scooter according to claim 19, wherein said shock absorbing mechanism of each of said first and second shock absorbing units comprises a plurality of horizontally-mounted compression springs wherein at least two of said horizontally-mounted compression springs correspondingly compress while at least two of said horizontally-mounted compression springs correspondingly extend.
23. The shock absorbing scooter according to claim 19, further comprising a reinforced support positioned rearward about said first end of said neck.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 5, 2007
Publication Date: Oct 9, 2008
Inventor: Joshua Alexander (El Monte, CA)
Application Number: 11/784,397
International Classification: A63C 17/02 (20060101);