INTERCHANGEABLE AXLE SUSPENSION SPACER SLIDER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

Abstract

An interchangeable axle suspension spacer system of method of using same, in conjunction with an in-line skate frame, wherein the system includes a wheel means and shock absorbing apparatus having multiple layers, wherein certain layers are compressed within an embedded wall while others allow the for restricted tracking along a determined path, and wherein the system enables an individual to interchange, customize, and replace the shock absorbing apparatus amid operation of in-line skates.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is for entry into the International Phase under the Patent Cooperation Treaty and claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/616,268 filed on Mar. 27, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to in-line skating. Specifically, this invention concerns a means of providing an interchangeable and customizable axle mounted suspension dampening spacer slider unit, providing the ability to adjust the suspension, shock absorption, and ride comfort of an in-line skate frame.

2. Description of the Related Art

In-line skating is a form of recreation practiced for more than two hundred years in various areas of the world. In recent times, it has evolved into a multi-faceted activity. Included among such activities are speed skating, hockey, cross training, freestyle, and so-called “Aggressive” skating. Aggressive skating comprises of a number of stunts, including but not limited to curb and handrail “grinding” (sliding), stair riding, ramp skating, jumping, and “stalling” (coming to an abrupt stop). Many of these activities produce significant amount of forces that not only wear on the product itself but also the user's body. In line skates are often used outdoors on sidewalks and other road surfaces that might be uneven. Vibrations and bumps from rough pavement and jarring shock from harsh impacts cause stress to the bodily joints, as well as causing fatigue and discomfort during the user experience.

Even though these hazards exist, most inline skate frames do not possess any sort of dampening or shock absorption that would help benefit the user experience, much like on bicycles and other wheel driven objects. This method of dampening in the wheels also needs to be interchangeable and replaceable, allowing for precise tuning to the user depending on weight range and desired ride feel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant system and method, as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof. Thus the several embodiments of the instant apparatus are illustrated herein.

The present invention concerns means of performance by reducing or eliminating vibration and shock on rough terrains encountered while inline skating. The attainment of the invention comprises any method of utilizing an axle mounted suspension spacer slider system that employs a shock absorbing material embedded or attached next to the frame wall. The dampening means of the invention comprise a plurality of axle suspension spacer slider units with preferably constructed resilient material components, each of which serves to independently slide upwards by compressing against an embedded upper wall of the frame sidewall upon a wheel strike in a fixed vertical pattern when encountering uneven surfaces, leading to improved ride quality and increase in comfort.

It is the primary object of the instant invention to provide an improved and customizable ride experience by negating the vibrations and shock sustained on an in-line skate frame means.

To accomplish this, an in-line skate frame axle mounted suspension spacer slider system has been developed. When affixed to the frame, the vibrations and discomfort felt when traversing rough terrain is substantially reduced as well as allowing the user to change and fine tune the user experience, depending on their weight ratio specifications, and desired level of shock absorption capabilities.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of an interchangeable axle suspension spacer slider system in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways, including applications involving not only firefighters. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present system will be apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary side view of a conventional in-line skate comprising a boot, a frame and a plurality of wheels.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view of a fully assembled in-line skate frame, having a wheel to axle mounted suspension and dampening spacers imbedded into an inboard side of the frame.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view of the skate frame partially disassembled showing the wheel to axle mounted suspension and dampening spacers prior to assembly and placement within the skate frame.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary perspective view of an axle suspension spacer unit for placement into the skate frame.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary perspective view of the axle suspension spacer unit, disassembled, showing the axle suspension spacer holder and the axle suspension and dampening spacer.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary perspective view of the two axle suspension spacer slider units a male axle and female axle attached.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the axle suspension spacer slider system, wherein the axle suspension spacer slider units are attached from an outboard side of the skate frame.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary side view of the alternate embodiment of the axle suspension spacer slider system, wherein the axle suspension spacer units are attached from the outboard side of the frame.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary perspective view of the instant invention during assembly of the axle suspension dampening spacer units.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary side view of the instant invention fully assembled, wherein the axle suspension dampening spacer units, wheels, and, axles are all attached to the skate frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The present invention relates to an in-line skate frame axle mounted dampening spacer slider system (“skate frame axle suspension spacer slider(s)”) and methods for using such means to suppress vibrations and irregularities on uneven surfaces while improving cornering as well as absorbing shock encountered during higher impact landings. As used in this invention, a skate frame axle mounted suspension and dampening spacer slider system means is any means that uses an axle and frame spacer slider based method to achieve suspension, shock absorption, or dampening on an inline skate frame.

FIG. 1 illustrates a known in the art in-line skate 10, wherein the in-line skate 10 consists of three basic components: a boot 12, a frame 14, and a plurality of wheels 16. The boot 12 generally comprises one or more parts which serve to secure a foot of the skater to the remaining components of the skate. The boot 12 is attached to the frame 14 and wherein the frame 14 holds and maintains the plurality of wheels 16. In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of wheels 16 is aligned in single file in the direction of skate travel. Furthermore, each wheel 16 is preferably attached to an underside of the frame 14 by an axle bolt 22 with two embedded axle suspension spacer slider units 26 attached or inserted within the frame 14 inboard, outboard, inside and outside sidewalls. As a result of this attachment through the suspension spacer slider units 26, and the plurality of wheels 16 attached to the frame 14 can better handle exposure to impacts with various inconsistencies in the surfaces encountered. For example, in aggressive skating, the potential for such impacts is markedly increased, especially where jumps and leaps are taken, and when it occurs repeatedly, those shock forces are transferred to the users body causing stress, fatigue, and possibly injury as well as the frame 14 may become damaged.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the instant invention, shown both assembled in FIG. 2 and partially assembled in FIG. 3, wherein the plurality of wheels 16 move upwards when they encounter uneven surfaces by compressing the resilient material component of each axle suspension spacer slider unit 26, namely an axle suspension spacer 30 itself (see FIG. 5) against the upper wall of the spacer channel opening 18, constricted in a vertical pattern by the axle spacer slider holder 28 which is held in place by an in cut slotted groove 19 in the inside sidewall 15 and outside sidewall 17 of the frames. The in cut slotted groove 19 not only sets a defined tracking path for the upward and downwards movement of the suspension means 26, but also prevents unwanted lateral, vertical, and sideways torsional movement of the wheel 16 means during operation of the inline skate means. The frame 14 sidewalls each have openings, namely spacer channel openings 18, there through for the insertion of the axle suspension spacer slider units 26. The openings are surrounded by an in cut portion or slotted groove 19, just a bit larger in width and height than the spacer channel hole 18, around the inside periphery of the opening. In this embodiment, the suspension means is shown and described as partially assembled in individual parts (FIG. 3), wherein the axle suspension spacer slider unit 26 is inserted into to the inside sidewall 15 of the frame 14 and the wheels 16 are attached using the male axle 24 and female axle bolts 22. As described below, in alternate embodiments, the actual insertion placement of the axle suspension spacer slider unit 26 may vary along with the placement sight, namely spacer hole channel 18, on the inside sidewall 15 or outside sidewall 17 of the frame 14. Herein, the suspension means 26 is shown for the inside sidewall 15 of the frame 14, wherein the axle spacer slider 26 is attached into the spacer channel hole 18 in the sidewall of the frame 14. In alternate embodiments, the suspension means 26 can be attached to the frame 14 from the outside sidewall 17 direction. The axle suspension spacer slider holder unit 26 has a lip surrounding itself allowing for a stop point when inserted into the spacer channel hole 18 within the inside sidewall 15 of the frame 14. Once the axle suspension spacer slider units 26 are inserted, the wheels 16 are attached using the male axle 24 and female axle bolt 22.

FIG. 4 exemplary illustrates a perspective view of the axle spacer slider unit 26, assembled, comprised of two separate components, having a through bore and a central tube or liner.

FIG. 5 exemplary illustrates a perspective view of the axle spacer slider unit 26, disassembled into two components, the axle spacer slider holder 28, wherein the axle spacer holder 28 is the appropriate width and depth to accommodate the axle suspension dampening spacer 30 to be sandwiched in between the forward face and rear face of the axle spacer slider holder 28, and also axle suspension dampening spacer 30 itself each having a through bore and or a central tube or liner. The axle spacer slider holder 28, which can be compromised of a single piece or two piece construction features an area, exact to the depth of the axle suspension dampening spacer slider 30, that it can be sandwiched into upon assembly. This assembly of the two components combines to become the axle spacer slider unit 26 which is mounted to the inline skate frame 14 chassis along the in board and out board sidewalls.

FIG. 6 illustrates two axle suspension spacer slider units 26, attached with the male axle bolt 24 and female axle bolt 22.

FIGS. 7 and 8 exemplary illustrate an alternate embodiment of the instant invention, wherein the axle spacer slider unit 26 is shown prior to attachment of the skate frame 14 and attached to the skate frame 14 and. Herein, the suspension means 28 is shown inserted into the outside sidewall 17 of the frame 14, wherein the axle spacer slider unit 26 moves in a vertical pattern along the spacer cutout groove 19 embedded in the outside sidewall 17 of the frame 14.

In alternate embodiments of the instant invention, the suspension means 26 may be mounted to the skate frame 14 using wheel mounting hardware, i.e., that hardware used to attach the wheels 16 to the skate frame 14. Such hardware may be original equipment or may be obtained from one of several after-market sources familiar to those in the art. In addition, the suspension means 26 described herein may be mounted using other mounting means independent of, or in combination with, wheel mounting hardware. Other mounting means may include but are not limited to, various types of fasteners, such as bolts, screws, etc. Interlocking systems such as slot and groove, tongue and grove, dovetail joint, etc., and adhesives, such as epoxies, glues, and other chemical agents capable of bonding a skate frame wheel 16 to the frame 14 chassis. The use of wheel mounting hardware and/or other fasteners to mount a skate frame with this discussed suspension means 26 affords the possibility of later removal, such as to facilitate the replacement and customization of the suspension means 26 to a user's specific requirements. As a result, fasteners, interlocking systems and particularly wheel mounting hardware, are preferred for attaching the suspension means 26 described herein, as the use of adhesives typically result in permanent attachment to the frame 14. However, also envisioned by the present invention is a skate frame suspension means 26 comprised of more than one component. The various components of such a suspension means 26 may all be permanently affixed, removable, or a combination thereof; the suspension means 28 may also be attached to just areas of a frame 14 instead of the entire frame 14. For example the suspension means 26 may not be implored for every position on the frame 14 where a wheel 16 may be attached.

As described above, the suspension means 26 can be made up of various individual pieces that are then inserted into or next to the inside sidewalls 15, outside sidewalls 17 or both the inside sidewalls 15 and outside sidewalls 17 of the frame 14 or joined together. If the individual pieces of the suspension means 26 are joined together, they may be attached over lapped, screwed, bolted, glued, welded, bonded, taped, bound, encased, dovetailed, compressed or any combination thereof. If using an interlocking system of attachment, they may be slid together from any direction.

The skate frame suspension means 26 according to this invention can be comprised of any combination of impact resistant and or shock absorbing materials. Such exemplary materials that make up the components of the axle suspension spacer slider unit 26 include polyurethanes, metals, plastics, wood, rubber, composite materials, i.e., fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc., in combination with an appropriate resin, and ceramics. The preferred embodiment of the suspension means 26 according to this invention require the components be made out of steel, for the axle spacer slider holder 28, and polyurethane, for the axle suspension dampening spacer 30. These two components, 28 and 30, combine to create the driving mechanism in of said invention, which is the axle suspension spacer slider unit 26. As a variety of skate frame configurations are possible, the suspension means 26 for such according to this invention will be manufactured in many different variations, whether it be varying hardness's of the axle suspension dampening spacer 30 component if necessary, allowing for a mix of different hardness and response suspension means 26 as well as the lack thereof suspension means 26 for the frames 14 in desired situations. This facilitates configurations of the frame 14 where some wheel 16 positions have a suspension means 26 and some don't, allowing for unique combinations that inject an extra level of fine tuning capabilities. For example, most “aggressive” inline skaters use what is called a “anti-rocker” setup meaning the middle wheels on the frame are much smaller and harder, specifically for better executing “grinding” maneuvers, which is a situation where having a shock absorbing system on your “grinding” wheels would not be beneficial and sometimes a hindrance because they are more likely to get slowed down on an object while grinding due to the dampening aspect of the suspension means 26. In addition, the suspension means 26, may themselves be contoured to varying degrees and made of varying shapes, sizes, patterns, colors, textures, opacities, form factor, and degrees of varying hardness's.

The suspension means 26 can be positioned on the inside sidewall 15 and or outside side wall 17, or slotted underneath or above the inside sidewall 15 and or outside side wall 17 of the frame 14 or any combination. The axle suspension spacer slider unit 27 can be inserted in multiple positions by rotating it one hundred eighty degrees before attaching to the frame inside sidewall 15 or outside sidewall 17, creating multiple levels of combination of wheel 16 sizes to be used in the frame 14, although this greatly reduces if not eliminates the upwards movement of the suspension means thus not being beneficial in that regards. The axle suspension spacer slider unit 27 according to this invention can be assembled in a number of ways, such as bonding, screwing, over lapping, bolting, gluing, taping, compressing. The axle suspension spacer slider 26 can be disassembled or assembled by removing or attaching the axle suspension dampening spacer 30 from the axle spacer slider holder 28, either by pulling, pushing, or sliding it off and on in any direction when there is a cut out portion in the bottom, top, or side of the axle suspension dampening spacer 30. The axle suspension dampening spacer 30 and axle spacer slider holder 28 can be made out of any material such as plastics, metals, wood, rubber, composite materials, i.e., fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc., in combination with an appropriate resin, and ceramics.

Furthermore, the frames 14 can be any of the many styles and types of frames 14. They consist of but are not limited to “Flat Rocker”, “Anti Rocker”, “Suspension”, “Freestyle”, etc. These frames 14 can be made out of many different materials. Such materials include plastics, metals, wood, composite materials, i.e., fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc., in combination with an appropriate resin, and ceramics.

In the preferred embodiment of the instant invention, the suspension means 26 is made of three components, two piece of stainless steel metal together forming the axle spacer slider holder 28 with a polyurethane axle suspension dampening spacer 30 sandwiched in between the two metal axle spacer slider holder 28. These assembled axle suspension spacer slider units 26 are inserted into the spacer hole opening 18 through the inside sidewall 15 of the frame 14 (see FIGS. 9-10) and are then held firmly into place by the male axle 20 and female axle bolt 22, immediately after the wheel 16 has been inserted and aligned correctly in between the inside sidewalls 15 of the frame 14. The wheels 16 move upwards when they encounter uneven surfaces by compressing the resilient material component of the axle suspension spacer slider unit 26, namely the axle suspension spacer 30, against the upper wall of the spacer channel opening 18, constricted in a vertical pattern by the axle spacer slider holder 28, that prevents unwanted lateral torsional movement, and which is held in place by an in cut slotted groove 19 in the inside sidewall 15 and outside sidewall 17 of the frames. In an alternate embodiment, the suspension means 26 are also recessed into the frame sidewalls for additional protection (see FIGS. 7 and 9) from abrasions that occur during regular wear, mainly “grinding” and “stalling” maneuvers performed whilst “aggressive” inline skating.

Therefore, by the simple attachment of the suspension means 26 as described throughout in this way, the axle suspension spacer slider unit 26 can inexpensively be replaced or upgraded; this not only makes the product last longer but also gives the consumer the ability to interchange, customize, and fine tune their suspension system without having to purchase a whole new frame which can be very costly.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system modules and components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the invention. For example, the actions recited in the description can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results.

Claims

1. An interchangeable axle suspension spacer system for use with an in-line skate, wherein the skate includes a boot, a frame and a plurality of wheels, said system comprising:

an axle mounted suspension spacer slider apparatus, wherein said suspension spacer slider further comprises: a suspension dampening means; and a spacer slider tracking means;

a mounting means for joining wheels to said suspension means and to said frame of said in-line skate.

2. The axle suspension spacer slider system of claim 1, wherein said frame includes openings being surrounded by a larger in cut recessed portion, thereof that said suspension spacer slider apparatus is receivable and securable in said recessed portion during operation of said skate by a mounting system.

3. The axle suspension spacer slider system of claim 1, wherein said frame further includes an inboard side, possessing an inside and outside sidewalls, as well as an outboard side, possessing an inside and outside sidewalls, to attach the axle mounted suspension spacer slider apparatus.

4. The axle suspension spacer slider system of claim 1, wherein said spacer slider tracking means is made out of a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, plastic, metal, wood, rubber, composite materials, namely, fiberglass and carbon fiber.

5. The axle suspension spacer slider system of claim 1, wherein said axle suspension spacer slider system further comprises a removable suspension spacer slider tracking unit attachable to the wheel and inline skate means having a through bore and a central tube or liner.

6. The axle suspension spacer slider system of claim 5, wherein said removable suspension spacer slider tracking unit is attachable to said inline skate means by mounting hardware means.

7. The axle suspension spacer slider system of claim 6, wherein the shock absorbing and dampening means is made out of a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, plastic, metal, wood, rubber, composite materials, namely, fiberglass and carbon fiber.

8. The axle suspension spacer slider system of claim 5, wherein the spacer slider tracking means allows the suspension spacer slider tracking unit to move independently upwards in a fixed direction tracking path, along the larger in cut recessed portion on the sidewall of the inline skate frame means of claim 2.

9. The axle suspension spacer slider system of claim 1, wherein the frame of said skate is selected from the group consisting of flat rocker, anti-rocker, suspension and freestyle.

10. The axle suspension spacer slider system of claim 1, wherein the frame of said skate is made out of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, wood, composites, namely, fiberglass and carbon fiber.

11. The axle suspension spacer slider system of claim 6, wherein the shock absorbing and dampening means is active when it is compressed into the inboard or outboard sidewall of the inline skate frame whilst the attached wheel incorporated in the inline skate frame encounters uneven pavement.

12. The axle suspension spacer slider system of claim 6, wherein the shock absorbing and dampening means travel through a predetermined and limited path defined by an in cut recessed grooved slot present on the inboard and or outboard of an inline skate frame.

13. A method of independent axle mounted frame spacer suspension on an in-line skate frame, utilizing an interchangeable axle suspension spacer slider tracking unit creating a shock absorption and dampening apparatus, wherein certain components are compressed within an embedded wall while others allow the for restricted tracking along a determined path said shock absorption and dampening apparatus further comprises a slider spacer tracking path means, a shock absorbing means, an inline skate wheel means for distributing forces encountered by said wheel means and a mounting means, for securing said wheel and shock absorption apparatus to said frame of said in-line skate, the steps comprising:

a) selecting an axle suspension spacer slider tracking unit, possibly first

attaching said shock absorbing means to said spacer slider tracking means to create said shock absorption and dampening apparatus;

b) attaching said axle suspension spacer slider tracking unit said frame means by a insertion or attachment to said frame inboard and outboard inside and or outside sidewalls;

d) inserting said wheel means to said frame means in between the in board and outboard sidewalls of; and

e) attaching said wheel means to said frame by a mounting means, inserted through bore and a central tube or liner of said shock absorption and dampening apparatus.