Abstract: A suspension assembly for a skateboard is disclosed having a base plate with a truck plate pivotally attached at one end. A shock absorber is located between the base plate and the truck plate. A projection on the base plate protects the shock absorber and aids the rider in performing tricks. In use, a wheel truck is attached to the truck plate opposite the shock absorber. The suspension assembly provides a suspension for a skateboard which helps to protect the rider from bumps, while retaining good steering control. In another embodiment of the invention, the suspension assembly includes a base plate with a projection at each end. Each projection has a groove and a top out stop. A truck plate is biased away from the base plate by a shock absorber, with the ends of the truck plate sliding in the grooves. Also part of the invention is a skateboard incorporating a pair of suspension assemblies.

Abstract: A skate frame (20) for an in-line skate (18) having a shoe portion (22) and a plurality of longitudinally aligned wheels (24) capable of traversing a surface. The skate frame including an elongate carrier frame (70) having first and second sidewalls (52a and 52b) held in space parallel disposition by a first upper wall. The carrier frame having an open lower end spaced to receive the wheels therebetween. The skate frame also including an elongate outer shell (66) having first and second sidewalls and an open lower end. The sidewalls of the outer shell are spaced to receive the carrier frame therein, such that the sidewalls of the outer shell overlap at least a portion of the sidewalls of the carrier frame. A shear layer (68) is disposed between the carrier frame and the outer shell to absorb at least a portion of the vibrational energy transmitted from the surface to the shoe portion when the skate traverses the surface.

Abstract: A skate particularly adapted for speed contests has a foot-receiving boot hinged about a fore-foot section of the sole to a in-line wheel-mounting or blade-mounting truck so that the heel-section of the boot can be rotatively lifted away from the truck while keeping the skate is full contact with the skating surface. The boot is biased down toward the truck by a strong spring in a first embodiment of the invention, or by the resiliency of a hinge-forming web linking the boot to the truck in an alternate embodiment. A quickly set mechanism is provided to lock the boot onto the truck to turn the device into a conventional skate.

Abstract: A vibration absorbing device, particularly for use in shoes or sports implements, is constituted by a mesh which has a vertical warp and two faces, has no filling, is elastically deformable and is embedded or coated with at least one layer of plastic material which is adapted to change its deformability.

Abstract: A series of molded nylon or hard plastic pivotable wheel supports allow independent movement of each wheel. Resilient elastomeric shock absorbing bumpers are positioned between the wheel supports and the mounting plate attached to the sole of the skate boot. In the alternate embodiment a front and a back wheel support or truck are each attached to the sole plate by a bolt attached between holes in front and back side flanges extending downwardly from the sole plate, which holes may be slotted vertically and horizontally for greater movement. A rigid truck link interconnects the two trucks at pivot points which may coincide with inner wheel axle holes in the trucks. Each truck supports an outer wheel and preferably one inner wheel. A wedge-shaped compression bumper fits in a V-shaped cradle in each truck. Each bumper is compressed against the sole plate as each wheel encounters a bump and is elevated to pivot the truck.

Abstract: Skates with in-line wheels, each comprising a supporting structure to which supports are connected for a plurality of wheels, wherein at least one of the central wheels is coupled to the supporting structure so that it can change the level of its rotation axis.

Abstract: A skate which includes a shoe having a first frame and a second frame for supporting one or more wheels. The first frame and the second frame, or the sole of the shoe, are articulated in a region which lies approximately below the metatarsus of the foot in order to allow better flexing. An adjustable fork is also provided between the first frame and the sole and is adapted to force the planar arrangement of the shoe once thrusting has ended.

Abstract: A suspension system for use with inline skates. The suspension system employs a mounting bracket that supports a flex beam on a left side and a flex beam on a right side of the mounting bracket. Downwardly extending tabs formed at the ends of the flex beams are each connected to an axle on which one of a plurality of wheels is supported. In a preferred embodiment, four inline wheels are connected to the flex beams, such that the first and third wheels are attached to one flex beam and the second and fourth wheels are attached to the other flex beam. This configuration allows the end of each flex beam and the wheel mounted thereon to deflect vertically as well as laterally and about a longitudinal axis of the flex beam. An independent suspension system is thus provided for each wheel. The ends of the flex beams are tapered (in thickness) to control the resiliency of the flex beams.