Abstract: A wheel assembly, and a method and apparatus for fabricating the same, are disclosed. The wheel assembly includes an annular bearing hub and an annular tread layer of thermoplastic elastomeric material, such as a copolyester polymer elastomer material, about the bearing hub. The tread layer has an initial free radial thickness. The material is such that upon being radially compressed at least thirty percent of its initial radial thickness the material will retain a substantial portion of the thickness reduction after being compressed. The method and apparatus include applying a radial force by means of a cone-shaped wedge member from within the tread layer while the outer periphery of the tread layer is radially contained, the radially applied force being sufficient to compress the tread layer at least thirty percent of its initial radial thickness. The bearing hub is moved axially into the compressed annular tread layer immediately behind the cone-shaped wedge member.

Abstract: A method of molding an integrated bearing and resilient wheel structure, for a roller skate or the like, and a resulting product having a single bearing. The bearing of the wheel has a centering surface aligned with the bearing axis and exposed for engagement by a mold. The mold defines the shape of the wheel, including its cylindrical running surface, and includes a centering surface that is centered on the running surface of the wheel and is exposed to engage the bearing. The relative position of the centering surfaces of the mold and bearing are so related that, when the surfaces are interengaged, mold spaces extend from oppositely axially directed surfaces of the rotary bearing part. The mold and bearing centering surfaces are engaged to produce centering, and, while shielding the space between the rotary and stationary parts of the bearing from entry of fluid, the mold is filled with a charge of fluid resin.

Abstract: A roller disc assembly is provided comprising a stationary disc platform beneath which is rotatably mounted a disc wheel, said wheel having at least partially a flat bottom surface. A ball bearing ring is sandwiched between said disc platform and wheel, the combination held together by a bolt fitted through a tubular channel bored perpendicular to the roller disc assembly. Furthermore, a skate is provided comprising a foot supporting member and the roller disc assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the skate is additionally fitted with a ball bearing caster mounted beneath the toe area of the foot supporting member.

Abstract: A roller skate wheel assembly is disclosed comprising a skate axle subassembly and a detachable skate wheel with the subassembly having an anti-friction bearing unit securely mounted on the axle and the skate wheel having a hub portion with an annular insert to snugly receive the bearing unit and a detachable locking ring to engage the wheel insert and secure the skate wheel to the bearing unit.

Abstract: This is a new structure relating the wheel hub and spoke assembly, in which some portion of the spoke is bent, and the two hook-shaped bent ends of the spoke are to be hooked into the two adjacent rectangular holes on the wheel rim. The parallel elbow portions of the spoke are to be mounted inside the corresponding open slots on the wheel hub. The spokes are to be tightly pulled between the wheel hub and the wheel rim by means of the cylinder.

Abstract: A skate wheel cover has a cover member and a tubular sleeve depending from the back of the cover member. A roller skate wheel is rotatably mounted on an axle by a bearing assembly. The wheel is secured to the axle by a nut threadably received on the end of the axle. The nut and threaded end of the axle extend into the exposed wheel well of the skate wheel. The tubular sleeve of the skate wheel cover is inserted onto the nut in an interferance fit relationship to frictionally secure the skate wheel cover to the axle, with the cover member being installed over the wheel well area to improve the appearance of the skate, and to partially seal the bearing assembly from dirt and debris.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ground engaging member for use in hand or gravity powered vehicles such as hand-trucks, trolleys, push-chairs, bicycles, roller-skates, bobcats, grass-skis and amphibious craft and the like, made of a moulded plastics ball. Incorporated in the ball-like member are two diametrically opposite sockets each accommodating a bearing. Each bearing is arranged to accomodate a vehicle axle assembly. The bearing housing and the socket are correspondingly tapered inwardly so that the bearing housing may be pushed into the socket until it is gripped fully by the walls of the socket, and the socket depth is arranged to be greater than the length of the bearing housing.

Abstract: A hub assembly for roller skates having a flanged hub with a cylindrical body portion, a flat ring, and a hub plug. The body portion of the hub has a concentric molded opening therein with the ring end thereof adapted to be forced onto the axle nut of a roller skate wheel. The flat ring is disposed over the hub body against the inner surface of the flange so as to permit a plurality of projections on the inside face of the ring to form a frictional connection to the side wall of the wheel, such that rotation of the wheel causes the ring to rotate with the hub acting as a bearing. The hub plug is inserted in the outer end of the hub opening thereby giving a finished appearance. The assembly is preferably of a nylon plastic impregnated with phosphorescent or fluorescent dyes such that the assembly will glow in bright colors under ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A two-piece longitudinally adjustable roller skate has a pair of support axles resiliently mounted to it. Each axis is mounted for pivotal movement about a transverse axis. The axes are downwardly converging about the middle of the skate so that pressure to one side or the other will cause the inner ends of the axles to move together, thus causing automatic turning of the skate. Each axle mounts a pair of spherical wheels. Each wheel includes an internal bearing having a single inner and a single outer race formed within the wheel. Each axle extends through an axle carrier which mounts the axle and the pair of wheels is mounted on the ends of an axle which extend out of the associated axle carrier. The bearings in the wheels abut the axle carrier and are held in place by nuts attached to the axle ends.

Abstract: A skate has a wheel rotatably mounted on an axle with a light emitting element mounted on the wheel for making the wheel illuminative when an electrical potential is applied to the light emitting element. The electrical potential can be supplied by a battery installed within the wheel through a switch which can be actuated by rotating a cap movably mounted on the hub of the wheel or contacts actuated by centrifugal force upon rotation of the wheel. The rotor and stator of an electrical generator can be mounted on the axle and wheel to generate the electrical potential in an embodiment which does not require a battery.

Abstract: A roller skate wheel has an inner body portion for securement to the axle of the roller skate and an outer body rotatable about the inner body on appropriate bearings. A permanent magnet is secured to the inner body in flux coupling relationship with electrically conducting windings carried on the outer body. When the wheel rotates, electricity is generated on the windings and used to energize light emitting diodes carried on the outer body of the wheels. The generated electricity is of the alternating type and since the light emitting diodes are essentially polarity-sensitive, they will be energized on only positive half cycles of the current to thereby provide a flashing or stroboscopic effect.

Abstract: A wheel for a skating apparatus is operably carried on a truck so as to selectively rotate in a given direction or in both directions. A bearing assembly rotatably mounts the wheel on one end of an axle outwardly projecting from a skate truck. The bearing assembly includes a pair of races between which bearings are rollably disposed. An adjustable bearing assembly is operably coupled between the opposing surfaces of the truck and the inside of the wheel. Bearings in this latter assembly are rollable in a circular cage having the bearing surfaces engagable with a flat raceway carried on the truck wherein the wheel rotates in a first direction when the bearing engages with a circular portion of an eccentric and ceases rotation when the bearing engages with a flattened ramp portion of the eccentric. In an alternate embodiment the first mentioned bearing assembly includes the eccentric raceway on one side of the cage holding the bearings and the flat surface race on the opposite side.

Abstract: Roller skates which utilize a single row of narrow wheels to support each skate include housings in a blade-like support for the skate wheels. A friction plate or bar is disposed along the side of the support and is dragged along the skating surface to stop movement of the skate. A plasticly deformable pivot is mounted at each end of the blade-like support to permit spinning movement thereon.

Abstract: A wheel construction comprising a bearing and a mantle circumscribing the bearing made of a given material, and a reinforcing ring of a material harder than the mantle which is embedded therein, the reinforcing ring having a circumferentially extending flexible protrusion extending beyond at least one axial end face of the bearing at one side of the wheel.

Abstract: A hub or body portion of a skate wheel assembly is supported on an axle through the medium of spaced bearings which provide good support for the hub. The hub is flanged and also has a tongue and groove connection with the tire to hold the tire on and in addition to uniformly distribute stresses therebetween. The tire is removably supported on the hub portion for easy replacement or for substitution of another type of tire, and the parts in one embodiment are constructed and arranged also such that the tire can be reversed end for end. Some embodiments of the invention have an internal construction providing three bearing support of the hub on a wheel spindle.

Abstract: The wheels for roller skates and the like in accordance with the present invention comprise wheel bodies which have sockets provided at right and left ends of the wheel bodies and communicated through center holes with a diameter smaller than that of the sockets, two ball bearings mounted on the wheel bodies and elastic pipes inserted into the center holes, wherein two ball bearings are made with a construction in which steel balls are provided between the inner ring provided with a flange on its outer periphery and the outer ring provided with a flange on its inner periphery and these flanges are concentrically fitted in opposed position and mounted onto the outer peripheries of the flanges of the outer and inner rings, and the ends of a hub of the inner ring is fitted into the right and left sockets of the wheel bodies while being kept contact with the ends of the elastic pipes, thereby the wheels are suited to prevent backlash due to wear and tear of steel balls and outer and inner rings resulting from any

Abstract: A roller skate wheel for roller skate, or skateboard use, is provided which is formed of an appropriate yieldable plastic material, such as polyurethane, or other suitable material, which is hard but not brittle, and which will deform when subjected to an impact force. Moreover, the plastic material is such that it will instantly restore itself to its original shape after the force has been removed, and it will not acquire a permanent set in a deformed condition. In accordance with the invention, the gripping capabilities of the wheel are enhanced by the provision of a plurality of spaced peripheral grooves in the rim of the wheel, which form a corresponding plurality of peripheral ribs. A pair of side grooves are also provided in the rim of the wheel adjacent to the peripheral surface to permit the end ribs to bend outwardly and improve the grip of the wheel, especially during turning or cornering.

Abstract: A skateboard comprises an elongated platform and at least one pair of wheels secured to and positioned beneath the platform. The wheels are axially spaced apart from each other along a common axis transverse to the longitudinal center line of the platform. Each wheel defines a circular cylindrical tread surface where the axially inner edge and the axially outer edge of the cylindrical tread surface have a radius of from about 1/8to about 1/2 inch.

Abstract: A pair of rollers for roller-skates comprising a hollow mandrel equipped with a projection for attachment to a shoe support. Said mandrel is fixed in rotation and has, at each extremity, a ball-bearing carried on a rotary spindle and held axially by resilient washers. The rotary spindle extends, at each end, beyond the extremities of the mandrel and has rollers mounted on it and held axially by washers, ensuring watertightness, and a lateral support ring. The mandrel has a valve halfway between its extremities.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a skateboard or the like, the wheel assembly having a cylindrical hub with a central aperture having a bearing receiving end and an internally threaded end. A tire having a central aperture with a main portion and an enlarged recess adjacent one end thereof, the main portion and the outer surface of the hub being matingly configured to prevent relative rotation therebetween with the tire mounted on the hub. A hub cap is provided with a threaded body for matingly engaging the internally threaded end of the hub, and a cap portion configured for being received within the recess of the tire, the outer periphery of the cap portion and the inner periphery of the recess being matingly configured with coacting ridges and detents so that upon securing the wheel to the hub the hub cap is prevented from loosening.

Abstract: An improved trolley wheel assembly and method therefor. The assembly is useful in conveyor applications especially where sanitary conditions must be maintained such as in the food processing industry. The assembly has high load bearing capabilities and includes an antifriction plastic wheel extending about a pair of annular, metallic outer bearing race rings positioned back to back within a central opening of the wheel. The wheel extends around edges of the rings to maintain their axial positions and extends into recesses in the rings to prevent wear-producing rotation between the rings and wheel. The method includes prepositioning the rings in back-to-back alignment and placing or forming by molding the wheel therearound.

Abstract: A roller skate wheel is disclosed having a plastic body portion with a central axial bore into which is received precision bearing units. The bearing units are received on the axle of a wheel truck and the wheel is provided with a substantial outward overhanging portion from the bearings which is formed with a series of tapered counterbores, which provide superior gripping of the surface on which the wheel engages.

Abstract: Globular rollers are provided herein. The rollers include one globular or two semi-globular segments of rigid structurally strong material. If it is formed of two semi-globular segments, one of the semi-globular segments is provided with a male flange, and the other of the semi-globular segments is provided with a female recess. The two semi-globular segments are joined at the male flange/female recess seam. Whether it is formed of one globular or two semi-globular segments, a resilient material is coated thereon, and, if necessary permanently joining the two semi-globular segments together. The roller is also provided with a pair of diametrically opposed, aligned apertures or identations disposed within a pair of diametrically opposed flattened chords of the globular rollers. The apertures or indentations are preferably provided with bearing surfaces, e.g. ball bearings or rollers bearings.

Abstract: A wheel construction having a wheel with an axially extending hold therethrough and having a first diameter. A preassembled bearing housing having a second diameter less than the first diameter is located inside the hole of the wheel. The axis of the bearing housing is concentric with the outside diameter of the wheel. The difference between the first and second diameters defines a spacing therebetween. A moldable synthetic resin material fills the aforesaid spacing and effects a securement of the bearing housing to the wheel.

Abstract: A pair of roller wheel assemblies that are secured in longitudinally spaced relationship to an elongate platform of a skateboard. Each assembly includes a first centrally disposed resilient roller wheel and a pair of indepndently rotatable second rollers of generally frusto-conical shape situated on opposite sides of the first roller wheel. When the skateboard is guided in a straight path by a user the major portion of his weight is supported by the first roller wheels, and there is a minimum tendency for the skateboard to slow down in coasting. However, when the platform is tilted transversely by a user to guide the skateboard in a curved path, one of the second rollers is forced into rotatable frictional contact with the supporting surface to prevent the skateboard slipping relative to the latter.

Abstract: A heat dissipating skateboard wheel assembly on which an elongate cylindrical tire formed from an elastomeric material is so supported that when the tire is subjected to axially directed forces of substantial magnitude, the end portions of the tire will not tend to cold flow, but will instead temporarily deform into circular confined spaces defined on the assembly. The external surface of the tire preferably has circumferentially and axially spaced grooves extending thereinto, with the grooves cooperating to define a number of independently deformable islands therebetween. The islands, as they sequentially roll into pressure contact with a flat supporting surface deform three-dimensionally due to the combined weight of the skateboard and user to which they are subjected. The islands, as they so deform, are forced into maximum surface frictional contact with the supporting surface, and the skateboard is accordingly less inclined to slip laterally when the user of the skateboard is negotiating a sharp curve.

Abstract: The specification discloses a multipiece assembly forming a race for a bearing assembly including a resilient retainer located between mating first and second race-forming members for retaining said members together. The retainer provides simplified assembly and secure retention of the members and allows the members to be tightened together such that they function as an integral unit. In the preferred form, the retainer is a resilient, memory-retaining, split-ring clip received completely internally within the assembly in registering grooves in the mating first and second members of a raceway assembly for a bearing, especially an inner raceway assembly.

Abstract: A self-aligning wheel mounting structure is disclosed of the type including a supporting axle shaft, an annular tread portion, and a bearing assembly mounted on the axle shaft for permitting the tread portion to make rolling engagement against a load bearing surface. Advantageously, the bearing assembly is limitedly permitted to rock on the axle shaft for improved self-aligning force transmission between the axle shaft, the bearing assembly, the tread portion, and the load bearing surface.

Abstract: A novel roller skating device includes the combination of a boot having the general appearance of an ice skate boot, including a rear section adjacent the region of the tibia extending beyond the region of the Achilles tendon. The rear section extends along the sides of the boot and curvingly projects above the region of the malleoli. An additional section of the boot surface follows the region of the instep, from a section abutting the rear section, in order to provide rows of lace accepting holes. The rows of lace accepting holes end just above the region of the toe joints. The skating device includes a front roller assembly secured to the toe portion area of the boot, and a rear roller assembly secured to the heel portion area of the boot.

Abstract: A skateboard wheel includes a roller body consisting of a solid piece of resilient plastic formed with cooling bores passing therethrough. At one end region the roller body is formed with an enlarged recess with which the cooling bores communicate. In this recess the roller body has reinforcing fins intergral with the roller body, situated in planes which contain the axis of the roller body, and distributed about this axis.

Abstract: A roller skate, of the type of two-rollers, wherein two substantially spherical rotary elements are rotatably mounted on a support or chassis along its longitudinal axis, to give the feeling of ice skating to users.

Abstract: A bearing and support structure for a speed racing roller skate including a support plate, a truck projecting downwardly from the center of the support plate, an axle projecting laterally and horizontally from the truck and extending into a cylindrical bearing sleeve. The cylindrical bearing sleeve is provided with an internal annular bearing spacer flange intermediate its ends, and a first ball bearing assembly is disposed around the axle within the sleeve and adjacent the annular spacer flange. A second ball bearing assembly is disposed inside the sleeve adjacent the spacer flange arouund the axle and on theopposite side of the spacer flange from the first bearing assembly. A nut is threaded on the end of the axle to retain the bearings and sleeve in concentric position around the axle, and at a particular axial position thereon. A wooden wheel concentrically surrounds, and is bonded to, the cylindrical sleeve.