Patent Application
20240181328
The present application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 115,591,217, filed Jan. 13, 2023, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202211524417.9, filed Dec. 1, 2022.
The present disclosure relates generally to modular skate systems. In particular, the disclosure relates to a length adjustable roller skate and a modular skate system.
The prior art includes skates and other articles that are worn on the feet of a user to provide alternative modes of transportation in a variety of recreational applications. Roller skates are one such type of skate that is common in recreational activities, such as skating and rollerblading, and ice skating. Roller skates are typically comprised of a roller skate body, two-wheel assemblies (front and rear), and a support surface on which a user's feet are placed. The support surface and wheel assemblies can be configured in a variety of ways to facilitate different types of skating activities. In-line skates, also known as Rollerblades™, are a popular type of roller skate. In-line skates typically include three, four or five small wheels arranged in a single line, and a boot or shoe that fits over the user's foot. This type of roller skate is designed to provide a smooth and efficient ride and is often used for recreational activities such as skating in the park or down a street. In recent years, there has been an increase in the popularity of modular roller skates. These skates can be configured in various ways, allowing the user to customize their experience. Examples of some of these configurations include removable rear wheels, interchangeable modular roller skates and ice skates, and interchangeable modular roller skates and cross-country ski/snowshoe. Length-adjustable roller skates are another type of roller skate that have become popular in recent years. These skates are designed to provide adjustable sizes for users of different feet sizes. One shortcoming of existing length-adjustable skate design is that most of these designs limit the size of the skate to be varied between only a couple of positions. It is also common for these eexisting length-adjustable design to be formed with a “boot” structure to hold a user's foot. These boot type structures can only vary in size, after which the structure of boot limits the extent to which boot can be made to expand and retract.
According to an aspect, there is provided a length-adjustable roller skate, comprising: a front foot support structure including a front sole surface, a front wheel assembly and a first connector element, a rear foot support structure including a rear sole surface, a rear wheel assembly, and a second connector element that is shaped to releasably connect to the first connector element for movably connecting the front foot support structure and the rear foot support structure, the first connector element and second connector element movably connecting the front and rear foot support structures such that a distance between the front sole surface and the rear sole surface can be increased by moving the front foot support structure in a first direction relative to the rear foot support structure and such that a distance between the front sole surface and the rear sole surface can be decreased by moving the front foot support structure in a second direction relative to the rear foot support structure, the second direction being opposite the first direction, an adjustment actuator that is movably mounted to one of the front foot support structure and the rear foot support structure for moving between a disengaged position and an engaged position where the adjustment actuator releasably fixes a relative position of the front foot support structure and rear foot support structure, at least one adjustable front securing element that is connected to the front foot support structure, and at least one rear securing element that is connected to the rear foot support structure and is separate from the front securing element, the at least one front and rear securing elements being formed for collectively, releasably holding a footwear of a user against a support surface that is at least in part defined by the front sole surface and the rear sole surface.
In an embodiment, the at least one front securing element of the length-adjustable roller skate includes a plurality of front securing straps that are connected to the front foot support structure and extend over the front sole surface for releasably attaching the footwear of a user to the front sole surface, and wherein the at least one rear securing element includes a plurality of rear securing straps that are connected to the rear foot support structure and extend over the rear sole surface for releasably attaching the footwear of a user to the rear sole surface.
In an embodiment, the first connector element of the length-adjustable roller skate includes first and second parallel bars that extend from a first end of the front foot support structure, substantially parallel to a long axis of the front foot support structure, wherein the second connector element includes a pair of parallel channels that extend from an outer surface of the rear foot support structure along a length thereof, and wherein the pair of parallel channels are shaped to slidably receive the first and second parallel bars therewithin for movably connecting the front and rear foot support structures.
In an embodiment, one of the first and second parallel bars of the length-adjustable roller skate includes a plurality of ratchet teeth formed along a length thereof, the adjustment actuator is movably mounted on the rear foot support structure, and the adjustment actuator is positioned on the rear foot support structure such that when the adjustment actuator is in the engaged position, the adjustment actuator engages at least one of the plurality of ratchet teeth for releasably fixing a position of the front foot support structure relative to the rear foot support structure.
In an embodiment, the front foot support structure, rear foot support structure and plurality of ratchet teeth are formed such that the front foot support structure can be releasably fixed in one of at least four different positions relative to the rear foot support structure.
In an embodiment, one of the pair of receiving channels includes a plurality of ratchet teeth formed along a length thereof, wherein the adjustment actuator is movably mounted on the front foot support structure, and wherein the adjustment actuator is positioned on the front foot support structure such that when the adjustment actuator is in the engaged position, the adjustment actuator engages at least one of the plurality of ratchet teeth for releasably fixing the front foot support structure relative to the rear foot support structure.
In an embodiment, the of the length-adjustable roller skate further comprises a biasing member that is connected to the adjustment actuator and to the one of the front foot support structure and rear foot support structure for biasing the adjustment actuator towards the engaged position.
In an embodiment, each of the plurality of ratchet teeth of the length-adjustable roller skate include a first side that is disposed at a first angle relative to a long axis of the first parallel bar and a second side that is disposed at a second angle relative to the long axis of the first engagement bar, the first angle of the first side being sized such that when the adjustment actuator is in the engaged position, the front foot support structure is prevented from moving in the first direction relative to the rear foot support structure, and the second angle of the second side being sized such that when the adjustment actuator is in the engaged position, the front foot support structure is movable in the second direction relative to the rear foot support structure.
In an embodiment, the second side of each of the plurality of ratchet teeth is located on a rearward side of each of the plurality of teeth.
In an embodiment, each channel of the pair of parallel channels of the length-adjustable roller skate includes a groove that is formed on an interior surface of the channel and that extends along the length of the channel, wherein the first and second bars each include a tenon that is formed on a side wall thereof and that extends along a length thereof, and wherein the tenons of the first and second bars are sized to be received within the grooves of the pair of parallel channels as the first and second bars are slidably inserted into the pair of parallel channels.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a modular roller skate, comprising: a skate body including a sole support surface and at least one of adjustable securing element for releasably holding a footwear of a user against the sole support surface, a permanent front wheel assembly including a front wheel support formed on a front wheel support structure of the skate body, and a front wheel that is rotatably mounted to the front wheel support, a removable rear wheel assembly including a rear wheel support, and a pair of rear wheels that are rotatably mounted to the rear wheel support, and which are laterally spaced apart rear wheel support for laterally stabilizing the skate body in a lateral-vertical plane, an engagement structure that is formed for releasably mounting the removable rear wheel assembly to the skate body such that a rotational axis of the pair of rear wheels is parallel to the rotational axis of the at least one front wheel.
In an embodiment, the engagement structure of the modular roller skate includes a receiving cavity that is formed in one of the skate body and the removable rear wheel assembly and that extends inwards from a first outer surface of the one of the skate body and the removable rear wheel assembly, a through-aperture that extends between the receiving cavity and a second outer surface of the one of the skate body and the removable rear wheel assembly, and an engagement projection that is formed in the other of the skate body and the removable rear wheel assembly and that extends out from the other of the skate body and removable rear wheel assembly is sized to be releasably received in the receiving cavity.
In an embodiment, the at least one adjustable securing element of the modular roller skate includes a plurality of adjustable securing straps, wherein each of the plurality of adjustable securing straps are connected to first and second sections of the skate body that are disposed on opposing sides of the sole support surface such that each of the plurality of adjustable securing straps extends across the sole support surface.
In an embodiment, the engagement projection of the modular roller skate includes an engagement button that is sized to be received in the through-aperture, and that is movable between an unactuated and an actuated position, the engagement button including at least one internal biasing element for internally biasing the engagement button towards the unactuated position, and the at least one internal biasing element being connected within the engagement button such as the engagement projection is inserted in the receiving cavity, the engagement button will be driven towards the actuated position, and such that as the engagement projection is fully inserted in the receiving cavity and the engagement button becomes aligned with the through-aperture, the engagement button will move from the actuated to the unactuated position for releasably locking the engagement projection with the receiving cavity.
In an embodiment, the engagement button of the modular roller skate has a generally cylindrical form, and a top surface of the engagement button includes a first portion that is formed as a flat, semi-cylindrical face, and a second portion that is formed as an angled semi-cylindrical face that extends down at an acute angle relative to the first portion of the top surface.
In an embodiment, the engagement button of the modular roller skate is oriented on the engagement projection such that when the engagement projection is inserted into the receiving cavity, the second portion of the top surface will abut an edge of the receiving cavity for driving the engagement button towards the actuated position.
In an embodiment, the engagement projection of the modular roller skate includes a receiving aperture formed on a surface thereof, and wherein the engagement button is movably retained within the receiving aperture for moving between the actuated and unactuated positions.
In an embodiment, the at least one internal biasing element is connected between the receiving aperture and the engagement button for biasing the engagement button towards the unactuated position.
In an embodiment, the engagement button includes a pair of diametrically opposed tabs that extend radially outward from a radial wall of the engagement button.
In an embodiment, the receiving aperture of the modular roller skate includes a pair of diametrically opposed slots extending along a vertical length of the receiving aperture, wherein each of the pair of diametrically opposed slots includes an upper slot section and a lower slot section, the pair of diametrically opposed slots being formed such that when the engagement button is in the unactuated position, the pair of diametrically opposed tabs are disposed in the lower slot section and when the engagement button is in the actuated position, the pair of diametrically opposed tabs are disposed in the upper slot section, and wherein the upper slot sections of the pair of diametrically opposed slots include a retaining wall for contacting the pair of diametrically opposed tabs so as to prevent any rotation of the engagement button relative to the receiving aperture.
In an embodiment, the receiving aperture of the modular roller skate is formed on a bottom surface of the skate body, and each of the pair of diametrically opposed slots is formed in a side wall of the receiving aperture.
In an embodiment, each of the pair of diametrically opposed slots is formed at a first angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the skate body.
In an embodiment, each slot of the pair of diametrically opposed slots further comprises an insertion slot that is connected to the upper slot section of the slot, wherein each insertion slot extends from the upper slot section of the slot to the bottom surface of the skate body, and where each insertion slot is shaped to receive one of pair of diametrically opposed tabs so as to permit the removal of the engagement button from the receiving aperture.
In an embodiment, each insertion slot of the modular roller skate is formed at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the skate body, the second angle being in a direction opposite the first angle.
In an embodiment, the skate body of the modular roller skate is a multi-part skate body that includes a front foot support structure and a rear foot support structure.
According to an additional aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a modular skate kit for selectably providing a roller skate and an ice skate, the modular skate kit comprising: a skate body including a sole support surface, a plurality of securing elements for releasably attaching a footwear of a user to the sole support surface, a first mounting element, and a front wheel assembly that is formed on a front wheel support structure of the skate body and that includes at least one front wheel, a removable rear wheel assembly including a rear wheel support, a pair of rear wheels that are rotatably mounted on the rear wheel support, and a second mounting element that is formed to be connected to the first mounting element for releasably mounting the rear wheel support to the skate body so as to form a roller skate, a rear ice-skate support including at least one rear ice skate blade connected to one end thereof, and a third mounting element formed on an opposing end thereof, the third mounting element being formed to be releasably connected to the first mounting element for releasably mounting the rear-ice-skate support to the skate body, and a front ice-skate support including at least one front ice skate blade and at least one support frame that is releasably mountable to the front wheel support structure of the skate body, so as to form an ice skate, wherein the first mounting element is formed to interchangeably connect to one of the second mounting element of the rear wheel support and the third mounting element of the rear ice-skate.
In an embodiment, the first mounting element of the skate body includes one of a receiving cavity and an engagement projection, the second mounting element of the rear wheel support including the other of the receiving cavity and the engagement projection, the third mounting element including the other of the receiving cavity and the engagement projection, and the engagement projection being sized to be releasably received in the receiving cavity.
In an embodiment, the first mounting element of the modular skate kit includes the receiving cavity, where the receiving cavity extends inwards from a surface on a rear wheel support structure of the skate body, wherein the second and third mounting elements each include the engagement projection, and wherein the skate body further includes an aperture that extends between the receiving cavity and a surface of the skate body.
In an embodiment, the engagement projection of each of the second and third mounting elements includes an engagement button that is sized to be received in the aperture and that is movable between an unactuated and an actuated position, wherein the engagement button includes at least one internal biasing element for internally biasing the engagement button towards the unactuated position, and wherein the at least one internal biasing element is connected within the engagement button such that as the engagement projection is inserted in the receiving cavity, the engagement button will be driven towards the actuated position, and as the engagement projection is fully inserted in the receiving cavity and the engagement button becomes aligned with the aperture of the skate body, the engagement button will move from the actuated to the unactuated position for releasably locking the engagement projection with the receiving cavity.
In an embodiment, the engagement projection of the modular skate kit includes a receiving aperture formed on a surface thereof, where the engagement button is movably retained within the receiving aperture for moving between the actuated and unactuated positions.
In an embodiment, biasing member of the modular skate kit is connected between the receiving aperture and the engagement button for biasing the engagement button towards the unactuated position.
In an embodiment, the front wheel assembly of the modular skate kit includes a pair of front wheel bores that are formed in the skate body on either side of the at least one front wheel, wherein the support frame includes a pair of projections that are formed to be releasably connected into the pair of front wheel bores on either side of the at least one front wheel.
In an embodiment, the skate body of the modular skate kit is a multi-part skate body that includes a front foot support structure and a rear foot support structure.
According to an additional aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a modular skate system for selectably providing both a rolling and non-rolling manner of travel, and comprising: a skate body including a sole support surface, a plurality of securing elements for releasably attaching the footwear of a user to the sole support surface, a front wheel assembly that is formed on a front wheel support structure of the skate body and includes at least one front wheel, and a first mounting element, the first mounting element being formed to interchangeably connect to one of a rear wheel assembly and a rear support member, the rear wheel assembly including a rear support body, a pair of rear wheels that are rotatably mounted on the rear support body, and a second mounting element that is formed to be releasably connected to the first mounting element for releasably mounting the rear wheel support to the skate body such that a rotational axis of the pair of rear wheels is parallel to a rotational axis of the at least one front wheel, and the rear support member including a first end and a second end that includes a third mounting element, the third mounting element being formed to be releasably connected to the first connector element for releasably mounting the rear support member to the skate body, so as to form a rolling manner of travel, and a secondary travel assembly that is structured for supporting the skate body and providing a non-rolling manner of travel to the multi-functional skate, the secondary travel assembly including: a front connector that is releasably connectable to the at least one front wheel of the skate body for pivotably mounting the skate body on the secondary travel assembly, a rear connector that includes at least one engagement surface for separably supporting the rear support member, the at least one engagement surface being formed to inhibit lateral movement of the rear support member when the second end of the rear support member is supported on the at least one engagement surface, so as to form a non-rolling manner of travel.
In an embodiment, the at least one engagement surface of the modular skate system is positioned for separably supporting the first end of the rear support member such that when the front wheel support structure of the skate body is pivotably mounted to the front connector, the first end of the rear support member can be separated from the at least one engagement surface by pivoting the skate body relative to the secondary travel assembly.
In an embodiment, the front connector of the modular skate system is formed for pivotably mounting the skate body to the secondary travel assembly such that the skate body can pivot about a rotational axis of the at least one front wheel, relative to the secondary travel assembly.
In an embodiment, the first mounting element of the modular skate system includes a receiving cavity, wherein the second mounting element includes a first engagement projection that extends from the rear wheel support and is formed to be releasably secured within the receiving cavity such that a rotational axis of the pair of rear wheels is parallel to the rotational axis of the at least one front wheel, and wherein the third mounting element includes a second engagement projection that extends from the second end of the rear support members is and formed to be releasably secured within the receiving cavity.
In an embodiment, the secondary travel assembly of the modular skate system includes an elongated supporting element having a form of a ski.
In an embodiment, the secondary travel assembly of the modular skate system is formed as a snowshoe.
In an embodiment, the secondary travel assembly of the modular skate system includes a top surface and a substantially planar bottom surface, and wherein the front and rear connectors are formed on the top surface of the secondary travel assembly.
In an embodiment, the secondary travel assembly of the modular skate system includes a support body that extends upwards the top surface of the secondary travel assembly, and wherein the engagement surface is formed on the support body.
In an embodiment, the at least one engagement surface of the support body includes a pair of parallel, partial cylinder members that extend along a longitudinal axis of the secondary travel assembly, and wherein each of the partial cylinder members of the support body is formed as a tapering cylinder member such that a height of each partial cylinder member at a frontmost extent of the partial cylinder members is less than a height of each partial cylinder member at a rearmost extent of the partial cylinder members.
In an embodiment, the second end of the rear support member includes a pair of parallel channels with a shape that is complementary to a shape of the pair of partial cylinder members such that the first end of the rear support member can be slidably engaged upon the pair of partial cylinder members for preventing lateral movement of the rear support member thereon.
In an embodiment, the front wheel assembly of the modular skate system includes a pair of support arms that projects outward from along the front wheel support structure of the skate body, and wherein the at least one front wheel is rotatably mounted between the pair of supports.
In an embodiment, the front wheel assembly of the modular skate system includes a pair of front wheel well bores that are formed in the skate body on either side of the at least one front wheel, and wherein the front connector of the secondary travel assembly includes a pair of projections that are formed to be releasably connected into the pair of front wheel well bores, on either side of the at least one front wheel.
In an embodiment, the front connector of the secondary travel assembly includes a connector body with at least one wheel receiving channel formed therein for receiving the at least one front wheel, and at least one wheel securing strap for releasably fixing the at least one front wheel within the at least one receiving channel.
According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a modular skate system for selectably providing both a rolling and non-rolling manner of travel, and comprising: a front foot support structure including a front sole surface, a front wheel assembly and a first connector element, a rear foot support structure including a rear sole surface, a first mounting element, and a second connector element that is shaped to releasably connect to the first connector element for movably connecting the front foot support structure and the rear foot support structure, the first mounting element being formed to interchangeably connect to one of a rear wheel support and a rear support member, the rear wheel support including a truck body, a pair of rear wheels that are rotatably mounted on the truck body, and a second mounting element that is formed to be releasably connected to the first mounting element for releasably mounting the rear wheel support to the skate body, and the rear support member including a first end, and a second end that includes a third mounting element, the third mounting element being releasably connectable to the first mounting element for releasably mounting the rear support member to the skate body, a secondary travel assembly that is structured for supporting the skate body and providing a non-rolling manner of travel to the multi-functional skate, the secondary travel assembly including: a front connector that is releasably connectable to the front wheel support structure of the skate body for mounting the front wheel support structure of the skate body on the secondary travel assembly, and a rear connector that includes at least one engagement surface for supporting the first end of the rear support member thereon, wherein the at least one engagement surface is formed for slidably supporting the first end of the rear support member such that when rear foot support structure is moved relative to the front foot support structure, the first end of the rear support member will move along the at least on engagement surface for supporting the rear foot support structure.
In an embodiment, the at least one engagement surface of the modular skate system is formed to prevent lateral movement of the rear support member when the second end of the rear support member is support on the at least one engagement surface.
Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment or embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.
Various terms used throughout the present description may be read and understood as follows, unless the context indicates otherwise: “or” as used throughout is inclusive, as though written “and/or”; singular articles and pronouns as used throughout include their plural forms, and vice versa; similarly, gendered pronouns include their counterpart pronouns so that pronouns should not be understood as limiting anything described herein to use, implementation, performance, etc. by a single gender; “exemplary” should be understood as “illustrative” or “exemplifying” and not necessarily as “preferred” over other embodiments. Further definitions for terms may be set out herein; these may apply to prior and subsequent instances of those terms, as will be understood from a reading of the present description. It will also be noted that the use of the term “a” or “an” will be understood to denote “at least one” in all instances unless explicitly stated otherwise or unless it would be understood to be obvious that it must mean “one”.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.
The embodiments of the disclosure described herein are exemplary (e.g., in terms of materials, shapes, dimensions, and constructional details) and do not limit by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the following examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope of the disclosure, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto.
Referring to
In an embodiment, the at least one securing element 106 includes a plurality of adjustable securing straps. Each of the plurality of adjustable securing straps are connected to first and second sections of the skate body 102, where the first and second section are disposed on opposing sides of the support surface 104 of the skate body 102 such that each of the plurality of adjustable securing straps extends across the support surface 104.
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In an embodiment, the rear wheel assembly 133 includes a rear wheel support member 136 and at least one rear wheel 137 that is rotatably mounted to the rear wheel support member 136.
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In an embodiment such as provided in
In an embodiment, the first and second parallel bars 628, 629 of the front foot support structure 120 and pair of parallel channels 730 of the rear foot support structure 130 are correspondingly structured to prevent rotation or twisting of the first and second parallel bars 628, 629 within the pair of parallel channels 730. In the embodiments provided in
As provided above, the adjustment actuator 140 is movably mounted to one of the front foot support structure 120 and the rear foot support structure 130 and is actuatable between the engaged and disengaged positions.
In an embodiment such as provided in
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In an additional embodiment, the length-adjustable roller skate includes a biasing member that is connected to the adjustment actuator 140 and to one of the front foot support structure 120 and rear foot support structure 130 for biasing the adjustment actuator 140 towards the engaged position.
In the embodiments where the front foot support structure 120 includes the first and second parallel bars 628, 629, and where the first parallel bar 628 includes the plurality of ratchet teeth 650, the adjustment actuator 140 will be positioned on the rear foot support structure 130 and will be movably mounted in the actuator mounting aperture 726 of the rear foot support structure 130. The adjustment actuator 140 will be movably mounted in the actuator mounting aperture 726 such that when the adjustment actuator 140 is in the engaged position, the at least one engagement surface 724 of the adjustment actuator 140 will engage at least one of the plurality of ratchet teeth 650 for releasably fixing a position of the front foot support structure 120 relative to the rear foot support structure 130.
In the specific embodiment provided in
In an embodiment, the length-adjustable roller skate is structured such that when the adjustment actuator 140 is in the engaged position, the adjustment actuator 140 will only releasably fix the movement of the front foot support structure 120 and rear foot support structure 130 in one direction relative to each another.
In some embodiments, the movement of the front foot support structure 120 in one direction relative to each other is achieved by structuring the plurality of ratchet teeth 650 with angled surfaces.
In some additional embodiment, the movement of the front foot support structure 120 in one direction relative to each other is achieved by structuring the plurality of ratchet teeth 650 and the at least one engagement surface of the adjustment actuator 140 as angled surfaces.
In an embodiment, the front foot support structure 120, rear foot support structure 130 and plurality of ratchet teeth 650 are formed such that the front foot support structure 120 can be releasably fixed in one of at least four different positions relative to the rear foot support structure 130.
In an embodiment such as provided in
In an additional embodiment, the length-adjustable roller skate is specifically structured such that when the adjustment actuator 140 is in the engaged position, the front foot support structure 120 can be moved towards the rear foot support structure 130 in the second direction relative to the rear foot support structure 130, but the front foot support structure 120 cannot be moved away from the rear foot support structure 130 in the first direction relative to the rear foot support structure 130 (i.e., the distance between the front sole surface 122 and the rear sole surface 132 can be decreased, but the distance between the front sole surface 122 and the rear sole surface 132 cannot be increased). In some embodiments, this functionality is achieved by specifically orienting the angled first and second sides 651, 652 of the plurality of ratchet teeth 650. In one such embodiment provided in
In adjusting the length of the length-adjustable roller skate, the user can first actuate the adjustment actuator 140 to the disengaged position and move the front foot support structure 120 in the first direction relative to the rear foot support structure 130 to increase the distance between the front and rear sole surfaces 122, 132. The user can move the front foot support structure 120 until there room for the footwear of the user to rest on the front and rear sole surfaces 122, 132 with a space between a toe of the footwear of the user and the toe support member 128. The adjustment actuator 140 can then be actuated back to the engaged position. With the adjustment actuator 140 in the engaged position, the user cannot move the front foot support structure 120 any further in the first direction. To adjust the length of the length-adjustable skate to more securely fit the footwear of the user, the user can then move the front foot support structure 120 in the second direction relative to the rear foot support structure 130 (thereby decreasing the distance between the front and rear sole surface 122, 132) until the toe support member 128 firmly abuts the toe of the footwear of the user. As provided above, the structure of the first and second sides 651, 652 of the plurality of ratchet teeth 650 enables the movement of the front foot support structure 120 in the second direction even when the adjustment actuator 140 is in the engaged position.
In an additional embodiment such as provided in
In an alternate embodiment, one of the pair of parallel channels 730 of the rear foot support structure 130 includes a plurality of ratchet teeth 650 formed along a length thereof. The adjustment actuator 140 is movably mounted on the front foot support structure 120, and the adjustment actuator 140 is positioned on the front foot support structure 120 such that when the adjustment actuator 140 is in the engaged position, the adjustment actuator 140 engages at least one of the plurality of ratchet teeth 650 of the rear foot support structure 130 for releasably fixing the front foot support structure 120 relative to the rear foot support structure 130.
Referring to
In an embodiment, the at least one front securing element 150 includes at least one front securing strap that is connected to the front foot support structure 120 and extends over the front sole surface 122 for releasably attaching the footwear of a user to the front sole surface 122. The at least one securing strap can be various known securing straps that can be separated and rejoined, such as a two-end Velcro™ strap (or any other suitable hook-and-loop fastener strap).
In the specific embodiment provided in
In an additional embodiment, the at least one rear securing element 160 includes at least one rear securing straps that is connected to the rear foot support structure 130 and extends over the rear sole surface 132 for releasably attaching the footwear of a user to the rear sole surface 132. In the specific embodiment provided in
Modular Roller Skate with Removable Rear Wheel Truck
Referring to
In some embodiments of the modular roller skate, the front wheel support structure of the skate body 102 is defined by the section of the skate body 102 to which the at least one front wheel 127 is rotatably connected, and the rear wheel support structure of the skate body 102 is defined by the section of the skate body 102 to which the at least one rear wheel 137 is rotatably connected.
In an embodiment, the front wheel support structure of the skate body 102 includes the front wheel assembly 123, and the front wheel assembly 123 includes a front wheel support 926 formed on the front wheel support structure of the skate body 102, and a single front wheel 127 that is rotatably mounted to the front wheel support 926. The rear wheel support structure is comprised of a removable rear wheel assembly 940 that includes a rear wheel support 943 and a pair of the rear wheels 137 which are rotatably mounted to the rear wheel support 943 and which are laterally spaced apart about the rear wheel support 943 for laterally stabilizing the skate body 102 in a lateral-vertical plane. The modular roller skate also includes an engagement structure 910 that is formed for releasably mounting the removable rear wheel assembly 940 to the skate body 102 such that a rotational axis of the pair of rear wheels 127 is parallel to the rotational axis of the single front wheel 127. In some embodiments, the engagement structure 910 includes a first mounting element 932 formed on the skate body 102 and a second mounting element 942 formed on the rear wheel assembly 940.
In an embodiment such as provided in
In an embodiment such as provided in
In some embodiments, the modular roller skate is specifically configured with the pair of rear wheels 137 within the removable rear wheel assembly 940 to laterally stabilize the skate body 102 in the lateral-vertical plane. This stabilization may be useful due to the absence of ankle support in some embodiments of the at least one securing element 106 of the multi-part roller skate 100. In the embodiments where the at least one securing element 106 includes at least one securing strap, the at least one securing strap may not provide sufficient ankle support such that a user of the multi-part roller skate 100 can be sufficiently balanced when the removable rear wheel assembly 940 includes only one rear wheel 137. By providing a pair of rear wheels 137 that are laterally spaced-apart about the rear wheel support 943, the modular roller skate will laterally support the skate body 102, and thereby support the ankle of a user without requiring a boot-type structure of the skate body 102.
In an embodiment of engagement structure 910 provided in
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In an embodiment provided in
In the specific embodiment provided in
In an additional embodiment, the engagement button 1220 includes at least one internal biasing element for internally biasing the engagement button 1220 towards the unactuated position. The at least one internal biasing element is connected within the engagement button 1220 such that as the engagement projection 944 is inserted in the receiving cavity 934, the engagement button 1220 will be driven towards the actuated position. The connection of the internal biasing element within the engagement button 1220 is also formed such that as the engagement projection 944 is fully inserted in the receiving cavity 934 and the engagement button 1220 becomes aligned with the through-aperture 1150, the engagement button 1220 will be biased from the actuated to the unactuated position and at least partially extend into the through-aperture 1150 for releasably locking the engagement projection 944 with the receiving cavity 934.
In an additional embodiment such as provided in
In the specific embodiment provided in
In an additional embodiment provided in
In an additional embodiment, the engagement button 1220 is oriented on the engagement projection 944 such that when the engagement projection 944 is inserted into the receiving cavity 934, the semi-cylindrical second section 1222b of the top surface 1222 will abut an edge 1147 of the receiving cavity 934, where the abutting of semi-cylindrical second section 1222b against the edge 1147 will drive the engagement button 1220 towards the actuated position.
To provide a suitable degree of movement for the engagement button 1220 in moving between the unactuated and actuated positions, the engagement button 1220 may be slidably received within the receiving aperture 1230 of the engagement projection 944 such that the engagement button 1220 is unrestricted and free to move within the receiving aperture 1230. Said another way, the engagement button 1220 will not be restricted by any connection between the engagement button 1220 and the receiving aperture 1230 (other than in the embodiments where the at least one biasing element is connected between the engagement button 1220 and the receiving aperture 1230). In the embodiments where the engagement button 1220 is unrestricted and free to move within the receiving aperture 1230, it is possible that the engagement button 1220 may unintentionally self-rotate within the receiving aperture 1230, either through repeated contact between the engagement button 1220 and the edge 1147 of the receiving cavity 934, or through an unusual application of force to the engagement button 1220 by a user.
The self-rotation of the engagement button 1220 within the receiving aperture 1230 is generally unwanted and is particularly undesirable when the top surface 1222 of the engagement button 1220 is formed with the aforementioned first and second, semi-cylindrical halves 1222a, 1222b. When the top surface 1222 of the engagement button 1220 is configured with the second semi-cylindrical section 1222b that is formed at an angle for engaging the edge 1147 of the receiving cavity 934, any self-rotation of the engagement button 1220 within the receiving aperture 1230 may bring the second, semi-cylindrical section 1222b of the top surface 1222 out of proper alignment. When the second, semi-cylindrical section 1222b of the top surface 1222 is not in proper alignment, the second, semi-cylindrical section 1222b may not abut the edge 1147 of the receiving cavity 934 when the engagement projection 944 is inserted into the receiving cavity 934. Instead, a sidewall 1430 of the engagement button 1220 may abut the edge 1147 of the receiving cavity 934, which will result in the engagement button 1220 not being fully driven to the actuated position within the receiving aperture 1230. When the engagement button 1220 is not fully driven to the actuated position, the engagement projection 944 will be prevented from being fully inserted into the receiving cavity 934.
In an embodiment, the engagement button 1220, engagement projection 944 and receiving aperture 1230 are collectively formed so as to substantially prevent any self-rotation of the engagement button 1220 within the receiving aperture 1230 of the engagement projection 944.
In the embodiment provided in
In the specific embodiment provided in
In an additional embodiment, the pair of diametrically opposed tabs 1320 and pair of diametrically opposed slots 1226 are configured to only prevent the rotation of the engagement button 1220 when the engagement button 1220 is in the unactuated position. As provided in
In yet another embodiment, the pair of diametrically opposed slots 1226 are formed so as to facilitate easy insertion of the pair of diametrically opposed tabs 1320, while also providing secure retention of the pair of diametrically opposed tabs 1320. Referring to
As provided in
In the specific embodiment provided in
In the specific embodiment provided in
In an additional embodiment where the multi-part roller skate 100 is the modular roller skate, the skate body 102 of the modular roller skate is a length-adjustable skate body that can include the front foot support structure 120 and the rear foot support structure 130 of the aforementioned length-adjustable roller skate. The skate body 102 of the modular roller skate can also include the at least one front securing element 150 and the at least one rear securing element 160 which are mounted on the front foot support structure 120 and rear foot support structure 130, respectively.
Modular Skate Kit with Roller Skate Mode and Ice Skate Mode
Referring to
In an additional embodiment, the front wheel assembly 123 is formed on the front wheel support structure of the skate body 102 and includes the single front wheel 127 that is rotatably supported thereon. The modular skate kit also comprises the rear wheel support structure in the form of the removable rear wheel assembly 940, where the removable rear wheel assembly 940 includes the rear wheel support 943, the pair of rear wheels 137 that are rotatably mounted on the rear wheel support 943, and the second mounting element 942 that is formed to be connected to the first mounting element 932 for releasably mounting the rear wheel support 943 to the skate body 102, and a removable, rear ice skate support 1630 that includes at least one rear ice skate blade 1632 connected to a first end 1630a thereof, and a third mounting element 1742 formed on an opposing end thereof. The third mounting element 1742 of the rear ice skate support is formed to be releasably connected to the first mounting element 932 for releasably mounting the rear ice skate support 1630 to the skate body 102.
The modular skate kit further comprises a front ice skate support 1620 that comprises at least one front ice skate blade 1622 and at least one support frame 1624 that is releasably mountable to the front wheel support structure of the skate body 102 for mounting the front ice skate support 1620 to the front wheel support structure of the skate body 102. The first mounting element 932 is formed to interchangeably connect to one of the second mounting element 942 of the rear wheel support 943 and the third mounting element 1742 of the rear ice skate support 1630 so as to provide one of the roller skate mode and ice skate mode of travel to the modular skate kit. In the ice skate mode of travel, the front ice skate support 1620 is adapted to be connected to the skate body 102 when the rear ice skate support is mounted to the skate body 102 such that the rear ice skate support 1630 and front ice skate support 1620 can collectively support the skate body 102.
In an embodiment such as provided in
In an embodiment such as provided in
In an embodiment where removable rear wheel assembly 940 of the modular skate kit is formed to include aspects of the rear wheel assembly 133 of the rear foot support structure 130, the first mounting element 932 of the skate body 102 can be formed as one of the receiving cavity 934 and the engagement projection 944, and can include at least some of the aforementioned elements of the receiving cavity 934 or engagement projection 944, including the through-aperture 1150, engagement button 1220 and receiving aperture 1230. Likewise, the second mounting element 942 of the removable rear wheel assembly 940 can include the other of the receiving cavity 934 and the engagement projection 944 such that the removable rear wheel assembly 940 can be mounted to the skate body 102, and the third mounting element 1742 of the rear ice skate support 1630 can also include the other of the receiving cavity 934 and the engagement projection 944 such that the rear ice skate support 1630 can be mounted to the skate body 102. Each of the second mounting element 942 and third mounting element 1742 can also include at least some of the aforementioned elements of the other of the receiving cavity 934 and engagement projection 944, including the through-aperture 1150, engagement button 1220 and receiving aperture 1230.
In the specific embodiment provided in
As with the modular roller skate, the engagement button 1220 on the engagement projection(s) 944 of the modular skate kit includes the receiving aperture 1230 formed on a surface thereof, where the engagement button 1220 is movably retained within the receiving aperture 1230 for moving between the actuated and unactuated positions. The biasing member is connected between the receiving aperture 1230 and the engagement button 1220 for biasing the engagement button 1220 towards the unactuated position.
Referring to
In an additional embodiment, the support frame 1624 of the front ice skate support includes an upper portion that is structure to be releasably connected to the front wheel support structure of the skate body 102, and a lower portion that is formed as a solid body to which the at least one front ice skate blade is mounted.
In an embodiment such as provided in
In the specific embodiment provided in
Referring to
In the specific embodiment provided in
In an additional embodiment where the multi-part roller skate 100 is the modular skate kit, the skate body 102 of the modular skate kit is a length-adjustable skate body 102 that can include the front foot support structure 120 and the rear foot support structure 130 of the aforementioned length-adjustable roller skate. The skate body 102 of the modular roller skate can also include the at least one front securing element 150 and the at least one rear securing element 160 which are mounted on the front foot support structure 120 and rear foot support structure 130, respectively.
Referring to
The removable rear wheel assembly 940 includes the rear wheel support 943, the pair of rear wheels 137 that are rotatably mounted on the rear wheel support 943, and the second mounting element 942. In this embodiment, the second mounting element 942 is formed to be releasably connected to the first mounting element 932 for releasably mounting the removable rear wheel assembly 940 to the skate body 102 such that a rotational axis of the pair of rear wheels 137 is parallel to a rotational axis of the at least one front wheel 927.
In the same embodiment, the rear support member 1910 includes a first end 1910a and a second end 1910b that includes a fourth mounting element 2042. The fourth mounting element 2042 is formed to be releasably connected to the first mounting element 932 for releasably mounting the rear support member 1910 to the skate body 102. Lastly, the modular skate system includes a secondary travel assembly 2110 that is structured for supporting the skate body 102 and for providing the above-described non-rolling manner of travel to the modular skate system. The secondary travel assembly 2110 includes both a front connector 2120 and a rear connector 2130. The front connector 2120 is releasably connectable to the single front wheel 127 for pivotably mounting the skate body 102 on the secondary travel assembly 2110. The rear connector 2130 includes at least one engagement surface 2132 that is formed for separably supporting the rear support member 1910. The at least one engagement surface 2132 is also formed to inhibit lateral movement of the rear support member 1910 when the second end 1910b of the rear support member 1910 is supported on the at least one engagement surface 2132.
In some embodiments of the modular skate system, the at least one engagement surface 2132 of the rear connector 2130 is positioned along the secondary travel assembly 2110 for separably supporting the first end 1910a of the rear support member 1910 such that when the front wheel support structure of the skate body 102 is pivotably mounted to the front connector 2120, the first end 1910a of the rear support member 1910 can be lifted from the at least one engagement surface 2132 by pivoting the skate body 102 relative to the secondary travel assembly 2110.
In the structure of the modular skate system provided in
In some embodiments of the secondary travel assembly 2110, the proper functioning of the modular skate system during use requires that the user be able to lift their heel of the rear of the support during consecutive motions of the user's leg. In this way, the heel of the footwear of the user that must be able to move upwards relative to the secondary travel assembly 2110, while the toe of the footwear of the user must remain connected to the secondary travel assembly 2110 and should be able to pivot with respect to the secondary travel assembly 2110 as the heel of the footwear is lifted relative to the secondary travel assembly 2110. In the modular skate system provided in
In an embodiment such as provided in
In some embodiments of the front wheel assembly 123, each of the pair of frame arms 126a includes the frame arm mounting aperture for mounting the front axle assembly 323. The frame arm mounting aperture of each of the pair of frame arms 126a extends through the width of the frame arm 126a so as to define the bores 526 in each of the pair of frame arms 126a, on either side of the at least one front wheel 927.
In an embodiment such as provided in
Referring to
In the specific embodiment provided in
In an embodiment where removable rear wheel assembly 940 of the modular skate kit is formed to include aspects of the rear wheel assembly 133 of the rear foot support structure 130 of the length-adjustable skate, the first mounting element 932 of the skate body 102 can be formed as one of the receiving cavity 934 and the engagement projection 944, and can include at least some of the aforementioned elements of the receiving cavity 934 or engagement projection 944, including the through-aperture 1150, engagement button 1220 and receiving aperture 1230. Likewise, the second mounting element 942 of the removable rear wheel assembly can include the other of the receiving cavity 934 and the engagement projection 944 such that the removable rear wheel assembly 940 can be mounted to the skate body 102, and the fourth mounting element 2042 of the rear support member 1910 also includes the other of the receiving cavity 934 and the engagement projection 944 such that the removable rear support 940 can be connected to the first mounting element 932 of the skate body 102. The engagement projection 944 is sized to be releasably received in the receiving cavity 934. Each of the second mounting element 942 and fourth mounting element 2042 can also include at least some of the aforementioned elements of the other of the receiving cavity 934 and engagement projection 944, including the through-aperture 1150, engagement button 1220 and receiving aperture 1230.
In one such embodiment, the first mounting element 932 includes the receiving cavity 934, the second mounting element 942 includes the engagement projection 944 in the form of a first engagement projection 944 that extends from the removable rear wheel support 940 and is formed to be releasably secured within the receiving cavity 934 such that a rotational axis of the pair of rear wheels 137 is parallel to the rotational axis of the single front wheel 127, and the fourth mounting element 2042 includes the engagement projection 944 in the form of a second engagement projection 944 that extends from the second end of the rear support members and is formed to be releasably secured within the receiving cavity 934.
In the specific embodiment provided in
Referring to
In the first embodiment of the secondary travel assembly 2110 provided in
In an embodiment such as provided in
In one such embodiment, the front connector 2120 of the secondary travel assembly 2110 includes a front connector body 2122 with at least one wheel receiving channel 2520 formed therein for receiving the front wheel 927, as well as at least one wheel securing strap 2224 for releasably fixing the front wheel 927 within the at least one wheel receiving channel 2520.
In the specific embodiment provided in
In an alternate embodiment provided in
In the specific embodiment provided in
In an additional embodiment where the front connector 2120 includes the front connector flange 2422, the front connector flange 2422 further includes means for pivotably mounting the skate body 102 to the front connector flange 2422. In the specific embodiment provided in
As provided above, the rear connector 2130 of the secondary travel assembly 2110 includes the at least one engagement surface 2132 for supporting the first end 1910a of the rear support member 1910. In an embodiment such as provided in
In an additional embodiment, the shape of the at least one engagement surface 2132 corresponds to the shape of the pair of semi-cylindrical channels 2032 formed in the first end of the rear support member 1910. In this embodiment, the at least one engagement surface 2132 includes a pair of ridges 2136 formed thereon. Each of the pair of ridges 2136 is sized to be received within one of the pair of semi-cylindrical channels 2032 of the rear support member 1910 when the rear support member 1910 is supported on the at least one engagement surface 2132. Each ridge 2136 is also sized so as fit within the one of the pair of semi-cylindrical channels 2032 so as to laterally restrain the first end 1910a of the rear support member 1910 along the secondary travel assembly 2110. In this way, the rear support member 1910 will be separable from the at least one engagement surface 2132 while still being supported by the at least one engagement surface 2132 such that unwanted lateral motion of the rear support member 1910 is prevented.
In yet another additional embodiment such as provided in
In an additional embodiment provided in
In the specific embodiment provided in
In a second embodiment of the modular skate system, the modular skate system is configured as a length-adjustable modular skate system. In some of these embodiments, the length-adjustable modular skate system includes at least some of the elements of the length-adjustable roller skate, including the skate body 102 formed as the front foot support structure 120 and rear foot support structure 130, the adjustment actuator 140 and the first and second connector elements 224, 234 of the front foot support structure and rear foot support structure 120, 130, respectively, that facilitate relative movement of the front and rear foot support structures 120, 130.
In an embodiment, the length-adjustable modular skate system provides both a rolling and non-rolling manner of travel and comprises the front foot support structure 120 including the front sole surface 122, the front wheel assembly 123 and the first connector element 224, as well as the rear foot support structure 130 including the rear sole surface 132, and the second connector element 234 that is shaped to releasably connect to the first connector element 224 for movably connecting the front foot support structure 120 and the rear foot support structure 130. In this embodiment, the rear foot support structure 130 also includes the first mounting element 932, where the first mounting element 932 is formed to interchangeably connect to one of the rear wheel assembly 940 and the rear support member 1910. As provided above, the rear wheel assembly 940 includes the rear wheel support 943, the pair of rear wheels 137 that are rotatably mounted on the rear wheel support 943, and the second mounting element 942 that is formed to be releasably connected to the first mounting element 932 for releasably mounting the rear wheel support 943 to the rear foot support structure 130. The rear support member 1910 includes a second end with the fourth mounting element 2042, where the fourth mounting element 2042 is releasably connectable to the first mounting element 932 for releasably mounting the rear support member 1910 to the skate body 102.
Lastly, the length-adjustable modular skate system includes the secondary travel assembly 2110 that is structured for supporting the skate body 102 and providing a non-rolling manner of travel to the multi-functional skate. The secondary travel assembly 2110 includes the front connector 2120 and the rear connector 2130. In this embodiment, the front connector 2120 is releasably connectable to the front body potion 120 of the skate body 102 for mounting the front foot support structure 120 on the secondary travel assembly 2110, and the rear connector 2130 includes at least one engagement surface 2132. The at least one engagement surface 2132 is formed for slidably supporting the first end 1910a of the rear support member 1910 such that when rear foot support structure 130 is moved relative to the front foot support structure 120 via the first connector element and second connector element 224, 224, the first end 1910a of the rear support member 1910 will move along the at least on engagement surface 2132 for supporting the rear foot support structure 130 on the secondary travel assembly 2110.
In this length-extendable embodiment of the modular skate system, the modular skate system may include secondary travel assembly 2110 with the front and rear connectors 2120, 2130, and the rear support member 1910, but optionally, the front connector 2120 of the modular skate system need not be a pivotable connection for the front wheel 927, and the rear support member 1910 need not be separable from the at least one engagement surface 2132 of the rear connector 2130. In this way, the modular skate system can also provide a length extendable skate mounted on the secondary travel assembly 2110, where the length-extendable skate is not pivotable relative to the secondary travel assembly 2110 so as to separate the heel of the footwear of the user from the secondary travel assembly 2110.
In an alternate embodiment, the length-extendable skate system is structured such that the front connector 2120 is pivotably connected to the front wheel 927, and the rear support member 1910 is separable from the at least one engagement surface 2132 such that the heel of the footwear of the user can be pivoted up from the secondary travel assembly 2110.
In some embodiments where the at least one engagement surface 2132 is formed as a tapering engagement surface. The tapering engagement surface is formed so as to constrain the length-extendable motion of the rear foot support structure 130 relative to the front foot support structure 120.
The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples of the present disclosure and alterations and modifications may be affected thereto, by those of skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the disclosure that is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202211524417.9 | Dec 2022 | CN | national |
