Inline skates are known in the art and provide a user with recreation, exercise, competition, and/or transportation. Conventional inline skates typically include an inverted-U-shaped frame having parallel sidewalls configured to mount wheel axles therebetween, with an upper wall configured to be fixedly attached to a sole or base portion of a boot that receives the user's foot. A plurality of wheels are mounted to the frame between the sidewalls, typically rotatably about parallel spaced-apart axes. Prior art inline skate rotatably mount 2, 3, 4, or 5 wheels to the parallel sidewalls. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,093, to Svensson et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. See also U.S. Pat. No. 7,214,337, to Grande, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Skate vibration during use, caused by traversing rough surfaces may result in premature skater fatigue and/or discomfort. On source of undesirable vibration is the conventional mounting of the wheels of the inline skate to a U-shaped frame with the wheels supported one both ends between the sidewalls of the skate frame. Prior attempts to minimize both skater discomfort and premature fatigue associated with skate vibration include skates having various types of mechanical systems to isolate the foot of the skater from vibrational energy. Such systems rely on combinations of mechanical pivot and linkage systems, together with dampeners and shock absorbers to minimize the adverse effect of vibrational energy.
Conventional frame construction, with relatively rigid parallel sidewalls connected by an upper wall for mounting the base, and further connected by wheel axis near the bottom of the sidewall, results in a relatively rigid box beam type of structure. It would be beneficial to provide a frame structure that would reduce wheel vibration to improve inline skater with a smoother more comfortable experience.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
A skate frame and axle assembly is configured to attach to a base, and to rotatably mount a plurality of wheel assemblies. The frame and axle assembly include a frame having a single sidewall, with a wheel-mounting portion, a forward attachment portion and a rearward attachment portion. The attachment portions extend from the wheel-mounting portion. A forward attachment member has a leg that extends away from the wheel-mounting portion, and a first attachment plate that extends upwardly from the leg. The forward attachment portion and the first attachment plate are configured to attach to a toe portion of the base. Similarly, a rearward attachment member has a leg that extends away from the wheel-mounting portion, and a second attachment plate that extends upwardly from the leg. The rearward attachment portion and the second attachment plate are configured to attach to a heel cup portion of the base. Each axle assembly includes an axle shaft that is fixed to the wheel-mounting portion of the frame, and includes a proximal portion that extends through the base, and a distal portion configured to rotatably support a wheel. An axle flange extends outward between the proximal portion and the distal portion to abut the wheel-mounting portion of the base. A first connector for retaining the skate wheel on the axle shaft engages the distal portion of the axle shaft. In an embodiment a second connector engages the proximal portion of the axle shaft such that the flange and the first connector cooperatively clamping the sidewall.
In an embodiment the forward attachment portion of the sidewall is parallel to the first attachment plate.
In an embodiment the forward attachment portion of the sidewall and the first attachment plate are configured to slidably receive a mounting boss extending from a lower surface of the base.
In an embodiment the rearward attachment portion of the sidewall is parallel to the second attachment plate.
In an embodiment the leg of the forward attachment member extends between two of the plurality of wheels.
In an embodiment the legs of the forward and rearward attachment members are wide at either end and narrow in the middle, e.g., hourglass shaped.
In an embodiment the wheel-mounting portion of the sidewall has a plurality of apertures that receive the proximal portion of the shaft of an associate one of the axle assemblies and a plurality of protrusions, each protraction associated with one of the plurality of apertures, and further wherein the flange of the axle shaft comprises a shaped portion that is configured to engage an associated one of the plurality of protrusions such that the engagement prevents the axle shaft from rotating relative to the frame.
In an embodiment a cap member having an annular flange is disposed between a distal end of the axle shaft and a head of the first connector, wherein the cap member is rotationally locked to the axle shaft, and isolates the first connector from rotational motion of the associated wheel assembly. For example, the distal portion of the axle shaft may have a reduced diameter portion configured to slidably receive the cap member, and a geometric feature configured to rotationally lock the received cap member.
In an embodiment the leg of the forward attachment member has a concave forward edge and a concave rearward edge defining a narrow intermediate portion configured to extend between adjacent wheels of the skate.
In an embodiment the forward attachment member is spaced apart from the rearward attachment member such that the forward attachment member is configured to engage a toe portion of the base and the rearward attachment member is configured to engage a heel cup portion of the base.
A pair of skates each include a skate frame and axle assembly is configured to attach to a base, and to rotatably mount a plurality of wheel assemblies. The frame and axle assembly include a frame having a single sidewall, with a wheel-mounting portion, a forward attachment portion and a rearward attachment portion. The attachment portions extend from the wheel-mounting portion. A forward attachment member has a leg that extends away from the wheel-mounting portion, and a first attachment plate that extends upwardly from the leg. The forward attachment portion and the first attachment plate are configured to attach to a toe portion of the base. Similarly, a rearward attachment member has a leg that extends away from the wheel-mounting portion, and a second attachment plate that extends upwardly from the leg. The rearward attachment portion and the second attachment plate are configured to attach to a heel cup portion of the base.
Each axle assembly includes an axle shaft that is fixed to the wheel-mounting portion of the frame, and includes a proximal portion that extends through the base, and a distal portion configured to rotatably support a wheel. An axle flange extends outward between the proximal portion and the distal portion to abut the wheel-mounting portion of the base. A first connector for retaining the skate wheel on the axle shaft engages the distal portion of the axle shaft. For each skate the frame sidewall is disposed on a medial side of the skate.
An inline skate frame configured to mount a plurality of wheels for an inline skate having a base includes a single sidewall having a wheel-mounting portion, a forward attachment portion extending upwardly from the wheel-mounting portion, and a rearward attachment portion extending upwardly from the wheel-mounting portion. A forward attachment member having a leg extending away from the wheel-mounting portion and a first attachment plate extending upwardly from the leg, wherein the sidewall forward attachment portion and the first attachment plate are configured to be attached to a toe portion of the base. A rearward attachment member having a leg extending away from the wheel-mounting portion and a second attachment plate extending upwardly from the leg, wherein the sidewall rearward attachment portion and the second attachment plate are configured to be attached to a heel cup portion of the base.
In an embodiment the frame further includes an axle shaft fixed to the wheel-mounting portion and having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a flange extending outwardly from the proximal portion, wherein the proximal portion is fixed to the wheel-mounting portion of the sidewall, the distal portion is configured to rotatably support one of the plurality of wheels, and the flange is configured to abut the wheel-mounting portion, and further comprising a first connector that engages the distal portion of the axle shaft and is configured to retain the skate wheel on the axle shaft.
In an embodiment a second connector that engages the proximal portion of the axle shaft such that the flange and the first connector clampingly engage the sidewall.
In an embodiment the forward attachment portion of the sidewall is parallel to the first attachment plate and the rearward attachment portion of the sidewall is parallel to the second attachment plate.
In an embodiment the forward attachment portion of the sidewall and the first attachment plate are configured to slidably receive a first mounting boss extending from a lower surface of the base, and the rearward attachment portion of the sidewall and the second attachment plate are configured to receive a second mounting boss extending from a lower surface of the base.
In an embodiment the leg of the forward attachment member is configured to extend between two adjacent wheels of the plurality of wheels and the leg of the rearward attachment member is configured to extend between two other adjacent wheels of the plurality of wheels.
In an embodiment the leg of the forward attachment member is hourglass shaped. In an embodiment a cap member having an annular flange disposed between a distal end of the axle shaft and a head of the first connector, wherein the cap member is rotationally locked to the axle shaft and isolates the first connector from rotational motion of the associated wheel assembly.
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring now to the FIGURES which illustrate a currently preferred embodiment of a single-wall inline skate 100 in accordance with the present invention with the foot enclosure portions not shown, wherein like identifiers indicate like parts.
The skate 100 includes four wheel assemblies 110 rotatably mounted to a frame 120 having a single sidewall 122. In other embodiments the skate may include a different number of in-line wheel assemblies 110, for example two, three, five, or six wheel assemblies. Unlike conventional inline skates, the outer or lateral side of the wheel assemblies 110 are not obscured by a frame sidewall or other frame structure.
A contoured skate base 102 is attached to the frame 120. The base 102 is configured to underlie and support the skater's foot. The base 102 includes a forward foot portion 102A that is integral with a rearward heel cup portion 102B. An ankle collar 104 is pivotably attached to the heel cup portion 102B.
As seen most clearly in
The wheel assemblies 110 include an elastic ground-engaging portion 111 for example an abrasion-resistant, high-density urethane annular wheel. The ground-engaging wheel 111 is fixedly attached to a hub 113 having a central through aperture. A bearing assembly 112 is installed in the central aperture. The bearing assemblies 112 in a current embodiment includes a pair of coaxial and spaced-apart bearing subassemblies positioned in the wheel 112 central aperture with a spacer therebetween. Each of the wheel assemblies 110 is rotatably mounted on a corresponding one of axle assemblies 140. The axle assemblies 140 are attached to the frame sidewall 122 in a cantilevered arrangement, such that the wheel assemblies 110 are approximately centered below the base 102.
A perspective view of the frame 120 is shown in isolation in
The sidewall 122 further includes a forward attachment portion 126 extending upwardly from a front section of the wheel mounting portion 124 and a rearward attachment portion 128 extending upwardly from a back section of the wheel mounting portion 124. Each attachment portion 126 and 128 includes an attachment aperture 121. A generally L-shaped forward attachment member 130 extends from the front section of the sidewall 122. The forward attachment member 130 includes a leg 131 fixed to, or integral with, and extending away from the sidewall 122 and an attachment plate 132 extending upwardly from the leg 131. The attachment plate 132 is generally parallel to the forward attachment portion 126 of the sidewall 122. Similarly, an L-shaped rearward attachment member 135 extends from a back section of the sidewall 122. The rearward attachment member 135 includes a leg 136 fixed to, or integral with, the sidewall 122 and an attachment plate 137 extending upwardly from the leg 136. The attachment plate 137 is generally parallel to the rearward attachment portion 128 of the sidewall 122. The attachment plates 132, 137 include an aperture 121′ aligned with a corresponding attachment aperture 121 in the sidewall 122.
The leg 131 of the forward attachment member 130 and the leg 136 of the rearward attachment member 135 are hourglass shaped, i.e., wide at each end and narrow in the middle, as seen most clearly in
Referring again to
In an alternative embodiment (not shown) a transverse attachment plate extends between a top end of the attachment portions 126, 128 and the corresponding attachment plate 132, 137, and the skate base is attached to the frame with attachment members that extend vertically through mounting apertures in the transverse attachment plate.
The attachment member 148 in this embodiment fixes the axle member 141 to the sidewall 122. In alternative embodiments the axle members are permanently fixed to the sidewall 122. For example, the attachment member 148 may be configured with a drive head that only allows the attachment member 148 to be rotated in the direction that tightens the attachment. Alternatively the axle member may be co-formed with the sidewall 122, or formed as a single piece that is permanently affixed to the sidewall 122 by welding, brazing, adhesives, or the like.
It will be appreciated by persons of skill in the art that with this arrangement the main axle member 141 is advantageously not pre-tensioned by the attachment members 148 and 149. In addition, removing and replacing the wheel assemblies 110 is simplified because the main axle member 141 is prevented from rotating when removing and replacing the attachment member 149.
An alternative embodiment of an axle assembly 240 is shown in
Another alternative embodiment of an axle assembly 240 is shown in
While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.