The present invention generally relates to sports equipment, and more particularly, to a skating apparatus used for the purposes of skating or simulating a skating motion on a surface other than ice.
It is customary to use skating apparatuses, such as an inline skating apparatus for a purpose of simulating a skating motion similar to an ice skating motion on a surface, which is typically a smooth surface. A typical inline skating apparatus includes a frame and multiple inline-wheels attached to the frame. Further, the inline skating apparatus may include a skate boot attached at a top surface of the frame. The inline skating apparatus is adapted to skate in a forward or a backward direction on the surface to provide a skating motion to a user wearing the skate boot. While skating in the forward or the backward direction on the surface, the inline skating apparatus touches the surface at multiple points, depending upon the number of inline-wheels incorporated therein.
However, such inline skating apparatus has limitations in fully simulating a skating motion similar to the ice skating motion, and also in maneuvering the skating apparatus. Generally, the inline-wheels of the inline skating apparatus are configured in a manner such that the inline skating apparatus has multiple contact points with the surface (namely, where each of the inline-wheels touches the surface). Due to the multiple contact points made by the inline-wheels on the smooth surface, the existing inline skating apparatus is not able to simulate a skating motion similar to the ice skating motion.
Another limitation with the existing inline skating apparatus is that, the existing inline skating apparatus may not be able to produce a “feel” similar to the ice skating motion while skating on the smooth surface. The existing inline-wheel arrangement of the inline skating apparatus changes the user's skating biomechanics and kinematics when the user uses the inline skating apparatus on the smooth surface. More particularly, the structural configuration and weight of the existing inline skating apparatus differ from a typical skating apparatus used on an ice surface. When the user regularly practices with the existing inline skating apparatus on the smooth surface, the user establishes a new muscle memory associated with a new movement pattern. The experience of new movement pattern may eradicate his/her previous experience associated with the skating on the ice surface, due to the difference between the structural configuration and the weight of the existing inline skating apparatus, and the typical skating apparatus used on the ice surface. Thus, the user while skating on the ice surface may face problems in generating a proper movement pattern due to the new memory, which he/she has developed while regularly practicing on the smooth surface with the existing inline skating apparatus.
Accordingly, there exists a need of a skating apparatus, which is capable of simulating a skating motion similar to an ice skating motion, to produce a feel similar to a feel of the ice skating motion.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a skating apparatus that is configured to include all advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
An object of the present invention is to provide a skating apparatus that is capable of simulating a skating motion similar to an ice skating motion, to produce a feel similar to a feel of the ice skating motion.
Another object of the present invention is to provide skating apparatus having a structural configuration and weight for facilitating in simulating a skating motion similar to an ice skating motion.
To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, a skating apparatus is provided. The skating apparatus comprises at least one guiding member, a sliding mechanism and a frame member. The at least one guiding member comprises a peripheral channel. Further, the sliding mechanism is slidably coupled with at least a portion of the peripheral channel of the at least one guiding member. Furthermore, the frame member is detachably attached to the at least one guiding member, which is capable of being engaged to a foot of a user. When the sliding mechanism slides along the portion of the peripheral channel, the sliding mechanism moves in a linear direction with respect to a contact surface. Therefore, the sliding mechanism enables the at least one guiding member to move in an opposite linear direction of the linear direction. The movement of the at least one guiding member in the opposite linear direction enables the skating apparatus to move in the opposite linear direction, thereby also moving the user in the opposite linear direction.
This together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific object attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
The advantages and the features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following details description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.
For a thorough understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the following detailed description, including the appended claims, in connection with the above-described drawings. Although the present invention is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The term “top”, “bottom” and the like, herein do not denote any order, elevation or importance, but rather are used to distinguish placement of one element over another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
The present invention provides a skating apparatus which may be worn by a user on his/her foot. The skating apparatus including at least one guiding member, a sliding mechanism and a frame member. The sliding mechanism is capable of moving on a contact surface in order to enable the user wearing the skating apparatus to skate in a forward or a backward direction. More particularly, upon wearing a pair of skating apparatuses in his/her feet, the user may skate in the forward or the backward direction by alternately moving the pair of skating apparatuses on the contact surface for simulating a skating similar to an ice skating motion.
Referring now to
The skating apparatus 100 further comprises a footwear member 110. More particularly, the footwear member 110 is disposed on the frame member 106. The user may wear the skating apparatus 100 by placing his/her foot in the footwear member 110. The sliding mechanism 104 that is slidably coupled to the channel 108 may slide along the channel 108 of guiding member 102, when user exerts backward force on the skating apparatus 100. More specifically, the sliding mechanism 104 is coupled to the channel 108 in a manner such that the sliding mechanism 104 rests in the channel 108 and an outer surface of a portion of the sliding mechanism 104 makes a contact with a contact surface ‘C’ (see
The sliding mechanism 104 on sliding along the portion of the channel 108 enables the sliding mechanism 104 to move in a linear direction with respect to a contact surface ‘C’. For example, when the sliding mechanism 104 slides along the portion of the channel 108 in a clockwise direction, a movement of the sliding mechanism 104 with respect to contact surface ‘C’ is in a linear direction ‘A1’. Further, the movement of the sliding mechanism 104 in the linear direction ‘A1’ enables the guiding member 102 to move in an opposite linear direction ‘A2’. The movement of the guiding member 102 in the opposite linear direction ‘A2’ enables the skating apparatus 100 to skate in the opposite linear direction ‘A2’. Accordingly, the user is moved in the opposite linear direction ‘A2’ with respect to the contact surface ‘C’.
More particularly, the movement of the user in the opposite linear direction ‘A2’ is a skating motion with a feel similar to a feel of an ice skating motion. Such skating motion may be produced by the user by engaging a pair of skating apparatuses 100 on his/her feet. Thereafter, the user may skate in the forward or the backward direction on the contact surface ‘C’ by alternately moving the pair of skating apparatuses 100 on the contact surface ‘C’. Further, it will be apparent to a person ordinary skilled in the art that the skating apparatus 100 may be used to train ice skating players to skate on an ice surface. More specifically, while skating on the contact surface ‘C’, the skating apparatus 100 provides the skating motion with the feel similar to the feel of the ice skating motion to the ice skating players, which may be a practice for the ice skating players to skate on the ice surface. It will further be apparent to the person ordinary skilled in the art that the skating apparatus 100 may also be used to train inline hockey players to skate on a finished contact surface.
Referring now to
Further, the guiding member 102 includes a plurality of through holes, such as through holes 114 (hereinafter referred to as ‘holes 114’). The guiding member 102 is detachably attached to the frame member 106 by utilizing an attaching means 116 through the holes 114. The attaching means 116 may include, but is not limited to, a nut-bolt assembly, a press-fit assembly and a riveting mechanism. However, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art to detachably attach the guiding member 102 and the frame member 106 by any other attaching mechanism known in the art.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Further, the rolling members 126, preferably of cylindrical shape are placed between projections 132 of two adjacent linking members 130. Furthermore, the rolling members 126 along with the endless sliding member 124 are disposed in the channel 108. The rolling members 126 enables a smooth sliding contact between the endless sliding member 124 and the guiding member 102 on being disposed in the channel 108.
The linking member 130 is preferably made of metal, alloy, plastic, and combination thereof. Further, the protective member 128 is disposed onto a top surface 134b of the linking member 130. The protective member 128 protects the endless sliding member 124 from wear and tear, when the skating apparatus 100 skates on the contact surface ‘C’. Further, the protective member 128 is capable of generating required friction for turning and decelerating the skating apparatus 100. The protective member 128 may be made of a material, such as a polyurethane material, a rubber material, a plastic material, a polyethylene material, Teflon material, and the like.
The rolling members 126 of the sliding mechanism 104 roll in the channel 108, when the skating apparatus 100 skates on the contact surface ‘C’ in the linear direction. The rotation of the rolling members 126 helps in reducing friction between the guiding member 102 and the rolling member 126 for smoothly skating the skating apparatus 100 in the linear direction in order to simulate the skating motion similar to an ice skating motion on the contact surface ‘C’. Further, at the same time, if the user wants to turn the direction of the skating apparatus 100 or decelerate the skating motion of the skating apparatus 100, he/she may change the orientation of the skating apparatus 100. The change in the orientation may cause stopping of the rolling member 126 due to the cylindrical shape thereof. The stopping of the rolling member 126 may cause skidding of the sliding mechanism 104 on the contact surface ‘C’, thereby generating required frictional resistance to turn or decelerate the skating apparatus 100. The projection 132 is capable of retaining the endless sliding member 124 in the channel 108 while turning or decelerating of the skating apparatus 100.
Referring now to
Detachable attachment of the guiding member 102 and the frame member 106 is in a manner such that, there is a confirmed space (not shown) between a surface 140a of the channel section 140 and the sliding mechanism 104. The confirmed space enables the sliding mechanism 104 to slide freely along the channel 108 without touching the frame member 106. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the frame member 106 may be cut from different portion in order to reduce weight of the frame member 106 for providing the skating apparatus 100 having weight substantially similar to the weight of an ice skating apparatus.
For example, the frame member 106 may be cut from a central portion to form a curve portion 146 for reducing the weight of the frame member 106. However, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art to cut the frame member 106 from other portions thereof depending upon the requirement, for suitably reducing the weight of the frame member 106.
Furthermore, in one embodiment, the frame member 106 may include plurality of through holes, such as holes 147 on the mounting surface 136 for incorporating a fixing means 148 for mounting the footwear member 110.
Referring again to
In one embodiment, the sole member 150 includes a multiple layered vibrations damping bed 154 and a soft sole 156. The multiple layered vibrations damping bed 154 is made of an open cell shock absorbing foam material. The multiple layered vibrations damping bed 154 reduce vibrations produced during a linear skating motion. Further, when the user wears the skating apparatus 100 by placing his/her foot in the footwear member 110, the soft sole 156 comfortably supports the foot of the user. On wearing the skating apparatus 100, the shell member 151, which is extending from a peripheral side of the sole member 150, covers the foot of the user. In one embodiment, the shell member 151 may be made of a material selected at least from a lather material, thick cloth material made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers. The material of the shell member 151 as disclosed herein is for purpose of understanding only, and should not be considered as limiting.
Referring now to
The sliding mechanism 204 is represented in
Furthermore, the protective member 216, similar to the protective member 128 is coupled to a top surface (not shown) of each of the linking member 218. The protective member 216 protects the endless sliding member 214 from wear and tear, when the skating apparatus 200 skates on a contact surface ‘C’ to simulate a skating motion similar to an ice-skating motion, as shown in
Referring again to
Further, the frame member 206 may be attached to the footwear member 222 similar to the footwear member 110. The footwear member 222, similar to the footwear member 110 is wearable. The user wears the skating apparatus 200 by placing his/her feet in a pair of such footwear members 222, and may skate the skating apparatus 200.
The skating apparatuses, such as the skating apparatuses 100 and 200 of the present invention provide following advantages. The skating apparatuses are capable of simulating a skating motion similar to an ice skating motion for producing a feel similar to the feel of the ice skating motion. Therefore, the skating apparatuses may be used for training purposes of an ice skating and an inline hockey on a finished contact surface. Furthermore, the skating apparatuses have structural configurations and weights substantially similar to a structural configuration and weight of an skating apparatus suitable for skating on an ice surface, such as ice skates, in order to simulate the skating motion similar to the ice skating motion.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.
The present invention claims priority under 35 United States Code, Section 119 on the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/955,518 filed on Aug. 13, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60955518 | Aug 2007 | US |