1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a unicycle roller skate, and more particularly to a unicycle roller skate having a stabilization protective device assembled with the shoe seat. The stabilization protective device serves to provide lateral support force and protection for a wearer's ankle in skating. Therefore, the unicycle roller skate can be used within a larger range.
2. Description of the Related Art
The conventional skates can be classified into inline skates and roller skates. Many kinds of improved skates have been disclosed and patented.
For example, Taiwanese Patent No. M384050 discloses a wheel frame structure of an in inline skate. In this structure, a frame body is disposed under the shoe seat. The wheel shafts of the wheels are passed through the frame body. The wheel shaft of the central wheel is vertically displaceable to adjust the height of the central wheel by means of a shaft hole adjustment member. Accordingly, the lifetime of the wheels can be prolonged. Moreover, the positions of the wheels can be adjusted to have an optimal height difference for keeping the wheel bodies in best contact with the ground and completing the turning action in figure skating.
In addition, the inline skate of the above patent has a folding structure for folding the wheel assemblies and damper assemblies of the inline skate. When stored, the wheel assemblies and the frame body can be folded into a linear state to reduce the storage space for the inline skate.
No matter how the inline skates or roller skates are improved, both have a common shortcoming in basic structure. That is, the wheels mounted under the shoe seat are so small that the resistance against the skating is considerably large. Many small wheels are used as components of the skate. This leads to a great resistance against the skating.
Moreover, the conventional roller skates are classified into several grades in accordance with the diameter of the wheels. According to the international roller skate race regulation, the diameter of the wheels of the roller skates is specifically regulated and strictly restricted. Currently, the allowable maximum size is 110 mm. The roller skates with such diameter are only suitable for indoor site. This greatly limits the use of the roller skates and is neither economic nor convenient. Furthermore, the specific site necessitates very high maintenance fee.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,110 discloses a unicycle roller skate having one single wheel with a large-size rubber/plastic tire. A shoe seat is mounted on the wheel shaft of the wheel. A user can wear a pair of unicycle roller skates on both feet to skate. The unicycle roller skate is more tolerant of bumpy road face in skating so that the unicycle roller skate has higher skate ratio and larger turning flexibility. Also, the resistance against the skating is reduced. However, in practice, it is found that the enlarged wheel leads to longer distance between the foot of a wearer and the ground. As a result, the unicycle roller skate tends to laterally tilt in skating. This often causes sprain of the wearer's ankles.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a unicycle roller skate, which has increased skate ratio and enhanced turning flexibility. Moreover, the unicycle roller skate is more tolerant of bumpy road face in skating. Accordingly, a user can easily, smoothly and safety skate on a common bicycle lane without limitation to a specific site. Therefore, the unicycle roller skate can be used within a larger range. Furthermore, the unicycle roller skate is able to provide lateral support force and protection for a wearer's ankle in skating.
To achieve the above and other objects, the unicycle roller skate includes a wheel frame, a wheel assembly, a shoe seat and a stabilization protective device. The wheel frame has a connection seat and at least one support section disposed under the connection seat. The wheel assembly includes a wheel body and a shaft member. The shaft member is passed through a center of the wheel body and locked at the bottom end of the support section with a locking member. The shoe seat is fixedly connected with the connection seat. The stabilization protective device is assembled with the shoe seat to provide lateral support force and protection for a wearer's ankle.
The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:
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In the above structure of the present invention, the wheel body 22 with enlarged diameter can increase the skate ratio, enhance the turning flexibility and reduce resistance against the skating. Moreover, the single wheel body 22 is more adaptive to and tolerant of bumpy road face. Accordingly, a user is no more limited to a specific site and can easily and smoothly skate on a common bicycle lane. Therefore, the unicycle roller skate can be used within a larger range. Furthermore, the stabilization protective device 40 of the present invention is able to prevent the wheel skate from laterally tilting during skate. Therefore, the possible injury to the user can be minimized and the safety in use of such product can be greatly increased.
In practice, the unicycle roller skate of the present invention is similar to the popular unicycle and helpful in training balance feeling. A beginner will become experienced only after a short term of proper teaching and training. Moreover, in use, a user can stably stand on the unicycle roller skates and left and right alternately tread in a figure of eight in a speed race. The skate can be stopped by means of the side brake of the conventional ice skate.
The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.