Patent ID: 7523948
Filing Date: 2009-04-28
Classification: A63C

Abstract:
1. An in-line skate comprising: a boot; a frame secured to the boot; a plurality of primary wheels substantially in alignment and rotatably mounted to the frame, whereby at least a portion of a primary contact surface of each of the primary wheels is exposed below the frame for contacting a skating surface along a primary wheelbase when the skate is in a generally upright position, said primary wheels each rotating about a respective primary axle, said primary axle extending through said frame and at least one secondary rotatable contact surface disposed at a level above the primary contact surfaces when the skate is in a generally upright position and positioned to contact the skating surface along a secondary wheelbase only when the in-line skate is inclined beyond a selected angle from the vertical, the at least one secondary rotatable contact surface rotating about a respective secondary axle that is substantially parallel to the primary axle, the secondary axle being mounted to the frame such that the secondary axle extends throughout the width of the frame, whereby the primary contact surfaces support a skater when the in-line skate is in a substantially vertical position, and the at least one secondary contact surface contacts the skating surface and supports the skater when the in-line skate is inclined beyond the selected angle from the vertical, the secondary wheelbase being shorter than the primary wheelbase.