Patent ID: 6039330
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: A63C

Abstract:
An in-line roller skate used on a skating surface, said roller skate comprising:a pair of side frames;at least two skate wheels assemblies rotatably mounted between the side frames about parallel skate wheel rotational axes spaced apart a prescribed wheel spacing distance so that the skate wheel assemblies are generally aligned along a common straight path and so that the peripheral surfaces on adjacent skate wheel assemblies define a minimum clearance distance therebetween;an engaging assembly defining a central axis therethrough and a generally cylindrical peripheral skate wheel engaging surface therearound having a diameter greater than the minimum distance between the peripheries of the skate wheel assemblies, said skate wheel engaging surface adapted to frictionally engage the peripheries of the two adjacent skate wheel assemblies so that said engaging assembly is frictionally engaging the skate wheel assemblies;means for selectively moving said engaging assembly toward the peripheries of the two adjacent skate wheel assemblies so that said engaging assembly frictionally engages the peripheries of the two adjacent skate wheel assemblies and is rotated thereby while the contact forces between said engaging assembly and the two adjacent skate wheel assemblies are substantially equalized; andmeans for applying a braking force to said engaging assembly so that said engaging assembly retards the rotation of the two adjacent skate wheel assemblies while said engaging assembly is frictionally engaging the peripheries of the two adjacent skate wheel assemblies, said means further including secondary means for limiting the movement of said engaging assembly toward the two adjacent skate wheel assemblies to prevent said engaging assembly from passing between the two skate wheel assemblies,wherein said secondary means comprises limit means for contacting said engaging assembly to limit the movement thereof toward the two adjacent skate wheel assemblies, andwherein said limit means includes a limit roller rotatably mounted between the skate side frames adapted to engage said engaging assembly to limit the movement thereof toward the two adjacent skate wheel assemblies while allowing said engaging assembly to roll on said limit roller and while maintaining frictional driving contact between the two adjacent skate wheel assemblies so that said engaging assembly continues to apply braking forces to the two skate wheel assemblies while engaging said limit roller.