Abstract:
A skate with inline wheels is disclosed that employs a lever (termed a mast) to provide the upright support and lateral control usually supplied by a stiff boot or shell. The lever doesn&#39;t trap heat and perspiration as will the boot or shell, particularly since these must be lined with heavy padding to provide a modicum of comfort. Moreover, unlike the skate boot, the mast may be folded back along the frame of the skate when not in use to enhance portability and minimize the need for storage space. Additionally, the various embodiments of the invention are easier to put on and take off than traditional designs. These features gain additional utility when considered in combination, which have the collective efficacy to usher the inline design into entirely new applications. The inventor considers that the impressive speed of inline skates generally, combined with the features disclosed herein, may someday cast this erstwhile toy and sports accessory into a new role as a practical transport machine.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to inline roller skates, and to means for attaching such skates for use.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Experiments that began in the 19th century revealed that relocating the wheels of a skate from the four corners to a single plane provided a major advantage: namely speed. But a major problem was also introduced. With all wheels in one plane, considerable force was needed to keep the skates vertical when going straight, or properly banked in a turn.  
           [0003]    A method to keep the ankle from twisting under the strain of coping with the dynamic forces threatening to overwhelm it at every moment was borrowed from two winter sports. The ski and ice skate fraternities had accumulated much experience with these very problems. Their solution? Support the ankle with a very stiff boot that is well padded.  
           [0004]    By dint of innumerable trials, various types of rigid encasement (to keep the ankle from collapsing) combined with padding (to distribute the pressure and make the pain bearable) were adapted from these cold weather sports. Ultimately this was accomplished with enough success to create a new skate industry that overshadowed its quad skate precursor. But what these founders could not borrow was the cold weather! Most outdoor roller skating is done in hot, or at least fair, weather. The physical exertion combined with higher temperatures, and encased feet surrounded by copious padding (i.e., insulation) were not a happy combination. This still holds true today despite many refinements.  
           [0005]    Another problem was that the stiffness necessary for the encasement (i.e., boot) to support the ankle against lateral forces interfered with the fore and aft bending of the ankle needed for gaining momentum. While this was alleviated by articulating sections of the boot (not unlike medieval armor), comfort was never a boast.  
           [0006]    The present invention adopts a new approach that makes improvements on many fronts. These are summarized below, and treated at length later.  
           [0007]    Some of the prior art accomplished the transition between skating and walking by means of a special boot that is an integral part of the skate, yet can be separated from the skate and subsequently used for walking. But this is easier said than done. A boot that incorporates the structures needed to latch on to the skate and also counter the forces generated by the inline wheels is not readily made comfortable for walking. Inevitably this has to be an inherent design conflict.  
           [0008]    Nor can such a skate (based as it is on individually fitted boots) be readily shared. Not even by a typical family, much less the public at large, as in a club or rental agency.  
           [0009]    Still another skate design consists of special shoes that incorporate one turning element: a single roller that is built into each heel. A very small roller. In a very thick heel. Fun, to be sure, but not a serious vehicle of transport.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    Herein is described an inline roller skate having multiple wheels in one plane but, unlike most skates of this genre, ordinary walking shoes are used instead of integral fitted boots.  
           [0011]    A lever (mast) is attached to the frame of the skate in such fashion that the mast folds alongside the skate when carried or stored. But when the skate is donned, the mast is pivoted upward and strapped to the leg of the skater. By this means, the stiff, padded (and often hot and sweaty) integral boots are no longer required.  
           [0012]    When the skater wishes to quit, the skates may be removed and folded in seconds. Now the skates are readily stowed—perhaps in a shoulder bag. And the skater is free to enter a building where ordinary shoes are expected. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an exemplary skate showing a lever (the mast) attached to a skater&#39;s leg to counteract the torque reaction generated by the lateral forces of the inline wheels.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the opposite side of the exemplary skate in FIG. 1, again showing the skate in use.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a cross-section view through the skate of FIG. 1 at the footband, taken along lines  3 - 3  of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of skate in folded mode, ready to be toted or stored.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the skate of FIG. 1 showing mast in folded-down position, but pulled away from frame (which is the first step when preparing for skating). Mastband  110  is truncated at  135  because scale of drawing isn&#39;t suitable to show the buckle parts shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Also for reason of scale, cable  150  is truncated at  150   a.    
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through the skate at the sidestop, as denoted by the lines  6 - 6  of FIG. 5;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken at lines  7 - 7  of FIG. 6;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the roller shown in circle  8  of FIG. 1, which also includes a quarter-section view showing the plain bearing thereof.;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is an enlarged end view of the mastpad, as indicated by lines  9 - 9  of FIG. 1;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is an enlarged end view of the legpad taken at lines  10 - 10  of FIG. 2;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a frontal view of an exemplary pull-up (cinching) buckle used to tightly and conveniently tighten the mastband, and (in an alternative embodiment) the footband;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  12 - 12  of FIG. 11.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]    General  
         [0026]    With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary wheels-inline roller skate  101  has a frame  104  whose upper surface forms a platform  105  for bearing a skater&#39;s regular footwear  106 , and ultimately the full weight of the wearer. Frame  104  is designed to securely hold a plurality of inline wheels  102  by means of axles  103 . Skate  101  has a conventional heelbrake  145 .  
         [0027]    Skate  101  also includes a mast  124 , which is configured as a lever that is attached to skate  101  on one end  125 , and whose other end  123  is configured for attachment to a skater&#39;s leg  130  by means of mastband  110 . Mast  124  is instrumental in allowing the skater to keep skate  101 , with its inline wheels  102 , upright. These, as well as other components of skate  101  are more fully described below.  
         [0028]    Skate  101  supports a user&#39;s ankle  132  by substituting leverage for encasement. Specifically, mast  124  is attached to skate frame  104  and also strapped to leg  130  at some distance above ankle  132 . The substitution of mast  124  for the usual fitted boot allows ankle  132  to better cope with keeping skate  101  upright, improves cooling, increases comfort, and offers much more convenience.  
         [0029]    Mast  124  is hinged to frame  104  at  125  so as to accommodate angular motion between leg  130  and footwear  106  in the foreward-back direction (as indicated by arrow  128 ). But in the transverse plane, mast  124  helps maintain platform  105  at a right angle to leg  150 . This is accomplished by a right-angle bend  125  in mast  124 .  
         [0030]    A relatively generous length of mast  124  (as compared to the height of most skate boots) tends to reduce the unit pressure needed to oppose the torque required to keep skate  101  upright. Moreover the leverage of mast  124  allows padding to be strategically concentrated into the areas most effective in countering the torque induced by inline wheels  102 . In both cases this leads to a reduction in the padding required, and in the area of skin covered. The end result is the aforementioned better cooling.  
         [0031]    Mast  124  is readily folded in a parked position alongside frame  104  when it is not in use, making for compact storage in luggage or shoulder bag. Clearly the usefulness of a pair of inline roller skates is enhanced for tourist or shopper if they can be readily doffed before entering coffeeshop or boutique, and just as readily remounted to continue the journey.  
         [0032]    Still another advantage of skate  101  for both supplier and purchaser is that one size fits virtually all adults, male and female.  
         [0033]    This newfound convenience, comfort, and universality may someday be recognized as entitling skates  101  to be considered a principle conveyance, rather than as a mere toy or sport accessory. A similar metamorphosis occurred with the bicycle when it was converted from a high-wheeled curiosity to one of the world&#39;s major vehicles by the invention of the sprocket drive a little over a century ago. Even the mere possibility is notable. And for anyone in the business of selling or renting skates, an end to the need for stocking a full range of sizes in every model should be welcome news.  
         [0034]    Not that there haven&#39;t been prior attempts to utilize ordinary footware with the inline wheel concept. But an exhaustive search has not revealed any disclosure whereby the structural additions that accommodate ordinary footware are as successful in achieving compact storage as mast  124 . This is not only because of the very small volume of mast  124 , but also the result of its ability to be folded alongside the frame.  
         [0035]    An inline skate has a speed capability within the lower range of a bicycle. Yet a pair of them may now be tucked into a lady&#39;s handbag. Within seconds after use. The utility of such a tool is manifest. In sum, a miniature yet useful vehicle that improves one&#39;s fitness while conserving resources is no trivial thing.  
         [0036]    Three-Point Retention  
         [0037]    Three retention points are used to obtain secure and stable attachment of skate  101  to leg  130  and footwear  106 .  
         [0038]    (a) Binding top of mast to leg. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2,  9 , and  10 , this is accomplished by mastband  110 . Two padded plates  181  and  201  of mastpad  111  and legpad  122  respectively, are placed on opposite sides of the skater&#39;s leg  130  to absorb the torque forces on mast  124  generated by lateral forces on inline wheels  102 . Mastband  110  clasps both mastpad  111  and legpad  122  to leg  130 . This must be done firmly. A “stretchy” band will oscillate under the stresses of skating and quickly become uncontrollable. Therefore, the relative narrowness of this (non-elastic) mastband  110  performs a function, allowing pads  111  and  122  to tilt slightly to match the various contours of human legs. A wide band here (since it must be non-elastic) would be less adaptive, since a wide band on a curving surface (the leg) tends to concentrate the pressure along one edge thereof and cause discomfort.  
         [0039]    (b) Securing front of shoe  106  to platform  105 . This part of the three-point retention is performed by a footband  107 . Physical and operational details of band  107  are explained below.  
         [0040]    (c) Securing rear  106   a  of shoe  106  to platform  105 . Referring to FIGS. 1, 5, and  6 , rear  106   a  of shoe  106  is captured between between mast  124  and sidestop  160 . A backstop  140  locates heel  106   b  of shoe  106  forward/back on platform  105 . All of these constraints are adjustable to match different widths and lengths of shoe  106 , as well as locate shoe  106  laterally central to platform  105 .  
         [0041]    A preferred and deliberate omission from skate  101  are bindings over the instep  131 . Such bindings are virtually a universal practice in this field. But when ease of donning is paramount, mast  124  allows this omission while still providing secure retention for commuting and touring.  
         [0042]    Preferred Embodiment  
         [0043]    Much of the following detailed description has to do with operation, since one of the principle objectives has been ease of use. Or more specifically, ease of adjustment, ease of donning, and foldability into a compact form for stowing.  
         [0044]    Before using skates  101  for the first time, various adjustments fit skate  101  to a specific shoe  106 . These one-time adjustments are preliminary in nature, the main object being ease in mounting skates  101  (donning). But the actual donning and final tightening procedures are separate operations that are covered in detail later.  
         [0045]    We now examine the preparatory adjustment steps. These are best undertaken while not wearing the intended shoe  106 . Instead, shoe  106  and skate  101  may most conveniently be held in one&#39;s lap. Once adjusted, the settings can be fairly permanent, and therefore not a normal part of donning.  
         [0046]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the first preliminary adjustment involves setting the length of footband  107  using a belt slide  109 , so that footband  107  will encircle a forward part  106   c  of shoe  106  with just enough slack that permits easy entrance of shoe  106 . Slide  109  is a standard “off-the-shelf” device for adjusting belt length. The fit of footband  107  should not be too loose in order that it be within the range suitable for the final tightening operation to come mechanism (covered later). A standard belt loop  108  holds the unneeded part of the belt.  
         [0047]    When adjusting the length of footband  107  it is also important to center shoe  106  over platform  105 . Centering is controlled by the position of a solestop  220  which hugs corner  221  a of shoe sole  221  as shown. Solestop  220  is adjusted by sliding it along footband  107  to suit. This is easily done when shoe  106  is temporarily removed from footband  107 . Solestop  220  has three functions:  
         [0048]    (a) Provides visual guidance for placing shoe  106  (FIG. 1) at the desired central position over platform  105  as the skate is donned and,  
         [0049]    (b) When footband  107  (FIG. 3) is tightened, and the edge of the shoe&#39;s sole  221  lies in the corner of solestop  220 , shoe  106  will not shift from the desired center position under the rigors of skating.  
         [0050]    (c) Finally, its minute size and inclusion with the flexible footband facilitates preparing the skate for storage.  
         [0051]    With shoe  106  slipped under footband  107  (both still held in the lap), the next pre-adjustment step is setting backstop  140  (FIG. 5). Backstop  140  is anchored to platform  105  by a screw  141  in any one of a purality of locating holes  142 . The resulting plurality of backstop positions allows individuals with different foot lengths to find an appropriate placement for balance and appearance.  
         [0052]    With backstop  140  adjusted, the next procedure involves two constraints that center heel  106   b  over frame  105 : sidestop  160  and (when erected) mast  124 .  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 6 shows, in phantom lines  161  the sidestop  160  when fully retracted into frame  105  as when skates are stored. In position  161 , the two hooked ends are at position  162   a , having passed through two slots  163  in frame  104 . Also shown is sidestop  160  when pulled outward until outward movement is limited by stop  164 . The latter is a special nut whose position is controlled by adjustment screw  165  as also seen in FIG. 1. Retention washer  166  keeps screw  165  in place. The operation of stop  164  is best viewed in a cross-section taken at lines  7 - 7  of FIG. 6 (shown in FIG. 7).  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 5 shows in phantom lines  127  the position of mast  124  when fully retracted for storage by sliding its lower arm  170  through its bearing in frame  104  until springclip  126  limits against frame  104  at  126   a . Mast  124  may be slid in an outward direction as far as adjustable collar  172  will allow.  
         [0055]    Accordingly, sidestop  160  and mast  124  together serve to position and retain shoe  106  in a central position over platform  105  by appropriate adjustments of a sidestop screw  165  and a collar  173  respectively.  
         [0056]    Once all the above preliminary adjustments are incorporated, the first step of donning is enabled. This consists of pulling sidestop  160  and mast  124  laterally outward from their parked positions  400  (FIG. 4) to their outer limits as previously adjusted.  
         [0057]    Next, shoe  106  is inserted under footband  107 . Then heel  106   b  is settled onto platform  105  ahead of backstop  140  and simultaneously against sidestop  160 . With all of these elements pre-adjusted to accommodate and correctly position shoe  106 , mounting skate  101  is a smooth and continuous operation.  
         [0058]    With front  106   c  and back  106   a  properly positioned over platform  105  as indicated above, mast  124  may now be raised (rotated) to a vertical position as shown in FIG. 1. As this is done, a rubber roller  121  (shown enlarged in FIG. 8) rotates on its bearing  176  to ease passage of mast  124  over shoe  106 . In the preferred embodiment, roller  121  consists of two rubber grommets  177  and  178  mounted on a flanged tube  176  (for a bearing). Most importantly, when mast  124  is vertical, the ribbed roller provides a frictional grip on shoe  106  to assist mastband  124  in pulling skate  101  up instantly whenever foot  106  is raised and wheels  102  have lost their ground support. This positive response is an important consideration in the absence of an instep band.  
         [0059]    In the preferred embodiment, FIGS. 3 and 5, raising mast  124  also causes a nylon-sheathed cable loop  151 , which initially was next to roller  121 , to slide along mast  124  toward bend  125 . As mast  124  is moved to (or slightly past) its vertical position, loop  151  has no choice but to go around bend  125  until stopped by a springclip  126 . In effect this latches tautened cable  150 . Since the other end of cable  150  is attached to footband  107 , the displacement of cable  151  provides the final tightening of footband  107 . Compression spring  153  takes up cable slack to keep cable  150  from fouling. Opposite end of footband  107  is anchored to the frame by means of screw  112 .  
         [0060]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 9, and  11  (with the mast  107  now vertical and footband  107  now tight) the final donning step consists of securing mast  124  to leg  130 . This is done by wrapping mastband  110  about leg  130  and attaching rectangular ring  190  over hook  180 .  
         [0061]    Referring next to FIGS. 1, 2,  11 , and  12 , the length of mastband  110  is adjusted by slide  109  to be snug, but not so tight as to be difficult to hook ring  190 . After mastband  124  is hooked, legpad  122  is slid along mastband  124  so that legpad  122  is on opposite side of leg from mastpad  111 . (Generally this will already be the case except for first-time users.) Now it is time for final tightening of mastband  124  as follows.  
         [0062]    Cinchlever  192  is turned 180 degrees to position  193 . When thus rotated, slide  109  is pulled toward ring  190  (at  199 ). This reduces the circumference of legband  110  while, at the same time, an overcenter condition locks cinchlever  192 . Final tightening is now complete. The mast is thereby securely attached to the leg. This completes the donning process.  
         [0063]    It is feasible to don skate  101  with mast  124  on the inner or outer side of leg  130  (FIG. 1). The muscle structure of the leg favors the latter choice from the standpoint of greater comfort while skating. On the other hand, the physical process of putting on skate  101  is easier for most people if the mast is on the inner side of the leg. Particularly so for those who choose to don the skate while sitting in a cross-leg posture. These options are to be explained in an operating manual and the choice left to the user.  
         [0064]    At the conclusion of skating, removing skate  101  is simply a matter of swinging open cinchlever  192  and unhooking ring  190  from hook  180 , thereby releasing the mastband  110 . At this time skate  101  may be pulled off (not unlike pulling off a shoe when the laces are undone) and then folded. FIG. 4 shows skate  101  completely folded.  
         [0065]    For mast  124  of the preferred embodiment, stainless steel of grade  304  was selected because of its corrosion resistance, good formability, and lack of need for heat treatment after forming. Obviously an infinite variety of variants in cross-section and material (including both metals and composites) are possible that would essentially utilize and illustrate the same principles that are the subject of this disclosure.  
         [0066]    In the preferred embodiment, frame  4  is of aluminum in a generally conventional channel configuration. However, any frame structure that is functionally equivalent and compatible with the principles of this disclosure is assumed to fall within its purview. The following variations in frame material and construction are cited to illustrate the point. Namely, since all the types cited (as well as others) are adaptable to and could profit by incorporation of the mast and its allied devices, these disclosures apply broadly to inline skate design, rather than specifically to the preferred embodiment. (No drawings have been provided, since the various frame configurations and materials are merely a designer&#39;s choice and have no bearing on the core concept of the folding mast.)  
         [0067]    (a) A frame  104  of composite material, like fibreglas.  
         [0068]    (b) A molded frame  104  of polyurethane or other suitable and moldable plastic.  
         [0069]    (c) Frame  104  may be in articulated sections instead of in one piece.  
         [0070]    (d) The frame&#39;s cross-section may vary. For example, one or both edges of platform  105  may be extended outward for greater foot support (e.g., a pi-shaped cross-section in place of the inverted-U of the preferred embodiment).  
         [0071]    The list is meant to be illustrative, not exhaustive.  
         [0072]    Alternative Embodiment 1  
         [0073]    The automatic footband tightening mechanism described in the preferred embodiment, including cable  150  and associated parts of FIG. 5, may be replaced by incorporating a second pull-up buckle (not shown) identical to that used in the mast band  110  and shown in FIG. 11. Said second pull-up buckle would utilize belt-adjustment slide  109  and cinchlever  192  in the same fashion as already described except for one difference. Namely, the rectangular loop  190  would not be fastened to hook  180  of FIG. 9, but would instead be permanently linked to the footband. A loop in the belt provides the means of linkage. Such loops are a common belt termination in the trade, using standard sewing or riveting means of attaching ring to belt end.  
         [0074]    Alternative Embodiment 2  
         [0075]    In this embodiment, the storability of skate  101  may be marginally enhanced by incorporating a hinge in backstop  114  of FIG. 1, thereby providing a means for folding the backstop down onto frame when storing the skate. This embodiment is simplistic and obvious, and is merely touched upon here for the sake of completeness.