ERGONOMIC SKATE BOOT

Abstract: In an inline, ergonomic, asymmetrical roller skate, there is a boot and a lower truck chassis (3) supporting a plurality of wheels rotating on axles between parallel side walls. The boot includes the forward (11) and rearward (10) pair of integrally molded downwardly projecting extensions to secure the boot to the chassis. The boot comprises partial elastic semi-rigid outer boot, adapted for support and a cushioned inner boot, adapted for comfort. The outer boot, in operation, exerts pressure on a foot and ankle area only in locations which require support. The inner liner includes additional cushioning in areas which are adjacent to sensitive portions of the foot and ankle.

Description: ERGONOM1C SKATE BOOT RELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to in-line roller skates, and in particular, ergonomic inline roller skates. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In-line roller skate boots were originally fashioned after ski boot technology. Boots concentrated on control and support. Unfortunately, such boots are heavy, hot and uncomfortable, particularly in summer weather. Recreational needs for in-line roller skates are different than those for the ski enthusiast. The first in-line roller skates were limited by truck chassis technology and generally follow the idea of the very rigid outer boot with an inner liner. The foot as a whole being entirely maintained, such a construction provides poor comfort. Moreover, a support structure in the wrong place can do serious damage to the foot. 1 - SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an in-line skate providing simultaneously improved comfort and enhanced support. As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention seeks to provide an ergonomic, asymmetrical in-line roller skate comprising a boot and a lower truck chassis adapted to support a plurality of wheels mounted to rotate on axles between parallel side walls thereof, said boot being adapted to be secured to said chassis, said boot comprising a partial elastic, semi-rigid outer boot, adapted for support and a cushioned inner boot adapted for comfort, whereby said outer boot, in operation, exerts pressure on a foot and ankle area only in locations which require support and said inner boot includes additional cushioning in areas which are adjacent to sensitive portions of the foot and ankle. The idea is to put cushions in the boot wherever the bones come near the surface and support is advantageously provided wherever there are ligaments and muscles. Advantageously, the said lower portion when worn by a skater provides heel support at its rear, arch support at its lower portion and side support at its upper portion; said lower portion being partially cut away adjacent sensitive - 2 - areas of the foot to provide additional space padding. Advantageously, additional padding is located adjacent at least two of the following parts of a foot, namely: 5 first cuneiform; cuboid; first metatarsal; firth metatarsal; malleolus; and o navicular. With new material technologies, for instance by using composites of plastics, foams and other materials, one is able to produce an in-line skate which is lighter and which cushions the sensitive areas and supports the areas which 5 require support. In other areas of the foot nothing is necessary, other than a light covering. The outer boot preferably comprises an upper portion and a lower portion; said portions being pivotally mounted to one another such that in operation o said upper portion is adapted to pivot forwardly, said upper portion providing ankle support at its upper ends and heel support at its lower end; said upper portion being adapted to be secured to a shin area of a leg by means of a strap; said upper portion being comprised of flexible elastic material which in - 3 - operation exhibits sufficient recoil to return a foot to an original position. The boot advantageously includes a rearward and forward pair of downwardly projecting extensions adapted to secure the boot to the chassis. In the present invention, behind the heel and leg is an elastic which advantageously encircles the tendon. This is made of the flexible material which does not lose its elasticity. The material itself has enough recoil to return the foot to its original position. Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is provided hereinbelow, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the roller skate of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the present invention; - 4 Figure 3 is a side view of the major components of the inner boot, outer boot and truck chassis; Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the outer boot; 5 Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the outer boot; Figure 6 is a lateral view of the bones of the foot; l o Figure 7 is a dorsal view of the bones of the foot; and Figure 8 is a medial view of the bones of the foot. In the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way 15 of examples. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for a purpose of illustration and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention. 20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figures 6, 7 and 8 represent, from various views, the bones of the feet. Arches in a solid black line show areas generally preferred for support for the - 5 - feet and oblique lined circles show the main sensitive zones. In designing the in-line skate of the present invention, support zones include rear ankle support, rear heel support, lower arch support and lateral support on the fifth metatarsal. The sensitive padding zones advantageously include padding beside the first metatarsal, ie the joint between the foot bone and the big toe, the fifth metatarsal, ie the joint between the little toe and the foot bone, padding near the fifth metatarsal and cuboid, padding beside the first cuneiform and the navicular and the ankle bone or malleolus. The different zones have been labeled in roman numerals which correspond with the various cushion areas and support portions of the ERGONOMIC SKATE BOOT of the present invention. Roman numeral XX(A), as shown in Figures 6 and 8, represent the sensitive zone next to the ankle or malleolus. This corresponds to the cushioned area shown as 20a in Figure 3. Roman number IX shows an area where ankle or rear tendon support is required. This corresponds to upper cuff outer boot 9 shown in Figures 3 and 5. Heel support area VI corresponds to lower heel support 6 of the lower outer boot. Roman number VII shows arch support in both Figures 6 and 8 and this corresponds to a portion 7 of the lower boot. Lateral support VII below the fifth metatarsal is also provided by lower boot arch support 7. The sensitive area of the first cuneiform XXI, shown in Figures 6 and 8, is cushioned by front inner liner boot 21. Sensitive zone of the fifth metatarsal XXIII, shown in - 6 - Figures 6 and 7, corresponds to fifth metatarsal padding 23, shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. First metatarsal sensitive area XXIV, as shown in Figure 8, is cushioned by metatarsal padding 24 and front inner liner boot 21. The present invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises an in-line roller skate shown basically as 1. The in-line roller skate 1 consists of a boot 2, which is attached to a wheel chassis 3. Rotatably mounted within side walls of the wheel chassis 3 are a plurality of a aligned wheels 4. Wheels 4 are mounted on axles 5 in a conventional manner. The boot portion of the skate consists of a partial outer boot and an inner liner. The outer boot comprises a elastic wrap-around heel support 6, as shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 3. In Figure 3, one notes also that the outer boot has a lower arch support 7 and a side support 8. The side support 8 is advantageously comprised of a thin elongated band extending from the ankle region to the fifth metatarsal. The band defines a lateral aperture located between its lower edge and the upper edge of the lower arch support 7. An upper cuff 9, which is pivotally connected to the lower outer boot, provides ankle support. Figure 3, shows a pair of rear lower boot extensions 10 and a pair of front lower boot extensions 11 advantageously integrally molded with the lower outer boot. These extensions are configured to attach the boot to the truck chassis 3. Preferably, the rear lower boot extensions have - 7 - indentations 10a adapted to encircle one of the wheel axles 5 to avoid interference with the axle. The forepart of the truck chassis 3 has a pair of vertically elongate apertures 12 adapted to align with apertures 13 in the front lower boot extension 11. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a vertically slidable front connecting pin 34 connects apertures 12 and 13. In the rear of chassis 3, is a pair of apertures 14 adapted to cooperate and align with pivot point apertures 15 located in rear lower boot extensions 10. Rear pivot pin 33 connects apertures 14 and 15 to pivotally secure the rear lower boot extensions 10 of boot 2 to the chassis while vertically slidable front connecting pin 34 connects front lower boot extensions 11 of the boot 2 to the front portion of the chassis 3 at vertically elongate apertures 12. As shown more clearly in Figure 3, upper cuff outer boot 9 contains a buckle aperture 16 and an upper flex pivot aperture 17. This is adapted to cooperate with lower flex pivot aperture 18 found in the lower outer boot. A flex device 19 is adapted to fit within upper flex pivot aperture 17 and lower flex pivot aperture 18. As shown in more clearly in the upper portion of Figure 3, the liner or inner boot, consists of a rear inner boot 20 equipped with an ankle cushioning pad 20a. The liner also consists of a front inner boot 21. Rear and front inner - 8 - boots 20 and 21 rest on an inner boot base 22 which is equipped on one side thereof with a fifth metatarsal aperture padding 23. The boot of the present invention is also equipped with a metatarsal padding 24, a heel cushioning 25 and a tendon cushioning portion 26. These are most clearly shown in Figure 5 3. The skater's foot is secured in the boot by means of laces 27 which traverse lace holders 28, these being located on a lace support pad 29 which is integrally connected to the front inner boot 21. An upper lace tightener 30 is l o used to tighten the laces. Support to the ankle region and the upper cuff is provided by a strap 31 which is adapted to be secured within buckle 32 to tighten the upper cuff outer boot 9. 15 As shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 3, an elastomeric absorber 35 is placed between the sole of boot 2 and the skate chassis 3 at the front portion thereof to provide resiliency in a vertical direction as the boot 2 pivots in relation to the skate chassis 3 about pivot pin 33. 20 Figures 4 and 5 show the outer boot with its various padding elements without liner portions 20, 21 and 22. The tendon cushioning portion 26 and the fifth metatarsal padding 23, are shown. In Figures 4 and 5 one sees that - 9 - the upper cuff outer boot 9 is connected to the heel support lower outer boot 6 by means of flex device 19. The above description of preferred embodiments should not be interpreted in limiting manner since variations, modifications or refinements are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents. 10

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An ergonomic asymmetrical in-line roller skate comprising: a boot; a lower truck chassis adapted to support a plurality of wheels mounted to rotate on axles between parallel side walls thereof; said boot being adapted to be secured to said chassis; said boot comprising a partial, elastic, semi-rigid outer boot adapted for support and a cushioned inner boot adapted for comfort; whereby said outer boot in operation exerts pressure on a foot and ankle area only in locations which require support; and said inner boot includes additional cushioning in areas which are adjacent sensitive portions of the foot and ankle. 2. A roller skate as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said lower portion when worn by a skater provides heel support at its rear, arch support at its lower portion and side support at its upper portion; said lower portion being partially cut away adjacent sensitive areas of the foot to provide additional space padding. 3. A roller skate as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein additional padding is located adjacent at least two of the following parts of a foot, namely: first cuneiform; - 11 - cuboid; first metatarsal; firth metatarsal; malleolus; and navicular. 4. A roller skate as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein said outer boot comprises an upper portion and a lower portion; said portions being pivotally mounted to one another such that in operation said upper portion is adapted to pivot forwardly, said upper portion providing ankle support at its upper ends and heel support at its lower end; said upper portion being adapted to be secured to a shin area of a leg by means of a strap; said upper portion being comprised of flexible elastic material which in operation exhibits sufficient recoil to return a foot to an original position. 5. A roller skate as claimed in claims 1 , 2 or 3, wherein both laces and at least one strap in operation secure said boot to a skater's foot. 6. A roller skate as claimed in any one of preceding claims, wherein said boot includes a rearward and a forward pair of downwardly projecting extensions adapted to secure said boot to said chassis. - 12 -

Inventors: FULLUM JEAN-FRANCOIS, FULLUM, JEAN-FRANCOIS
Applicants: BAUER INC, FULLUM JEAN FRANCOIS, BAUER INC., FULLUM, JEAN-FRANCOIS
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A43B5
IPC codes: A43B5