Abstract:
A three-wheeled roller skate and method therefore, comprising a substantially shoe-shaped foot receptacle, two heel end wheels rotatably coupled to an axis, and a toe end wheel smaller in diameter than the two heel end wheels and positioned in front of and spaced apart from the toe end of the skater&#39;s foot, allowing a user to maximize both stability as well as speed.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of the U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/618,594, filed Jul. 17, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,229 in the name of the same inventor and entitled THREE-WHEELED ROLLER SKATE AND METHOD THEREFOR. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to roller skates and, more specifically, to a three-wheeled roller skate having a substantially shoe-shaped foot receptacle, two heel end wheels rotatably coupled to an axis, and a toe end wheel smaller in diameter than the two heel end wheels and positioned in front of and spaced apart from the toe end of the skater&#39;s foot. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Roller skates are often used both as a source of recreation as well as a means for personal transportation. Traditional roller skates comprise four wheels, with two wheels parallel each other on either side of the toe end of a platform and two wheels parallel each other on either side of the heel end of the platform. Some roller skates are also designed with a shoe-like foot receptacle to better secure the foot to the platform. Although the four-wheel arrangement is stable, a three-wheel arrangement can provide increased speed through an overall decrease in the amount of friction between the wheels and the ground. Increased maneuverability is also created by this arrangement by decreasing the overall weight of the roller skate and by increasing the turning ability by giving the wearer an increased control over his or her center of gravity. Additionally, a three-wheel arrangement with two wheels disposed parallel each other at either end of an axis located at a center of gravity of the shoe-shaped foot receptacle and only one wheel at the center of the toe and increases stability. 
     Over the years, some prior art three-wheeled roller skates have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,767 issued to Le Page shows a three-wheeled roller skate. This patent shows an axle positioned proximate the heel end of the skate, thus limiting the skater&#39;s ability to balance. In addition, this design lacks a shoe-like foot receptacle making it difficult for the wearer to safely secure his or her foot to the skate for optimum skating maneuverability. Additionally, the Le Page skate is designed with the skater&#39;s toes directly over the toe end wheel rather than the toe end wheel being positioned in front of and spaced from the toe end of the skater&#39;s foot. The Le Page design lacks the stability inherent in a spaced-apart configuration. The larger the area within the triangle created by the three wheels the more stable the skate. A more stable design therefore requires the toes and wheel to be positioned in front of and spaced from the toe end of the skater&#39;s foot. The Le Page skate also discloses three wheels of equal diameters, as opposed to two heel wheels larger in diameter than a front toe end wheel to optimize speed. 
     U.S. Design Pat. No. 266,440 issued to Bentley, U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,491 issued to Wheelwright, and U.S. Pat. No. 1,632,997 issued to Connolly show several additional designs for three-wheeled roller skates. Although differing wheel diameters are shown between the wheels at the heel end and the wheel at the toe end, all of the patents disclose a rear axle proximate the heel end of the skate, limiting the balance of the skater. In addition, the toe end wheel is not positioned in front of and spaced from the toe end of the skater&#39;s foot, also limiting the skater&#39;s balance. Additionally, none of these patents disclose a shoe-like foot receptacle to secure the skater&#39;s foot to the skate in a stable fashion. 
     Several attempts have been made to create a three-wheeled roller skate which optimizes the design advantage of having the toe end wheel positioned in front of and spaced from the toe end of the skater&#39;s foot. U.S. Pat. No. 1,854,188 issued to Gregory, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 238,803 issued to Sessa, and U.S. Des. Pat. No. 81,773 issued to Brinkman all take advantage of the spaced-apart design. However, none of these patents disclose an axle for the two rear wheels which is fixedly coupled to the bottom of the skate proximate a center of gravity of the skater&#39;s foot. In addition, none of the patents disclose a shoe-like foot receptacle or diameter variance between the two heel end wheels and the toe end wheel. 
     A need therefore existed for a three-wheeled roller skate having the combination of the qualities of: an axle for the two heel and wheels coupled at the bottom of a platform proximate a center of gravity of a shoe-like foot receptacle, two heel end wheels larger in diameter than the toe end wheel to allow for optimum speed, and a design in which the toe end and wheel is positioned in front of and spaced apart from the toe end of the skater&#39;s foot to maximize stability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a stable three-wheeled roller skate capable of allowing a skater to securely fasten his or her foot to the skate while at the same time achieving a high rate of speed in a stable fashion. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for roller skating allowing a skater to securely fasten his or her foot to the skate while at the same time achieving a high rate of speed in a stable fashion. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a roller skate is disclosed, comprising, in combination, a platform having a top portion and a bottom portion and a first end and a second end and a first side and a second side, a substantially shoe-shaped foot receptacle having a heel end and a toe end, the foot receptacle is fixedly coupled to the top portion of the platform with the heel end of the foot receptacle coupled proximate the first end of the platform and the toe end of the foot receptacle coupled proximate the second end of the platform, an axle having a first end and a second end, the axle is fixedly coupled to the bottom portion of the platform proximate a center of gravity of the shoe-shaped foot receptacle, a first wheel rotatably coupled to the first end of the axle proximate the first side of the platform, a second wheel having substantially the same shape and diameter of the first wheel rotatably coupled to the second end of the axle proximate the second side of the platform and substantially parallel to the first wheel, a third wheel smaller in diameter than the first and second wheels rotatably coupled proximate the second end of the platform, the third wheel is in front of and spaced from the toe end of the shoe receptacle, and a braking device fixedly coupled to the bottom portion of the platform proximate the first end. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a roller skate is disclosed, comprising, in combination, a first horizontal platform having a top portion and a bottom portion and a first end and a second end and a first side and a second side, a vertical platform having a top and a bottom end, the bottom end is fixedly coupled to the second end of the first horizontal platform, a second horizontal platform having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second horizontal platform is fixedly coupled to the top end of the vertical platform, a substantially shoe-shaped foot receptacle having a heel end and a toe end, the foot receptacle is fixedly coupled to the top portion of the first horizontal platform with the heel end of the foot receptacle coupled proximate the first end of the first horizontal platform and the toe end of the foot receptacle coupled proximate the second end of the first horizontal platform, an axle having a first end and a second end, the axle is fixedly coupled to the bottom portion of the first horizontal platform proximate a center of gravity of the shoe-shaped foot receptacle, a first wheel rotatably coupled to the first end of the axle proximate the first side of the first horizontal platform, a second wheel having substantially the same shape and diameter of the first wheel rotatably coupled to the second end of the axle proximate the second side of the first horizontal platform and substantially parallel to the first wheel, a third wheel smaller in diameter than the first and second wheels rotatably coupled proximate the second end of the second horizontal platform, the third wheel is in front of and spaced from the toe end of the shoe receptacle, and a braking device fixedly coupled to the bottom portion of the first horizontal platform proximate the first end of the first horizontal platform. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for skating is disclosed, comprising, in combination, the steps of providing a platform having a top portion and a bottom portion and a first end and a second end and a first side and a second side, providing a substantially shoe-shaped foot receptacle having a heel end and a toe end, the foot receptacle is fixedly coupled to the top portion of the platform with the heel end of the foot receptacle coupled proximate the first end of the platform and the toe end of the foot receptacle coupled proximate the second end of the platform, providing an axle having a first end and a second end, the axle is fixedly coupled to the bottom portion of the platform proximate a center of gravity of the shoe-shaped foot receptacle, rotatably coupling a first wheel to the first end of the axle proximate the first side of the platform, rotatably coupling a second wheel having substantially the same shape and diameter of the first wheel to the second end of the axle proximate the second side of the platform and substantially parallel to the first wheel, rotatably coupling a third wheel smaller in diameter than the first and second wheels proximate the second end of the platform, the third wheel is in front of and spaced from the toe end of the shoe receptacle and fixedly coupling a braking device to the bottom portion of the platform proximate the first end. 
     In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, a method for skating is disclosed, comprising, in combination, the steps of providing a first horizontal platform having a top portion and a bottom portion and a first end and a second end and a first side and a second side, providing a vertical platform having a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end is fixedly coupled to the second end of the first horizontal platform, providing a second horizontal platform having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second horizontal platform is fixedly coupled to the top end of the vertical platform, providing a substantially shoe-shaped foot receptacle having a heel end and a toe end, the foot receptacle is fixedly coupled to the top portion of the first horizontal platform with the heel end of the foot receptacle coupled proximate the first end of the fist horizontal platform and the toe end of the foot receptacle coupled proximate the second end of the first horizontal platform, providing an axle having a first end and a second end, the axle is fixedly coupled to the bottom portion of the first horizontal platform proximate a center of gravity of the shoe-shaped foot receptacle, rotatably coupling a first wheel to the first end of the axle proximate the first side of the first horizontal platform, rotatably coupling a second wheel having substantially the same shape and diameter of the first wheel to the second end of the axle proximate the second side of the first horizontal platform and substantially parallel to the first wheel, rotatably coupling a third wheel smaller in diameter than the first and second wheels proximate the second end of the second horizontal platform, the third wheel is in front of and spaced from the toe end of the shoe receptacle, and fixedly coupling a braking device to the bottom portion of the first horizontal platform proximate the first end of the first horizontal platform. 
    
    
     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an end view of an embodiment of the three-wheeled roller skate of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the three-wheeled roller skate of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of the three-wheeled roller skate of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is an end view of the three-wheeled roller skate of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 reference number  10  refers generally to one embodiment of the three-wheeled roller skate of the present invention. The three-wheeled roller skate  10  comprises a platform  12  having a top portion  14  (shown in FIG. 2) and a bottom portion  16 . The platform  12  also comprises a first end  18  (shown in FIG.  2 ), a second end  20  (shown in FIG.  2 ), a first side  22  (shown in FIG. 1) and a second side  24  (shown in FIG.  1 ). 
     Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the roller skate  10  also comprises a substantially shoe-shaped foot receptacle  26  having a heel end  28  (shown in FIG. 2) ad a toe end  30 . The foot receptacle  26  is fixedly coupled to the top portion  14  of the platform  12  with the heel end  28  coupled proximate the first end  18  of the platform  12  and the toe end  30  coupled proximate the second end  20  of the platform  12 . 
     Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the roller skate  10  further comprises an axle  32  (shown in FIG.  1 ). The axle  32  has a first end  34  (shown in FIG. 1) and a second end  36 . The axle  32  is coupled to the bottom portion  16  of the platform  12  proximate a center of gravity of the shoe-shaped foot receptacle  26 . 
     Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first wheel  38  (shown in FIG. 1) is rotatably coupled to the first end  34  of the axle  32  proximate the first side  22  of the platform  12 . A second wheel  40  having substantially the same shape and diameter of the first wheel  38  is rotatably coupled to the second end  36  of the axle  32  proximate the second side  24  of the platform  12 . The second wheel  40  is disposed substantially parallel to the first wheel  38 . The roller skate  10  also comprises a third wheel  42 , smaller in diameter than the first wheel  38  and the second wheel  40 . The third wheel  42  is rotatably coupled proximate the second end  20  of the platform  12 . The third wheel  42  is in front of and spaced from the toe end  30  of the foot receptacle  26 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, a braking device  44  is fixedly coupled to the bottom portion  16  of the platform  12  proximate the fist end  18 . Preferably, the braking device  44  is constructed of a rubber-type material, although any material which allows the wearer of the roller skate  10  to create friction in order to slow down will be within the spirit and scope of this invention. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, an alternative embodiment of the three-wheeled roller skate  10 , hereinafter  100 , is shown. The three-wheeled roller skate  100  is essentially the same as before, although instead of a single platform  12  (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) the roller skate  100  comprises three platforms. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, the roller skate  100  comprises a first horizontal platform  120  having a top portion  122  and a bottom portion  124 . The first horizontal platform  120  also comprises a first end  126 , a second end  128 , a first side  130  (shown in FIG.  4 ), and a second side  132  (shown in FIG.  4 ). 
     Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the roller skate  100  further comprises a vertical platform  134  having a top end  136  (shown in FIG. 3) and a bottom end  138 . The bottom end  138  of the vertical platform  134  is fixedly coupled to the second end  128  of the first horizontal platform  120 . Preferably, the vertical platform  134  is fixedly coupled to the first horizontal platform at a substantially 90 degree angle, although it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could also be provided from a coupling angle which deviates, even substantially, from the preferred angle in either direction. 
     The roller skate  100  also comprises a second horizontal platform  140  having a first end  142  (shown in FIG. 3) and a second end  144  (shown in FIG.  3 ). The first end  142  of the second horizontal platform  140  is fixedly coupled to the top end  136  of the vertical platform  134 . 
     The roller skate  100  further comprises a substantially shoe-shaped foot receptacle  146 , which is essentially the same as the substantially shoe-shaped foot receptacle  26  described in the roller skate  10 , although in the roller skate  100 , the toe end  139  of the foot receptacle  146  is coupled proximate both the second end  128  of the first horizontal platform  120  as well proximate the vertical platform  134 . 
     The roller skate  100  comprises three wheels in essentially the same arrangement as the roller skate  10 , although in the roller skate  100  the third wheel  150  is rotatably coupled proximate the second end  144  of the second horizontal platform  140 . 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.