Abstract:
A stabilizing training device suitable for use on an ice-skate is disclosed. The device provides a foot retaining portion and a stabilizing portion directly under the foot retaining portion. The unit is designed to provide at least partial resiliency to permit limited lateral movement in use. The device is positioned about the foot or footwear by positioning the former into the foot retaining area. A base extends between foot retaining members of the foot retaining area. The base contacts the sole of the foot or footwear and has, extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom, arms which provide for the stabilizing aspect when the device is in use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This is the first application filed for the present invention. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a stabilization appliance or device and more particularly, the present invention relates to a device which can be worn about the foot or footwear of a user for providing stability during use of the footwear such as a skate, rollerskate, etc. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The prior art is replete with training and stability enhancing devices. Many of these devices are very cumbersome or difficult to use. As an example, ice-skate training has previously been taught by making use of a walker type structure. As is known, these structures comprise hollow tubing and are fairly large and therefore require a significant area for a user to train with such a device. Further, these devices are not suitable for children to use particularly when they are not supervised. 
   In terms of what the prior art has previously set forth, Herold in U.S. Pat. No. 3,415,528, issued Dec. 10, 1968, provides an ice-skate of a first generation for purposes of training. The embodiment depicted provides a flat sole, the underside of which provides for two blade members in spaced apart relation. The sole provides a heel retaining cup and strap and the instep is provided with a strap for support. The device provided by Herold is useful for training a user to ice-skate, however, there is no possibility to modify the device, once the user becomes sufficiently proficient to not require the structure provided. 
   Other examples of previous devices have been proposed by Suroff, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,522. The patentee teaches the use of a removable device, which device provides spaced apart blades adapted to be releasably engageable with an existing blade of a skate. The arrangement is fixed to an existing skate by means of suitable fasteners and the device extends the entire length of the blade of the skate on both sides. In this manner, a triplet of blades is formed once the device is positioned about the blade. Although useful, this arrangement does not provide any substantial degree of lateral stability and, based on the disclosure of the teachings, would not provide at least some lateral flecture, the latter being an important aspect to properly train a user to skate efficiently. 
   In further developments of the training/stability art, Sweet, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,764,417, issued Sep. 25, 1956, teaches the use of a stabilizing runner for attachment to the blade of an ice-skate. Several embodiments are disclosed, however, the Sweet reference, from the structural relationship relative to the blade in position would appear to be potentially hazardous to the user. Although lateral stability is provided, the arrangement has a number of relatively straight areas which could easily become caught on an irregular surface such as ice. 
   In view of the limitations from the existing art, there clearly is a need to provide a device which can be deployed with ease and rapidly and further which could be used safely by children. 
   The present invention satiates these requirements. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved device for effecting stability when applied to the foot or footwear of a user, such footwear comprising, for example, an ice-skate, a roller-skate, an in-line skate, etc. 
   A further object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a stabilizing device suitable for use on a skate, comprising: a first support member and a second support member; each member having a foot retaining segment for abutment against the foot of a user and a stabilizing segment extending outwardly and downwardly from the foot retaining segment adapted for contact with a surface on which lateral stability is required; and releasably engageable lock means on each support member configured for releasable locking engagement with a respective support member, the members, when engaged, defining a foot receiving area. 
   Yet another object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a stabilizing device suitable for use on a skate, comprising: a foot retaining portion for retaining the foot of a user having a base and spaced apart sides each side for contact with the sole of a user&#39;s foot or footwear and an extending upwardly from each side; and a stabilizing portion for laterally stabilizing the foot of a user when contacting a surface upon which stability is required, the stabilizing portion including an arm extending from each side of the base and outwardly and downwardly relative thereto. 
   The arrangement has been found to be user friendly and provide the possibility for quick training for users. The device may be composed of at least two body members which can be adjusted relative to one another to accommodate the foot or footwear of a user. It has been found that by providing a downwardly and outwardly extending stabilizing arm on each one of the body members that sufficient stability can be provided to assist in the training of, for example, skating. The stabilizing arms provide a terminal end which is arcuate or otherwise turned upwardly. In one embodiment, the terminal end portions may include a friction reducing means, an example of which is a ball-bearing. Other suitable examples would be apparent to one skilled in the art. 
   Once the body members are connected, the foot retaining portion may compressively engage the foot or the footwear of the user to provide for adequate grip. This may be augmented by the use of a strap or, alternatively, the body members may include appertures to receive, laces or straps of the footwear. 
   A second embodiment of the invention provides a plural armed arrangement where the device includes first and second body members in a co-planar relationship for each body member portion. The co-planar members are connected so that a continuous loop is provided on either side of the device. 
   With respect to suitable materials, any of the useful plastics, metals, composites may be selected to construct the device. All of these materials inherently provide at least some degree of resiliency or flex and are therefore suitable to achieve the goal of the invention. 
   Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating preferred embodiments. 
   Similar numerals used in the drawings denote similar elements. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1A  is an exploded view of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view to similar  FIG. 1A  illustrating a second embodiment of the releaseable lock means; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of a further embodiment of the present invention illustrating another variation of the releasable lock means; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of another variation of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the device according to one embodiment of the invention in situ about an ice-skate; 
       FIG. 6  is an end view of the device as positioned about an ice skate; 
       FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  with the device positioned about an in-line skate; 
       FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIGS. 6 and 7  with the device positioned about a typical walking shoe; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of one support member of a further embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the support member embodiment of  FIG. 9  as connected with a second identical support member and where combined in a working system provide an equal and opposite pair of two interconnected support members; 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of the device shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a front elevation view of the device in  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 14  is a further view of  FIG. 13  with the insert in isolation. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , shown is a first embodiment of the stabilizing appliance, broadly denoted by numeral  10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , generally speaking, the stabilizing device  10  includes a foot retaining portion, globally denoted by numeral  12 , to receive the foot and in particular the sole portion of foot wear of a user and a stabilizing portion, globally denoted by numeral  14 , which provides for lateral stabilization of the foot of a user when the appliance is engaged about the foot or the footwear of the user (discussed herein after in greater detail). 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 1A , the device includes at least two body members  16  and  18 , which body members are adapted for releasable engagement. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A , releasable lock means, globally denoted by numeral  20 , is provided which comprises a compression fit finger  22  and slot  24  shown in dashed line in body number  18 . The finger  24  is compressibly retained within the slot to fix, releasably, in a locked engagement the two body members in a position shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   In greater detail, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1A , the device  10  provides a base  26  which is formed from base portions  28  and  30  of body member  16  and  18  when the same are connected together as in  FIG. 1 . Each body member  16  and  18  includes a foot retaining segment  32  and  34 , respectively. Each segment  32  and  34  may be at least partially arcuate to conform about the foot or footwear of a user (discussed herein after in greater detail). 
   Each of the foot retaining segments  32  and  34  may also include means for attaching the device  10  about the foot of a user. To this end, in the example, strap apertures  36  are provided on each of the body members  16  and  18 . This arrangement is adapted to receive a strap  38 , shown in position in  FIG. 1 . This is an option; the body members  16  and  18  and in particular the foot retaining segments  32  and  34  may be sufficiently resilient to compressively engage the foot or footwear of a user and further, may simply employ the laces (not shown) of the footwear to act as an attachment. Any suitable further example for attaching the device to footwear is contemplated. 
   In the example, the body members  16  and  18  each include a downwardly and outwardly extending stabilizing segment  40  and  42 , respectively. The latter are coextensive with the former. The stabilizing segment is downwardly and outwardly extending relative to the foot retaining segments  32 . In this manner, each of the segments is in an angularly inclined plane relative to the plane of the foot retaining segments  32  and  34 . In particular, each of the segments includes an intermediate portion  44  and  46 , respectively which segment is exposed in the angularly inclined plane noted above. This feature provides not only a spaced relationship between the foot retaining portion  12 , but also imparts strength to the stabilizing portions  40  and  42 . 
   Each stabilizing segment  40  and  46  has a terminal end portion  48  and  50 , respectively which portions have an arcuate configuration where the arc is directed upwardly towards the foot retaining portion  12 . In the example shown, the foot retaining portions  48  and  50  are convex, however, it will be understood that the portions  48  and  50  need not be convex, but rather may simply provide a slight upward inclination to reduce drag or friction. In furtherance of the reduction of drag and friction, optionally, each terminal portion  48  and  50  may include a ball bearing (shown in dotted line)  52  and  54 , respectively. The ball bearing can be simply caged within the terminal edge and portion to provide a user with the maximum degree of freedom. It will be understood that although a ball bearing arrangement is showing a dotted line that any and ancillary device which provides a similar function could be employed. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , shown is a further embodiment of the device  10  where the releasable engageable lock means  20  as shown as a ball  56  and aperture for  58  for receiving the ball of  56 . The ball may be of the type that is spring loaded and releasably settable aperture  58 . 
     FIG. 3  illustrates yet a further variation on the lock means  20 . In this arrangement, the lock means  20  comprises a hinge  60 , which hinge  60  may be of the ratchet variety for providing pivotal locking motion between body members  16  and  18 . 
     FIG. 4  illustrates yet another variation to the arrangement shown initially in  FIGS. 1 and 1A . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the lock means  20  comprises a raceway  62 , which raceway is common to both body members  16  and  18  and which are interconnected by a typical wing nut  64  and screw  66 . 
   It is to be noted in  FIG. 4  that instead of body member  16  having the stabilizing segment  40  coextensive with foot retaining segment  32 , the same is laterally displaced in a spaced apart parallel plane. This is achieved by extending the base portion  28  and  30  to effectively extend entirely across the foot retaining area  12 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 5 , shown is an illustration of the device  10  as positioned about a skate  68 . The skate  68  has a sole portion  70  and a blade  72 . In the embodiment shown, the device  10  is secured about the boot portion  74  of skate  68  using the laces  76  through the attachment members  36  discussed herein previously in  FIGS. 1 and 1A . 
   Turning to  FIG. 6 , shown is the disposition of the device  10  on the skate  68 . As is illustrated, the terminal end portions  48  and  50  contact the surface  5  to provide lateral stability to the skate or skate boot of the user. The device  10 , once positioned as shown in  FIG. 6  provides a significant lateral stability to retain the foot of the user in a proper attitude and therefore prevent any unbalance during use of the skate, shown in  FIGS. 5-6  as an ice skate. 
   It has been found that the material of which the device  10  may be constructed can be any suitable material which provides at least the limited flexibility. To this end, suitable examples are plastic, metal, composites and combinations thereof. In terms of the plastics, suitable examples include polycarbonate, polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon, polyvinyl floride, polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Other suitable examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. 
   In respect of  FIG. 7 , shown is the device  10  as positioned about a roller skate, shown in the example as an in-line roller skate and denoted by numeral  78 . 
   In respect of  FIG. 8 , shown is yet another example of the device  10  as positioned about a walking shoe, globally denoted by numeral  80 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , shown is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the device  10 . In this embodiment, the device  10  includes a pair of body members  16 ,  16 ′ and  18 ,  18 ′ ( FIG. 10 ) which members are interconnected by a support bridge member  82  extending between members  16  and  16 ′. It will be understood that body members  18  and  18 ′ are also interconnected by such a bridge, however, this is best shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  illustrating the releasable lock means  20  according to the embodiment in  FIG. 9  et. seq. In this embodiment, the lock means  20  comprises a slotted arm  84 , shown best in  FIG. 11 , having spaced apart slots  86  and spaced laterally therefrom a second arm  88  having a groove  90  therein. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , shown is the arrangement of the releasable locking means  20 . As discussed with respect to  FIG. 9 , body members  16  and  16 ′ include slotted arm  84  and second arm  88  with groove  90 . In a similar manner, the body members  18  and  18 ′ include similar structures for releasable cooperative engagement between corresponding parts. To this end, body member  18  includes arm  92  having grove  94  therein, body member  18 ′ includes slotted arm  96  having slots  98  therein. This is best shown in  FIG. 12 . 
   As will be appreciated, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9 through 12 , the terminal end portions in this embodiment comprise terminal end sections  100  and  102 . This is due to the fact that the body portions  16  and  16 ′ as well as  18  and  18 ′ are connected to provide continuous loops. As an option, the area within the loops may be filled in as shown with the diagonal lines in  FIG. 9 . This would allow an area for indicia. 
   In terms of the additional details for purposes of the use of the device, although only one device is shown as positioned about the foot wear shown in  FIGS. 6 through 8 , it will be appreciated that a plurality of such devices may be positioned about each foot or article of foot wear. As an example, depending on skill level, a user may require initially at least two such devices positioned about the foot wear and as experience and confidence develops, this may be reduced to a single device. Other variations will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     FIG. 14 , shown is a further embodiment of the present invention where the arrangement  10  includes a wedge member, globally denoted by numeral  104 . The wedge member  104 , more easily seen in  FIG. 14 , generally has a parallelogram shape, i.e., either a square or a rectangular shape when viewed in plan view and a wedge, or triangular shape when viewed from the side. The wedge provides a top surface  106 , a front surface  108 , and a rear surface  110  and sides  112  and  114 . The underside or bottom  116  includes spaced-apart grooves  118  and  120 . The height of the front wall  108  relative to the rear wall can vary from a ratio of heights of 1:1, to 1:3. This is merely an example, the wedge can be modified in any fashion. Each of the grooves  118  and  120 , when wedge  104  is in position, engaged the releasable lock means  20 , and more particularly, the cooperating members  84 ,  88  and  92 , and  96 . In this manner, a further lock is provided for the cooperating means and also, this conveniently provides a tension and location for the device  10  when it is positioned about the footwear. 
   From previous specification herein, the device is, in the case of footwear and particularly a skate, positioned on the underside of the skate. In this manner, the wedge not only locates the position of the device relative to the ground, but also ensures proper tensioning and spacing between the sole of the footwear (not shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ) and the device  10 . In situations where the greater degree of tension is required, the arrangement may include two such wedges  104 . In this manner, top wall  106  of number  104  may include apertures  122 , which apertures receive a further foam wedge  104  in overlying relation therewith. The overlying wedge  104  is shown in dotted line in  FIG. 13  and the second overlying wedge  104  could include connecting means  124  to cooperate with apertures  122 . The wedge, when in position and by virtue of its shape, alters the position of the device relative to the footwear, i.e., the angular disposition of the device. 
   It is to be noted that the material of which the foam wedge could be made is any suitable polymer or rubber compound which not only provides a durability, but also a certain degree of resiliency to conform to irregular shapes, such as that which would be experienced with the sole of a skate. Suitable materials for the foam wedge could also further include open or closed cell foams, Sorbathane™, styrofoam, EPDM foam, inter alia. 
   It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this arrangement is one possible embodiment, subject to variation without deviation and function. 
   The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.