Abstract:
A skate device that has one or more turnable wheels. In one group of embodiments, the turnable wheels may be linked such that when one wheel turns another wheel turns in a manner that facilitates turning. In another group of embodiments, the turnable wheels are not so linked. The skate device of the present invention may achieve turning from a point underneath the shoe or foot region of the skate, thus more closely approximately turning on ice skates. The skate device may have inline wheels and maybe relatively light-weight and compact.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/535,393, filed Jan. 9, 2004, entitled “Steerable Skate Device” and having the same inventor as above. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/584,966, filed Jul. 2, 2004, entitled “Skate Device Having Linked Turnable Wheels” and having the same inventor as above. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to wheel devices worn on a human foot for transportation. More specifically, the present invention relates to such devices that have a turnable wheel arrangement. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The prior art includes various wheeled devices that are worn or otherwise attached to a human foot. Common examples include roller skates, in-line skates, roller skis and the like. Various other, less common, devices also exist. 
     Conventional roller skates have a wheel arrangement consisting of two paired wheels. This arrangement provides relative stability, but is undesirably bulky and heavy and offers limited steerability or turnability. 
     In-line skates tend to be faster and lighter than conventional roller skates, and they have grown in popularity. Turning an in-line skate is often achieved by (1) physically lifting the skate and placing it down in a new line-of-direction (sometimes stepping over the other skate) or (2) leaning in a desired direction and effectively “pulling” the skate in that direction. In the latter turn, the front wheel is pulled into the desired new direction and the skate effectively “slips” across the skating surface to achieve the turn. Some in-line skates are configured with center wheels that are lower than the front and back wheels. These “rocker” skates may be easier to turn yet are less stable. 
     Other in-line skates or roller ski type devices have been developed that offer some degree of turning, though the degree of turning tends to be limited and the turning mechanism bulky, heavy and/or complicated, etc. Examples include the devices found in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 6,241,264; 5,732,957; and 4,382,605; and European Patent No.: 355,897; among others. 
     These “turnable” skate devices typically turn in response to weight displacement, i.e., the user shifts his or her weight causing the wheels to turn. These devices do not operate by turning or pivoting the foot. It is a disadvantageous limitation of prior art wheeled skates that they do not provide a mechanism for turning the skate in response to turning of a user&#39;s foot. 
     Furthermore, devices such as those discussed in the &#39;264 and &#39;957 patents have a wheel located on one end that turns and a wheel on the other end that functions as the pivot point of the turn. Hence, the pivot point for the turn is located before or after the “foot coupling” region of the skate, and not under the skate as it is, for example, with ice skates. 
     It is desired to provide a wheeled skate that more closely approximates the ice skating experience, e.g., that turns in response to a user turning his or her foot. It is also desired to provide a wheeled skate that has an underfoot centered turning mechanism that facilitates turning in a rapid and efficient manner. Furthermore, it is desired to provide such features in a wheeled skate arrangement that is lightweight and non-bulky. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention may be realized in several different embodiments and is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein. The present invention seeks to overcome problems associate with the prior art and to meet unmet needs. 
     Among other attributes, the present invention provides a wheeled skate that achieves rapid and efficient turning. The pivot point for turning is preferably located under the skate and may be substantially centered to more closely approximate the ice skate experience, etc., among other benefits. The present invention also provides a skate that achieves these and related features with a lightweight, non-bulky skate configuration. 
     A skate in accordance with the present invention may have multiple turnable wheels that are coupled in a coordinated manner to achieve efficient turning. The range of turning of the wheels may differ based on distance from the turn pivot point. A linking or other suitable mechanism may be provided to facilitate the desired coordinated turning. 
     In addition, the present invention may include a wheel assembly for a skate or like device that is well designed for achieving both a strong driving force, i.e., pushing, and good turning abilities, as opposed to compromising one for the other as is often the case in a prior art wheeled skate. In the present invention, all or several of the wheels preferably provide (1) turning and (2) a good pushing base. 
     It should also be recognized that the present invention may also include a wheeled skate in which the wheels are not necessarily coordinated or linked mechanically, yet may turn in a coordinated fashion in use. 
     These and related objects of the present invention are achieved by use of a skate device having linked turnable wheels as described herein. 
     The attainment of the foregoing and related advantages and features of the invention should be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art, after review of the following more detailed description of the invention taken together with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1-3  are a perspective break-away view, a top break-away view and a bottom view of one embodiment of a wheel assembly for a skate or like device in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a skate including wheel assembly of  FIGS. 1-3  in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a break-away view of another embodiment of a wheeled skate assembly having coordinated wheel turning in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6-7  are two top plan views of assembly  110  of  FIG. 5  are shown in accordance with the present invention. FIG. is a bottom plan view of assembly  110  of  FIG. 5  in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of assembly  110  in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of a wheeled assembly for a skate in accordance with the present invention.  FIGS. 11 and 12  are sectional cross-section views of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of a four wheel version of the wheeled assembly of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 14  is a top plan view of a wheeled assembly for a skate in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 15  illustrates in more detail a rear wheel  243  from the assembly of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is another embodiment of a steerable assembly for a skate in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 17 and 18  are top plan views of another embodiment of a steerable assembly for a skate in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a bottom perspective view of a skate or other wheeled device that incorporates the assembly of  FIGS. 17 and 18  in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a perspective break-away view, a top break-away view and a bottom view of one embodiment of a wheel assembly  10  for a skate or like device in accordance with the present invention are respectively shown. 
     The embodiment of assembly  10  has five wheels  20 - 24 , each with an independent axle  25 - 29 . Suitable wheels and axles for in-line skates and like devices are known in the art and commercially available. 
     Assembly  10  also includes a frame or “chassis”  50  for mounting the wheels to the “foot coupling” region of a skate, regardless of the manner of coupling (shoe, straps, etc.). Frame  50  includes a top frame  51  and a link frame  60 . 
     A top surface  52  of top frame  51  is preferably coupled to the foot coupling region of a skate device. The underside  53  of top frame  51  may include a plurality of linking protrusions  55 - 59  and a central pivot protrusion  54 . While the linking protrusions are shown as being pins or rods, it should be recognized that any suitable shape (i.e., and shape that achieves linking to a wheel assembly) could be used. 
     The link frame  60  preferably has a geometric configuration that is complementary to top frame  50 . Link frame  60  may include a plurality of slot  66 - 69  that each receive one of mounting pins  56 - 59 . Note that since pin  55  in the embodiment of assembly  10  extends in front of link frame  60 , a slot is not needed to accommodate this pin. A second or paired slot  75 - 79  is also provided in link frame  60  for each wheel. The frame pivot protrusion  54  is preferably mated with a complementary shaped recess (or some other suitably mated pivot arrangement is used—mated pivot arrangements are known in the art). 
     A wheel mounting frame or “cup”  40 - 44  preferably mounts each of the wheels  20 - 24  to frame  50 . Each of cups  40 - 44  preferably includes a region  46  that receives a corresponding wheel axle  25 - 29  and has a front-end pin receiving structure  47  and a back-end position and support member  48 . The cups may be similar to those found in shopping carts and the like that provide a forward pivot and let the wheel trail behind in the direction of travel. 
     In assembly  10 , each of mounting pins  55 - 59  is inserted in its corresponding receiving structure  47  and provides the leading end positioning of its corresponding wheel. Each wheel is preferably turnable due to movement of pins  55 - 59  about a back pivot point defined by back-end member  48 . Each of the back-end members  48  resides in its corresponding paired openings or slots  75 - 79 . 
     Since each of mounting pins  55 - 59  is coupled to top frame  51  that pivots relative to link frame  60 , the direction of turn of each wheel is accordingly influenced. Wheels with mounting pins forward of frame pivot point  54  will turn in one direction while wheels rearward of the frame pivot point will turn in the opposite direction, further increasing turnability. Moreover, the amount of turn achieved by each wheel is based on its distance from the pivot point which results in the wheels forming a coordinated “curve.” The “curve” or collective line of travel defined by the coordinated or linked wheels creates a more continuous, appropriately directed and efficient (less friction, etc.) turning arrangement. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 2 , a top break-away view of assembly  10  is shown. The line of forward travel is from left to right on the page. When a user wants to turn towards the right, for example, he or she turns their foot in that direction which causes mounting pins  55 - 57  and their corresponding wheels  20 - 22  to move towards the right, and mounting pins  58 - 59  and their corresponding wheel  23 - 24  to move to the left. This effectively turns each of the wheels in a coordinated manner to make a right turn. The opposite occurs for a left turn. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of a skate  80  including wheel assembly  10  of  FIGS. 1-3  in accordance with the present invention is shown. Wheeled skate  80  includes a skate shoe  81  coupled to assembly  10 . The skate shoe is mounted to top frame  51 . In the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the skate is making a right turn, notice that the top frame and link frame are not aligned and the wheels are each turned to some degree. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a break-away view of an other embodiment of a wheeled skate assembly  110  having coordinated wheel turning in accordance with the present invention is shown. Wheel assembly  110  includes a frame or chassis having a top frame  151  and a link frame  160  (the link frame is shown in a top plan view and the other components are shown in a side elevation view). Assembly  110  also includes a plurality of wheels  120 - 124  and corresponding wheel mounting members or “cups”  140 - 144  that mount the wheels to top frame  151 . Assembly  110  operates in a manner similar to assembly  10  of  FIGS. 1-3  and has similar components as manifested (in part) by related reference numbers, a 100s unit being added in  FIG. 5  (and  FIGS. 6-9 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-7 , two top plan views of assembly  110 , with and without cups  140 - 144  shown in phantom lines, and without top frame  50  are respectively shown in accordance with the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 8 , a bottom plan view of assembly  110  in accordance with the present invention is shown. 
     In the embodiments of  FIGS. 6-8 , the forward line of travel is from right to left across the page. In  FIG. 5 , it is to the right. Link frame  160  includes a plurality of opening  165 - 169  through which mounting pins  155 - 159  of top frame  151  couple to corresponding receiving structures  145 - 149  in cups  140 - 144 . A second or paired opening  175 - 179  is also provided (per wheel) in link frame  160 . A positing member  148  from each cup is preferably positioned in its corresponding paired opening  175 - 179 . Positioning members  148  essentially provide the individual pivot points for each of the wheels. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the position of axles  125 - 129  in each wheel, bias member fasteners  162 , and a longitudinal support member  163 . A spring or other bias member  164  may be provided at the front and/or back wheel (or otherwise located) to bias the link frame and hence the wheels back into a “non-turned” alignment with the top frame. This occurs in the absence of a turning force, for example, when a user lifts his or her foot. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates one embodiment of the relative position of top frame  151  over wheels  120 - 124 . This perspective, among others, indicates that the link frame in assembly  110  is provided to the side of wheels  120 - 124  as opposed to above the wheel as in assembly  10  of  FIGS. 1-3 . It also illustrates that foot coupling region of top frame  151  is provided substantially over top of the wheels to provide a more “typical” skate experience. 
       FIGS. 6-8  illustrate a left-hand turn being executed. 
     While assembly  10  of  FIGS. 1-4  has a separate or distinct frame pivot point  54 , assembly  110  may be configured to have a frame pivot point  154  that is in common with one of the mounting pins, e.g., mounting pin  157  (see  FIG. 5 ). A turn is achieved when a user turns his or her foot to the left or right. For a left hand turn, for example, the user turns his or her foot to the left which in turn moves mounting pins  155 - 156  (and their receiving structures  147 ) to the left. Mounting pin  157  does not move as it is the frame pivot point and mounting pins  158 - 159  move to the right (see, for example,  FIGS. 6-7 ). To go straight after a turn, a user can turn their feet (foot) back towards straight or lift their foot to allow bias members  164  to move the top frame and link frame into straight forward alignment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a perspective view of assembly  110  in accordance with the present invention is shown. In the perspective of  FIG. 9 , the wheels are substantially in a straight or non-turning arrangement (i.e., at rest in the absence of a turning force). Each of wheels  120 - 124  is coupled through an axle  125 - 129 , respectively, to a forward pivot mounting cup  140 - 144 . The cups are mounted through appropriately located openings  165 - 169  in link frame  160  to top frame  151  via mounting pins  155 - 159  and their corresponding receiving structures  147  (these elements are internal and, therefore, not shown in  FIG. 9 , see  FIGS. 5-8 ). 
     Note that in assembly  10  and  110 , mechanisms for rotatably, yet securely mounting a pin into a receiving structure, or providing another suitable pivotable coupling mechanism are known in the art. 
     While the skate assembly and skates described above are shown in five-wheeled embodiments it should be recognized that the present invention can be practiced in any arrangement have two or more wheels. In a preferred embodiment, the number of wheels is from 3 to 7. 
     Assemblies  10  and  110  may be made of aluminum, except for the wheels which are commercial available and of known materials. Alternatives for the aluminum material include other metals, alloys, plastics and any other rigid, durable and suitable lightweight material. 
     Non-Mechanically Linked Embodiments 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a top plan view of a wheeled assembly  220  for a skate in accordance with the present invention is shown.  FIG. 10  illustrates the wheeled assembly making a turn to the left.  FIGS. 11 and 12  are sectional cross-section views of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . The preferred line-of-direction of travel of assembly  220  is towards the top of the page, as indicated by arrow A. 
     Assembly  220  preferably includes a chassis or frame  230  that includes a top  231  and left and right sides  232 ,  233 . As seen in  FIG. 12 , the chassis may generally have an up-side down square U-shape in cross-section and may be formed of an extruded or molded metal or hard plastic or the like. Top  231  is shown transparently to permit inspection of other components. 
     Assembly  220  may include a front, center and rear wheel  241 - 243 , or have more or fewer wheels. Suitable wheels for wheeled skates, roller skis and like devices are known in the art. Front wheel  241  is preferably rotatably mounted to an axle  245 . Ball-bearing based axle mounting arrangement are known in the art. Axle  245  may be coupled at a first end to a first movable axle plug  246  and at a second end to a second movable axle plug  247 . Axle  245  is preferably pivotably coupled to these plugs. Axle caps  248  are fixedly coupled to the left and right chassis side walls and aligned with holes in the side walls through which front axle  245  may move. Each of the axle caps  248  includes a recess  249  that accommodates a complementary shaped plug  246 ,  247 . Taken together recesses  249  preferably define a curve section with a common or near common radius and center point. Plugs  246 ,  247  and axle  245  preferably move within this curve section. 
     Springs or other bias mechanisms  251  preferably provide an equivalent force to both plug  246  and plug  247  forcing wheel  241  to be centered within chassis  230  in the absence of a turning force. Thus, while wheel  241  is shifted to the right and wheel  243  to the left for a left turn (as shown), wheels  241 ,  243  are centered in the absence of a turning force. 
     Center wheel  242  may be rotatably mounted to axle  255  using known wheel mounting techniques. In contrast to the ability of front axle  245  to move from side to side (within the defined curve section), center axle  255  is preferably fixedly mounted to chassis  230 . End caps  254  may secure axle  255  to chassis  230 . 
     Rear wheel  243  is preferably rotatably mounted to axle  265 , which is turn may be pivotally mounted to plugs  266 ,  267  which move within recesses  269  of axle caps  268 . Axle  265 , plugs  266 ,  267 , caps  268 , recesses  269  and springs  271  function in a similar manner to their counterparts at front wheel  241 . 
     The configuration of wheeled assembly  220  permits independent movement of the front and rear wheels  241 ,  243  relative to chassis  230 . This permits operator directed turning of the skate. Turning is generally achieved as follows. A user, wanting to turn, turns his or her foot in the desired direction of travel, effectively and preferably pivoting the foot near a center point thereof to attain the new direction. This causes the chassis to pivot in a similar manner (about center wheel  242 ) which in turn causes the biased front and rear wheels to rotate within their respective curve section as appropriate. 
     In the instant example, a left turn, a user&#39;s toes move toward the left and the user&#39;s heal towards the right. The front and rear wheel move towards the positions shown in  FIG. 10 . The front and rear wheels return to a centered position when the user turns his or her foot back toward a center position or lifts his or her foot such that spring  251 ,  271  respectively push wheels  241 ,  243  back towards center. 
     The user&#39;s foot effectively pivots “turns” or pivots”at or near the center point of the user&#39;s skate in much the same way a figure or hockey skate pivots on ice. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates plug  247  within complementary shaped recess  249  in axle cap  248 . Plug  246  is similarly configured within its axle cap. The plugs and recessed axle caps are preferably configured of materials and in such a manner that the plugs move with low-friction within the recesses while bearing the weight of a user. Suitable materials for these parts include hard plastics, such as nylon, metals, and other hard materials on which a low friction surface can be formed. 
     Springs  251 ,  271  are shown as coil springs, but leaf springs, compression springs, compressive materials and any other suitable bias mechanism, many of which are known, may be used. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a latitudinal cross-sectional view of one embodiment of chassis  230  with a wheel drawing in phantom to provide perspective. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a four wheel version of the wheeled assembly of  FIG. 10 . Assembly  220  of  FIG. 13  includes a front wheel  341  and a rear wheel  343  that are configured in a manner similar to front wheel  341  and rear wheel  343  of  FIG. 10 , respectively. Center wheels  342  and  344  may be configured in a manner similar to center wheel  342  of  FIG. 10 . Note that center wheels  342 ,  344  may be formed in a manner similar to wheels  341 ,  343  of  FIG. 10 , though with a range of movement (in their curved section) that is less than that of the front and rear wheels  341 ,  343 . The pivot point of the four wheeled assembly  320  is preferably located between the two center wheels. Assembly  320  otherwise functions in a manner similar to assembly  220  of  FIG. 10  (which has a preferred pivot point near or at center wheel  242 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , a top plan view of a wheeled assembly  420  for a skate in accordance with the present invention is shown. The assembly  420  of  FIG. 14  includes five wheels  441 ,  441 A,  443 ,  443 A and  443 , rotatably mounted to axles  445 ,  475 ,  455 ,  485  and  465 , respectively.  FIG. 14  illustrates the assembly making a right hand turn with the line of travel being upward on the drawing sheet. 
     Wheel  442  may be fixedly (non-turnably) mounted to chassis  430  in much that same manner as wheel  242  of  FIG. 10 , while the other wheels may be mounted with mechanisms that support turnability. In the present embodiment, front wheel  241  and rear wheel  243  function similar to wheels  241  and  243  of  FIG. 10 , respectively, yet the mechanism that provides the turning function is different. That mechanism is described below with reference to  FIG. 15 . Wheel  441 A has a similar function and mechanism as wheel  441  and wheel  443 A has a similar function and mechanism as wheel  443 , yet wheels  441 A and  443 A preferably have a reduced range of turning than their accompanying front or rear wheel—such that each turnable wheel has a range of turning and radius that is appropriate given its distance from the pivot point of assembly  420  which is at or near center wheel  442 . The turnable wheels are mounted with end caps  478 , while center wheel  442  is mounted with end caps  454 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , rear wheel  443  is shown in more detail. Wheel  443  is coupled to axle  465  which is in turn connect with pins  461  to plugs  466  and  467 . Each of these plugs is movable mounted within the interior recess of mounting end cap  478 . At rest (i.e., no turning force), springs  471  bias each plug so that its forward tip  472 ,  473 , respectively, is pushed forward (upward in  FIG. 15 ) till it contacts the front wall of the end cap  478 . In  FIG. 15 , tip  473  of plug  447  is shown in this position. In the presence of a turning force, axle  465  rocks backward on one side in response to a user directed pivot of the skate (the foot in the skate). In the present example, a right turn, the user&#39;s heal is shifted to the left as the foot pivots right, causing axle  465  and wheel  443  to “rock” or “move” into the positions shown in  FIG. 15 . When the user lifts his or her foot or reduces the turning force, the bias of springs  471  re-centers the wheel. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , another embodiment of a steerable assembly  520  for a skate in accordance with the present invention is shown. This assembly may include a chassis  530  to which are rotatably mounted wheels  541 - 543 . Front wheels  541  and rear wheel  543  are mounted to axles  545 ,  565  that are held by biased arm members  581 . Center wheel  542  is rotatably mounted to axle  555  which is fixedly mounted to chassis  530 . 
     Arm members  581 , in the absence of a turning force, are preferably symmetrically disposed about the center line of the chassis. In the presence of a turning force (a foot pivot force), arm members permit wheels  541  and  543  to move (rather “rock”) through a curve or arc section until the turning force is withdrawn. A left turn force is exerted in the example illustrated in  FIG. 16 . It should be recognized that while members  581  are shown as each being coupled at two pivotally connected places (one to the axle and the other to the frame), the members may be formed integrally with a plastic or like frame and be configured such that they move slightly as an inherent property of the material in which they are made, pivotally coupling to the axle but simply movably extending from the frame with which they are formed integrally. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , top plan views of an other embodiment of a steerable assembly  620  for a skate in accordance with the present invention are shown. Assembly  620  may include a chassis  630  to which are mounted turnable front and rear wheels  641  and  643  and a non-turnable center  642  (about which the assembly preferably pivots during a turn). While center axle  655  is fixedly mounted, front and rear axles  645  and  665 , respectively, have a curved shaped and are moveably mounted. Moveable axles  6456  fit into holes in the side walls of chassis  630  and are centered by bias members  681 . In the absence of a turning force, members  681  center wheels  641 ,  643  (see  FIG. 17 ). In the presence of a turning force, the axles may move as appropriate. Movement for a left turn is shown in  FIG. 18 . A right turn would be the opposite. Assembly  620  is operated in the same manner as discussed for the other assemblies herein (i.e., turning or rather pivoting the foot attached to the skate). 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , a bottom perspective view of a skate or other wheeled device  710  in accordance with the present invention is shown. While device  710  includes assembly  720  of  FIGS. 17 and 18 , any of the assemblies described herein or other assemblies within the teaching and scope of the present invention could be used in place of assembly  620 . 
     Note that while one assembly is shown on device  710 , it is possible to provide two assemblies (preferably in parallel) to provide increase stability, for example, for a toddler. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.