Abstract:
A training device for inline roller skates includes a training wheel bracket, a training wheel mounted upon the bracket, and means for adjustably mounting the device upon the inline skate. The training wheel is adapted to engage upon the travel surface to compensate for any unbalance of the trainee and to enable the trainee to travel in a desired direction. The training wheel is adapted to provide a braking action to the roller wheels if the trainee loses balance or the trainee&#39;s ankle collapses. The training device serves the dual purpose of providing a means of balancing the skater as well as slowing and braking the forward movement of the skater to control and limit the speed of the skater.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/661,450 filed Jun. 19, 2012, the entirety of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Inline skates, which are commonly known in the an, have two or more wheels arranged in a single straight line. Inline skates are often referred to as “Rollerblades®” after the popular brand name. Unlike quad skates which have two front and two rear wheels, inline skates have the aforesaid single straight line of wheels which makes learning the art of inline skating, including the skill of braking the forward or backward movement of the rolling wheels, more complex. The foregoing is due to the fact that typical recreational inline skates have a stop or brake (e.g., friction bar/pad) at the back end of the skate which is forced down to engage the travel surface in order to brake/stop forward or backward movement of the skate. 
     Accordingly, a person (i.e., trainee) attempting to learn to skate using skates having inline/tandem roller wheels wherein the roller wheels are mounted in a straight line must initially master two skills, namely the art of balancing on the single line of roller wheels and the art of braking. A trainee typically overcorrects for any front-to-back unbalance condition and causes the roller wheels to move uncontrollably until the trainee person hills down. Compounding this front-to-hack motion problem is the tendency for the inexperienced trainee to have his/her ankles bow-in or bow-out, thereby causing loss of control of the skates and risking potential ankle injury. The trainee must also master the ability to controllably stop or brake his/her forward or backward motion. As mentioned above, the typical inline skate has a brake pad installed in the heel of the skate, and to engage this brake pad a person&#39;s weight must be balanced on one in-line skate while the other in-line skate is tipped up at the front while pushing down at the heel to engage the brake pad. The aforementioned balancing and braking skills take some practice to learn. 
     Accordingly, it is the purpose and object of the present invention to provide an improved device for learning the skills of balancing and braking control on in-line skates. The present invention makes the process of mastering the art of inline skating easier and safer, and importantly reduces the risk of injury. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a training device for an inline/tandem wheel roller skate including a training wheel device for use with said skate. Typical inline roller skates have a series of wheels mounted in a single straight line. The training wheel device of the invention comprises a training wheel bracket, a training wheel mounted on the bracket and axially spaced from the series of wheels, and a means for mounting the device upon the tandem roller skate. The training wheel is adapted to engage the ground at a spaced position from the series of wheels to compensate for any unbalance of the trainee, and to thus enable the trainee to travel in a desired direction. Further, the training wheel is adapted to provide a braking action to the roller wheels if the trainee loses balance or the trainee&#39;s ankle collapses. The described structure thus serves the dual purpose of providing a means for balancing the skater as well as slowing and braking the forward movement of the skater to control and limit the speed of the skater. This provides two important learning and safety features. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a training device for an inline roller skate has a bracket for mounting onto the axle of a skate wheel. A training wheel is coupled to the bracket whereby the training wheel does not touch the ground when the skate wheel is substantially vertical indicating a balanced condition, but touches the ground when the skate wheel becomes tilted indicating an unbalanced condition. The training device further includes a brake pad which is coupled to the bracket and contacts the top edge of the training wheel when the skate wheel is tilted to a predetermined angle in order to slow the motion of the skate wheels. 
     In one embodiment, the training device has a U-shaped member which is mounted to the skate wheel and the training wheel. A flexible pad is located between the U-shaped member and the bracket, wherein the flexible pad is compressed when the skate wheel is titled to a predetermined angle. When the flexible pad is compressed, the skate wheel contacts the brake pad, causing the skate wheel to brake. 
     In one embodiment, the flexible pad has a durometer hardness rating of 30 A to 40 A. 
     In one embodiment, the brake pad is made of a rubber having a durometer hardness of substantially 70 A. 
     The invention contemplates that the training device may be mounted to the inner or outer side of the inline roller skate. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and accompanying drawings, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof and the invention includes all such modifications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a typical inline skate; 
         FIG. 2  is a pictorial view showing the inventive device mounted on a pair of inline skates and showing the tendency of a trainee in-line skater to become unbalanced with his/her ankles turning outwardly, and illustrating the training device of the present invention mounted outboard of the wheels of the inline skate; 
         FIG. 3  is a pictorial view showing similar to  FIG. 2  showing the tendency for his/her ankles to turn inwardly, and illustrating the training device of the present invention mounted inboard of the wheels of the inline skate; 
         FIG. 4  is a pictorial view of the inventive device mounted on a pair of inline skates and showing that the inventive device will not hinder the forward motion of a skater when the skater is moving forward or backward in a balanced mode; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the training device of the invention showing the inventive device mounted on an inline skate; 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view showing the opposite side relative to  FIG. 5  of the training device; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the mounting bracket of the training device; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the training device to depict the adjustability of the mounting bracket; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a graphic dotted outline of an inline skate to show the outboard positioning of the training wheel; 
         FIGS. 10A ,  10 B,  10 C and  10 D depict, in combination and by comparison to each other, the balancing and braking action of the inventive training device; and 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  depict an isometric view and side view, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of the brake pad of the training device. 
     
    
    
     In describing the embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word “connected,” “attached,” or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a showing of a typical recreational inline skate  15  having an elongated wheel frame  12  mounted beneath a boot  14 . A series of rotatable wheels  19  are mounted in a single straight line and disposed partially within wheel frame  12  and extending downwardly therefrom. A brake leg  16  projects downwardly from the back end of frame  12 . 
     As previously mentioned,  FIG. 2  depicts a first typical tendency of a novice inline skater  11  supported on inline skates  15  in which he/she becomes unbalanced due to the fact that his/her ankles turn-out relative to the running line of the skate&#39;s tandem/inline mounted wheels, generally labeled as  19 . For controlling this tendency, the inventive training device  21  is mounted to the outer side of skate  15 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a second typical tendency of the ankles of a novice skater  11  in which the ankles turn-in. For controlling this latter tendency, the training device  21  is mounted on the inner side of the foot. It is contemplated that the training device  21  may be mounted to one or both sides of skate  15 . 
       FIG. 4  shows that the training device  21  will not hinder forward or backward movement of the skate  15  when the skater is in a balance posture because the training device  21  does not make physical contact with the ground. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , importantly, the present inventive device  21  has been constructed to be retrofittable on most typical recreational inline skates that are sold on the market. Further, the inventive device  21  may conveniently be temporarily secured and affixed to an inline skate  15 . For example, device  21  may be mounted on skates  15 , utilized during the training/learning process, and then readily removed from the skate  15  when the training/learning process is completed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the device  21  includes a bracket assembly  23  on which an outboard/training wheel  25  is mounted outside the running line of the inline wheels  19 . The outboard/training wheel  25  is attached to the skate by a number of adjustable brackets  27 ,  28  and  29 . Training wheel  25  may be of the same diameter and width as the inline wheels  19  or may take any diameter and width desired. Bracket  27  is representatively in the form of a perforated, generally rectangular bar that is suitably mounted on the axles  31  of two wheels  19 , see also  FIGS. 7 and 8 . However, it is contemplated that the bracket  27  may be mounted on any number of wheels  19 , including one or more wheels. An elongated slot  33  in bar  27  which is affixed to skate frame  12  by a suitable bolt or pin enables horizontal adjustment of the bar  27 . That is, the bar  27  can universally adapt to various sized skate frames  12 , and thus, can attach to wheel  25  as required by adapting to the size of the skate  15 . The bracket  28  is representatively in the form of a vertically extending bar that includes hooks that engage and lock into rectangular slots  34  in bracket  27  (somewhat similar to a known pegboard). A plurality of slots  34  and  36  are provided for the purpose of enabling convenient horizontal adjustment of assembly  23 , as will be further described.  FIG. 9  shows the positioning of the training wheel  25  with respect to the skate wheel  19  and the skate frame  12 . 
     A brake pad  45  is affixed on the distal end of the bracket  28  in vertically oriented slots  47 . The height of brake pad  45  may be adjusted vertically along slots  47 . Brake pad  45  provides a friction stopping force to the training wheel  25  when the wheel moves into contact with the brake pad  45  as will be described below. The third bracket  29  is generally an inverted U-shape bracket and includes an aperture  37  at the open end of an outer leg  40  of bracket  29  for mounting the axle  38  of the training wheel  25 , see  FIGS. 6 and 10A . The other or inner leg  41  of U-shaped bracket  29  is suitably fastened to bracket  27 . A flexible bushing/pad  39  is mounted between the inner leg  41  of bracket  29  and the bracket  28 . Bracket assembly  23  enables the changing of the position of the outboard wheel as the trainee&#39;s skill level progresses as will be further explained. 
     In an alternative embodiment, third bracket  29  may be a flexible spring material, such as a round helical wire, which is affixed to axle  38  of training wheel  25  and is compressed between training wheel  25  and wheel  19  when wheel  19  is tilted. When the flexible spring material is compressed, training wheel  25  is pivoted to contact brake pad  45 . A bushing/pad  29  may be mounted between the flexible spring material and the bracket  28 . Compression of bushing/pad  39  helps to facilitate contact of training wheel  25  with brake pad  45 , as will be further explained. 
       FIGS. 10A ,  10 B,  10 C and  10 D depict operation of the training device  21 . As shown in  FIG. 10A , in a balanced mode, training wheel  25  does not touch the ground surface  22  (i.e., the running surface over which the wheels  19  are traveling), that is, the bracket assembly  23  is in a passive non-functional mode. The skate wheels  19  essentially move in a balanced vertical orientation as depicted by line  24 .  FIG. 10B  depicts the position of the training wheel  25  as the skate starts to become unbalanced (e.g., tilt toward the left) as indicated by the small acute angle  26  in  FIG. 10B , in this view, the training wheel  25  provides a modicum of support to balance the skate  15  via axle  31 .  FIG. 10C  depicts the position of the wheel  25  as the skate becomes more unbalanced (tilted). In this mode the wheel  25  presses more forcefully against running surface  22 . The inverted U-shaped bracket  29  affixed to axle  38  of training wheel  25  compresses the flexible pad  39  to oppose the tilting of the wheel  19  and to maintain the wheel  19  in an upright position.  FIG. 10D  depicts the position of the training device  21  and the bracket assembly  23  when the unbalance and tilting condition becomes more extreme, as shown by the large angle  26  of the tilt of wheel  19 . In this mode shown in  FIG. 10D , the tilting action of wheel  19  and the resistance of training wheel  25  against running surface  22  cause the flexible pad  39  to fully compress thereby causing brake pad  45  to engage the upper periphery of training wheel  25  and frictionally cause wheel  25  to drag on the running surface and to slow down or stop the forward motion of the skate  15 . That is, as the unbalance or tilting becomes too great, the forward motion of the skate is stopped by the dragging of wheel  25  on the running surface  22 , while concurrently limiting the further tilting of the skate  15  and wheel  19 . 
     In operation, the flexible/compressible pad  39  is compressed as the skate  15  and user&#39;s ankle bend toward the left as shown in  FIG. 10B-10D . Pad  39  may be formed of thirty to forty durometer hardness rubber and compress to approximately sixty percent of its original thickness. The flexibility/durometer rating of the bushing/pad  39  is selectable dependent on the size of the skate and/or weight of the user. 
     As the skate is moved to the left (and the ankle bends) the pad  39  is progressively compressed, as depicted in the progression of  FIGS. 10C and 10D . This action causes the brake pad  45  to contact the upper periphery of wheel  25  and tend to slow down or stop wheel  25 . The more the skate  15  tilts to the left, the greater the friction force to stop the rotation of wheel  15 . Brake pad  45  may be formed to substantially seventy durometer hardness rubber. The flexibility/durometer rating of the brake pad  45  is also selectable dependent on the size of the skate and/or weight of the user. Referring to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , in an alternative embodiment, the brake pad  45  may be constructed in a generally triangular prism shape and may contain a plurality of through holes  46  for fixing the brake pad  45  to bracket  28  with a bolt or pin and preventing unwanted rotation of the brake pad  45 . 
     The training device  21 , including the bracket assembly  23 , may be designed, manufactured, and sold for two categories of skaters, e.g., a first category for skaters weighing up to a certain weight limit, such as eighty pounds, and a second category designed for skaters weighing above the weight limit, such as between eighty pounds and two hundred and fifty pounds, so that the appropriate materials for the training device  21  may be selected, e.g., material for the flexible bushing/pad  39  and the brake pad  45 . 
     Operational adjustments to the training device  21  can be made as follows. A first adjustment for the skate is the positioning of the height of the training wheel  23 . Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , at early stages of training, the training wheel  23  will be positioned and adjusted to engage the ground at very small tipping angles of the inline skate to provide a maximum amount of ankle support. As more skill is attained in keeping the inline skates vertical and controlling the tipping angle for making turns, the training wheels can be adjusted higher to allow for more advanced maneuvers. 
     A second adjustment may be made for controlling the force required on the training wheel to engage the training wheel braking system. Early stage trainees can adjust the braking system to be engaged at very slight pressures on the training wheels. As the trainee&#39;s skill level improves, the braking system can be incrementally adjusted to allow for more aggressive turning maneuvers before the braking device will automatically engage. These two adjustments are independent and can be made to customize the inline skate to the trainee&#39;s initial physical ankle strength and balancing skill. Incremental adjustments can then be made as the trainee&#39;s skill level improves in tipping and balance. 
     The bracket assembly enables the training wheel  25  to be attached to a preexisting inline wheel assembly and the inline skate by extension bolts utilizing the existing axle bolts of the wheels. The same set of training wheels can therefore be used for most shoe sizes of roller blades. It is contemplated that the assembly may be interchangeable and can be mounted on either the right or left foot skate, and further may be mounted on the interior or exterior side of a skate. 
     The training wheels require no maintenance or service beyond the normal cleaning and wheel mounting bolt tightening required per a typical roller blade. The components may be made of corrosion proof materials ensuring many years of use and storage with minimal difficulty in transferring form one set of roller blades to another. 
     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 various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.