Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to an improved structure of inline skates, which provides a cushion, a wheel with a gearwheel on its side, and a pawl assembly. By pressing down the weight, the wheel with gearwheel on its side occludes the pawl assembly, which stops the wheel with gearwheel on its side from rolling one-wayly. Thereby, the improved structure of inline skates is more ergonomic and exercise injuries can be prevented. In addition, a brake is provided for providing shock absorption and more powerful acceleration. Besides, automatic support upright is also provided for avoiding tumbles.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to inline skates, and particularly to inline skates that combining a one-way roll stop device and a cushion for providing the inline skates with superior braking effect during sliding as well as with more forceful acceleration holds. Thereby, an improved structure of inline skates with ergonomics, exercise-injury prevention, and comfort is provided. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Inline skating is a rising roller-skating exercise. To date a variety of types has developed including mainly recreational, figure, cross-country, acrobatic, and speed. Special structures are designed for cross-country and speed inline skates to meet their speed demands or requirements by special environments. In addition, extraordinary and long-term trainings are required to handle and use them appropriately. The basic structure and function thereof similar to recreational inline skates, details of the inline skates of these types are not described here. In the following, recreational, figure, and acrobatic inline skates are described in detail. 
         [0003]    First, for a recreational inline skate, the structure thereof includes a boot, a base under the boot, and a plurality of wheels adapted on the base. There is no front brake pad. When the left leg slides, it is necessary to use the right leg to press the ground and push backwards in the direction slightly deviating from the direction of sliding then a forward force for the left leg is given. Owing to the larger wheel diameter with the longer span, it is laborious to press and push slantingly both legs alternately for maintaining sliding for a long time. In addition, it violates ergonomics as well. Besides, recreational inline skates do not provide effective braking disposal. Some brands add rear brake pads behind the roller skates. While braking, the player has to put forth his strength to raise his feet upwards with his ankles pushed downwards so that the rear brake pads under the ankles can produce friction with the ground. By doing this, slight braking effect is attained. However, the braking effect is very poor, and the braking action violates ergonomics as well. Furthermore, the rear brake pads tend to make both legs stuck with and bump against each other and consequently make the player stumble when he alternates his legs to slide or when he comers (forward or backward crossovers). Thereby, most players disassemble the rear brake pads by themselves, which makes the rear brake pads exist in name only. 
         [0004]    Moreover, for a figure inline skate, a front brake pad is adapted at the first-wheel position of a recreational inline skate, and all wheels are shrunk and arranged behind the front brake pad. Hence, the figure inline skate slides slower and unstable. When sliding forward, the center of gravity leans forward. Slight incaution results in touch of the front brake pad on the sliding leg on the ground, which is very dangerous because it will cause the player trip forward. 
         [0005]    As for an acrobatic line skate, no brake is adapted thereon because a brake device that is like the one on a recreational or a figure inline skate obstructs absolutely acrobatic movements and thereby results in danger. However, it does not mean that an acrobatic inline skate need not a brake device. In fact, tumbles when wearing acrobatic inline skates occur frequently. Some severe injuries even happened. 
         [0006]    To sum up, various current inline skates cannot provide an effective and safe brake device. A special braking skill, that is, T-stop, refers to turning aside and opening both legs abruptly during sliding to make both legs perpendicular to the direction of sliding for attaining braking effect. However, this skill needs long-term practices. Slight incaution tends to result in tumble and accidental injuries such as scrapes, collision injuries, and sprains. Besides, the skill violates ergonomics. In addition to ease of wear on the inline skates, T-stop is not applicable in all fields. If the field is slightly slippery, unsmooth, or has too much grip, falling over tends to happen. Thereby, improved brake device of inline skates is desired for solving inconveniences in operations and problems of frequent exercise injuries. 
         [0007]    Owing to the drawbacks and imperfections of inline skates described above, the present invention provides inline skates complying with ergonomics, being exercise-injury preventive, shock absorptive, and comfortable. In addition, the inline skates according to the present invention provide multiple brakes as well as providing more powerful acceleration. By supporting upright automatically, the inline skates according to the present provide active safety for players. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    An objective of the present invention is to provide an improved structure of inline skates, which can achieves superior braking effect in a manner complying ergonomics. In addition, the inline skates according to the present invention can support upright automatically on the go for preventing tumbles. Thereby, exercise injuries are reduced or avoided accordingly, and active safety is provided. 
         [0009]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide an improved structure of inline skates, which can provide effectively more forceful acceleration holds as well as shock-absorbing capability for comfort. Thereby, the operation quality of the inline skates is improved. 
         [0010]    In order to achieve the objectives and effects described above, the present invention provides an improved structure of inline skates, which includes a boot, a base, a wheel set, one or more one-way roll stop devices, and one or more cushions. When the base is pressed, the wheels of the wheel set are pressed accordingly. The cushion eases the stress through compression thereof. When the cushion compresses, it drives said one or more one-way roll stop devices to step rolling. Thereby, braking effect and an acceleration hold are provided. In addition, shock-absorbing effect is provided as well by the cushion. 
         [0011]    In order to make the structure and characteristics as well as the effectiveness of the present invention to be further understood and recognized, the detailed description of the present invention is provided as follows along with preferred embodiments and accompanying figures. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a three-dimensional schematic diagram according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows an explosion view according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows a side view according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows an action schematic diagram of a front wheel according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows a resistive action schematic diagram of a front wheel according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic diagram according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic diagram according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic diagram according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]      FIGS. 1 to 3  show an improved structure of inline skates according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The inline skate  100  includes a boot  10 , a base  20 , a wheel set  30 , a one-way roll stop device  40 , and a cushion  50 . 
         [0021]    The base  20  is adapted on the bottom of the boot  10 , and comprises one or more connection plates  21  and two side plates  22  adapted under both sides of the connection plate  21 , respectively. At the front end of the side plate  22 , a long pivotal bore  221  is adapted. Behind and above the long pivotal bore  221 , two securing holes  222  are adapted. In addition, behind the long pivotal bore  221 , three pivotal holes (not shown in the figures) are adapted for pivoting the wheel set  30 . The wheel set  30  includes a front wheel  31 , two center wheels  32 , and a rear wheel  33 . The front wheel  31  is adapted between said two long pivotal bores  221  by means of a screw bolt assembly  34 . The center wheels  32  and the rear wheel  33  are adapted between corresponding pivotal holes of the side plates  22  behind the long pivotal bores  221  by means of screw bolt assemblies  35 , respectively. 
         [0022]    The one-way roll step device  40  includes a gearwheel  41  and a pawl assembly  42 . The gearwheel  41  is an annular-shaped slice and is smaller slightly in diameter than the front wheel  31 . It is manufactured integrally and is mounted pivotally at the centers on both sides of the front wheel  31 . Alternatively, the annular-shaped slices can be secured at the centers on both sides of the front wheel  31 . First gearteeth  411  with one-way hook-shaped teeth are adapted on the periphery of the gearwheel  41 . The pawl assembly  42  includes an elastic plate  421  and pawls  422  on both sides under the elastic plate  421 . The elastic plate  421  is roughly a U-shaped plate. The shape here according to a preferred embodiment is used for description but not for limiting its scope. On both ends of the elastic plate  421 , two wing plates  423 , which extend upwards and outwards, are adapted. One or more sets of a plurality of second gearteeth  425  are adapted on the pawl  422 , which has two long bores  424 . The pawl assembly  42  are secured on the securing bores  222  by passing screw bolt assemblies  426  through the long bores  424  and the securing bores  222 , and the wing plates  423  of the elastic plate  421  connect against the underside of the corresponding connection plate  21  while making the second wheelteeth  425  of the pawls  422  correspond to the first wheelteeth  411  of the gearwheels  41 . Thereby, the pawl assembly  42  can move up and down in the long bores  424  by means of the screw bolt assemblies  426 . Moreover, because the elastic plate  421  has elasticity and can extend and compress, the pawl assembly  42  can have elastic cushion effect accordingly, which occurs when the gearwheel  41  is not locked but can slide freely. 
         [0023]    The cushion  50  is adapted on one side of the side plates  22 , respectively, including two sliding block and sleeve assemblies  51 , two springs  52 , two adjustment shafts  53 , and two nuts. The sliding block and sleeve assembly  51  is an assembly with a sleeve  511  and a sliding block  512 , which is a long block corresponding to the long pivotal bore  221  with a shorter length. A pivotal hole  514  is adapted at the lower end of the sliding block and sleeve assembly  51 . The pivotal hole  514  is used for passing the screw bolt assembly  34  and securing the sliding block and sleeve assembly  51  on the side of the front wheel  31  with the sliding block  512  inset in the long pivotal bore  221 . A trench  513  is adapted from the top of the sleeve  511  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), and is used for accommodating the spring  52  and the adjustment shaft  53 . The spring  52  is put around the adjustment shaft  53 , whose top end is secured on the connection plate  21 . in addition, threads are adapted on the adjustment shaft  53  with two nuts  54  thereupon for confining the spring  52  between the trench  513  and the nuts  54 . By adjusting the threading locations of the nuts  54 , the cushioning force of the spring  52  can be adjusted accordingly. Hence, requirements by players with different weights or by various cushioning conditions can be met by adjustments at any time. 
         [0024]    Please refer to  FIG. 3 . The first gearteeth  411  on gearwheel  41  of the one-way roll stop device  40  protrude opposite to the second gearteeth  425  on the pawl  422  of the pawl assembly  42 . Besides, when the gearwheel  41  contacts with the pawl assembly  42 , according to the rolling direction of the gearwheel  41 , two statuses result including an occlusion and cease-rolling status, and a free-sliding and maintain-rolling status. When the one-way roll stop device  40  is adapted on the front wheel  31 , it is installed to make the gearwheel  41  and the pawl assembly  42  in the free-sliding and maintain-rolling status when the gearwheel  41  rolls forwards, and in the occlusion and cease-rolling status when the gearwheel  41  rolls backwards. Thereby, when the one-way roll stop device  40  is adapted in the front wheel  31 , it can stop the front wheel  31  from rolling if the front wheel  31  rolls backwards. 
         [0025]    Please refer to  FIG. 4 . In general, when the inline skates slide forward, the weight of the player is distributed evenly on the front wheel  31 , the two center wheels  32 , and the rear wheel  33 . In this scenario, the front wheel  31  maintains common operation condition, and the gearwheel  41  does not contact with the pawl assembly  42 . Even if the player pushes downwards the front wheel  31 , the front wheel  31  will not stop rolling forward. This is because when the inline skates move forwards, the front wheel  31 , and hence the gearwheel  41 , roll forwards as well. Thereby, the gearwheel  41  and the pawl assembly  42  are not occlusive. Through the elastic cushioning function of the pawl assembly  42 , the gearwheel  41  and the pawl assembly  42  will be in the free-sliding and maintain-rolling status. 
         [0026]    Please refer to  FIG. 5 . The braking function of the one-way roll stop device  40  adapted in the front wheel  31  is similar to the gearwheel in front of a general figure skate or to the brake pad in front of a conventional four-wheel skate, and is done by tipping toes while sliding backwards. If acceleration is desired, the back propelling leg uses the front wheel  31  to propel backwards. At the instant of propelling, the front wheel  31  rolls backwards. Thereby, when the player needs braking or acceleration, the front wheel  31  is pressed downwards. At this moment, the front wheel  31  rolls backwards. Because of downward pressure on the cushion  50  by weight, the gearwheels  41  on sides of the front wheel  31  occlude with the pawl assemblies  42  and rolling is stopped. Hence, the rolling of the front wheel  31  is stopped one-wayly. Thereby, braking effect or a hold for forward acceleration is provided. Consequently, when the front wheel  31  rolls forwards, if pressure is exerted downwards, the gearwheel  41  and the pawl assembly  42  are in the free-sliding and maintain-rolling status. On the other hand, when the front wheel  31  rolls backwards, if pressure is exerted downwards, the gearwheel  41  and the pawl assembly  42  are in the occlusion and cease-rolling status. 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic diagram of an improved structure of inline skates according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is used for describing that a one-way roll stop device  40 ′ and a cushion  50 ′ are adapted on the rear wheel  33 . The difference between the present embodiment and the previous embodiment is that the one-way roll stop device  40 ′ is adapted as stopping rolling while rolling forwards. That is, the directions of first gearteeth  411 ′ of a gearwheel  41 ′ and of second gearteeth  425 ′ of a pawl assembly  42 ′ are opposite to the directions of those adapted in the front wheel  31 . Thereby, when a player needs braking or is about to fall down faceup carelessly, by pressing the rear wheel  33  downwards by his weight to some extent, the gearwheel  41 ′ on the side of the rear wheel  33  locks the pawl assembly  42 ′, and thus ceasing the rear wheel  33  from rolling forwards one-wayly. Accordingly, a braking force is attained for braking and a forward supporting reaction force is provided for avoiding falling down backwards. In addition, the baking effect according to the present embodiment is far superior to the braking effect of the rear brake pad in a recreational inline skate according to the prior art without the drawbacks and danger brought about by the latter. 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic diagram of an improved structure of inline skates according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The third preferred embodiment is provided on the basis of the first preferred embodiment described above. The gearwheel  41  and the pawl assembly  42  are adapted likewise. The difference is on the embodiment of the cushion  50 . The side plates  22  of the base  20  are further divided into front side plates  23  on both sides. The back end of the front side plate  23  connects with the side plate  22 , and the front end thereof is used for pivoting the front wheel  31 . In addition, a penetrating trench  515  is adapted in the sleeve  511  of the cushion  50 . In side the penetrating trench  515 , a ring-stop surface  516 , which is used for stopping the spring  52 . When the adjustment shaft  53  passes through the penetrating trench  515 , a nut  517  is used for securing. Thereby, the position of the front wheel  31  can be secured by means of the front side plate  23 , the sleeve  511 , and the adjustment shaft  53 . Besides, the compression force of the spring  52  can be adjusted by adjusting the nuts  54 . Moreover, the cushion  50  connects with the connection plate  21  in terms of a pivotal device  55 . Thereby, the front wheel  31  can have even better shock-absorbing comfort. 
         [0029]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic diagram of an improved structure of inline skates according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. The fourth preferred embodiment is provided on the basis of the third preferred embodiment described above. The fourth preferred embodiment adopts different device for embodying one or more one-way roll stop device  40 A. The adjustment shaft  53  of the cushion  50  is adapted on a pivotal hole  24  in front of the side plate  22 . The other end of the cushion  50  connects with the front wheel  31  and the front side plate  23  through a screw bolt assembly  34 . However, a different device is adopted for embodying said one or more one-way roll stop device  40 A. First, a plurality of surrounding arc-shaped holes  230  is adapted on the front side plate  23 , and a pivotal hole  231  is adapted at the center of said plurality of surrounding arc-shaped holes  230 . Besides, the one-way roll stop device  40 A includes a side gearwheel  401  and a side pawl  402 . The side gearwheel  401  is adapted inside the front wheel  31 . The side pawl  402  has an annular body  402 A, one side of which has one or more gearteeth  402 B. Said one or more gearteeth  402 B correspond to the side gearwheel  401 , and can occlude with each other or slide freely. When the front wheel  31  rolls forward, said one or more gearteeth  402 B slide freely with the side gearwheel  401 . On the contrary, when the front wheel  31  rolls backwards, said one or more gearteeth  402 B occlude with the side gearwheel  401 . On the other side of the annular body  402 A, a plurality of first stick-like parts  402 D and a plurality of second stick-like parts  402 E, both distributed annularly, are adapted. The first stick-like parts  402 D are thicker than the second stick-like parts  402 E, and a trench  402 C is adapted on the end of each second stick-like part  402 E. The plurality of surrounding arc-shaped holes  230  is larger than the plurality of first stick-like parts  402 D and second stick-like parts adapted on one side of the annular body  402 A of the side pawl  402 . In addition, the side pawl  402  passes through the plurality of surrounding arc-shaped holes  230  adapted on the front side plate  23 , and a second compression spring  407 , a spacer  406 , a first compression spring  405 , a special-shaped spacer  404 , and a hook ring  403  are slip on sequentially thereon. The hook ring  403  clips on a trench  402 C. The inner radius of the spacer  406  is smaller than the outer radius of the circle surrounded by the first stick-like parts  402 D, and the elastic force of the second compression spring  407  is smaller than that of the first compression spring  405 . Thereby, a driving apparatus is defined to include a driver  408 , the second compression spring  407 , the spacer  406 , the first compression spring  405 , the special-shaped spacer  404 , and the hook ring  403 . Owing to the functions of the first compression spring  405  and the second compression spring  407 , the annular body  402 A of the side pawl  402  maintains tight contact with the front side plate  23  under normal conditions. In addition, the driver  408  is adapted on the side plate  22  and is adapted above the special-shaped spacer  404 . When weight presses the connection plate  21 , the cushion  50  is compressed accordingly, which makes the driver  408  close and contact the special-shaped spacer  404 . Because the contact surface of the driver  408  on the special-shaped spacer  404  is an inclined plane  408 A, when the driver  408  is pressed down, it will produce a pressing force on the special-shaped spacer  404  towards the front side plate  23 . Nevertheless, because the inner radius of the spacer  406  is smaller than the outer radius of the circle surrounded by the first stick-like parts  402 D, and the elastic force of the second compression spring  407  is smaller than that of the first compression spring  405 , said pressing force towards the front side plate  23  will not compress the first compression spring  405 , but, instead, will force the spacer  406  to compress the second compression spring  407  and thereby make the side pawl  402  move towards the side gearwheel  401 . At this moment, if the front wheel  31  rolls backwards, the side gearwheel  401  will occlude with the side pawl  402  and the rolling is stopped one-wayly. On the contrary, if the front wheel  31  rolls forwards at the moment, due to deployment of the first compression spring  405 , the side gearwheel  401  and the side pawl  402  slide freely. 
         [0030]    From the description above, it is known that the present has at least the following effects and features:
   1. If the cushion and the one-way roll stop device according to the present invention are adapted in the front wheel, when the front wheel is pressed to some extent while rolling backwards, the front wheel has the capability of stopping rolling backwards and one-wayly. If the cushion and the one-way roll stop device according to the present invention are adapted in the rear wheel, when the rear wheel is pressed to some extent while rolling forwards, the rear wheel has the capability of stopping rolling forwards and one-wayly.   2. According to the present invention, if forward propelling is desired by pressing backwards, because the propelling leg is pressed downwards by weight and the front wheel is pushed backwards, which is in a back-rolling status, thereby, back-rolling is stopped one-wayly. Consequently, a hold for propelling forward that is more powerful and more ergonomic is given.   3. The operation of the braking function on the front wheel according to the present invention is similar to the gearwheel in front of a general figure skate or to the brake pad in front of a conventional four-wheel skate, and is done by tipping toes while sliding backwards. At this moment, the front wheel is pressed while rolling backwards, thereby, a braking function that is more ergonomic and safe is given. The braking effect of the rear wheel is similar to the braking effect of the rear brake pad in a recreational inline skate. When the player slides forwards, if he puts forth his strength to raise his feet upwards with his weight pushed downwards the rear wheel, at which moment the rear wheel is pressed to some extent and rolling forward, a braking effect that stops rolling forwards is attained. The baking effect is far superior to the braking effect of the rear brake pad in a recreational inline skate according to the prior art without the drawbacks and danger brought about by the latter.   4. As provided in the front and the rear wheels according to the present invention, when the player steps forward, because of the cushions adapted thereon, tiptoes and ankles are cushioned and shock-absorbed. Thereby, ergonomic effect is attained.   5. When the players is about to fall down forwards carelessly, because the front wheel is pressed by weight while rolling backwards, a braking force is given for stopping rolling backwards and one-wayly. Thereby, the player is supported upright automatically. When the players is about to fall down faceup carelessly, because the rear wheel is pressed by weight while rolling forwards, a braking force is given for stopping rolling forwards. Thereby, the player is supported by the reaction force upright automatically.   
 
         [0036]    Accordingly, the present invention conforms to the legal requirements owing to its novelty, non-obviousness, and utility. However, the foregoing description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, not used to limit the scope and range of the present invention. Those equivalent changes or modifications made according to the shape, structure, feature, or spirit described in the claims of the present invention are included in the appended claims of the present invention.