Patent Publication Number: US-5251934-A

Title: Pair of wheeled skate-skis with brakes usable on most terrains

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
     This application concerns improvements of the pair of wheeled skate-skis with brakes usable on most terrains made and used by the same applicant, Patrick G. Gates, as set forth in his U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,075, and the information set forth in his patent is incorporated into this application by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The pair of wheeled skate-skis, with hand brakes, usable on most terrains, as illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,075, has been improved, to continue the opportunity for a sportsperson to travel over many types of terrain having different surface structures, while traveling more safely and more comfortably. In the background of U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,075 the following patents were discussed: 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
3,365,208                                                                 
         1968         Duane E. Blanchard                                  
3,389,922                                                                 
         1968         Edward H. Eastin                                    
3,749,413                                                                 
         1973         John G. Nicolson                                    
3,767,220                                                                 
         1973         Robert A. Peterson                                  
3,876,217                                                                 
         1975         Henri Copier                                        
3,884,486                                                                 
         1965         Sven Oscar Wilje                                    
4,033,596                                                                 
         1977         John P. Andorsen                                    
4,050,705                                                                 
         1977         Phillip Kreis                                       
4,363,492                                                                 
         1982         Arne Ericksson                                      
3,829,111                                                                 
         1974         Bryan Frederick Nicholls                            
4,072,317                                                                 
         1978         Rudiger Pommerening                                 
4,718,181                                                                 
         1988         Oiviero Olivieri                                    
4,107,856                                                                 
         1978         Rene Bourque                                        
4,418,929                                                                 
         1983         William J. Gray                                     
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     SUMMARY 
     As related in U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,075, there are sportspersons who enjoy one or more of the sports of snow skiing or board skiing in the winter, water skiing or surf boarding in the summer, ice skating in the winter, roller skating or skate boarding in the summer, who, with other persons, also would like to travel more conveniently and safely in warm weather on walks, roads, lawns, and some other selected terrains, involving both climbing and coasting downhill. This all terrain pair of wheeled skate-skis with hand operated brake controls and brakes provides these sportspersons with such athletic equipment. 
     They select and wear a favorite pair of sport shoes, then step respectively on the channel serving as the supporting platform, housing, chassis, and/or body and firmly position their feet, in their shoes, and portions of their legs, on and over the channel by using wraparound binding portions, which during skating and skiing movements are held firmly in place. 
     Wheels with pneumatic tires large enough in diameter at seven inches, and wide enough at one and three quarters of an inch to roll over small irregularities, and yet small enough to keep the sportsperson&#39;s feet comparatively close to ground level, function with the other components, to provide the safe travel motion sought by the sportsperson. 
     The wheelbase is selectable in different embodiments depending on the size and weight of the sportsperson. Each embodiment provides the respective sportsperson with a feeling or experience of ski length stability and tracking, not afforded by shoe-length skates, yet the overall length is short enough to gain the advantages of a skating feeling or experience. 
     At all times when the sportsperson desires to slow down and/or stop, in each of his or her hands are levers to be moved, in turn moving brake operational control cables that extend down to the rear of each channel. There the control cables are connected to the pivotal linkage of caliper operated frictional braking pads, which are moved against spring return forces to contact the wheel rim sides to apply the braking forces. 
     These wheeled skate-skis have been improved. Injection molding processes are utilized to produce a strong channel like body or frame. Each body has underside strength ribs around wheel openings, and an underside rib extending throughout the central center line of the body or frame. Each body has a molded axle housing. Also each body has more material molded into respective places to serve as the brake housing, and to serve as a stronger front edge structure. 
     The wraparound bindings, in a rear bottom locale thereof, are secured to the body with bolt and nut fasteners passing through selected holes in the depending flanges of the body. By selecting different holes different foot size positions are created. The depending flanges have longitudinal slots positioned ahead of these selectable holes to accommodate the strap and buckle units secured at respective ends to either the body or the wraparound binding. 
     Strapping material is cut, then wrapped around one side of a buckle and sewn in place at one end, and at the other end is sewn on angles at spaced locations to create slots to receive dowels. The other end is inserted through a selected longitudinal slot and thereafter a dowel is inserted having a diameter larger than the width of the longitudinal slot to thereby anchor this strap and buckle unit in place relative to the body or frame. This longitudinal slot is long enough to provide different spacing of the strap and buckle unit to accommodate different shoe sizes. The angular positioning of the slots receiving the dowels in the strapping materials positions the strap and buckle unit in a forward leaning position to fit more comfortably and securely over the sportsperson&#39;s foot. The other strapping material to be adjustably received in the strap and buckle unit, in reference to a toe strap, is likewise held in place upon the insertion of a dowel in a sewn angular slot. In reference to the other portions of the wraparound binding, the other end of the strapping material is adjustably secured to the PVC portions of the wraparound binding by using hook and loop fasteners. 
     Additional firm support is obtained, in the wraparound bindings when needed, by placing a firm insert, at the heel and ankle location, which is preferably made of a stiffer PVC vinyl material Also the fitting of sportsperson&#39;s smaller feet is undertaken by placing inserts, also at the heel and ankle location, preferably made of closed-cell foam materials of selectable thicknesses. 
     The brake cables are kept closer to the sportsperson&#39;s body by using cable positioning and retaining straps, which are selectably positioned about a sportsperson&#39;s leg above his or her knee, and secured by using hook and loop fasteners. A clip is sewn to each of these retaining straps to open, then receive a portion of the brake cable, and thereafter to close about the brake cable. 
     These improvements serve to extend the versatility of these skate-skis with brakes which are usable in traveling over many types of terrain. 
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     These improved pair of wheeled skate-skis with brakes which are usable on most terrains, is illustrated in the drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sportsperson on the wheeled skate-skis as he or she is commencing coasting downgrade over terrain, with his or her hands holding the braking control levers, which will be hand operated, when necessary, to move the control cables, to in turn move the calipered bicycle type brakes into contact with the respective rear wheels, and showing the brake control cable retaining straps; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the left wheeled skate-ski, as viewed from the left side thereof, showing, in more detail, the left foot binding as it is arranged to support the left foot and left shoe, not shown, of a sportsperson, and illustrating, in more detail, the overall braking assembly on the left wheeled skate-ski, with portions of the length of the control cable, not shown, and showing the pneumatic tube-tire wheels, and also showing the securement of the wraparound binding to the body or frame; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial top view of the left wheeled skate-ski to indicate the installed bicycle type calipered brake and portions of the control cable; 
     FIG. 4 is a left side view of the left wheeled skate-ski indicating how the control cable, shown in part, is connected between the hand operated braking lever, and the bicycle type calipered brake, and also showing how the control cable may be passed inside the leg encircling strap of the left foot binding, and also showing the strap and buckle arrangement of the wraparound binding; 
     FIG. 5 is a right side view of the left wheeled skate-ski to indicate the different appearing arrangement of the straps and buckle of the left foot wraparound binding on this right side thereof; 
     FIG. 6 is a planar view of the main or principal portion of the left foot wraparound binding, as this principal portion appears following manufacture, inclusive of &#34;Velcro&#34; or &#34;Dual Lock&#34; or like hook and loop fasteners, and as it appears before being installed about the left foot of a sportsperson, who has already placed his or her left foot into a selected sports shoe. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 in planar views illustrate the overall toe strap and buckle of the wraparound binding, with FIG. 7, showing the adjustable-strap portion having selectable angular positioned sewn slots to receive a dowel, after threading the end of the strap portion through an elongated slot in the body to thereby hold the strap in place related to the body, and showing hook and loop fasteners on the adjustable-strap portion, and with FIG. 8 showing the buckle-strap portion also having an angular positioned sewn slot to receive a like dowel for a like anchoring purpose; 
     FIG. 9, illustrates in a planar view the brake control cable retaining straps, shown in FIG. 1, indicating the use of hook and loop fasteners and the sewn in place clip, which is opened to receive the cable and closed to retain the cable; 
     FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view, with portions shown in phantom lines, to illustrate how selectable inserts are optionally made available respectively for either increasing the firmness of the wraparound binding and/or filling in the wraparound binding with padded inserts to downsize the wraparound binding, when a person&#39;s smaller foot and shoe are to be fitted; 
     FIGS. 11 and 12 are respectively a planar view and a side view of a firmness increasing selectable insert made of stiffer material; 
     FIGS. 13 and 14, 15 and 16, 17 and 18, in pairs, illustrate in planar views and side views respective selectable padded inserts used to downsize the wraparound body; and 
     FIGS. 19, 20, and 21 are respectively top, side, and end views, of the body or frame, which is molded using strong plastic materials, with the dotted lines indicating the underside reinforced and strengthened portions thereof. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Introduction Regarding Using These Wheeled Skate-Skis 
     The preferred embodiment of the improved pair of wheeled skate-skis 10 with brakes 12 usable on most terrains is illustrated in the drawings. In FIG. 1, a sportsperson is shown as he or she is ready to go, having firmly positioned and supported his or her feet, with athletic shoes 16 on, to these wheeled skate-skis 10 using the bindings 14. Then with the hand controls 18 for the brakes 12 conveniently positioned, he or she is ready to get underway. 
     As illustrated the sportsperson is just commencing to coast down a grade of terrain. When the speed increases he or she will be changing their body positions by lowering their center of gravity and leaning forward. At all times the hand controls 18 for the brakes 12 are conveniently held and ready to operate to apply braking forces to one or to both wheeled skate-skis 10 to slow down and/or to stop. During braking operations, because of the convenience of the hand controls 18 for braking, the sportsperson remains in the most stable selected body positions for safely keeping his or her balance. 
     When coasting is completed, and skating motions are undertaken by the sportsperson to gain speed on a level surface or to climb a hill, the overall arrangement of all the components of these wheeled skate-skis 10 makes such skating motions very easy to perform. If such level and uphill maneuvers are to continue for a while, the sportsperson has the option to support the hand controls 18 for the brakes 12 on his or her belt, belt loop or other garment location. 
     The wheeled skate-skis 10 are provided in sizes with respect to both the overall length and the bindings 14. Each binding size, because of the use of &#34;Velcro&#34; or &#34;Dual Lock&#34;, or like hook and loop fasteners and the buckles 108 and straps 110, and firmness inserts 112 and downsizing padded inserts 114, is well fitted with respect to a range of foot sizes. Likewise, each overall length of a wheeled skate-ski 10 is well fitted in respect to a range of foot sizes and weights of sportspersons. 
     Supporting Platform, Housing, Chassis, Frame, and/or Body 
     Throughout the continued designing and manufacturing of this improved pair of wheeled skate-skis with brakes 10 usable on most terrains the objective continued to utilize the best components selectable from readily available products, materials and fasteners. Preferably the supporting platform, also referred to as the housing, chassis frame and/or body 20 is now made of molded plastic, as particularly shown in FIGS. 19, 20, 21. By using the injection molding process of plastic material the body 20 is designed to reduce some of the parts that would be subsequently needed, and to increase the strength of selected portions. Also by using selected changeable die portions bodies 20 of different lengths are produced. 
     As particularly shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 19, 20, and 21, the exterior or top surface 24 of the molded body 20 serves as the supporting surface to receive the sportsperson&#39;s foot, within an athletic shoe 16. The left and right depending flanges 28 and 30 of this molded body 20 in addition to serving as strength members, also provide selectable holes 116, used when the wraparound binding 14, via the holes 118 thereof, received bolt and nut fasteners 120, to firmly connect the wraparound binding 14 to the molded body 20. These flanges 28 and 30 also have respective opposite elongated slots 122, 124, which slidably receive portions of straps 110. In addition these flanges 28 and 30 receive components of the brakes 12, portions of the transverse axles 34, with bearings not shown. The top portion 26 also referred to as the web portion 26 has molded openings 36 to accommodate the wheels 38, mounted on axles 34 and secured by fasteners 40. This web 26 has molded portions that extend around the wheels 38 to continue the overall strength of the body 20, serving as the supporting platform 20 and to provide bumpers 42. One of these extensions 42 or bumpers 42, preferably the aft or rear one, supports components of the brakes 12, and provides a hole 44, to receive a fastener 46 securing the components of the brakes 12 to the supporting platform, housing, chassis, or body 10. 
     The Braking Assembly Inclusive of Hand Operated Controls 
     Continuing with the selection of available products, essentially all of the braking assembly 50 to provide the brakes 12, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, is obtained from commercially available components. The selected type of brakes 12 are bicycle wheel type caliper operated frictional braking pads 52, which contact the rims 54 of the wheels 38. The two pivoting calipers 56 and 58 are pivotally mounted on the rear bumper 42 using the hole 44 and fastener 46. As particularly shown in FIG. 3, the upper positioned caliper 56 is connected by fastener 59, at one end to the housing 60 of the control cable 62, and at the other end, by fastener 64, to a braking pad 52. The lower positioned caliper 58 is connected at one end, by fastener 66, to the control cable 62, and at the other end, by fastener 68, to the other braking pad 52. Return springs 69 serve to move the braking pads 52 via the calipers 56 and 58 clear of the rims 54 when the braking forces are no longer needed. 
     The subassembly 70 of control cable 62 and cable housing 60 is extended to reach the waist heights of respective sportspersons, as illustrated in FIG. 1. At this upper end the brake lever 72 and the connector base 74 thereof is secured to rod 76, which is sized to fit in the palm of the hand of the sportsperson. Also the connector base 74 is secured to the housing 60 of the control cable 62 which, in turn, is connected to the brake lever 72. A strip 78 of &#34;Velcro&#34; or &#34;Dual Lock&#34; or like fastener is secured in part to the rod 76, and the free portions of this strip 78 are used to form a loop 78 which surrounds the hand or wrist of the sportsperson, when he or she is intending to use the brakes 12. When the sportsperson does not intend, for a period of time, to use the brakes 12, then he or she uses the strip 78 to form a loop 78 about his or her belt, belt loop, or other garment portion. 
     The operation of this braking assembly 50 is always conveniently undertaken whenever braking forces must be created. The sportsperson, via the manipulation of his or her fingers initiates and controls these braking forces. The sportsperson does not have to reposition his or her body solely to create braking forces. Instead he or she remains in the best selected body position in keeping with the speed of travel and the surface of travel. 
     Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, brake cable retaining straps 126 are used to keep the brake cables or control cables 62 and their housings 60 closely located to the sportsperson&#39;s body when skating. Hook and loop fasteners 128 with the respective components, i.e. the hooks 130, and loops 132, are sewn to the narrow strap 134. Between the ends of this narrow strap 134, a clip 136 is sewn to be opened to receive the housing 60 and brake or control cable 62 and to be closed to retain them, as shown by using the dotted lines in FIG. 9. 
     Adjustable, Wraparound Bindings to Hold a Sportsperson&#39;s Foot in Athletic Shoe to Wheeled Skate-Ski 
     The respective wraparound bindings 14 shown in FIG. 1 are holding and supporting the sportsperson&#39;s foot in an athletic shoe 16 with respect to each wheeled skate-ski 10. In FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, respective bindings 14 are shown as they are secured in place with respect to a wheeled skate-ski 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, in reference to a left foot binding 14, the removed binding 14 may assume a planar configuration when placed on a flat surface. Preferably a &#34;P.V.C.&#34; vinyl material is used and &#34;Velcro&#34; or &#34;Dual Lock&#34; or like hook and loop fasteners are specifically placed at the needed designated locations. 
     In FIG. 6, an inside plan view is shown of the principal ankle-leg supporting portion 80 of the left foot binding 82. The right foot binding is the mirror image of the left foot binding and it is not illustrated. 
     Other portions of this principal ankle-leg supporting portion 80 are: the wraparound leg portion 84 of firmer material with its interconnecting respective hook and loop fastener portions 86, 88; 
     the outside to inside portion 90, commencing in the firmer material 138, and terminating in a sewn on strap material 140, having the hooks 130 and loops 132 of fastener 128, which is threaded through a buckle 108 sewn on a strap 110, which in turn has a sewn angular slot 142 to receive a dowel 144, after passing through one of the elongated slots 122, 124 of the body 20, to thereby anchor the strap 110 and buckle 108, which together receive the strap material 140, that is pulled through the buckle 108, folded back, and secured by using the hook and loop fastener 126 thereof; 
     the inside to outside strap portion 94 having its loop or hook fastener portion 96, sewn on a strap portion 146 and positioned through a buckle 108 sewn on a strap 110, which in turn has a sewn angular slot 142 to receive a dowel 144, after passing through one of the elongated slots 122, 124, of the body 20, to thereby anchor the strap 110 and buckle 108, which together receive the strap material portion 146, that is pulled through the buckle 108, folded back, and secured by using the hook and loop fastener 128 thereof; and 
     at the bottom side edges of the firmer material of the wraparound binding 14 are spaced holes 148 to receive selected bolt and nut fasteners 150, which pass through these spaced holes 148, and selective sets of spaced holes 152 in the respective left and right depending flanges 28, 30, of the molded body 20, to secure the wraparound binding 14 to the molded body 20. 
     The other portion of the wraparound bindings 14 is the toe portion assembly 102, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in planar positions before assembly. In FIG. 7 is a strap portion assembly which will be passed over the toe portion of an athletic shoe 16 with the foot of the sportsperson inside, as shown in FIG. 1. This strap portion assembly 154 has a loop fastener 128 at one end, which, after going through a buckle 108 is folded back upon itself. At the opposite end, this strap portion assembly 154 has spaced selected sewn angularly positioned slots 142 to receive a dowel 144, after this opposite end has been passed through one of the elongated slots 122 or 124 of the body 20, which receive the strap ends. In FIG. 8, is strap 110 and buckle 108 assembly 156, with the strap 110 sewn, at one end, about the buckle structure, and at the other end, a sewn angularly positioned slot 142 is made to receive a dowel 144, after this other end of the strap 110 has been passed through an elongated slot 122 or 124, of the body 20, serving to anchor the strap 110 and buckle 108 to the body 20. When the strap portion assembly 154 is also secured to the buckle, then the toe portion assembly 102 is holding the toe portion of the athletic shoe 16 in place on the body 20. 
     By sewing the slots 142 on an angle which receive the dowels 144, the secured straps 110 and the others, such as strap portion 154, are comfortably, securely and angularly positioned in a conforming way to the contour of the instep portions of both the athletic shoe 16 and the foot of the sportsperson, as illustrated, particularly, in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5. 
     These wraparound bindings 14 are strong, durable, easily manipulated, and securely positioned providing excellent support of the foot and leg of the sportsperson. 
     There may be times when a sportsperson desires extra firmness. If so, a firmer insert 112 is available to be inserted as indicated in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12. Also there may be times, when a sportsperson desires a closer fit and/or a padded fit. If so, a selected thickness closed-cell foam insert 114 is available to be inserted, as indicated in FIGS. 10, and 13 through 18. A hole 166 is formed in the bindings 14 which is used when the wheel skate-skis 10 are suspended from a support. 
     The Platform Also Referred to as the Housing, Chassis, Frame, or Body 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,075, a commercially available fiberglass structural channel was described in reference to how this channel was cut and drilled to form it into the platform, also referred to as the housing, chassis, frame, or body 20. With increased production the injection molded plastic platform 164, also referred to as the housing, chassis, frame or body 20 is being used, as illustrated in FIGS. 19, 20, and 21. The channel frame concept is the same, utilizing the inherent strength properties of such a channel frame. Improvements are added to the molded plastic frame or body 164 serving as the platform 20, to reduce the number of parts assembled, add strength portions at needed places, make the platform stronger and safer, reduce the overall weight, and reduce assembly time. The dotted lines in FIGS. 19, 20, and 21, show the underside locations of side flanges, strength ribs around wheel openings, and a strength rib through the center of the frame or body 20. The axle housing is molded into the frame or body 20, thereby eliminating spacers positioned between the wheels and the frame, and increasing the strength of the body 20. Additional plastic structure, distributed via the molding procedures, is positioned in the brake housing, and also in the front edge of the body 20 for added strength and safety. 
     The manufacturing molds are made to be supplemented and/or to be reduced to have production runs of different length bodies 20, to meet the market demand for different length wheeled skate-skis 10. 
     Hill Climbing With These Wheeled Skate-Skis 
     The brakes preferably have a brake-on-button to keep the brakes on when a person is using the wheel skate-skis to walk, and especially to walk uphill. Also when persons realize they will be very often walking uphill, or climbing uphill, they have wheel bearings installed, which allow only the forward rotation of the wheels 38. These bearings are oftentimes referred to as drawn cup roller clutch bearings. 
     Comments Regarding Sizes, Materials, Products and Uses 
     Regarding the brakes, a brake assembly designated as a &#34;BMX&#34;  brake type has been used. These brakes have a brake-on-button to keep the brakes on when a person is using the wheel skate-skis to walk, and especially when he or she walks uphill. 
     The bearings used in the wheels are 5/16&#34; inside diameter. The tube in the tire is inflatable up to 60 p.s.i. and the pressure is reduced at times when going downhill to help in increasing the drag to reduce the speed. The preferable tire size is 7&#34; in diameter and 13/4&#34; wide. 
     The control cable lengths are selected preferably in respect to waist heights of the sportsperson. There are times, when the lengths will be different. For example when being pulled by a large kite, a sportsperson has extended the control cable lengths placing the brake control levers in the locale with the hand held and operated kite controls. 
     Whatever the sizes, materials, products and uses selected, the resulting wheel skate-skis 10 provide the sportspersons with greater opportunities to enjoy this sport more thoroughly and with greater safety.