Abstract:
A three wheel roller skate (10) that can be better maneuvered than a four wheel roller skate, yet allowing an inexperienced or beginner roller skater (16) to enjoy roller skating. A built-in mechanism has three functions, which are: function 1, to lock all wheels (20), (22) in a stop position; function 2, to unlock all wheels (20), (22) in a free rotation position; and function 3, to prevent the front wheels (22) from rotating backwards in an anti-reverse position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention relates generally to roller skates and more specifically it relates to a three wheel roller skate. 
     The Dutch word schaats means stilt, as well as skate, and people who wear skates are lifted above the ground just enough to roll down the sidewalk in warm weather. Indoor rinks make it possible for them to roller-skate year-round. 
     Most boys and girls learn how to skate on driveways, sidewalks, or playgrounds. Beginning skaters usually wear adjustable clamp skates, which fasten to the soles of their regular shoes or boots. The molded toe clamps are tightened with a skate key, and leather straps bind the skates to the ankle. Strap-on skates have flexible Velcro fastenings. 
     Skates first rolled on wooden wheels, then wheels of steel. Rubber-wheeled skates were introduced by the 1920&#39;s, but kids generally continued to wear the noisy metal models. Roller skating boomed as a pastime in the late 1970&#39;s after skates were equipped with the quiet and smooth-roller polyurethane wheels that had been developed for skateboards. Sealed ball bearings and toe stops of plastic or rubber also improved maneuverabiity and added to their versatility. 
     Shoe skates often resemble running shoes mounted on wheels. Although ankle support is not essential for roller skating, mid-high and high-top models are available-traditionally in black for men and white for women. Arm and knee pads are optional. 
     In-line skates, the fad of the 1980&#39;s have polyurethane roller wheels aligned in a strip, like an ice-skating blade. Originally a heavy metal truck across the bottom held the wheels in place, but faster models use plastic or light aluminum trucks and can travel at about twice the speed of traditional roller skates. For braking, the molded ski-type boots have one rubber backstop, rather than double toe stops. To complete the glitzy image of in-liners&#39; neon colors, including glow-in-the-dark wheels, there are coordinated shoelaces, headgear, fingerless gloves, boot bags, and fanny packs. Headphones and watches with an in-line designer logo complete the high-tech look. 
     Because of the market dominance of the company that introduced in-line skates in 1980, the sport is often called Roller blading, or blading. In-liners were designed by the Olson brothers of Minneapolis--Scott, a young hockey player, and Brennan--for off-season training for skiers as well as ice hockey skaters. Another brand, called Switchit, can accommodate both wheels and ice-skating blades. For aerobic conditioning, blading often replaces jogging and workouts. 
     Roller hockey is usually played outdoors. Indoor skaters enjoy roller dancing to music, figure skating, and speed skating on hardwood, plastic-coated tracks. Professional speed skaters may compete on Roller Derby teams, racing one another on a banked track. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Numerous roller skates have been provided in prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,166,767 to Petermann; U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,462 to Murga; U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,088 to Yu and U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,920 to McHale all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     PETERMANN, HENRI 
     ROLLER SKATE 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,166,767 
     A roller skate comprising an elongated support. a plurality of axles are carried by the support. a pair of separate rollers are carried by each axle. Each roller comprises an outer rim member having a spherical bearing surface constituting a continuation of the spherical bearing surface of the other roller carried by the same axle. A ball bearing is interposed between the rim member and the axle and comprises an inner ring fitting within the rim member and is rotatable therewith. A sleeve is mounted upon the axle. A row of balls are situated between the inner ring and the sleeve. The axle has a threaded portion. A nut is screwed upon the threaded portion and engages the sleeve. 
     MURGA, JOSE 
     ROLLER SKATE INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO ROLLERS ALIGNED ALONG A MEDIAN PLANE 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,462 
     The skate includes an under-frame equipped with two or several rollers aligned one behind the other in a common median plane. Each roller has a shape of a narrow-bobbin, with two circular flanges provided with bands and a central hollowed hub fixed inside a ball-bearing. This bearing is put in an orifice of a central plate of the under-frame. This plate holds also a front buffer-stop and a back buffer-stop. An instrument absorbing the shocks in the radial direction if intercalated between the bearing and the plate. Preferably, the under-frame of the skate is equipped with a support for a leg, which is articulated in relation to a transverse axis at the level of the ankle. A braking mechanism of the rollers can be fixed on the central plate of the under-frame. Thanks to the special shape of the rollers, bearings and the under-free are lightened. 
     YU, CHUNG-HSIUNG 
     ROLLER SKATE WITH DEVICE FOR ASSISTING THE TURNING AND BRAKING ACTION THEREOF 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,088 
     A roller skate having rollers aligned along a longitudinal axis thereof is equipped with a device which includes a mounting seat attached to the skate body adjacent to the front or rear end thereof. A pair of mounting shafts are mounted on the mounting seat and extend in such a manner that they form an angle therebetween and that they are symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis. A pair of auxiliary rollers are mounted respectively to the mounting shafts, so that they lie in two imaginary planes which are perpendicular to the mounting shafts, respectively, and which form a V-shape symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis. The device assists the turning and braking action of the roller skate. 
     McHALE, PATRICK 
     BEAM OFF-SET ROLLER SKATE 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,920 
     Roller skates having a shoe or boot supported by a central support beam. The boot has an inside and outside corresponding to the inside and the outside of a user&#39;s foot to which it is designed to be removably attached. Each skate also has a first and second group of wheels in longitudinal alignment with the roller skate and in rotatable alignment with each other. The boot and groups of wheels are connected to a support structure. The first group of wheels is rotatably attached to the support structure and disposed to the outside thereof. The second group of wheels is rotatably attached to the support structure and disposed to the inside thereof. A first span between the most distant of the wheels of the first group of wheels is less than a second span between the most distant of the wheels of the second group of wheels. There are also brake means for slowing and stopping the roller skate when a user desires. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a three wheel roller skate that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
     Another object is to provide a three wheel roller skate that can be better maneuvered than a four wheel roller skate, yet allowing an inexperienced or beginner roller skater to enjoy roller skating. 
     An additional object is to provide a three wheel roller skate that includes a built-in mechanism having three functions, which are function 1, to lock all wheels, a stop position function 2, to unlock all wheels in a free rotation position, and function 3, to prevent the front wheel from rotating backwards in an anti-reverse position. 
     A further object is to provide a three wheel roller skate that is simple and easy to use. 
     A still further object is to provide a three wheel roller skate that is economical in cost to manufacture. 
     Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
    
    
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein; 
     FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the instant invention worn on a foot of a roller skater. 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view taken in the direction of arrow 2 in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the instant invention per se taken in the direction of arrow 3 in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3a is an enlarged side view of the control cam as indicated by arrow 3a in FIG. 3, with the function change key in place. 
     FIG. 3b is an end view of the function change key with parts broken away taken in the direction of arrow 3b in FIG. 3a. 
     FIG. 3c is a rear view taken in the direction of arrow 3c in FIG. 3, with parts broken away and in section. 
     FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the instant invention per se with parts broken away and in section. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view taken in the direction of arrow 5 in FIG. 3, with parts broken away and in section. 
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate a three wheel roller skate 10 which comprises a boot 12 having a sole 14, wherein the boot 12 is worn on a foot of a roller skater 16. A support frame 18 is attached to the sole 14 of the boot 12. A pair of rear wheels 20 are mounted in a rotatable manner to a rear end of the support frame 18. A front wheel 22 is mounted in a rotatable manner to a front end of the support frame 18, so that the roller skate 10 can be better maneuvered by the roller skater 16. 
     The support frame 18 is a generally U-shaped bracket 24 attached to the sole 14 of the boot 12 in an inverted manner. The U-shaped bracket 24 includes a base 26 attached to the sole 14 of the boot 12. A pair of arms 28 extend downwardly from the base 26. Each axle 30 of the rear wheels 20 is mounted to an exterior surface of one arm 28. An axle 32 of the front wheel 22 is mounted between interior surfaces of the arms 28. 
     The components 34 are for locking the rear wheels 20 and the front wheel 22, so as to prevent the rear wheels 20 and the front wheel 22 from rotating. A mechanism 36 is for unlocking the rear wheels 20 and the front wheel 22, so as to allow the rear wheels 20 and the front wheel 22 to rotate. A facility 38 is for preventing the front wheel 22 from rotating backwards, so as to allow the front wheel 22 to only rotate forwards. 
     The locking components 34 consist of each rear wheel 20 having a plurality of apertures 40 radially positioned on an inner surface about the axle 30 and faces the exterior surface of one arm 28. A pair of rear wheel stop levers 42 are provided. Each rear wheel stop lever 42 is spring biased hinged to the exterior surface of one arm 28. Each rear wheel stop lever 42 will normally engage with one aperture 40 in one rear wheel 20. The front wheel 22 has a plurality of bores 44 radially positioned on opposite surfaces about the axle 32 and faces the interior surfaces of the arms 28. A pair of front wheel stop levers 46 are also provided. Each front wheel stop lever 46 is spring biased hinged to the interior surface of one arm 28. Each front wheel stop lever 46 will normally engage with one bore 44 in the front wheel 22. 
     The unlocking mechanism 36 comprises a control cam 48 mounted in a rotatable manner between the arms 28. A pair of rear connector assemblies 50 extend between the control cam 48 and the rear wheel stop levers 42. A pair of front connector assemblies 52 extend between the control cam 48 and the front wheel stop levers 46. A control change key 54 is insertable into the control cam 48, so as to rotate the control cam 48 in a first direction to release the rear wheel stop levers 42 from the apertures 40 in the rear wheels 20 and the front wheel stop levers 46 from the bores 44 in the front wheel 22. 
     The preventing facility 38 includes a pair of front wheel anti-reverse levers 56. Each front wheel anti-reverse lever 56 is spring biased hinged to the interior surface of one arm 28. Each front wheel anti-reverse lever 56 will normally be disengaged from the bores 44 in the front wheel 22. A pair of auxiliary front connector assemblies 58 extend between the control cam 48 and the front wheel anti-reverse levers 56. When the control change key 54 in the control cam 58 rotates the control cam 58 in an opposite direction, the anti-reverse levers 56 will now engage with the bores 44 in the front wheel 22, to allow the front wheel 22 to rotate forwards but not backwards. 
     Each rear connector assembly 50 contains a first pulley 60 carried in a rotatable manner on the inner surface of one arm 28, spaced behind the control cam 48. A second pulley 62 is carried in a rotatable manner on the inner surface of the arm 28 spaced below at a right angle to the first pulley 60 adjacent one rear wheel stop lever 42 in front of the arm 28. A cable 64 extends from the back of the control cam 46 about the first pulley 60, the second pulley 62 and through an aperture 66 in the arm 28 to the rear wheel stop lever 42. 
     Each front connector assembly 52 includes a pulley 68 carried in a rotatable manner from the inner surface of the base 26 adjacent the front wheel stop lever 46. A cable 70 extends from the front of the control cam 48 about the pulley 68 to the front wheel stop lever 46. 
     Each auxiliary front connector assembly 58 consists of a pulley 72 carried in a rotatable manner from an inner surface of one arm 28 adjacent the front wheel anti-reverse lever 56. a cable 74 extends from the front of the control cam 48 about the pulley 72 to the front wheel anti-reverse lever 56. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
     10 three wheel roller skate 
     12 boot of 10 
     14 sole on 12 
     16 roller skater 
     18 support frame of 10 
     20 rear wheel of 10 
     22 front wheel of 10 
     24 U-shaped bracket for 18 
     26 base of 24 
     28 arm of 24 
     30 axle of 20 
     32 axle of 22 
     34 locking component of 10 
     36 unlocking mechanism of 10 
     38 preventing facility of 10 
     40 aperture in 20 
     42 rear wheel stop lever of 34 
     44 bore in 22 
     46 front wheel stop lever of 34 
     48 control cam of 36 
     50 rear connector assembly of 36 
     52 front connector assembly of 36 
     54 control change key of 36 
     56 front wheel anti-reverse lever of 38 
     58 auxiliary front connector assembly of 38 
     60 first pulley of 50 
     62 second pulley of 50 
     64 cable of 50 
     66 aperture in 28 
     68 pulley of 52 
     70 cable of 52 
     72 pulley of 58 
     74 cable of 58 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.