Patent ID: 6916027

Claim:
A skate comprising: a chassis having a ground engaging mechanism attached thereto; a variable length boot supported by the chassis, the boot including a heel portion slidably secured to the chassis and a toe support fixedly attached to the chassis, wherein positioning the heel portion along a longitudinal axis of the skate relative to the toe support increases or decreases the length of the boot; a latching mechanism to lock the heel portion to the chassis at a selected position, the selected position defining the length of the boot, wherein the latching mechanism comprises: a lever pivotally connected to the heel portion for engaging the chassis, the lever positionable between a locked position and an unlocked position; a clasp connected to the lever to lock the heel portion at the selected position, the clasp pivotally connected to an exterior surface of the heel portion and positionable between an engaged position and a disengaged position; and wherein the latching mechanism further comprises first and second arms extending from the clasp, each arm including a cammed surface and first and second posts disposed upon the lever, wherein the first post is engageable with the cammed surface of the first arm and the second post is engageable with the cammed surface of the second arm, wherein each post urges the clasp towards the engaged position upon positioning the lever towards the locked position.