Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to skate rails and, more specifically, to a portable, modular skate rail comprising a plurality of square or tubular interlocking rail members that may be assembled to provide grind rails of various lengths and elevations. Each rail member has at least one hinged leg support with a hinged footplate that allow the leg support and footplate to be folded in a substantially parallel relation to the rail member to save space during transport and storage. Additionally provided are brackets whereby two rails can be fastened together with one rail having a handle furnishing means for porting the invention as an integral assembly. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are other rail devices designed for in-line skating and skateboarding. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. Des. 162,337 issued to J. A. O&#39;Gatty on Mar. 6, 1951. 
   Another patent was issued to Senoh, et al. on Oct. 14, 1980 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,688. Another patent was issued to Gangloff on Sep. 2, 1997 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,556. Still yet another patent was issued on Feb. 17, 1998 to Levanas as U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,412. 
   Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,192 was issued to Rieber, et al. on Apr. 22, 2003 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,748 was issued to Tollner on Apr. 29, 2003. 
   U.S. Pat. No. Des. 162,337 
   Inventor: James A. O&#39;Gatty 
   Issued: Mar. 6, 1951 
   An ornamental design for a sacroiliac bar, as shown and described. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,688 
   Inventor: Hisao Seno, et al. 
   Issued: Oct. 14, 1980 
   An exercise assembly with parallel and spaced upright posts, a grip rod spanning the posts and having the opposite end portions movably connected to the posts by means of hollow joints each having a vertical lower pipe section movably receiving the associated end portion of the grip rod and a horizontal pipe section, said opposite end portions of the grip rod having bulges provided with slanted elliptical holes, operation cylinders disposed within said horizontal pipe sections and receiving the opposite end portions of the grip rod, first connector rods received in said operation cylinders and slanted elliptical holes and second connector rods connecting said operation cylinders to said horizontal pipe sections of the joints. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,556 
   Inventor: Robert B. Gangloff 
   Issued: Sep. 2, 1997 
   A specially designed foldable exercise apparatus is provided for doing pull-ups-or chin-ups while the heels of the feet remain on the floor. It includes a chrome-plated steel base with welded upright frame bar supports extendable upward on each side of the base, with an uninterrupted space provided between the upright frame bar supports for the torso of user&#39;s body to be placed therebetween. The vertical supports extend upward with one on each side, approximately midway between a front edge and a rear edge of the base, so that the base extends outward in both directions from the vertical support posts. The pull-up supports are fabricated with apertures or notched vertical supports or hooks on the exterior for placement therein of a horizontal support bar which is movable. The support bar is preferably fabricated of tubular steel with rubber caps on each end to prevent slipping off the support posts. An optional cross brace is provided to stabilize the support posts in place in a vertical position of use. The user lies between the support posts and pulls himself or herself up to the desired level while the heels of the user remain on the floor. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,412 
   Inventor: Ronald Levanas 
   Issued: Feb. 17, 1998 
   A modular series of square or tubular rails are joined to together by rigid or flexible connectors to provide a playing surface in-line skates and skateboards. The rails are separated from the earth or other surface by support columns. The rails themselves can be straight, curved, or can be equipped with a number of bends. Single column supports are preferred for permanent installations where the column can be bolted onto a surface or can be partially buried in the earth. Dual-column supports that form a triangular pattern that enables the rails system to be portable, yet allows skaters to impart horizontal as well as vertical loads on the rails safely. Both columns allow the use of tubular or rectangular rails. Joints between the rail may be flexible to allow a broader range of skating maneuvers. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,192 
   Inventor: Frederick M. Rieber, et al. 
   Issued: Apr. 22, 2003 
   Obstacle apparatus includes at least one ramp for launching a bicycle, skateboard or roller blade rider into the air. The apparatus may also include a second similar ramp and a bridge for releasably connecting the elevated ends of the two ramps in-line so as to produce an in-line obstacle over which riders may roll. The apparatus may also include a grind rail which may be releasably attached to the elevated end of one or both of the ramps so that the ramp/rail assembly may be used by skateboarders and the like to perform various acrobatic feats. The apparatus components are rugged and reliable yet they can be made in quantity at minimum cost. Furthermore, because of their unique designs, they may be shipped and stored in a minimum amount of space. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,748 
   Inventor: Bruce Tollner 
   Issued: Apr. 29, 2003 
   Multi-functional practice and training apparatus for use by skateboarders, skaters, bicyclists and the like. According to a preferred embodiment, the system comprises the combination of a board with a fulcrum member that are operative to assume at least three practice modes, namely: 1) a ramp mode whereby the fulcrum is placed at one end of the board and creates an upward slope for use in riding or jumping over objects; 2) a seesaw mode whereby the board is pivotally mounted upon the fulcrum and provides a platform surface upon which the user can rock back and forth while standing or riding thereon; and 3) a rigid rail structure whereby the fulcrum defines a rail for use in “grinding.” 
   While these rail assemblies may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention discloses a portable, modular skate rail comprising a plurality of square or tubular interlocking rail members that may be assembled to provide grind rails of various lengths and elevations. Each rail member has at least one hinged leg support with a hinged footplate that allows the leg support and footplate to be folded in a substantially parallel relation to the rail member to save space during transport and storage. Additionally provided are brackets whereby two rails can be fastened together with one rail having a handle furnishing means for porting the present invention as an integral assembly. The rails of the present invention may also be adapted to provide an angled rail relative to the ground. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a portable skate rail that may be configured according to the user&#39;s requirement. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable skate rail comprising a plurality of rail members having a male end and a female end whereby the male end of one rail member is inserted into the female end of the following rail member and so forth. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable skate rail having folding leg supports with folding foot plates to provide space efficient rail members for transport and storage. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable skate rail wherein said rail members and leg supports are designed to allow the user to selectively set up a skate rail configuration with changes in elevation. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable skate rail that is simple and easy to use. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable skate rail that is inexpensive to manufacture and operate. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is an orthographic view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is an orthographic view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is an alternate view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the slant rail of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the kinked rail of the present invention. 
   

   LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
   With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings.
           10  present invention     12  rail suction     14  skater     16  skate boarder     18  ground     20  support leg     22  footplate     24  playing surface     26  hinge     28  bolt     30  male end     32  female end     34  retainer element     36  tubular rail     38  bracket     40  aperture     42  fastener     44  handle     46  round rail     48  joint     50  low end     52  high end     54  angled rail     56  bore       

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments since practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to the appended claims. 
   Turning to  FIG. 1 , shown therein is an illustrated view of the present invention  10  in use. The present invention  10  is a rail apparatus comprising square or tubular rail sections  12  that are joined together by a rigid distal end that is inserted within an aperture of its counter part rail to provide a playing surface for skaters  14  and skate boarders  16 . The rails  12  are positioned off and above the ground  18  by support columns  20 . The rails  12  can be straight, curved, round, square or equipped with a plurality of bends in the rails surface. The support columns  20  are hingedly attached to the rails  12  allowing them to be folded in an upward direction for storage. The footplates  22  are hinged to the support columns  20  and also fold to the side of the column and rail  12  and secure to the retainer elements of the rail. 
   Turning to  FIG. 2 , shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the present invention  10  being a rail apparatus is comprised of square or tubular rail sections  12  that are joined together by a rigid distal end that is inserted within an aperture of its counter part rail to provide an upper playing surface  24  for skaters and skate boarders. The rails  12  are positioned off and above the ground by support columns. The support columns  20  are hingedly attached at  26  to the rails  12  allowing them to be folded in an upward direction for storage. The footplates  22  are hinged at  26  to the support columns  20  and also fold to the side of the column and rail  12  and secure to the retainer elements  34  on the bottom of the rail. Also shown is bolt  28 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 3 , shown therein is an exploded view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the present invention  10  being a rail apparatus having separated connecting rails  12  and is comprised of square or tubular rail sections that are joined together by a rigid distal male end  30  that is inserted within a female aperture  32  on the end of its counter part rail to provide a playing surface for skaters and skate boarders. The rails  12  are positioned off and above the ground by support columns  20 . The support columns  20  are hingedly attached at  26  to the rails  12  allowing them to be folded in an upward direction for storage. The footplates  22  are hinged at  26  to the support columns  20  and also fold to the side of the column and rail  12  and secure to the retainer elements  34  of the rail. Bolt  28  is also shown. 
   Turning to  FIG. 4 , shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . Shown is a section of the present invention  10  being a rail apparatus having separated connecting rails  12  and is comprised of square or tubular rail sections that are joined together by a rigid distal end  30  that is inserted within an aperture of its counter part rail to provide a playing surface for skaters and skate boarders. The rails  12  are positioned off and above the ground by support columns  20 . The support columns  20  are hingedly attached at  26  to the rails  12  allowing them to be folded in an upward direction for storage. The footplates  22  are hinged to the support columns  20  and also fold to the side of the column and rail  12  and secure to the retainer elements  34  of the rail. 
   Turning to  FIG. 5 , shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention  10 . Shown is a second section of the present invention  10  being a rail apparatus having separated connecting rails  12  and is comprised of square or tubular at  36  rail sections that are joined together by a rigid distal end that is inserted within an aperture of its counter part rail to provide a playing surface for skaters and skate boarders. The rails  12  are positioned off and above the ground by support columns  20 . The support columns  20  are hingedly attached at  26  to the rails allowing them to be folded in an upward direction for storage. The footplates  22  are hinged to the support columns and also fold to the side of the column and rail  12  and secure to the retainer elements  34  of the rail. 
   Turning to  FIG. 6 , shown therein is an orthographic view of the present invention  10 . Shown are the two sections  12  of the present invention separated from each other and in a folded position. The rails  12  are joined together by a rigid distal end that is inserted within an aperture of its counter part rail to provide a playing surface for skaters and skate boarders. The rails  12  are positioned off and above the ground by support columns  20 . The support columns  20  are hingedly attached at  26  to the rails  12  allowing them to be folded in an upward direction for storage. The footplates  22  are hinged to the support columns  20  and also fold to the side of the column and rail  12  and secure to the retainer elements  34  of the rail. 
   Turning to  FIG. 7 , shown therein is a side view of the present invention  10  having means for carrying. Shown is the present invention  10  folded having brackets  38  positioned on each distal end. The brackets  38  are substantially U-shaped with one longer leg having a threaded aperture  40  at the distal end whereby a fastener  42  can be inserted therethrough engaging the threaded aperture within the rail  12  with the other bracket leg inserted into the bore  56  of the opposing rail thereby fastening the two rails together. In conjunction with the brackets  38 , the handle  44  extending from one rail  12  provides means whereby the present invention  10  can be handled as an integral assembly. Other previously disclosed elements are also shown. 
   Turning to  FIG. 8 , shown therein is an alternate view of the present invention  10 . Shown is a round rail  46  version of the present invention  10  being a rail apparatus comprised of round rail sections that are joined together by a rigid distal end that is inserted within an aperture of its counter part rail at  48  to provide a playing surface for skaters and skate boarders. The rails  46  are positioned off and above the ground by support columns  20 . The rails  46  can be straight, curved, round, square or equipped with a plurality of bends in the rails surface. The support columns  20  are hingedly attached at  26  to the rails  46  allowing them to be folded in an upward direction for storage. The footplates  22  are hinged to the support columns and also fold to the side of the column and rail  46  and secure to the retainer elements  34  of the rail. 
   Turning to  FIG. 9 , shown therein is a perspective view of the slant rail of the present invention  10 . Shown is the slant rail version of the present invention  10  being a rail apparatus is comprised of square rail sections  12  that are joined together by a rigid distal end that is inserted within an aperture of its counter part rail at  48  to provide a playing surface for skaters and skate boarders. The rails  12  are positioned off and above the ground by support columns  20  of different lengths to place the rails  12  on an angle so as to have a low  50  and high  52  end. The rails  12  can be straight, curved, round, square or equipped with a plurality of bends in the rails surface. The support columns  20  are hingedly attached at  26  to the rails allowing them to be folded in an upward direction for storage. The footplates  22  are hinged at  26  to the support columns and also fold to the side of the column and rail and secure to the retainer elements  34  of the rail. 
   Turning to  FIG. 10 , shown therein is a perspective view of the kinked rail of the present invention  10 . Shown is the kinked or angled rail  54  version of the present invention  10  being a rail apparatus is comprised of square or tubular rail sections  12  that are joined together by a rigid distal end that is inserted within an aperture at  48  of its counter part rail to provide a playing surface for skaters and skate boarders. The rails  12  are positioned off and above the ground by support columns. The rails  12  can be straight, curved, round, square or equipped with a plurality of bends in the rails surface. The support columns  20  are hingedly attached to the rails allowing them to be folded in an upward direction for storage. The footplates  22  are hinged to the support columns and also fold to the side of the column and rail and secure to the retainer elements  34  of the rail.

Technology Category: 1