Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
217S492
V-LINE SKATE WITH EXPANDABLE AXLE
Background of the Invention
This invention primarily relates to a Gertain type of
in-line or linear roller skate, and more particularly to a
skate having wheels disposed in an alternating angular array
I call a V-line relationship. In accordance with this
invention, the wheels are supported by the use of an
improved axle arrangement, which axle arrangement is highly
advantageous under a number of operating conditions~
Many generations of children and adults alike have
enjoyed the pleasures of roller skating, and originally the
roller skates they used were of the so-called "quad" type,
with each skate having a pair of wheels in the front, and a
pair of wheels in the back.
For reasons of increased speed and maneuverability~
many skaters have stopped using quad skates, and have gone
over to what are variously referred to as linear skates~ in-
line skates or blade skates, involving a design wherein the
ground-contacting portions of the wheels of each skate are
disposed along a straight line. Linear or in-line skates
have at least three wheels, but may utilize fourl five or
po~sibly more wheels, for as a generality, the larger the
number of wheels, the smoother the ride.
In-line or linear roller skates of conventional
construction normally utilize two or more wheels positioned
to rotate within a co~mon vertical plane, and while
-2- 217~492
oFerating as roller skates, have much of the feel and
behavior associated with ice skates. Substantially the same
bodily movements are required to operate both ice skates and
in-line roller skates, and such roller skates have become
increasingly popular with ice skaters as a desirable
training tool for off season and on-street use. In recent
years, in-line roller skates have been capturing an
increasing share of the recreational skate market and in
time may parallel or even surpass jogging as a healthy and
pleasura~le adult sport.
Tandem or in-line skates are well known and appear at
least as early as 1876 in U.S. Patent No. 7,345 of C.W.
Saladee, which disclosed a two-wheel in-line model featuring
a somewhat complex, spring loaded carriage supporting
laterally pivoting rollers for improved maneuverability and
even distribution of skater weight. Unfortunately, this
early device was heavy, noisy and quite complicated to
manufasture and assemble.
In 1946, U.S. Patent No. 2,412,290 to Q.G. Rieske
disclosed a heavy metal framed, three-wheel, in-line skate
for indoor use which featured an endless, rubberized belt so
as tQ avoid damage to wooden floors. The belt rotated on
three pulley-like wheels wherein the intermediate wheel was
vertically adjustable to produce a rocking astion in a
forward or rearward direstion which made it easier to steer
and maneuver the skate. Vertical adjustment of the
intermediate wheel was achieved by a clamping bolt and a
2175~92
system of interlocking teeth and allowed a range of vertical
adjustment.
In 1965, G.K. Ware in U S. Patent No 3,287~023
disclosed an in-line skate with thin, rounded wheels which
endeavored to si~ulate the performance of ice skates. The
Ware skate utilized a fairly heavy metal frame having front
and rear frame members with longitudinally extending and
overlapping sections Three sections had a multiplicity of
horizontally arranged axle apertures which permitted
positioning of wheel axles in a variety of different
locations and provided continuous adjustability of the frame
to accommodate a wide variety ~f boot sizes. The ~are frame
also included the positioning of apertures at several
elevations at the front and rear of the skate SQ that the
forward and rear wheels could be a higher level than the two
intermediate wheels. The Ware frame and variations of it
are still in use on currently available in-line roller
skates and has been the best all around frame available for
such skates.
U.S. Patent No. 4,492 r 385 to Scott B. Olson disclosed
a hybrid skate combining the desirable features of both ice
and roller skates and featured a mounting system which could
carry either the traditional ice skating ~lade or a series
of in-line wheels.
The Olson et al Patent No. 5,048,848 entitled "In-Line
Roller Skate with Axle Aperture Plugs for Si~plified Wheel
Installation" and the Hill Patent No. 5,271,633 entitled
l'In-Line Roller Skate Having ~asily Replaceable Bearings"
2175492
each teach a wheel supported by an axle extending between
longitudinally extending members, but are entirely silent as
to what may be regarded as axle construction of the
cantilever type.
My Patent No. 5,303,940 entitled 'ISKATE HA~7ING
AN~ULARLY MOUNTED WHEELS", which issued April 1~, 1994,
taught the use of angularly disposed wheels mounted upon
axles supported from a single location, in what may be
considered to be a cantilevered arrangement. I had found
that use of the wheels disposed in an angularly disposed
relationship to the mounting plate as described in this
earlier patent not only enabled a user of the skate to
achie~e improved traction during a turn, but also permitted
the wheels to be spaced more closely together along the
longitudinal axis of the mounting plate, thus minimizing the
length of the skate in a highly desirable manner.
Although several embodiments of angularly placed wheel
relationships were set forth in my Patent No. 5,303,~40, one
of the most important embodiments was the one utilizing a V-
line relationship in which the wheels of the skate are
disposed on cantilevered axles in an alternating angular
relationship. In other words, the wheels are mounted at
equal angles to a plane vertical to the mounting plate, but
with each succeeding wheel being disposed on the opposite
side of the vertical from the preceding wheel.
As will be seen in more detail hereinafter, the present
invention is particularly well adapted for use with a skate
2175492
having wheels disposed in the above-mentioned V-line
relationship.
In my Patent No. 5,303,94Q, I utilized axles in which
each wheel of the skate is held on the cantilevered axle by
a nut, by a device known as a lever lock axle r or the like.
Neither of these mentioned arrangements has proven to be
entirely satisfactory, which has impelled me to investigate
improved arrangements for holding each wheel of the skate in
an operative relationship to the mounting plate of the
skate.
It was in an effort to improve upon these wheel
mounting arrangements of the prior art that the present
invention was evolved.
Summary of the Invention
A roller skate in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of this invention utilizes a plurality of
angularly mounted wheels disposed generally in what I call
a "V-line array" along the longitudinal axis of a mounting
plate attached to the sole of a boot or shoe, with the
treads or ground-contacting portions of the wheels of the
skate disposed in alignment. In accordance with this
preferred embodiment~ the wheels of my skate are mounted in
a relationship in which the wheels, supported fro~
cantilevered axles of novel construction, are disposed in an
alternating angular array~ with adjacent wheels disposed on
opposite sides of a plane vertical to the mounting plate.
217~92
I also utilize the terminology "V-line construction" to
describe the left-right, left-right relationship of the
skate wheels.
It is possible in accordance with another em~odiment of
my invention to utilize wheels disposed in a consistently
angled array, with adjacent wheels disposed at an identical
angle on the same side of a plane vertical to the mounting
plate of the skate, but this is not a preferred embodiment
of the instant invention.
A plurality of novel wheel mounting hangers or brackets
are affixed in a spaced relationship along a mounting
surface located on the underside of the mountinq plate, with
each of such hangers sonfigured to support in a cantilevered
manner, an axle upon which a wheel of the skate is rotatably
mounted.
As will be seen hereinafter, the cantilevered axle I
use with each of these hangers or wheel mounting brackets is
of novel, highly advantageous construction.
With further regard to the installation of the wheel
mounting hangers on the mounting plate in an alternating,
non-vertical relationship thereto, a first of such axle-
receiving hangers is secured to the mounting surface of the
mounting plate, with a significant portion thereof disposed
at a selected angle to the vertical. Adjacent this first
hanger a second hanger is secured to the mounting plate at
the same angle, but importantly, this latter angle, in the
preferred embodiment, is on the opposite side of a vertical
plane passing through the longitudinal senterline of the
-' 217g492
--7--
skate. Thereafter a third hanger is secured to the mounting
surface of the mounting plate adjacent the second hanger,
parallel to the first hanger, with this third hanger
therefore being disposed at the same angle to the vertical
as the first hanger. In a like manner, a fourth hanger is
secured adjacent the third hanger, parallel to the second
hanger.
In accordance with this embodiment of my invention,
these hangers or wheel mounting brackets thus serve to
support the novel cantilevered axles and therefore the
wheels of the skate in an alternating angular array, with
the ground-cQntacting or tread portions of the wheels
disposed in careful alignment. My skates may utilize three,
four or more wheel ~ounting hangers or brackets secured to
the mounting plate, each supporting a novel cantilevered
axle upon which a respective wheel is mounted, but in the
present instance, I am revealing the use of four wheels,
held in place on respective mounting hangers.
It is important to note that the alternate angular
mounting of the wheel array enables the hangers to be
mounted closer together along the longitudinal axis of the
mounting plate than would otherwise have been possible
without interference between the wheels, with the increased
number of wheels and the angularity of alternate wheels
enabling the user of the skate to obtain a better ride with
more wheels under the foot, with little or no protrusion at
the heel or toe of the skate.
--- 217~;492
The feature permitting some degree of overlap of the
wheels is particularly important in the case of mounting
plates used in conjunction with relatively small boots and
shoes, such as shoe sizes five to nine.
As is obvious, when larger boot and shoe sized become
involved, this overlap feature becomes less critical, and
for the particularly large sizesl any need for wheel overlap
completely disappears.
Skates utili~ing alternately angled wheels are
particularly important for outside use, such as for road and
track. Had the wheel mounting hangers been mounted in a
non-alternating array, the wheels could not be spaced as
closely together as when they alternate in a left-right,
left-right arrangement.
In addition to the use of the novel cantilevered axle,
my invention may also involve several additional features,
such as the use of a mounting plate of highly advantageous
construction, wherein an elongate shoulder or strengthening
member extends for the full length of each long side of the
mounting plate. These shoulders are a bit thicker than the
portions of the mounting plate to which the hangers are to
be attached, and the shoulders not only provide effective
resistance to undesired bending or torsion, but also these
shoulders serve the Yery important function of assisting the
maintenance of the wheel mounting hangers in a highly
effective, properly aligned relationship. The strengthening
effect of the shoulders may be supplemented by a central
strengthening member, extending substantially the length of
- ` 217~92
g
the mounting plate. As will be pointed out hereinafter, the
central strengthening member also aids in maintaining the
proper alignment of the wheel mounting hangers.
It is a principal object of my invention to provide a
highly satisfactory, low cost arrangement for securing an
essentially conventional skate wheel upon each of the
cantilevered axles of a V-line skate, linear skate or the
like, with this novel quick release arrangement making it
possible to exchange one skate wheel for another in a
minimum length of time.
It is another object of my invention to provide in a
wheeled skate whose wheels are mounted in a pattern of
alternating angularityl an improvedl economically priced
wheel mounting arrangement that enables the user to install
an in-line skate wheel equipped with a pair of precision
bearings in a highly effective, entirely safe manner upon
the axles of each of the wheel mounting hangers of the
skate, with such installation of a wheel, or the subsequent
removal of the wheel, being accomplished in a minimum length
of time~
It is still another object of this invention to provide
a novel, highly effective axle locking arrangement for a
cantilevered axle, in which a novel tightening arrangement
enables the diameter of the outer end of the axle to be
selectively enlarged to prevent the respective wheel from
coming off, thus making it possible for a wheel to be
quickly released from the skate and moved to another
location on the skate or else immediately replaced with
- 217~492
--10--
another wheel~ without the need for the use of anything
other than a very simple tool.
It is yet still another object of my invention to
utilize a highly advantageous axle expansion arrangement for
holding the inner race of the outer wheel bearing tightly in
place, much more tightly than when the inner races of the
wheel bearings are secured on a skate axle in a
conventional, longitudinally clamped manner, with my novel
axle expansion arrangement effectively eliminating any
tendency toward looseness of the bearings on the axle, and
thus causing the skate wheels to roll in a substantially
improved manner.
It is yet still another object of this invention to
provide a novel mounting plate for the wheels of a linear
skate, featuring a combination of lightness with
considerable rigidity, and utilizing highly effective means
for preventing any twisting of the axle supporting hangers
utili~ed on the mounting plate.
It is yet still another object of this invention to
provide a novel com~ination of axle supporting hangers with
the mounting plate of a linear skate/ with special means
being utili~ed for preventing any undesirable twisting of
the hangers, thus to assure the wheels of the skate
remaining in careful alignment.
These and other objects, features and advantages of
this invention will be apparent from a study of the appended
drawings and text.
- 217~492
--11--
Brief Description of Drawings
Fiqure 1 is a perspective view of my novel improved
linear skate, shown in an operative relationship to a boot
or shoe, with the skater's right foot being illustrated in
this instance;
Figure 2 is another perspective view of the same skate
as depicted in Figure 1, with two of the wheels removed, and
the mounting plate of the skate oriented so as to reveal
cert~in of the significant wheel mounting relationships
utilized in aGcordanse with this invention;
Figure 3 is still another perspective viewf this
involving an illustration of the upper surface of one
embodiment of the novel mounting plate upon which the wheel
mounting hangers are removably secured, with the front of
this mounting plate being in the foreground in this
instance, and it being understood that the left mounting
plate is a mirror image of the right mounting plate;
Figure 4 is a view to a larger scale of an exemplary
expanding axle arrangement forming one of the important
aspects of my inventionl with a portion of the axle cut away
to reveal a longitudinally extending hole having a
relatively shallow, tapered outer hole portion, and a
threaded, relatively deep inner portion, with it to be
understood that a tightening screw is utilized for axle
expanding reasons in conjunction ~ith the longitudinally
extending hole in the axle;
- - 217~492
-12-
Figure 5 is a view generally along the lines of Figure
4, ~ut to a smaller scale and illustrating the plurality of
longitudinally extending slots I utilize in the outer part
of each axle in order to permit a desirable amount of axle
expansion upon the tightening of the screw utilized in the
hole extending along the centerline of the axle;
Figure 6 is a figure resembling Figure 5 but with a
skate wheel mounted upon the exemplary axle;
Figure 7 is a view in which the skate wheel has been
sectioned so as to reveal in a somewhat exaggerated manner,
the fact that the outer end of the expandable axle bears
outwardly against the non-rotata~le inner portion of the
outer bearing of the wheel with sufficient outward force as
to prevent the wheel coming off the end of the axle;
Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating
the relationship of a ~heel mounting hanger to the adjacent
shoulder provided along the outer edge of the mounting
plate, while at the ~ame time contactin~ the center
reinforcement member, with this figure also showing a
typical means for securing the wheel mounting hanger to the
mounting surface of the mounting plate;
~ igure 9 is a view revealing the ~-relationship I
prefer to exist between the alternating wheels of my novel
skate, with this Yiew representing the typical angle each
wheel makes to a vertical plane passing through the mounting
plate of the skate;
Figure 10 is a view, to a larger scalel of a portion of
the underside of the mounting plate em~odi~ent depicted in
2175492
.
-13-
Figure 3~ showing further details of the manner in which
each wheel mounting hanger resides on the mountin~ surface r
disposed tightly between an outer shoulder and the center
reinforcement member of the mounting plate;
Figure 11 is a view of the underside of another
embodiment of my novel mounting plate, revealing the
utilization of lightening holes that are circular rather
than oblong;
Figure lla is an end view of the mQunting plate
embodiment of Figure 11; and
Figure 12 is a perspective view, revealing additional
details of a particularly satisfactory hanger or wheel
mounting bracket serving to support one of my novel
expandable axles.
Detailed Description
With initial reference to Figure 1 it will there be
seen that I have shown a preferred embodiment of a roller
skate 10 of the type variously known as a linear skate, in-
line skate or blade skate, in which an imp~oved axle
arrangement in accordance with this invention is utilized.
As will be discussed hereinafter, the wheels of my skate are
disposed generally in an in-line relationship and preferably
mounted in an angularly disposed array. I prefer to call
this a V-relationship or "V-line" relationship, with this
being illustrated in Figure 9. It will be noted that each
wheel i~ mounted on a respective axle of cantilevered type
217~992
-14-
that is in turn affixed to a wheel mounting hanger attached
to the mounting surface of a novel mounting plate.
More specifically, Figure 1 reveals that the skate 10
utilizes angularly mounted wheels 12, 14, 16 and 18 disposed
with their treads or ground-contacting surfaces in an in-
line relationship. Although shown to a certain extent in
Figure 1, the particular wheel mounting plate 20 upon which
these wheels are operatively mounted is best seen in Figure
3. It is upon the wheel mounting plate 20 that the base
portions 31 of the respective wheel supporting hangers 22l
24, 26 and 28 are affixed in an essentially consistently
spaced relationship alon~ the mounting surface 21 located on
the underside of the mounting plate 20. I may also call the
members 22, 24, 26 and 28 wheel supporting brackets or axle
supporting braskets, and it is to be understood that these
members are disposed in a symmetrical, alternatinq
relationship along the longitudinal senterline 30 -- 30 of
the mounting plate~
In Figure 2 the mounting plate 20 has been oriented so
as to reveal the mounting surface 21 and other underside
portions of my novel skate, with tWQ of the wheels being
removed in order to reveal some details of the novel axle
construction I utilize in accordanse with this invention.
In Figure 2 it is made clear that the axle 32 is mounted in
a cantilever manner in hanger 22. In a similar mannerl axle
34 is mounted in hanger 24; axle 36 is mounted in hanger 26;
and axle 38 is mounted in hanger 28.
-- 217S~92
-15-
It i~ important to realize that a first end of each
axle has threaded attachment means enabling the axle to be
secured in a mounting hole provided in the respective
hanger, as will shortly be discussed in sQme detail.
Inasmuch as all of the hangersl axles, wheels and other
components of this novel skate are substantially identical
to each other, I ha~e arbitrarily selected axle 34 as an
exemplary axle, which is depicted in enlarged detail in
Figure 4.
Figure 4 is intended to make clear the fact that a
mounting hole is provided in each of the substantially
identical wheel supporting hangersl with the mounting hole
disposed at an angle to the base portion 31 of the hanger.
Inasmuch as wheel supporting hanger 24 has arbitrarily been
illustrated in this instance, it is to be understood that
axle mounting hole 25 is provided in the hanger 24. A novel
wheel-receiving axle 34 in accordance with this invention is
rigidly mounted in the mounting hole 25 located in the
hanger 24. What may be regarded as the first end of the
exemplary axle 34 of my skate is provided with external
threads, upon which a suitable nut 37 is to be operatively
received. Because the first end of the axle 34 is prQvided
with external threads 35 for receiving the nut 37, upon the
nut ~eing sufficiently tightened upon these threads, this
will prevent the axle 34 from becoming loosened from a
proper wheel-supporting relationship with the hanger 24.
With continued reference to Figure 4, in order that the
axle will be mounted in a non-rotational manner in the
217~92
-16-
hanger 24, I prefer to utilize a hexagonally shaped member
40 on the axle 34~ at a location relatively çlose to the
previously mentioned threads 35. A hexagonally shaped
aperture 42 of a size slightly larger than the member 40 is
provided in the hanger 24 in alignment with the hole 25
extending through the hanger, with the aperture 42 being
located on the side of the hanger opposite the nut 37.
Thereafter, when the nut 37 (with acco~panying washer) is
applied to the threads 35 of the axle 34 and then tightened,
the nut will bear against the sidewall of the hole 25 on the
side of the hanger opposite the hex shaped aperture 42, and
secure the axle in the hanger 24. As is obvious,
undesirable rotation of the axle 34 is prevented because of
the relationship of the hex shaped member 40 to the hex
shaped aperture 42.
Inasmuch as a principal feature of my invention
involves a novel means for holding the skate wheels in a
operative relationship on the respective axles, it is to be
understood that the axles 32, 34, 36 and 38 are each of a
size such that a wheel bearinq assembly may be closely
fitted thereon. I regard a wheel bearing assembly as a
precision bearing pressed into the hub aperture on each side
of each skate wheel.
It is most important to understand that the second or
outer end of each of axles 32, 34, 36 and 38 has novel
expansion-producing means therein, with this means including
a tightenable member whish, when tightened, will enlarge the
diameter of the outer or second end of the respective axle
2175~92
-17-
such that the non-rotational inner portion of the respective
wheel will be forcefully encountered, thus to maintain the
wheel in an operational position on the axle. This
effectively serves to retain the closely fitting skate wheel
bearing assembly in what may be regarded as a mid portion of
the respective axle r reliably preventing the wheel from
coming off the end of its axle.
It is to be noted that the height of the hanger or
wheel mounting bracket I prefer to utilize is able to accept
wheels of 71~5 mm outer diameter, but obviously I am not to
be limited to this. As another example, I can utilize
hangers or brackets accepting wheels up to 80 mm in
diameter.
The expansion-producing means I utilize in accordance
with this invention involves the second end of each of the
axles 32, 34, 36 and 38 having a hole extending along the
centerline of the axle, and with reference to Figure 4, it
will be seen that exemplary axle 34 is provided with a
longitudinally extending hole 50. The hole 50 is
constituted by a relatively shallow outer hole portion 52,
which is directly connected to a relatively deep inner hole
portion 54, with both hole portions residing in alignment
with the longitudinal centerline of the axle. Importantly,
the outer hole portion 52 of the hole 50 is tapered in a
generally conical manner, and the inner hole portion 54 of
the hole is threaded. The tightenable member I utilize in
conjunction with this arrangement is a screw 60 having a
tapered head 62, with this tapered head being of a
-- ` 2175492
-18-
configuration generally matching the taper of the tapered
outer hole portion 52. The end of the screw 60 opposite the
conically tapered head has threads 64 thereon, adapted to
enter the end of the axle and operatively engage the threads
of the threaded inner hole portion 54. It will be noted
from Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 that a suitable socket or
recess 66 is provided in the head of the screw 6Q for
receiving the end of an allen wrench in an operational
manner. Therefore, by the use of the allen wrench, the user
can readily remove a wheel or, alternatively, securely
tighten a wheel bearing assembly in the operative position
on its respective axle. Each screw 60 utilized in
accordance with my novel skate is preferably of the general
construction illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.
It is significant to note, as illustrated on the
exemplary axle depicted in Figure 5I that the second or
outer end of each axle, wherein the longitudinally disposed
hole 50 is contained, is provided with longitudinal slots 70
therein. The longitudinal slots 70 extend for approximately
one-half the length of the wheel-receiving mid portion of
the axle, with these slots serving the important function of
permitting the tapered head 62 of each screw 60, when the
screw is firmly tightened, to cause the end of the
respective shaft to enlarge. As should now be clear, this
tightening of the screw causes the second or outer end of
the axle to be forced into a very tightly fitting
relationship with the non-rotatable inner portion of the
respective wheel bearing, which in most instances is the
- 2175~92
--19--
inner race of the outer bearing utilized on the skate wheel.
In this manner the respective closely fitting skate wheel,
wheel 14 in the illustrated embodiment, is prevented in a
very effective manner from coming off the end of the axle
when wheel removal is not intended.
With reference to Figure 7, it will be noted that I
have shown in cutaway form, the manner in which the
conventional skate wheel 14 is mounted in close fitting
relationship on the exe~plary, cantilevered axle 34.
Because of this close fitting relationship, the outward
expansion of the end of the axle 34 causes the end of the
axle to bear tightly against the non-rotating hub portion of
the wheel bearing 14. To minimize friction and to obtain
satisfactory performance, the conventional skate wheel 14,
such as of urethane, is equipped with inner and outer ball
bearings 76 and 78, with the outer bearing 78 having a non-
rotating inner race or hub portion 80 against which the axle
expands outwardly in a forceful manner when the tightenable
means, the screw 60, is tightened in order to accomplish
wheel bearing retention. The bearings I use may be ABEC 3
bearings, although I obviously am not to be limited to
bearings of this designation.
As is obvious, the hub portion 80 of the wheel is of
relatively sturdy construction, so that when the screw 60
serving as the tightenable member has been tightened to
cause the outer end of the respective axle to expand in
forceful contact with the hub portion, this does not prevent
the wheel bearing assembly from continuing to rotate freely
- 217~92
-20-
in the intended manner. As a matter of fact, the highly
advantageous axle expansion arrangement I utilize for
holding the inner race of the outer wheel bearing tightly in
place serves by its outward expansion to hold the respective
wheel in its operational position much more tightly than is
the case when the inner races of the wheel bearings of each
wheel are secured on a conventional skate axle in a
conventional, longitudinally clamped manner. This is
because my novel axle expansion arrangement effectively
eliminates any tendency toward looseness of the bearings on
the axle, and thus causing the skate wheels to roll in a
substantially improved manner.
Because my novel axles, typically four in number, are
mounted in what may be regarded as a cantilever relationship
upon the respective wheel mounting hangers, it is important
that the hangers be prevented from twisting out of a
properly aligned relationship. Should one or more of the
wheel mounting hangers undergo a certain amount of twist or
misalignment, this will prevent the tread portions of the
several wheels being in the desirable aligned relationship
mentioned in the description of Figure 1.
Although the wheel mounting hangers could be made of
any of several different materials, I prefer to make the
brackets of plastic that involves glass filled nylon.
It is appropriate at this point to turn to another
significant aspect of my invention, which involves the novel
mounting plate 20 provided with means for preventing the
wheel supporting hangers from moving away from a
2175492
-21-
relationship in which all of the axles, when viewed from
above, are in a properly aligned r parallel relationship.
This latter statement is not to be confused with the fact
that in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the axles ~2
and 36 are at one angularity with respect to a center plane
passing through the centerline 30 -- 30 of the skate
mounting plate, and the axles 34 and 38 are at a different
angularity with respect to the center plane passing through
the centerline of the skate. This is to say, however, that
all of the axles, when viewed fro~ either above the skate or
below the skate, are in a parallel relationship, assuring
that all of the wheels will be disposed with their tread
portions able to roll along a common line. Obviously if one
axle is twisted away from a desirable relationship with the
other axles, this would greatly impede the efforts of the
skater to skate in a proper manner.
With regard to the novel mounting plate 20 illustrated
in Figures 2, 3 and 10, it is to be noted that I prefer to
utilize longitudinally extending shoulders 84 and 86 that
are disposed along the outer edges of the mounting plate 20~
These shoulders reside on the underside of the mounting
platel adjacent each mounting surface 21 r and because they
are somewhat thicker than the portions of the mounting plate
containing the mounting surfaces 21, they provide a
substantial amount of strengthening to the mounting plate
20. It is most impQrtant to note that in addition to
causing the mounting plate to resist bending as well as
torsional effects, the shoulders 84 and 86 serve as highly
217~92
-22-
effective means for preventing any twisting of the axle
supporting hangers 22, 24, 26 and 28 during the use of the
skate, which would place the wheels out of a desirable
alignment.
In Figures 4 through 8 and 10 it is to be noted that
the upper edge of the hanger 24 tightly a~uts the shoulder
84 along edge 100.
In addition to the shoulders 84 and 86, I prefer to
al~o use a center reinforcement member Qr central
strengthening member 88 extending substantially the entire
length of the underside of the mounting plate 20 in a
parallel relationship to the shoulders, with the ~em~er 88
residing on the longitudinal centerline 30 -- 30~ Fach
wheel supporting hanger fits tightly on a mounting surface
21 disposed between the center reinforcement member 88 and
one or the other of the shoulders 84 or 86, thus assuring a
no-twist mounting of the wheel supporting hangers on the
underside of the mounting plate.
It will be noted from the upper surface of the mounting
plate 20 depicted in Figure 3 that three screws 90 are
utilized in conjunction with each wheel mounting hanger, for
securing each hanger in the appropriate location on the
underside of the mounting plate 20. In the em~odiment
illustrated in Figure 3, four sets of three screws are
utilized, with each of the screws residing in a countersunk
portion 99 in order that the heads of the screws utilized
for engaging the base portions 31 of the respective hangers
- 217S492
-23-
will not protrude in such a mann~r as to possibly come into
contact with the sole of the boot or shoe.
With reference to Figure 8, it is made clear in this
figure that each sGrew 90 enters its respective hole from
the upper surface of the mounting plat~ 20, with the
generally conically shaped undersurface of each screw head
residing in the respective countersunk portion 99
surrounding each hole in the mounting plate. The upper
surfaGe of the head of eaGh ~crew 90 is provided with a
recess or socket 98 in which the end of allen wrench can be
received. Opposite the head portion 92 of each screw is the
threaded portion 94, which in each instance is operatively
received in a threaded hole 96 located in the upper portion
of the respective hanger, referred to as the base portion 31
of the hanger. It is clear from Figures 3 and 8 how each
set of three screws 90 hold the respeGtive hanger in a
secure relationship to the mounting surface 21 of the
mounting plate 20.
Although the tightening of the three screws into each
wheel mounting hanger serves to tightly hold each hanger in
a rigid relationship to the mounting plate, because of the
interaction of an upper edge of each wheel mounting hanger
with the center reinforcement member 88 as well as with one
or the other of the longitudinally extending shoulders 84 or
86, any twisting of a wheel mounting hanger is made highly
unlikely.
In the interests of making the skate as light as
reasonably possible, I prefer in the embodiment of the
- 2175~92
-24-
mounting plate illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 10 to utilize
two or more lightening holes 102, which are of oblong
configuration, extending along part of the length of the
mounting plate. This use of oblong mounting holes is
particularly suitable for mounting plates used with 5 to 9
boot sizes, but as will be seen hereinafter, it is desirable
to use lightening holes of circular configuration with
larger mounting plates. As made clear in Figures 3 and 10,
when lightening holes of oblong configuration are used, no
lightening hole or slot 102 is utilized near the front end
of the mounting plate inasmuch as I have found that the
front wheel of the skate usually receives the most stress.
With reference now to Figure 11, it is to be seen that
I have shown a mounting plate 120 of a type I prefer to use
with larger boot sizes, and in this mounting plate it will
be noted that I use a series of holes 122 that are utilized
in groups of three in conjunction with securing of hangers
or wheel mounting brackets to the mounting plate. Mounting
plate 120 also utilizes a number of relatively small
lightening holes 124, which are of circular configuration.
It is to be noted that these lightening holes 124 are
grouped or placed so as not to consequentially reduce the
desired rigidity or the resistance to twisting of the
mounting plate when the skate is in use, nor to reduce the
strength of the mounting plate 120 at the locations where
the hangers or axle mounting brackets are to be installed.
The shoulders 126 and 128 serve in the manner
previously desGribed with respect to shoulders 84 and 86 to
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provide a desirable amount of torsion resistance a~ well as
resistance to bending of the mounting plate 120,
With continued reference to Figure 11 as well as with
reference to Figure lla, it will be seen that I utilize a
center reinforcement member or central strengthening member
129, which is parallel to the shoulders 126 and 128. The
central member 129 serves the additional purpose of
assisting the shoulders 126 and 128 in maintaining the axle-
receiving h~ngers or wheel mounting brackets in a properly
aligned relationship, such that the several axles supported
by the hangers or wheel mounting brackets cannot move away
from a parallel relationship as viewed from above the skate.
Also revealed in Figure 11 is a notch 125 designed to permit
the addition of a heel brake to the skate if such be
desired.
Figure 12 reveals a typical hanger or axle mounting
bracket 130 of a type preferred for use with the mounting
plate 120 r which hanger or bracket may be created by a
molding technique. It will be noted in the base portion 131
of the exemplary hanger 130 that I have utilized three
threaded holes 138 that have been threaded to enable the
hanger to be secured to the mounting plate by the
appropriate mounting screws. The mounting holes 138 are so
spaced as to line up with any one of the several groups of
three closely spaced holes 122 revealed in Figure 11 to
exist in the mounting plate 120. Figure lla makes clear
that the holes 122 have countersunk upper portions 132 so
that the heads of the screws utilized for securing the
- 2175~92
-26-
several brackets or hangers 130 to the mounting plate 120
will not protrude and interfere with the proper securing of
the mounting plate to the boot or shoe. Inasmuch as the
undersurface of the mounting plate is illustrated in Figure
11, the countersunk portions 132 are revealed in this latter
figure by the use of dashed lines.
~ ith continued reference to the base portion 131 of the
exemplary hanger 130, it will be noted that I have provided
lightening holes 134 placed in such a manner as not to
reduce the strength of the hanger to any consequential
extent~
Further to be noted in Figure 12 is a hex-shaped
aperture 142 of the type previously described in conjunction
with Figure 4, for receiving the hex-shaped member or
portion 40 provided on the inner end of each axle~ such that
the axle, when affixed to the respective hanger 130l will
not rotate in use.
Surrounding the hex-shaped aperture 142 are several
circumferentially provided apertures or holes 144, which not
only serve a weight reduction function, but also permit a
uniform consistency and thickness of the sidewall portions
of the hanger when it is created by molding. Also to be
noted in Figure 12 is the radius clearance 146 provided to
compensate for a possible wheel flaw of the type involved
when the wheel hub separates from the urethane portion of
the wheel.
It should now be apparent that by the use of my novel
quick release arrangement made possible by the use of my
217~92
-27-
highly advantageous expandable ~xles, it is readily possible
for a skater to rapidly replace one wheel of the skate
should it become defective, or to replace all of the wheels
of the skate in the event that the surface conditions
change. One example of this latter would be if the skater
is moving from an out-of-doors locations to a skating rinkr
or vice versa.
Because of the highly advantageous axle arrangement
taught herein, the skater need carry no tool or implement
other than a relatively small allen wrench in order to be
able to rapidly accomplish wheel replacement. It is to be
noted that it is often desirable, instead of replacing the
wheels, to exchange the positions of the wheels currently in
use so as to accomplish an equalization of wear. This
equalization of wear is not only with regard to the wheel
treads or surfaces, but also with regard to an equalization
of wear of the wheel bearings. Because of the rapidity ~y
which a wheel can be removed in accordance with the
teachings of my quick release axle arrangement, it is likely
that a user, from time to time, will want to turn a wheel
over so that it will wear on the opposite edge. Such a
relocation of the skate wheels for equalization of wear
reasons is much more likely to take place as a result of my
quick release axlel than would have been the case if the
skater found it necessary to go through a difficult wheel
removal and re-installation procedure, as is necessary in
accordance with the teashings of the prior art.
`- 217~92
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Because my quick release axles ma~e it rapidly possible
for a skater to remove the wheels of his or her skates, it
is also much more likely, because of this novel arrangement,
that the skater will frequently apply the proper lubricant
to the wheel bearings of the skate and thus extend the
useful life of the wheel bearings.
Although this invention has been revealed in
conjunction with axles disposed at an angle to a vertical
plane passing through the longitudinal centerline of the
skate, it is to be understood that either my novel axle or
my novel mounting plate can be used with linear skates in
which the wheels are not disposed in an angular relationship
with respect to a vertical plane passing through the
longitudinal centerline of the mounting plate.
Although I am not to be limited to any particular
constructional details, the mounting plate 120 is typically
an extrusion of 6061 T-6 aluminum, with the base being .200"
thick. I have found that if the mounting plate is 10 3/4"
long, there will be a space between axles of 2.750", whereas
a mounting plate 11" long involves a space between axles of
2.8~Q"; a plate 11 1/2" long involves a space between axles
of 3.0Q0"; a plate 12" long involves a space between axles
Qf 3.166"; and a plate 12 1/2" long involves a space between
axles of 3.333".
Although I am not to be so limited, I prefer to utilize
rivets for securing the mounting plate to the sole of the
boot or shoe.
217~192
-2~-
The axles I prefer to use with my novel mounting plates
is of cold rolled steel, with the overall length bein~
approximately 1.700", with the portion of the axle intended
to receive the wheel being .950" long.
With regard to the outer hole portion 52 in each axle,
this preferably involves a cone angle of 30 , with the
threaded portion 54 of the axle containing, for example, lQ-
32 threads extending to a depth of 3/4". In the event 10-32
threads are used in the threaded portion 54, the screw 60 to
~e used therewith is equipped with 10-32 threads, with the
taper of the head correspQnding to the taper of the hole 52.
In a preferred embodiment, the whe~l axles have an
outer diameter of .3125 whereas the inner diameter
of the bearings used on such axle is 8mm, which of course
corresponds to .31496'l. This particular axle - bearing
relationship assures a desirably close fit of the wheel on
the axle without it being necessary to painstakingly select
a certain wheel bearing to be installed upon a given axle.
In accordance with the above-mentioned axle embodiment,
the clearance between the axle and bearing is on the order
of .OQ246'l, so it is of interest to establish the extent of
linear movement of the screw 60 into the axle 34 that is
necessary in order to cause sufficient expansion of the end
of the axle as to lock the outer wheel bearing firmly onto
the axle.
For a screw having 32 threads to the inch, one rotation
of the screw will cause the screw to move 1/32" ~.0312")
into the axle, so if the tapered head portion 62 of the
~ 217~492
-30-
screw 60 is initially in tight contact with the tapered
outer hole portion 52 of the axle, rotation of the screw
will cause a rather substantial expansion of the end of the
axle. However, because of the relatively small initial
clearance between the axle and the nQn-rotative inner
portion of the wheel bearing, substantially less than a full
revolution of the screw is necessary in order to lock the
wheel firmly onto the axle.
I have established that for a 10-32 s~rew having a head
forming what may be regarded as a 30 cone, for every .001"
of forward movement of the screw, the axle diameter will
expand approximately .00054l~.
A 3Q cone may be regarded as representing two 15
triangles, and the tangent of 15 being .268Q, twice this
amount is .5~6Q.
Dividing the previously mentioned clearance between
wheel and axle of .OQ24Ç" ~y .536Q provides a quotient of
~OQ459", which is the amount of movement of the screw into
the axle in order to bring the end of the axle into firm
contact with the interior portion of the outer bearing.
Inasmuch as one revolution of the 10-32 screw involves
a movement of .Q3121', dividing .QQ459 by .0312 prQvides a
quotient of .1471, this latter figure representing a
percentage of a full 36Q rotation, which is approximately
53 degrees.
It is therefore to be seen that a rotation of
approximately 53 of the screw 6Q is involved in order to
achieve a satisfactory lQcking of the wheel upQn the axle.
- 2175~492
-31-
As is obvious, I am not to be limited to the foregoing
dimensions, calculations or materials, except as required ~y
the scope of the appended claims.
