Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WHEEL SUPPORT FOR IN-LINE SKATES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed toward an improved wheel mounting
assembly for in-line skates.
The invention is also directed toward a suspension for the
wheels of an in-line skate.
BACKGROUND ART
Known in-line skates normally have the wheel mounting assembly
fixed to the skate boot. There are disadvantages in this. As the
skater pushes off the ground with each skate during skating, the
wheels of the skate are also lifted. As the wheels leave the
ground, skating efficiency is reduced. Also, with the wheel
mounting assembly fixed to the skate boot, the skate cannot damp
out the bumps encountered during skating resulting in a rough ride.
No in-line skates are known that cushion the ride either by
cushioning the wheel support assembly or by cushioning the wheels
individually.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the purpose of the present invention to provide an
improved in-line skate that is more efficient than known in-line
skates. It is another purpose of the present invention to provide
an improved in-line skate that cushions the ride. In one embodiment
of the present invention, the ride of the in-line skate is improved
by cushioning the wheel support assembly of the skate. in another
embodiment of the present invention, the ride of the in-line skate
is improved by cushioning each wheel in the in-line skate.
The efficiency of the in-liner skate of the present invention
is improved by providing a wheel support assembly with biasing
means to bias the front portion of the wheel frame in the support
assembly toward the ground. As a result, as a skater pushes off the
ground at the end of a stride with the skate during skating, the
biasing means will maintain at least the front wheels of the skate,
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carried by the wheel frame, in contact with the ground for a
slightly longer period of time, than a skate without biasing means.
This provides extra rolling and thus greater efficiency for the
same expenditure of energy.
The ride on the in-line skate of the present invention is
improved, in one embodiment, by mounting at least the front portion
of the wheel frame, carrying the wheels, to the skate with shock
absorbing means. The shock absorbing means damp out many of the
bumps encountered by the wheels before they reach the skater's
feet. In another embodiment, the ride is improved by providing
shock absorbing means for each wheel mounted in the wheel frame.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the
improved in-line skate can combine the biasing feature with either
of the shock absorbing features to provide a skate that is both
more efficient and better riding.
In accordance with the present invention, biasing means, in
the form of a spring located between a sole member on the skate and
a wheel frame, bias the front portion of the wheel frame away from
the sole member. this biasing action causes the front wheels of the
skate to remain in contact with the ground for a slightly longer
period of time as the skate is lifted during push off while
skating, thus improving efficiency.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, an in-line skate is provided having a wheel frame that
is pivotally mounted at its rear portion to a sole member in a
skate boot. Cooperating guide means guide the front portion the
front portion of the wheel frame for vertical movement relative to
the sole member. shock absorbing means are provided on the skate
between the front portions of the of the sole member and the wheel
frame, adjacent the guide means, to cushion the ride.
In accordance with another a further embodiment of the present
invention, an in-line skate is provided having a wheel frame and a
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pair of mounting blocks for each wheel mounted for vertical
movement on the wheel frame. spring means cushion the vertical
movement of each pair of blocks to cushion the ride of the skate.
The invention is particularly directed toward a wheel mounting
assembly for an in-line skate having a sole member and an elongated
wheel frame. Means are provided for mounting wheels in-line in the
wheel frame. Pivot means pivotally connect the rear portions of a
sole member and the wheel frame together. cooperating guide means
on the front portions of the sole member and the wheel frame guide
the front portion of the wheel frame for up and down movement
relative to the sole member. Resilient biasing means between the
sole member and the wheel frame bias the front portion of the wheel
frame away from the front portion of the sole member to ensure
longer contact between the wheels and the ground when skating.
The invention is also particularly directed toward a wheel
mounting assembly for an in-line skate having a sole member and an
elongated wheel frame. Means are provided for mounting wheels in-
line in the wheel frame. Pivot means pivotally connect the rear
portions of a sole member and the wheel frame together. cooperating
guide means on the front portions of the sole member and the wheel
frame guide the front portion of the wheel frame for up and down
movement relative to the sole member. Shock absorbing means are
mounted between the front portions of the sole member and the wheel
frame, adjacent the guide means, to provide a smoother ride.
The invention is also particularly directed toward a
suspension for the wheels of an in-line skate, the suspension
having a wheel frame with side walls between which the wheels are
mounted in-line. Wheel mounting openings are provided in the side
walls, longitudinally spaced apart. Mounting blocks are mounted in
the openings for limited vertical movement. Axle means are provided
for mounting each wheel on each pair of opposed mounting blocks.
Spring means cushion the vertical movement of the mounting blocks
in the openings in the wheel frame.
3.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES IN THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a side view, in partial section, of an in-line
skate;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view, in partial section, of the sole
member carrying the biasing means and shock absorbing means;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the wheel frame;
Fig. 4 is a cross-section view taken along line 4-4 in Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a partial longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the
lower portion of the skate;
Fig. 6 is a cross-section view taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a cross-section, exploded view taken along line 7-7
in Fig. l;
Fig. 8 is a side view, in partial section, of a skate boot
showing other types of guide means and biasing means;
Fig. 9 is a detail side view, in section, showing another type
of guide means;
Fig. 10 is an exploded, perspective view of another form of
wheel mounting;
~ ig. 11 is a longitudinal cross-section view of a wheel
mounting block, shown in Fig. 10, mounted in an opening;
Fig. 12 is a cross-section view taken along line 12-12 in Fig.
11;
Fig. 13 is a perspective exploded view showing another type of
wheel mounting block; and
Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 12 showing the block of Fig.
13 mounted in the opening.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
The wheel mounting assembly 1 of the present invention, for an
in-line skate, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, has a rigid sole member 3.
The sole member 3 is a separate, molded, plastic plate 5 that is
adapted to be fixed to the sole of a skate boot 7 by suitable front
and rear fastening means 9. the sole member could, in an~lternative construction if the skate boot itself is molded, form
4.
the sole of the boot and be an integral part of the boot. The sole
plate 3 has a rear mounting bracket 11 extending downwardly from
its rear portion, the bracket terminating in a pair of laterally
spaced-apart, downwardly extending, parallel side walls 13, 15.
The wheel mounting assembly 1 includes a wheel frame 19 for
holding the wheels 21 of the skate in-line. The wheel frame 19 is
in the shape of an elongated, inverted channel having a top wall 23
and parallel side walls 25, 27 extending down from the sides of the
top wall 23 as shown in Fig. 3. A rear opening 29 of generally
rectangular shape is provided in the rear portion of the top wall
23 and two longitudinally spaced-apart front openings 31, 33, each
of generally rectangular shape, are provided in the front portion
of the top wall 23. The front openings 31, 33 are separated by a
cross-bar 35 extending between the side walls 25, 27 of the wheel
frame.
A pair of narrow, rear mounting slots 39, 41 are provided in
the top wall 23 of the wheel frame, one on either side of the rear
opening 29 and adjacent the side walls 25, 27. Two pair of narrow,
front, guide slots 43, 45 and 47, 49 are provided in the top wall
23 adjacent the front openings 31, 33 respectively. Both pairs of
slots 43, 45 and 47, 49 are adjacent the side walls 25, 27.
The side walls 25, 27 of the wheel frame 19 are formed with
longitudinally spaced apart axle openings 51, 53 for receiving the
axles 55 on which the wheels 21 are mounted as will be described.
The axle openings 51 in the sidewall 25 oppose the axle openings 53
in the sidewall 27. The lower edges 57, 59 of the side walls 25, 27
have downwardly extending ears 61, 63 under the axle openings 51,
53 providing wheel covers.
The wheel frame 19 can be formed from a sheet of suitable
material, such as metal, which sheet is stamped to shape, along
with stamping out the top wall openings 29, 31, 33; the top wall
slots 39 to 49; and the side wall axle openings 51, 53. The stamped
sheet is then bent to the inverted channel shape. Alternatively,
5.
the wheel frame can be molded from suitable plastic material.
The sole member 3 and the wheel frame 19 are pivotally
connected at their rear portions to form the major portion of the
wheel mounting assembly 1. The side walls 13, 15 of the bracket 11
on the sole member are passed through the rear mounting slots 39,
41 in the top wall 23 of the wheel frame 19 as shown in Fig. 4.
Holes 63 in the lower portion of the bracket side walls 13, 15 are
horizontally aligned with holes 65 in the side walls 25, 27 of the
wheel frame 19 and a pivot pin 67 is passed through the aligned
holes 63, 65 to pivotally connect the sole member 3 and the wheel
frame 19 together. The pin 67 extends transversely to the
longitudinal axis of the mounting 1. Suitable fasteners 69 can be
axially threaded into the ends of the pivot pin 67 to hold it in
place between the side walls 25, 27.
Cooperating guide means 71, 73 are provided in the front
portions of the sole member 3 and the wheel frame 19 to guide wheel
frame 19 in its pivotal movement relative to the sole member 3. The
guide means 71 on the sole member 3 comprise plate-like guide
members extending down from the sides of the sole member 3 in its
front portion. The guide members are preferably in the form of
longitudinally spaced-apart, parallel, legs 75, 77 and 79, 81 on
each side of the sole member 3. The guide means 73 on the wheel
frame 19 comprise the two pair of front guide slots 43, 45 and 47,
49. The legs 75, 77 slide through the slots 43, 47 and the legs 79,
81 slide through the slots 45, 49 as shown in Fig. 5. The legs 75,
77 and 79, 81 straddle the wheels 21 as shown in Fig. 6.
Preferably, retaining means are provided to prevent separation
of the front portion of the wheel frame 19 from the front portion
of the sole member 3. The retaining means can comprise retaining
bars 83, 85 fastened to the bottom of the legs 75, 77 and 79, 81
respectively by suitable fastening means 87 after the legs are
mounted in the slots. The cross bar 35 interferes with retaining
bars 83, 85 to prevent separation of the wheel frame 19 from the
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sole member 3.
The wheel mounting assembly 1 includes biasing means for
biasing the front portion of the wheel frame 19 downwardly from the
sole member 3, as the skater pushes or drives off the skate, so as
to have the front wheels of the skate remain in contact with the
ground for a slightly longer period of time during skating. The
biasing means, shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 comprises a coil spring 91
having a coil 93 with extended ends 95, 97. The ends 95, 97 of the
spring extend in the same general direction and diverge. The coil
93 of the spring 91 is loosely mounted on a pin 101 that is mounted
between the side walls 13, 15 of the sole member 3. The spring
mounting pin 101 is located above the pivot pin 67 connecting the
sole member 3 to the wheel frame 19 and is parallel to it. The
mounting pin 101 is held in place by screws 103, 105 threaded
axially into the ends of pin 101 through aligned holes (not shown)
in the walls 13, 15. The pin 101 maintains the spring 91 in
position. The top, extended end 95 of the spring 91 is mounted in a
rearwardly opening longitudinal extending bore 111 (shown in dotted
lines) formed in the bottom of the sole plate 5 in front of the
walls 13, 15. The bottom extended end 97 of the spring 91 is
mounted in a tubular-like holder 113 formed in the top wall 23 of
the wheel frame 19. The holder 113 extends longitudinally. The
spring 91 biases the wheel frame 19 about the pivot pin 67 away
from the sole member 3.
Shock absorbing means are mounted between the front portions
of the pivotally connected sole member 3 and wheel frame 19. The
shock absorbing means can, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprise a
pair of springs 117, 119 mounted just in front of, and just behind,
the cooperating guide means 71, 73. Each spring 117, 119 has top
and bottom mounting brackets 121, 123 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.
The top brackets 121 of each spring 117, 119 are pivotally mounted
by pins 123 between pairs of mounting brackets 127 on the bottom of
the sole member 3 in front and behind the guide means 71, 73. The
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bottom brackets 123 of each spring 117, 119 are pivotally mounted
by pins 131, 133 mounted between the side walls 25, 27 of the wheel
frame 19. The springs 117, 119 pass through the two front openings
31, 33 respectively in the top wall 23 of the wheel frame 19 and
are located longitudinally between the wheels. The springs 117, 119
cushion the movement between the front portions of the sole member
3 and the wheel frame 19 to absorb shocks taken by the wheels 21
carried by the wheel frame 19. The springs can be sized to suit the
weight of the rider, being stiffer for heavier people. The springs
can be easily changed if needed, for example if the skates are sold
by the user to a person who weighs substantially less than the user
and therefore needs softer springs.
The wheels 21 of the skate are mounted in the wheel frame 19
between the side walls 25, 27 by axles 55 as shown in Fig. &. Each
axle 55 is preferably a split axle having two parts 133, 135 with
each part 133, 135 having a tubular body 137, 139 and an outer end
wall 141, 143 on one end of the body slightly larger in diameter
than the diameter of the tubular body 137, 139. The inner ends 145
of one of the bodies 137 is reduced in diameter to fit within the
inner end 147 of the other body 139. The ends 145, 147 detachably
connect together with a slot and bayonet connection (not shown).
When the parts 133, 135 are connected together by passing the
bodies 137, 139 of the parts through the holes 51, 53 in the side
walls 25, 27 and connecting their inner ends together, they form a
rigid axle 55 on which a wheel is mounted between the side walls of
the wheel frame as shown in Fig. 4. The end walls 141, 143 are too
large to pass through the openings 51, 53 and retain the axle in
place.
In use, the wheel mounting assembly 1 carries the wheels 21
in-line and maintains the front wheels in contact with the road
surface, through the biasing means, for a longer period of time
when skating so as to improve skating efficiency. The wheels are
maintained in contact for a longer period of time due to the action
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of the spring 91 pivoting the wheel frame 19 toward the ground as
the skater is lifting his foot on pushing off the ground. When the
wheels stay in contact with the ground for a longer period of time
there is additional rolling action for the energy expended making
skating more efficient. When the skate makes contact again with
the ground, the weight of the skater pivots the wheel frame 19
against the biasing spring 91 toward the sole member 3. The shock
absorbing springs 117, 119 cushion any bumps and are designed to
allow the biasing spring 91 to pivot the front of the wheel frame
about one half inch away from the front of the sole member during
push off.
While on form of cooperating guide means 71, 73 has been
described, other types of guide means could be used. For example,
as shown in Fig. 8, the guide means 71' could comprise a pair of
bars 151, 153 that are mounted in tandem between the sole member 3'
and the wheel frame 19'. The front bar 151 is pivotally attached at
its upper end, via a pivot pin 155, to a bracket 157 on the bottom
of the sole member and extends down and forward to be pivotally
attached, via a longitudinal slot 159 to a pivot pin 161 mounted
between the side walls of the wheel frame 19'. The rear bar 153 is
pivotally attached at its upper, via a pivot pin 165 to a bracket
167 on the bottom of the sole member. The rear arm 153 extends
downwardly and rearwardly to be attached, via a longitudinal slot
169 to a pivot pin 171 extending between the side walls. The bars
151, 153 pass through a large front opening 173 in the top wall of
the wheel frame.
Shock absorber means, in the form of one or two side-by-side
coil springs 177 are pivotally connected between the sole plate and
the wheel frame. The shock absorbing means are mounted between the
bars 151, 153 and also pass through the opening 173. The springs
cushion the ride, the upper ends of the slots 159, 169 in the bars
151, 153 limiting the cushioning action. The lower ends of the
slots 159, 169 limit the pivoting action of the wheel frame 19'
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away from the sole member 3'.
The biasing means, in another embodiment as shown in Fig. 8,
can comprise a flat spring 176 bent in the shape of a U with the
bend 177 adjacent the rear of the skate, one arm 178 adjacent the
bottom of the sole member 3' and the other arm 179 adjacent the top
wall of the wheel frame 19'. The top arm 178 is preferably embedded
in the sole member 3'.
In another embodiment, the guide means 71" can comprise a u-
shaped member 181, as shown in Fig. 9, on each side of the sole
member 3". Each member has its arms 183, 185 passed upwardly
through guide slots 187, 189 in the top wall 23" of the wheel frame
19" and fastened with suitable means (not shown) to the sole member
3". The lower portion 191 of the member 181 is necked in to form an
upwardly opening slot 193. A guide pin 195 on the inner side of the
side wall 25" of the wheel frame rests in the slot 193. A head 197
on the pin 195 retains the member 181 on the pin 195. The pin and
slot guide the wheel frame relative to the sole member. If desired,
shock absorbing springs 201, 203 can be mounted over the arms 183,
185 of the member, between the top wall 23" and the sole member 3"
to provide cushioning.
While one form of wheel mounting, using a split-axle, has been
described, other forms of wheel mountings can be used. In one
embodiment of this invention, the wheels can be mounted on the
wheel frame using novel independent suspension means. The novel
suspension means 301 for each wheel 303, as shown in Figs. 10 to
12, include axle blocks 305 for receiving the axles 307 of the
wheels. Opposed rectangular openings 311, 313 are provided in the
side walls 315, 317 of the wheel frame 318 for receiving the axle
blocks, there being one axle block in each opening. Mounting means
are provided for mounting an axle block 305 in each opening 311,
313 for vertical movement within the opening. The mounting means
can comprise a pair of top guide pins 319, 321 mounted in the top
of the block 305 in holes 322, 323 and extending upwardly in the
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opening 311 into top guide holes 324, 325 in the top wall 327
defining the opening 311. A bottom guide pin 329 extends downwardly
from the bottom of the block 305 into a bottom guide hole 331 in
the bottom wall 333 defining the opening. The bottom guide hole 331
is a through hole and the bottom guide pin 329 is threaded into the
axle block 305 through the bottom guide hole. A slot for a
screwdriver is provided in the bottom of the bottom guide pin 329.
The block 305 is shorter than the opening 311 and is mounted
in the opening with the top guide pins 319, 321 screwed down into
the holes 322, 323 in the block 305 to provide clearance.
Compression springs 337, 339 are mounted on the top guide pins 319,
321. With the block 305 in place, the top guide pins are rotated by
a screwdriver through the top guide holes 324, 325 to elevate and
enter the holes 324, 325 to guide the block. The springs 337, 339
cushion the upward movement of the block within the opening. A
wheel 303 is rotatably mounted between the sidewalls 315, 317 and
the opposed blocks 305 in the sidewalls by an axle 307. The axle
307 passes through central holes 347 in the blocks 305 and through
a central opening in the wheel 303 and are connected together
within the wheel. The wheel rotates on the axle and is cushioned by
the movement of the blocks in the openings carrying the wheel.
Each block 305' can be made in two parts, an outer part 355
and an inner part 357 as shown in figs. 13 and 14. The outer part
355 has a main body part 361 with outer wings 363 extending from
each end 365 of the main body part 361 along the outside of the
body. The inner part 357 has parallel top and bottom flanges 369,
371 joined by a side wall 373. The side wall 373 extends past the
ends of the flanges forming inner wings 375. The main body part 361
of the outer block part 355 is mounted within the flanges 369, 371
of the inner block part 357 within the opening 311.
Aligned holes 375, 377 in the upper flange 369 and the main
body part 361 respectively, cooperate with the upper guide holes
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379, 381 in the wheel frame 383 to receive the upper guide pins
385, 387. Aligned holes 389, 391 in the main body part 361 and the
lower flange 371 cooperate with the lower guide hole 393 in the
wheel frame 383 to receive the lower guide pin 395. Aligned holes
399, 401 in the main body part 361, and the sidewall 373 form the
axle hole which is transverse to the guide holes. The main body
part 361 and the flanges 369, 371 are just slightly shorter than
the length of the opening 403 in the side wall 405 of the wheel
frame 383. The outer and inner wings 363, 375 on the assembled
block abut on the side wall 405 retaining the assembled block 305'
in place. The mounting block 305', carrying a wheel, moves up in
the opening 403 to compress the springs 409 on the pins 385, 387
when bumps are encountered.
