IN-LINE WALKER AND CARRYING STRAP

DISPOSITIF DE MARCHE POUR PATINS A ROUES ALIGNEES ET COURROIE DE TRANSPORT

English Abstract

A dual-purpose accessory for in-line roller skates used either as a
walking device which stops the rotation of the skate wheels when a walking
motion is desired by the user, or as a carrying strap for the skates.

Claims

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THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEDGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A dual-purpose accessory for in-line skates which is used either as a
walking device which allows the user to assume a walking motion without
having to remove the skates, or as a carrying strap for the skates,
comprising:
A rectangular strip of flexible light -weight material such as rubber.
2. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein said strip is provided with a
hole
or opening located at each end.
3. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein said openings or holes
are sized to accomodate the heel and/or rear wheel of the skate at one end
and the front wheel of the skate at the other end of the strip.
4. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein said strip is provided with outer
tread for increased traction.
5. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein, when used as a walking device,
said strip is attached to the skate by inserting the heel and/or rear wheel of
the skate
through one of the holes in the strip, then pulling the strip forward under
the center
wheels, inserting the front wheel of the skate completely through the hole at
the
other end of the strip, securing the invention tightly into place.
6. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein said strip can alternately be
used as a carrying strap by buckling or tying the laces of each skate
individually
through a hole at each end of the strip.
7. The invention recited in claim 6, wherein said strip can be used as a
shoulder
or hand-held carrying strap.
8. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein said strip can easily be folded
and
carried in a pocket or "Fanny-pack" such as the kind skaters wear around
their waists to carry their keys, wallet, etc.
9. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein said strip is comprised of a
single
piece of material with no straps, fasteners, clips, buckles, or any other
secondary or accessory parts.

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10. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein said strip is fabricated from a
flexible
material such as rubber.
11. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein said strip can be manufactured
by
die cutting.
12. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein said strip can be manufactured
by
using a mold extrusion process.

Description

CA 02326537 2000-11-27
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to accessories for in-line roller skates and in
particular, a
dual-purpose device which can alternately be used as a walking device which
inhibits the
rotation of in-line skate wheels allowing the user to walk normally without
removing
the skates, or secondly, as a sturdy and comfortable carrying strap whenever
the skates
are not being worn.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
In-line skating has become more popular in recent years, both as a form of
recreation
and as a mode of transportation. In-line skaters are often faced with
situations during their
outings where it would be more prudent to switch to a walking mode for
safety's sake.
Less experienced skaters are fearful of skating across busy streets or of
going down even
small hills, and going up or down stairs in roller-skates is unsafe for
anyone. Inline skates
are also awkward to carry because they tend to be bulky and heavy and two
hands are
needed to carry them. The user therefor needs to purchase both a walking
device and a
carrying device.
The present invention serves both of these functions and no other single
invention is
known to exist which incorporates a solution to both of these problems.

CA 02326537 2000-11-27
Brief description of the drawings
Fig. 1 is a side elevation view showing the invention secured onto the frame
of an
in-line roller skate.
Fig. 2 is a view similar to fig. 1, showing the way the invention is installed
onto the
in-line roller skate.
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the invention as shown in use in fig. 1 and fig.
2
Fig. 4 is an elevation view of the front of the invention of fig. 1
Fig. 5 is an elevation view of the front of the invention when used as a hand-
held
carrying device.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the invention when used as a shoulder-strap
carrying
device.

CA 02326537 2000-11-27
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Description of the preferred embodiment
Figure 1 shows a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the
invention. The
invention is manufactured using a lightweight stretchable rubber or other
suitable
materials. The invention is easy to use, easy to carry and is innexpensive to
produce.
The invention fits a wide range of in-line skate sizes. When used as a walking
device,
the invention prevents the wheels on skates from rotating, enabling users
to cross rough terrain or slippery surfaces. It also allows beginners to cross
busy
streets or go down hills without fear of injury. When used as a carrying
strap, the
invention provides a convenient and easy way to carry the skates either over
one
shoulder or using only one hand.
Refering to the drawings, the invention (20) comprises a rectangular strip of
stretchable
material with tread (25) for better traction, with two openings or holes (45)
near each
end. When used as a walking device (fig. 1 and fig. 2), the invention (20) is
attached to
the skate ( 15) by inserting the back heel and/or wheel (35) of the skate (
15) through
one of the holes (45), then pulling the invention (20) forward under the
center wheels
(40), then inserting the front wheel (30) of the skate ( 15) completely
through the other
remaining hole (45) which will secure the invention (20) tightly into place.
When used as a carrying device (fig. 5 and fig. 6), the invention (20) is
attached to the
skate by buckling or tying the laces (10) of each skate (15) through
individual holes
(45) at each end of the device (20). The invention enables the user to carry
the skates
(15) in a hand-held fashion as shown in fig. 5, or over the shoulder as shown
in fig. 6
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail
and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the
invention
is not limited to this precise embodiment and that various changes and
modifications
may be effected without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Representative Drawing