Wheeled skate device

• US 20030020244A1
• Filed: 08/08/2002
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chien-Min Sung
• Original Assignee: Chien-Min Sung
• Inventors: Sung, Chien-Min
• Granted Patent: US 6,874,795 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/11.19
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/04 with wheels arranged otherwise than in two pairs A63C17/01 takes precedence

Abstract

A wheeled skate device has a pair of large primary wheels coupled to a platform. The primary wheels rotate about primary axes of rotation in both forward and rearward directions. A binding can be disposed on the platform to secure the user'"'"'s feet. The primary axes are located at a height above the platform or binding. The skate device can have a universal wheel coupled to the platform which rotates about a secondary axis of rotation. The universal wheel also pivots about a vertical pivot axis such that the universal wheel turns with the platform without sliding on the support surface. The wheels cooperatively operate in a travel mode and spinning mode.

Claims

1. A wheeled skate device comprising:

a) a frame configured to be movably disposed over a support surface, and having a platform with an upper surface configured to receive a foot of a user thereon;

b) at least one primary wheel, rotatably coupled to the frame, configured to roll on the support surface;

c) the at least one primary wheel having a primary axis of rotation located at a height above the upper surface of the platform; and

d) an auxiliary wheel, rotatably coupled to the frame, configured to roll on the support surface.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

at least one binding, coupled to the frame or the platform, sized and shaped to extend over the foot of the user to secure the foot of the user to the platform.

3. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the primary axis of rotation of the primary wheel is located at a height above the binding, and thus above the foot of the user.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the platform is tiltable with respect to the frame, and wherein an angular orientation of the platform is adjustable.

5. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a cushion, disposed between the frame and the platform.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the cushion includes a wedged shaped cushion with a thinner end and an opposite thicker end.

7. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

at least one front or rear stop, secured to a front or a rear of the platform.

8. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

at least one adjustable front or rear stop, secured to a front or a rear of the platform; and

the at least one adjustable front or rear stop being adjustably secured to the platform, and selectively movable in a longitudinal direction.

9. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

at least one adjustable left or right side stop, secured to a side of the platform; and

the at least one adjustable left or right side stop being adjustably secured to the platform, and selectively movable in a lateral direction.

10. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

an axle, rotatably coupling the primary wheel to the frame;

a compressible material, disposed between the axle and the frame.

11. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the primary wheel is adjustably coupled to the frame and is vertically adjustable with respect to the frame.

12. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a) at least one lateral attachment support, extending from a lateral side of the frame;

b) a slot, formed in the lateral attachment support;

c) a block, movably disposed in the slot, the primary wheel being rotatably attached to the block.

13. A device in accordance with claim 12, further comprising:

at least one compressible member, disposed in the slot adjacent the block.

14. A device in accordance with claim 12, further comprising:

an adjustable member, selectively positioning the block.

15. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a) a break wheel, rotationally coupled to the frame, configured to be selectively engagable with the support surface; and

b) a friction member, coupled to the frame and adjustably engagable with the break wheel, to adjustably resist rotation of the break wheel.

16. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a) at least one lateral attachment support, coupled to a lateral side of the frame, the primary wheel being rotatably attached to the lateral attachment support; and

b) a compressible member, disposed between the lateral attachment support and the frame, to allow the lateral attachment support, and thus the primary wheel, to pivot with respect to the frame.

17. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a universal wheel, rotatably coupled to the frame, rotating about a secondary axis of rotation which is oriented generally horizontally, the universal wheel further pivoting about a generally vertical pivot axis.

18. A device in accordance with claim 17, wherein:

a) the primary and auxiliary wheels are configured for cooperatively operating in at least two modes to make rolling contact with the support surface without sliding, the two modes including (i) a travel mode in which the primary and auxiliary wheels each rotate in a common direction, and (ii) a spinning mode in which the primary and auxiliary wheels rotate in opposite directions relative to one another; and

b) the primary, auxiliary and universal wheels cooperatively operate in the travel and spinning modes, such that the primary, auxiliary and universal wheels each rotate in a common direction in the travel mode, and such that the secondary axis of rotation of the secondary wheel is oriented traverse to the primary axis of rotation of the primary wheel in the spinning mode.

19. A device in accordance with claim 17, wherein:

a) the primary and auxiliary wheels have a common primary axis of rotation;

b) the platform vertically pivots about the primary axis of rotation between;

1) a first orientation in which the universal wheel is in a non-contacting relationship with the support surface, and such that the skate device has two points of contact with the support surface defined by the primary and auxiliary wheels, and

2) a second orientation in which the universal wheel contacts the support surface, and such that the skate device has three points of contact with the support surface defined by the primary, auxiliary and universal wheels.

20. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the platform is sized to receive both feet of the user.

21. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the primary wheel is disposed at a front or a rear of the frame, and the auxiliary wheels is disposed at a front or a rear of the frame opposite the primary wheel.

22. A device in accordance with claim 21, wherein the auxiliary wheel has an axis of rotation located at a height above the upper surface of the platform.

23. A device in accordance with claim 21, wherein the auxiliary wheel is a universal wheel rotatable about a secondary axis of rotation which is oriented generally horizontally.

24. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a) an electrical generator, operatively engaging at least one of the primary wheels, capable of generating electricity when the at least one primary wheel turns; and

b) a light, electrically coupled to the electrical generator.

25. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a boot, coupled to the frame, configured to receive a user'"'"'s foot, the boot forming the platform.

26. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the primary wheel is removably coupled to the frame by a hand actuated fastener.

27. A wheeled skate device comprising:

a) a frame configured to be movably disposed over a support surface, and having a platform with an upper surface configured to receive a foot of a user thereon;

b) at least one binding, coupled to the frame or the platform, sized and shaped to extend over the foot of the user to secure the foot of the user to the platform; and

c) a pair of primary wheels, rotatably coupled to the frame, configured to roll on the support surface; and

d) the primary wheels each having

     1) a diameter greater than a height of the upper surface of the platform, and

     2) a primary axis of rotation located at a height above the upper surface of the platform; and

e) a universal wheel, rotatably coupled to the frame, rotating about a secondary axis of rotation which is oriented generally horizontally, the universal wheel further pivoting about a generally vertical pivot axis.

28. A device in accordance with claim 27, wherein:

a) the primary wheels are configured for cooperatively operating in at least two modes to make rolling contact with the support surface without sliding, the two modes including (i) a travel mode in which the primary wheels each rotate in a common direction, and (ii) a spinning mode in which the primary wheels rotate in opposite directions relative to one another; and

b) the primary and universal wheels cooperatively operate in the travel and spinning modes, such that the primary and universal wheels each rotate in a common direction in the travel mode, and such that the secondary axis of rotation of the universal wheel is oriented traverse to the primary axes of rotation of the primary wheels in the spinning mode.

29. A device in accordance with claim 28, wherein:

a) the primary wheels have a common primary axis of rotation;

b) the platform vertically pivots about the primary axis of rotation between;

1) a first orientation in which the universal wheel is in a non-contacting relationship with the support surface, and such that the skate device has two points of contact with the support surface defined by the primary wheels, and

2) a second orientation in which the universal wheel contacts the support surface, and such that the skate device has three points of contact with the support surface defined by the primary and universal wheels.

30. A wheeled skate device comprising:

a) a frame configured to be movably disposed over a support surface, and having a platform with an upper surface configured to receive a foot of a user thereon;

b) at least one binding, coupled to the frame or the platform, sized and shaped to extend over the foot of the user to secure the foot of the user to the platform; and

c) vertical portions, extending from the frame;

d) slots, each formed in one of the vertical portions;

e) blocks, each movably disposed in one of the slots; and

f) a pair of primary wheels, each rotatably coupled to one of the blocks, configured to roll on the support surface.

31. A device in accordance with claim 30, further comprising:

the primary wheels each having

     1) a diameter greater than a height of the platform, and

     2) a primary axis of rotation located at a height above the upper surface of the platform.

32. A device in accordance with claim 30, further comprising:

at least one compressible member, disposed in each slot adjacent the block.