Multi-hinged skate and methods for construction of the same

• US 20030227142A1
• Filed: 05/02/2003
• Published: 12/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arthur G. Erdman
• Original Assignee: Arthur G. Erdman
• Inventors: Erdman, Arthur G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,182,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/11.221
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/1608 size adjustable skates with special foot-plates for the boot divided into two parts permitting adjustment to the size of the foot A63C1/26
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/1691 characterised by the higher part of the upper, e.g. surrounding the ankle, by the quarter or cuff
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/06 single-track type
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/1436 contacting the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2017/1481 Leg or ankle operated

Abstract

An improved hinge system for pivotally coupling a skate lower portion to a skate upper cuff. The multi-hinge design incorporates a four link chain mechanism that greatly increases the number of design options for a hinged boot. The pivot axis defined by the four link chain can be designed to shift through a path of travel that generally coincides with the path of travel of the anatomical pivot axis defined by the user'"'"'s foot and leg. The upper cuff and boot lower portion account for two of the four links of the four link mechanism. The other two links are either rigid bars with pin connections on both the upper cuff and the lower portion, or roller links with a pin connection to the upper and a slot like sliding surface on the lower portion. A slider link can be substituted for the roller and a slide surface can be substituted for the slot.

Claims

1. A boot for an in-line skate, the skate having at least one ground surface engaging member disposed in a linear disposition, the boot having a first side and an opposed second side, comprising:

a lower portion;

an upper portion; and

a linkage assembly operably coupling the lower portion and the upper portion about a boot pivot axis, the boot pivot axis being shiftable relative to the lower portion along a predetermined boot pivot axis path of travel, the boot pivot axis being defined by a first multi-element hinge having a four bar linkage in cooperation with a second multi-element hinge having a four bar linkage, wherein the linkage first multi-link hinge is opposed to the second multi-link hinge, wherein the first and second multi-link hinges each have a set of first and second link members, the first multi-link hinge being disposed on the boot first side and the second multi-link hinge being disposed on the boot second side, wherein the first link having a first end operably coupled at a first pivot point to the upper portion and a second end operably coupled to the lower portion at a second pivot point, wherein the first and second pivot points are spaced apart, and wherein the second link comprises a slider coupling.

2. The invention of claim 1, said first and second pivot points comprising revolute joints.

3. The invention of claim 2, said slider coupling including a revolute joint and a slider joint.

4. The invention of claim 2, said revolute joint being operably coupled to said upper portion and said slider joint being operably coupled to said lower portion.

5. A boot for an in-line skate, the skate having at least one ground surface engaging member disposed in a linear disposition, the boot having a first side and an opposed second side, comprising:

a lower portion;

an upper portion; and

a linkage assembly operably coupling the lower portion and the upper portion about a boot pivot axis, the boot pivot axis being shiftable relative to the lower portion along a predetermined boot pivot axis path of travel, the boot pivot axis being defined by a first multi-element hinge having a four bar linkage in cooperation with a second multi-element hinge having a four bar linkage, wherein the linkage first multi-link hinge is opposed to the second multi-link hinge, wherein the multi-element hinge has at least two operable connections between the upper portion and the lower portion on each side of the boot.

6. The invention of claim 5, said multi-element hinge having two spaced apart joint sets on each side of said boot.

7. The invention of claim 6, said multi-element hinge having a link member and a spaced apart joint on each side of said boot.

8. The invention of claim 7, the link member having a first end operably coupled at a first pivot point to said upper portion and a second end operably coupled to said lower portion at a second pivot point, said first and second pivot points being spaced apart, and at least one of said joints comprising a set of roll surfaces operably coupling said upper to said lower.

9. The invention of claim 8, said roll surfaces comprising a circular shape in contact with a flat shape.

10. The invention of claim 9, wherein the circular shape is a small cylinder and the flat shape is a slot.

11. The invention of claim 8, said roll surface comprising a circular shape in contact with a non-circular shape.

12. A boot for an in-line skate, the skate having at least one ground surface engaging member disposed in a linear disposition, the boot having a first side and an opposed second side, comprising:

a lower portion;

an upper portion;

a linkage assembly operably coupling the lower portion and the upper portion about a boot pivot axis, the boot pivot axis being shiftable relative to the lower portion along a predetermined boot pivot axis path of travel, the boot pivot axis being defined by a first multi-element hinge having a four bar linkage in cooperation with a second multi-element hinge having a four bar linkage, wherein the linkage first multi-link hinge is opposed to the second multi-link hinge wherein the multi-link hinge comprises one or more flexures.