Walking attachment for in-line skate

• US 5,522,621 A
• Filed: 11/04/1994
• Issued: 06/04/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cynthia Schneider
• Original Assignee: Cynthia Schneider
• Inventors: Schneider, Cynthia
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): YU, MIN SON
• Application Number:
  US08/334,489
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 280/7.13, 280/7.14, 280/8, 280/11.19, 280/11.2, 280/11.22, 280/809, 280/811, 280/825
• US Class Current: 280/825
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/002 Covers; Guards
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/06 single-track type
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/20 with fixable wheels permitting the skates to be used for walking
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2201/02 Aggressive riding, e.g. grinding

Abstract

A tread or cover for an in-line skate provides a walking surface to enable the skater to traverse unpaved areas, stairs, or steep grades. The cover is formed like a sheath which stretchably fits over the in-line skate wheels. The cover is at least slightly elastic and flexible, preferably having rubber walls. A tread pattern on the bottom surface of the cover increases traction. A strap on the cover is used to better secure the cover over the skate wheels.

Claims

1. A cover for front, central, and rear wheels rotatable supported on a frame of an in-line skate comprising:

a front wheel section for covering a front wheel of the in-line skate, and having an interior wall with a raised portion adaptable to fit between a pair of wheels substantially contoured in a radius to match the shape of the front wheel of the in-line skate;

a rear wheel section for covering a rear wheel of the in-line skate, and having an interior surface with a raised portion adaptable to fit between a pair of wheels substantially contoured in a radius to match the shape of the rear wheel of the in-line skate; and

a central section for covering at least one central wheel and adjoining both the front and rear wheel section, the front wheel, central, and rear wheel sections also forming a top perimeter wall defining an elongate slot dimensioned to be able to fit over the frame of the in-line skate.

2. The cover of claim 1 further comprising an indentation between the front wheel section and the central section.

3. The cover of claim 1 further comprising a strap around the top perimeter wall.

4. The cover of claim 1 further comprising a tread pattern on a bottom surface of the cover.

5. The cover of claim 1 wherein the cover is a molded flexible unit.

6. The cover of claim 1 wherein the front wheel section has a wall thickness greater than that of the central section.

7. The cover of claim 1 wherein the front and rear wheel sections have a greater wall thickness than the central section.

8. A cover for front, central, and rear wheels rotatably supported on a frame of an in-line skate comprising:

a front wheel section for covering a front wheel of the in-line skate, and having an interior wall with a raised portion adaptable to fit between a pair of wheels substantially contoured in a radius to match the shape of a front wheel of the in-line skate;

a rear wheel section for covering a rear wheel of the in-line skate, and having an interior surface with a raised portion adaptable to fit between a pair of wheels substantially contoured in a radius to match the shape of a rear wheel of the in-line skate;

a central section for covering at least one central wheel and adjoining both the front and rear wheel sections, the front wheel, central, and rear wheel sections also forming a top perimeter wall defining an elongate slot dimensioned to be able to fit over the frame of the in-line skate; and

an elastic strap around the top perimeter wall of the cover.

9. A cover for front, central, and rear wheels rotatably supported on a frame of an in-line skate comprising:

a front wheel section for covering a front wheel of the in-line skate, and having an interior wall with a raised portion adaptable to fit between a pair of wheels substantially contoured in a radius to match the shape of a front wheel of the in-line skate;

a rear wheel section for covering a rear wheel of the in-line skate, and having an interior surface with a raised portion adaptable to fit between a pair of wheels substantially contoured in a radius to match the shape of a rear wheel of the in-line skate; and

a central section for covering at least one central wheel and adjoining both the front and rear wheel sections, the front wheel, central, and rear wheel sections also forming a top perimeter wall defining an elongate slot dimensioned to be able to fit over the frame of the in-line skate, said elongate slot having substantially the same width at the front, central, and rear wheel sections.

10. A combination of an in-line skate and a removable cover for the wheels of said in-line skate, said combination comprising:

a boot;

an elongate wheel frame attached lengthwise to the sole of said boot;

a set of linearly aligned wheels rotatably supported on said frame, including a front wheel, a rear wheel, and at least one central wheel between said front and rear wheels;

a cover for said front, central, and rear wheels comprising;

a front wheel section for covering a front wheel of the in-line skate, and having an interior wall with a raised portion adaptable to fit between a pair of wheels substantially contoured in a radius to match the shape of a front wheel of the in-line skate;

a rear wheel section for covering a rear wheel of the in-line skate, and having an interior surface with substantially contoured in a radius to match the shape of a rear wheel of the in-line skate; and

a central section for covering at least one central wheel and adjoining both the front and rear wheel sections, the front wheel, central, and rear wheel sections also forming a top perimeter wall defining an elongate slot dimensioned to be able to fit over the frame of the in-line skate.