Skates with in-line wheels having improved maneuverability and control

• US 6,227,550 B1
• Filed: 05/20/1999
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marco Maggiolo
• Original Assignee: Marco Maggiolo
• Inventors: Maggiolo, Marco
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth, Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHRIVER II, JAMES A
• Application Number:
  US09/308,493
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 280/11.22, 280/11.204, 280/11.207, 280/11.208, 280/11.211, 280/11.214, 280/11.215, 280/11.216, 280/11.221, 280/11.231 , 280/11.223, 280/11.27, 280/11.28, 280/11.36, 280/11.225, 280/11.224, 280/843
• US Class Current: 280/11.223
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/0046 with shock absorption or suspension system
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/0086 Roller skates adjustable in length to fit the size of the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/062 with a pivotal frame or cradle around transversal axis for relative movements of the wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2017/0053 with foot plate quick release or shoe binding

Abstract

Skates with in-line wheels, each comprising a supporting structure to which supports are connected for a plurality of wheels, wherein at least one of the central wheels is coupled to the supporting structure so that it can change the level of its rotation axis.

Claims

1. Skates having a supporting structure to which chassis supports are connected to retain a plurality of in-line wheels, each comprising:

at least two chassis support which are each directly coupled to the supporting structure that is joined to a sole portion of a boot of the skate, wherein the chassis supports are each coupled to the supporting structure at two connection points, wherein the first connection point to the chassis support is coupled to the front of the sole portion of the boot and the second connection point to the chassis support is coupled to the rear of the sole portion of the boot,

each chassis support retaining at least two wheels and being coupled to the supporting structure so that the wheels of the first chassis support are alternated in an in-line arrangement with the wheels retained by the second chassis support, allowing the first chassis support to retain the first and third wheels and the second chassis support to retain the second and fourth wheels from the front of the skate.

2. The skates according to claim 1, wherein said coupling of at least one of said supports to said supporting structure that allows changes in the level of at least one of the respective rotation axes of the wheels is an elastic coupling.

3. The skates according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said supports is coupled to the supporting structure with a hinge having a horizontal axis.

4. The skates according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said wheels has a different sectional profile with respect to the others.

5. The skates according to claim 4, wherein said at least one wheel that has a different sectional profile with respect to the others is one of the central wheels.

6. The skates according to claim 4, wherein the end wheels are at a higher level than the others from the ground when there is no load on them.

7. The skates according to claim 4, wherein said at least one wheel that has a different sectional profile with respect to the others also has a smaller diameter than the others.

8. The skates according to claim 1, wherein said supports have a longitudinal channel wherein the channel has a concave shape extending from the center wheel axle to the end wheel axle and said supporting structure is coupled to said support so as to allow oscillating movements thereof.

9. The skates according to claim 1, wherein said two wheel supports are fixed to said structure with respective elastomeric pads interposed.

10. The skates according to claim 8, wherein said supports are connected by elastic coupling means.

11. The skates according to claim 10, characterized in that said elastic coupling means have an adjustable elastic response.

12. The skates according to claim 1, wherein screws are driven into suitable holes of the supporting structure and constitute adjustable stroke limiters for the movements of said supports.

13. The skates according to claim 1, wherein said supports rest laterally on axles that retain the wheels to the supports.

14. The skates according to claim 1, wherein said supporting structure is disconnectable from a shoe.

15. The skates according to claim 1, wherein said supporting structure can be lengthened and widened.

16. The skates according to claim 1, wherein said supporting structure contains elements for coupling to the shoe.

17. The skates according to claim 1, wherein two wings are articulated to said supporting structure at the cuff of the shoe, said wings ending in an upward region with respective half-rings which are suitable to surround the cuff.

18. The skates according to claim 17, wherein said wings can rotate about the respective horizontal axes and are rigidly coupled to each other so as to lie between an open configuration for disengaging the cuff and a closed configuration for surrounding and locking said cuff.

19. The skates according to claim 17, wherein said wings are rigidly coupled to each other with a closure device.

20. The skates according to claim 17, wherein said wings are extendable.