High performance skate

• US 6,416,063 B1
• Filed: 07/13/1999
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acorn Plastics Incorporated (Acorn Engineering Company)
• Original Assignee: Humes, Daniel M., Scott H Stillinger
• Inventors: Stillinger, Scott H., Humes, Daniel M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): AVERY, BRIDGET D
• Application Number:
  US09/352,460
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 280/11.28, 280/11.225, 280/11.19, 280/11.204, 280/11.221, 280/11.223, 280/11.231, 280/11.233, 280/11.27, 280/87.042
• US Class Current: 280/11.223
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/0046 with shock absorption or suspension system
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/06 single-track type
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/226 Wheel mounting, i.e. arrangement connecting wheel and axle mount

Abstract

Inline roller skates are provided with independent suspension systems, separately suspending one or more of a plurality of wheels. The wheels are mounted rotatably on axles, and the axles are held nominally parallel to the sole of the boot. The suspension systems include guides that maintain the axles parallel to the sole of the boot even as the wheels and axles move vertically in response to bumps and other forces.

Claims

1. A skate comprising:

a first wheel having two sides;

an axle associated with the first wheel and extending from one side of the first wheel to the other, the axle having two ends, one end extending from one side of first wheel and the other end extending from the other side of the first wheel;

an axle support including a first portion extending along one side of the first wheel, and a second portion extending along the other side of the first wheel, each portion including an aperture configured to support an end of the axle, and where each aperture is configured to allow movement of the axle;

a first receptacle proximate the first portion of the axle support and positioned outwardly from the first portion of the axle support relative to the first wheel;

a second receptacle proximate the second portion of the axle support and positioned outwardly from the second portion of the axle support relative to the first wheel;

a first compressible medium associated with the first receptacle;

a second compressible medium associated with the second receptacle;

a first compressor associated with the axle and configured to compress the first compressible medium upon movement of the axle;

a second compressor associated with the axle and configured to compress the second compressible medium upon movement of the axle;

a first guide system associated with and separate from the axle, where at least a portion of the first guide system is configured to contact the axle, where at least a portion of the first guide system is configured to extend into the aperture of the first portion of the axle support, where the first guide system forms a pocket that sandwiches the first portion of the axle support, spans the first portion of the axle support, and has a sliding fit with the first portion of the axle support, and where at least a portion of the first guide system is configured to contact the first wheel to hold the wheel at a substantially fixed position away from the first portion of the axle support;

a second guide system associated with and separate from the axle, where at least a portion of the second guide system is configured to contact the axle, where at least a portion of the second guide system is configured to extend into the aperture of the second portion of the axle support, where the second guide system forms a pocket that sandwiches the second portion of the axle support, spans the second portion of the axle support, and has a sliding fit with the second portion of the axle support, and where at least a portion of the second guide system is configured to contact the first wheel to hold the wheel at a substantially fixed position away from the second portion of the axle support;

an attachment structure connected to the axle support and configured to attach the skate to a foot of a user; and

at least one other wheel associated with the attachment structure.

2. The skate of claim 1 where the first portion of the axle support and the first receptacle are integral.

3. The skate of claim 1 where the axle support and the first and second receptacles are integral.

4. The skate of claim 1 where the position of the first guide system that is configured to contact the axle is integral with the first compressor.

5. The skate of claim 1 where the portion of the first guide system that is configured to extend into the first aperture of the first portion of the axle support is integral with the first compressor.

6. The skate of claim 1 where the portion of the first guide system that is configured to contact the first wheel is integral with the first compressor.

7. The skate of claim 1 where the portion of the first guide system that is configured to contact the axle is a spacer.

8. The skate of claim 1 where the portion of the first guide system that is configured to extend into the aperture of the first portion of the axle support includes a spacer.

9. The skate of claim 1 where the portion of the first guide system that is configured to contact the first wheel includes a spacer.

10. The skate of claim 1 where the portion of the first guide system that is configured to contact the axle is an axle bolt.

11. The skate of claim 1 where the portion of the first guide system that is configured to extend into the aperture of the first portion of the axle support is an axle bolt.

12. The skate of claim 1 where the first guide system includes a first spacer positioned on the axle between the first wheel and the first portion of the axle support, where the first spacer contacts the axle, where the first spacer includes a portion that extends along the axle and into the aperture of the first portion of the axle support, and where the first compressor contacts the first spacer.

13. The skate of claim 12 where the first compressor includes a portion that extends into the aperture of the first portion of the axle support.

14. The skate of claim 1 where each aperture has a length, and each aperture is configured to allow the axle to move along the length of the aperture.

15. The skate of claim 1 where each aperture has a width, and each guide system is configured to prevent movement of the axle along the width of the aperture.

16. The skate of claim 1 where the first guide system includes a first rigid surface configured to contact and slide along the first portion of the axle support, and the second guide system includes a second rigid surface configured to contact and slide along the second portion of the axle support, where the first and second surfaces contact the first and second portions of the axle support, respectively, to hinder tilting of the wheel.

17. The skate of claim 1 where the attachment structure is a boot.

18. The skate of claim 1 where the wheels are arranged in-line.

19. The skate of claim 1 where each of the first and second portions of the axle support has a predetermined, side-to-side thickness, and where each of the first and second pockets has a side-to-side dimension of no more than five one-thousandths of an inch greater than the side-to-side thickness of each of the first and second portions of the axle support, respectively.

20. The skate of claim 1 where the first pocket includes two substantially parallel surfaces.

21. The skate of claim 1 further comprising first and second spacers on the axle, the first spacer positioned between the first wheel and the first portion of the axle support, and the second spacer positioned between the first wheel and the second portion of the axle support, where the first and the second spacers are configured to contact the first wheel.

22. The skate of claim 21 where each spacer is separate from the first wheel so that the first wheel may turn independent of the spacers.

23. The skate of claim 21 where at least a portion of the first compressor and the first spacer together form the first guide system, and at least a portion of the second compressor and the second spacer together form the second guide system.

24. The skate of claim 21 where a least a portion of the first compressor extends into the aperture in the first portion of the axle support, and at least a portion of the first spacer extends into the same aperture.

25. The skate of claim 21 where the first compressor includes a hole into which at least a part of the first spacer extends;

and where the second compressor includes a hole into which at least a portion of the second spacer extends.

26. The skate of claim 21 where the first spacer includes a head portion with a first surface that contacts the first wheel, where the first surface has a predetermined first side-to-side dimension, where the head portion includes a second surface that contacts the first portion of the axle support, and where the second surface has a predetermined second side-to-side dimension greater than the first side-to-side dimension.

27. The skate of claim 21 where the first and second spacers include bores through which the axle passes.

28. The skate of claim 1 where the first portion of the axle support includes an outer surface, and further comprising a recess in the outer surface, and where the first compressor includes a surface configured to fit in the recess.

29. The skate of claim 1 where each aperture is substantially rectangular.

30. The skate of claim 1 where each aperture is substantially oval.

31. The skate of claim 1 where the axle comprises an elongate shaft with a head at and a threaded socket at the other end, and a bolt with a head and a threaded on configured to thread into the socket.

32. The skate of claim 1 where the first compressible medium is an elastomer.

33. The skate of claim 1 where the first compressible medium is urethane.

34. The skate of claim 1 where the first compressible medium is a spring.

35. The skate of claim 1 where the first receptacle and the first compressible medium are configured to allow the first compressible medium to bulge when compressed.

36. The skate of claim 35 where the first receptacle is a socket, and where the socket is configured to limit the bulging of the first compressible medium.

37. The skate of claim 1 where the compressibility of the first compressible medium is adjustable.

38. The skate of claim 37 where the first compressible medium is adjustable by pre-compressing the medium so that a greater force is required to further compress the medium than would be required if the medium was not pre-compressed.

39. The skate of claim 37 where the first compressibility of the compressible medium is adjustable by a moveable member extending in a channel through the first compressor so that the member may pre-compress the compressible medium.

40. The skate of claim 39 where the moveable member and channel are threaded.

41. The skate of claim 1 where the compressibility of each of the first and second compressible media is adjustable.

42. The skate of claim 1 further comprising a first bumper in the bottom of the aperture of the first portion of the axle support.

43. The skate of claim 1 having at least four wheels, and an axle, axle support, compressible medium, and first and second guide systems for each of the wheels.

44. The skate of claim 43 where the compressibility of each of the compressible media associated with each wheel is adjustable.

45. The skate of claim 44 where the compressibility of the compressible media associated with one wheel is adjusted to be stiffer than the compressibility of the compressible media associated with another wheel.

46. The skate of claim 1, wherein the portion of the first guide system that is configured to contact the axle is separately positionable relative to the first compressor.

47. The skate of claim 46, wherein the portion of the first guide system that is configured to contact the axle is in contact with the first compressor.

48. The skate of claim 1, wherein the first and the second portions of the axle support each include inner surfaces that generally face the first wheel and outer surfaces that generally face away from the first wheel, and further wherein the first and the second pockets are adapted to engage and slide along the inner and the outer surfaces of the first and the second portions of the axle support.

49. The skate of claim 1, wherein the first compressor forms at least a portion of the first pocket.

50. The skate of claim 1, wherein the first guide system includes a first spacer that extends generally between the first portion of the axle support and the first wheel and which forms a portion of the first pocket.

51. The skate of claim 16, wherein the first and the second portions of the axle support each include inner surfaces that generally face the first wheel and outer surfaces that generally face away from the first wheel, and further wherein the first and the second rigid surfaces are respectively positioned to contact and slide along the outer surfaces of the first and the second portions of the axle support.

52. The skate of claim 51, wherein the first and the second guide systems further include third and fourth rigid surfaces that are respectively configured to contact and slide along the inner surfaces of the first and the second portions of the axle support.

53. The skate of claim 52, wherein the third and the fourth rigid surfaces respectively form at least a portion of a first and a second spacer, and further wherein the first and the second spacers respectively extend generally between the first and the second portions of the axle support and the first wheel.

54. The skate of claim 53, wherein the first and the second spacers respectively further extend at least partially into the apertures in the first and the second portions of the axle support.

55. The skate of claim 16, wherein the first and the second portions of the axle support each include inner surfaces that generally face the first wheel and outer surfaces that generally face away from the first wheel, and further wherein the first and the second rigid surfaces are respectively positioned to contact and slide along the inner surfaces of the first and the second portions of the axle support.

56. The skate of claim 55, wherein the first and the second guide systems further include third and fourth rigid surfaces that are respectively configured to contact and slide along the outer surfaces of the first and the second portions of the axle support, and further wherein the third and the fourth rigid surfaces respectively form at least a portion of a first and a second spacer, and further wherein the first and the second spacers respectively extend generally between the first and the second portions of the axle support and the first wheel.

57. The skate of claim 56, wherein the first and the second spacers respectively further extend at least partially into the apertures in the first and the second portions of the axle support.

58. A skate comprising:

a first wheel having two sides;

an axle associated with the first wheel and extending from one side of the first wheel to the other, the axle having two ends, one end extending from one side of the first wheel and the other end extending from the other side of the first wheel;

an axle support including a first portion extending along one side of the first wheel, and a second portion extending along the other side of the first wheel, each portion including an aperture configured to support an end of the axle, and where each aperture is configured to allow movement of the axle;

a first receptacle proximate the first portion of the axle support and positioned outwardly from the first portion of the axle support relative to the first wheel;

a second receptacle proximate the second portion of the axle support and positioned outwardly from the second portion of the axle support relative to the first wheel;

a first compressible medium associated with the first receptacle;

a second compressible medium associated with the second receptacle;

a first compressor associated with the axle and configured to compress the first compressible medium upon movement of the axle, the first compressor including a portion that extends into the aperture of the first portion of the axle support;

a second compressor associated with the axle and configured to compress the second compressible medium upon movement of the axle, the second compressor including a portion that extends into the aperture of the second portion of the axle support;

a first spacer associated with the axle, separately positionable relative to the first compressor, and positioned between the first wheel and the first portion of the axle support, where the first spacer contacts the first wheel and includes a portion that extends along the axle and into the aperture;

a second spacer associated with the axle, separately positionable relative to the second compressor, and positioned between the first wheel and the second portion of the axle support, where the second spacer contacts the first wheel;

an attachment structure connected to the axle support and configured to attach the skate to a foot of a user; and

at least one other wheel associated with the attachment structure.

59. The skate of claim 58, wherein the portion of the first spacer extends through the aperture.

60. The skate of claim 58, wherein the first spacer contacts the first wheel.

61. The skate of claim 58, wherein the first wheel is adapted to be rotated independent of the first and the second spacers.

62. A skate comprising;

a first wheel having two sides;

an axle associated with the first wheel and extending from one side of the first wheel to the other, the axle having two ends, one end extending from one side of the first wheel and, the other end extending from the other side of the first wheel;

an axle support including a first portion extending along one side of the first wheel, and a second portion extending along the other side of the first wheel, each portion including an aperture configured to support an end of the axle, and where each aperture is configured to allow movement of the axle;

a first receptacle proximate the first portion of the axle support and positioned outwardly from the first portion of the axle support relative to the first wheel;

a second receptacle proximate the second portion of the axle support and positioned outwardly from the second portion of the axle support relative to the first wheel;

a first compressible medium associated with the first receptacle;

a second compressible medium associated with the second receptacle;

a first compressor associated with the axle and configured to compress the first compressible medium upon movement of the axle, the first compressor including a portion that extends into the aperture of the first portion of the axle support;

a second compressor associated with the axle and configured to compress the second compressible medium upon movement of the axle, the second compressor including a portion that extends into the aperture of the second portion of the axle support;

a first spacer associated with the axle and positioned between the first wheel and the first portion of the axle support, where the first spacer contacts the first wheel, where the first spacer includes a hole through which the axle extends, where at least a portion of the first spacer extends into the aperture, and where the first compressor includes a hole through which a portion of the first spacer extends;

a second spacer associated with the axle and positioned between the first wheel and the second portion of the axle support, where the second spacer contacts the first wheel;

an attachment structure connected to the axle support and configured to attach the skate to a foot of a user; and

at least one other wheel associated with the attachment structure.

63. A skate comprising:

a first wheel having two sides;

an axle associated with the first wheel and extending from one side of the first wheel to the other, the axle having two ends, one end extending from one side of the first wheel and the other end extending from the other side of the first wheel;

an axle support including a first portion extending along one side of the first wheel, and a second portion extending along the other side of the first wheel, each portion including an aperture configured to support an end of the axle, and where each aperture is configured to allow movement of the axle;

a first receptacle proximate the first portion of the axle support and positioned outwardly from the first portion of the axle support relative to the first wheel;

a second receptacle proximate the second portion of the axle support and positioned outwardly from the second portion of the axle support relative to the first wheel;

a first compressible medium associated with the first receptacle;

a second compressible medium associated with the second receptacle;

a first compressor associated with the axle and configured to compress the first compressible medium upon movement of the axle;

a second compressor associated with the axle and configured to compress the second compressible medium upon movement of the axle;

a first spacer associated with the axle, where the first spacer contacts the first compressor, extends through the aperture in the first portion of the axle support, and contacts the first wheel;

a second spacer associated with the axle, where the second spacer contacts the first compressor, extends through the aperture in the second portion of the axle support, and contacts the first wheel, where the first and second spacers include sleeves that fit over the axle and that pass through holes in the first and second compressor, respectively;

an attachment structure connected to the axle support and configured to attach the skate to a foot of a user; and

at least one other wheel associated with the attachment structure.

64. A skate comprising:

a first wheel having two sides;

an axle associated with the first wheel and extending from one side of the first wheel to the other, the axle having two ends, one end extending from one side of the first wheel and the other end extending from the other side of the first wheel;

an axle support including a first portion extending along one side of the first wheel, and a second portion extending along the other side of the first wheel, each portion including an aperture configured to support an end of the axle, and where each aperture is configured to allow movement of the axle;

a first receptacle proximate the first portion of the axle support and positioned outwardly from the first portion of the axle support relative to the first wheel;

a second receptacle proximate the second portion of the axle support and positioned outwardly from the second portion of the axle support relative to the first wheel;

a first compressible medium associated with the first receptacle;

a second compressible medium associated with the second receptacle;

a first compressor associated with the axle and configured to compress the first compressible medium upon movement of the axle;

a second compressor associated with the axle and configured to compress the second compressible medium upon movement of the axle;

a first spacer associated with the axle, separately formed from the first compressor, and positioned between the first wheel and the first portion of the axle support, where the first spacer includes a head that contacts the first wheel and further includes a neck that extends from the head and through the aperture in the first portion of the axle support and contacts the first compressor;

a second spacer associated with the axle, separately formed from the second compressor, and positioned between the first wheel and the second portion of the axle support, where the second spacer includes a bead that contacts the first wheel and further includes a neck that extends from the head and through the aperture in the second portion of the axle support and contacts the second compressor;

an attachment structure connected to the axle support and configured to attach the skate to a foot of a user; and

at least one other wheel associated with the attachment structure.

65. The skate of claim 64, wherein the first wheel is adapted to be rotated independent of the first and the second spacers.

66. The skate of claim 64, wherein the heads are respectively further adapted to contact and slide against the first and the second portions of the axle support.

67. A skate comprising:

a first wheel having two sides;

an axle associated with the first wheel and extending from one side of the first wheel to the other, the axle having two ends, one end extending from one side of the first wheel and the other end extending from the other side of the first wheel;

an axle support including a first portion extending along one side of the first wheel, and a second portion extending along the other side of the first wheel, each portion including an aperture configured to support an end of the axle, and where each aperture is configured to allow movement of the axle;

a first receptacle proximate the first portion of the axle support and positioned outwardly from the first portion of the axle support relative to the first wheel;

a second receptacle proximate the second portion of the axle support and positioned outwardly from the second portion of the axle support relative to the first wheel;

a first compressible medium associated with the first receptacle;

a second compressible medium associated with the second receptacle;

a first guide system associated with and separate from the axle, where at least a portion of the first guide system is configured to contact the axle, where at least a portion of the first guide system is configured to extend into the aperture of the first portion of the axle support, and where at least a portion of the first guide system includes a first spacer that is positioned on the axle, extends between the first wheel and the second portion of the axle support and is configured to contact the first wheel to hold the wheel at a substantially fixed position away from the first portion of the axle support;

a second guide system associated with and separate from the axle, where at least a portion of the second guide system is configured to contact the axle, where at least a portion of the second guide system is configured to extend into the aperture of the second portion of the axle support, and where the second guide system includes a second spacer that is positioned on the axle, extends between the first wheel and the second portion of the axle support and is configured to contact the first wheel to hold the wheel at a substantially fixed position away from the second portion of the axle support;

a first compressor associated with the axle and configured to compress the first compressible medium upon movement of the axle, wherein the first compressor includes a hole into which at least a part of the first spacer extends;

a second compressor associated with the axle and configured to compress the second compressible medium upon movement of the axle, wherein the second compressor includes a hole into which at least a part of the second spacer extends;

an attachment structure connected to the axle support and configured to attach the skate to a foot of a user; and

at least one other wheel associated with the attachment structure.

68. A skate comprising:

a first wheel having two sides;

an axle associated with the first wheel and extending from one side of the first wheel to the other, the axle having two ends, one end extending from one side of the first wheel and the other end extending from the other side of the first wheel;

an axle support including a first portion extending along one side of the first wheel, and a second portion extending along the other side of the first wheel, each portion including an aperture configured to support an end of the axle, and where each aperture is configured to allow movement of the axle;

a first receptacle proximate the first portion of the axle support and positioned outwardly from the first portion of the axle support relative to the first wheel;

a second receptacle proximate the second portion of the axle support and positioned outwardly from the second portion of the axle support relative to the first wheel;

a first compressible medium associated with the first receptacle;

a second compressible medium associated with the second receptacle;

a first compressor associated with the axle and configured to compress the first compressible medium upon movement of the axle;

a second compressor associated with the axle and configured to compress the second compressible medium upon movement of the axle;

a first guide system associated with and separate from the axle, where at least a portion of the first guide system is configured to contact the axle, where at least a portion of the first guide system is configured to extend into the aperture of the first portion of the axle support, where the first guide system forms a pocket that sandwiches the first portion of the axle support, has a sliding fit with the first portion of the axle support, and includes at least a portion of the first compressor, and where at least a portion of the first guide system is configured to contact the first wheel to hold the wheel at a substantially fixed position away from the first portion of the axle support;

a second guide system associated with and separate from the axle, where at least a portion of the second guide system is configured to contact the axle, where at least a portion of the second guide system is configured to extend into the aperture of the second portion of the axle support, where the second guide system forms a pocket that sandwiches the second portion of the axle support, has a sliding fit with the second portion of the axle support, and includes at least a portion of the second compressor, and where at least a portion of the second guide system is configured to contact the first wheel to hold the wheel at a substantially fixed position away from the second portion of the axle support;

an attachment structure connected to the axle support and configured to attach the skate to a foot of a user; and

at least one other wheel associated with the attachment structure.