High performance skate
First Claim
Patent Images
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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
68 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
-
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61)
-
-
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. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66)
-
-
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.
-
Specification