Skate light assembly

• US 6,773,131 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2002
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brian J. Salatino
• Original Assignee: Brian J. Salatino
• Inventors: Salatino, Brian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton, Anabel
• Application Number:
  US10/312,633
• Publication Number:
  US 20040125595A1
• Time in Patent Office: 619 Days
• Field of Search: 280/11.19, 280/11.203, 361/36, 180/180, 362/103
• US Class Current: 362/103
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/06 single-track type
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/26 with special auxiliary arrangements, e.g. illuminating, marking, or push-off devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/14 Lighting means

Abstract

A roller skate (10) has a light (22) housed in a forward tip recess of a slab (13) of synthetic material interposed between a boot (11) and the roller truck (12). A lighted toggling push-button switch (10) that espouses the back contour of the heel, can be activated by taping the back of the heel against the floor or any other stationary structure. The light comprises a battery compartment occupying the deepest area of the recess. A lens contoured to blend with the outline of the sole tip can be releasably snapped against the frontal opening of the battery compartment. A bulb-mounting assembly is held sandwiched between the lens and the battery compartment. The lights in the contoured tip lens and heel switch can be seen from either side of the skate.

Claims

1. The combination of a skate with a light assembly wherein:

said skate comprises a low friction, ground-contacting structure for supporting contact with a ground surface, and an upper platform;

a boot mounted upon said platform, said boot comprising a sole having an outline defining a rounded frontal tip and a rounded heel;

said light assembly comprises a slab of synthetic material having substantially flat and parallel top and bottom surfaces and a peripheral outline substantially symmetrical with the outline of said sole, said slab having a frontal first cavity and a posterior second cavity;

a flashlight housed in said first cavity and having a first lens having an arcuate shape, and closing said first cavity and positioned under said rounded frontal tip;

a switch assembly housed into said second cavity and having an actuator member closing said second cavity, and positioned under said rounded heel;

a pair of conductors connecting the switch assembly to the flashlight; and

said light assembly being secured between said platform and said boot.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said actuator member comprises a lighted switch assembly.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein said lihted switch assembly comprises a bulb and a second lens covering said bulb.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said second lens has an arcuate shape substantially congruent with said rounded heel.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said ground-contacting structure comprises a set of rollers.

6. A skate which comprises a low friction, ground-contacting structure for supporting contact with a ground surface, said structure having an upper platform;

a boot comprising a sole having an outline defining a rounded frontal tip and a rounded heel;

a light assembly including a slab of synthetic material having substantially flat and parallel top and bottom surfaces and a peripheral outline substantially symmetrical with the outline of said sole, said slab having a frontal first cavity and a posterior second cavity;

a flashlight housed in said first cavity and having a first lens having an arcuate shape, and closing said first cavity and positioned under said rounded frontal tip;

a switch assembly housed into said second cavity and having an actuator member closing said second cavity, and positioned under said rounded heel;

a pair of conductors connecting the switch assembly to the flashlight; and

said light assembly being secured between said platform and said boot.

7. The skate of claim 6, wherein said actuator member comprises a lighted switch assembly.

8. The skate of claim 7, wherein said lighted switch assembly comprises a bulb and a second lens covering said bulb.

9. The skate of claim 8, wherein said second lens has an arcuate shape substantially congruent with said rounded heel.

10. The skate of claim 6, wherein said ground-contacting structure comprises a set of rollers.