Gliding device

• US 6,860,492 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2002
• Issued: 03/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Benetton Group SPA (Benetton Family)
• Original Assignee: Benetton Group SPA (Benetton Family)
• Inventors: Poloni, Mario, Balconi, Claudio
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SWENSON, BRIAN L
• Application Number:
  US10/333,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20030151213A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 280/11.19, 280/11.221, 280/11.223, 280/11.225, 280/11.3, 280/11.27, 361/15, 361/16
• US Class Current: 280/11.221
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/1691 characterised by the higher part of the upper, e.g. surrounding the ankle, by the quarter or cuff
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/20 Ankle-joint supports or holders

Abstract

An in-line skate having a sports shoe connected to a frame supporting a plurality of in-line wheels. The sports shoe has a sole, and an upper made of soft material, and rigid protection strips. The protections strips are arranged above the lateral edge of the sole: at the lateral metatarsus region of the foot of the user; at the lateral heel region of the user'"'"'s foot; and at the anklebone region of the user'"'"'s foot.

Claims

1. A gliding device comprising:

a gliding member;

a sports shoe associated to said gliding member, said sports shoe comprising at least a sole and an upper, which extends upwardly of said sole, said upper comprising at least a soft portion made of soft material;

protection means for protecting the foot and the lower portion of the user'"'"'s leg against impacts and other accidental events;

wherein said protection means comprises one or more protection elements, which are made of rigid material and which are rigidly associated at least to the soft portion of said upper;

said protection elements comprising one or more shaped protection strips, said one or more of said protection strips being arranged;

above the lateral edge of said sole, approximately at the lateral metatarsus region of the foot of the user;

above the lateral edge of said sole, approximately at the lateral heel region of the user'"'"'s foot; and

above the lateral edge of said sole, approximately at the anklebone region of the user'"'"'s foot.

2. The gliding device according to claim 1, wherein said protection elements are arranged so as to protrude eternally from the soft portion of said upper.

3. The gliding device according to claim 2, wherein the soft portion of said upper comprises a first flap and/or a second flap, which cover at least partially the internal side and/or the external side of the user'"'"'s foot, respectively, said protection elements protruding externally at least from said first flap and/or said second flap.

4. The gliding device according to claim 1, wherein said protection strips are provided with a predefined thickness so as to constitute, in co-operation with said sole, a protection layer, which protects externally said upper, at least partially.

5. The gliding device according to claim 1, wherein one or more of said protection strips are counter-shaped at the bottom, so as to co-operate with the lateral edge of said sole and form an easement with the lateral edge of said sole.

6. The gliding device according to claim 1, wherein said protection elements are made of abrasion-resistant materials.

7. The gliding device according to 1, further comprising a shell and cuff made of a material selected from rigid material and semi-rigid material, said shell and cuff being arranged internally of said soft upper such that said soft upper covers said shell and cuff.