Wheeled skate device

• US 6,874,795 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2002
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chien-Min Sung
• Original Assignee: Chien-Min Sung
• Inventors: Sung, Chien-Min
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RESTIFO, JEFFREY J
• Application Number:
  US10/216,108
• Publication Number:
  US 20030020244A1
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 280/11.19, 280/11.204, 280/11.222, 280/11.225, 280/11.26, 280/11.27, 280/11.28, 280/11.31, 280/11.14, 280/11.226, 280/11.203, 280/11.211, 280/11.206, 280/11.223
• US Class Current: 280/11.223
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/04 with wheels arranged otherwise than in two pairs A63C17/01 takes precedence

Abstract

A wheeled skate device has a pair of large primary wheels coupled to a platform. The primary wheels rotate about primary axes of rotation in both forward and rearward directions. A binding can be disposed on the platform to secure the user'"'"'s feet. The primary axes are located at a height above the platform or binding. The skate device can have a universal wheel coupled to the platform which rotates about a secondary axis of rotation. The universal wheel also pivots about a vertical pivot axis such that the universal wheel turns with the platform without sliding on the support surface. The wheels cooperatively operate in a travel mode and spinning mode.

Claims

1. A wheeled skate device comprising:

a) a frame configured to be movably disposed over a support surface, and having a platform with an upper surface configured to receive a foot of a user thereon;

b) a pair of primary wheels, rotatably coupled to the frame, configured to roll on the support surface;

c) the pair of primary wheels having a primary axis of rotation located at a height above the upper surface of the platform;

d) an auxiliary wheel, rotatably coupled to the frame, configured to roll on the support surface;

e) a pair of lateral attachment supports, coupled to opposite lateral sides of the frame, the pair of lateral attachment supports being separate and independent with respect to one another, the pair of primary wheels being rotatably attached to the pair of lateral attachment supports; and

f) compressible members, each disposed between the pair of lateral attachment supports and the frame, to allow the pair of lateral attachment supports, and thus the pair of primary wheels, to pivot independently with respect to each other and the frame.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

at least one binding, coupled to the frame or the platform, sized and shaped to extend over the foot of the user to secure the foot of the user to the platform.

3. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the primary axis of rotation of the pair of primary wheels is located at a height above the binding, and thus above the foot of the user.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the platform is tiltable with respect to the frame, and wherein an angular orientation of the platform is adjustable.

5. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a cushion, disposed between the frame and the platform.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the cushion includes a wedged shaped cushion with a thinner end and an opposite thicker end.

7. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

at least one front or rear stop, secured to a front or a rear of the platform.

8. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

at least one adjustable front or rear stop, secured to a front or a rear of the platform; and

the at least one adjustable front or rear stop being adjustably secured to the platform, and selectively movable in a longitudinal direction.

9. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

at least one adjustable left or right side stop, secured to a side of the platform; and

the at least one adjustable left or right side stop being adjustably secured to the platform, and selectively movable in a lateral direction.

10. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

at least one axle, rotatably coupling the pair of primary wheels to the frame;

a compressible material, disposed between the axle and the frame.

11. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pair of primary wheels are adjustably coupled to the frame and are vertically adjustable with respect to the frame.

12. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a slot, formed in each of the lateral attachment supports;

a block, movably disposed in each slot, each of the primary wheels being rotatably attached to the block.

13. A device in accordance with claim 12, further comprising:

at least one compressible member, disposed in the slot adjacent the block.

14. A device in accordance with claim 12, further comprising:

an adjustable member, selectively positioning the block.

15. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a) a brake wheel, rotationally coupled to the frame, configured to be selectively engagable with the support surface; and

b) a friction member, coupled to the frame and adjustably engagable with the break wheel, to adjustably resist rotation of the break wheel.

16. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a universal wheel, rotatably coupled to the frame, rotating about a secondary axis of rotation which is oriented generally horizontally, the universal wheel further pivoting about a generally vertical pivot axis.

17. A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein:

a) the primary and auxiliary wheels are configured for cooperatively operating in at least two modes to make rolling contact with the support surface without sliding, the two modes including (i) a travel mode in which the primary and auxiliary wheels each rotate in a common direction, and (ii) a spinning mode in which the primary and auxiliary wheels rotate in opposite directions relative to one another; and

b) the primary, auxiliary and universal wheels cooperatively operate in the travel and spinning modes, such that the primary, auxiliary and universal wheels each rotate in a common direction in the travel mode, and such that the secondary axis of rotation of the secondary wheel is oriented traverse to the primary axis of rotation of the primary wheel in the spinning mode.

18. A device in accordance with claim 16, wherein:

a) the primary and auxiliary wheels have a common primary axis of rotation;

b) the platform vertically pivots about the primary axis of rotation between;

1) a first orientation in which the universal wheel is in a non-contacting relationship with the support surface, and such that the skate device has two points of contact with the support surface defined by the primary and auxiliary wheels, and

2) a second orientation in which the universal wheel contacts the support surface, and such that the skate device has three points of contact with the support surface defined by the primary, auxiliary and universal wheels.

19. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the platform is sized to receive both feet of the user.

20. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the primary wheel is disposed at a front or a rear of the frame, and the auxiliary wheels is disposed at a front or a rear of the frame opposite the primary wheel.

21. A device in accordance with claim 20, wherein the auxiliary wheel has an axis of rotation located at a height above the upper surface of the platform.

22. A device in accordance with claim 20, wherein the auxiliary wheel is a universal wheel rotatable about a secondary axis of rotation which is oriented generally horizontally.

23. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a) an electrical generator, operatively engaging at least one of the primary wheels, capable of generating electricity when the at least one primary wheel turns; and

b) a light, electrically coupled to the electrical generator.

24. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the primary wheels are removably coupled to the frame by a hand actuated fastener.

25. A wheeled skate device comprising:

a) a frame configured to be movably disposed over a support surface, and having a platform with an upper surface configured to receive a foot of a user thereon;

b) a pair of primary wheels, rotatably coupled to the frame, configured to roll on the support surface;

c) the pair of primary wheels having a primary axis of rotation located at a height above the upper surface of the platform;

d) an auxiliary wheel, rotatably coupled to the frame, configured to roll on the support surface;

e) a pair of lateral attachment supports, coupled to opposite lateral sides of the frame, the pair of lateral attachment supports being separate and independent with respect to one another, the pair of primary wheels being rotatably attached to the pair of lateral attachment supports; and

f) compressible members, each disposed between the pair of lateral attachment supports and the frame, to allow the pair of lateral attachment supports, and thus the pair of primary wheels, to pivot independently with respect to the frame.