Foam core in-line skate frame

• US 7,214,337 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2003
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: K2 Corporation (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: K2 Corporation (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Grande, Dodd H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Staicovici; Stefan
• Application Number:
  US10/664,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20040113314A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,327 Days
• Field of Search: 264/258, 264/313, 264/314, 264510-511, 264/324, 264101-102, 264/263, 264/266, 264/257
• US Class Current: 264/257
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/068 Production or mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/42 Details of chassis of ice or roller skates, of decks of skateboards

Abstract

A method of constructing a skate frame for an in-line skate is provided. The method includes forming a first skin on a mold and positioning core material on the first skin so that the core material does not contact the portions of the frame that receive load from the shoe portion. The method further includes forming a second skin over the first skin such that the core material is positioned and sealed between the first and second skins. The method further includes curing the frame.

Claims

1. A method of constructing a skate frame for an in-line skate having a shoe load introduction portion and a plurality of longitudinally aligned wheels capable of traversing a surface, the method comprising:

(a) forming a first skin on a mold;

(b) positioning core material on the first skin so that the core material is absent from the shoe load introduction portion;

(c) forming a second skin over the first skin such that the core material is positioned and sealed between the first and second skins; and

(d) curing the frame.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the core material is an unreinforced material having an average density that is less than the density of the first and second skins by a predetermined amount.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprises disposing a plug of filler material between the first and second skins before curing to absorb at least a portion of loads associated with the wheels.

4. A method of constructing a skate frame for an in-line skate having a shoe load introduction portion and a plurality of longitudinally aligned wheels capable of traversing a surface, the method comprising:

(a) forming a first skin on a mold;

(b) positioning core material on the first skin so that the core material is absent from the shoe load introduction portion;

(c) layering a decorative sheet over the core material to seal the core material between the first skin and the decorative sheet; and

(d) curing the frame.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of forming a second skin over the core material before layering the decorative sheet, such that the second skin is positioned between the core material and the decorative sheet.