Inline skates having shock absorbers

• US 7,429,052 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2004
• Issued: 09/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chang-Ho Hwangbo
• Original Assignee: Chang-Ho Hwangbo
• Inventors: Jeon, Pil Dong
• Primary Examiner(s): Restifo; Jeffrey J
• Application Number:
  US11/024,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20060138735A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,372 Days
• Field of Search: 280/7.13, 280/11.225, 280/11.223, 280/11.28, 280/11.27
• US Class Current: 280/11.223
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/1641 characterised by the sole skates with special foot-plates for the boot A63C1/22; characterised by the attachment of the skate A43B5/1633 takes precedence; skates rigidly mounted to the sole of the boot A63C1/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/0046 with shock absorption or suspension system
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/068 Production or mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/20 with fixable wheels permitting the skates to be used for walking
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/226 Wheel mounting, i.e. arrangement connecting wheel and axle mount
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2017/0053 with foot plate quick release or shoe binding
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/42 Details of chassis of ice or roller skates, of decks of skateboards

Abstract

An inline skate mounting a pair of air tubes is invented for absorbing shock transmitted to its wheels so as to allow the use of rigid wheels, and to protect the rider'"'"'s knees and ankles from shock. The inline skate comprises a frame having insertion compartments for mounting the shock absorbers, guide recesses, brackets for defining desired spaces, and a wheel holder having supporting plates. The wheels are coupled to and supported by the sides of the supporting plate and inserted into the guide recesses so that the wheel holder moves upward and downward when an external force is applied so as to transmit the external force to the shock absorbers. The shock absorbers are inserted into the insertion compartments and filled with air to absorb the external force when the wheel holder moves vertically. Since the wheel holder moves vertically as the skate traverses an uneven surface, the inline skater can balance stably and safely.

Claims

1. An inline skate comprising:

a wheel bracket installed to the lower side of an outsole of an ordinary shoe,

a plurality of wheels coupled and supported to the inner lower sides of the wheel bracket by shafts,

a rotating support coupled to the rear upper side of the wheel bracket by a shaft, and coupled to a connecting protrusion extending from the outsole of the ordinary shoe so as to prevent the wheel bracket from being separated from the outsole,

a frame constituting the wheel bracket, and having insertion compartments formed at the inner upper sides for mounting a pair of shock absorbers, a plurality of guide recesses in the direction perpendicular to the insertion compartments, and having brackets, protruding between the guide recesses, for defining desired spaces,

a wheel holder having supporting plates in which the wheels are coupled to and supported by the sides of the supporting plate, and inserted into the guide recesses so that the wheel holder is moved vertically by applying an external force, and

shock absorbers inserted into the insertion compartments and filled with air so as to dissipate absorb the external force when the wheel holder moves vertically.

2. The inline skate as set forth in claim 1, wherein each guide recess has a connecting protrusion extending from the inner upper side of the guide recess to a certain height, and a longitudinal guide slot formed at the lower side of the guide recess.

3. The inline skate as set forth in claim 2, wherein each supporting plate has a guide slot formed in the upper side of the supporting plate, into which the connecting protrusion is inserted and guided vertically, and a connecting protrusion formed at the outer lower side of the supporting plate that is inserted into the guide slot of the guide recess.

4. The inline skate as set forth in claim 1, wherein said shock absorbers further comprising:

a housing made of soft synthetic resin,

predetermined spaces formed at the sides of the housing,

air tubes installed in the predetermined spaces,

a cover sheet wrapped around the housing, and

a connecting part made of the same material as the housing, disposed at the midsection of the housing, and integrated with the housing.