Recreational and sporting device for movement over ground

• US 7,661,682 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2006
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wheelskates Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wheelskates Inc.
• Inventors: Jenkins, Michael Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley
• Assistant Examiner(s): Evans; Bryan A
• Application Number:
  US11/436,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20060273531A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,369 Days
• Field of Search: 280/DIG.13, 280/602, 280/11.14, 280/607, 280/11.212
• US Class Current: 280/11.212
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/006 with wheels of different size or type
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/08 single-wheel type with single axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/1427 the brake contacting other wheel associated surfaces, e.g. hubs, brake discs or wheel flanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/16 for use on specially shaped or arranged runways
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2017/1472 Hand operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 280/13 Ski binding controlled by skier position or by remote control

Abstract

The present invention relates to a recreational and sporting device (10) comprising a foot support (12) that is mounted on a first wheel (26) such that the foot support is located below the axis of rotation of a first wheel (26). The foot cradle (12) is hingedly attached to a leg support (18) which is adapted to be attached to a user'"'"'s leg. The device (10) may further include a second wheel (56) used for stabilization and to assist in steering. The device (10) provides a recreational and sporting apparatus that is more manoeuvrable and can be used on uneven terrain where conventional skates, such as in-line skates, cannot be used.

Claims

1. A recreational and sporting device including:

a first wheel having an axle;

a foot cradle rotatably attached to the axle of the first wheel, wherein the foot cradle is located below the axis of rotation of the first wheel;

a leg support plate hinge mounted to the foot cradle, wherein the leg support plate is an elongated plate that continuously extends through the length of the lower leg of the user, wherein a biased member provides support to the user'"'"'s lower leg; and

a biased member extending between the upper end of the leg support plate and the axle of the wheel, the biased member comprising an outer member and an inner member, wherein the inner member slides inside the outer member;

wherein the outer member is rotatably attached to the pivot point where the upper end of the foot cradle and the first wheel axle meet and wherein the inner member is attached to the upper end of the leg support plate or;

wherein the outer member is attached to the upper end of the leg support plate and wherein inner member is rotatably attached to the pivot point where the upper end of the foot cradle and the first wheel axle meet.

2. A recreational and sporting device comprising:

a first wheel having an axle;

a foot cradle rotatably attached to the axle of the first wheel, wherein the foot cradle comprises an outer side, an inner side, an upper end, a bottom end, a front end, and a rear end;

wherein the foot cradle is located below the axis of rotation of the first wheel, wherein the foot cradle and the axle meet at a pivot point;

a leg support plate hinge-mounted to the foot cradle, wherein the leg support plate is an elongated plate that continuously extends through the length of the lower leg of the user, wherein the leg support plate includes an upper end and a bottom end, wherein the bottom end is hinged to the upper end of the foot cradle and the upper end is placed near the knee of the user; and

a biased member extending between the upper end of the leg support plate and the axle of the first wheel, wherein the biased member comprises an outer member and an inner member, wherein the inner member slides inside the outer member;

wherein the outer member is rotatably attached to the pivot point where the upper end of the foot cradle and the first wheel axle meet and wherein the inner member is pivotably attach to the upper end of the leg plate or;

wherein the outer member is attached to the upper end of the leg support plate and wherein inner member is rotatably attached to the pivot point where the upper end of the foot cradle and the first wheel axle meet.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the biased member includes a biased spring.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the device further includes a second wheel mounted to the rear end of the foot cradle.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the second wheel is configured to pivot around a vertical axis in relation to the axle of the first wheel.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the second wheel is of a smaller diameter than the first wheel.

7. The device according to claim 4, wherein the second wheel is rigidly attached to the foot cradle.

8. The device according to claim 2, further including a braking mechanism.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the braking mechanism is actuated by the user'"'"'s hands by means of a lever.

10. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first wheel comprises a hub, rim and tire.

11. The device according to claim 2, wherein an inner portion of the first wheel is curved outwardly between the hub and the rim.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein the tire is a pneumatic tire.

13. The device according to claim 8, wherein the braking mechanism is attached to the first wheel and located adjacent to the hub.

14. The device according to claim 2, wherein an outer edge of the foot cradle lies within a vertical footprint of the first wheel.

15. The device according to claim 8, wherein the braking mechanism includes a first and second arm, which are biased and configured to engage a ring-shaped braking surface.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the first and second arm pincerably engage the ring-shaped braking surface upon actuation of the braking mechanism by the user.

17. The device according to claim 2, wherein the foot cradle and leg support are constructed from a composite material chosen from fiber glass composite or carbon fiber composite.

18. The device according to claim 2, wherein the foot cradle and leg support are constructed from metal.

19. The device according to claim 2, wherein the foot cradle and leg support are constructed from plastic.

21. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first wheel further comprises concave-shaped inner surfaces and wherein a portion of the outer side of the foot cradle lies in the concave-shaped inner surfaces of the first wheel.

20. A recreational and sporting device comprising:

a wheel having an axle;

a foot cradle rotatably attached to the axle of the wheel, wherein the foot cradle comprises an upper end and a bottom end, wherein the foot cradle is located below the axis of rotation of the wheel;

a leg support plate hinge-mounted to the foot cradle, wherein the leg support plate is an elongated plate that continuously extends through the length of the lower leg of the user, wherein the leg support plate includes an upper end and a bottom end, wherein the bottom end is hinged to the upper end of the foot cradle and the upper end is placed near the knee of the user;

a biased member extending between the upper end of the leg support plate and the axle of the wheel, the biased member comprising an outer member and an inner member, wherein the inner member slides inside the outer member;

wherein the outer member is rotatably attached to the pivot point where the upper end of the foot cradle and the first wheel axle meet and wherein the inner member is attached to the upper end of the leg support plate or;

wherein the outer member is attached to the upper end of the leg support plate and wherein inner member is rotatably attached to the pivot point where the upper end of the foot cradle and the first wheel axle meet.