Roller Skate

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the field of amusement devices and more particularly to novel roller skates.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Roller skating has long been a favorite form of amusement and recreation for children and teenagers. As a result, a wide assortment of roller skates have been devised. These roller skates have been equipped with different types of wheels, depending upon the type of surface on which the skates are to be used. For example, conventional children's skates intended for outdoor use are commonly provided with metal wheels, while skates intended for indoor use are provided with rubber or non-metallic wheels.

The existing roller skates have not been designed with the aim of permitting the individual user to install different types of wheels on his skates. As a consequence, there has been no attempt to construct the wheel mounting means of roller skates in such a way as to permit easy removal and replacement of the wheels or to provide replacement wheel sets for roller skates. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,609,612 and 2,664,692 illustrate two types of existing roller skate wheel mounts. The difficulty of removing and replacing conventional roller skate wheels also deters users from repairing or replacing worn or damaged wheels with the result that roller skates are often prematurely discarded because of a worn or damaged wheel.

Some roller skates, generally the less costly skates, such as children's outdoor skates, are arranged to be worn over street shoes, while the more costly skates, such as indoor skates, are provided with boots for receiving the user's feet. These latter skates are not adjustable to accommodate a wide range of foot sizes. On the other hand, roller skates which are worn over street shoes, while generally adjustable to accommodate a relatively wide range of shoe sizes, often come loose from the shoes and thus present a serious safety hazard. Moreover, skates of this latter kind also tend to mar or indent the wearer's shoes.

The present invention provides a roller skate construction characterized by wheels which may be quickly and easily removed and replaced by the user without the use of tools and by an improved means for adjusting the skate to fit a wide range of street shoe sizes. Quick and easy wheel removal and replacement is accomplished by providing the skate with a channel shaped frame having depending side flanges between which are located the skate wheels. Each wheel is rotatably mounted on an axle whose ends engage in slots in the inner surfaces of the frame flanges. These slots contain springs which bias the wheel axles to the lower ends of the slots to provide a spring suspension of the frame on the wheels. In one disclosed embodiment, the slots have upright portions containing the compression springs and lateral portions at the lower ends of the upright portions. Normally, the ends of each wheel axle are retained in the lower ends of the upright slot portions by retainer springs which are located in the lower lateral slot portions and bear against the undersides of the axle ends. In this normal wheel position, the skate frame is supported on the roller wheel axles through the compression springs. These springs serve to cushion the shocks occasioned by movement of the wheels across cracks, bumps, and the like. According to a feature of the invention, the upright slot portions and their contained compression springs incline forwardly in the direction of their lower ends in order to improve the cushioning action of the springs.

Each wheel is quickly and easily removable from the frame by first moving the wheel axle downwardly in its upright frame slot portions, against the upward thrust of its retainer springs, to positions wherein the axle ends are located in their lower lateral slot portions. The axle is then rotated or twisted about a central vertical transverse axis of the axle to move the axle ends along the lateral slot portions until they clear the frame flanges sufficiently for removal of the axle and its wheel from the frame. In another disclosed embodiment, the lower ends of the frame slots are closed by members which are movable to uncover the slot ends in order to remove and insert the wheel axles through the lower slot ends. Such wheel removal and replacement may be for the purpose of replacing one type of wheel by another, such as a metal outdoor wheel by a rubber indoor wheel, or for the purpose of repairing or replacing a damaged or worn wheel.

Another aspect of the invention is concerned with the upper foot receiving means of the skate which are uniquely constructed and arranged to permit the skate to be worn with or without shoes as well as adjusted to to accommodate different shoe and foot sizes. According to this feature skate is provided with heel and toe sections which are slidably secured to the upper wall of the skate frame for individual adjustment of either or both sections to accommodate a wide range of shoe and foot sizes. The heel section includes a relatively high and stiff heel and ankle support and the toe section a relatively rigid toe receiving portion which are designed to permit the skate to be safely worn with or without shoes and with virtually no danger of an ankle sprain or the skate coming loose from the wearer's foot or shoe. According to the preferred practice of the invention, the ankle support and toe receiving portion of the skate are injection molded from plastic.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a roller skate according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged bottom view of the skate with parts in section;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section taken on line 4--4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a modified skate;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the modified skate illustrating the manner of wheel removal and insertion;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the further modified skate similar to that of FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a section taken on line 8--8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a section taken on line 9--9 in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a section similar to FIG. 9 illustrating the manner of wheel removal.

The roller skate 10 of the invention selected for illustration in FIGS. 1-4 has a generally channel shaped frame 12 which may be molded from plastic, or otherwise fabricated from any suitable material. Frame 12 has an upper normally generally horizontal wall 14 and depending flanges 16 along the longitudinal edges of the wall. Between the flanges 16 are a number of wheels 18 rotatably supported on axles 20 having reduced ends 22.

The ends 22 of each wheel axle 20 engage in slots 24 in the inner surfaces of the frame flanges 16. Each slot 24 has an upper, generally upright portion 26 extending transverse to the upper frame wall 14 and the lower edges of the frame flanges 16 and a lateral portion 28 at the lower end of the upright portion, parallel to the frame wall and lower flange edges. Preferably, the upright slot portions 26 incline forwardly in the direction of their lower ends for reasons to be explained presently. The upright slot portions 26 are sized to receive the axle ends 22 with a relatively close sliding fit, such that the axles may move up and down freely in the latter slot portions.

Contained within the upper slot portions 26 are compression coil springs 30. These springs seat at their upper ends against threaded plugs 31 which are removable to insert and remove the springs and at their lower ends against washers 31a which bear against the axle ends 22. As shown best in FIG. 2, the upright slot portions 26 are cylindrically enlarged to contain or captivate the springs 30 and have reduced open sides which open through the inner frame flange surfaces to slidably receive the axle ends 22.

Within each lateral slot portion 28, below the corresponding upright slot portion 26, is a retainer spring 32. This retainer spring has an upwardly convex arcuate portion 34 which seats at its ends downwardly against the lower wall 36 of the respective lateral slot portion 28 and at its center upwardly against the adjacent axle end 22. Extending laterally from the arcuate spring portion 34 through an opening 38 in the frame flange 16 is an arm 40 terminating in an upwardly directed flange 42 which engages a shoulder 44 on the frame flange to secure the retainer spring 32 in position.

The retainer springs 32 are stronger than the compression springs 30 and normally retain the wheel axle ends 22 within the lower ends of the upright slot portions 26, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In these positions, the axles 20 are free to move up and down in the slot portions 26, against and with the bias of the springs 30 but are restrained against lateral movement in the fore and aft direction of the skate frame 12. When the wheels 18 rest on the ground, the frame is supported on the wheels through the springs 30 which thus provide a spring suspension for the frame.

Each wheel 18 and its axle 20 is removable from the frame 12 by moving the axle downwardly in its upright slot portions 26, against the upward bias of its retainer springs 32, to a position wherein the axle ends 22 are located within their lateral slot portions 28. The wheel and axle are then twisted or rotated about a vertical transverse axis, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2, to move the axle ends along the lateral slot portions until the ends clear the frame flanges for removal of the wheel and axle through the lower open side of the frame 12. In connection with this twisting of the wheel and axle, it will be observed that the lateral slot portions 28 for each axle 20 extend in opposite lateral directions from their upright slot portions 26, such that the axle can be twisted and disengaged as described. The spacing between the frame flanges 16 is such that it is necessary to recess the inner flange surfaces at 46 to provide clearance for each wheel 18, whereby the latter may rotate through a sufficient angle to disengage its axle from the frame flanges. Reassembly of the wheels and axles on the frame is accomplished by reversing the wheel removal procedure explained above.

Atop the upper frame wall 14 are means 48 for securing the skate to the wearer's foot or shoe. In this regard, it will be recalled from the earlier discussion that the present skate is designed to be worn safely with or without shoes. Means 48 include heel and toe sections 50, 52 slidably supported on a track 54 secured to the upper frame wall 14 and having depending ribs 56 which slide within grooves or channels 58 in the track 54. From this description, it will be understood that the heel and toe sections 50, 52 are independently adjustable in the fore and aft direction of the skate frame 12 to vary the spacing between the sections and thereby accommodate the skate to a range of foot and shoe sizes. The sections are secured in adjusted positions by fasteners 60 which extend through the slots in the track 54.

The heel section 50 comprises a relatively high and stiff though somewhat flexible ankle support or brace 62 which surrounds the rear and sides of the wearer's foot from its sole to a point some distance above the ankle. The lower end of this brace is joined to a heel plate 63 having the ribs 56 at its under side. Along one front edge of the ankle support are straps 64 (only portions of which are shown) having free ends (not shown) adapted to be fastened by buckles or the like (not shown) to the opposite side of the ankle support for firmly securing the support to and drawing the support tightly about the wearer's ankle. Laces may be used in place of straps, of course. The toe section 52 comprises a toe receiving portion including a pair of relative stiff though somewhat flexible side wings 66 joined along their lower edges to a sole plate 68 having the ribs 56 at its under side. The upper edges of the wings 66 are joined by laces 70 which may be drawn tight and tied to one another to draw the toe portion 52 firmly about the wearer's foot. Laces 70 could be replaced by straps, of course. According to the preferred practice of the invention, the ankle support 50 and toe portion 52 are injection molded from a suitable plastic.

In use, the wearer's foot or shoe is secured in the ankle support and toe portion 50, 52 after the latter are properly adjusted to the correct foot or shoe size. It will be understood, of course, that one skate is placed on each foot. The ankle support and toe receiving portion are made sufficiently stiff to reinforce the wearer's foot and particularly his ankle against sprain or other injury and are shaped for wearing comfort even when shoes are not worn. During rolling movement of the wheels 18 along the ground, the wheel axle springs 30 yield to cushion shocks occasioned by cracks, bumps and the like. In this regard, it is significant to note that the forward slope of the axle slots 26 and springs 30 enhance the cushioning action of the springs. The illustrated wheel arrangement of three wheels in tandem also provides for smoother movement of the skate along the normal skating surfaces.

When desired, the skate wheels 18 may be quickly and easily removed and replaced in the manner explained earlier. This wheel removal and replacement may be for the purpose of repairing or replacing a worn or damaged wheel or replacing one type of wheel by another, such as metal outdoor wheels for rubber indoor wheels, or vice versa.

The modified roller skate 10a of FIGS. 5 and 6 is generally similar to that of FIGS. 1-4 and has a channel-shaped frame 12a with an upper wall 14a and depending flanges 16a. Atop the frame wall 14a are means 48a for receiving the wearer's foot. Between the flanges 16a are wheels 18a having axles 20a. The ends 22a of each wheel axle 20a slide in inclined slots 24a in the frame flanges 16a. Slots 24a open upwardly to generally cylindrical cavities or bores 25a above the upper ends of the slots. All of the slots 24a open downwardly through the lower edges of the frame flanges 16a. Contained within the communicating slots 24a and bores 25a are compression springs 30a which seat at their upper ends against the upper end walls of the bores and at their lower ends against the adjacent axle ends 22a.

The lower ends of the slots 24a are closed by retainer members 32a which are removably secured to the bottom edges of the frame flanges 16a. In this case, the retainer members 32a are strips or bars secured to the flanges by releasable fasteners 34a. The right hand fasteners in FIGS. 5 and 6 are shoulder screws which pivotally attach the bars to the frame flanges. The left hand fasteners are quick release fasteners, such as bayonet fasteners which are rotatable 90.degree. to lock and release.

Normally the retainer members or bars 32a overlie the lower ends of the slots 24a to retain the wheel axles 20a and springs 30a in position in the flanges. The wheels are removable from and replaceable in the frame, for the reasons stated earlier, by releasing the left hand retainer fasteners 34a and swinging the retainer bars 32a clear of the frame flanges 16a, as shown in FIG. 6.

The modified skate 10b of FIGS. 7-10 is similar to that of FIGS. 5 and 6 and includes wheels 18b with axles 20b having tapered ends 22b fitting within inclined slots 24b in the skate frame flanges 16b. Slots 24b contain springs 30b for urging the axle ends downwardly in their slots. The lower open ends of these slots are closed by retainer members or bars 32b. Retainer bars 32b are secured to the frame flanges 16b by retainer fasteners 34b.

The upper retainer bar 32b in FIG. 7 is pivotally attached to its frame flange 16b in the same manner as the retainer bars 32a in FIGS. 5 and 6, such that the bar 32b is swingable to its broken line position of FIG. 7 to uncover the lower ends of its frame slots 24b. The lower retainer bar 32b in FIG. 7 is attached to its frame flange 16b by fasteners 34b comprising screws with retaining collars or shoulders 35b. These collars secure the screws against axial movement relative to the retainer bars and against axial removal from the frame flange. Normally, the lower bar is firmly secured against the lower edge of its flange by the screws to retain the adjacent ends 22b of the wheel axles 20b in their frame flange slots 24b, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Removal of the wheels 18b is accomplished by releasing and swinging the upper retainer bar 32b in FIG. 7 to its broken line position and unthreading the lower retainer bar screws 34b to separate the lower bar from its frame flange 16b, as shown in FIG. 10. Each wheel is then removed by rotating the wheel axle to elevate its upper end in FIG. 7 from its flange slot 24b and then moving the wheel axially away from the frame flange 16b in FIG. 10 to withdraw the opposite end of the axle from its flange slot, as shown in the latter figure. Assembly of the wheel on the skate is accomplished by reversing this procedure.