Roller Skate Apparatus

The invention relates generally to roller skates, or roller skate-type devices, and more particularly to support structure assemblies and axle and wheel assemblies therefor.

In light of the recent emphasis on, and greatly increased participation in, physical activities and competitive sports, both recreational and competitive roller skating has emerged as a more significant and sophisticated pastime than it was in the past. As a result, the emphasis upon the production of sophisticated and high quality roller skating equipment has rapidly increased. Furthermore, both two and four-wheeled roller skating has been used to train and condition participants even in non-roller skating athletic programs.

Because of the increased significance and sophistication of roller skating, in both competition and training activities, the materials and designs for wheels and other skate equipment have become quite specialized for various applications and purposes. As a result, some wheels and other equipment have specialized configurations or compositions that are not well-suited for a wide variety of skating applications. Furthermore, especially in the area of two-wheeled roller skating, such specialization and sophistication of wheels and other skate equipment has been found to require a relatively high amount of instruction and training in order to allow participants, especially beginners, to use them. Accordingly, the need has arisen for roller skate equipment that has a high degree of adaptability for various specialized activities, while still maintaining a high degree of sophistication and suitability for such divergent activities. Furthermore, the need has arisen, especially in two-wheeled roller skating, for equipment that allows earlier participation by the beginner, without sacrificing the unique effects and benefits of two-wheeled skating.

According to at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a roller skate wheel member has a generally toroidal configuration with a ground-engaging peripheral surface extending circumferentially therearound. In this embodiment of the invention, which is particularly adapted for two-wheeled roller skates, the ground-engaging peripheral surface of each wheel member includes an axially central portion that is generally flat in its diametric cross-sectional configuration and that preferably extends axially in a direction generally parallel to the wheel member's axis of rotation. Preferably, the ground-engaging peripheral surface of each wheel member further includes an arcuate portion disposed axially adjacent one or both sides of the central portion and which curves generally radially inwardly therefrom.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a quick-change wheel mounting and removal apparatus, which can be used on roller skates having any number of wheels and which can be employed separately or in conjunction with the above-discussed wheel configuration. In one form of this embodiment, a truck assembly for supporting a sole plate includes at least two separate truck members with attachment means for removably attaching teh truck members to one another in a mutual mating relationship. At least one axle member, which is adapted to removably receive one or more wheels for rotation thereon, includes a portion thereof that is attached to one of the truck members, with the other of the truck members having means thereon for receiving and removably engaging the axle when the truck members are attached to one another. The wheel or wheels can therefore be mounted on, or removed from, the axle or axles when the truck members are detached from one another and are restrained but freely rotatable when the truck members are attached.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the truck assembly of the roller skate is attachable to a sole plate by interlocking means, preferably without the necessity of threaded or other types of fasteners extending between and interconnecting the truck assembly and the sole plate.

In still other embodiments of the invention, the wheels and other skating accessories or devices are adapted to be quickly and conveniently mounted and detached in order to prepare the skate for a wide variety of skating applications and events.

Additional objects, advantages, features and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an exemplary roller skate according to the present invention, with its boot, shoe or other footwear item shown in phantom lines.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the support structure asesmbly, axles and wheels, according to the present invention, for the roller skate of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the roller skate assembly of FIG. 1, incorporating the support structure assembly and wheels of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 4--4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the sole plate portion of the support structure assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along line 7--7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the truck members of the support structure assembly of FIG. 2 in their detached condition.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of one of the truck members of the support structure assembly of FIG. 2, looking generally in the direction of arrows 9--9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the invention wherein the sole plate is incorporated into the sole portion of a skating boot or other skating footwear.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention wherein the sole plate is fixedly securable to the sole portion of a variety of footwear items, such as a conventional sport shoe.

FIG. 12 is a partial bottom view of the truck members of FIG. 8, shown in a mutually mating engagement with one another.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-section view, taken through a wheel and axle assembly, illustrating an alternate embodiment of the axle and bearing assembly of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 13, but illustrating still another alternate axle and wheel bearing embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternate quick-change wheel and axle assembly.

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternate quick-change wheel and axle assembly according to the invention.

FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another alternate quick-change wheel and axle assembly according to the invention.

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another quick-change wheel and axle assembly according to the invention.

FIG. 19 is a partial exploded perspective view of a support structure assembly, illustrating a stop member adapted to be removably attached thereto.

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view taken generally along line 20--20 of FIG. 19, but illustrating an adjustable stop member embodiment removably attachable to the support structure assembly.

FIGS. 1 through 20 depict various preferred exemplary embodiments of an improved roller skate apparatus according to the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that the various embodiments of the invention are equally applicable to roller skate apparatus having virtually any number of wheels, axles, and combinations thereof, as well as being applicable to other skate-like devices.

FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate a roller skate 10, generally including a boot, shoe, or other similar footwear item 12, supported and suspended upon a support structure assembly 16. The support structure assembly 16 generally includes a sole plate 18 with a truck assembly 20 removably attachable to a lower surface 22 of the sole plate 18 in the exemplary roller skate 10. A pair of wheels 24 include bearing members or assemblies 28 thereon and are removably mounted on the support structure assembly 16 for rotation about their respective axles 26. It should be understood, however, that the exemplary roller skate 10 can include more than two wheels 24 and can have more than one wheel 24 rotatably mounted upon one or more of the axles 26.

The wheels 24 can be composed of various durable materials known to those skilled in the art, such as polyurethane, polycarbonate, or light-weight metals, and are formed in a generally toroidal configuration, with a ground-engaging peripheral surface 32 extending around their circumference. At least in the illustrated exemplary two-wheeled version of the roller skate 10, the ground-engaging peripheral surface 32 preferably includes a central portion 34 that is generally flat in its diametric cross-section and that extends axially in a direction generally parallel to the axles 26 of the wheel 24, as shown in FIG. 4. The ground-engaging peripheral surface 32 also includes at least one, and preferably two, arcuate portions 36 disposed axially adjacent the central portion 34 and curving generally radially inwardly therefrom. Preferably, the flat central portion 34 has an axial width of at least 50% of the total axial width of the wheel 24.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 through 9, one preferred embodiment of the truck assembly 20 includes at least a pair of truck members 40a and 40b adapted to be removably attached to one another in a generally mutual mating relationship along their respective mutual mating surfaces 42a and 42b. The preferred truck members 40a and 40b each include a number of corresponding forward axle support portions 44a and 44b, and a number of corresponding rearward axle support portions 45a and 45b, respectively. At least one of the forward axle support portion combinations 44a and 44b is preferably located so as to be centered under the ball of the skate-wearer's foot, and at least one of the rearward axle support portion combinations 45a and 45b is preferably centered under the wearer's heel. The exact number of such axle support portions in a given application, however, corresponds to the number of axles 26.

At least one (and preferably both) of the axle support portions 44a or 44b and 45a or 45b on the respective truck members 40a or 40b, respectively, preferably has an end portion of its respective axle 26 press-fit into an aperture 46 or otherwise substantially fixed thereto. The corresponding axle support portion (or portions) on the other of the truck members 40a or 40b includes a corresponding axle-receiving aperture 48, or other suitable means for removably engaging and supporting the axle, therein. The preferred axle receiving apertures 48 are adapted to slidably receive the opposite ends of the respective axles 26 in a supporting slip-fit relationship therewith such that the wheels 24 may be slidably mounted on, or removed from, their axles 26 when the truck members 40a and 40b are separated. Accordingly, when the wheels 24 are mounted on their axles 26, and the truck members 40a and 40b are removably attached to one another, the wheels 24 are restrained on the truck assembly 20 but are freely rotatable about their respective axles 26. It should be noted that the truck members 40a and 40b can be removably attached to one another by way of a a number of threaded fasteners 50, for example, extending through apertures 52a and 52b in the truck members 40a and 40b, respectively. One skilled in the art will readily recognize, however, that other suitable attachment means may alternatively be employed for removably attaching the truck members 40a and 40b to one another.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 through 12, the lower surface 22 of the sole plate 18 preferably includes a forward interlock member 56, an intermediate interlock member 58, and a rearward interlock member 60, all in the form of downwardly-protruding surface discontinuities thereon. Correspondingly, the truck assembly 20 includes openings therein, which form a forward interlock receptacle 62, an intermediate interlock receptacle 64 and a rearward interlock receptacle 66 between the truck members 40a and 40b. As will be described in detail below, the interlock receptacles 62, 64 and 66 are adapted for interlockingly and removably receiving and engaging the corresponding interlock members 56, 58 and 60, respectively, in order to removably and interlockingly attach the sole plate 18 and the truck assembly 20 to one another. It should be noted that although three sets of interlock member and interlock receptacle combinations are shown for purposes of illustration in the drawings, the sole plate 18 and the truck assembly 20 may include one or more of such combinations.

The interlock members 56, 58 and 60 include undercut edge portions 68, 70 and 72 preferably extending around at least a substantial portion of their respective peripheries. Preferably, at least the forward interlock member 56 and the rearward interlock member 60 are generally plate-shaped in configuration, with their respective undercut edge portions 68 and 72 beveled generally upwardly and inwardly toward the bottom surface 22 of the sole plate 18 such that the lower surface area of the interlock members 56 and 60 is greater than their corresponding horizontal cross-sectional areas.

The forward interlock receptacle 62, the intermediate interlock receptacle 64, and the rearward interlock receptacle 66 are defined at least in part by respective peripheral walls 74, 76 and 78. The peripheral walls 74, 76 and 78 include undercut peripheral wall portions 80, 82 and 84, respectively, on at least part of their peripheries. The undercut peripheral wall portions 80, 82 and 84 of the respective interlock receptacles 62, 64 and 66 are adapted to interlockingly and removably engage the corresponding undercut edge portions 68, 70 and 72 of the corresponding interlock members 56, 58 and 60, respectively.

Preferably, at least the intermediate interlock member 58 is defined by an elongated generally rod-shaped member 86 extending generally longitudinally along the lower surface 22 of the sole plate 18 and interconnected therewith by an elongated interconnecting member 88. The lateral width of the interconnecting member 88 is less than that of the rod-shaped member 86 in order to form the above-mentioned undercut edge configuration 70. Correspondingly, the undercut wall portion 82 of the intermediate interlock receptacle 64 has a configuration that is receivingly complementary to that of the undercut edge portion 68 formed and defined by the rod-shaped member 86 and the interconnecting member 88, thereby providing for the above-discussed removable and interlocking engagement.

In the preferred embodiment of the support structure assembly 16, the mutual mating surfaces 42a and 42b of the truck members 40a and 40b, respectively, extend longitudinally generally along the longitudinal centerline 90 of the truck assembly 20. Preferably, the centerline 90 is generally colinear with the longitudinal centerline 92 of the sole plate 18 when the truck members 40a and 40b are attached to one another with the truck assembly 20 removably attached to the sole plate 18. The interlock members 58, 60 and 62 are preferably located on the sole plate 18 such that they are each bisected into two generally equal parts by the longitudinal centerline 92, and the corresponding interlock receptacle 62, 64 and 66 are preferably symmetrically formed along or adjacent to the respective mutual mating surfaces 42a and 42b of the truck members 40a and 40b. Therefore, when the truck members 40a and 40b are moved into their mutual mating engagement, while in contact with the lower surface 22 of the sole plate 18, the interlock receptacle 62, 64 and 66 interlockingly receive and engage the interlock members 56, 58 and 60, respectively, as described above.

The attachment of the truck members 40a and 40b to one another, can be by way of the exemplary threaded fasteners 50 extending through the apertures 52, for example, and therefore serves to secure the truck assembly 20 to the sole plate 18 because of the above-mentioned interlocking engagement of the interlock members and their corresponding interlock receptacles. Preferably, either the interlock members 56, 58 and 60, or at least the portions of the truck members 40a and 40b adjacent the interlock receptacles 62, 64 and 66, are composed of a resilient and compliant material in order to assure a relatively tight interlocking engagement between the interlock members and their corresponding interlock receptacles.

As shown in FIG. 10, the sole plate 18 can integrally comprise the sole portion of the boot, shoe or other footwear item 12 of the roller skate 10. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, an alternate sole plate 18a can be either fixedly or removably secured to the sole portion 14 of a sport shoe 13 or some other similar footwear item. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the sole plate 18a in FIG. 11 may be attached or secured to the sole portion 14 by an adhesive material, by releasable clamp or clip members, or by other suitable attachment means known in the art. Although the support structure assemblies 16 and 16a are shown for purposes of illustration in FIGS. 10 and 11, one skilled in the art will also recognize that the other support structure assemblies shown in the drawings and discussed below can also alternatively be an integral part of a footwear item or can be fixedly or removably secured thereto.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 12 through 14, at least one of the sets of the forward axle support portions 44a and 44b, or the rearward axle support portions 45a and 45b, can optionally include insert sleeves 94 in their respective axle receiving apertures 48 for receiving and engaging their respective axles 26. Whether or not such insert sleeves 94 are employed, the bearing assemblies 28 can optionally include a resilient bearing sleeve 96 disposed between the bearing assembly 28 (or an inner bearing sleeve portion 30 thereof) and the axle 26. The resilient bearing sleeve 96 resiliently suspends the support structure assembly 16 relative to the wheel members 24 and resiliently allows for movement or shifting of the axis of rotation of the wheel members 24 relative to the axles 26. Such relative movement or shifting can occur during any of a number of roller skating maneuvers, such as cornering, for example.

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternate configuration for providing resiliency between the wheels 24 and the support structure assembly 16. As shown in FIG. 14, at least one bearing member 28 of a wheel 24 directly engages the corresponding axle 26, and resilient insert sleeves 98 are disposed between the axle 26 and the support structure assembly 16 (or the insert sleeves 94 thereof). Both the resilient bearing sleeves 96 and the resilient insert sleeves 98 shown alternatively in FIGS. 13 and 14 are preferably comprised of an elastomeric material and have a generally cylindrical configuration with an open-ended aperture extending axially therethrough.

FIGS. 15 through 18 illustrate alternate embodiments of the quick-change wheel and axle features of the present invention for use in a support structure assembly 116 having a truck assembly 120 that is not necessarily split into separate truck members. It should be noted that the alternate embodiments shown in FIGS. 15 through 18 are applicable to roller skates having wheels 124 that are sufficiently narrow to fit between the axle receiving portions 144 on the truck assembly 120. It should be noted that any of the quick-change axle mechanisms or assemblies shown in FIGS. 15 through 18 can also optionally be employed in conjunction with the support structure assembly 16 and the split truck assembly 20 shown above, as well as the various variations thereon.

In FIG. 15, at least one (and preferably both) of the axle receiving portions 144 on the truck assembly 120 includes an aperture 148 extending therethrough and having an open end 150 thereon. The aperture (or apertures) 148 in the truck assembly 120 are positioned so as to align with the axle receiving openings in the bearing assemblies 128 on the wheels 124. The apertures 148 are adapted to receive an axle 126 inserted through their open ends 150, with the axle 126 being adapted and sized for a substantially press-fit frictional relationship within the apertures 148. Accordingly, in order to quickly and conveniently remove or install the wheels 124 on the truck assembly 120, the axles 126 are forcibly driven out of, or into, their frictional press-fit engagement with the apertures 148 in the axle receiving portions 144.

FIG. 16 illustrates another alternate quick-change axle and wheel assembly having a collapsible axle assembly 154 engageable with apertures 156 and 158 in the axle receiving portions 144a of the truck assembly 120a. The collapsible axle assembly 154 shown in FIG. 16 preferably includes a generally hollow sleeve member 160 having a closed end 162 and an open end 164 thereon. The sleeve member 160 is adapted to slidably receive at least a portion of a generally cylindrical axle rod member 166 therein with a resilient member, such as the spring member 168, disposed within the sleeve member 160 between the closed end 162 and the axle rod member 166. When the collapsible axle assembly 154 is mounted between the spaced-apart axle receiving portions 144a, the spring member 168 resiliently biases the axle rod member 166 and the closed end 162 of the sleeve member 160 away from one another and into engagement with the axle receiving portions 144a.

In order to conveniently and quickly remove the wheel 124 from the truck assembly 120a, apertures 170 are provided in the axle receiving portions 144a. The apertures 170 are adapted to receive a rod or tool member insertable therein for forcibly sliding the axle rod member 166 and the closed end 162 of the sleeve member 160 toward one another against the biasing force of the spring member 168 in order to collapse and shorten the axle assembly 154. When the axle assembly 154 is sufficiently shortened, the wheel 124 and the collapsed axle assembly 154 may be removed from between the axle receiving portions 144a. The wheel 124 may then be slidably removed from the axle assembly 154 in order to effect the desired wheel change. In order to reinstall the wheel 124 and the axle assembly 154, the axle assembly 154 is collapsed and shortened sufficiently to allow it to fit between the axle receiving portions 144a and then released to be received within the apertures 148. It should be noted that either or both of the apertures 148 in the axle receiving portions 144a may also include an insert sleeve 130a with an opening 132 in its end for receiving the tool member 172 therethrough.

FIG. 17 illustrates another alternate quick-change axle apparatus having an axle member 174 with a threaded end portion 176 and a tool-engaging portion 178 thereon. In order to remove or install the axle member 174 between the axle receiving portions 144b, a tool member 177 is inserted through an open end 179 of an aperture 180 in one of the axle receiving portions 144b. The tool member 177 is used to selectively rotate the axle member 174 into or out of threadable engagement with a threaded insert sleeve 130b in the opposite axle receiving portion 144b. Once the axle member 174 is rotated and threadably released so as to be removed from the truck assembly 120b, the wheel 124 is free to be removed from between the axle receiving portions 144b. When the wheel 124 is to be installed on the truck assembly 120b, the above procedure is reversed, and the tool member 172 is used to rotate the axle member 174 into threadable engagement with the insert sleeve member 130b, thereby securing the axle member 174 and the wheel 124 to the truck assembly 120b.

FIG. 18 illustrates still another alternate embodiment of a quick-change wheel and axle arrangement according to the present invention. A collapsible axle assembly 184 shown in FIG. 18 includes a generally cylindrical axle rod member 185 having a shank portion 186 and a threaded portion 188 thereon. The threaded portion 188 is adapted to threadably engage an internally-threaded cylindrical sleeve member 190 such that the axle rod member 185 and the sleeve member 190 may be selectively rotated relative to one another and threadably urge the rod member 185 toward or away from the closed end 191 of the sleeve member 190, thereby selectively increasing or decreasing the overall length of the collapsible axle assembly 184. Such relative rotation is accomplished by inserting a tool member 177 through an aperture 180c in one of the axle receiving portions 144c and engaging a tool-engaging portion 192 of the axle rod member 185. Simultaneously, another tool member 182 is inserted through an aperture 170c in the other of the axle receiving portions 144 and is placed in engagement with a tool engaging portion 194 on the closed end 191 of the sleeve member 190.

Similar to the resilient collapsible axle assembly 154 shown in FIG. 16, the overall length of the collapsible axle assembly 184 in FIG. 18 may be shortened sufficiently to allow the axle assembly 184 and the wheel 124 to be removed from between the axle receiving portions 144c. In order to reinstall the wheel 124 and the axle assembly 184, the above procedure is reversed. The axle rod member 185 and the sleeve member 190 are rotated in a direction to threadably urge the rod member 185 away from the closed end 191 of the sleeve member 190, thereby lengthening the axle assembly 184 and urging into engagement with the axle receiving portions 144.

It should be noted that any of the above-discussed embodiments of the roller skate apparatus according to the present invention can also optionally include a toe stop device on its forward end. Such toe stop devices are frequently desirable for allowing the wearer of the roller skate to merely tip the skate forward such that the toe stop member frictionally engages the ground or floor upon which the wearer is skating and acts as a brake for slowing or halting his or her progress.

In FIG. 2, one embodiment of a top stop apparatus 102 includes a frictional element 104 and a threaded rod member 106 adapted to threadably engage a threaded aperture 108 in the truck assembly 20. By rotating the toe stop apparatus 102 the position of the friction element 104 relative to the truck assembly 20 may be adjusted to provide the desired clearance between the friction element 104 and the ground or floor upon which the user is skating. Once the desired relative position between the friction element 104 and the truck assembly 20 is achieved, a jam nut 110 may be threadably tightened into engagement with the truck assembly 20, thereby substantially preventing the toe stop apparatus 102 from undesired rotation.

FIG. 19 illustrates an alternate toe stop apparatus 202 including a friction element 204 with an integral interlock member 206 thereon. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19, the truck assembly 220 includes an interlock receptacle 208 located on a forward portion thereof and adapted for interlockingly and removably receiving the interlock member 206 therein. Like the interlock members 56 and 58 and the interlock receptacles 62 and 66 described above, the interlock member 206 includes a beveled undercut edge portion 210 which is interlockingly and removably engageable with an undercut peripheral wall portion 214 of a peripheral wall 212 that at least in part defines the interlock receptacle 208. The interlock receptacle 208 is preferably located on the truck assembly 220 so that it is bisected into two generally equal parts when the truck members 240a and 240b are separated along their respective mutually mating surfaces 242a and 242b. Thus, when the truck members 240a and 240b are attached to one another with the interlock member 206 interlockingly received by the interlock receptacle 208, the toe stop apparatus 202 is securely attached to the truck assembly 220. Preferably, either or both of the interlock member 206 or the portion of the truck members surrounding the interlock receptacle 208 are composed of a resilient compliant material in order to assure a relatively tight interlocking engagement therebetween.

FIG. 20 illustrates still another alternate toe stop apparatus 222 having a separate interlock member 223 with an undercut edge portion 224 thereon, that is generally similar to the interlock member 206 and the undercut portion 210 shown in FIG. 19 and described above. The interlock member 222 and the undercut edge portion 224 are adapted to be interlockingly and removably received within the above-described interlock receptacle 208 in the truck assembly 220. Instead of having an integral friction element, however, the interlock member 223 of the toe stop apparatus 222 includes a threaded aperture 226 therein for threadably receiving the threaded rod member 106 of the toe stop apparatus 102 shown in FIG. 2 and discussed above. Thus, either before or after the separate interlock member 223 is interlockingly attached to the truck assembly 220, the toe stop apparatus 102 may be threadably rotated as described above in order to adjust the relative position between the friction element 104 and the interlock member 223. As described above, when the desired relative positon is obtained, the jam nut 110 is threadably tightened into engagement with the interlock member 223 in order to substantially fix the position of the friction element 204 relative to the truck assembly 220. It should be noted that the toe stop arrangements shown in FIGS. 2, 19 and 20 may be employed in conjunction with any of the embodiments of the invention shown and described herein. It should also be noted that such toe stop arrangements are equally applicable and adaptable to stop members located at other than toe or forward locations on the roller skate.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily rcognize from such discussion that various changes, modifications and variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.