US 2003/0193150 A1 · Skate frame with cap construction

Abstract

A skate frame (20) for an in-line skate (18) having a shoe portion (22) and a plurality of wheels (24) capable of traversing a surface. The skate frame includes an elongate structural member comprised of a structural material having a first average density. The structural member having first and second sidewalls (62, 68). The structural member also includes a shoe mounting portion (50) spanning between at least a portion of the upper ends of the sidewalls. The skate frame also includes core material (64) disposed within at least one of the first and second sidewalls or within the shoe mounting portion. In an embodiment of the invention a threaded insert (602) is embedded in the core material of one sidewall, and an aligned tubular insert is installed in the opposite sidewall, such that the wheel axle (612) can be inserted through the tubular insert to engage the embedded threaded insert. In another embodiment, a protective cap (770) protects and/or enhances the appearance of the skate frame.

Drawings

Claims34

Dependent claims

A frame for a skate, the frame comprising:

(a) an elongate structural member comprising first and second oppositely-disposed spaced-apart sidewalls joined by a transverse structure spanning therebetween, wherein each sidewall has an outwardly facing surface, an inwardly facing surface and a peripheral edge therebetween, the first and second sidewalls and transverse structure cooperatively forming a wheel channel;
(b) a protective cap affixed to the outwardly facing surface of each sidewall, wherein the protective cap wraps around at least a portion of the peripheral edge.

An inline skate comprising:

(a) a shoe portion;
(b) a plurality of wheels having an axial aperture therethrough;
(c) an elongate frame attached to the shoe portion, the frame comprising:
(i) first and second sidewalls interconnected with a transverse member, the sidewalls defining a channel that is sized to accommodate the plurality of wheels, wherein the sidewalls each include a foam core portion, an outer layer encapsulating the foam core portion, and a protective cap portion covering at least part of the outer layer;
(ii) a plurality of threaded inserts, each threaded insert having a head and a tubular post, the tubular post having internal threads, wherein the head is embedded in the foam core portion of the first sidewall and the tubular post extends through the outer layer into the channel;
(iii) a plurality of tubular inserts, each tubular insert having a circumferential ridge, the tubular insert axially aligned with one of the plurality of threaded insert and extending through the outer layer and the foam core portion of the second sidewall wherein the tubular insert defines an aperture through the second sidewall and the circumferential ridge is embedded in the foam core portion of the second sidewall;
and
(d) a plurality of axles having a proximal head portion and a threaded distal portion, wherein the threaded distal portion is slidably insertable into at least one of the plurality of tubular inserts and through at least one of the plurality of wheel axial apertures and engages the aligned threaded insert.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description8,726 words

Summary1,608 words

#The present invention relates generally to skates and, in particular, to a skate frame having a core of lightweight material to increase structural strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratio of the frame.

#In-line roller skates generally include an upper shoe portion having a base secured to a frame that carries a plurality of longitudinally aligned wheels. The upper shoe portion provides the support for the skater's foot, while the frame attaches the wheels to the upper shoe portion. Because in-line skates are designed to accommodate a variety of skating styles, including high-performance competitions, it is desirable for such skate frames to be lightweight, stiff, and strong. Skate frames may be constructed from a variety of materials, including aluminum, injection molded plastic, and composites. Although aluminum skate frames are structurally strong and stiff, they are expensive. Skate frames constructed from an injection-molded plastic are often reinforced with short, discontinuous fibers. Although such skate frames are lower in cost than aluminum frames, they lack the specific strength and stiffness performance characteristics associated with continuous fiber-reinforced composite frames.

#Currently, fibers of glass or carbon are preferred to reinforce composite frames. Glass reinforced composite skate frames are both structurally stiff and strong, but they are heavier than composite frames reinforced with carbon fibers. Although carbon fiber reinforced skate frames are lightweight, strong, and stiff, they are expensive.

Brief description of the drawings14 figures

#The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is an environmental view of an in-line skate frame constructed in accordance with the present invention having a portion of the skate frame cut away to show the inner skin, core material, filler material and outer skin;

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional end view through an in-line skate frame constructed in accordance with the present invention showing the core material disposed between the inner and outer skins of the sidewalls and a plug of filler material disposed around the wheel attachment bores;

Detailed description6,543 words

#FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an in-line skate 18 having a skate frame 20 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The skate frame 20 is shown attached to a shoe portion 22 and a bearing member in the form of a plurality of wheels 24.

#The shoe portion 22 has an upper portion 30 and a base 32. The upper shoe portion 30 is preferably constructed from a flexible and durable natural or man-made material, such as leather, nylon fabric, or canvas. The upper shoe portion 30 also includes a conventional vamp 40 and vamp closure, including a lace 42, extending along the top of the foot from the toe area of the foot to the base of the shin of the skater. Preferably, the upper shoe portion 30 is fixedly attached to the base 32 by being secured beneath a last board (not shown) by means well-known in the art, such as adhesive, riveting, or stitching. Alternatively, any skate footwear may be used with frame of present invention.

#The base 32 is constructed in a manner well known in the art from a resilient composite polymeric or natural material. The base 32 includes a toe end 34, a heel end 36 and a toe cap 44. Suitable materials for the base 32 includes semi-rigid thermoplastic or thermosetting resins, which may be reinforced with structural fibers, such as carbon reinforced epoxy, or other materials, such as leather, wood, or metal. The toe cap 44 surrounds the toe end of the upper shoe portion 30 and is suitably bonded to the base 32. Alternatively, the toe cap 44 may not be used or may be formed of a different material from the rest of the base 32, such as rubber. Because the upper shoe portion 30 is preferably constructed from nylon or other flexible, natural, or man-made materials, the function of the toe cap 44 is to protect the toe end of the upper shoe portion 30 from impact, wear, and water. The toe cap 44 also extends around the lateral and medial sides of the toe end of the upper shoe portion 30 to provide additional support to the foot of the skater.

Facts

Application

10/421,003Filed 21 Apr 2003

Priority

18 May 2001

Published

16 Oct 2003

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

A63C 17/068
Single-track type: production or mounting thereof
A63C 17/00
Roller skates
A63C 17/06
With wheels arranged otherwise than in two pairs: single-track type
A63C 17/226
Wheels for roller skates: wheel mounting, i.e. arrangement connecting wheel and axle mount

Skate frame with cap construction

Life of this patent

Skate frame with cap construction

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims34

Description8,726 words

Drawings

Classification6 codes

Life of this patent

Description8,726 words