Roller skate having three control modes

Abstract

A roller skate is provided having a body portion adapted to be attached to the foot of a wearer, and front and rear axles attached to the body portion, the axles having wheels mounted to the ends thereof. At least the front wheels are characterized by an outer cylindrical rolling portion having a plurality of teeth integrally formed on an inwardly facing circumferential surface thereof. A pawl member having first and second ratchet-engaging portions has a cam follower portion and is mounted by a camming member to the body of the skate. The camming member is movable between first, second and third positions. In the first position, the camming member acts through its cam follower portion to elevate the pawl member to a position where it does not engage any of the teeth on the inwardly facing surfaces of the front wheels. In the second position, the camming member allows the pawl to ride in the teeth by its own weight, establishing a ratcheting relationship permitting rotation of the wheels in only a single direction. In the third position, the camming member holds the pawl in the teeth formed in the front wheels so that the front wheels are restrained from moving in either direction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.