Apparatus and methods for quickly releasing a hub-and-wheel assembly

A method for providing a quick release connection between a roller skate wheel and a central axle of a roller skate, the method comprising the steps of:

• affixing a quick release hub assembly to the central axle, said hub assembly having a latch-engagement mechanism wherein said latch-engagement mechanism moves between a latched position and an unlatched position;
• providing an internal sleeve having at least one biasing element configured to bias said latch-engagement mechanism to said latched position;
• rotatably mounting said hub assembly to said internal sleeve;
• providing an external sleeve having at least one latch-access aperture;
• affixing said hub assembly and said internal sleeve within said external sleeve such that said latch-engagement mechanism and said latch-access aperture align;
• pressing a quick release wheel upon said hub assembly, said wheel having a latch configured to interlock with said latch-engagement mechanism upon an application of directional pressure along the axle.

A method of manufacturing a quick release hub-and-wheel assembly for use with a central axle, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming a locking ring having at least one latch-engagement mechanism and at least one latch-release mechanism;
• forming an internal sleeve having at least one biasing element configured to bias said latch-engagement mechanism to a latched position when said locking ring is rotatably mounted to said internal sleeve;
• rotatably mounting said locking ring to said internal sleeve;
• forming an external sleeve having at least one latch-access aperture;
• affixing said locking ring and said internal sleeve within said external sleeve such that said latch-engagement mechanism and said latch-access aperture align;
• and
• forming a wheel having at least one latch configured to interlock with said latch-engagement mechanism of said locking ring upon an application of directional pressure along the axle.

A method for attaching a wheel to a central axle, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a locking ring having at least one latch-engagement mechanism and at least one latch-release mechanism;
• providing an internal sleeve having at least one biasing element configured to bias said latch-engagement mechanism to a latched position when said locking ring is rotatably mounted to said internal sleeve;
• rotatably mounting said locking ring to said internal sleeve;
• providing an external sleeve having at least one latch-access aperture;
• affixing said locking ring and said internal sleeve within said external sleeve such that said latch-engagement mechanism and said latch-access aperture align;
• providing a wheel having at least one latch configured to interlock with said latch-engagement mechanism of said locking ring upon an application of directional pressure along the axle;
• rotatably coupling a hub to the central axle, said hub having the latch-engagement mechanism;
• and
• manually installing said wheel upon said hub, said wheel having the at least one latch configured to interlock with said latch-engagement mechanism upon the application of directional pressure along the axle.