In-line skate braking device

#Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to a braking device used to selectively alter the speed of an individual wearing in-line skates.

#In-line skates comprise boot portion for receipt of the user's foot. A wheel frame, which supports at least two tandem wheels, is interconnected to a lower surface of the boot. In-line skates have become popular recreational equipment and are often used as an alternative to roller skates. Furthermore, in-line skates are preferred by floor or roller hockey enthusiasts who seek an ice hockey experience. However, many players find it difficult to slow and stop in the same manner and fashion as experienced in ice skating when wearing in-line skates.

#Most in-line skates employ a brake pad on the aft end of the frame and/or boot. To stop, the user tilts his or her toe upwardly, which rotates the boot about the rearmost wheel and places the brake pad in contact with the ground. As one of skill in the art will appreciate, pad-to-ground contact generates a friction load that slows and eventually stops forward motion. Brake pads work well to stop forward motion, but cannot slow or stop a user when his or her boots are moving laterally, i.e., when attempting to make a turning stop often performed while playing ice hockey, or participating in other in-line skate activities. Further, using such brakes is awkward as the user must shift his or her body weight rearwardly in such a way to place the pad in contact with the ground. Over-rotation will cause the user to fall, which could cause serious injury.

#The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, explain the principles of these inventions.

#FIG. 1 is an isometric, exploded view of a braking device of one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2A is a front elevation view of a frame with a shield in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

#To assist in the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:

#No. Component 90 Boot 100 Braking Device 102 Frame 104 First Wheel 105 Second Wheel 106 Third Wheel 107 Fourth Wheel 108 Slider 112 Ball 114 Base Opening 116 Spring Cap 120 Spring Cap Assembly 124 Cross Rib 128 Wheel Axle Aperture 130 Wheel Axle 132 Slider Receiver 136 Side Shield 140 Spring 144 Locator Disk 148 Sliding Collar 152 Retainer 156 Pad 160 Spring Spacer 164 Shield 168 Shield Width 172 Shield Height 176 Wheel-to-Wheel Length 177 Horizontal Extension 178 First Vertical Extension 179 Second Vertical Extension 180 Vertical Extension Thickness 184 Vertical Extension Gap 188 Horizontal Extension Thickness 192 Receiver Rib Thickness 196 Receiver Angle 200 Receiver Radius 204 Base Opening Length 208 Base Opening First Width 212 Horizontal Extension Width 216 Base Opening Radius 220 First Base Opening Distance 224 Second Base Opening Distance 228 Third Base Opening Distance 232 Horizontal Extension Length 236 Vertical Extension Radius 240 Vertical Extension Angle 244 First Radius Length 248 First Wheel Aperture Length 252 Second Wheel Aperture Length 256 Third Wheel Aperture Length 260 Fourth Wheel Aperture Length 264 Second Radius Length 268 Receiver Width 272 First Receiver Diameter 276 Second Receiver Diameter 280 Notch Height 284 First Receiver Radius 288 Receiver Rib Width 292 Third Receiver Diameter

#It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.