Improved roller skate

Abstract

 An improved roller skate comprises one or more rollers or wheels having a single rotary direction in the roller skate running direction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved roller skate provided with a plurality of rollers or wheels arranged with an aligned configuration, or of a conventional type.

[0002] As is known, roller skates either of an aligned roller or wheel type, or including a plurality of rollers or wheels arranged with a conventional arrangement, are broadly diffused.

[0003] Differently from prior wheel skates, in which the four wheels were arranged in two pairs of wheels paired in the running direction, the aligned wheel or roller skates have their four wheels or rollers all arranged along a single arrangement line.

[0004] The operation of the aligned wheel skates is very similar to that of ice-skate, which, as is also known, comprises a specifically designed blade.

[0005] The aligned-wheel skates allow a user to achieve a greater skating speed and better handling properties, thereby the skater may perform a broad range of skating movements.

[0006] However, even a very skilled skater may encounter a difficulty for providing his/her skate with a good acceleration, and this mainly in a starting from rest condition.

[0007] This is due to the fact that the skate wheels or rollers may operate as an abutment-detent zone on the ground only if the skate is arranged at a very angled or inclined position with respect to the skate running direction.

[0008] In other words, it is possible to push on a resting skate, only if the skater arranges his/her skate and accordingly his/her foot, in a cross direction.

[0009] On the other hand, in this position it is not possible to apply all the available skater force on the skater leg, because of an unnatural condition of the skater ankle, knee and hip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide an improved skate, either of an aligned wheel type, or of a conventional type, allowing a skater to apply thereon an increased push in force, thereby correspondingly increasing the skate acceleration properties.

[0011] Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the invention is to provide such a skate which can be made starting from easily available materials and apparatus, as already present in this specific field.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide such a skate, even of an aligned wheel type or a conventional type, which can be easily used both by skilled and unskilled skaters.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an improved roller or wheel skate, characterized in that said skate comprises one or more rollers or wheels having a single rotary direction in the skate running direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the invention which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of an improved roller skate including aligned rollers or wheels, according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a further elevation view showing the roller skate according to the present invention, in a use condition thereof; and

Figure 3 is a further side elevation view showing the use of the roller skate according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] With reference to the number references of above mentioned figures, the improved roller skate, either of an aligned roller or wheel type or of a conventional type, according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a supporting framework 2, of a reverse U-shape, which supports a plurality of rollers or wheels 3 and, at the top thereof, a skate boot 4.

[0016] According to the present invention, at least one or more rollers or wheels 3 comprises a free-wheeling device, for allowing said roller or wheel to turn only in the skate running direction.

[0017] Said skate, for example, can comprise a front freewheeling wheel 3, whereas the other skate wheels are normally idle in both their rotary directions.

[0018] Thus, since the freewheeling roller or wheel 3 cannot reverse turn, it will provide a fixed abutment region on the skating surface 4, thereby allowing the skater to provide his/her overall force on his/her leg 5.

[0019] In this connection it should be apparent that the provision of the free-wheeling device, on one or more skate wheels, does not alter the skating mode of operation, even in the starting pushing and accelerating step.

[0020] It has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

[0021] In fact, the invention provides an improved roller skate, either with an aligned roller type or a traditional type, which, owing to the provision of the free-wheeling device, allows the skater to apply to the skate all his/her muscle power, and this mainly at a starting from rest or an acceleration condition.

[0022] In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending to requirements.

Claims

1. An improved roller skate, characterized in that it comprises one or more rollers or wheels having a single rotary direction in the skate running direction.

2. An improved roller skate, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises one or more rollers or wheels including a freewheeling device.

3. An improved roller skate, with aligned rollers, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a reverse U-shape supporting framework, including a plurality of aligned rollers and supporting, at a top surface thereof, a skate boot.

4. An improved roller skate, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises one or more freewheeling wheels, the other wheels or rollers of said skate being normally idle in both their rotary directions.

5. A roller or wheel, specifically for skate rollers including either aligned rollers or of a conventional type, characterized in that said roller or wheel comprises a freewheeling device, allowing said roller or wheel, as it is mounted on a roller skate, to turn only in the skate running direction.

6. A roller skate, with aligned rollers or wheels, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said roller skate comprises one or more of the disclosed and/or illustrated characteristics.

Drawing