초록 ▼

An in-line skate is disclosed having a frame with a plurality of wheels and a boot coupled to the frame. The boot has a cuff and lower shell connected by a resilient connecting member that permits flexing along substantially the entire length of the member. The connecting member can be made of sprin

An in-line skate is disclosed having a frame with a plurality of wheels and a boot coupled to the frame. The boot has a cuff and lower shell connected by a resilient connecting member that permits flexing along substantially the entire length of the member. The connecting member can be made of spring steel or a variety of synthetic materials.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The claimed invention is:] [1.] An in-line skate comprising:a rigid frame having a plurality of in-line skate wheels secured thereto, said plurality of in-line skate wheels being substantially aligned in a common plane;a boot including a cuff, a lower shell and a soft shoe, said boot operably coup

[ The claimed invention is:] [1.] An in-line skate comprising:a rigid frame having a plurality of in-line skate wheels secured thereto, said plurality of in-line skate wheels being substantially aligned in a common plane;a boot including a cuff, a lower shell and a soft shoe, said boot operably coupled to said frame, said boot including a lateral side positioned opposite from a medial side, and the cuff being positioned above said lower shell and spaced therefrom; anda resilient connecting member positioned at one of the lateral side and the medial side of the boot, the resilient connecting member having a length extending from a first end to a second end and with said connecting member being resilient substantially along said length, the resilient connecting member including a flat spring, said first end of said member rigidly connected to said cuff and said second end of said member rigidly connected to said lower shell, said connecting member permitting forward and rearward movements of said cuff relative to said lower shell from a rest position in response to forces upon said cuff, said cuff moving along a line of travel defined by forward and rearward flexing movements of said member, said member biased to return to said rest position, said flat spring having a first dimension extending along a width of the boot and a second dimension extending along a length of the boot, the first dimension being thicker than the second dimension for providing the connecting member with greater flexibility in a first orientation corresponding to the length of the boot and with lesser flexibility in a second orientation corresponding width of the boot.