초록 ▼

A modular roller skating apparatus includes a frame having a pair of interchangeable frame portions. A plurality of wheel assemblies is axially mounted to the frame in an in-line configuration, each assembly having a pair of releasably coupled hub portions. When coupled, the hub defines a female rec

A modular roller skating apparatus includes a frame having a pair of interchangeable frame portions. A plurality of wheel assemblies is axially mounted to the frame in an in-line configuration, each assembly having a pair of releasably coupled hub portions. When coupled, the hub defines a female receptacle for detachably coupling to a corresponding male structure of a tire such that worn tires may be conveniently replaced without replacing an entire wheel assembly. A boot having a lower portion for receiving a skater's foot is releasably mounted atop the frame and includes conventional lacing. An upper boot portion is provided for surrounding a skater's ankle. Laterally spaced eyelets along respective edges of upper and lower portions enable another lace to adjustably connect the boot portions and, more particularly, to provide enhanced support to a skater's ankle and leg.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A modular roller skate assembly usable by a skater on a skating surface, comprising:a frame; a plurality of wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly including a hub having a central axis of wheel rotation and having a tire mounted to said hub, said plurality of wheel assemblies being axially mounted

1. A modular roller skate assembly usable by a skater on a skating surface, comprising:a frame; a plurality of wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly including a hub having a central axis of wheel rotation and having a tire mounted to said hub, said plurality of wheel assemblies being axially mounted to said frame and positioned in an in-line configuration; a boot having a lower portion mounted atop said frame for receiving a skater's foot and an upper portion for surrounding the skater's ankle; wherein said lower portion defines a first set of lower portion eyelets spaced apart along a longitudinal extent thereof and a second set of lower portion eyelets laterally spaced apart adjacent an upper edge of said lower portion of said boot; wherein said upper portion defines a first set of upper portion eyelets spaced apart along a longitudinal extent thereof and a second set of upper portion eyelets laterally spaced apart adjacent a lower edge of said upper portion of said boot; a first lace extending through said first set of lower portion eyelets for tightening said lower portion about the skater's foot; and a second lace extending through said second set of lower portion eyelets and said second set of upper portion eyelets for enhancing the stability of the skater's ankle and lower leg, said second lace further extending through said first set of said upper portion eyelets for tightening said upper portion about the skater's ankle. 2. The modular roller skate assembly as in claim 1 wherein said frame includes a pair of symmetrical and interchangeable frame portions, each frame portion comprising:at least one flange defining a planar surface for receiving a sole of said lower portion of said boot thereon, said planar surface defining a plurality of apertures for coupling said frame portion to said boot with frame fasteners at a selectable forward or backward configuration; and a side wall substantially perpendicular to said flange and extending downwardly therefrom, said side wall defining at least one attachment aperture for receiving a fastener therethrough when corresponding attachment apertures of said pair of frame portions are aligned, whereby to couple said pair of frame portions together. 3. The modular roller skate assembly as in claim 2 wherein said side wall of said each frame portion includes:an outwardly sloped configuration for enabling said plurality of wheel assemblies to be rotatably mounted between said pair of frame portions; a plurality of wheel apertures corresponding to said plurality of wheel assemblies through which axial wheel fasteners may be extended; and a pair of spaced apart dimples, one of said pair of dimples having a convex configuration and another of said pair of dimples having a concave configuration for maintaining symmetrical alignment of said pair of frame portions. 4. The modular roller skate assembly as in claim 1 further comprising:a brake pad; and means for selectively mounting said brake pad to a front or rear end of said frame. 5. The modular roller skate assembly as in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of wheel axles corresponding to said plurality of wheel assemblies, each wheel axle being coupled to a corresponding wheel hub for rotation thereof about a respective central axis.6. The modular roller skate assembly as in claim 1 wherein said hub includes a first hub portion having a configuration complementary to a configuration of a second hub portion such that said first and second hub portions are releasably coupled together for sandwiching said tire therebetween in a friction-fit engagement.7. The modular roller skate assembly as in claim 6 wherein:an inner surface of said tire includes a male attachment structure; and said first and second hub portions form a radial surface defining a female receptacle for detachably coupling with said male attachment structure of said tire when said first and second hub portions are coupled together. 8. The modular roller skate assembly as in claim 1 wherein:an inner surface of said tire includes a male attachment structure; said hub defines a female receptacle for detachably coupling with said male attachment structure of said tire. 9. A modular roller skate assembly usable by a skater, comprising:a frame including a pair of symmetrical and interchangeable frame portions, each frame portion comprising: at least one flange defining a planar surface for receiving a sole of said lower portion of said boot thereon, said planar surface defining a plurality of apertures for coupling said frame portion to said boot with frame fasteners at a selectable forward or backward configuration; and a side wall substantially perpendicular to said flange and extending downwardly therefrom, said side wall defining at least one attachment apertures for receiving a fastener therethrough when corresponding attachment apertures of said pair of frame portions are aligned, whereby to couple said pair of frame portions together, wherein said side wall includes: an outwardly sloped configuration for enabling said plurality of wheel assemblies to be rotatably mounted in between said pair of frame portions; a plurality of wheel apertures corresponding to said plurality of wheel assemblies through which axial wheel fasteners may be extended; and a pair of spaced apart dimples, one of said pair of dimples having a convex configuration and another of said pair of dimples having a concave configuration for maintaining symmetrical alignment of said pair of frame portions; a boot mounted atop said frame for receiving a skater's foot therein; a plurality of modular wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly including: a first hub portion having a male attachment structure and a second hub portion having a female attachment structure for detachably coupling with said male attachment structure, said first and second hub portions forming an outer radial surface defining a female receptacle when said first and second hub portions are coupled; a tire having an inner surface forming a male attachment member for detachably coupling with said female receptacle formed by said first and second hub portions; means for axially mounting said wheel assemblies to said frame in an in-line configuration, each hub having a central axis of rotation about which a corresponding wheel assembly may rotate. 10. The modular roller skate assembly as in claim 9 wherein:said boot includes a lower portion mounted atop said frame for receiving a user's foot and an upper portion for surrounding the skater's ankle; said lower portion defines a first set of lower portion eyelets spaced apart along a longitudinal extent thereof and a second set of lower portion eyelets laterally spaced apart adjacent an upper edge of said lower portion of said boot; and said upper portion defines a first set of upper portion eyelets spaced apart along a longitudinal extent thereof and a second set of upper portion eyelets laterally spaced apart adjacent a lower edge of said upper portion of said boot. 11. The modular roller skate assembly as in claim 10 further comprising:a first lace extending through said first set of lower portion eyelets for tightening said lower portion about the skater's foot; and a second lace extending through said second set of lower portion eyelets and said second set of upper portion eyelets for enhancing the stability of the skater's ankle and lower leg, said second lace further extending through said first set of said upper portion eyelets for tightening said upper portion about the skater's ankle. 12. The modular roller skate assembly as in claim 11 wherein said frame includes a pair of symmetrical and interchangeable frame portions, each frame portion comprising:at least one flange defining a planar surface for receiving a sole of said lower portion of said boot thereon, said planar surface defining a plurality of apertures for coupling said frame portion to said boot with frame fasteners at a selectable forward or backward configuration; and a side wall substantially perpendicular to said flange and extending downwardly therefrom, said side wall defining at least one attachment aperture for receiving a fastener therethrough when corresponding attachment apertures of said pair of frame portions are aligned, whereby to couple said pair of frame portions together. 13. The modular skate assembly as in claim 12 wherein said side wall of each frame portion includes:an outwardly sloped configuration for enabling said plurality of wheel assemblies to be rotatably mounted between said pair of frame portions; a plurality of wheel apertures corresponding to said plurality of wheel assemblies through which axial wheel fasteners may be extended; and a pair of spaced apart dimples, one of said pair of dimples having a convex configuration and another of said pair of dimples having a concave configuration for maintaining symmetrical alignment of said pair of frame portions. 14. The modular roller skate assembly as in claim 9 further comprising:a brake pad; and means for selectively mounting said brake pad to a front or rear end of said frame. 15. A roller skating kit for use by a skater, comprising:a pair of frame portions, each frame portion having a symmetrical configuration and being a mirror-image of the other of said pair of frame portions, whereby said pair of frame portions are interchangeable; wherein said each frame portion includes at least one flange having a planar surface; wherein said each frame portion includes a side wall substantially perpendicular to said planar surface of said at least one flange and extending downwardly therefrom, said side wall defining at least one attachment aperture for receiving a fastener therethrough when corresponding attachment apertures of said pair of frame portions are aligned, whereby to couple said pair of frame portions together; a plurality of wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly including a hub having a center axis of wheel rotation and having a tire mounted to said hub, said plurality of wheel assemblies being axially mounted to said pair of frame portions and positioned in an in-line configuration; a boot having a lower portion releasably mounted atop said planar surface of said at least one flange of each frame portion for receiving the skater's foot therein, said boot having an upper portion detached from said lower portion for surrounding the skater's ankle; wherein said lower portion of said boot defines a first set of lower portion eyelets spaced apart along a longitudinal extent thereof and a second set of lower portion eyelets laterally spaced apart adjacent an upper edge of said lower portion of said boot; wherein said upper portion of said boot defines a first set of upper portion eyelets spaced apart along a longitudinal extent thereof and a second set of upper portion eyelets laterally spaced apart adjacent a lower edge of said upper portion of said boot; a first lace extending through said first set of lower portion eyelets for tightening said lower portion about the skater's foot; and a second lace extending through said second set of lower portion eyelets and said second set of upper portion eyelets for enhancing the stability of the skater's ankle and lower leg, said second lace extending through said first set of said upper portion eyelets for tightening said upper portion about the skater's ankle. 16. The roller skating kit as in claim 15 wherein each side wall of said pair of frame portions includes:an outwardly sloped configuration for enabling said plurality of wheel assemblies to be rotatably mounted between said pair of frame portions; a plurality of wheel apertures corresponding to said plurality of wheel assemblies through which axial wheel fasteners may be extended; and a pair of spaced apart dimples, one of said pair of dimples having a convex configuration and another of said pair of dimples having a concave configuration for maintaining symmetrical alignment of said pair of frame portions. 17. The roller skating kit as in claim 15 wherein:said hub includes a first hub portion having a configuration complementary to a configuration of a second hub portion such that said first and second hub portions are releasably coupled together; when coupled together, said first and second hub portions define a female receptacle; and an inner surface of said tire includes a male attachment structure for detachably coupling with said female receptacle of said first and second hub portions. 18. The roller skating kit as in claim 15 further comprising:a brake pad; and means for selectively mounting said brake pad to respective front or rear ends of said pair of frame portions.