WO1996005972A1

WO1996005972A1 - Improved wheel for an in-line roller skate

Info

Publication number: WO1996005972A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/010576
Authority: WO
Inventors: Scott D. Eaton
Original assignee: Eaton Scott D
Priority date: 1994-08-22
Filing date: 1995-08-18
Publication date: 1996-02-29

Abstract

An improved wheel (10) for an in-line roller skate (12) of the type having a boot (14), a sole plate (16), a blade (18) with a plurality of axles (20) for a plurality of the wheels (10). Each wheel (10) consists of a tire (22) to ride upon a road (24). A bearing for rotation is mounted through the center of the tire (22) for assembly onto one axle (20) in the blade (18). A textured gripping tread surface (28) of the tire is for an extra gripping ability on a wet as well as on a dry road (24), to prevent slipping and sliding.

Description

IMPROVED WHEEL FOR AN IN-LINE ROLLER SKATE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The instant invention relates generally to vehicular tires and more specifically it relates to an improved wheel for an in-line roller skate.

Description of the Prior Art Numerous vehicular tires have been provided in prior art. For example U.S. patents numbered 5,078,190 to Wissbock et al.; 5,100,161 to Tillyer; 5,152,852 to Hisamichi and 5,176,766 to Landers et al. all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

MARSH, EDWARD SAMUEL

WHEEL FOR ROLLER SKATES AND THE LIKE

U.S. Patent Number 2,485,304

A roller skate wheel constructed of- closely bonded laminated material comprising alternate layers of rubber and fabric impregnated with thermo-setting synthetic resin of which latter material the outer layers are composed.

HACK, NATHAN

HACK, MORTON

HACK, LEONARD

RESILIENT TIRE THREAD

U.S. Patent Number 3,000,421

A tire having a body and a series of resilient parallel rib members disposed transversely of the peripheral wall of the tire. The rib members are arranged with their front and rear faces at an inclination, in the same direction, to a line tangent at the peripheral wall of the tire. The outer edges of the rib members are preferably rounded, although the edges may also be square and the front and rear faces of adjacent rib members form a rounded or, optionally, a square juncture with the peripheral wall of the tire. The rib members flex in the direction of inclination, under load, irrespective of the direction of the tire rotation.

SCARDENZAN, ANTHONY WHEEL FOR ROLLER SKATE OR SKATEBOARD

U.S. Patent Number 4,130,320 A roller skate wheel for roller skate, or skateboard use, is provided which is formed of an appropriate yieldable plastic material, such as polyurethane, or other suitable material, which is hard but not brittle, an which will deform when subjected to an impact force. Moreover, the plastic material is such that it will instantly restore itself to its original shape after the force has been removed, and it will not acquire a permanent set in a deformed condition. In accordance with the invention, the gripping capabilities of the wheel are enhanced by the provision of a plurality of spaced peripheral grooves in the rim of the wheel, which form a corresponding plurality of peripheral ribs. A pair of side groves are also provided in the rim of the wheel adjacent to the peripheral surface to permit the end is to bend outwardly and improve the grip of the wheel, especially during turning or cornering. One or more self-contained bearings are imbedded concentrically within the plastic rim of the wheel to permit easy change from one type of wheel to another. The peripheral surface of the rim has either a straight, concave or convex configuration, depending upon the use to which the skate or skateboard is to be put.

COVERT, WILLIAM J.

STRICKMAN, MELVYN B.

SKATEBOARD

U.S. Patent Number 4,337,961 A skateboard includes conventional carriages and axles supported on the underside thereof. Each axle has a track pivotally supported on either end and each truck includes front and rear wheels. Each of the four trucks is pivotal independently of each of the others and is spring biased in an intermediate position. An endless belt passes around and is supported by the wheels on each of the four trucks.

WISSBROCK, HORST

DECKER, HEINRICH

GAUS, HELMUT

KNAUF, WERNER

HUININK, HEINRICH

PFAFF, DANIEL

TIRE THREAD

U.S. Patent Number 5,078,190

A tire tread of a vehicular tire has, in a peripheral tire direction, a plurality of tread block rows that are separated from one another by waveshaped longitudinal grooves arranged essentially in the peripheral tire direction. The individual tread blocks within each individual tread block row are separated from one another by transverse grooves. The transverse grooves are arranged such that in a left tread half as well as in a right tread half the transverse grooves are aligned with one another. The groove center lines of the transverse grooves at the outer rims of the tire tread are slanted relative to a tire axis at an angle of 3 degrees to 15 degrees.

The groove center lines of the transverse grooves of the center tread block rows are slanted relative to the tire axis at an angle of 15 degrees to 50 degrees.

The transverse grooves create a design of transversely arranged elongated S-shaped grooves. In order to provide a new tire tread which improves the concurrent properties of longevity, anti-skidding on wet surfaces, hydroplaning and noise reduction, it is suggested to provide the center tread block rows with alternating T-shaped and S-shaped tread blocks.

TILLYER, JOSEPH SKATEBOARD FOR USE IN OFF-ROAD SITUATIONS U.S. Patent Number 5,100,161 A skateboard is modified for use on off-road terrain and includes a shock absorber system. The shock absorber system includes a spacer unit having a plurality of shock absorber plates affixed to the deck unit of the skateboard and to which the skateboard axle is pivotally fixed. Shock abosrber wheels are fastened to the skateboard wheels by self- tapping screws extending through a central hub section of the shock absorber wheels and into the skateboard tires. Shock absorber material, such as foam material or a helical spring, is located inside the tires of the shock absorber wheels.

HISAMICHI, MASAKI

HAZAMA, HIROHISA

TSUKADA, SHUICHI

PNEUMATIC TIRE HAVING AN ASYMMETRIC TREAD

WITH A SUBGROOVE APEX OFFSET FROM THE TREAD CENTER

U.S. Patent Number 5,152,852

A pneumatic tire having a tread comprising a plurality of straight-linear main grooves extending in the circumferential direction of the tire and a plurality of sub-grooves extending to shoulder ends of the tire, crossing the main grooves at an inclination.

The sub-grooves include a central region of the width of a ground-contact area of the tread, a curved portion which is convex in the direction of rotation of the tire and which is, in the condition of the tire of being mounted on a vehicle, located off the center of the width of the ground-contact area toward an outer side of the vehicle by a distance within a range of 5 to 15% of the width of the ground-contact area.

Sub-grooves extending between the curved portion and the shoulder end on an outerside of the vehicle have an angle of inclination Oo relative to the circumferential direction of the tire. Sub-grooves extending between the curved portion and the shoulder end on an inner side of vehicle have an angle of inclination Oi, the angles of inclination Oo and Oi having a Oo/Oi ratio which is greater than 1.1 but is smaller than 1.5.

TOKIEDA AKIMORI

KAWAZURA, TETSUJI

RADIAL TIRE FOR PASSENGER CARS WITH SIDEWALL RUBBER

INCLUDING ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE CARBON BLACK

U. S. Patent Number 5,173,135

A radial-ply tire for use in passenger cars, which comprises a tread portion and two opposite sidewall portions, each of said sidewall portions being formed, at least on an outer surface thereof, from a rubber composition comprising a vulcanizable rubber selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber and combinations thereof and an electrically conductive carbon black having a surface area by nitrogen adsorption in the range of from 100 to 150 m²/g, a dibutyl phthalate adsorption in the range of from 90 to 130 ml/100 g, a pH in the range of from 7.0 to 8.0 and a volatile content in the range of from 1.0 to 3.0, said carbon black being present in an amount of from 5 to 25 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said rubber and said rubber composition having a volume resistivity of not more than 10⁴ cm.

AGARWAL, SUBBASH C.

FISK, GEORGE H.

CUT RESISTANT TIRE WITH EMBEDDED OBLONG FIBERS

U.S. Patent Number 5,137,136

A cut resistant off the road heavy duty pneumatic tire which comprises at least a pair of annular beads, carcass plies containing parallel cord reinforcement wrapped around said beads, a tread disposed in a crown area of said tire over said carcass plies, and sidewalls disposed over said carcass plies between said tread and said beads, wherein said tread and sidewalls have disposed therein 1-20 phr chopped adhesive coated indivisible high modulus monofilament nylon fibers, wherein said fibers have an oblong cross section about 0.051 cm to 0.127 cm (0.020 to 0.050 inches) wide, about 0.013 cm to 0.043 cm (0.005 to 0.017 inches) thick and abut 0.254 cm to 1.27 cm (0.1 to 0.5 inches) long and wherein said monofilament used to make said nylon fibers has a tenacity of at least 6 g/denier, an initial modulus of at least 30g/denier and a shrinkage of not greater thn 5%.

OKIHARA, MASAKAZU MIYAZSKI, YUSAKU HORIKAWA, TORU PNEUMATIC TIRE WITH IMPROVED DURABILITY OF THE BEAD PORTION U. S. Patent Number 5,173,137 A pneumatic tire characterized in that a carcass layer is constructed by arranging non-twisted polyamide monofilament cords each having a flat cross- section such that the major axis of said flat cross- section is disposed along a surface direction of said carcass layer, that said carcass layer is folded up from the inside to the outside of said tire around a bead portion, the thickness thereof becomes smaller toward the distal end thereof.

LANDERS, SAMUEL P.

GLOVER, WILLIAM E.

ATTINELLA, JOHN S.

PNEUMATIC TIRE HAVING A UNIQUE FOOTPRINT

U. S. Patent Number 5,176,766

A directional pneumatic tire having improved wet traction is provided. The tire has an annular aqua channel and curved lateral grooves to direct water from the footprint to the shoulder area of the tire to help prevent hydroplaning. It has been found that the tire has a unique footprint which appears to characterize its stability. The footprint comprises two substantially trapezoidal contact patches which are oriented base to base and are separated from each other by 10% to 22% of the total tread width. SUMMARY Of TH INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved wheel for an in-line roller skate that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

Another object is to provide an improved wheel for an in-line roller skate in which each wheel contains a textured gripping tread surface for an extra gripping ability on wet as well as on dry roads.

An additional object is to provide an improved wheel for an in-line roller skate in which each textured gripping tread surface can be made in a variety of patterns on a solid rubber tire, as well as on a rubber tire formed onto a nylon hub.

A further object is to provide an improved wheel for an in-line roller skate that is simple and easy to use.

A still further object is to provide an improved wheel for an in-line roller skate that is economical in cost to manufacture.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an entire roller skate incorporating the instant invention therein.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side view taken in the direction of arrow 2 in Figure 1, of one wheel showing the textured gripping thread surface.

FIGURE 3 is a front view taken in the direction of arrow 3 in Figure 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged front view similar to Figure 3, showing another pattern of the textured gripping thread surface.

FIGURE 5 is a side view taken in the direction of arrow 5 in Figure 4.

FIGURES 6 through 15 are partial front views showing additional patterns of the textured gripping thread surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ΪHE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, Figure 1 illustrates an improved wheel 10 for an in-line roller skate 12 of the type having a boot 14, a sole plate 16, a blade 18 with a plurality of axles 20 for a plurality of the wheels 10. Each wheel 10 consists of a tire 22 to ride upon a road 24. A bearing 26, shown in Figures 2 and 5, for rotation is mounted through the center of the tire 22 for assembly onto one axle 20 in the blade 18. A textured gripping tread surface 28 of the tire 22 is for an extra gripping ability on a wet as well as on a dry road 24, to prevent slipping and sliding.

The textured gripping tread surface 28 in Figures 4 and 5, is a first straight pattern 30 having a central circumferential groove 32 and a plurality of lateral grooves 34 extending radially thereabout. Each lateral groove 34 goes transversely across the central circumferential groove 32.

The textured gripping tread surface 29 in Figure 6 is a second straight pattern 36 having two spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves 38, 40 and a plurality of lateral grooves 42 extending radially thereabout. Each said lateral groove 42 going transversely across the two circumferential grooves 38, 40.

The textured gripping tread surface 28 in Figure 14 is a third straight pattern 44 having three equally spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves 46, 48, 50 and a plurality of lateral grooves 52 extending radially thereabout. Each said lateral groove 52 goes transverse across the three circumferential grooves 46.

The textured gripping tread surface 28 in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is a first arrow pattern 54, having a central circumferential groove 56 and a plurality of lateral grooves 58 extending radially thereabout. Each said lateral groove 58 goes at a 45 degree angle away from the central circumferential groove 56.

The textured gripping tread surface 28 in Figure 12 is a second arrow pattern 60, having two spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves 62, 64 and a plurality of lateral grooves 66 extending radially thereabout. Each lateral groove 66 goes at a 45 degree angle away from between the two circumferential grooves 62, 64.

The textured gripping tread surface 28 in Figure 8 is a third arrow pattern 68 having three equally spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves 70, 72, 74 and a plurality of lateral grooves 76 extending radially thereabout. Each said lateral groove 76 goes at a 45 degree angle away from the second circumferential groove 72. The textured gripping tread surface 28 in Figure 7 is a first offset pattern 78 having a central circumferential groove 80 and a plurality of lateral grooves 82 extending radially thereabout. Each lateral groove 82 goes offset at a 45 degree angle away from the central circumferential groove 80.

The textured gripping tread surface 28 in Figure

9 is a second offset pattern 84 having two spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves 86, 88 and a plurality of lateral grooves 90 extending radially thereabout. Each lateral groove 90 goes offset at a 45 degree angle away from the two circumferential grooves 86, 88. A center portion 92 of each lateral groove 90 extends transversely across between the two circumferential grooves 86,88.

The textured gripping tread surface 28 in Figure 15 is a third offset pattern 94 having three equally spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves 96, 98, 100 and a plurality of lateral grooves 102 extending radially thereabout. Each lateral groove 102 goes offset at a 45 degree angle away from the two outer circumferential grooves 96, 100. Two center portions 104, 106 of each lateral groove 102 extends offset at a 45 degree angle between the three circumferential grooves 96, 98, 100.

The textured griping tread surface 28 in Figure 11 is a first double V pattern 108 having a central circumferential groove 110 and a plurality of lateral grooves 112 extending radially thereabout. Each lateral groove 112 goes in a zig-zag path transversely across the central circumferential groove 110.

The textured gripping tread surface 28 in Figure

10 is a second double V pattern 114 having two spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves 116, 118 and a plurality of lateral grooves 120 extending radially thereabout. Each lateral groove 120 goes in a zig-zag path transversely across the two circumferential grooves 116, 118.

The textured gripping tread surface 28 in Figure

13 is of a third double V pattern 122 having three equally spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves 124, 126, 128 and a plurality of lateral grooves 130 extending radially thereabout. Each lateral groove 130 goes in a zig-zag path transversely across the three circumferential grooves 124, 126, 128.

The various patterns shown in Figures 1 through

15 are illustrative example only. Other types of patterns can also be utilized for the textured gripping tread surface 28 on the tire 22.

The tire 22, as best shown in Figure 5, can be made out of one solid complete rubber unit 132, having a central hole 134 therethrough to receive the bearing 26. The tire 22, as best shown in Figure 2, can be made of rubber 136 molded about a nylon hub 138, having a central hole 140 therethrough to receive the bearing 26.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 10 improved wheel 12 in-line roller skate

14 boot of 12

16 sole plate of 12 18 blade of 12

20 axle of 12

22 tire

24 road

26 bearing

28 textured gripping tread surface on 22

30 first straight pattern for 28

32 central circumferential groove of 30

34 lateral groove of 30

36 second straight pattern for 28

38 first circumferential groove of 36

40 second circumferential groove of 36 lateral groove of 36 third straight pattern for 28 first circumferential groove of 44 second circumferential groove of 44 third circumferential groove of 44 lateral groove of 44 first arrow pattern for 28 central circumferential groove of 54 lateral groove of 54 second arrow pattern for 28 first circumferential groove of 60 second circumferential groove of 60 lateral groove of 60 third arrow pattern for 28 first circumferential groove of 68 second circumferential groove of 68 third circumferential groove of 68 lateral groove of 68 first offset pattern for 28 central circumferential groove of 78 lateral groove of 78 second offset pattern for 28 first circumferential groove of 84 second circumferential groove of 84 lateral groove of 84 center portion of 90 third offset pattern for 28 first circumferential groove of 94 second circumferential groove of 94 third circumferential groove 94 lateral groove of 94 first center portion of 102 second center portion of 102 first double V pattern for 28 central circumferential groove of 108 lateral groove of 108 second double V pattern for 28 116 first circumferential groove of 114

118 second circumferential groove of 114

120 lateral groove of 114

122 third double V pattern for 28

124 first circumferential groove of 122

126 second circumferential groove of 122

128 third circumferential groove of 122

130 lateral groove of 122

132 one solid complete rubber unit for 22

134 central hole in 132 for 26

136 molded rubber for 22

138 nylon hub

140 central hole in 138 for 26

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel feature of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Claims

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. An improved wheel for an in-line roller skate of the type having a boot, a sole plate, a blade with a plurality of axles for a plurality of said wheels, with each said wheel comprising: a) a tire to ride upon a road; b) a bearing for rotation mounted through the center of said tire for assembly onto one axle in the blade; and c) a textured gripping tread surface of said tire for an extra gripping ability on a wet as well as on a dry road, to prevent slipping and sliding.

2. An improved wheel for an in-line roller skate as recited in Claim 1, wherein said textured gripping tread surface is a first straight pattern having a central circumferential groove and a plurality of lateral grooves extending radially thereabout, with each said lateral groove going transversely across said central circumferential groove.

3. An improved wheel for an in-line roller skate as recited in Claim 1, wherein said textured gripping tread surface is a second straight pattern having two spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves and a plurality of lateral grooves extending radially thereabout, with each said lateral groove going transversely across said two circumferential grooves.

4. An improved wheel for an in-line roller skate as recited in Claim 1, wherein said textured gripping tread surface is a third straight pattern having three equally spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves and a plurality of lateral grooves extending radially thereabout, with each said

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26J lateral groove going transverse across said three circumferential grooves.

5. An improved wheel for an in-line roller skate as recited in Claim 1, wherein said textured gripping tread surface is a first arrow pattern having a central circumferential groove and a plurality of lateral grooves extending radially thereabout with each said lateral groove going at a 45 degree angle away from said central circumferential groove.

6. An improved wheel for an in-line roller skate as recited in Claim 1, wherein said textured gripping tread surface is a second arrow pattern having two spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves and a plurality of lateral grooves extending radially thereabout, with each said lateral groove going at a 45 degree angle away from between said two circumferential grooves.

7. An improved wheel for an in-line roller skate as recited in Claim 1, wherein said textured gripping tread surface is a third arrow pattern having three equally spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves and a plurality of lateral grooves extending radially thereabout, with each said lateral groove going at a 45 degree angle away from said second circumferential groove.

8. An improved wheel for an in-line roller skate as recited in Claim 1, wherein said textured gripping tread surface is a first offset pattern having a central circumferential groove and a plurality of lateral grooves extending radially thereabout, with each said lateral groove going offset at a 45 degree angle away from said central circumferential groove.

9. An improved wheel for an in-line roller skate as recited in Claim 1, wherein said textured gripping tread surface is a second offset pattern having two spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves and a plurality of lateral grooves extending radially thereabout, with each said lateral groove going offset at a 45 degree angle away from said two circumferential grooves, while a center portion of each said lateral groove extends transversely across between said two circumferential grooves.

10. An improved wheel for an in-line roller skate as recited in Claim 1, wherein said textured gripping tread surface is a third offset pattern having three equally spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves and a plurality of lateral grooves extending radially thereabout, with each said lateral groove going offset at a 45 degree angle away from said two outer circumferential grooves, while two center portions of each said lateral groove extends offset at a 45 degree angle between said three circumferential grooves.

11. An improved wheel for an in-line roller skate as recited in Claim 1, wherein said textured griping tread surface is a first double V pattern having a central circumferential groove and a plurality of lateral grooves extending radially thereabout, with each said lateral groove going in a zig-zag path transversely across said central circumferential groove.

12. An improved wheel for an in-line roller skate as recited in Claim 1, wherein said textured gripping tread surface is of a second double V pattern having two spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves and a plurality of lateral grooves extending radially thereabout, with each said lateral groove going in a zig-zag path transversely across said two circumferential grooves.

13. An improved wheel for an in-line roller skate as recited in Claim 1, wherein said textured gripping tread surface is of a third double V pattern having three equally spaced apart parallel circumferential grooves and a plurality of lateral grooves extending radially thereabout, with each said lateral groove going in a zig-zag path transversely across said three circumferential grooves.

14. An improved wheel for an in-line roller skate as recited in Claim 1, wherein said tire is made out of one solid complete rubber unit having a central hole therethrough to receive said bearing.

15. An improved wheel for an in-line roller skate as recited in Claim l, wherein said tire is made of rubber moulded about a nylon hub having a central hole therethrough to receive said bearing.