K-2 Corporation

Harry Miller Company, Inc.

K2 Sports, LLC

Dodd H Grande

John Erik Svensson

Mark S Williams

Chris Barchet

Scott Youmans

Rudy Lucas Samuels

Antonin A Meibock

Rachel Lin

Shin B Min

Hans D Grande

Harry Miller

Darrin John Haugen

Jay Bublitz

Embodiments are directed toward a latch. The latch preferably has a housing that defines a receiver channel that is configured to receive a latchable member. The latch preferably has a catch that is transitionable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the catch is preferably configured to enable insertion and removal of the latchable member into and from the receiver channel. In the closed configuration, the catch is preferably configured to at least partially close the receiver channel and to prevent removal of the latchable member from the receiver channel.

Magnetically guided latch

A snowshoe with binding suspended by tension straps secured to a frame is assembled from a generally U-shaped nose, and an aft section which can be a midsection and a tail. In one embodiment the nose has sufficient strength to resist inward pulling under tension to suspend the binding resiliently, without significant strength contribution from aft portions of the frame. The aft portion of the snowshoe includes traction elements, i.e. rows of teeth, positioned to engage into snow and ice. An important aspect of the invention is that the nose and aft sections are non-integral and very dissimilar in cross section, in a suspended-binding snowshoe.

Snowshoe with forward frame support

A molded or plastic composite snowshoe is formed of two assembled sections, in a way that imparts flexibility to the snowshoe, allowing some degree of torsional twisting or warping flexibility so that the snowshoe adapts to uneven terrain. In a principal embodiment the molded snowshoe is divided into forward and aft sections along a line slightly behind the nose area and near the pivot axis in the case of a pitch-pivoting binding. Joints between sections are in narrow rims at left and right, at opposed sides of a large central opening for the crampon/binding and boot. The joints are designed to securely hold the forward and aft molded sections together but to allow a degree of torsion between them when needed. Steel structural traction rails extend across the joints but are constructed and secured to the snowshoe sections in a manner that preserves the desired flexibility.

Molded snowshoe with compound deck

A snowshoe of molded plastic material has a tail section with greater flexibility than the main body section, thereby allowing the tail to give and deform as the snowshoe tail is engaged against the terrain during the gait of the user. At the same time, the tail is stiff enough to provide flotation needed when the full weight of the user is on one snowshoe fully engaged against terrain, such as soft snow.

Snowshoe with flexible tail

A method of constructing a skate frame for an in-line skate is provided. The method includes forming a first skin on a mold and positioning core material on the first skin so that the core material does not contact the portions of the frame that receive load from the shoe portion. The method further includes forming a second skin over the first skin such that the core material is positioned and sealed between the first and second skins. The method further includes curing the frame.

Foam core in-line skate frame

A skate frame () for an in-line skate () having a shoe portion () and a plurality of wheels () capable of traversing a surface. The skate frame includes an elongate structural member comprised of a structural material having a first average density. The structural member having first and second sidewalls (). The structural member also includes a shoe mounting portion () spanning between at least a portion of the upper ends of the sidewalls. The skate frame also includes core material () disposed within at least one of the first and second sidewalls or within the shoe mounting portion. In an embodiment of the invention a threaded insert () is embedded in the core material of one sidewall, and an aligned tubular insert is installed in the opposite sidewall, such that the wheel axle () can be inserted through the tubular insert to engage the embedded threaded insert. In another embodiment, a protective cap () protects and/or enhances the appearance of the skate frame.

Skate frame with cap construction

A skate upper ( ) of the type having an elongate vamp ( ) with lace keepers ( ) and a tongue ( ) disposed generally in the vamp is provided with an attached lace locker. The lace locker ( ) fixedly attached near the top of the upper, preferably to an upper portion of the tongue. A lace ( ) is retained by the lace keepers and releasably engaged by the lace locker. A strap assembly ( ) is provided below the lace locker. A lace guide ( ) is attached to the tongue, below the lace locker and below the strap assembly. The invention positions the lace locker more conveniently above the strap assembly, and permits the user to tighten and loosen the lace with one hand.

Lacing system for skates

A skate frame ( ) for an in-line skate ( ) having a shoe portion ( ) and a plurality of wheels ( ) capable of traversing a surface. The skate frame includes an elongate structural member comprised of a structural material having a first average density. The structural member having first and second sidewalls ( and ), each having an upper end and a lower end. The structural member also includes a shoe mounting portion ( ) spanning between at least a portion of the upper ends of the sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls having a wheel load introduction portion ( ), wherein loads associated with the wheels are transferred to the structural member. The shoe mounting portion having a shoe load introduction portion, wherein loads associated with the shoe portion are transferred to the structural member.

A skate frame ( ) for an in-line skate ( ) having a shoe portion ( ) and a plurality of wheels ( ) capable of traversing a surface. The skate frame includes an elongate structural member comprised of a structural material having a first average density. The structural member having first and second sidewalls ( ). The structural member also includes a shoe mounting portion ( ) spanning between at least a portion of the upper ends of the sidewalls. The skate frame also includes core material ( ) disposed within at least one of the first and second sidewalls or within the shoe mounting portion. In an embodiment of the invention a threaded insert ( ) is embedded in the core material of one sidewall, and an aligned tubular insert is installed in the opposite sidewall, such that the wheel axle ( ) can be inserted through the tubular insert to engage the embedded threaded insert.

Foam core skate frame with embedded insert

A skate frame ( ) for an in-line skate ( ) having a shoe portion ( ) and a plurality of wheels ( ) capable of traversing a surface. The skate frame includes an elongate structural member comprised of a structural material having a first average density. The structural member having first and second sidewalls ( and ), each having an upper end and a lower end. The structural member also includes a shoe mounting portion ( ) spanning between at least a portion of the upper ends of the sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls having a wheel, load introduction portion ( ), wherein loads associated with the wheels are transferred to the structural member. The shoe mounting portion having a shoe load introduction portion, wherein loads associated with the shoe portion are transferred to the structural member. The skate frame also includes core material ( ) disposed within at least one of the first and second sidewalls or within the shoe mounting portion. The core material being sealed within the sidewalls and/or the shoe mounting portion by the structural material or a filler material. The core material is absent from at least the wheel and shoe load introduction portions.

An in-line skate (10) includes an upper shoe portion (12) secured to a frame (16) by a base (14). The frame (16) carries a plurality of wheels (18). The upper shoe portion includes an internal elastomeric support layer (50) that includes first and second recesses (54) which receive bladders (32) on either side of the ankle joint. Each bladder is constructed from a pliant envelope (62) that contains a reverse thermal gel (60). The support layer is backed by a rigid ankle cuff (28) also mounted internally within the upper shoe portion. The reverse thermal gel filled bladders (32) conform to closely fit the malleoli of the ankle joint when the foot is received within the upper shoe portion of the skate. The reverse thermal gel is initially a low viscosity liquid which readily conforms to the anatomic structure of the ankle joint. Upon warming from the body heat of the received foot, the reverse thermal gel thickens to a significantly higher viscosity to provide an increased degree of support and stability to the ankle joint. Multi-chambered bladders (70) which permit custom volumetric adjustment of the reverse thermal gel filled bladder are also disclosed.

In-line skate with temperature dependent support

Pivoting in line skate support

A skate (10) includes a boot (12) and wheels (28), secured to a frame (14), and a brake (16). The boot includes a base (18), a heel counter (20) and a pivotable cuff (22). The brake includes a brake housing (32) connected to the frame by lower arms (34) and to the base of the boot by upper arms (36). A brake pad (38) is secured to the lower end of the brake housing adjacent the wheels. A push rod (40) extends upwardly from a top end of the brake housing along the axis of the brake housing, and bears against a cuff tab (42) secured to the back of the cuff of the boot. Forward pivoting of the cuff of the boot during skating does not activate the brake, while rearward movement of the cuff causes the cuff tab to push down on the push rod (40), resulting in engagement of the brake pad with the ground. Displacement of the brake pad in response to movement of the cuff is amplified by a hydraulic master-slave piston arrangement contained within the brake housing. The master-slave piston arrangement includes a master piston (52) and master diaphragm (56) housed within a master cylinder (54), a slave cylinder (70) positioned below the master cylinder, and a slave diaphragm (74) and slave piston (78).

In-line skate brake

A ventilated in-line skate (10) includes a lower frame portion (12) mounting a plurality of wheels (14) and an upper shoe portion (16). The upper shoe portion is secured to a base (24) that defines an upper surface (26) adapted to receive the upper shoe portion (16), and an exterior, lower surface (28) to which the lower frame portion (12) is secured. The base defines multiple ventilation channels (30) that traverse its upper surface (26) from a corresponding plurality of inlet apertures (32, 39) to an outlet aperture (34) defined within the exterior surface of the base. The upper surface of the base receives a last board (54) and insole (58), each of which includes a plurality of vertical apertures that permit airflow from the interior of the upper shoe portion to the ventilation channel. The base draws air and moisture from the interior of the upper shoe portion during use.

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Dodd H Grande