Other

Steven C Preston

Patrick O'Donnell

In-line roller skates capable of riding at high speed on a skating surface and of being braked by the skater without the need for braking pads or similar expedients for this purpose. Each skate is provided with a set of composite wheels supported for rotation in tandem on a frame secured to the underside of a boot. Each composite wheel includes a central section, a substantial portion of which is formed of a synthetic plastic material exhibiting a low coefficient of sliding friction having a slippery outer surface, the central section being flanked by side sections formed of a synthetic plastic material exhibiting a higher coefficient of sliding friction providing a slip-resistant outer surface. The relative values of the coefficient of sliding friction are such that when the skater travels in the forward direction, the skate wheels then roll on the skating surface, and when the skater wishes to slow down or brake, he then angles the skates with respect to the direction of forward motion, thereby causing the wheels to slide on their central section on the skating surface and causing the side sections to frictionally engage this surface to slow down the slide and thereby effect a braking action.

Composite wheel for in-line roller skate

In-line roller skates whose wheels make it possible for a skater to stop without the need for a braking pad or other special expedients for this purpose. Each skate includes a boot to accommodate the skater's foot and a frame secured to the underside of the boot supporting a series of in-line wheels having a composite structure. Each composite wheel includes a center section formed of hard material, such as high-density polyethylene, having a low coefficient of friction, the center section being flanked by side sections formed of relatively soft material, such as cast polyurethane, having a high coefficient of friction. In order to stop or reduce speed, the skater turns the in-line skates away from the direction of travel as he would when braking ice skates. This maneuver causes a portion both of the hard and a soft section of the composite wheels, now angled with respect to the direction of travel, to frictionally engage the ground to effect a braking action.

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Bedford, MA, United States of America

Steven C Preston