The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 11, 2000
Filed:
Feb. 13, 1997
K-2 Corporation, Vashon, WA (US);
Abstract
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.