US20120313336A1

US20120313336A1 - Unicycle roller skate

Info

Publication number: US20120313336A1
Application number: US13/156,383
Authority: US
Inventors: Hsiao-Tsun Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-06-09
Filing date: 2011-06-09
Publication date: 2012-12-13

Abstract

A unicycle roller skate includes a wheel frame, a wheel assembly, a shoe seat and a stabilization protective device. The wheel frame has a connection seat and at least one support section disposed under the connection seat, a connection hole/notch being formed at a bottom end of the support section. The wheel assembly includes a wheel body and a shaft member. The shaft member is passed through a center of the wheel body and locked at the connection hole/notch with a locking member. The shoe seat is fixedly connected with the connection seat. The wheel body has a rubber/plastic tire with an enlarged diameter. Therefore, the wheel body is more tolerant of bumpy road face. Accordingly, a user can easily and smoothly skate on a common bicycle lane without limitation to specifically treated site. The stabilization protective device serves to provide lateral support force and protection for a wearer's ankle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a unicycle roller skate, and more particularly to a unicycle roller skate having a stabilization protective device assembled with the shoe seat. The stabilization protective device serves to provide lateral support force and protection for a wearer's ankle in skating. Therefore, the unicycle roller skate can be used within a larger range.
2. Description of the Related Art
The conventional skates can be classified into inline skates and roller skates. Many kinds of improved skates have been disclosed and patented.
For example, Taiwanese Patent No. M384050 discloses a wheel frame structure of an in inline skate. In this structure, a frame body is disposed under the shoe seat. The wheel shafts of the wheels are passed through the frame body. The wheel shaft of the central wheel is vertically displaceable to adjust the height of the central wheel by means of a shaft hole adjustment member. Accordingly, the lifetime of the wheels can be prolonged. Moreover, the positions of the wheels can be adjusted to have an optimal height difference for keeping the wheel bodies in best contact with the ground and completing the turning action in figure skating.
In addition, the inline skate of the above patent has a folding structure for folding the wheel assemblies and damper assemblies of the inline skate. When stored, the wheel assemblies and the frame body can be folded into a linear state to reduce the storage space for the inline skate.
No matter how the inline skates or roller skates are improved, both have a common shortcoming in basic structure. That is, the wheels mounted under the shoe seat are so small that the resistance against the skating is considerably large. Many small wheels are used as components of the skate. This leads to a great resistance against the skating.
Moreover, the conventional roller skates are classified into several grades in accordance with the diameter of the wheels. According to the international roller skate race regulation, the diameter of the wheels of the roller skates is specifically regulated and strictly restricted. Currently, the allowable maximum size is 110 mm. The roller skates with such diameter are only suitable for indoor site. This greatly limits the use of the roller skates and is neither economic nor convenient. Furthermore, the specific site necessitates very high maintenance fee.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,110 discloses a unicycle roller skate having one single wheel with a large-size rubber/plastic tire. A shoe seat is mounted on the wheel shaft of the wheel. A user can wear a pair of unicycle roller skates on both feet to skate. The unicycle roller skate is more tolerant of bumpy road face in skating so that the unicycle roller skate has higher skate ratio and larger turning flexibility. Also, the resistance against the skating is reduced. However, in practice, it is found that the enlarged wheel leads to longer distance between the foot of a wearer and the ground. As a result, the unicycle roller skate tends to laterally tilt in skating. This often causes sprain of the wearer's ankles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a unicycle roller skate, which has increased skate ratio and enhanced turning flexibility. Moreover, the unicycle roller skate is more tolerant of bumpy road face in skating. Accordingly, a user can easily, smoothly and safety skate on a common bicycle lane without limitation to a specific site. Therefore, the unicycle roller skate can be used within a larger range. Furthermore, the unicycle roller skate is able to provide lateral support force and protection for a wearer's ankle in skating.
To achieve the above and other objects, the unicycle roller skate includes a wheel frame, a wheel assembly, a shoe seat and a stabilization protective device. The wheel frame has a connection seat and at least one support section disposed under the connection seat. The wheel assembly includes a wheel body and a shaft member. The shaft member is passed through a center of the wheel body and locked at the bottom end of the support section with a locking member. The shoe seat is fixedly connected with the connection seat. The stabilization protective device is assembled with the shoe seat to provide lateral support force and protection for a wearer's ankle.
The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective assembled view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective assembled view of the other embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of still another embodiment of the present invention, in which the wheel frame is composed of a connection seat and two support sections detachably assembled with the connection seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 3. The unicycle roller skate of the present invention includes a wheel frame 10, a wheel assembly 20, a shoe seat 30 and a stabilization protective device 40. The wheel frame 10 has a connection seat 11 positioned on an upper side of the wheel frame 10. The connection seat 11 is connected with the shoe seat 30 by means of assembling members 110. At least one support section 12 is disposed under the connection seat 11. At least one connection hole/notch 13 is formed at a bottom end of the support section 12. A restriction hole 14 is formed on one side of the connection hole/notch 13. The wheel frame 10 has a reserve U-shaped cross-section as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Alternatively, the wheel frame 10 has one support section 12 on single side and has a reverse L-shaped cross-section (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). The wheel frame 10 with the reverse U-shaped or reverse L-shaped cross section can be integrally formed as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Alternatively, the wheel frame can be composed of a top connection seat 11A and at least one support section 12A detachably connected with a bottom section of the connection seat 11A as shown in FIG. 6. The support section 12 of the wheel frame 10 can be a hollow reverse triangular frame downward extending from the connection seat 11. The wheel assembly 20 includes a wheel body 22 with a large-size rubber/plastic tire and a shaft member 21 passing through a center of the wheel body 22. The shaft member 21 is mounted in the connection hole/notch 13 and locked by means of a locking member 24. At least one hook member 23 is additionally serially fitted on the shaft member 21 between the locking member 24 and the support section 12. The hook member 23 has a gasket section 231 fitted on the shaft member 21 and a hook section 232 that extends from an outer circumference of the gasket section 231 and can be hooked in the restriction hole 14. When assembled, the shaft member 21 is passed through the center of the wheel body 22 and the gasket section 231 of the hook member 23 with the hook section 232 hooked in the restriction hole 14. Then the shaft member 21 is locked with the locking member 22 to fix the hook member 23 without detachment.
Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 6. The bottom section of the shoe seat 30 is mounted on the connection seat 11 (11A). A peripheral retainer plate 31 is disposed on an outer periphery of the shoe seat 30 for enclosing a shoe body 50. A fastening strap 32 is affixed to the peripheral retainer plate 31. The stabilization protective device 40 is pivotally connected with the peripheral retainer plate 31 or the support section 12 (12A). The stabilization protective device 40 at least has a portion corresponding to a part of the leg above the ankle. The stabilization protective device 40 can be pivotally swung back and forth relative to the peripheral retainer plate 31 or the support section 12 (12A). The stabilization protective device 40 has an extension protective plate 41 for supporting the stabilization protective device 40 without laterally swinging. At least one tie member 42 extends from the extension protective plate 41 to a wearer.
Please further refer to FIGS. 1 to 3. The shoe seat 30 is conveniently detachably mounted on the connection seat 11 by means of the assembling members 110, which are specifically designed. That is, the connection seat 11 has a rest face 111 corresponding to the shoe seat 30. Several shift-type engagement holes 112 are formed on the rest face 111. The bottom section of the shoe seat 30 is provided with engagement buttons 33 corresponding to the engagement holes 112. The engagement buttons 33 can be easily slid and fixedly inserted into the engagement holes 112. In addition, a locating member 34 is disposed between a heel section of the shoe seat 30 and the connection section 11. After the engagement buttons 33 are inserted into the engagement holes 112, the locating member 34 keeps the engagement buttons 33 inserted in the engagement holes 112 so as to fix the shoe seat 30 with the connection seat 11 without detachment.
In the above structure of the present invention, the wheel body 22 with enlarged diameter can increase the skate ratio, enhance the turning flexibility and reduce resistance against the skating. Moreover, the single wheel body 22 is more adaptive to and tolerant of bumpy road face. Accordingly, a user is no more limited to a specific site and can easily and smoothly skate on a common bicycle lane. Therefore, the unicycle roller skate can be used within a larger range. Furthermore, the stabilization protective device 40 of the present invention is able to prevent the wheel skate from laterally tilting during skate. Therefore, the possible injury to the user can be minimized and the safety in use of such product can be greatly increased.
In practice, the unicycle roller skate of the present invention is similar to the popular unicycle and helpful in training balance feeling. A beginner will become experienced only after a short term of proper teaching and training. Moreover, in use, a user can stably stand on the unicycle roller skates and left and right alternately tread in a figure of eight in a speed race. The skate can be stopped by means of the side brake of the conventional ice skate.
The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A unicycle roller skate comprising a wheel frame, a wheel assembly, a shoe seat and a stabilization protective device, wherein:

the wheel frame has a connection seat positioned on an upper side of the wheel frame, the shoe seat being connected with an upper side of the connection seat, at least one support section being disposed under the connection seat, at least one connection hole/notch being formed at a bottom end of the support section;

the wheel assembly includes a wheel body pivotally mounted at the connection hole/notch; and

the stabilization protective device is pivotally connected with the support section of the wheel frame or the shoe seat in a position near an ankle of a wearer, the stabilization protective device being back and forth swingable relative to the shoe seat and supported without laterally swinging.

2. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one assembling member is disposed between the connection seat and the shoe seat for assembling the connection seat with the shoe seat.

3. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 2, wherein a locating member is disposed between a heel section of the shoe seat and the connection section for keeping the shoe seat fixedly assembled with the connection seat by the assembling member.

4. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stabilization protective device has an extension protective plate pivotally connected with the shoe seat corresponding to a part of a user's leg above the ankle.

5. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stabilization protective device has an extension protective plate pivotally connected with the shoe seat corresponding to a part of a user's leg above the ankle.

6. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the stabilization protective device has an extension protective plate pivotally connected with the shoe seat corresponding to a part of a user's leg above the ankle.

7. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stabilization protective device has an extension protective plate pivotally connected with the support section corresponding to a part of a user's leg above the ankle.

8. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stabilization protective device has an extension protective plate pivotally connected with the support section corresponding to a part of a user's leg above the ankle.

9. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the stabilization protective device has an extension protective plate pivotally connected with the support section corresponding to a part of a user's leg above the ankle.

10. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheel frame has a reverse U-shaped cross section.

11. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wheel frame has a reverse U-shaped cross section.

12. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the wheel frame has a reverse U-shaped cross section.

13. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheel frame has one support section on single side and has a reverse L-shaped cross-section.

14. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wheel frame has one support section on single side and has a reverse L-shaped cross-section.

15. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the wheel frame has one support section on single side and has a reverse L-shaped cross-section.

16. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection seat is detachably connected with the support section.

17. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connection seat is detachably connected with the support section.

18. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connection seat is detachably connected with the support section.

19. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly includes a wheel body and a shaft member, the shaft member being passed through a center of the wheel body and locked at the bottom end of the support section by means of a locking member, at least one hook member being serially fitted on the shaft member between the locking member and the support section, the hook member having a hook section, which can be hooked on the support section.

20. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wheel assembly includes a wheel body and a shaft member, the shaft member being passed through a center of the wheel body and locked at the bottom end of the support section by means of a locking member, at least one hook member being serially fitted on the shaft member between the locking member and the support section, the hook member having a hook section, which can be hooked on the support section.

21. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the wheel assembly includes a wheel body and a shaft member, the shaft member being passed through a center of the wheel body and locked at the bottom end of the support section by means of a locking member, at least one hook member being serially fitted on the shaft member between the locking member and the support section, the hook member having a hook section, which can be hooked on the support section.

22. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 19, wherein the support section is formed with a restriction hole corresponding to the hook section of the hook member.

23. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 20, wherein the support section is formed with a restriction hole corresponding to the hook section of the hook member.

24. The unicycle roller skate as claimed in claim 21, wherein the support section is formed with a restriction hole corresponding to the hook section of the hook member.