Roller skate

Abstract

A roller skate has a frame formed of a short length of sturdy, generally rectangular channel material having two opposed side walls and a sole plate or floor extending therebetween. A large diameter wheel is secured to each end of each side wall, to define a widely spaced rectangular wheel array providing a stable skate platform. The high attachment of the large diameter wheels places the sole plate immediately adjacent the underlying surface when the wheels are resting on that surface, for greater stability. Instep and heel straps extend from single central attachment points along each side wall, with the present skate being essentially longitudinally and laterally symmetrical. Provision may be made for vertical and/or lateral adjustment of the wheels relative to the skate frame, if so desired.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A roller skate, comprising: 
 a laterally and longitudinally symmetrical frame having a length, a width, and a rectangular planform defining four corners;    first through fourth axles each immovably affixed to and extending generally from one of said corners of said frame, and defining an axle plane;    first through fourth large diameter wheels having equal diameters to one another and each installed upon one of said axles;    each of said wheels having a radius extending beyond said length of said frame, defining a long wheelbase for stability;    each pair of laterally opposed said wheels having a lateral span extending beyond said width of said frame, defining a wide track for stability; and    said frame including a sole plate extending laterally across said frame and below said axle plane, disposed immediately adjacent an underlying structure when said wheels are resting upon the underlying structure.    
     
     
         2 . The roller skate according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame comprises a sturdy channel having a generally rectangular cross section with a first side wall and a second side wall opposite said first side wall, with said sole plate extending therebetween and formed integrally therewith.  
     
     
         3 . The roller skate according to  claim 2 , wherein said channel is a thick walled aluminum extrusion.  
     
     
         4 . The roller skate according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said axles has a height above said sole plate, further including: 
 means for selectively installing each of said axles to said frame, for selectively adjusting said height of said axles above said sole plate for adjustably vertically positioning said sole plate above the underlying surface.    
     
     
         5 . The roller skate according to  claim 1 , further including means for selectively adjusting said lateral span of said each pair of laterally opposed said wheels.  
     
     
         6 . The roller skate according to  claim 1 , further including: 
 a first instep strap and a first heel strap extending from a first strap attachment point of said frame;    a second instep strap and a second heel strap extending from a second strap attachment point of said frame;    said first strap attachment point and said second strap attachment point disposed laterally opposite one another;    each said first strap having a distal end with a D-ring extending therefrom; and    each said second strap including an attachment surface with mating first and second fastener means disposed thereon for looping through a respective said D-ring and foldably securing therearound.    
     
     
         7 . The roller skate according to  claim 6 , wherein said first and second fastener means comprise mating strips of hook and loop fastening material.  
     
     
         8 . The roller skate according to  claim 1 , further including a non-skid coating disposed upon said sole plate of said frame, for providing a good grip for the sole of a skater's shoe placed within said frame.  
     
     
         9 . A roller skate, comprising: 
 a sturdy, laterally and longitudinally symmetrical channel having a length, a width, and a generally rectangular planform defining four corners;    said channel further having a first side wall, a second side wall opposite said first side wall, and a sole plate extending therebetween and formed integrally therewith;    first through fourth axles each immovably affixed to and extending generally from one of said corners of said channel, and defining an axle plane;    first through fourth large diameter wheels having equal diameters to one another and each installed upon one of said axles;    each of said wheels having a radius extending beyond said length of said channel, defining a long wheelbase for stability;    each pair of laterally opposed said wheels having a lateral span extending beyond said width of said channel, defining a wide track for stability; and    said sole plate being disposed immediately adjacent an underlying structure when said wheels are resting upon the underlying structure.    
     
     
         10 . The roller skate according to  claim 9 , wherein said channel is a thick walled aluminum extrusion.  
     
     
         11 . The roller skate according to  claim 9 , wherein each of said axles has a height above said sole plate, further including: 
 means for selectively installing each of said axles to said channel, for selectively adjusting said height of said axles above said sole plate for adjustably vertically positioning said sole plate above the underlying surface.    
     
     
         12 . The roller skate according to  claim 9 , further including means for selectively adjusting said lateral span of said each pair of laterally opposed said wheels.  
     
     
         13 . The roller skate according to  claim 9 , further including: 
 a first instep strap and a first heel strap extending from a first strap attachment point of said first side wall;    a second instep strap and a second heel strap extending from a second strap attachment point of said second sidewall;    said first strap attachment point and said second strap attachment point disposed laterally opposite one another;    each said first strap having a distal end with a D-ring extending therefrom; and    each said second strap including an attachment surface with mating first and second fastener means disposed thereon for looping through a respective said D-ring and foldably securing therearound.    
     
     
         14 . The roller skate according to  claim 13 , wherein said first and second fastener means comprises mating strips of hook and loop fastening material.  
     
     
         15 . The roller skate according to  claim 9 , further including a non-skid coating disposed upon said sole plate of said frame, for providing a good grip for the sole of a skater's shoe placed within said frame.  
     
     
         16 . A roller skate, comprising: 
 a frame having a length and a width, and including a sole plate;    first through fourth axles extending from said frame;    first through fourth wheels, each installed upon a respective one of said axles;    each of said axles having a height above said sole plate;    means for selectively installing each of said axles to said frame, for selectively adjusting said height of said axles above said sole plate for adjustably vertically positioning said sole plate above an underlying surface when said wheels are resting upon the underlying surface;    each pair of laterally opposed said wheels having a lateral span extending beyond said width of said frame, defining a wide track for stability; and    means for selectively adjusting said lateral span of said each pair of laterally opposed said wheels.    
     
     
         17 . The roller skate according to  claim 16 , wherein said frame comprises a sturdy channel having longitudinal and lateral symmetry and a generally rectangular planform defining four corners; 
 said frame further having a first side wall and a second side wall opposite said first side wall, with said sole plate extending therebetween and formed integrally therewith;    each of said axles extending from said first and said second side wall, adjacent one of said corners;    each of said wheels having large diameters equal to one another and each installed upon one of said axles; and    each of said wheels having a radius extending beyond said length of said frame, defining a long wheelbase for stability.    
     
     
         18 . The roller skate according to  claim 16 , wherein said channel is a thick walled aluminum extrusion.  
     
     
         19 . The roller skate according to  claim 16 , further including: 
 a first instep strap and a first heel strap extending from a first strap attachment point of said frame;    a second instep strap and a second heel strap extending from a second strap attachment point of said frame;    said first strap attachment point and said second strap attachment point disposed laterally opposite one another;    each said first strap having a distal end with a D-ring extending therefrom; and    each said second strap including an attachment surface with mating first and second fastener means disposed thereon for looping through a respective said D-ring and foldably securing therearound.    
     
     
         20 . The roller skate according to  claim 16 , further including a non-skid coating disposed upon said sole plate of said frame, for providing a good grip for the sole of a skater's shoe placed within said frame.