Child's roller skate

Abstract

A child's roller skate; a frame therefor; a method of combining a frame and shoe in a skate: a frame upper portion attachable to a shoe bottom by a bolt and a nut. Means in the frame for accepting, retaining and rotationally stabilizing the inserted nut so that the bolt may be screwed into the nut by pressing it into the nut and turning it relative to the frame, no separate tool being needed to stabilize the nut. A bolt inserted vertically through bore; a nut inserted laterally into a guide. A frame including front and rear support receptacles for rotatably housing front and rear axles, preferably via bearings, one per axle. One support receptacle, preferably both, are formed integrally with the frame. The frame preferably is formed of plastic. A frame lower portion, preferably formed integrally with the frame extends beneath the frame upper portion between the front support and rear receptacles. Brake blocks attachable to frame in same manner as shoe. Reduced weight, height, material, and assembly steps.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A frame for a child's roller skate, said frame comprising: 
 a frame upper portion adapted for approximation to a shoe, said frame upper portion being attachable to a shoe by at least one bolt and at least one nut for securing said bolt, said frame comprising means for accepting insertion of said nut and for so confining and rotationally stabilizing said inserted nut that said bolt may be secured to said nut by rotation relative to said frame while approximated to said nut;    front and rear support receptacles for rotatably housing front and rear axles, at least one of said front and rear support receptacles being formed integrally with said frame; and    a frame lower portion extending beneath said frame upper portion and connecting said front support receptacle to said rear support receptacle.    
     
     
         2 . A frame for a child's roller skate as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein both of said front and rear support receptacles are formed integrally with said frame.  
     
     
         3 . A frame for a child's roller skate as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said integrally-formed support receptacle houses a bearing set, said bearing set being capable of supporting an axle.  
     
     
         4 . A frame for a child's roller skate as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising an axle supported by said bearing set and a pair of wheels mounted on said axle.  
     
     
         5 . A frame for a child's roller skate as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said frame is formed of plastic.  
     
     
         6 . A frame for a child's roller skate as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said frame is further adapted for approximation to at least one brake block, said frame being attachable to said brake block by at least one bolt and at least one nut for securing said bolt, said frame comprising means for accepting insertion of said nut and for so confining and rotationally stabilizing said inserted nut that said bolt may be secured to said nut by rotation relative to said frame while approximated to said nut.  
     
     
         7 . A frame for a child's roller skate as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said means for accepting insertion of said nut is configured for insertion of said nut laterally and for approximation of said bolt to said nut with said bolt oriented substantially vertically.  
     
     
         8 . A frame for a child's roller skate, said frame comprising: 
 a frame upper portion adapted for approximation to a shoe, said frame upper portion being attachable to a shoe by at least one bolt and at least one nut for securing said bolt, said frame comprising a substantially vertical bore for accepting said bolt and a substantially horizontal guide for accepting insertion of said nut and retaining said nut, said nut being positionable within said guide and in alignment with said vertical bore so as to receive said bolt and to transmit torque from said bolt to said frame;    front and rear support receptacles for rotatably housing front and rear axles, at least one of said front and rear support receptacles being formed integrally with said frame; and    a frame lower portion extending beneath said frame upper portion and connecting said front support receptacle to said rear support receptacle.    
     
     
         9 . A frame for a child's roller skate as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said frame lower portion is formed integrally with said frame upper portion.  
     
     
         10 . A method of combining a shoe with a frame in a child's roller skate, said method including the steps of: 
 providing a shoe having a sole;    providing a frame, said frame comprising a frame upper portion adapted for approximation to a shoe, said frame comprising front and rear support receptacles for rotatably housing front and rear axles, at least one of said front and rear support receptacles being formed integrally with said frame, said frame comprising a frame lower portion located below said frame upper portion and connecting said front support receptacle to said rear support receptacle;    approximating said frame upper portion to said sole;    passing a bolt from said sole into said frame;    inserting a nut into said frame;    approximating said bolt to said nut; and    rotating said bolt relative to said frame to secure said nut to said bolt.