In-line skates, frame assemblies and assemblies for modifying in-line skates

Abstract

In-line skates, frame assemblies and assemblies for modifying in-line skates are provided. A representative assembly for modifying an in-line skate includes a grinding member configured for removable attachment to an in-line skate frame. The grinding member has a grinding sidewall and a grinding base, with the grinding base extending outwardly from the grinding sidewall. When the grinding member is attached to the frame, the grinding sidewall is positioned in an overlying relationship with respect to the first sidewall of the frame and the grinding base spans between the first and second sidewalls along the bottom of the frame.

1 . An in-line skate comprising:
 a boot having a bottom portion;   a frame attached to the bottom portion of the boot, the frame having first and second sidewalls, a top wall and a bottom, the first and second sidewalls being spaced from each other, the top wall extending between the sidewalls, the top wall being attached to the boot;   axles extending between the first and second sidewalls;   wheels rotatably mounted to the axles such that at least a portion of each of the wheels is located between the first and second sidewalls;   a grinding member removably attached to the frame, the grinding member having a grinding sidewall, a grinding base and mounting holes, the grinding base extending from the grinding sidewall, the mounting holes being located in the grinding sidewall and being positioned such that the grinding member is attached to the frame by axles, the axles being inserted through the mounting holes and supporting the wheels;   wherein, when the grinding member is attached to the frame, the grinding sidewall is positioned in an overlying relationship with respect to the first sidewall of the frame and the grinding base spans between the first and second sidewalls along the bottom of the frame.   
   
   
       2 . The skate of  claim 1 , further comprising a first removable sidewall located between the first sidewall of the frame and the grinding sidewall. 
   
   
       3 . The skate of  claim 2 , wherein the first removable sidewall is formed of metal and the grinding member is formed of plastic. 
   
   
       4 . The skate of  claim 2 , further comprising a second removable sidewall attached to the frame adjacent the second sidewall of the frame such that the frame is positioned between the a first removable sidewall and the second removable sidewall. 
   
   
       5 . The skate of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first sidewall of the frame has access holes through which the axles are inserted to support the wheels; and   the first removable sidewall has an inner surface and wheel spacers, the inner surface being oriented toward the frame, the wheel spacers extending outwardly from the inner surface and being sized and shaped to extend through the access holes such that the wheel spacers prevent the wheels from contacting the frame.   
   
   
       6 . A frame assembly for use with an in-line skate, the in-line skate having a boot and axle-mounted wheels, said frame assembly comprising:
 a frame configured for attachment to a bottom portion of the boot, the frame having first and second sidewalls, a top wall and a bottom, the first and second sidewalls being spaced from each other, the top wall extending between the sidewalls; and   a grinding member removably attached to the frame, the grinding member having a grinding sidewall and a grinding base, the grinding base extending outwardly from the grinding sidewall;   wherein, when the grinding member is attached to the frame, the grinding sidewall is positioned in an overlying relationship with respect to the first sidewall of the frame and the grinding base spans between the first and second sidewalls along the bottom of the frame.   
   
   
       7 . The frame assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the grinding sidewall overlies at least 50% of the first sidewall of the frame. 
   
   
       8 . The frame assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a first removable sidewall located between the first sidewall of the frame and the grinding sidewall. 
   
   
       9 . The frame assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first removable sidewall is formed of metal and the grinding member is formed of plastic. 
   
   
       10 . The frame assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first sidewall of the frame has a recess sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the first removable sidewall. 
   
   
       11 . The frame assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first removable sidewall has an upper extension protruding therefrom, the upper extension being configured to engage the top of the frame. 
   
   
       12 . The frame assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the top of the frame has a recess that is sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the upper extension. 
   
   
       13 . The frame assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a second removable sidewall attached to the frame adjacent the second sidewall of the frame such that the frame is positioned between the first removable sidewall and the second removable sidewall. 
   
   
       14 . The frame assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising mounting holes located in the grinding sidewall and being positioned such that the grinding member is attached to the frame by axles that are inserted through the mounting holes and which provide support to the wheels. 
   
   
       15 . The frame assembly of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first sidewall of the frame has access holes through which the mounts are inserted; and   the first removable sidewall has an inner surface and wheel spacers, the inner surface being oriented toward the frame, the wheel spacers extending outwardly from the inner surface and being sized and shaped to extend through the access holes of the frame such that the wheel spacers prevent the wheels from contacting the frame.   
   
   
       16 . The frame assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising means for preventing the wheels from contacting the frame. 
   
   
       17 . An assembly for modifying an in-line skate, the in-line skate having a frame, a boot and wheels, both of which are mounted to the frame, the frame having first and second sidewalls, a top wall and a bottom, the first and second sidewalls being spaced from each other, the top wall extending between the sidewalls and being attached to the boot, said assembly comprising:
 a grinding member configured for removable attachment to the frame, the grinding member having a grinding sidewall and a grinding base, the grinding base extending outwardly from the grinding sidewall;   wherein, when the grinding member is attached to the frame, the grinding sidewall is positioned in an overlying relationship with respect to the first sidewall of the frame and the grinding base spans between the first and second sidewalls along the bottom of the frame.   
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the grinding sidewall has mounting holes positioned such that the grinding member is attached to the frame by axles that are inserted through the mounting holes and which provide support to the wheels. 
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising a first removable sidewall located between the first sidewall of the frame and the grinding sidewall;
 wherein the first removable sidewall is formed of metal and the grinding member is formed of plastic.   
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising a second removable sidewall attached to the frame adjacent the second sidewall of the frame such that the frame is positioned between the a first removable sidewall and the second removable sidewall;
 wherein the second removable sidewall is formed of metal; and   wherein the grinding member, the first removable sidewall and the second removable sidewall are attached to the frame by axles that are inserted through the mounting holes and which provide support to the wheels.   
   
   
       21 . A frame assembly for use with an in-line skate, the in-line skate having a boot and axle-mounted wheels, the boot having mounting holes spaced from each other on a bottom portion thereof, said frame assembly comprising:
 a frame configured for attachment to the bottom portion of the boot, the frame having first and second sidewalls, a top wall and a bottom;   the first and second sidewalls being spaced from each other;   the top wall extending between the sidewalls and having frame mounting holes extending from an outside surface of the top wall to an inside surface of the top wall, the frame mounting holes being sized and shaped to receive bolts for securing the boot to the frame; and   a removable reinforcing member having a bolt mounting hole formed therethrough, the reinforcing member being located on the inner surface of the top wall such that, when a bolt is inserted through the bolt mounting hole and one of the frame mounting holes of the top wall, the bolt mounting hole is aligned with the one of the frame mounting holes.   
   
   
       22 . The frame assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the bolt mounting hole has a smaller diameter than that of the frame mounting hole. 
   
   
       23 . The frame assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the bolt mounting hole is defined, at least in part, by a beveled surface that is configured to flush mount the bolt. 
   
   
       24 . The frame assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a grinding member removably attached to the frame, the grinding member having a grinding sidewall and a grinding base, the grinding base extending outwardly from the grinding sidewall;   wherein, when the grinding member is attached to the frame, the grinding sidewall is positioned in an overlying relationship with respect to the first sidewall of the frame and the grinding base spans between the first and second sidewalls along the bottom of the frame.