Inline roller skate configurations

Abstract

Configurations of an inline roller skate comprising a base, wheels, and at least one rocker pivotally mounted to the base and receiving at least two of the wheels. In accordance with one aspect, the inline roller skate further comprises a bias element positioned between the rocker and the base and biasing the rocker to an equilibrium position relative to the base. In accordance with an other aspect, the inline roller skate further comprises a rocker stop made integral to the base and defining a limit to the pivoting movement of the rocker in one angular direction by abutment therewith. In accordance with an other aspect, the inline roller skate further comprises a brake made integral to the base and having a concave frictional surface with an inversed-V shape.

1 . An inline roller sate comprising: a base, wheels, at least one rocker pivotally mounted to the base and receiving at least two of the wheels, and a bias element positioned between the rocker and the base and biasing the pivotally mounted rocker to an angular equilibrium position. 
     
     
         2 . The inline roller skate of  claim 1  comprising two bias elements, each bias element biasing the rocker in a respective angular direction, wherein the two bias elements are provided as at least one compressible resilient member. 
     
     
         3 . The inline roller skate of  claim 2  wherein the at least one compressible resilient member is in a compressed state when the rocker is in the equilibrium position. 
     
     
         4 . The inline roller skate of  claim 2  further comprising at least one pressure applicator mounted to the base in communication with the at least one resilient member and being externally operable to vary a pressure within at least a portion of the at least one resilient member. 
     
     
         5 . The inline roller skate of  claim 4  wherein a pressure diffuser is provided between the pressure applicator and the at least one resilient member. 
     
     
         6 . The inline roller skate of  claim 1  further comprising at least one rocker stop made integral to the base and positioned to abut against the pivotally mounted rocker upon pivoting thereof to prevent contact between the at least two wheels and the base. 
     
     
         7 . The inline roller skate of  claim 1  wherein the at least two wheels include an endmost wheel of the inline roller skate, further comprising a brake having an inversed-V shape braking surface recessed in the base and positioned to brakingly receive the endmost wheel upon a controlled pivoting of the rocker by a user. 
     
     
         8 . The inline roller skate of  claim 1  wherein the equilibrium position corresponds to an operating position of the at least two wheels when the inline roller skate is in idle use on a flat surface. 
     
     
         9 . An inline roller skate comprising: a base, wheels, at least one rocker pivotally mounted to the base and receiving at least two of the wheels, and a rocker stop made integral to the base and defining a limit to a pivoting of the rocker in one angular direction by abutment therewith at a maximal pivot position of the rocker, said rocker stop preventing the at least two wheels of the rocker from contacting the base when the rocker is in the maximal pivot position. 
     
     
         10 . The inline roller skate of  claim 9  further comprising a bias element positioned between the rocker and the base and biasing the pivotally mounted rocker to an angular equilibrium position. 
     
     
         11 . The inline roller skate of  claim 9  wherein the at least two wheels include an endmost wheel of the inline roller skate, further comprising a brake having an inversed-V shape braking surface recessed in the base and positioned to brakingly receive the endmost wheel upon a controlled pivoting of the rocker by a user. 
     
     
         12 . The inline roller skate of  claim 9  wherein the position of the rocker stop is adjustable. 
     
     
         13 . An inline roller skate comprising: a base, wheels, a brake made integral to the base, the brake having a concave surface having opposite sides generally arranged in a shape of an inversed-V and an apex, and at least one rocker pivotally mounted to the base and receiving at least two of the wheels, including an endmost wheel of the inline roller skate, the endmost wheel of the inline roller skate being angularly displaceable with the rocker between a freely rotating position and a braking position, in which braking position respective opposite side portions of the endmost wheel are in frictional engagement with a respective one of the opposite sides of the concave surface, and the apex of the concave surface is free from the endmost wheel, wherein the opposite sides of the concave surface generate respective braking forces with the wheel when the wheel is pivoted into the braking position by a user. 
     
     
         14 . The inline roller skate of  claim 13  wherein the brake is provided as a removable brake insert. 
     
     
         15 . The inline roller skate of  claim 13  further comprising a bias element positioned between the rocker and the base and biasing the pivotally mounted rocker to an angular equilibrium position.