Inline frame with configurable suspension

Abstract

An inline skate frame may comprise a frame body. A plurality of rocker arms may be rotatably attached to the frame body. The rocker arms may be configured to support wheels. A plurality of biasing members may be positionable between opposing rocker arms. A plurality of stop pins may be selectively insertable through the frame body and biasing members. The frame may be configurable between multiple configurations. In a first suspension configuration, the stop pins may be inserted to independently bias each rocker arm against the frame body. In a second suspension configuration, the stop pins may be removed to bias opposing rocker arms against each other. In a no-suspension configuration, the biasing members may be replaced with non-elastomeric plugs. The rocker arms may be rotatably attached to the frame body by pivot axles. The biasing members may comprise elastomeric springs. The elastomeric springs may have a hole or hollow tube running lengthwise through their center. The frame body and rocker arms may be configured to use reversible hardware. The frame may comprise four rocker arms. The four rocker arms may comprise two pairs of identical rocker arms for supporting wheels of different diameters. Upward and downward rotation of the rocker arms may be limited by stops on the rocker arms and within the frame body. The frame may be configurable with different suspension configurations for different pairs of rocker arms within the same frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inline skate frame comprising:
 a frame body;   a plurality of rocker arms rotatably attached to the frame body, the rocker arms configured to support wheels;   a plurality of biasing members positionable between opposing rocker arms; and   a plurality of stop pins selectively insertable through the frame body and biasing members;   wherein the frame is configurable between:   a first suspension configuration where the stop pins are inserted to independently bias each rocker arm against the frame body;   a second suspension configuration where the stop pins are removed to bias opposing rocker arms against each other; and   a no-suspension configuration where the biasing members are replaced with non-elastomeric plugs.   
     
     
         2 . The inline skate frame of  claim 1 , wherein the rocker arms are rotatably attached to the frame body by pivot axles. 
     
     
         3 . The inline skate frame of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing members comprise elastomeric springs. 
     
     
         4 . The inline skate frame of  claim 3 , wherein the elastomeric springs have a hole or hollow tube running lengthwise through their center. 
     
     
         5 . The inline skate frame of  claim 1 , wherein the frame body and rocker arms are configured to use reversible hardware. 
     
     
         6 . The inline skate frame of  claim 1 , comprising four rocker arms. 
     
     
         7 . The inline skate frame of  claim 3 , wherein the elastomeric springs comprise a plurality of elastomeric springs having different durometer values. 
     
     
         8 . The inline skate frame of  claim 7 , wherein the elastomeric springs having different durometer values are configured to provide different stiffness levels at different positions within the frame. 
     
     
         9 . The inline skate frame of  claim 1 , wherein the rocker arms comprise replaceable non-abrasive plastic contact surface inserts. 
     
     
         10 . The inline skate frame of  claim 9 , wherein the rocker arms comprise insets configured to receive the non-abrasive plastic contact surface inserts. 
     
     
         11 . The inline skate frame of  claim 9 , wherein the non-abrasive plastic contact surface inserts are configured to prevent metal-on-metal contact between the rocker arms and the frame body. 
     
     
         12 . The inline skate frame of  claim 6 , wherein the four rocker arms comprise two pairs of identical rocker arms for supporting wheels of different diameters. 
     
     
         13 . The inline skate frame of  claim 6 , wherein the four rocker arms comprise two pairs of identical rocker arms for supporting wheels of different diameters. 
     
     
         14 . The inline skate frame of  claim 1 , wherein upward and downward rotation of the rocker arms is limited by stops on the rocker arms and within the frame body. 
     
     
         15 . The inline skate frame of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is configurable with different suspension configurations for different pairs of rocker arms within the same frame. 
     
     
         16 . An inline skate comprising:
 a boot; and   a frame attached to the boot, the frame comprising:   a frame body;   a plurality of rocker arms rotatably attached to the frame body;   a plurality of wheels rotatably attached to the rocker arms;   a plurality of biasing members positionable between opposing rocker arms; and   a plurality of stop pins selectively insertable through the frame body and biasing members to create different suspension configurations.   
     
     
         17 . The inline skate of  claim 16 , wherein the frame is configurable between:
 a first suspension configuration where the stop pins are inserted to independently bias each rocker arm against the frame body;   a second suspension configuration where the stop pins are removed to bias opposing rocker arms against each other; and   a no-suspension configuration where the biasing members are replaced with non-elastomeric plugs.   
     
     
         18 . The inline skate of  claim 16 , wherein the rocker arms are rotatably attached to the frame body by pivot axles. 
     
     
         19 . The inline skate of  claim 16 , wherein the biasing members comprise elastomeric springs having a hole or hollow tube running lengthwise through their center. 
     
     
         20 . The inline skate of  claim 16 , wherein the frame comprises four rocker arms. 
     
     
         21 . The inline skate of  claim 20 , wherein the four rocker arms comprise two pairs of identical rocker arms for supporting wheels of different diameters. 
     
     
         22 . A method of configuring an inline frame, the method comprising:
 providing a frame body and a plurality of rocker arms rotatably attached to the frame body;   selectively positioning biasing members between opposing rocker arms; and   selectively inserting stop pins through the frame body and biasing members to create different suspension configurations.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising configuring the frame between:
 a first suspension configuration where the stop pins are inserted to independently bias each rocker arm against the frame body;   a second suspension configuration where the stop pins are removed to bias opposing rocker arms against each other; and   a no-suspension configuration where the biasing members are replaced with non-elastomeric plugs.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the biasing members comprise elastomeric springs having a hole or hollow tube running lengthwise through their center. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising rotatably attaching wheels to the rocker arms. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising configuring different pairs of rocker arms within the same frame with different suspension configurations. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising applying the inline frame to a vehicle suspension system. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising applying the inline frame to a vehicle suspension system having a trailer. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising applying the inline frame to a vehicle suspension system of a powered vehicle. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising customizing a vehicle suspension system. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  further comprising:
 providing a frame with a plurality of rocker arms pivotally connected thereto; 
 selecting elastomeric springs having appropriate durometers based on vehicle load characteristics and performance requirements; 
 installing the selected elastomeric springs between the frame and the plurality of rocker arms; and 
 mounting a plurality of wheels in a tandem configuration to the plurality of rocker arms. 
 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 selecting elastomeric springs of different durometers for different positions on the vehicle to achieve varying suspension characteristics.