In-line skate conversion apparatus

Abstract

At least one walking member is detachably connectable to an in-line skate to enable the wearer of the in-line skate to connect the walking member to the in-line skate, thus enabling the wearer to walk while wearing the in-line skate. Two walking members can be provided on alternative sides of the in-line skate wheels to provide a more stable platform for the wearer of the in-line skate. Since the two walking members are removable, the walking members do not detract from the aerodynamic and functional performance of the in-line skate, and can be manufactured together with the skate or, alternatively, can be added to the skate after purchase.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An in-line skate conversion apparatus for use with an in-line skate defining a longitudinal axis and having a plurality of wheels and a plurality of axels, the apparatus comprising: 
 a wheel engagement member; and    a support device adapted to support the wheel engagement member on the in-line skate such that the wheel engagement member is longitudinally movable between a first position wherein the wheel engagement member engages at least one of the wheels and a second position wherein the wheel engagement member is disengaged from the at least one wheel.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the wheel engagement member comprises a plurality of wheel engagement members.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the wheel engagement member comprises first and second wheel engagement members and the support device comprises first and second support devices respectively supporting the first and second wheel engagement members on the in-line skate.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the wheel engagement member comprises a high friction surface.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the wheel engagement member comprises a longitudinally extending member.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support device is adapted to be secured to the axels.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the support device includes at least one slot adapted to ride on at least one of the axels.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one slot is substantially s-shaped.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one slot defines longitudinal ends and is substantially linear from one longitudinal end to the other.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the support device includes a plurality of slots adapted to ride on respective axels.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support device comprises an arcuately shaped walking member.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a lock apparatus associated with the support device and adapted to fix the wheel engagement member in at least the first position.    
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support device supports the wheel engagement member between adjacent wheels.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the wheel engagement member comprises a bar.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the wheel engagement member comprises a relatively short member.  
     
     
         16 . An in-line skate conversion apparatus for use with an in-line skate defining a longitudinal axis and having a plurality of wheels and a plurality of axels, the apparatus comprising: 
 a wheel engagement member; and    a support device adapted to support the wheel engagement member on the axels such that the wheel engagement member is movable inwardly and outwardly between a first position wherein the wheel engagement member engages at least one of the wheels and a second position wherein the wheel engagement member is disengaged from the at least one wheel.    
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the wheel engagement member engages each of the wheels in the first position.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the wheel engagement member moves in a direction that defines an acute angle with the longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the wheel engagement member moves in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the wheel engagement member comprises a plurality of wheel engagement members.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the wheel engagement member comprises first and second wheel engagement members and the support device comprises first and second support devices respectively supporting the first and second wheel engagement members on the in-line skate.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the wheel engagement member comprises a high friction surface.  
     
     
         23 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the wheel engagement member comprises a longitudinally extending member.  
     
     
         24 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the support device includes at least one slot adapted to ride on at least one of the axels.  
     
     
         25 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the at least one slot is substantially s-shaped.  
     
     
         26 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the at least one slot defines longitudinal ends and is substantially linear from one longitudinal end to the other.  
     
     
         27 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the support device includes a plurality of slots adapted to ride on respective axels.  
     
     
         28 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the support device comprises an arcuately shaped walking member.  
     
     
         29 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a lock apparatus associated with the support device and adapted to fix the wheel engagement member in at least the first position.    
     
     
         30 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , a bias element associated with the support device and adapted provide a biasing force to bias the support device toward the second position.  
     
     
         31 . An apparatus as claimed in claim  30 , further comprising: 
 a lock apparatus associated with the support device and adapted to overcome the biasing force and drive the wheel engagement member to the first position.