Shock absorbing washer for skate wheel mount

Abstract

The invention is a shock absorbing system for an in-line skate comprising a washer wherein the washer is composed of a rigid center for insertion of wheel axles surrounded by a resilient material to provide shock absorption especially while performing jumps and tricks. The washer can be incorporated into the skate at the time of manufacture or may be inserted as a post-market modification.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A shock absorbing washer for an in-line skate wheel mount comprising: 
 a first member composed of a resilient material and having opposite end faces and a through bore extending between the end faces, the first member being of predetermined external dimensions along at least part of it's length for fitting into a skate frame wheel mount opening; and    a second member comprising a tube of rigid material secured in said through bore and extending between said end faces, the tube having a bore for fitting over a wheel axle.    
     
     
         2 . The washer of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient material is rubber.  
     
     
         3 . The washer of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid material is selected from the group consisting of metal and plastic.  
     
     
         4 . The washer of  claim 3 , wherein the metal is aluminum.  
     
     
         5 . The washer of  claim 1 , wherein the first member has a central axis and the through bore in the first member is eccentrically positioned relative to the central axis.  
     
     
         6 . The washer as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first member has an end flange at one end and a boss portion of smaller outer dimensions than the end flange projecting from said end flange, the boss portion being adapted for seating in a skate frame wheel mount opening with said end flange seated against an adjacent surface of said frame.  
     
     
         7 . The washer as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said boss portion has an outer surface of polygonal shape.  
     
     
         8 . The washer as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said shape is substantially square.  
     
     
         9 . The washer as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said shape is substantially octagonal and has sides which are of alternately longer and shorter length.  
     
     
         10 . The washer as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said shape is substantially an extended octagon.  
     
     
         11 . An in-line skate comprising: 
 a frame for attachment to the underside of a shoe, the frame having a pair of spaced parallel side walls, each side wall having a series of spaced, wheel mount openings aligned with corresponding openings in the other side wall;    a series of wheels rotatably mounted between the side walls, each wheel having a central axle opening aligned with a respective pair of aligned wheel mount openings;    an axle extending through each wheel axle opening for rotatably mounting the wheel, the axle having opposite ends extending into the respective aligned wheel mount openings on opposite sides of the wheel;    a washer mounted in each wheel mount opening having a through bore into which a respective axle end extends; and    axle bolt means securing each wheel axle in the respective aligned washer through bores;    each washer comprising a first member composed of a resilient material and having opposite end faces and a through hole extending between the end faces, the first member being of predetermined external dimensions for fitting into said respective wheel mount opening, and a second member comprising a tubular member of rigid material secured in and extending through said hole, the tubular member engaging over the respective axle end and defining said through bore.    
     
     
         12 . The in-line skate of  claim 11 , wherein the resilient material is rubber.  
     
     
         13 . The in-line skate of  claim 11 , wherein the rigid material is selected from the group consisting of metal and plastic.  
     
     
         14 . The in-line skate of  claim 13 , wherein the metal is aluminum.