Klop skate having pushing and pulling capabilities

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a klop skate with pushing and pulling capabilities. In one alternate, the skate includes a glide member ( 110 ) for traversing a surface. The skate includes a shoe portion ( 112 ) for receiving a skater's foot. The skate has a base secured to the shoe portion ( 112 ) and underlying the received foot. The skate has a base lever ( 114 ) secured to the shoe portion base. The base lever ( 114 ) has a forward end portion and a forward base attachment structure ( 124 ) defined by the forward end portion. The base lever ( 114 ) has a longitudinal base lever axis aligned with a longitudinal axis of the received foot. The skate also includes an elongate frame ( 116 ) for mounting the glide member ( 110 ). The frame has a longitudinal axis, a forward end portion, and a forward frame attachment structure ( 136 ). The skate has a canted hinge ( 126 ) for connecting the forward end portion of the base lever ( 114 ) to the forward end portion of the frame ( 116 ). Upon pivoting of the base lever ( 114 ) with respect to the frame ( 116 ), a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the base lever ( 114 ) defines an angle of canting with respect to a frame plane that extends vertically upward through the longitudinal frame axis. In another alternate, the skate includes a flexible connector ( 422 ) coupled to a cuff ( 420 ) and the forward end of the frame ( 406 ). The cuff ( 420 ) is attached to the lower leg of the skate wearer and the forward end attachment point is forward of the frame pivoting axis ( 410 ). Tensioning the connector ( 422 ) by flexing the foot distally causes the frame ( 406 ) to open relative to the base ( 402 ) which allows the skate-wearer to selectively hold the frame ( 406 ) in the open position. In another alternate, the skate includes a base ( 502 ) having a forefoot region ( 504 ) with an integral spring having a flex region ( 520 ) of zero bias strength, which allows the skate-wearer to hold the skate frame ( 508 ) open. In another alternate, the skate can include a biasing device 612 to bias the frame 604 away from the base 602.

1 - 28 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         29 . A skate including a glide member for traversing a surface, comprising: 
 a shoe portion for receiving a skater's foot and including a base underlying the received foot; and    an elongate frame for mounting the glide member, the frame pivotably secured to an underside of the base, wherein the frame is balanced to prevent substantial biasing of the frame towards the base.    
     
     
         30 . A skate including a glide member for traversing a surface, comprising: 
 a shoe portion for receiving a skater's foot and including a base underlying the received foot;    an elongate frame for mounting the glide member, the frame operably coupled to the base, allowing the frame to move in an arc motion away from the base; and    a biasing device operably mounted on the frame, for biasing the frame away from the base.    
     
     
         31 . The skate of  claim 30 , wherein the base further comprises a heel region and forefoot region, the base being adapted to flex at a metatarsal region at the forefoot region during skating and wherein the frame is secured to an underside of the forefoot region of the base.  
     
     
         32 . The skate of  claim 31 , further comprising a guide secured to the frame for slidably engaging a follower, wherein the follower is secured to the heel portion of the base.  
     
     
         33 . The skate of  claim 32 , further comprising a controller to adjust the amount of biasing.  
     
     
         34 . The skate of  claim 33 , wherein the biasing device is a coil spring mounted on the guide and the controller is a slidable collar mounted on the guide with a thumbscrew fastener.  
     
     
         35 . A skate including a glide member for traversing a surface, comprising: 
 a shoe portion for receiving a skater's foot and including a flexible base underlying the received foot; and    an elongate frame for mounting the glide member, the frame operably coupled to the base, wherein the base is neutrally biased.    
     
     
         36 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         37 . The skate of  claim 35 , wherein the flexible base has about zero flex strength.  
     
     
         38 . The skate of  claim 35 , wherein the flexible base is made from a resilient base material with little spring force.  
     
     
         39 . The skate of  claim 35 , wherein the flexible base is made from leather.  
     
     
         40 . The skate of  claim 35 , wherein the flexible base has an area of reduced thickness at the point of flexion.  
     
     
         41 . The skate of  claim 35 , wherein the flexible base is made from a thermoplastic material that has a transverse groove on the underside of the base.