Bearing and support structure for speed racing roller skate

Claim 2

An improved bearing and support structure for use in roller skates comprising: an elongated cylindrical sleeve having a bore of non-uniform diameter extending from one end of the sleeve to the other end thereof; an annular spacer flange projecting radially inwardly into the bore from the sleeve and spaced axially inwardly in the bore from the opposite ends of the sleeve, said flange partitioning the bore into a first portion of uniform diameter extending from one end of the sleeve to the flange, and a second portion which includes a bearing seat zone of uniform diameter adjacent said flange with the remainder of said second portion extending from said bearing seat zone to the second end of said sleeve and continuously increasing in diameter from said bearing seat zone to said second end of the sleeve; a skate axle extending into said bore concentrically in the sleeve from said one end at least past said bearing seat zone; a first bearing disposed in the first portion of said bore adjacent said flange and around said axle between the axle and the sleeve; a second bearing disposed in the bore at said bearing seat zone and around said axle between the axle and the sleeve; and a wheel mounted on and bonded to said sleeve.

Claim 3

An improved bearing and support structure as defined in claim 1 and further characterized in including axially extending ribs secured on the outer periphery of said sleeve circumferentially spaced from each other therearound and extending from said one end of the sleeve toward the second end thereof, said ribs frictionally engaging said wheel.

Claim 4

An improved bearing and support structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said bearings are ball bearing assemblies each having an inner race contacting said axle and an outer race contacting said sleeve, and wherein said axle terminates at a location spaced inwardly in said bore from the second end of said sleeve whereby the axle end is protectively shielded by said sleeve.

Claim 5

An improved bearing and support structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is constructed of a high density polycarbonate synthetic resin.

Claim 6

An improved bearing and support structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the ends of said sleeve are substantially conterminous with the sides of the wheel mounted on the sleeve.

Claim 7

An improved bearing and support structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the axial distance from said one end of the sleeve to the flange is about 0.36 inch, and the axial distance from the second end of the sleeve to the flange is about 0.96 inch.

Claim 8

An improved bearing and support structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the radial thickness of said sleeve is about 0.125 inch.

Claim 9

An improved bearing and support structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said ribs extend axially over about half the length of the sleeve.

Claim 10

An improved bearing and support structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said sleeve is constructed of a high density polycarbonate synthetic resin.

Claim 11

An improved bearing and support structure as defined in claim 2 wherein the ends of said sleeve are substantially conterminous with the sides of the wheel mounted on the sleeve.

Claim 12

An improved bearing and support structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said bearings are ball bearing assemblies each having an inner race contacting said axle and an outer race contacting said sleeve, and wherein said axle terminates at a location spaced inwardly in said bore from the second end of said sleeve whereby the axle end is protectively shielded by said sleeve.

Claim 13

An improved bearing and support structure as defined in claim 11 wherein said sleeve is constructed of a high density polycarbonate synthetic resin.

Claim 14

An improved bearing and support structure as defined in claim 12 wherein said ribs extend axially over about half the length of the sleeve.

Claim 15

An insert sleeve for insertion in a wheel between the wheel and bearings around a supporting axle, the insert sleeve comprising: a cylinder of high density synthetic resin having a bore of non-uniform diameter extending therethrough; an annular spacer flange disposed in the bore of the cylinder and projecting radially inwardly into the cylinder toward the axis thereof for retaining a pair of bearing elements spaced from each other in the bore of the cylinder; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending ribs on the outer periphery of the cylinder and projecting from one end thereof toward the other end thereof over less than the full length of the cylinder; said cylinder having a bore therethrough which includes a first portion of uniform diameter extending from one end of the cylinder to said annular spacer flange, and a second portion between said spacer flange and the other end of the cylinder, said second portion including a bearing seat zone of uniform diameter in the bore and located adjacent said spacer flange, with the remainder of said second portion extending from said bearing seat zone to said other end of the cylinder and having a continuously increasing diameter from said bearing seat zone to said other end of the cylinder.

Claim 16

An insert sleeve for insertion in a wheel between the wheel and bearings around a supporting axle, the insert sleeve comprising: a cylinder of high density synthetic resin having a bore of non-uniform diameter extending therethrough; an annular spacer flange disposed in the bore of the cylinder and projecting radially inwardly into the cylinder toward the axis thereof for retaining a pair of bearing elements spaced from each other in the bore of the cylinder; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending ribs on the outer periphery of the cylinder and projecting from one end thereof toward the other end thereof over less than the full length of the cylinder; said cylinder having a bore therethrough which includes a first portion of uniform diameter extending from one end of the cylinder to said annular spacer flange, and a second portion between said spacer flange and the other end of the cylinder, said second portion including a bearing seat zone of uniform diameter in the bore and located adjacent said spacer flange, with the remainder of said second portion extending from said bearing seat zone to said other end of the cylinder and having a continuously increasing diameter from said bearing seat zone to said other end of the cylinder.