Torsionally stiffened in-line roller skate frame with dual side walls

Claim 2

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot and carrying said wheel axles, said frame having top and bottom edges and including: first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members each having a top and bottom and extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and distribute such forces throughout said frame; wherein at least one of said cross-ribbing members includes: a first pair of riblets extending toward said first rail from said second rail, said first pair of riblets converging to a first vertex; a second pair of riblets extending toward said second rail from said first rail, said second pair of riblets converging to a second vertex; and at least one connective riblet extending between said first and second vertices to connect said first and second vertices to each other.

Claim 3

The skate of claim 1 wherein at least one of said means for providing torsional stiffness further includes a horizontally disposed member extending between said rails and engaging the top of at least one said cross-ribbing member and cooperating therewith to further stiffen said frame.

Claim 4

The skate of claim 1 wherein said side rails extend forwardly of said boot and mount one of said plurality of wheels for rotation about an axis of rotation located forwardly of said boot.

Claim 5

The skate of claim 1 wherein said frame is made of a graphite filled nylon material.

Claim 6

The skate of claim 4 wherein said frame weighs less than six ounces.

Claim 7

The skate of claim 1 wherein one of said predetermined locations of said cross-ribbing members is forwardly of said boot.

Claim 8

The skate of claim 1 wherein each of said side rails includes first and second walls.

Claim 9

The skate of claim 7 wherein each of said first walls has a substantially planar configuration.

Claim 10

The skate of claim 7 wherein each of said second walls has a substantially contoured configuration.

Claim 11

The skate of claim 7 and further including a plurality of reinforcing webs extending between said first and second walls of each said side rail.

Claim 12

The skate of claim 7 wherein said first wall has a substantially planar configuration and said second wall has a substantially contoured configuration, said second wall having a bottom edge integral with said first wall and diverging outwardly and upwardly from said first wall to define a channel therebetween.

Claim 13

The skate of claim 11 and further including a plurality of reinforcing webs extending within each said channel between said first and second side walls of each said rail.

Claim 14

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot and carrying said wheel axles, said frame having top and bottom edges and including: first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing generally perpendicularly therethrough to mount said axles therein; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and distribute such forces throughout said frame; said cross-ribbing members including first and second rib portions secured to said first and second side rails, respectively, at first and second, respectively, lines of attachment on each of said first and second side rails, respectively, said first lines of attachment defining an attachment plane extending between said first and second side rails, said first and second rib portions secured together at a joinder portion disposed out of said attachment plane; said cross-ribbing members and wheels mutually sized for a peripheral edge of a wheel to be disposed between said attachment plane and said joinder portion, said lines of attachment and said joinder portion each extending generally vertically.

Claim 15

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot and carrying said wheel axles, said frame having top and bottom edges and including: first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing generally perpendicularly therethrough to mount said axles therein; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and distribute such forces throughout said frame; said cross-ribbing members including first and second rib portions secured to said first and second side rails, respectively, at first and second, respectively, lines of attachment on each of said first and second side rails, respectively, said first lines of attachment defining an attachment plane extending between said first and second side rails, said first and second rib portions secured together at a joinder portion disposed out of said attachment plane; said cross-ribbing members and wheels mutually sized for a peripheral edge of a wheel to be disposed between said attachment plane and said joinder portion, said lines of attachment and said joinder portion each extending generally vertically.

Claim 16

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot and carrying said wheel axles, said frame having top and bottom edges and including: first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and distribute such forces throughout said frame; wherein said cross-ribbing members are disposed between a plurality of pairs of adjacent wheels and wherein said cross-ribbing member has a transverse cross sectional configuration substantially similar to an X; including a first and second legs converging to a joinder portion; said first and second legs secured to said first and second side rails, respectively, at first and second points of attachment in cross-section on each of said first and second side rails, respectively, said first points of attachment defining an attachment line extending between said first and second side rails, said joinder portion located out of said attachment line; said wheels and cross-ribbing members mutually sized for a wheel disposed adjacent to a cross-ribbing member to have a peripheral edge of said wheel disposed between said attachment line and said joinder portion.

Claim 17

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot and carrying said wheel axles, said frame having top and bottom edges and including: first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and distribute such forces throughout said frame; wherein said cross-ribbing members are disposed between a plurality of pairs of adjacent wheels and wherein said cross-ribbing member has a transverse cross sectional configuration substantially similar to an X; including a first and second legs converging to a joinder portion; said first and second legs secured to said first and second side rails, respectively, at first and second points of attachment in cross-section on each of said first and second side rails, respectively, said first points of attachment defining an attachment line extending between said first and second side rails, said joinder portion located out of said attachment line; said wheels and cross-ribbing members mutually sized for a wheel disposed adjacent to a cross-ribbing member to have a peripheral edge of said wheel disposed between said attachment line and said joinder portion.

Claim 18

The skate of claim 14 wherein at least one of said means for providing torsional stiffness further includes a horizontally disposed member extending between said rails and engaging a top of at least one said cross-ribbing member and cooperating therewith to further stiffen said frame.

Claim 19

The skate of claim 14 wherein: at least one of said cross-ribbing members comprises a first pair of riblets extending toward said first rail from said second rail, said first pair of riblets converging to a first vertex; a second pair of riblets extending toward said second rail from said first rail, said second pair of riblets converging to a second vertex; and said first and second vertices of said first and second pairs of riblets being connected.

Claim 20

The skate of claim 16 wherein each of said side rails includes first and second walls, said frame further including a longitudinal plane about which said frame is symmetric.

Claim 21

The skate of claim 17 wherein each of said first walls has a substantially planar configuration.

Claim 22

The skate of claim 17 wherein each of said second walls has a substantially contoured configuration.

Claim 23

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot and carrying said wheel axles, said frame having top and bottom edges and including: first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members each having a top and bottom and extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and distribute such forces throughout said frame; wherein said cross-ribbing members are disposed between a plurality of pairs of adjacent wheels and wherein said cross-ribbing member has a configuration substantially similar to an X; at least one of said cross-ribbing members comprises a first pair of riblets extending toward said first rail from said second rail, said first pair of riblets converging to a first vertex; a second pair of riblets extending toward said second rail from said first rail, said second pair of riblets converging to a second vertex; said first and second vertices of said first and second pairs of riblets being connected; at least one connective riblet extending between said first and second vertices to connect said vertices to each other.

Claim 24

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot and carrying said wheel axles, said frame having top and bottom edges and including: first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members each having a top and bottom and extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and distribute such forces throughout said frame; wherein said cross-ribbing members are disposed between a plurality of pairs of adjacent wheels and wherein said cross-ribbing member has a configuration substantially similar to an X; at least one of said cross-ribbing members comprises a first pair of riblets extending toward said first rail from said second rail, said first pair of riblets converging to a first vertex; a second pair of riblets extending toward said second rail from said first rail, said second pair of riblets converging to a second vertex; said first and second vertices of said first and second pairs of riblets being connected; at least one connective riblet extending between said first and second vertices to connect said vertices to each other.

Claim 25

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot and carrying said wheel axles, said frame having top and bottom edges and including: first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members each having a top and bottom and extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and distribute such forces throughout said frame; wherein said cross-ribbing members are disposed between a plurality of pairs of adjacent wheels and wherein said cross-ribbing member has a configuration substantially similar to an X; at least one of said cross-ribbing members comprises a first pair of riblets extending toward said first rail from said second rail, said first pair of riblets converging to a first vertex; a second pair of riblets extending toward said second rail from said first rail, said second pair of riblets converging to a second vertex; said first and second vertices of said first and second pairs or riblets being connected; each of said side rails includes first and second walls, said frame further including a longitudinal plane about which said frame is symmetric; and a plurality of reinforcing webs extending between said first and second walls of each said side rail.

Claim 26

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot and carrying said wheel axles, said frame having top and bottom edges and including: first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members each having a top and bottom and extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and distribute such forces throughout said frame; wherein said cross-ribbing members are disposed between a plurality of pairs of adjacent wheels and wherein said cross-ribbing member has a configuration substantially similar to an X; at least one of said cross-ribbing members comprises a first pair of riblets extending toward said first rail from said second rail, said first pair of riblets converging to a first vertex; a second pair of riblets extending toward said second rail from said first rail, said second pair of riblets converging to a second vertex; said first and second vertices of said first and second pairs or riblets being connected; each of said side rails includes first and second walls, said frame further including a longitudinal plane about which said frame is symmetric; and a plurality of reinforcing webs extending between said first and second walls of each said side rail.

Claim 27

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot and carrying said wheel axles, said frame having top and bottom edges and including: first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members each having a top and bottom and extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and distribute such forces throughout said frame; wherein said cross-ribbing members are disposed between a plurality of pairs of adjacent wheels and wherein said cross-ribbing member has a configuration substantially similar to an X; at least one of said cross-ribbing members comprises a first pair of riblets extending toward said first rail from said second rail, said first pair of riblets converging to a first vertex; a second pair of riblets extending toward said second rail from said first rail, said second pair of riblets converging to a second vertex; said first and second vertices of said first and second pairs of riblets being connected; each of said side rails includes first and second walls, said frame further including a longitudinal plane about which said frame is symmetric; and said first wall has a substantially planar configuration and said second wall has a substantially contoured configuration, said second wall having a bottom edge integral with said first wall and diverging outwardly and upwardly from said first wall to define a channel therebetween.

Claim 28

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot and carrying said wheel axles, said frame having top and bottom edges and including: first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members each having a top and bottom and extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and distribute such forces throughout said frame; wherein said cross-ribbing members are disposed between a plurality of pairs of adjacent wheels and wherein said cross-ribbing member has a configuration substantially similar to an X; at least one of said cross-ribbing members comprises a first pair of riblets extending toward said first rail from said second rail, said first pair of riblets converging to a first vertex; a second pair of riblets extending toward said second rail from said first rail, said second pair of riblets converging to a second vertex; said first and second vertices of said first and second pairs of riblets being connected; each of said side rails includes first and second walls, said frame further including a longitudinal plane about which said frame is symmetric; and said first wall has a substantially planar configuration and said second wall has a substantially contoured configuration, said second wall having a bottom edge integral with said first wall and diverging outwardly and upwardly from said first wall to define a channel therebetween.

Claim 29

The skate of claim 22 and further including a plurality of reinforcing webs extending within each said channel between said first and second walls of each said rail.

Claim 30

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot and carrying said wheel axles, said frame having top and bottom edges and including: first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members each having a top and bottom and extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and distribute such forces throughout said frame; wherein said cross-ribbing members are disposed between a plurality of pairs of adjacent wheels and wherein said cross-ribbing member has a configuration substantially similar to an X; at least one of said cross-ribbing members comprises a first pair of riblets extending toward said first rail from said second rail, said first pair of riblets converging to a first vertex; a second pair of riblets extending toward said second rail from said first rail, said second pair of riblets converging to a second vertex; said first and second vertices of said first and second pairs of riblets being connected; each of said side rails includes first and second walls, said frame further including a longitudinal plane about which said frame is symmetric; each of said first wall of each side rail has a bottom edge and said plurality of axle aperture pairs are disposed on said first walls adjacent said first wall bottom edges, and wherein each said second wall has a second wall bottom edge, each said second wall beginning at its bottom edge above said axles mounted in said apertures and extending upwardly and outwardly from its associated said first wall.

Claim 31

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot and carrying said wheel axles, said frame having top and bottom edges and including: first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members each having a top and bottom and extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and distribute such forces throughout said frame; wherein said cross-ribbing members are disposed between a plurality of pairs of adjacent wheels and wherein said cross-ribbing member has a configuration substantially similar to an X; at least one of said cross-ribbing members comprises a first pair of riblets extending toward said first rail from said second rail, said first pair of riblets converging to a first vertex; a second pair of riblets extending toward said second rail from said first rail, said second pair of riblets converging to a second vertex; said first and second vertices of said first and second pairs of riblets being connected; each of said side rails includes first and second walls, said frame further including a longitudinal plane about which said frame is symmetric; each of said first wall of each side rail has a bottom edge and said plurality of axle aperture pairs are disposed on said first walls adjacent said first wall bottom edges, and wherein each said second wall has a second wall bottom edge, each said second wall beginning at its bottom edge above said axles mounted in said apertures and extending upwardly and outwardly from its associated said first wall.

Claim 32

The skate of claim 22 wherein the axle aperture pairs for mounting the forwardmost and rearwardmost wheels of said plurality of wheels are disposed on said first wall forwardly and rearwardly of said second wall, respectively.

Claim 33

The skate of claim 22 wherein the forwardmost and rearwardmost wheels of said plurality of wheels are mounted forwardly and rearwardly respectively of said second wall.

Claim 34

The skate of claim 22 wherein said second wall has an upper edge for bearing against said boot sole to transfer skating generated twisting forces from said frame to said boot sole and to transfer twisting forces generated at the interface between said frame and said boot sole to said frame.

Claim 35

The skate of claim 27 wherein said frame is molded from graphite filled nylon materail.

Claim 36

The skate of claim 28 wherein said frame weighs less than six ounces.

Claim 37

An in-line roller skate useable by a skater on a riding surface, said skate comprising: a boot including a sole; a frame attached to said sole, said frame including: first and second longitudinally extending side rails for mounting a plurality of wheels for rotation therebetween, each of said side rails including first and second spaced apart walls; a plurality of reinforcing webs extending between said first and second walls of each of said rails.

Claim 38

An in-line roller skate useable by a skater on a riding surface, said skate comprising: a boot including a sole; a frame attached to said sole, said frame including: first and second longitudinally extending side rails for mounting a plurality of wheels for rotation therebetween, each of said side rails including first and second spaced apart walls; a plurality of reinforcing webs extending between said first and second walls of each of said rails.

Claim 39

An in-line roller skate useable by a skater on a riding surface, said skate comprising: a booting including a sole; a frame attached to said sole, said frame including: first and second longitudinally extending side rails for mounting a plurality of wheels for rotation therebetween, each of said side rails including first and second spaced apart walls; said first wall has a substantially planar configuration and said second wall has a substantially contoured configuration, said second wall having a bottom edge being integral with said first wall, and diverging outwardly and upwardly from said first wall to define a channel therebetween.

Claim 40

An in-line roller skate useable by a skater on a riding surface, said skate comprising: a booting including a sole; a frame attached to said sole, said frame including: first and second longitudinally extending side rails for mounting a plurality of wheels for rotation therebetween, each of said side rails including first and second spaced apart walls; said first wall has a substantially planar configuration and said second wall has a substantially contoured configuration, said second wall having a bottom edge being integral with said first wall, and diverging outwardly and upwardly from said first wall to define a channel therebetween.

Claim 41

The skate of claim 31 and further including a plurality of reinforcing webs extending within each said channel between said first and second walls of each said rail.

Claim 42

The skate of claim 31 wherein the forwardmost and the rearwardmost wheels of said plurality are mounted forwardly and rearwardly, respectively, of said second wall.

Claim 43

An in-line roller skate useable by a skater on a riding surface, said skate comprising: a boot including a sole; a frame attached to said sole, said frame including: first and second longitudinally extending side rails for mounting a plurality of wheels for rotation therebetween, each of said side rails including first and second spaced apart walls; said frame has a plurality of pairs of axle apertures and a plurality of axles carrying wheels, each axle aperture pair receiving a wheel axle that rotatable mounts a wheel of said plurality of wheels between said rails, wherein each said first wall has a bottom edge and said plurality of axle aperture paris are disposed on said first walls adjacent said first wall bottom edges, and wherein each said second wall has a second wall bottom edge, each said second wall beginning at its bottom edge above said wheel axles and extending upwardly and outwardly from its associated said first wall.

Claim 44

An in-line roller skate useable by a skater on a riding surface, said skate comprising: a boot including a sole; a frame attached to said sole, said frame including: first and second longitudinally extending side rails for mounting a plurality of wheels for rotation therebetween, each of said side rails including first and second spaced apart walls; said frame has a plurality of pairs of axle apertures and a plurality of axles carrying wheels, each axle aperture pair receiving a wheel axle that rotatable mounts a wheel of said plurality of wheels between said rails, wherein each said first wall has a bottom edge and said plurality of axle aperture paris are disposed on said first walls adjacent said first wall bottom edges, and wherein each said second wall has a second wall bottom edge, each said second wall beginning at its bottom edge above said wheel axles and extending upwardly and outwardly from its associated said first wall.

Claim 45

The skate of claim 34 wherein the axle aperture pairs for mounting the forwardmost and the rearwardmost wheels of said plurality are disposed on said first wall forwardly and rearwardly, respectively, of said second wall.

Claim 46

A light-weight frame particularly adapted for in-line roller skate speed skating, said frame resisting twisting to provide efficient energy utilization, and comprising: first and second elongate side rails mounting therebetween a plurality of wheels for rotation in a common plane; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said first and second side rails; and wherein said frame is made of molded graphite-filled synthetic materail; wherein said means include at least one cross-ribbing member having a top and comprising: a first pair of riblets extending toward said first rail from said second rail, said first pair of riblets converging to a first vertex; a second pair of riblets extending toward said second rail from said first rail, said second pair of riblets converging to a second vertex; and at least one connective riblet extending between said first and second vertices to connect said vertices to each other.

Claim 47

A light-weight frame particularly adapted for in-line roller skate speed skating, said frame resisting twisting to provide efficient energy utilization, and comprising: first and second elongate side rails mounting therebetween a plurality of wheels for rotation in a common plane; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said first and second side rails; and wherein said frame is made of molded graphite-filled synthetic materail; wherein said means include at least one cross-ribbing member having a top and comprising: a first pair of riblets extending toward said first rail from said second rail, said first pair of riblets converging to a first vertex; a second pair of riblets extending toward said second rail from said first rail, said second pair of riblets converging to a second vertex; and at least one connective riblet extending between said first and second vertices to connect said vertices to each other.

Claim 48

The frame of claim 36 wherein said frame mounts five wheels for rotation and said cross-ribbing member further includes a horizontally disposed member extending between said rails and engaging the top of said at least one cross-ribbing member.

Claim 49

The frame of claim 37 wherein said at least one cross-ribbing member is disposed between the second and third forwardmost wheels.

Claim 50

The frame of claim 37 wherein said at least one cross-ribbing member is disposed between the two rearwardmost wheels of said plurality of wheels.

Claim 51

The frame of claim 36 wherein said side rails each have a planar portion having bottom and top edges and said means for providing torsional stiffness comprises cross-ribbing members disposed between selected ones of adjacent wheels and wherein at least one of said cross-ribbing members has a horizontal cross-sectional configuration substantially similar to an X and wherein at least one of said cross-ribbing members extends from near said bottom edge of said planar portions to said top edge of said planar portions.

Claim 52

The frame of claim 40 wherein at least one of said cross-ribbing members includes a top and further including a horizontally disposed member extending between said rails and engaging said top of said at least one cross-ribbing member.

Claim 53

The frame of claim 41 wherein said frame is attached to a skate boot and said horizontally disposed member includes a captured fastener having a threaded aperture for receipt of a threaded bolt end to attach said frame to said skate boot.

Claim 54

The frame of claim 36 wherein said frame weighs less than six ounces.

Claim 55

An in-line roller skate useable by a skater on a skating surface, said skate comprising: a boot, including a sole; a frame including means for attaching said frame to said sole of said boot, said frame further including: first and second longitudinally extending side rails, said frame including a plurality of pair of axle apertures with each side rail including one axle aperture of each said pair of axle apertures; each said axle aperture pair receiving a wheel axle; a plurality of wheels with a said wheel rotatably mounted on each wheel axle; means for torsionally stiffening said frame to resist skating generated twisting forces, said means including: at least one cross-ribbing member having: a plurality of upright intersecting planar members extending between said side rails; and each said side rail including inner and outer side walls, said outer wall having planar and contoured portions, said inner wall integral with said outer wall at the juncture of said outer wall planar and contoured portions, and said outer wall contoured portion diverging generally upwardly and outwardly from said inner wall, said inner and outer walls each having a top edge with said outer wall top edge bearing against said sole of the skate boot when attached thereto, said inner wall cooperating with said plurality of intersecting planar members to torsionally stiffen said frame to resist skating generated twisting forces.

Claim 56

An in-line roller skate useable by a skater on a skating surface, said skate comprising: a boot, including a sole; a frame including means for attaching said frame to said sole of said boot, said frame further including: first and second longitudinally extending side rails, said frame including a plurality of pair of axle apertures with each side rail including one axle aperture of each said pair of axle apertures; each said axle aperture pair receiving a wheel axle; a plurality of wheels with a said wheel rotatably mounted on each wheel axle; means for torsionally stiffening said frame to resist skating generated twisting forces, said means including: at least one cross-ribbing member having: a plurality of upright intersecting planar members extending between said side rails; and each said side rail including inner and outer side walls, said outer wall having planar and contoured portions, said inner wall integral with said outer wall at the juncture of said outer wall planar and contoured portions, and said outer wall contoured portion diverging generally upwardly and outwardly from said inner wall, said inner and outer walls each having a top edge with said outer wall top edge bearing against said sole of the skate boot when attached thereto, said inner wall cooperating with said plurality of intersecting planar members to torsionally stiffen said frame to resist skating generated twisting forces.

Claim 57

The skate of claim 44 wherein said upright planar members of at least one cross-ribbing member each have a top edge and said top edges are disposed in a common plane, and wherein said torsional stiffening means further comprises: a planar, horizontal member intersecting said top edges of said upright members of said at least one cross-ribbing member.

Claim 58

The skate of claim 44 wherein said upright members are substantially vertical.

Claim 59

The skate of claim 44 wherein said plurality of upright members is equal to five.

Claim 60

The skate of claim 47 wherein said upright members of at least one cross-ribbing member each have a top edge and said top edges are disposed in a common plane, and wherein said torsional stiffening means further comprises: a planar, horizontal member intersecting said top edges of said upright members of said at least one cross-ribbing member.

Claim 61

The skate of claim 44 wherein said frame further includes a plurality of strengthening webs extending between said inner and outer walls.

Claim 62

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatable mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot, said frame having top and bottom edges and including: first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein, each of said side rails including first and second walls; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and to distribute such forces throughout said frame; said cross-ribbing members including a first and second rib portions secured to said first and second side rails, respectively, at first and second, respectively, lines of attachment on said first and second side rails, respectively, with said first lines of attachment defining an attachment plane extending between said first and second side rails, said first and second rib portions secured together at a joinder portion disposed out of said attachment plane, said lines of attachment and said joinder portion each extending generally vertically; said cross-ribbing members and wheels mutually sized for a peripheral edge of a wheel to be disposed between said attachment plane and said joinder portion.

Claim 63

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatable mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot, said frame having top and bottom edges and including: first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein, each of said side rails including first and second walls; and means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and to distribute such forces throughout said frame; said cross-ribbing members including a first and second rib portions secured to said first and second side rails, respectively, at first and second, respectively, lines of attachment on said first and second side rails, respectively, with said first lines of attachment defining an attachment plane extending between said first and second side rails, said first and second rib portions secured together at a joinder portion disposed out of said attachment plane, said lines of attachment and said joinder portion each extending generally vertically; said cross-ribbing members and wheels mutually sized for a peripheral edge of a wheel to be disposed between said attachment plane and said joinder portion.

Claim 64

The skate of claim 50 wherein each of said first walls has a substantially planar configuration.

Claim 65

The skate of claim 51 wherein each of said second walls has a substantially contoured configuration.

Claim 66

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot, said frame having top and bottom edges and including; first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein, each of said side rails including first and second walls; means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members each having a top and bottom and extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and to distribute such forces throughout said frame; each of said first walls has a substantially planar configuration; and a plurality of reinforcing webs extending between said first and second walls of said side rail.

Claim 67

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot, said frame having top and bottom edges and including; first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein, each of said side rails including first and second walls; means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members each having a top and bottom and extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and to distribute such forces throughout said frame; each of said first walls has a substantially planar configuration; and a plurality of reinforcing webs extending between said first and second walls of said side rail.

Claim 68

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot, said frame having top and bottom edges and including; first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein, each of said side rails including first and second walls; means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members each having a top and bottom and extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and to distribute such forces throughout said frame; each of said first walls has a substantially planar configuration; and said first wall has a substantially planar configuration and said second wall has a substantially contoured configuration, said second wall having a bottom edge integral with said first wall and diverging outwardly and upwardly from said first wall to define a channel therebetween.

Claim 69

An in-line roller skate usable by a skater on a riding surface comprising: a plurality of wheels mounted for rotation in a common plane, each wheel being rotatably mounted by a wheel axle; a boot including a boot sole; a frame attached to said boot, said frame having top and bottom edges and including; first and second substantially parallel side rails having a plurality of pairs of axle apertures passing therethrough to mount said axles therein, each of said side rails including first and second walls; means for providing torsional stiffness extending between said side rails at predetermined locations, said means comprising a plurality of cross-ribbing members each having a top and bottom and extending between said side rails to resist twisting of said rails by skating generated twisting forces and to distribute such forces throughout said frame; each of said first walls has a substantially planar configuration; and said first wall has a substantially planar configuration and said second wall has a substantially contoured configuration, said second wall having a bottom edge integral with said first wall and diverging outwardly and upwardly from said first wall to define a channel therebetween.

Claim 70

The skate of claim 54 and further including a plurality of reinforcing webs extending within each said channel between said first and second side walls of each said rail.