Foot supporting rolling device

Claim 2

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, a roller mounted in such fashion that it can be forced by the user against both said first and second wheels so as to simultaneously provide resistance to the rotation of said first and second wheels, and an actuator permitting the user to move said roller during skating so as to apply a braking force or to remove a braking force.

Claim 3

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, and a roller mounted in such fashion that it can be forced against said first wheel so as to provide resistance to the rotation of said first wheel, said first wheel being movably biased toward the rolling surface in such a fashion as to follow the contour of the rolling surface while said roller provides said resistance.

Claim 4

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, and a roller mounted in such fashion that it can be forced against said first wheel so as to provide resistance to the rotation of said first wheel, said first wheel being movably biased toward the rolling surface in such a fashion as to follow the contour of the rolling surface while said roller provides said resistance.

Claim 5

The rolling device of claim 1 or 2 wherein said roller is made of a material that has hardness greater than said first hardness.

Claim 6

The rolling device of claim 3 where said roller is of a diameter smaller than diameters of said first and second wheels.

Claim 7

The rolling device of claim 1 further comprising a first movable member that is mounted to said foot supporting structure and carries said roller thereon, said first movable member being movable toward and away from said first and second wheels.

Claim 8

The rolling device of claim 5 wherein said first movable member is movable to a neutral position in which said roller does not contact said first and second wheels.

Claim 9

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, and a roller mounted in such fashion that it can be forced by the user against both said first and second wheels so as to a simultaneously provide resistance to the rotation of said first and second wheels, further comprising a first movable member that is mounted to said foot supporting structure and carries said roller thereon, said first movable member being movable toward and away from said first and second wheels, wherein said first movable member has a plurality of different maximum braking positions in which said roller is prevented from further movement toward said first and second wheels, the axis of said roller being at different distances from the axes of said first and second wheels in said different maximum braking positions, said different maximum braking positions providing different wheel rolling resistances.

Claim 10

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, and a roller mounted in such fashion that it can be forced by the user against both said first and second wheels so as to a simultaneously provide resistance to the rotation of said first and second wheels, further comprising a first movable member that is mounted to said foot supporting structure and carries said roller thereon, said first movable member being movable toward and away from said first and second wheels, wherein said first movable member has a plurality of different maximum braking positions in which said roller is prevented from further movement toward said first and second wheels, the axis of said roller being at different distances from the axes of said first and second wheels in said different maximum braking positions, said different maximum braking positions providing different wheel rolling resistances.

Claim 11

The rolling device of claim 7 wherein said first movable member is lockable into said different speed reducing positions.

Claim 12

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, a roller mounted in such fashion that it can be forced by the user against both said first and second wheels so as to provide resistance to the rotation of said first and second wheels, and a first movable member that is mounted to said foot supporting structure and carries said roller thereon, said first movable member being movable toward and away from said first and second wheels, wherein said first movable member has a plurality of different speed reducing positions in which said roller contacts said first and second wheels, the axis of said roller being at different distances from the axes of said first and second wheels in said different speed reducing positions, said different speed reducing positions providing different wheel rolling resistances, wherein said first movable member is lockable into said different speed reducing positions, wherein said first movable member is movably mounted on said foot supporting structure, and further comprising a second movable member that applies force to said first movable member and locks said first movable member in said different positions.

Claim 13

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, a roller mounted in such fashion that it can be forced by the user against both said first and second wheels so as to provide resistance to the rotation of said first and second wheels, and a first movable member that is mounted to said foot supporting structure and carries said roller thereon, said first movable member being movable toward and away from said first and second wheels, wherein said first movable member has a plurality of different speed reducing positions in which said roller contacts said first and second wheels, the axis of said roller being at different distances from the axes of said first and second wheels in said different speed reducing positions, said different speed reducing positions providing different wheel rolling resistances, wherein said first movable member is lockable into said different speed reducing positions, wherein said first movable member is movably mounted on said foot supporting structure, and further comprising a second movable member that applies force to said first movable member and locks said first movable member in said different positions.

Claim 14

The rolling device of claim 9 in which said second movable member has a movable arm and produces a force against said first movable member with a mechanical advantage.

Claim 15

The rolling device of claim 1, 2, 5 or 7 in which the roller is kinematically dampened so as to produce higher rolling resistance with increased speed.

Claim 16

The rolling device of claim 1, 2, 5, or 7 in which the roller contains a uni-directional locking mechanism which allows the roller to rotate in only one direction.

Claim 17

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, said structure including a boot with a heel portion, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, and said heel portion being movable with respect to said wheels, a roller mounted on a first movable member in such fashion that it can be forced by the user against said first wheel so as to provide resistance to the rotation of said first wheel, in which said first movable member is actuated by foot pressure applied to said heel portion of said foot supporting structure.

Claim 18

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, said structure including a boot with a heel portion, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, and said heel portion being movable with respect to said wheels, a roller mounted on a first movable member in such fashion that it can be forced by the user against said first wheel so as to provide resistance to the rotation of said first wheel, in which said first movable member is actuated by foot pressure applied to said heel portion of said foot supporting structure.

Claim 19

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, said structure including a boot with a heel portion, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, and said heel portion being movable with respect to said wheels, a roller mounted on a first movable member in such fashion that it can be forced by the user against said first wheel so as to provide resistance to the rotation of said first wheel, in which said first movable member is actuated by foot pressure applied to said heel portion of said foot supporting structure, in which said roller contains a combination unidirectional locking mechanism and kinematic damping.

Claim 20

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, said structure including a boot with a heel portion, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, and said heel portion being movable with respect to said wheels, a roller mounted on a first movable member in such fashion that it can be forced by the user against said first wheel so as to provide resistance to the rotation of said first wheel, in which said first movable member is actuated by foot pressure applied to said heel portion of said foot supporting structure, in which said roller contains a combination unidirectional locking mechanism and kinematic damping.

Claim 21

The rolling device of claim 13 in which said first movable member is biased away from said first wheel in such fashion that said roller does not contact said first and second wheels unless foot pressure is applied to said first movable member.

Claim 22

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, and a roller mounted in such fashion that it can be forced by the user against both said first and second wheels so as to provide resistance to the rotation of said first and second wheels, and a first movable member that is mounted to said foot supporting structure and carries said roller thereon, said first movable member being movable toward and away from said first and second wheels, wherein said first movable member is actuated by foot pressure applied to said foot supporting structure, further comprising a movable camming member that can be moved to a position in which said first movable member is prevented from moving so as to permit said roller to contact said first and second wheels.

Claim 23

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, and a roller mounted in such fashion that it can be forced by the user against both said first and second wheels so as to provide resistance to the rotation of said first and second wheels, and a first movable member that is mounted to said foot supporting structure and carries said roller thereon, said first movable member being movable toward and away from said first and second wheels, wherein said first movable member is actuated by foot pressure applied to said foot supporting structure, further comprising a movable camming member that can be moved to a position in which said first movable member is prevented from moving so as to permit said roller to contact said first and second wheels.

Claim 24

The rolling device of claim 16 in which the movable camming member can be moved to a position in which said first movable member can be forced against said first and second wheels.

Claim 25

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, said structure including a boot with a heel portion, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, and said heel portion being movable with respect to said wheels, a roller mounted on a first movable member in such fashion that it can be forced by the user against said first wheel so as to provide resistance to the rotation of said first wheel, in which said first movable member is actuated by foot pressure applied to said heel portion of said foot supporting structure, in which said roller is kinematically dampened so as to produce, with the same force against said first and second wheels, higher rolling resistance of said first and second wheels.

Claim 26

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, said structure including a boot with a heel portion, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, and said heel portion being movable with respect to said wheels, a roller mounted on a first movable member in such fashion that it can be forced by the user against said first wheel so as to provide resistance to the rotation of said first wheel, in which said first movable member is actuated by foot pressure applied to said heel portion of said foot supporting structure, in which said roller is kinematically dampened so as to produce, with the same force against said first and second wheels, higher rolling resistance of said first and second wheels.

Claim 27

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, said structure including a boot with a heel portion, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, and said heel portion being movable with respect to said wheels, a roller mounted on a first movable member in such fashion that it can be forced by the user against said first wheel so as to provide resistance to the rotation of said first wheel, in which said first movable member is actuated by foot pressure applied to said heel portion of said foot supporting structure, in which said roller contains a uni-directional locking mechanism which allows said roller to rotate in only one direction.

Claim 28

A foot supporting rolling device comprising a foot supporting structure for supporting a foot of a user, said structure including a boot with a heel portion, first and second wheels rotatably mounted on said foot supporting structure, said first and second wheels being made of an elastomeric material of a first hardness, and said heel portion being movable with respect to said wheels, a roller mounted on a first movable member in such fashion that it can be forced by the user against said first wheel so as to provide resistance to the rotation of said first wheel, in which said first movable member is actuated by foot pressure applied to said heel portion of said foot supporting structure, in which said roller contains a uni-directional locking mechanism which allows said roller to rotate in only one direction.

Claim 29

The rolling device of claim 14, 18, or 19 wherein said foot supporting structure includes a frame to which said first and second wheels are mounted and a flexible sole connected to said frame so that when body weight is shifted toward the rear of the sole, said first movable member moves toward said first wheel, and said roller is forced against said first wheel.

Claim 30

The rolling device of claim 1, 2, 5, or 7, in which said roller is made of a material that has a hardness greater than said first hardness and is made of a material with a high coefficient of friction.

Claim 31

The rolling device of claim 1, 2, 5, or 7, wherein the roller is made of a material that has a hardness greater than said first hardness and has a geometry that favors forward rolling motion and hinders rearward motion.

Claim 32

The rolling device of claim 1, 5, or 7, further comprising a high friction brake pad mounted for contact by said roller when said roller continues to move beyond initial contact with said first and second wheels.

Claim 33

The rolling device of claim 2 wherein said roller is made of a material harder than Rockwell 50C.

Claim 34

The rolling device of claim 1, 2, 5, or 7, further comprising vent structure that directs air to cool the roller.

Claim 35

The rolling device of claim 2 wherein said rolling device is an in-line roller skate.

Claim 36

The rolling device of claim 17 in which said roller is kinematically dampened so as to produce, with the same force against said first and second wheels, higher rolling resistance of said first and second wheels.

Claim 37

The rolling device of claim 17 in which said roller contains a uni-directional locking mechanism which allows said roller to rotate in only one direction.

Claim 38

The rolling device of claim 17 in which said roller contains a combination unidirectional locking mechanism and kinematic damping.

Claim 39

The rolling device of claim 1 or 13 wherein said rolling device is an in-line roller skate.

Claim 40

The rolling device of claim 1 wherein said roller is made of a material harder than Rockwell 50C.

Claim 41

The rolling device of claim 1 wherein said roller is made of a material that has hardness greater than said first hardness.

Claim 42

The rolling device of claim 32 where said roller is of a diameter smaller than diameters of said first and second wheels.