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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
SLOPE FOR IN-LINE SKATE, AND A STRUCTURE USING THE SLOPE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2007/015590
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A slope for an inline skate and a structure using the slope are provided. The slope includes a curved surface extending from one side to the other side and having a predetermined inclination. The curved surface includes a friction part for running, sliding parts for changing a direction, and an embossing part for reducing speed. The sliding parts are formed at both sides of the friction part and the embossing part is formed on the other side of the friction part and has protrusion protruded in plurals. In the structure, slopes having curved surfaces of different inclinations and curved shapes are formed in plurals.

Inventors:
HAN JHANG SUB (KR)
Application Number:
PCT/KR2005/002529
Publication Date:
February 08, 2007
Filing Date:
August 03, 2005
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
HAN JHANG SUB (KR)
International Classes:
A63C19/10; A63C19/00
Foreign References:
JPH08276046A1996-10-22
US5599235A1997-02-04
US5946756A1999-09-07
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
SESHIN PATENT & LAW FIRM (World Meridian Venture Center II 426-5, Gasan-don, Geumcheon-gu Seoul 153-781, KR)
Download PDF:
Claims:

[CLAIMS]

[Claim l]

A slope for an inline skate comprising: a curved surface extending from one side to the other side and having a predetermined inclination. [Claim 2]

The slope of claim 1, wherein the curved surface comprises : a friction part for running; sliding parts provided on both sides of the friction part, respectively, for changing a direction; and an embossing part provided on the other side of the friction part and having protuberances protruded in plurals, for reducing speed. [Claim 3]

The slope of claim 1 or 2, wherein the curved surface has a width in a direction perpendicular to a length direction extending from one side to the other side, the width being one of widths that satisfy l/n(n=2) of a circle. [Claim 4]

A structure using a slope for an inline skate having a curved surface extending from one side to the other side and having a predetermined inclination, the structure being characterized in that: the curved surface comprises a friction part for running, sliding parts provided on both sides of the

friction part, respectively, for changing a direction, and an embossing part provided on the other side of the friction part and having protuberances protruded in plurals, for reducing speed, and the slope having a curved surface of different inclinations and curved shapes is installed in plurals . [Claim 5]

The structure of claim 4, wherein the curved surface of the slopes has a width in a direction perpendicular to a length direction extending from one side to the other side, the width being one of widths that satisfy 1/2 through 1/4 of a circle. [Claim β]

The structure of claim 4, wherein the one side of the slopes is connected with a first stand-by space, the other side of the slopes is connected with a second stand-by space, and movement from the second stand-by space to the first stand-by space is made by a transfer part.

[Claim 7] The structure of claim 6, wherein the transfer part is one of stairs, an escalator, an elevator, and a sliding lift. [Claim 8]

The structure of any of claims 4 to 6, wherein a safety path is installed along an edge of the curved surface of the slopes.

Description:

[DESCRIPTION]

[invention Title]

SLOPE FOR IN-LINE SKATE, AND A STRUCTURE USING THE SLOPE [Technical Field]

The present invention relates to a slope for an inline skate and a structure using the same. [Background Art]

Inline skates are skates with wheels arranged in a line unlike conventional roller skates, and are widely known as roller blades to the public.

Recently, inline skaters can experience high speed with development of bearings in the inline skates.

Moreover, in western countries, the inline skates become an extreme sport in which the inline skaters can express a variety of techniques using the inline skates.

The extreme sport is also called an X-game. The X- game is a sport in which a player performs a variety of high-level techniques with various postures using a bicycle, a skateboard, and a snowboard besides the inline stake. Recently, the X-game gradually becomes a popular sport among young people.

FIG. 1 is a view of a structure for an extreme sport according to the related art. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a structure 1 for an extreme sport of the related art includes a semi-

cylindrical track 2 and an U-shaped inclined track 3 where a player expresses techniques such as a jump or a still motion while moving right and left using an inline skate, and stairs 4 and handrails 5 that allow a player to enter the tracks 2 and 3.

However, when using the semi-cylindrical track and the U-shaped inclined track for the extreme sport, great power and various high-level techniques are required. Accordingly, it is difficult for the old or beginners, wearing the inline skates, to perform various actions on the semi-cylindrical track and the U-shaped inclined track.

Moreover, since a player can experience a simple and restricted direction in the semi-cylindrical track and the

U-shaped track, the player is allowed to perform only simple actions and thus can be easily tired of the playing.

Additionally, due to frictional force between the surface of the semi-cylindrical track and the U-shaped inclined track, and the wheel of the inline skate, it has been very difficult to perform actions of a sudden rotation and a direction change at the edges of the tracks. If a player intends to change the direction at the edges of the tracks, the player is required to perform a high-level technique such as air rotation of 180°

Also, since the semi-cylindrical track and the U- shaped inclined track have no slope at all and a short length in a back-and-forth direction, a player cannot make

enough acceleration and run further on the track for actions in the back-and-forth direction of the track. [Disclosure] [Technical Problem] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a slope for an inline skate and a structure using the same that substantially obviate one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a slope for an inline skate and a structure using the same that allow the old or beginners to easily use the slope and the structure, provide various directions of action so that a player may use them with a great interest, allow a player to perform actions of an sudden rotation and a direction change without using a high-level technique, and allows a player to make acceleration in a back-and-forth direction and run a relatively long distance for various actions.

[Technical Solution]

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, there is provided a slope for an inline skate including a curved surface extending from one side to the other side and having a predetermined inclination. The curved surface may include a friction part for running, sliding parts provided on both sides of the

friction part, respectively, for changing a direction, and an embossing part provided on the other side of the friction part and having protuberances protruded in plurals, for reducing speed. The curved surface may have a width in a direction perpendicular to the length direction extending from one side to the other side, the width being one of widths that satisfy l/n(n=2) of a circle.

According to a further another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure using a slope for an inline skate having a curved surface extending from one side to the other side and having a predetermined inclination, the structure being characterized in that the curved surface includes a friction part for running, sliding parts provided on both sides of the friction part, respectively, for changing a direction, and an embossing part provided on the other side of the friction part and having protuberances protruded in plurals, for reducing speed, and the slope having a curved surface of different inclinations and curved shapes is installed in plurals.

The curved surface of the slopes may have a width in a direction perpendicular to a length direction extending from one side to the other side, the width being one of widths that satisfy 1/2 through 1/4 of a circle. The one side of the slopes may be connected with a first stand-by space, the other side of the slopes may be

connected with a second stand-by space, and movement from the second stand-by space to the first stand-by space may be made by a transfer part.

The transfer part may be one of stairs, an escalator, an elevator, and a sliding lift.

A safety path is installed along the edge of the curved surface of the slopes. [Advantageous Effects]

The present invention is a slope for an inline skate and a structure using the slope. The curved surface of the slope, properly prepared for each purpose, includes a friction part for running, sliding parts for changing a direction, and an embossing part for reducing speed. In the structure, the inclination of the curved surface of the slope can be appropriately changed according to the level of the players. Therefore, the old or beginners as well as advanced players and middle-level players together can easily enjoy the slope and the structure using the slope.

Since a player can use all of up and down, right and left of the curved surface of the slope and the direction of the action becomes diversified, a player is not easily tired of the slope but can enjoy the inline-skating for a long time.

Also, the actions of a sudden rotation and a direction change can be easily performed without using a high-level technique by the sliding part of the curved

surface .

Relatively fast acceleration can be achieved in the back-and-forth direction of the slope, and additionally, running for a relatively long distance can be performed, all of which increase player's satisfaction.

Additionally, the slope and the structure using the slope according to the present invention can be readily applied to sports equipment with wheels such as a skateboard and a quick-board besides the inline skate. [Description of Drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view of a structure for an extreme sport according to the related art;

FIG. 2 is a view of a slope for an inline skate according to the present invention; FIGS. 3A to 3C are sectional views of a slope for an inline skate according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a structure using a slope for an inline skate according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view of a structure using a slope for an inline skate according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along a line A-A of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along a line B-B of

FIG . 5 ; and

FIG. 8 is a view of a structure where a rest room and a rental house are added to the embodiment of FIG. 5.

[Mode for Invention] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a view of a slope for an inline skate according to the present invention, and FIGS. 3A to 3C are sectional views of a slope for an inline skate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the slope 10 includes a curved surface 20 extending from one side to the other side and having a predetermined inclination. In one embodiment, the curved surface 20 includes a friction part 30 for running, sliding parts 40 and 41 provided on both sides of the friction part 30, respectively, for changing a direction, and an embossing part 50 provided on the other side of the friction part 30 and having protuberances 51 protruded in plurals, for reducing speed.

First, the friction part 30 is formed on the central portion of the curved surface 20 and may be formed of rubber to improve running performance and straightness of the wheel of an inline skate made of hard plastics.

Also, since the friction part 30 is made of rubber,

there is little possibility that a player can be injured even though a player falls down while running due to elasticity of the rubber.

The sliding parts 40 and 41 consist of the first sliding part 40 and the second sliding part 41 on both sides of the friction part 30 and may be formed of the same material as that of the wheel of the inline skate.

Since the sliding parts 40 and 41 are formed of hard plastics, which is the same material as that of the wheel of the inline skate, friction force between the sliding parts 40 and 41 and the wheel reduces and thus the actions of the sudden rotation and the direction change at the edges of the curved surface 20 can be performed very swiftly unlike the structure of the related art. The embossing part 50 gradually reduces an acceleration that has been increased while a player slides on the friction part 30 and the sliding parts 40 and 41.

In detail, like the sliding parts 40 and 41, the embossing part 50 is formed of hard plastics. While the wheel of the inline skate slides on the embossing part 50, the speed of the wheel is gradually reduced by the protuberances 51 of the embossing part 50.

Referring to FIG. 2, the slope 10 for an inline skate is used in the following way. A player enters the curved surface at an initial start point A, passes through the first sliding part 40, and starts accelerating toward the

first object point B.

After that, a player passes the friction part 30 of the curved surface 20 in an oblique direction and in fast speed to reach the second sliding part 41 adjacent to the first object point B. At the second sliding part 41, a player changes a progressing direction by changing the wheels of the inline skate and slides toward the second object point C.

In this manner, a player gradually descends along the curved surface 20 in zigzags. After that, when a player reaches the embossing part 50 located at the end of the other side of the ' curved surface 20, the speed of the wheels is gradually reduced by the protuberances 51 of the embossing part 50 and finally a motion of a player stops. Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, the curved surfaces 20a,

20b, and 20c of the slopes 10a, 10b, and 10c may have a width in a direction perpendicular to a length direction extending from one side to the other side, the width being one of widths that satisfy l/n(n=2) of a circle. The n may be a natural number.

A curved surface 20a (half section pipe) of the slope 10a has a width 1/2 (n=2) in the direction perpendicular to the length direction (FIG. 3A) , a curved surface 20b (tri section pipe) of the slope 10b has a width 1/3 (n=3) in the direction perpendicular to the length direction, and a curved surface 20c (quarter section pipe) of the slope 10c

has a width 1/4 (n=4) in the direction perpendicular to the length direction.

The slopes 10a, 10b, and 10c according to the present invention can be also formed by applying a second degree curve such as an ellipse or a parabola to the slope besides the curves illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3C.

The curved surfaces 20a, 20b, and 20c of the slopes

10a, 10b, and 10c illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3C may have the same friction part 30, the same sliding parts 40 and 41, and the same embossing part 50 as those of the slope 10 of

FIG. 2.

The curved surface 20a of the slope 10a is for an advanced player (FIG. 3A) , the curved surface 20b of the slope 10b is for a middle-level player (FIG. 3B) , and the curved surface 20c of the slope 10c is for the old and beginners (FIG. 3C) .

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a structure using a slope for an inline skate according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, a structure according to the present invention uses the above-described slopes of FIGS.

3A to 3B, where the slopes 10a, 10b, and 10c having surfaces 20a, 20b, and 20c including different inclinations and shapes are installed in plurals. The respective curved surfaces 20a, 20b, and 20c of the slopes have widths in a direction perpendicular to the

length direction extending from one side to the other side, the width being one of widths that satisfy.1/2 through 1/4 of a circle.

In an embodiment, the slopes 10a, 10b, and 10c consist of the first slope 10a for an advanced player (FIG. 3A) , the second slope 10b for a middle-level player (FIG. 3B) , and the third slope 10c for the old and beginners (FIG. 3C) .

Among those slopes, the third slope 10c may have a shape bent more than two times with consideration of the level of the old and beginners.

The vertical inclinations of the curved surfaces 20a, 20b, and 20c of the slopes 10a, 10b, and 10c gradually increase in an order of the third slope 10c, the second slope 10b, and the first slope 10a. The lower portions of the first and second slopes 10a and 10b communicate with a predetermined portion of the third slope 10c. Safety fence

(not shown) may be installed along the edges of the curved surfaces 20a, 20b, and 20c of the first through third slopes 10a, 10b, and 10c.

Also, the upper portions of the first through third slopes 10a, 10b, and 10c are connected with the first stand-by space 70, and the end of the lower portion of the third slope 10c that communicates with the first and second slopes 10a and 10b is connected with the second stand-by space 80. In the case of the slopes applied to a real

structure as illustrated in FIG. 5, the first stand-by space 70 can be a sky lounge and the second stand-by space 80 can be a lobby.

The first stand-by space 70 has the first through third gates 90, 91, and 92 that communicate with the first through third slopes 10a, 10b, and 10c, respectively. The second stand-by space 80 has the fourth gate 93 that communicates with the third slope 10c.

Movements from the second stand-by space 80 to the first stand-by space 70 can be made using a transfer part 100. The transfer part 100 may be one of stairs, an escalator, an elevator, and a sliding lift.

The inventive structure 200 using the slopes for the inline skate can be used in the following way with reference to FIG. 4. When a player at the second stand-by space 80 goes up to the first stand-by space 70 using the transfer part 100, a player selects one of slopes 10a, 10b, and 10c, appropriate for his level, and enters one of the first through third gates 90, 91, and 92. A player who has entered one of the gates 90, 91, and

92 gradually descends on the curved surface (not shown) in zigzags along one of the first through third slopes 10a, 10b, and 10c, and the speed of a player is gradually reduced by the embossing part (not shown) formed at the lower portion of the curved surface, and then a player who has descend along the first and second slopes 10a and 10b

finally enters the third slope 10c.

A player who has reached the third slope 10c slides slowly along the lower portion of the third slope 10c and then passes through the fourth gate 93 to enter the second stand-by space 80.

FIG. 5 is a view of a structure using a slope for an inline skate according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along a line A- A of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along a line B-B of FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is a view of a structure where a rest room and a rental house are added to the embodiment of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, a structure 300 using the slope for the inline skate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes slopes 10a, 10b, and 10c, a lobby 80, a sky lounge 70, a transfer part 100, and safety fences 60a and 60b.

First, the slopes 10a, 10b, and 10c consist of the first slope 10a having the curved surface 20a of FIG. 3A, for an advanced player, the second slope 10b having the curved surface 20b of FIG. 3B, for a middle-level player, and the third slope 10c having the curved surface 20c of FIG. 3C, for the old and beginners.

Here, the curved surfaces 20a, 20b, and 20c may consist of the friction part 30, the sliding parts 40 and 41, and the embossing part 50 as in the slope 10 of FIG. 2.

The first slope 10a and the second slope 10b are provided in parallel, and the first slope 10a has a curved surface whose inclination is greater than that of a curved surface of the second slope 10b. The first and second slopes 10a and 10b have a merging part 110 on which protuberances are protruded as in embossing parts 50a and 50b, the merging part 100 being formed at the lower portion of the first and second slopes 10a and 10b. The merging part 110 is a place where a player who has descended along the first and second slopes 10a and 10b temporarily stops.

The third slope 10c has a gentle inclination on the whole and has the first through fourth curved portions 120,

121, 122, and 123 curved in a 1 C shape or a 1 ^-' shape. The first through fourth curved portions 120, 121,

122, and 123 may have embossing portions 50c, 5Od, 5Oe, and 5Of, respectively, with consideration of player's safety.

The intermediate portion of the third slope 10c communicates with the merging part 110. The first through third slopes 10a, 10b, and 10c have stepped thresholds 130a, 130b, 130c, and 13Od formed along the edges of the respective curved surfaces 20a, 20b, and 20c.

The stepped thresholds 130a, 130b, 130c, and 13Od are formed of rubber with consideration of player's safety.

The stepped thresholds 130a, 130b, 130c, and 13Od have

safety fences 60a and 60b installed therealong.

The safety fences 60a and 60b are formed of an elastic material in the form of a wire with consideration of player's safety as in the stepped thresholds 130a, 130b, 130c, and 13Od.

When a player wants to take a break while staying at the first through third slopes 10a, 10b, and 10c, a player may go up to one of the stepped thresholds 130a, 130b, 130c, and 13Od and take a break for a while, holding the safety fences 60a and 60b.

The third slope 10c has an embossing part 5Og formed at the end of the lower portion of the third slope 10c, where a player can reduce his speed, and has a lobby 80 formed at the further end of the third slope 10a, so that a player who has reduced his speed at the embossing part 5Og can enter the lobby 80. Referring to FIG. 7, the fourth slope 1Od and the fifth slope 1Oe having curved surfaces 2Od and 2Oe of little inclination are further formed on the side of the lobby 80 for children. Also, referring to FIG. 8, convenient facilities such as a rest room 140 and a rental house 150 adjacent to the lobby 80 can be further formed. Other convenient facilities such as a snack bar, a bending machine, and a bench can be further added if necessary besides a rest room and a rental house.

Players who stay on the lobby 80 can move to the sky

lounge 70, which is another stand-by space, through an escalator or stairs, which is the transfer part 100.

The sky lounge 70 has a support fences 160 made of hard material so as to prevent a player from falling off, the support fence being formed at the edge of the sky lounge 70.

The inventive structure 300 using the slopes for the inline skate can be used in the following way. Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, a player buys an entry ticket at the rental house 150 and borrows inline skate equipment.

After that, a player enters the lobby 80 and reaches the sky lounge 70 using the transfer part 100 such as an escalator or stairs. At this point, a player who has no experience in an inline skate or children may use the fourth slope 1Od and the fifth slope 1Oe adjacent to the lobby 80.

The old and beginners among players who have reached the sky lounge 70 descend using the third slope 10c. The third slope 10c has a curved surface 20c of a relatively gentle inclination. The old and the beginners can reduce their speed using the embossing parts 50c, 5Od, 5Oe, and

5Of formed on the first through fourth curved parts 120,

121, 122, and 123, respectively, thereby safely descending.

The middle-level players among the players who have reached the sky lounge 70 descend using the second slope

10b. The second slope 10b has the curved surface 20b whose

inclination is steeper than that of the curved surface 20c of the third slope 10c.

The middle-level players who have descend using the second slope 10b and almost reached the lower portion gradually reduce their speed at the embossing part 50b formed on the curved surface 20b and reach a point D of the merging part 110 that communicates with the third slope 10c.

The middle-level players located on the point D of the merging part 110 enter the third slope 10c while giving attention so as not to collide with other players before entering the third slope 10c.

Advanced players among the players who have reached the sky lounge 70 descend using the first slope 10a. The first slope 10a has the curved surface 20a whose inclination is steeper than that of the curved surface 20b of the second slope 10b. The advanced players who have descend using the first slope 10a and almost reached the lower portion gradually reduce their speed at the embossing part 50a formed on the curved surface 20a and reach a point E of the merging part 110 that communicates with the third slope 10c.

The advance players located on the point E of the merging part 110 enter the third slope 10c while giving particular attention so as not to collide with other players sliding along the third slope 10c before entering the third slope 10c.

The players of the first and second slopes 10a and 10b and the players of the third slope 10c all meet at the merging part of the third slope 10c finally, and all of these players keep descending along the third slope 10c and finally reduce their speed at the embossing part 5Og to enter the lobby 80.

The players who have entered the lobby 80 go up to the sky lounge 80 using the transfer part 100 and repeat the above processes. While the present invention has been described and illustrated herein with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.