BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Ice skates and roller skates are well known. More recent additions to the family of skates include roller blades, also known as inline skates which have become popular, particularly in the recreational arena.

Roller skates and rollerblades have the disadvantage that they, as a general rule, require a relatively smooth surface to"skate"on. Where the surface is uneven the ride is normally inconvenient and can be dangerous. Rollerblades, for example, work optimally on a smooth, tarred or concrete surface.

It is also not easy for a person using rollerblades to ride up and down a stepped surface, for example, a pavement.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a wheel skate which will at least alleviate the abovementioned difficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention there is provided for a wheel skate comprising a foot support mounted for relative rotation within a hoop.

Further features of the invention provide for the foot support to have guides secured thereto, the guides engaging a slide formed on the inner periphery of the hoop.

A further feature of this invention provides for there to be means for allowing relative rotation of the foot support within the hoop in only one direction.

A further feature of this invention provides for the guides to be wheels and for at least one of the wheels to be rotatable in one direction only to enable the hoop to be rotatable in one direction only relative to the foot support.

Preferably the means for allowing the wheel or wheels to rotate in one direction only is a unidirectional bearing onto which the wheel or wheels are mounted, to enable the wheel or wheels to rotate in one direction only.

Further features of the invention provide for the wheels to be grooved wheels held in fixed spaced relation to the foot support, for there to preferably be three wheels, for the wheels to be located one at each apex of a triangle and for the wheels to be mounted on a rigid frame.

A further feature of the invention provides for the grooved wheels to engage a track forming the slide.

Further features of the invention provide for the rigid frame to be provided with attachment means for attachment of the rigid frame to the leg of a user and for the foot support to be a boot.

A further feature of the invention provides for the hoop to have an outer ground engaging section with the track spaced from the outer ground engaging section towards the centre of the hoop and a flange between the outer ground engaging section and the track.

A still further feature of the invention provides for there to be a suitable tread covering the operatively outer surface of the ground engaging section and for the tread to be made of a rubber or plastics material.

The invention also provides for the foot support to be a roller blade type skate where the rollers are undercut to fit over the slide.

According to a further aspect of the invention the operatively upper end of the rigid frame is U-shaped and positioned over a section of the hoop with one of the wheels mounted between the flanges of the U-shaped section to engage the slide.

An alternative feature of the invention provides for the hoop to provide the guide as a slot in its operatively inner surface. In such an embodiment the wheels will not be undercut but will be suitably shaped to run as slides in the slot.

An alternative feature of the invention provides for the rigid frame to extend from the ends of the foot support transverse from the general direction of a user's leg and for there to be guides at the free ends of the rigid frame, each of which engage the slide to enable the hoop to rotate relative to the foot support.

These and various other and alternative features of the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a wheel skate fitted to the right foot of a user; and Figure 2 is a side view from the outside of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side view from the inside of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a side of an alternative embodiment; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a hoop for the wheel skate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to Figures 1,2 and 3, a wheel skate 10 is shown. The wheel skate 10 includes a foot support 12 which may be a rigid boot as shown. The wheel skate further has guides, generally indicated by numeral 14, associated with the foot support 12 and which engage a slide 16 formed by the inner periphery of a hoop 18. The guides 14 slide along the slide 16 allowing the hoop 18 to rotate relative to the foot support 12.

The guides 14 are grooved wheels 20. A base 22 is provided at the bottom end of the foot support 12. The base 22 and foot support 12 are integrally formed.

The base 22 carries two of the grooved wheels 20 which are mounted on axles 24 and roller bearings (not shown) in a conventional manner similar to that of a commonly available roller blade skate.

At least one of the roller bearings, preferably the front roller bearing, will be unidirectional. Such a unidirectional bearing is, for example, available under the code HFL1626 and manufactured by a number of suppliers. The fact that the

front roller bearing is made unidirectional allows for the hoop 18 to rotate only in one direction (the forward direction) relative to the foot support 12. This enables a person using the wheel skate to propel themselves by pushing forward and the unidirectional bearing then prevents rotation of the hoop 18 in the reverse direction.

As shown in Figure 1 the base 22 will extend at a small angle to the general direction of a user's leg 26. The reason for this is that, in use, a user's leg 26 will be at a slight angle, and it is preferable for the hoop 18 to be in a substantially vertical position as shown in Figure 1.

A rigid frame 28 is secured to the base 22. The frame 28 extends in an operatively upward direction along a user's leg 26. The frame 28 can be shaped to be aesthetically pleasing and at the same time to be sufficiently strong so as not to deform under pressure. It is anticipated that the frame 28 can be made from a lightweight metal such as aluminium or from a plastics material which may be reinforced with carbon fibres.

As shown in Figure 1 the rigid frame 28 extends upwardly and is curved through the plane formed by the hoop 18 at its upper end into a U-section 30. The free end 32 of the frame then extends slightly below the top section of the hoop 18, as shown.

-An axle 34 is provided between the flanges of the U-section 30 of the frame 28.

The axle 34 carries another grooved wheel 36 on bearings (not shown).

As shown in Figures 2 and 3 the hoop 18 is circularly shaped and made of a lightweight metal which could be suitably reinforced. A suitably resilient material preferably covers the outer surface of the hoop 18 in order to form a tread 38.

The frame 28 carries a strap 40 which can be secured around the calf of a user's leg 26 as shown in Figure 1. In use, the outside of a user's lower leg will therefore be firmly secured against the frame 28. Suitable padding (not shown) may be provided on the frame 28 to provide comfort to a user. A skate 10 will be provided for each leg and will be made to fit left and right legs respectively.

It will be appreciated that the hoop 18 can rotate relative to the foot support 12 in a forward direction. In use, it has been found that the wheel skate 10 functions similar to a roller skate or rollerblade but with the advantage that it provides a softer ride due to the relatively large diameter of the hoop 18 which, as shown in the drawings, extends almost to a user's knee.

It is however important that at least one of the wheels 20 have to be made to rotate in one direction only. This enables a user to push forward and for the foot support 12 to lock against the hoop 18 to enable a user of the wheel skate 10 to accelerate. It has been found that making the front wheel unidirectional works best as most of a user's weight is placed over the front wheel during acceleration.

The additional pressure on the front wheel therefore prevents slippage between the front wheel and slide 16.

A suitable braking mechanism (not shown) can be provided to prevent unwanted rotation of the hoop 18 relative to the foot support 12. The braking mechanism may be of any suitable type used on bicycles and the like. It may for example include a handle and brake pads which are supported on the frame 28 and which contact the hoop 18 when the handle is manipulated. Such a braking mechanism may be required when a person using the wheel skate 10 wants to stay in a particular position or remain at a particular speed on a declined surface. It may also be used to stop the wheel skate 10 in an emergency or to activate when a person using the wheel skate wants to walk up stairs or onto a pavement.

As explained above, the wheel skate 10 will provide a softer"skate"due to the relatively large diameter of the hoop 18. It will therefore be possible to use the wheel skate 10 on uneven surfaces. Further, the wheel skate 10 will be able to negotiate a stepped surface, for example a pavement.

It must be understood that numerous modifications can be made to the embodiment above described without departing from the scope of the invention.

In essence the invention is a foot support mounted for relative rotation within a ground-engaging hoop.

In the embodiment described above the guides 14 are two grooved wheels 20 at the operatively lower end of the foot support 12 and a third grooved wheel 36 oppositely disposed thereto to form a triangular relation with a wheel at each apex held to engage the hoop 18. In alternative embodiments of the invention the guides may of course comprise more than three wheels. In one specific embodiment, the guides comprise sets of tandem wheels engaging the hoop.

It is also envisaged that the mechanism for allowing relative rotation between the hoop and the foot support in one direction only to be an overcenter lever attached at its one end to the foot support on a swivel axel and having its free end abutting the hoop so as to allow rotation of the hoop in one direction and to prevent rotation of the hoop in the other direction.

It is also envisaged that the foot support may comprise only straps and fasteners for attaching to a user's normal shoes.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown), the rigid frame ends above the axle indicated by numeral 34 in figure 1, and a guard or cover is fixed over the top section of the hoop for protection.

The grooved wheels 20 and 36 can be replaced by other guide means. There may for example be provided a recessed slot on the inner side of the hoop 18 into which suitable guide members can run. Other types of guides running in grooved slides on the hoop can also be used. It is also envisaged that magnetic- type slides can be used to reduce the friction between the guides 14 and the hoop 18.

The guides 14 also do not have to be positioned as indicated in Figures 1,2 and 3. In Figure 4 an alternative embodiment is shown. In that embodiment a wheel skate 42 includes a foot support 44. A frame 46 extends transversely from the foot support 44 as shown and guides 48 are provided at the free ends of the frame 46. The guides 48 may be any of the variations described above but not necessarily limited thereto. In the embodiment of Figure 4 it is envisaged that it will be necessary to have a strap 50 secured to a user's leg 52 which includes a further guide 54 to engage the hoop 18. The guide 54 may alternatively be supported on an extension (not shown) secured to the foot support 44 and extending upwardly towards the guide 54.

Referring to Figure 5 a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a hoop 60 for the wheel skate is shown. In this embodiment a flange section 61 is provided between an outer ground engaging section 62 of the hoop and a track 63 spaced from the outer ground engaging section 62. A suitable thread 64 may be provided on the outer section 62 of the hoop. The track 63 forms a slide which engages a grooved wheel 65.

The flange section 61 in this embodiment provides for additional strength and rigidity of the hoop 60.

A small brush (not shown) or the like may be provided to clean the track 63 and the contact surface of the grooved wheel 65.

It must be understood that the examples described above are merely illustrative of the general principle of the invention and that various modifications and refinements will be possible, all of which will fall within the scope of the invention.