US3904215A

US3904215A - Walking roller skate

Info

Publication number: US3904215A
Application number: US512103A
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrew Bardy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-05-18
Filing date: 1974-10-04
Publication date: 1975-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 1992-09-09

Abstract

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a walking roller skate which may be used for the combination of walking and skating as a result of wheel-locks and brakes and unidirectional roll and slip-clutch combinations as a part thereof, and a hinge between forward and rearward platforms providing a flexible arch, there being forward, intermediate and rearward pairs of wheels, each pair consisting of one wheel on each of opposite sides of its respective platform, the forward pair of wheels being caster wheels biased into a trailing centered relationship for normal forward rolling, the central pair of wheels being unidirectional enlarged located at a back end of the forward platform such that the full body weight of the skater may be supported on the sole of the person''s foot on the forward platform supported forwardly by the forward pair of wheels and rearwardly by the central pair of wheels, with the central wheels rollable solely forwardly of the skate, and with a rearward pair of caster wheels mounted on the rearward platform for trailing relationship and normally biased inwardly toward one-another such that the rear of the wheel in a fully biased state extends substantially perpendicularly to one-another and laterally angularly inwardly relative to fore and aft alignment of the roller skate platforms, the rearward pair of wheels jointly being intermittently controllably lockable into the angularly biased state concurrently with the applying of brakes to the intermediate pair of wheels.

Description

United States Patent Bardy 51 Sept. 9, 1975 1 1 WALKING ROLLER SKATE Andrew Bardy, 235 E. 74th St., New York, NY. 10021 [22] Filed: Oct. 4, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 512,103

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 361,502, May 18.

[76] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-David Schonberg Assistant Examiner-David M. Mitchell [57] ABSTRACT In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a walking roller skate which may be used for the combination of walking and skating as a result of wheel-locks and brakes and unidirectional roll and slip-clutch combinations as a part thereof, and a hinge between forward and rearward platforms providing a flexible arch, there being forward, intermediate and rearward pairs of wheels, each pair consisting of one wheel on each of opposite sides of its respective platform, the forward pair of wheels being caster wheels biased into a trailing centered relationship for normal forward rolling, the central pair of wheels being unidirectional enlarged located at a back end of the forward platform such that the full body weight of the skater may be supported on the sole of the persons foot on the forward platform supported forwardly by the forward pair of wheels and rearwardly by the central pair of wheels, with the central wheels rollable solely forwardly of the skate, and with a rearward pair of caster wheels mounted on the rearward platform for trailing relationship and normally biased inwardly toward one-another such that the rear of the wheel in a fully biased state extends substantially perpendicularly to one-another and laterally angularly inwardly relative to fore and aft alignment of the roller skate platforms, the rearward pair of wheels jointly being intermittently controllably lockable into the angularly biased state concurrently with the applying of brakes to the intermediate pair of wheels.

28 Claims, 24 Drawing Figures PATENTEU SEP 9 i913 sum 1 UF 5 SHE? 2 UP 6 nmm 95 2: am now 2L an now 3 3m n Elm com mv wm PATENTED SEP 91975 awn mm Rm comm PATENTEU SEP 9 975 [ET 3 UP 5 PATENTEB SEP 9 i975 sum 5 ng WALKING ROLLER SKATE This invention and application is a continuation-inpart and improvement on the patent application Ser. No. 36l,502, filed May 18. 1973. now US. Pat. No. 3,87l.672.

The present invention relates to a roller skate for walking and/or skating.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Prior to the present invention there have existed various modes of transportation for individual persons, such as automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, and the like, but all of these have inherent limitations and disadvantages in so far as relatively short distances of transport required particularly in metropolitan areas, in so far as the inconvenience of storing or parking the same during the trip before return, on a round trip, as well as requiring special driving or riding skills by the user thereof.

Roller skates previously have been utilized almost exclusively as amusement devices for skating at a skating rink or limited sidewalk area or the like. Moreover, skates of the roller skate type have not been readily suitable for nor safe for use for walking or activities that would be performed by non-skilled skaters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, objects of the invention are to overcome the difficulties and problems and short-comings and disadvantages existing heretofore, of the type(s) referred to above, together with to provide a new and improved mode of transportation in the nature of a roller skate suitable for each or either of rollerskating and walking.

Another object is to obtain a walking skate unidirectional in its roll.

Another object is a skate having a pivotably archable heel platform structure and being stably supportable of a person's weight sturdily on a forward platform thereof, and supporting the user (well) below the lines of axles of the wheel(s)-structures to allow a choice of levels of low levels of gravity and at the sametime simplifying the mode of usage by elevating the user with preferably a minimum of height above the ground at an approprate height to provide sufficient ground clearance.

Another object is to obtain a skate of a roller skate variety having novel rearward platform locking wheels.

Another object is to obtain a novel roller skate mounting and dismounting semi-automatic device for detachably clampably mounting skates onto a skaters shoes or feet.

Another object is to obtain an improved unidirectional slip-clutch device of particular value on a roller skate.

Another object is to obtain a walking roller skate suitable for each of roller skating and walking on level and/or inclined surfaces and/or for the climbing of or descending of stairs or other steps.

Other objects become apparent from the preceding and following disclosure.

One or more objects of the invention are obtained by the invention as described herein.

Broadly the invention includes a walking skate having forward and rearward platforms intermediately piv oted permitting upward flexing of the rearward heel portion or rearward platform, and having three pairs of spaced apart wheels consecutively mounted one behind the other, the first two pairs being mounted on the forward platform and the third pair being mounted trailingly on the rearward platform, and there being braking means for intermittently controllably applying braking forces to the second pair of spaced apart wheels located at a rearward end of the forward platform (optionally braking force is appliable to the pair of rearwheels as well) and additionally there being suitable securing structures mounted on the rearward platform for securing the skate to the heel of the foot or shoe. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least the second pair of spaced-apart wheels mounted at the rearward portion of the forward platform include for each wheel a unidirectional slip-clutch mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, for each unidirectional slipclutch mechanism there is included a ratchet mechanism in which there are provided on a circular radially outward surface a series of slanted teeth, and in an opposing annular outer ring mounted therearound there are provided a greater plurality of loop structures extending forwardly in a forward direction of roll of the wheel in slightly radially inwardly directions such that rolling of the wheel serves to centrifugally move the loops radially outwardly at their distal ends away from engagement contact with one or more of the steps, and such that upon attempted roll of the wheel in a reverse direction, one or more of the loops promptly become looped retainingly around respective ones of the slanted teeth or steps. Preferably the number of loops is more than the number of teeth or steps, such that there is an overlapping relationship resulting in a prompt and substantially instantaneous engagement of one or more of the steps or teeth, irrespective of the rotatable position of the wheel or other rotatable member on which the loops are mounted. In a further preferred embodiment of the unidirectional slip clutch, each loop element includes a base shaft extending substantially rigidly at about a right angle to the loop element, and mounting apertures extending substantially radially outwardly within the inner surface of the rotatable member extends angularly forward in the direction of unidirectional roll or revolution of the rotatable member, such that a high degree of strength for the entire loop element and sturdiness in its mounting aperture results in an improved durability of the loops during their engagement with one or more of the keys. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the rear pair of wheels are caster wheels each biased inwardly toward one-another such that in a normal fully biased state the rearward caster wheels are angled at about a angle to one-another, each of the rearward caster wheels being mounted in a trailing-fashion on its axleaxis such that the respective wheels follow movement of the skate forwardly rolling precedingly ahead. The caster brake further preferably includes locking pins manually intermittently lockable of the trailing caster wheels when in their fully biased state such that when locked in their respective fully biased states the locked biased trailing caster wheels serve as a braking mechanism against forward roll of the skate, as well as against lateral rolling in either of opposite lateral directions of the rearward portion of the skate.

In a further preferred embodiment, the braking mechanism includes brake-band type brake having an actuating typically wire-cable lever extending between the rearward and forward platforms with the actuating lever movable substantially axially of its longitudinal length with the cable extending substantially through the point of pivot of the hinge interconnecting the forward and rearward platform, the axially movable cable lever being actuatable by an actuation mechanism mounted on the rearward platform on preferably an upright side flange thereof. The axial movement of the cable lever through the point of pivot noted-above, serves to prevent any actuation or deactuation of the brake that might otherwise result during pivoting movement of the rearward platform relative to the forward platform. The actuation mechanism extends preferably upwardly pivotably from at least one upright side flange of the rearward platform and is biased rearwardly and engageable by preferably the forward shin of a person on which the skate is mounted, with the actuation mechanism such that forward movement thereof by the persons shin when he bends his leg at the ankle forwardly serves to apply the brakes to the second pair of wheels as well as to advance lockably the locking pins for the rearward pair of wheels for locking the rearward wheels in their fully biased states. There optionally preferably may also be employed a hand brake detachably mountable onto each skate with an extension cord such that a person in a standing position may operate the brake manually with his hand. There is preferably included a releasable catch mechanism for latching the actuation lever actuatable by pressure from the persons shin, into a fully braked state and for releasing from the latched state by repeated thereafter next consecutive forward pressing of the actuation lever before releasing it rearwardly. The rearward platform securing means for fastening the rearward platform onto a persons heel preferably is a clamping structure of a claw-type variety. The claw structure is actuatable by preferably up biasing of mounting strips thereof pulled and locked downwardly by depressor lever structure whenever the heel of a person presses downwardly on the depressor lever structure trigger during the putting-on of the skate, and in the clamped state there is a latching element which is releasable preferably by a release pin releasably actuated by pressing the brake actuation lever by force of the shin of the person forwardly into a positon over-brake beyond the normal braking point. Also, preferably the respective left and right clamps of the claw mechanism of a skate are separately each manually adjustable preferably by a novel twist element releasably lockable at varying points for varying the degree of clamping pressure and for adjusting for the best suitable height level of gripping a particular person's heel.

The central pair of wheels, i.e. the rearward pair of wheels on the forward platform are preferably oversized wheels and include a preferred brake-band novel mechanism as shall be described in detail hereafter, basically including an inner rotatable circular member which upon rotation increasingly wedges and presses outwardly link element(s) connected at its outer end to the brake-band at free-end portion to press the brakeband brakingly radially outwardly. Also, in a further preferred embodiment thereof, the terminal end of the brake-band is spring biased inwardly radially and axially of its longitudinal length toward its mounting base such that when the link element presses outwardly the brake-band portion, the spring mechanism of the brake-band serves to bias the brake-band such that the brake-band begins its braking frictional contact initially at a point adjacent the mounted base of the brakeband, and as braking action and pressure is increased, braking of the band increasingly advances toward the terminal free end of the brakeband, (where it is the strongest). Also, for preferred balanced braking of the wheel, there are bilaterally serially consecutively spaced brake band mechanisms around the wheel such that at least opposite two brake bands actuate concurrently to give braking simultaneously on each of opposite sides of the brake drum against which the brake bands each respectively are pressured.

The first pair of wheels on the forward end of the forward platform are caster mounted and are mounted to trail behind the mounting axis thereof and are preferably spring-biased into a centrally aligned state for normal alignment with forward direction of roll.

The invention may be better understood by making reference to the Figures as follow.

THE FIGURES FIG. 1 illustrates a front side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the walking skate of the present invention.

FIG. IA illustrates a view as taken in partial crosssection through the telescoping actuation shin lever shown in an in-part side view illustrating the mechanism of initial assemblying thereof.

FIG. 1B illustrates in a similar view as that of FIG. 1A, appearance immediately after assemblage but still in the extended telescoping state.

FIG. 2 illustrates a view in partial cross-section through a partial structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and substantially an elevation plan view of the remaining majority of the skate mechanism as viewed along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a view in partial cross-section in side view of the wheel and mounting structure as taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view as taken through the structure of FIG. 3 along lines 44 thereof.

FIG. 5 illustrates a substantially side cross-sectional in-part view of the forward skate platform as taken along the line 55 of the FIG. 2 illustration.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken through the brake structure of the second or intermediate pair of wheels and taken along line 66 of the view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation view of the roller skate as illustrated in FIG. 2 and as taken along lines 77 thereof, except illustrated in FIG. 7 in an arced position of pivoted hinge as would occur during walking or skating.

FIG. 8 illustrates a view taken from the FIG. 2 illustration along lines 88 thereof in an in-part perspective view of the clamp mechanism for attaching the rearward platform to the person's heel.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view through the rail guide structure of FIG. 8 as taken along lines 99 thereof, showing thereby in substantially elevation plan view the detachably lockable adjusting mechanism of the clamping structure for variably adjusting the tightness of clamping, FIG. 10 showing the embodiment of FIG. 9 in a twisted state of release at a moment of adjusting. FIG. ll illustrates a view as taken along lines 1l11 of FIG. 9 in cross-section therethrough', along lines l2-12 of FIG. 11. The FIG. 12 illustrates a further cross-sectional view thereof. FIG. 13 illustration is an in-part cx) ss-sectional and primarily elevation plan view of the braking mechanism and lever in an in-part view thereof, particularly as taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 16 of the same structure.

FIGS. 14, 15, 16, and 17 illustrate varying positions of the same in-part view of the braking structure mechanism in elevation side views thereof.

FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view in in-part view, of the wheel-brake-clutch-front or forward platform structure embodiment of FIG. 1 as taken along lines l8l8 thereof.

FIG. 19 illustrates an in-part cut-away view and inpart total view of the embodiment of FIG. 18 along lines 19-19 thereof.

FIG. 20 illustrates an inpart perspective view of the teeth or steps structures of the unidirectional slipclutch illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19.

FIG. 21 illustrates a side top perspective view of a single dismounted loop structure taken from its mounted state as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.

FIG. 22 illustrates a side cross-sectional view as taken through the braking structure as illustrated in the embodiment view of FIG. 18, along lines 22-22 thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 show different views of walking-skate 23 representing a combination of a plurality of preferred features of the present invention. There is disclosed a forward platform 24 and a rearward platform 25. The forward platform 24 is supported on forward pivotable and trailing caster wheels 26a and 26)) mounted trailingly on the caster axle structures 26cm and 26bb respectively. The rearward portion of the forward platform 24 is supported by large fixedly mounted

wheels

27a and 27b respectively, and the rearward portion of the platform is supported on

caster wheels

28a and 28b respectively. The forward portion of the rearward platform 25 is mounted hingedly at hinge structure 29a and 29!) respectively inserted in a hinged manner through the

upright flanges

76a and 76b respectively. through apertures 30a and 30b. The shin-actuatable brake levers 31a and 31b respectively are telescoped by telescoping structure 32a, inlcuding the circumscribingly encompassing structure 32a shown in greater detail in FIG. 1B and FIG. 1A, as holding biasingly inwardly toward one-another spaced-apart prongs 310 having keyed ends 71a and 710' with a space therebetween resulting from the biasing effect of the spreading member 720 of structure 310' which is a shaft extending further down and having an adjustment member 330 for determining the extend which the Shaft structure 31a leans or tilts forwardly or backwardly on the axis shaft 330'. The continuing lever arm 31a" is pivotably mounted on pivot pin 34a for that lever and correspondingly the same for 31b" on pin 34b, such that lower on the lever at mount ing pin 62a, a mounted shaft 61a and the pin 62a such as the shaft 6111, move rearwardly upon forward movement of the lever 31a and lever 31]), respectively, and similarly such that the

pins

35a and 35b respectively move rearwardly to thereby move pin-mounted wires or cords 35a and 35h rearwardly which thereby moves rearwardly the structure 360" secured at the head 36a as shown in FIG. 1 for one of the wheels 27a. The rearward movement of the structure 36ml results in the pivotal movement of the lever 37a around its mounting pin 65, such that the braking element 38m: is moved rearwardly, and the braking element 38a is moved forwardly in slots respectively 38ml and 38a of structure 76a. Instead of being moved in reaction to movement of the lever 35a, the pivoted lever 3711 may be also moved by movement of the actuator encased within casing 42a bracketed by bracket 39a and continuing as cord 43:: and also shown with its adjacent cord 43b from the opposite side. The lever mounting structure 44 includes an appropriate mounting structure 45, pivoted on pin 46 for the squeezing thereof to press downwardly the actuator 47 against the reactor movable portion 48, this handle being merely symbolic of conventional squeezehandle mechanisms. and including typically a pocket-clip for suspending the same on the edge of the pocket, for example.

The caster wheels forwardly located, wheels 26a and 26b, have their axes 49a and 49b mounted on opposite ends of the forward cross-bar forward platform structure identified as bar 50 having its axis mounting struc tures as

female structures

50a and 50b. Depressor 51 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 8 receives a persons heel and includes at opposite ends stepped portions 51a and 51h respec tively mounted on the hinge shafts 52a and 52h within apertures 53a and 5311 respectively of the forward portions of the rearward platform, such that the depressor 51 is depressably receivable within the window 51'. FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 show one of opposite rearward heel position clamping strips 54a and 54b respectively, on each of opposite sides. mounted on the terminal ends of outwardly extending strips 550 and 5512 respectively which are channeled within parallel-railed structures 56a and 561) each having serially arranged locking pin apertures 57a and 57b within which the adjustably

lockable structures

58a and 58b are mounted on the guide railed

structures

56a and 56b. The adjust able locking structure 58a and 5812 are mounted by set screws 59a and 59b. The upwardly extending flange side walls of the rearward platform are identified as 60a and 60b. Extending rearwardly to the rearward pivoted wheels are locking structures 61a and 61!) respectively mounted on

pivot pins

62a and 62b of the lever shaft 31a". The pin 34b is fixedly secured to the lever shaft 31b" such that upon rotation thereof, the pin 34b also rotates within its mounting aperture 64 and the pin 34b is square headed with a flushly mounted link 63 pivotable therewith and having pin 63b for mounting the shaft 61b. For the brake levers 37a and 37b, the brake levers are pivotably mounted on pin 65a and 65b through the

upright support structures

76a and 76b through apertures 65a and 65b. The rearward pivoted

wheels

28a and 28b respectively are mounted between spaced apart prongs of parallel support structure a and 70b each respectively, on wheel axes 69a and 69b respectively, with the rearward platform rearward wheel support structures identified as female structures 66a and 66b securably mounting the

axes

67a and 67b, and having in a forward face of each apertures 68a and 68b receivable respectively of the terminal ends of the shafts 61a and 61b as a part of the locking mechanism for the

rearward castor wheels

28a and 28b.

For securing the forward portion of the forward platform to the foot or shoe or boot of a person, there are provided closing overlapable separate strips 74a and 74b typically having fabrics which are self-engageable with one-another, such as conventional loop and hooktype fabrics. which lockingly engage detachably upon merely overlaping of one on the other. The respective wheels 27a and 27!) are mounted on wheeLsupport structures respectively 750 and 75h secured to the upright forward platform side wall flange structures 76a and 7612 respectively. The flexible clamping strip 55a and strip 55!) of the heel clamps are mounted on support beam structures 77a and 77b respectively. A pivotable or flexible locking key 78a and 78b respectively are fixedly mounted at the upper end thereof under the rearward

platform sidewall structures

60a and 60b respectively. Rearward movement of the lever shafts 79a and 79b (see FIGS. 3-8) when biased rearwardly by pressure of the braking mechanism presses rearwardly the distal pivotal ends of the

key structures

78a, 78b such that the keys 81a and 81b are pressed rearwardly to the positions indicated in phantom 81 'a for example. The levers 79a and 7911 respectively ride within

channel structures

80a and 80b. overbraking rearwardlyreleasing portions Sla and 51b.

The

rearward caster wheels

28a and 28b of FIGS. 4 and 5 are lockable of the

axis structures

67a and 67b respectively by virtue of pivotal structures 84:: and 84b respectively being mounted as spring-biased by springs 84a and 84b respectively and are lockable into a fixed state in the inwardly biased

positions

28a and 28b respectively by virtue of the key lever shafts 61a and 6112 becoming engaged within the apertures 82a and 82b respectively. Extending across as a bar structure between the rearward mounting structures 66a and 66b is the bar 87, and forwardly thereof is additional support bar 86. For illustrative purposes, in FIG. 3 there is shown the supporting surface 85.

FIG. 9 illustrates a view as an in-part view as taken along lines 99 of FIG. 8, substantially in elevation plan view relative to the strip 55a and the clamping strip 540 mounted on the terminal end thereof, and the other illustrated elements of the clamping mechanism. In particualar, there is provided the parallel rail struc ture 560 each of which has its through-space SSae and SSae' respectively. receivable of the inwardly-bent locking key-portion 58aa' with its tip 58ab' and opposingly the opposite lever portion 58aa key portion and its tip 58ub anchored to the central insert 560: by the screw 59a and its nut 59a. The opposite end of the key portion 58a and key portion 5800' are identified respectively as 58th:! and 58nd, each of which is bent inwardly in order to bias against the respective legs of the parallel structures 56a, as compared to the lineally extending structures 5811c and 58cc which are in fact levers which upon depression thereof by twisting in a counter-clockwise direction cause the terminal ends S8ab and 5801) respectively to become withdrawn from respective apertures 57 and the spaces 58ae and 58ae' thereof.

FIG. illustrates the appearance of the structure illustrated in FIG. 9, during a state of depressing the lever portions 580C and 5806 such that the terminal ends 58ab and 5861'? are shown in the withdrawn state thereby permitting upward and downward adjustment of this entire structure around the central insert portion 560. It is to be noted that as illustrated in each of FIGS. 9 and 10 the central insert 56a includes angularly and flattened surfaces at each of opposite sides thereof serving to facilitate the ease of twisting for release and adjustment. Further illustrating the mechanism de scribed above is the view of FIG. 11 as taken in partial cross-section along the illustrated structure of FIG. 9 as along lines ll-ll thereof. Also as a part of FIG. 11. there is better illustrated the included phantom illustrated position of the strip 540 and the mounting strip 55a relative to various clamp positions of differing elevations along the strip 56a. The FIG. 10 illustrates by the direction-arrows 82 and 82' the directions of twist in order to make possible the downward or upward adjustment of the detachable locking structure thereof.

FIG. 12 illustrates a view as taken along lines 12l2 of FIG. 11, illustrating the mechanism by which the

leg structures

56a and 56a slidably but securably anchor relative position with the strip 550. FIG. 13 in an eleva tion plan view as taken along lines l313 of subsequent FIG. 16, in an in-part view further illustrates ele ments previously described, but this FIG. 13 further clarifies the positions and relationships of one element to another. FIGS. 13 through 17 may be referred to for an understanding of the procedure and mechanism of braking and the locking of the brake mechanism. For further understanding, it may be mentioned however that the toothed or roughened surface of the eccentric circular disk lever 33 is utilized for adjusting the degree of angular set-position of the lever arm 310' on its pivot 33a relative to the lower lever arm 31a" pivoted at its pivot pin 34a. The pivoted arm a on its pivot pin 890, has a concave forward face 870 and is spring-biased by

spring legs

84a and 84a for opposingly biasing in opposite directions against the side faces of the leg 83a pivoted on its pin a and having its leg 83a. The notched portion of the leg 83a engages with the correspondingly-shaped end portion of the magnet leg 880x, secured by screws and the entire magnet identified as 88a, and the edge face of the leg 83a is flushly engageable with the end-face 0f the magnet leg 88ay.

FIG. 13 is a view in cross-section through the lever arm 31a of FIG. 16 as taken along lines 13-13 thereof, the FIG. 13 illustrating primarily a top view of the previously discussed shaft structure 31a, the adjustment member 33a. the axis shaft 33a, the lever arm 31a", the pivotal structure 84a, the pivoted arm 85a, and the entire magnet 88a. The rearward platform upwardly extending flange wall 60a is also shown in a top view thereof.

With reference to FIGS. 14 through 17, other elements already previously described are also shown with all views being in-part elevation side views. the FIG. 16 being such a view as taken along lines 16-16 of FIG. 13. The purpose of FIGS. 14 through 17 is to illustrate in flow series the mechanism of operation of the above described elements as illustrated in these FIGS. In particular, as the lever arm 31a moves rearwardly in the direction indicated in FIG. 14, accordingly the lower lever arm 31a" also moves rearwardly such that the pin 86a shown in all FIGS. 13 through 17 becomes moved to a resting position as shown in FIG. 14 beneath the loosely downwardly hanging pivoted arm 85a being supported at its rearward end by the spring 840, as well as possibly resting lightly on the pin 86a itself. In the FIG. 14 view. the lever arm 31a" in the illustrated position has pressed the lower end of the leg 83a rearwardly to the point that it becomes magnetically attracted by and engaged with the magnet end 88a such pressing movement by the leg 83a causing the leg 83a to be raised upwardly and away from the magnet end 8841 FIG. illustrates the position of the

respective lever arms

31a and 31a" after the lever 3111' has been pressed forwardly by the pressure of a person's shin, for example. such that the pin 86a temporarily has lifted the arm 85a as shown in phantom while pin 86a was moving to its FIG. 15 illustrated position beyond the end of the pivoted arm 85:: at which point the pivoted arm 85a drops downwardly to its former position as illustrated in FIG. 14 except that now rearward movement of the lever arm 31a" is blocked as shown in FIG. 16 as the

levers

31a and 31a" attempt to move rearwardly, at which point the pin 86a becomes engaged in the concave face 870 as shown in each of FIGS. 14 and 15 and 17. However, by virtue of the pin 86a of FIG. 16 becoming engaged against the face 87a, the upper portion of the leg 83a and upper portion of the leg 83a located above the pivot pin 90a becomes pressed rearwardly by virtue of the pivot arm 85a being pivotably mounted thereon by its pivot pin 89a, with the result of the rearward pressure causing the leg 83a to move downwardly into magnetic engagement with the magnet end 880x. Because of the magnetic engagement, as the

levers

31a and 31a" thereafter move forwardly (toward the left of these Figures), the biasing action of the spring 84a biased as shown in FIG. 16 causes the pivoted arm 85a to spring upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 17 from its FIG. 17 phantom position as the rearward pressure of the pin 86a against the face 87a is released by virtue of the forward movement of the

lever arms

31a and 31a".

FIG. 18 illustrates an in-part and cross-sectional view of the forward platform rearward wheel as taken along lines 18-18 of FIG. 1, and accordingly many of the parts previously identified in FIG. 1 and other prior discussed Figures are also shown on this Figure. Each of FIGS. 19 through 22 should also be referred to in a following of the discussion and description of FIG. 18, since all of these Figures relate to various parts of the FIG. 18 illustration. the FIG. 19 being an in-part partial cut-away view as taken along lines l919 of FIG. 18, and the FIG. 22 being a cross-sectional side view as taken along lines 22-22 of FIG. 18. In particular refer ence to these Figures, accordingly, with special attention given to the more generic FIG. 18, there is disclosed the spring 91 connected by loop 92 to an inward terminal end portion of the brake band 94, at one end of the spring, and the other end of the spring being connected to appropriate structure on the annular slidably movable braking ring 93 which is caused to move in the directions 100 by virtue of braking pressure applied by pin 38 a within space of slot 38a upon rearward movement of the lever 37a around pin 65 and the forward movement of the portion 29a around pivot pin 65 as the braking lever 35a moves rearwardly as a result of forward movement of

lever arm

31a and 31a" as shown in FIG. 1. As more clearly seen in FIG. 22, the brake band 94 is anchored at a proximal end thereof by anchoring structures 95 and 95' respectively for the bilateral brake bands 94 and 94'. The annular link structure 93 has fixedly but pivotably engaged therewith a substantially radially outwardly extending linking element 96 at a radially inward end 97 thereof extending substantially radially outwardly with the radially outwardly located end 98 thereof fixedly and pivotably mounted on the innerface of the brake band 94, for example integral therewith in this example, and also the end 97 being pivotably and fixedly mounted to the link structure 93. As illustrated in FIG. 22. extending through the central portion of the linking element 96 is a through passage 99 which has passing therethrough a shaft-end of the spring 91. When the linking structure 93 moves in the direction 100, the linking element is thereby moved to the phantom-illustrated position 101 substantially, thereby pressing the brake band radially outwardly bringing about engagement of its outer face with the brake shoe 94a.

With particular reference to each of FIGS. I8, 19, 20, and 22, there is illustrated the anchoring slip-clutch structure 102 having peripherally outwardly located wheel-circumscribingly angularly inclined stepped teeth 110 arranged serially peripherally around the outer circumscribing surface, with the FIG. 21 annularring-like structures 11 having a sturdy and massive end portion 111 with anchor pins 112 and 112' anchored as shown in FIG. 19 within the apertures 112a of the wheel-rotatable outer-annular ring-like structure 212.

As the wheel as shown in FIG. 19 moves in direction 113, representing forward roll of the wheel, the annular ring-like structures 111 and the end 11 1 thereof from their inwardly biased state slide nonengagingly over the surfaces of the stepped teeth 110. As the speed of the wheel moving in direction 113 increases, centrifugal action-force causes the annular ring-like loop structures 111 and their massive ends 11] thereof to move outwardly into non-contacting positions away from and relative to the stepped teeth I10, whereby there is no friction nor wear on either the stepped teeth or the ring-like loop stuctures 111 and the 111' ends thereof. However, when the wheel as shown in FIG. 19 attempts to move in a counter-clockwise direction, the one or more annular ring-like structures lll become engagingly looped around one or more of the stepped teeth as shown in FIG. 20. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the number of loops 111 exceed the number of stepped teeth 110, resulting and positioned in an overlapping relationship to bring about prompt and substantially instantaneous engaging of and locking onto one or more of the teeth irrespective of the wheel position relative to the various stepped teeth, in a preferred embodiment at least one looped element or annular ring structure 111 on each of opposite radially outward sides of the wheel becoming engaged simultaneously for the best mode of operation. With regard to and making further reference to the functioning of the brake band 94 and 94', when the annular link structure 93 is rotated in direction 100, as a result of the spring such as spring 91 and 91', the terminal ends of the brake bands 94 and 94' become pulled toward the base mounting structures and 95' respectively, resulting for each in a restraining force which results in more effective braking as well as braking frictional contact first occuring at po sitions closest to the anchoring

structures

95 and 95 respectively as the linking element 96 moves in its braking direction.

It should be further noted that after the annular link structure 93 moves a predetermined distance rotatably, it becomes locked in the position illustrated in the 101 phantom position at which position there is in effect overbraking at which braking pressure is slightly released. The overbraking position of position 10] serves the purpose as illustrated in FIG. 1 and also in the discussed FIGS. 14 through 17 of permitting the

lever arms

31a and 31a" to be moved further forward beyond the maximum braking action position such that the pivoted arm 850 may be made to spring upwardly in release from its FIG. 15 position and FIG. 16 posi tion in particular, to its FIG. 17 position.

It is within the scope of the present invention to make such modifications and variations and substitution of equivalents as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill.

I claim:

1. A walking skate device comprising in combination: substantially separate forward and rearward platform structures having upper and lower faces thereof; platform hinge means pivotably hinging a rearward portion of said forward platform structure to a forward portion of said rearward platform structure; a first pair of spaced-apart wheels mounted at a forward portion of said forward platform structure, one on each of opposite sides thereof; a second pair of spaced-apart wheels mounted on a rearward portion of said forward platform structure, one on each of opposite sides thereof; rear wheel means for rollable support of and mounted on a rearward portion of said rearward platform structure; forward-foot securing means for detachably affixing said forward platform to a forward part of a persons foot; a rearward-foot securing means for detachably affixing said rearward platform to a rearward part of a persons foot; and brake means for applying controllably and intermittently braking forces to said second pair of spaced-apart wheels.

2. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said second pair of spaced-apart wheels includes slip-clutch means such that each of the pair of wheels thereof is rollable of the forward platform structure forwardly and is slip-clutch lockable of the platform structure against rolling rearwardly in direction.

3. A walking skate device of claim 2, in which said slip-clutch means includes a separate slip-clutch unit for each of the second pair of spaced-apart wheels, each unit including an inner substantially circular structure having radially outwardly extending wheel-circumscribingly angularly-inclined stepped teeth arranged serially peripherally around an outer eircumscribing surface and fixedly attached to the circumscribing surface, said circumscribing surface and said inner substantially circular structure thereof being fixedly mounted onto said forward platform structure, and an annular ring-like structure spaced radially outwardly from the circumscribing surface and circularly incompassing the circumscribing surface, the annular ring-like structure being fixedly attached to one of said second pair of spaced apart wheels for revolving therewith, there being a plurality of spacedapart stepengageable latch elements extending angularly radially inwardly with a shaft of each latch element extending in a direction of forward roll such that upon rotation of its respective wheel the latch element shafts are movable of distal ends thereof radially outwardly away from latch-engagable positions with respective ones of said stepped teeth and such that upon revolving of the wheel thereof in a rearward direction of roll of the forward platform structure one or more of the latch elements are engageable latchably with respective ones of said stepped teeth.

4. A walking skate device of claim 3, in which each wheel of said second pair of spaced-apart wheels includes radially facing inner and outer faces extending circumscribingly around a wheel structure thereof located between the inner and outer faces, at least a portion of the inner face including a series of substantially equally spacedapart apertures arranged serially cir cumscribingly of the wheel, each of the apertures of said inner face being defined with its longitudinal axis extending radially outwardly at an incline toward a direction of forward roll of its wheel thereof, and each of said latch elements including a mounting-base-shaft mounted with a longitudinal axis thereof extending within one of said inner surfaces apertures detachably mounted therein.

5. A walking skate device of claim 4, in which said rear wheel means includes a pair of spaced-apart caster-mounted wheels biasing means for urging said caster-mounted wheels toward one-another such that trailing edges thereof are biased toward one-another at an angle whereby forward rolling of the forward platform structure on the first and second pairs of spaced-apart wheels is inhibited, and engageable locking key means lockable controllably and intermittently of the biased wheels in their respective inwardly biased states.

6. A walking skate device of claim 5, in which said brake means includes lever structure manually actuable of said engageable locking key means, the brake means further including brake-band structure for each wheel of said second pair of spaced-apart wheels operatively interconnected with the lever structure for actuation and deactuation of the brake band structure by the lever structure, the lever structure including a first lever element of elongated shape mounted for to and fro movement on a longitudinal axis of its elongated length and being mounted such that the elongated lever element extends substantially transversely through a point of hinging of the platform hinge means whereby pivoting of the forward and rearward platform structures relative to one-another is substantially devoid of axial movement of the first lever element relative to altered pivotal movement of the forward and rearward platform structures relative to one-another, and a second lever element mounted on the forward platform structure operatively connected to a brake band structure and operatively in contact with said first lever element such that to and fro axial movement of the first lever element along its longitudinal length axis is actuable and deactuable of said brake band structure.

7. A walking skate device of claim 6, in which said lever structure includes a third lever element extending substantially angularly uprightly and forwardly from a hinge point of and mounted on and including a pivoting hinge element of said rearward platform structure, the third lever element including a portion shaped for engagement by a forward portion of a persons lower leg when the ankle of a person is bent such that the leg of the person moves forwardly relative to a substantially stationary sole of the persons foot whereby forward pressure on the third lever element serves to apply braking torque for thus applying brakes to said second pair of spaced-apart wheels and to said rear wheel means.

8. A walking skate device of claim 7, in which said third lever element is telescopable.

9. A walking skate device of claim 8, in which said brake means further includes an operatively detachably mountable hand-brake having an elongated connector transmittable of braking and brake-disengageable forces. and trigger structures connected to the connector and hand actuable and deactuable of braking forces through the connector.

10. A walking skate device of claim 9, in which said third lever element includes mounted thereon engageable and disengageable locking-element means also operatively mounted on said rearward platform structure such that forward pivotal movement of said third lever element forwardly beyond a predetermined locking point automatically effects a locking of said third lever element in a forward pivoted brake-applying position and such that repeated next consecutive pivotal move ment of said third lever element forwardly thereby au tomatically releases said third lever element from a locked state for automatic return to a non-braking state, and mounted spring means biasing said third lever element rearwardly pivotably, and biasing said brake-band structure into a deactuated state,

11. A walking skate device of claim 10, in which said rearward platform structure includes an upright mounting structure extending therefrom, and in which said locking-element means includes an engageable key element mounted on one of said third lever element and said upright mounting structure, a pivotably mounted locking-arm and opposing spaced-apart first and sec ond abutting structures mounted on the remaining other one of said third lever element and said upright mounting structure, at least one of said lock-arm and said first and second abutting structures being a magnet and the other of said lock-arm and said first and second abutting structures being composed of magnetizable composition such that the composition would be attracted by magnetic forces, said locking element means further including a key arm mounted pivotably on said lock-arm and a spring element mounted on said leverarm and positioned for engaging and biasing said key arm toward a central position between opposite pivot positions whenever said key-arm is forcefully pivoted in either of opposite directions beyond predetermined points of unbiased pivot between said predetermined points, said key-arm being positioned such that the distal end thereof is engageable with said key element is pivotable by applied force upwardly and by gravity downwardly, said lock-arm being pivotably mounted relative to said abutting structures such that pivotable movement of said lock-arm between the first and second abutting structures is pivotable of said key-arm upwardly and downwardly, said key element being mounted at a location such that said key-arm is rideable on top of said keyelement when said lock-arm is pivoted toward one of said first and second abutting structures in a direction pivoting said distal end downwardly as said third lever arm element is in a rearwardly pivoted location and state relative to the key element, such that said distal end is lockably retainable by bias ing pressure of said spring means by engagement of the distal end with the key element when said lever arm is pivoted toward one of said first and second spacedapart abutting elements resulting in a direction result ing in a distal end being in a downwardly pivoted position, and such that when said lock-arm is pivoted toward the other of said first and second abutting ele ments said distal end is in an upwardly pivoted state rel ative to and above an engaging point of said key element, and such that when said distal end is engaged with said key element biasing pressure of said spring means biases the key-arm against biasing force of said spring element in a direction such that the lock-arm becomes pivoted toward said other of said first and sec ond abutting structures whereby the distal end is springable upwardly whenever thereafter said third lever element is moved forwardly sufficiently for disengagement of said distal end with said key element.

12. A walking skate device of claim 11, in which said key element is mounted on said third lever arm, and in which said lock-arm and said first and second abutting elements are mounted on said upright mounting structure.

13. A walking skate device of claim 12, in which said key-arm is mounted pivotably at a first location on said lock-arm relative to a second location at which said lock-arm is pivoted on a pivot axis, that as to a plane extending through the first and second locations the key-arm extends along its length longitudinally in a direction substantially transversely to said plane such that a predetermined high degree of leverage is obtainable against said lock-arm by said key-arm in causing the lock-arm to pivot from said one to said other of said first and second abutting structures when said key element is lockably engaged with said distal end together with said spring means biasing said third lever element toward said upright mounting structure.

l4. A walking skate device of claim 13, in which said rearward-foot securing means includes at least two spaced-apart claw-structures mounted on said rear ward platform structure such that clamping ends thereof are movable obliquely laterally and forwardly toward one-another such that side rear portions of opposite sides ofa pcrsons heel are engageable therebetween, and depressor lever structure engaged with each of the claw structures and shaped and positioned to be engageable by a lower surface of a downwardly pressed heel of a persons foot such that upon a pressing downwardly of the depressor structure the clawstructures are movably clampably toward one-another, and releasably engageable depressor-lock structure mounted on said rearward platform structure and lock ably engageable of the depressor-lever structure when the depressor-lever structure is in a state of being pressed downwardly to a predetermined point of depressing,

15. A walking skate device of claim 14, in which each said claw-structure includes an elongated flexible sturdy strip having a base mounted on said upright mounting structure and having the strip extending laterally forwardly and inwardly toward a heel-clamping position, and the clamp structure further including at a strip distal end of the strip a heel-engageable seat structure mounted thereon, said depressor-lever structure including spaced-apart upright lever structures each engaged with a different one of said strips, and the depressorlever structure further including an intermediate heel-seat structure seatably receivable of a bot tom face of a persons heel, such that downward pressure on an upper face of said intermediate heel-seat structure moves each said upright lever structures downwardly in a direction axially along its longitudinal length with the result that each said strip distal end engaged by the respective upright lever structure is flexible angularly laterally-inwardly downwardly thereby movable of the respective heel-engageable seat structures clampably toward one-another.

16. A walking skate device of claim 15, in which each said upright lever structure defines spaced-apart up right guide-rails and upwardly and downwardly adjust able and lockable stripengaging key-structure mounted between and on said spaced-apart upright guide-rails, widening distance between the opposing said claw-structures in a clamped-down state, when adjusted downwardly. and narrowing distance between the opposing said claw-structures in a clamped-down state when adjusted upwardly, said releasably engageable depressor-lock structure including a spring-biased key biased into a locking state automatically engageable of a depressor key of said depressor-lever structure when said depressor-lever structure is in a state of being pressed downwardly to said predetermined point of depressing, and an over-brake lever operatively link ing together said spring-biased key and said third lever element such that forward movement of an upper end of said third lever element is disengageable of said springbiased key when said third lever element is advanced beyond a predetermined braking point such that the releasably engageable depressor-lock structure becomes disengaged from locked engagement thereby.

17. A walking skate device of claim 16, in which said brake means further includes a rotatably pivotably mounted link structure mounted to and fro rotatably around a central axle structure of the respective wheel of the second pair of spaced-apart wheels and operatively connected to and for rotation by said second lever element, and having extending radially from the link structure a substantially rigid linking element pivotably secured at each end of the linking element connected pivotably at one end thereof to a radially outer surface of the link structure, and at an opposite end of the linking element connected pivotably to a brakeband distal end of the brake band, the linking element being connected at an angle to an inner surface of the brake band at a distance substantially further away from an end-alignment with the terminal end of the brake band than the link structure-connected end of the linking element such that movement of the brake band-end of the linking structure toward a basemounted end of the brake band upon rotation of the link structure by actuation ofthe second lever element, is pressible of the brake-band distal end radially outwardly by the intermediately connecting linking element, said spring means being interconnected between said brake band terminal end and said forward platform structure and positioned such that the brake band terminal end is biased radially inwardly and biased along its length longitudinal axis of the brake band toward the mounted base of the brake band whereby rotatable braking action of the link structure is pressible radially outwardly on portions of the brake band progressively first at a base-mounted end of the brake band increasingly toward said terminal end as braking leverage of said second lever element is increased.

18. A walking skate device of claim 17, in which each said brake band structure includes two of said brake bands serially spaced around an inner circumference of each of said second pair of speed-apart wheels, and each brake band includes therewith its respective linking element commonly linked to and at opposite circumferential sides of said link structure for its respective wheel, and each of said brake bands includes therewith its respective said spring means.

19. A walking skate device of claim 18, in which said first pair of spaced-apart wheels includes for each wheel thereof a pivotably mounted axle shaft and a centrally-biasing spring biasing its respective wheel equally from opposite side directions into a substantially centrally aligned position for roll in a forwardly direction, the body of each wheel of the first pair of spaced-apart wheels being mounted rotatably relative to its mounted axle shaft to follow behind a forwardlylocated mounting point for the mounted axle shaft.

20. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said rear wheel means includes a pair of spaccd-apart caster-mounted wheels, biasing means for urging said caster-mounted wheels toward one-another at an angle whereby forward rolling of the forward platform Structure on the first and second pairs of spaced-apart wheels is inhibited, and engageable locking key means lockable controllably and intermittently of the biased wheels in their respective inwardly biased states, said brake means including lever structure manually actuable of said engageable locking key means.

21. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said brake means includes brake-band structure for each wheel of said second pair of spaced-apart wheels operatively interconnected with the lever structure for actuation and deactuation of the brake band structure by the lever structure, and the lever structure including a first lever element of elongated shape mounted for to and fro movement on a longitudinal axis of its elongated length and being mounted such that the elongated lever element extends substantially transversely through a point of hinging of the platform hinge means whereby pivoting of the forward and rearward platform struc tures relative to one-another is substantially devoid of axial movement of the first lever element relative to altered pivotal movement of the forward and rearward platform structures relative to one-another, and a second lever element mounted on the forward platform structure operatively connected to a brake band structure and operatively in contact with said first lever element such that to and fro axial movement of the first lever element along its longitudinal length axis is actuable and deactuable of said brake band structure.

22. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said brake means includes lever structure manually actuable, the lever structure including a lever element extending substantially angularly uprightly and forwardly from a hinge point of and mounted on and including a pivoting hinge element of said rearward platform structure, the lever element including a portion shaped for engagement by a forward portion of a persons lower leg when the ankle of a person is bent such that the leg of the person moves forwardly relative to a substantially stationary sole of the persons foot whereby forward pressure on the lever element serves to apply said brake means to said second pair of spaced'apart wheels.

23. A walking skate device of claim 22, in which said lever element is telescopable.

24. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said brake means includes lever structure manually actu able, the lever structure including a lever element having mounted thereon engageable and disengageable locking-element means mounted on said rearward platform structure such that forward pivotal movement of said lever element forwardly beyond a predetermined braking point automatically effects a locking of the lever element in a forwardly pivoted brake-applying position and such that repeated next consecutive forward pivotal movement of said lever element thereby automatically releases said third lever element from a locked state for automatic return to a non-braking state, and spring means biasing said third lever element rearwardly pivotably,

25. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said rearward-foot securing means includes at least two spaced-apart claw-structures mounted on said rearward platform structure such that clamping ends thereof are movable obliquely laterally and forwardly toward one-another such that side rear portions of opposite sides of a persons heel are engageahle therebetween, and depressor-lever structure engaged with each of the claw'structures and shaped and positioned to be engageable by a lower surface of a downwardly pressed heel of a persons foot such that upon a pressing downwardly of the depressor structure the clawstructures are movably clampably toward one-another, and releasably engageable depressor-lock structure mounted on said rearward platform structure and lock ably engageable of the depressor-lever structure when the depressor-lever structure is in a state of being pressed downwardly to a predetermined point of depressing, said claw structure each including an elongated flexible sturdy strip having a base mounted on an upright mounting structure extending from said rearward platform structure and having the strip extending laterally forwardly and inwardly toward a heelclamping position, and the clamp structure further including at a strip distal end of the strip a heelengageable seat structure mounted thereon, said depressor-lever structure including spaced-apart upright lever structures each engaged with a different one of said strips, and the depressor-lever structure further including an intermediate heel-seat structure seatably receivable of a bottom face of a person heel, such that downward pressure on an upper face of said intermediate heel-seat structure moves each said upright lever structures downwardly in a direction axially along its longitudinal length with the result that each said strip distal end engaged by the respective upright lever structure is flexible angularly laterally-inwardly down wardly thereby movable of the respective heelengageable seat structures clampably toward oneanother.

26. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said brake means includes a manually rotatable pivotably mounted link structure mounted to and fro rotatably around a central axle structure of the respective wheel of said second pair of spaced-apart wheels and operatively connected to and for rotation by an actuation lever element, and having extending radially from the link structure a substantially rigid linking element pivotably secured at each end of the linking element connected pivotably at one end thereof to a radially outer surface of the link structure, and at an opposite end of the linking element connected pivotably to and including a brake band connected thereto at a distal end of the brake band, the linking element being connected at an angle to an inner surface of the brake band at a distance substantially further away from an end-alignment with a terminal end of the brake band that the link structure-connected end of the linking element such that movement of the brake band terminal end toward a base-mounted end of the brake band upon rotation of the link structure by actuation of said actuation lever element, is pressible of the brake-band distal end radially outwardly by the intermediately connecting linking element, and spring means interconnected between said brake band terminal end and said forward platform structure and said spring means being positioned such that the brake band terminal end is biased radially inwardly and biased along its length longitudinal axis of the brake band toward a mounted base mounted onto said forward platfrom structure whereby rotatable braking action of the link structure is pressible radially outwardly portions of the brake band increasingly toward said terminal end as braking leverage of said second lever element is increased,

27. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said first pair of spaced-apart wheels includes for each wheel thereof a pivotably mounted axle shaft and a centrally-biasing spring biasing its respective wheel equally from opposite side directions into a substantially centrally aligned position for roll in a forwardly direction, the body of each wheel of the first pair of spaced-apart wheels being mounted rotatably relative to its mounted axle shaft to follow behind a forwardlylocated mounting point for the mounted axle shaft.

28. A walking skate device comprising in combination: a skate platform means having forwardly and rearwardly pairs of wheels mounted on the platform means, the platform means being for the transporting support of a persons foot or shoe structure, said rearwardly pair of wheels being caster-mounted, biasing means for urging each of said caster-mounted wheels toward the other at an angle such that a braking action results against forward rolling of the platform means, and engageable locking key means lockable controlably and intermittently of the biased wheels in their biased states, said locking key means being manually actuable.

Claims

1. A walking skate device comprising in combination: substantially separate forward and rearward platform structures having upper and lower faces thereof; platform hinge means pivotably hinging a rearward portion of said forward platform structure to a forward portion of said rearward platform structure; a first pair of spaced-apart wheels mounted on a forward portion of said forward platform structure, one on each of opposite sides thereof; a second pair of spaced-apart wheels mounted on a rearward portion of said forward platform structure, one on each of opposite sides thereof; rear wheel means for rollable support of and mounted on a rearward portion of said rearward platform structure; forward-foot securing means for detachably affixing said forward platform to a forward part of a person''s foot; a rearward-foot securing means for detachably affIxing said rearward platform to a rearward part of a person''s foot; and brake means for applying controllably and intermittently braking forces to said second pair of spaced-apart wheels.

3. A walking skate device of claim 2, in which said slip-clutch means includes a separate slip-clutch unit for each of the second pair of spaced-apart wheels, each unit including an inner substantially circular structure having radially outwardly extending wheel-circumscribingly angularly-inclined stepped teeth arranged serially peripherally around an outer circumscribing surface and fixedly attached to the circumscribing surface, said circumscribing surface and said inner substantially circular structure thereof being fixedly mounted onto said forward platform structure, and an annular ring-like structure spaced radially outwardly from the circumscribing surface and circularly incompassing the circumscribing surface, the annular ring-like structure being fixedly attached to one of said second pair of spaced apart wheels for revolving therewith, there being a plurality of spaced-apart step-engageable latch elements extending angularly radially inwardly with a shaft of each latch element extending in a direction of forward roll such that upon rotation of its respective wheel the latch element shafts are movable of distal ends thereof radially outwardly away from latch-engagable positions with respective ones of said stepped teeth and such that upon revolving of the wheel thereof in a rearward direction of roll of the forward platform structure one or more of the latch elements are engageable latchably with respective ones of said stepped teeth.

4. A walking skate device of claim 3, in which each wheel of said second pair of spaced-apart wheels includes radially facing inner and outer faces extending circumscribingly around a wheel structure thereof located between the inner and outer faces, at least a portion of the inner face including a series of substantially equally spaced-apart apertures arranged serially circumscribingly of the wheel, each of the apertures of said inner face being defined with its longitudinal axis extending radially outwardly at an incline toward a direction of forward roll of its wheel thereof, and each of said latch elements including a mounting-base-shaft mounted with a longitudinal axis thereof extending within one of said inner surface''s apertures detachably mounted therein.

7. A walking skate device of claim 6, in which said lever structure includes a third lever element extending substantially angularly uprightly and forwardly from a hinge point of and mounted on and including a pivoting hinge element of said rearward platform structure, the third lever element including a portion shaped for engagement by a forward portion of a person''s lower leg when the ankle of a person is bent such that the leg of the person moves forwardly relative to a substantially stationary sole of the person''s foot whereby forward pressure on the third lever element serves to apply braking torque for thus applying brakes to said second pair of spaced-apart wheels and to said rear wheel means.

9. A walking skate device of claim 8, in which said brake means further includes an operatively detachably mountable hand-brake having an elongated connector transmittable of braking and brake-disengageable forces, and trigger structures connected to the connector and hand actuable and deactuable of braking forces through the connector.

10. A walking skate device of claim 9, in which said third lever element includes mounted thereon engageable and disengageable locking-element means also operatively mounted on said rearward platform structure such that forward pivotal movement of said third lever element forwardly beyond a predetermined locking point automatically effects a locking of said third lever element in a forward pivoted brake-applying position and such that repeated next consecutive pivotal movement of said third lever element forwardly thereby automatically releases said third lever element from a locked state for automatic return to a non-braking state, and mounted spring means biasing said third lever element rearwardly pivotably, and biasing said brake-band structure into a deactuated state.

11. A walking skate device of claim 10, in which said rearward platform structure includes an upright mounting structure extending therefrom, and in which said locking-element means includes an engageable key element mounted on one of said third lever element and said upright mounting structure, a pivotably mounted locking-arm and opposing spaced-apart first and second abutting structures mounted on the remaining other one of said third lever element and said upright mounting structure, at least one of said lock-arm and said first and second abutting structures being a magnet and the other of said lock-arm and said first and second abutting structures being composed of magnetizable composition such that the composition would be attracted by magnetic forces, said locking element means further including a key arm mounted pivotably on said lock-arm and a spring element mounted on said lever-arm and positioned for engaging and biasing said key-arm toward a central position between opposite pivot positions whenever said key-arm is forcefully pivoted in either of opposite directions beyond predetermined points of unbiased pivot between said predetermined points, said key-arm being positioned such that the distal end thereof is engageable with said key element is pivotable by applied force upwardly and by gravity downwardly, said lock-arm being pivotably mounted relative to said abutting structures such that pivotable movement of said lock-arm between the first and second abutting structures is pivotable of said key-arm upwardly and downwardly, said key element being mounted at a location such that said key-arm is rideable on top of said key-element when said lock-arm is pivoted toward one of said first and second abutting structures in a direction pivoting said distal end downwardly as said third lever arm element is in a rearwardly pivoted location and state relative to the key element, such that said distal end is lockably retainable by biasing pressure of said spring means by engagement of the distal end with the key element when said lever arm is pivoted toward one of said first and second spaced-apart abutting elements resulting in a direction resulting in a distal end being in a downwardly pivoted position, and such that when said lock-arm is pivoted toward the other of said first and second abutting elements said distal end is in an upwardly pivoted state relative to and above an engaging point of said key element, and such that when said distal end is engaged with said key element biasing pressure of said spring means biases the key-arm against biasing force of said spring element in a direction such that the lock-arm becomes pivoted toward said other of said first and second abutting structures whereby the distal end is springable upwardly whenever thereafter said third lever element is moved forwardly sufficiently for disengagement of said distal end with said key element.

14. A walking skate device of claim 13, in which said rearward-foot securing means includes at least two spaced-apart claw-structures mounted on said rearward platform structure such that clamping ends thereof are movable obliquely laterally and forwardly toward one-another such that side rear portions of opposite sides of a person''s heel are engageable therebetween, and depressor-lever structure engaged with each of the claw structures and shaped and positioned to be engageable by a lower surface of a downwardly pressed heel of a person''s foot such that upon a pressing downwardly of the depressor structure the claw-structures are movably clampably toward one-another, and releasably engageable depressor-lock structure mounted on said rearward platform structure and lockably engageable of the depressor-lever structure when the depressor-lever structure is in a state of being pressed downwardly to a predetermined point of depressing.

15. A walking skate device of claim 14, in which each said claw-structure includes an elongated flexible sturdy strip having a base mounted on said upright mounting structure and having the strip extending laterally forwardly and inwardly toward a heel-clamping position, and the clamp structure further including at a strip distal end of the strip a heel-engageable seat structure mounted thereon, said depressor-lever structure including spaced-apart upright lever structures each engaged with a different one of said strips, and the depressor-lever structure further including an intermediate heel-seat structure seatably receivable of a bottom face of a person''s heel, such that downward pressure on an upper face of said intermediate heel-seat structure moves each said upright lever structures downwardly in a direction axially along its longitudinal length with the result that each said strip distal end engaged by the respective upright lever structure is flexible angularly laterally-inwardly downwardly thereby movable of the respective heel-engageable seat structures clampably toward one-another.

16. A walking skate device of claim 15, in which each said upright lever structure defines spaced-apart upright guide-rails and upwardly and downwardly adjustable and lockable strip-engaging key-structure mounted between and on said spaced-apart upright guide-rails, widening distance between the opposing said claw-structures in a clamped-down state, when adjusted downwardly, and narrowing distance between the opposing said claw-structures in a clamped-down state when adjusted upwardly, said releasably engageable depressor-lock structure including a spring-biased key biased into a locking state automatically engageable of a depressor key of said depressor-lever structure when said depressor-lever structure is in a state of being pressed downwardly to said predetermined point of depressing, and an over-brake lever operatively linking together said spring-biased key and said third lever element such that forward movement of an upper end of said third lever element is disengageable of said spring-biased key when said third lever element is advanced beyond a predetermined braking point such that the releasably engageable depressor-lock structure becomes disengaged from locked engagement thereby.

17. A walking skate device of claim 16, in which said brake means further includes a rotatably pivotably mounted link structure mounted to and fro rotatably around a central axle structure of the respective wheel of the second pair of spaced-apart wheels and operatively connected to and for rotation by said second lever element, and having extending radially from the link structure a substantially rigid linking element pivotably secured at each end of the linking element connected pivotably at one end thereof to a radially outer surface of the link structure, and at an opposite end of the linking element connected pivotably to a brake-band distal end of the brake band, the linking element being connected at an angle to an inner surface of the brake band at a distance substantially further away from an end-alignment with the terminal end of the brake band than the link structure-connected end of the linking element such that movement of the brake band-end of the linking structure toward a base-mounted end of the brake band upon rotation of the link structure by actuation of the second lever element, is pressible of the brake-band distal end radially outwardly by the intermediately connecting linking element, said spring means being interconnected between said brake band terminal end and said forward platform structure and positioned such that the brake band terminal end is biased radially inwardly and biased along its length longitudinal axis of the brake band toward the mounted base of the brake band whereby rotatable braking action of the link structure is pressible radially outwardly on portions of the brake band progressively first at a base-mounted end of the brake band increasingly toward said terminal end as braking leverage of said second lever element is increased.

18. A walking skate device of claim 17, in which each said brake band structure includes two of said brake bands serially spaced around an inner circumference of each of said second pair of spced-apart wheels, and each brake band includes therewith its respective linking element commonly linked to and at opposite circumferential sides of said link structure for its respective wheel, and each of said brake bands includes therewith its respective said spring means.

19. A walking skate device of claim 18, in which said first pair of spaced-apart wheels includes for each wheel thereof a pivotably mounted axle shaft and a centrally-biasing spring biasing its respective wheel equally from opposite sIde directions into a substantially centrally aligned position for roll in a forwardly direction, the body of each wheel of the first pair of spaced-apart wheels being mounted rotatably relative to its mounted axle shaft to follow behind a forwardly-located mounting point for the mounted axle shaft.

20. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said rear wheel means includes a pair of spaced-apart caster-mounted wheels, biasing means for urging said caster-mounted wheels toward one-another at an angle whereby forward rolling of the forward platform structure on the first and second pairs of spaced-apart wheels is inhibited, and engageable locking key means lockable controllably and intermittently of the biased wheels in their respective inwardly biased states, said brake means including lever structure manually actuable of said engageable locking key means.

21. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said brake means includes brake-band structure for each wheel of said second pair of spaced-apart wheels operatively interconnected with the lever structure for actuation and deactuation of the brake band structure by the lever structure, and the lever structure including a first lever element of elongated shape mounted for to and fro movement on a longitudinal axis of its elongated length and being mounted such that the elongated lever element extends substantially transversely through a point of hinging of the platform hinge means whereby pivoting of the forward and rearward platform structures relative to one-another is substantially devoid of axial movement of the first lever element relative to altered pivotal movement of the forward and rearward platform structures relative to one-another, and a second lever element mounted on the forward platform structure operatively connected to a brake band structure and operatively in contact with said first lever element such that to and fro axial movement of the first lever element along its longitudinal length axis is actuable and deactuable of said brake band structure.

22. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said brake means includes lever structure manually actuable, the lever structure including a lever element extending substantially angularly uprightly and forwardly from a hinge point of and mounted on and including a pivoting hinge element of said rearward platform structure, the lever element including a portion shaped for engagement by a forward portion of a person''s lower leg when the ankle of a person is bent such that the leg of the person moves forwardly relative to a substantially stationary sole of the person''s foot whereby forward pressure on the lever element serves to apply said brake means to said second pair of spaced-apart wheels.

24. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said brake means includes lever structure manually actuable, the lever structure including a lever element having mounted thereon engageable and disengageable locking-element means mounted on said rearward platform structure such that forward pivotal movement of said lever element forwardly beyond a predetermined braking point automatically effects a locking of the lever element in a forwardly pivoted brake-applying position and such that repeated next consecutive forward pivotal movement of said lever element thereby automatically releases said third lever element from a locked state for automatic return to a non-braking state, and spring means biasing said third lever element rearwardly pivotably.

25. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said rearward-foot securing means includes at least two spaced-apart claw-structures mounted on said rearward platform structure such that clamping ends thereof are movable obliquely laterally and forwardly toward one-another such that side rear portions of opposite sides of a person''s heel are engageable therebetween, and depressor-lever structure engaged with each of the claw-strUctures and shaped and positioned to be engageable by a lower surface of a downwardly pressed heel of a person''s foot such that upon a pressing downwardly of the depressor structure the claw-structures are movably clampably toward one-another, and releasably engageable depressor-lock structure mounted on said rearward platform structure and lockably engageable of the depressor-lever structure when the depressor-lever structure is in a state of being pressed downwardly to a predetermined point of depressing, said claw structure each including an elongated flexible sturdy strip having a base mounted on an upright mounting structure extending from said rearward platform structure and having the strip extending laterally forwardly and inwardly toward a heel-clamping position, and the clamp structure further including at a strip distal end of the strip a heel-engageable seat structure mounted thereon, said depressor-lever structure including spaced-apart upright lever structures each engaged with a different one of said strips, and the depressor-lever structure further including an intermediate heel-seat structure seatably receivable of a bottom face of a person''s heel, such that downward pressure on an upper face of said intermediate heel-seat structure moves each said upright lever structures downwardly in a direction axially along its longitudinal length with the result that each said strip distal end engaged by the respective upright lever structure is flexible angularly laterally-inwardly downwardly thereby movable of the respective heel-engageable seat structures clampably toward one-another.

26. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said brake means includes a manually rotatable pivotably mounted link structure mounted to and fro rotatably around a central axle structure of the respective wheel of said second pair of spaced-apart wheels and operatively connected to and for rotation by an actuation lever element, and having extending radially from the link structure a substantially rigid linking element pivotably secured at each end of the linking element connected pivotably at one end thereof to a radially outer surface of the link structure, and at an opposite end of the linking element connected pivotably to and including a brake band connected thereto at a distal end of the brake band, the linking element being connected at an angle to an inner surface of the brake band at a distance substantially further away from an end-alignment with a terminal end of the brake band that the link structure-connected end of the linking element such that movement of the brake band terminal end toward a base-mounted end of the brake band upon rotation of the link structure by actuation of said actuation lever element, is pressible of the brake-band distal end radially outwardly by the intermediately connecting linking element, and spring means interconnected between said brake band terminal end and said forward platform structure and said spring means being positioned such that the brake band terminal end is biased radially inwardly and biased along its length longitudinal axis of the brake band toward a mounted base mounted onto said forward platfrom structure whereby rotatable braking action of the link structure is pressible radially outwardly portions of the brake band increasingly toward said terminal end as braking leverage of said second lever element is increased.

27. A walking skate device of claim 1, in which said first pair of spaced-apart wheels includes for each wheel thereof a pivotably mounted axle shaft and a centrally-biasing spring biasing its respective wheel equally from opposite side directions into a substantially centrally aligned position for roll in a forwardly direction, the body of each wheel of the first pair of spaced-apart wheels being mounted rotatably relative to its mounted axle shaft to follow behind a forwardly-located mounting point for the mounted axle shaft.

28. A walking skate device comprising in combination: a skate platform means havIng forwardly and rearwardly pairs of wheels mounted on the platform means, the platform means being for the transporting support of a person''s foot or shoe structure, said rearwardly pair of wheels being caster-mounted, biasing means for urging each of said caster-mounted wheels toward the other at an angle such that a braking action results against forward rolling of the platform means, and engageable locking key means lockable controlably and intermittently of the biased wheels in their biased states, said locking key means being manually actuable.