US20030067125A1

US20030067125A1 - Skate

Info

Publication number: US20030067125A1
Application number: US10/076,414
Authority: US
Inventors: Sang Park
Original assignee: Park Sang Hwan
Current assignee: Park Sang Hwan
Priority date: 2001-10-10
Filing date: 2002-02-19
Publication date: 2003-04-10
Also published as: KR20030030376A

Abstract

A skate comprises a base having front and rear base parts which are separated from each other; a boot having front and rear boot parts which are attached to upper surfaces of the front and rear base parts, respectively; a base connector for connecting the front and rear base parts with each other in a manner such that a spacing between them can be adjusted, and for guiding movement of the rear base part with respect to the front base part; a clamper for releasably clamping the front and rear boot parts to each other so that relative movement therebetween is prevented; and front and rear ground contactors detachably joined to lower surfaces of the front and rear base parts, respectively.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a skate, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a skate which can be adjusted in its size in conformity with a size of a foot, and can be employed as an ice skate, a roller skate or an in-line skate as desired.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a skate comprises a boot, a frame attached to a sole of the boot, and a blade or a roller assembly mounted to the frame. A skate having a blade is called an ice skate, and is used on the ice. A skate having a roller assembly is called a roller skate. A skate having an in-line roller arrangement is called an in-line skate.

Skating allows a person to take sufficient exercise and renders a feeling of speedy movement. For this reason, many people enjoy skating. Specifically, these days, a roller skate and an in-line skate have been highlighted since it is possible to enjoy the feeling of speedy movement in all seasons, while making use of indoor arenas even during times of inclement weather.

In the conventional art, a problem is caused in that a number of skates having a variety of sizes should be necessarily provided to be suited to sizes of wearers' feet. In particular, in the case of the younger generations, because they grow rapidly, several pairs of skates of different sizes are needed for each of them to adequately accommodate size variations of the feet.

Also, in the conventional art, since an ice skate, which is used on the ice, and a roller skate and an in-line skate, which are used on the ground, are separately constructed, they must be separately purchased as occasion demands, whereby an economic burden cannot but be imposed on a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems inherent in the related art, and an object of the invention is to provide a skate, the size of which can be adjusted in such a manner that the user can wear the skate irrespective of his or her foot size.

Another object of the invention is to provide a skate which can be used as an ice skate, a roller skate or an in-line skate as desired.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a skate comprising: a base having front and rear base parts which are separated from each other; a boot having front and rear boot parts which are attached to upper surfaces of the front and rear base parts, respectively; a base connector for connecting the front and rear base parts with each other in a manner such that a spacing between them can be adjusted, and for guiding movement of the rear base part with respect to the front base part; a clamper for releasably clamping the front and rear boot parts to each other so that relative movement therebetween is prevented; and front and rear ground contactors detachably joined to lower surfaces of the front and rear base parts, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: [0011]
FIG. 1 is a partially broken-away side view illustrating a construction of a skate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0012]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG. 1; [0013]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1; [0014]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 1; [0015]
FIGS. 5 and 6 are side views illustrating other front and rear ground contactors as being main component elements of the skate according to the present invention; and [0016]
FIG. 7 is a partially broken-away side view illustrating a construction of a skate in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. [0018]
First, referring to FIG. 1, a skate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention largely includes a [0019] base 10 which can be adjusted in its length, a boot 40 which is attached to an upper surface of the base 10 and is able to be adjusted in its size, and front and rear ground contactors 90 and 100 which are detachably joined to a lower surface of the base 10.
Concretely speaking, the skate according to the present invention has the [0020] base 10 which is divided into a front base part 20 and a rear base part 30. The front base part 20 and the rear base part 30 are formed separately from each other in a manner such that they can be moved close to or away from each other so as to adjust an entire length of the base 10.
Further, the skate according to the present invention has the [0021] boot 40 which is divided into a front boot part 50 and a rear boot part 60. The front boot part 50 accommodates a front portion of a foot. The front boot part 50 is composed of a shell 52 and a sole 54 and is attached to the front base part 20 of the base 10. A pair of securing bands 56 for securing the front boot part 50 about the foot of a wearer are attached to the shell 52. The rear boot part 60 accommodates a rear portion of the foot. The rear boot part 60 is also composed of a shell 62 and a sole 64 and is attached to the rear base part 30 of the base 10. A securing band 66 for securing the rear boot part 60 about an ankle of the wearer is attached to the shell 62.
The [0022] boot 40 can be configured in a manner such that it accommodates the foot of the wearer, or the front and rear boot parts 50 and 60 can be large-sized in a manner such that the boot 40 can be worn by the wearer in a state wherein the wearer puts on a shoe.
The skate further has a base connector which connects the front and [0023] rear base parts 20 and 30 with each other in a manner such that a spacing between them can be adjusted, and which guides movement of the rear base part 30 with respect to the front base part 20. As can be readily seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the base connector comprises a pair of guide shafts 22 which extend rearward from a lower surface of the front base part 20, and a pair of guide holes 32 which are defined on a lower surface of the rear base part 30 in a manner such that the guide shafts 22 are reciprocatingly fitted into the guide holes 32, respectively. Here, in order to define the pair of guide holes 32, a pair of guide members 30 a are welded to the lower surface of the rear base part 30.
As shown in FIG. 1, the base connector functions to guide movement of the [0024] rear base part 30 with respect to the front base part 20, whereby a spacing between the front and rear boot parts 50 and 60 respectively attached to the front and rear base parts 20 and 30 can be adjusted. By this fact, it is possible adjust a size of the boot 40 in conformity with a size of the foot. Meanwhile, a piston 22 a is formed at a free end of each guide shaft 22, which free end is inserted into the guide hole 32. Each guide member 30 a is formed, on a circumferential inner surface thereof, with a shoulder 32 a. When the front and rear base parts 20 and 30 are maximally separated from each other, the piston 22 a is engaged with the shoulder 32 a, whereby the guide shaft 22 is prevented from being removed out of the guide hole 32. As a consequence, the front and rear base parts 20 and 30 are prevented from being decoupled from each other.
According to the present invention, a clamper for releasably clamping the front and [0025] rear boot parts 50 and 60 to each other is provided so that the adjusted spacing between the front and rear boot parts 50 and 60 is not unintentionally changed. As shown in FIG. 1, the clamper comprises a pair of clamping bands 70 which are fastened to the front boot part 50, and a pair of buckles 72 which are fastened to the rear boot part 60 in a manner such that the clamping bands 70 can be locked in the buckles 72, respectively. Each clamping band 70 extends rearward from the front boot part 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the clamping band 70 has a plurality of triangular teeth 71 which are spaced apart one from another by the same interval. Each triangular tooth 71 has a vertical surface 71 a which is perpendicular to a plane of the clamping band 70, and an inclined surface 71 b which is inclined by a predetermined angle from an upper end of the vertical surface 71 a toward the plane of the clamping band 70.
Each [0026] buckle 72 has a locking hole 72 a through which the clamping band 70 can be inserted. Adjacent to an end of the locking hole 72 a, an operating lever 74 is rotatably connected to the buckle 72 by a hinge shaft 75. The operating lever 74 has at least one stopper projection 76 which projects into the locking hole 72 a. The stopper projection 76 is configured in a manner such that it can be engaged with at least one of the triangular projections 71 of the clamping band 70 which is inserted into the locking hole 72 a. The stopper projection 76 has a triangular configuration to be properly engaged with the triangular tooth 71. In a direction where the clamping band 70 is inserted into the locking hole 72 a of the buckle 72, the teeth 71 of the clamping band 70 go over an inclined surface of the stopper projection 76, so that entry of the clamping band 70 into the locking hole 72 a is allowed. On the other hand, in a direction where the clamping band 70 is removed from the locking hole 72 a of the buckle 72, the vertical surface of the tooth 71 is engaged with a vertical surface of the stopper projection 76, so that exit of the clamping band 70 out of the locking hole 72 a is prevented. A torsion spring 78 is installed around the hinge shaft 75 of the operating lever 74. Both ends of the torsion spring 78 are supported by the buckle 72 and the operating lever 74, respectively. The torsion spring 78 biases the operating lever 74 in a direction where the stopper projection 76 is engaged with the tooth 71 to lock the clamping band 70 to the buckle 72. One half of the operating lever 74 serves as a press portion 74 a. If the wearer presses the press portion 74 a, the operating lever 74 is rotated about the hinge shaft 75. As the operating lever 74 is rotated, the stopper projection 76 is disengaged from the tooth 71, whereby the clamping band 70 is unlocked from the buckle 72 and can be freely moved through the locking hole 72 a.
By the above-described structure of the clamper, if the clamping [0027] band 70 is inserted into the locking hole 72 a of the buckle 72 to clamp the front and rear boot parts 50 and 60 to each other, as the teeth 71 of the clamping band 70 go over the stopper projection 76 of the operating lever 74, the clamping band 70 can be inserted through the locking hole 72 a. Thereafter, when adjustment of a spacing between the front and rear boot parts 50 and 60 is completed, by taking off the hand from the clamping band 70, one of the teeth 71 of the clamping band 70 is engaged with the stopper projection 76, and thereby, the clamping band 70 is automatically locked in the buckle 72. Therefore, the front and rear boot parts 50 and 60 are securely clamped to each other in a state wherein a spacing therebetween is adjusted. In the course of clamping the front and rear boot parts 50 and 60 to each other, by pulling rearward a portion of the clamping band 70, which portion projects rearward beyond a rear end of the buckle 72, the front and rear boot parts 50 and 60 can be tightly clamped to each other. As a consequence, the front and rear boot parts 50 and 60 can be firmly secured with respect to the foot accommodated therein.
When it is necessary to unclamp the front and [0028] rear boot parts 50 and 60 from each other, by pressing the press portion 74 a of the operating lever 74, the stopper projection 76 of the buckle 72 is disengaged from the tooth 71 of the clamping band 70. In this state, the clamping band 70 can be removed out of the locking hole 72 a of the buckle 72 in such a way as to free the front and rear boot parts 50 and 60 from each other.
Due to the fact that, as shown in FIG. 3, the clamper comprises the pair of clamping [0029] bands 70 and the pair of buckles 72, which are arranged on both sides of the boot 40, the front and rear boot parts 50 and 60 can be further securely clamped to each other.
Referring again to FIG. 1, according to the present invention, an illuminator is provided to the [0030] boot 40. The illuminator comprises at least one battery 80 which is arranged in the sole 54 of the front boot part 50, an on/off switch 82 which is positioned on a side of the sole 54 to control power supply to the battery 80, and a bulb 84 which irradiates light forward in response to power supply from the battery 80. As shown in FIG. 4, in the sole 54 of the front boot part 50, there are located a case 86 in which the battery 80 is received, and a cover 88 which covers the case 86. Terminals 86 a are formed on both side ends of the case 86 to allow power supply therethrough. As shown in FIG. 1, the bulb 84 is located at a front end of the front boot part 50 and is protected by a bulb case 84 a. The illuminator functions to irradiate light forward upon enjoying skating in the nighttime.
Referring further again to FIG. 1, the skate according to the present invention has front and [0031] rear ground contactors 90 and 100 which are detachably joined to the front and rear base parts 20 and 30, respectively. The front and rear ground contactors 90 and 100 comprise front and rear frames 92 and 102 which are detachably joined to lower surfaces of the front and rear base parts 20 and 30, respectively, in a lengthwise direction of the skate to be aligned on a straight line, and two pairs of rollers 94 and 104, each pair of which are rotatably arranged at left and right sides of each frame, respectively.
The front and [0032] rear frames 92 and 102 respectively have horizontal support rods 92 a and 102 a, and two pairs of coupling rods 92 b and 102 b, each pair of which are integrally formed on an upper surface of each of the horizontal support rods 92 a and 102 a to extend in a vertical direction. As described above, the front and rear frames 92 and 102 are joined to the lower surfaces of the front and rear base parts 20 and 30, respectively, in the lengthwise direction of the skate to be aligned on a straight line. To this end, two pairs of coupling holes 24 and 34 are defined through the front and rear base parts 20 and 30 in a lengthwise direction of the base 10 to be aligned on a straight line, in a manner such that the coupling rods 92 b and 102 b are inserted upward through the coupling holes 24 and 34, respectively. Also, two pairs of support brackets 25 and 35 are formed on upper surfaces of the front and rear base parts 20 and 30, in a manner such that the coupling rods 92 b and 102 b which project upward through the coupling holes 24 and 34 are supported by the support brackets 25 and 35, respectively. As can be readily seen from FIGS. 1 and 4, the support brackets 25 and 35 define support grooves 25 a and 35 a into which the coupling rods 92 b and 102 b are respectively fitted. The support grooves 25 a and 35 a are gradually widened toward lower ends thereof in a manner such that the coupling rods 92 b and 102 b can be easily fitted into the support grooves 25 a and 35 a, respectively (see FIG. 1). In this connection, it is to be readily understood that the coupling rods 92 b and 102 b of the front and rear frames 92 and 102 are gradually widened toward upper ends thereof.
In the above-described structure of the front and [0033] rear frames 92 and 102, due to the fact that the coupling rods 92 b and 102 b are respectively inserted upward through the coupling holes 24 and 34, the front and rear ground contactors 90 and 100 are detachably joined to the front and rear base parts 20 and 30, respectively, in the lengthwise direction of the skate to be aligned on a straight line. Two pairs of support plates 26 and 36 are affixed to the lower surfaces of the front and rear base parts 20 and 30, to prevent the front and rear frames 92 and 102 from swaying leftward and rightward. As shown in FIG. 2, the support plates 26 and 36 extend in a lengthwise direction of the front and rear base parts 20 and 30 in a manner such that they reinforce the horizontal support rods 92 a and 102 a of the front and rear frames 92 and 102 at both sides thereof.
The [0034] rollers 94 and 104 are adapted to roll in a state wherein they are brought into contact with the ground. As described above, each pair of rollers are rotatably arranged at left and right sides of each frame, respectively. At this time, each pair of the rollers 94 and 104 are rotatably mounted to left and right ends of each of support shafts 94 a and 104 a which are fitted through the front and rear frames 92 and 102 to extend in a widthwise direction of the skate. As a result, the two pairs of rollers 94 and 104 are arranged at left and right sides of the front and rear frames 92 and 102 of the front and rear ground contactors 90 and 100, to be employed as a roller skate having four rollers in total.
Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a variation of the front and [0035] rear ground contactors 90 and 100. The front and rear ground contactors 90 and 100 according to this variation comprise front and rear frames 92 and 102 which are detachably joined to lower surfaces of the front and rear base parts 20 and 30, respectively, in a lengthwise direction of the skate to be aligned on a straight line, and two pairs of rollers 94 and 104 which are rotatably mounted to the front and rear frames 92 and 102, respectively. That is to say, the front and rear ground contactors 90 and 100 according to this variation have a characteristic feature in that the two pairs of rollers 94 and 104 define an in-line arrangement. Due to this fact, the skate according to the present invention can be employed as an in-line skate in which rollers are arranged in line with one another. As in the first embodiment of the present invention, the front and rear frames 92 and 102 of this variation have two pairs of coupling rods 92 b and 102 b which are configured in a manner such that they are respectively inserted upward through coupling holes 24 and 34 defined through the front and rear base parts 20 and 30.
Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated another variation of the front and [0036] rear ground contactors 90 and 100. The front and rear ground contactors 90 and 100 according to this variation comprise front and rear frames 92 and 102 which are detachably joined to lower surfaces of the front and rear base parts 20 and 30, respectively, in a lengthwise direction of the skate to be aligned on a straight line, and a pair of blades 96 and 106 which are integrally mounted to the front and rear frames 92 and 102, respectively, to extend in a lengthwise direction of the front and rear frames 92 and 102. The blades 96 and 106 slide in a state wherein they are brought into contact with the ice. That is to say, due to the fact that the pair of blades 96 and 106 are aligned on a straight line, the skate according to the present invention can be employed as an ice skate. As in the first embodiment of the present invention, the front and rear frames 92 and 102 of this variation have two pairs of coupling rods 92 b and 102 b which are configured in a manner such that they are respectively inserted upward through coupling holes 24 and 34 defined through the front and rear base parts 20 and 30.
By joining and disjoining the front and [0037] rear ground contactors 90 and 100 according to the first embodiment and the variations to and from the lower surfaces of the front and rear base parts 20 and 30, respectively, the skate of the present invention can be employed as an ice skate, a roller skate or an in-line skate as desired.
Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the skate according to the present invention further has a pair of [0038] lockers 110 for locking the front base part 20 and the front ground contactor 90 with each other and the rear base part 30 and the rear ground contactor 100 with each other, respectively. As best shown in FIG. 4, the lockers 110 are installed in installation spaces 54 a and 64 a which are defined in the soles 54 and 64 of the front and rear boot parts 50 and 60, respectively. Each locker 110 comprises a pair of locking pins 112 which are located in the installation space in such a way as to be reciprocated between a locking position X and an unlocking position Z, a connecting rod 114 which connects the pair of locking pins 112 with each other, a spring 116 which elastically biases the locking pins 112 toward the locking position X, and a push rod 118 which projects out of the boot 40 to allow the locking pins 112 to be moved from the locking position X to the unlocking position Z when the push rod 118 is pressed.
A pair of [0039] guide brackets 112 a are formed on the upper surface of each of the front and rear base parts 20 and 30. The pair of locking pins 112 are reciprocated along a straight path while being guided by the pair of guide brackets 112 a. In the locking position X, each locking pin 112 is simultaneously fitted through each of the support brackets 25 and 35 and each of the coupling rods 92 b and 102 b of the front and rear frames 92 and 102, so that the front base part 20 and the front ground contactor 90 are locked with each other and the rear base part 30 and the rear ground contactor 100 are locked with each other. Both ends of the spring 116 are respectively supported by the connecting rod 114 and the base 10. The spring 116 functions to bias the connecting rod 114 so as to cause the locking pins 112 to be held in the locking position X. The push rod 118 extends from one end of the connecting rod 114 out of the boot 40. By pressing the push rod 118 against elastic force of the spring 116, the wearer can move the locking pins 112 from the locking position X to the unlocking position Z, whereby the front and rear ground contactors 90 and 100 which are respectively locked to the front and rear base parts 20 and 30 can be freed therefrom.
FIG. 7 is a partially broken-away side view illustrating a construction of a skate in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In the skate according to this second embodiment of the present invention, differently from the first embodiment, a [0040] boot 210 is not divided into a front boot part and a rear boot part, but is instead made of a single piece; and only one ground contactor 230 is detachably joined to the boot 210.
Concretely speaking, the skate according to this second embodiment of the present invention has a [0041] base 200. The boot 210 is attached to the base 200. The boot 210 is composed of a shell 212 and a sole 214. Securing bands 212 a for securing the boot 210 about the foot and around the ankle of a wearer are attached to the shell 212.
As in the first embodiment, the skate according to this second embodiment of the present invention has an illuminator. The illuminator comprises at least one [0042] battery 220 which is arranged in the sole 214 of the boot 210, an on/off switch 222 which is positioned on a side of the sole 214 to control power supply to the battery 220, and a bulb 224 which irradiates light forward in response to power supply from the battery 220. As for construction and operation of the illuminator, since they are the same as in the first embodiment, detailed explanation thereof shall be omitted.
The skate has the [0043] ground contactor 230 which is detachably joined to the base 200. The ground contactor 230 comprises a frame 232, and a plurality of rollers 234 which are rotatably mounted to the frame 232.
The [0044] frame 232 has a horizontal support rod 232 a, and a pair of coupling rods 232 b which are integrally formed on an upper surface of the horizontal support rods 232 a to extend in a vertical direction. The frame 232 is joined to a lower surface of the base 200. To this end, a pair of coupling holes 201 are defined through the base 200 in a lengthwise direction of the base 200, in a manner such that the coupling rods 232 b of the frame 232 are inserted upward through the coupling holes 201, respectively. Also, a pair of support brackets 203 are formed on an upper surface of the base 200, in a manner such that the coupling rods 232 b which project upward through the coupling holes 201 are supported by the support brackets 203, respectively. The support brackets 203 define support grooves 203 a into which the coupling rods 232 b are respectively fitted. As can be readily seen from FIG. 7, the support grooves 203 a are gradually widened toward lower ends thereof in a manner such that the coupling rods 232 b can be easily fitted into the support grooves 203 a, respectively. In this connection, it is to be readily understood that the coupling rods 232 b of the frame 232 are gradually widened toward upper ends thereof.
In the above-described structure of the [0045] frame 232, due to the fact that the coupling rods 232 b are respectively inserted upward through the coupling holes 201, the ground contactor 230 is detachably joined to the base 200. A pair of support plates 205 are affixed to the lower surface of the base 200, to prevent the frame 232 from swaying leftward and rightward. The support plates 205 are configured in a manner such that they reinforce the horizontal support rods 232 a of the frame 232 at both sides thereof.
The [0046] rollers 234 roll in a state wherein they are brought into contact with the ground. As described above, the rollers 234 are rotatably mounted to the frame 232. While it is illustrated in FIG. 7 that the rollers 234 are arranged in line one with another along a lengthwise direction of the skate in such a way as to define an in-line arrangement and thereby allow the skate to be employed as an in-line skate, two pairs of rollers may be arranged at left and right sides of the frame 232 in such a way as to allow the skate to be employed as a roller skate, or a blade may be integrally mounted to the frame 232 to allow the skate to be employed as an ice skate.
Meanwhile, the skate according to this second embodiment of the present invention further has a [0047] locker 240 for locking the base 200 and the ground contactor 230 with each other. As best shown in FIG. 7, the locker 240 is installed in an installation space which is defined in the sole 214 of the boot 210. The locker 240 comprises a pair of locking pins 242 which are reciprocatingly located to selectively lock the coupling rods 232 b of the frame 232 with respect to the support brackets 203 of the base 200, respectively, a connecting rod (not shown) which connects the pair of locking pins 242 with each other, a spring (not shown) which elastically biases the locking pins 242 toward a locking position, and a push rod 244 which projects out of the boot 210 to allow the locking pins 242 to be moved from the locking position to an unlocking position when the push rod 244 is pressed. As for construction and operation of the locker 240, since they are the same as in the first embodiment, detailed explanation thereof shall be omitted.
In the skate according to this second embodiment of the present invention, constructed as mentioned above, the [0048] ground contactor 230, which is to be brought into contact with the ground or the ice, is detachably joined to the boot 210. In this regard, due to the fact that the ground contactor 230 may comprise a blade integrally mounted to the frame 232, two pairs of rollers arranged at left and right sides of the frame 232, or a plurality of rollers arranged in line one with another, the skate can be effectively employed as an ice skate, a roller skate or an in-line skate as desired.
As apparent from the above description, the skate according to the present invention, constructed as mentioned above, provides advantages in that, since a boot is divided into a front boot part and a rear boot part and a spacing between the front and rear boot parts can be changed, a size of the boot can be adjusted in conformity with a size of a foot. Also, due to the fact that a ground contactor to be engaged with the ice or the ground is detachably joined to a base and comprises a blade, a roller assembly or an in-line roller arrangement, the skate according to the present invention can be employed as an ice skate, a roller skate or an in-line skate as desired. [0049]
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims. [0050]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A skate comprising:

a base having front and rear base parts which are separated from each other;

a boot having front and rear boot parts which are attached to upper surfaces of the front and rear base parts, respectively;

base connection means for connecting the front and rear base parts with each other in a manner such that the spacing between the base parts can be adjusted, and for guiding movement of the rear base part with respect to the front base part;

clamping means for releasably clamping the front and rear boot parts to each other so that relative movement therebetween is prevented; and

front and rear ground contacting means detachably joined to lower surfaces of the front and rear base parts, respectively.

2. The skate as set forth in claim 1, wherein the base connection means comprises a pair of guide shafts which extend rearward from the front base part, and a pair of guide holes which are defined in the rear base part in a manner such that the guide shafts are reciprocatingly fitted into the guide holes, respectively.

3. The skate as set forth in claim 1, wherein the clamping means comprises a pair of clamping bands which are fastened to the front boot part, and a pair of buckles which are fastened to the rear boot part in a manner such that the clamping bands can be locked in the buckles, respectively.

4. The skate as set forth in claim 1, wherein the front and rear ground contacting means comprise front and rear frames which are detachably joined to the front and rear base parts, respectively, and two pairs of rollers, each pair of which are rotatably arranged at left and right sides of each frame, respectively.

5. The skate as set forth in claim 1, wherein the front and rear ground contacting means comprise front and rear frames which are detachably joined to the front and rear base parts, respectively, and a plurality of rollers which are rotatably mounted to the front and rear frames in such a way as to define an in-line arrangement.

6. The skate as set forth in claim 1, wherein the front and rear ground contacting means comprise front and rear frames which are detachably joined to the front and rear base parts, respectively, and a pair of blades which are integrally mounted to the front and rear frames, respectively.

7. The skate as set forth in any one of the claims 4 to 6, further comprising:

a pair of lockers installed in the front and rear base parts for locking the front base part and the front ground contacting means with each other and the rear base part and the rear ground contacting means with each other, respectively, each locker comprising a pair of locking pins which are moved between a locking position and an unlocking position, a spring which elastically biases the locking pins toward the locking position, and a push rod which is connected to the locking pins to allow the locking pins to be moved to the unlocking position when the push rod is pressed.

8. The skate as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

illuminating means for irradiating light, the illuminating means comprising at least one battery which is replaceably arranged in the boot, a switch which controls power supply to the battery, and a bulb which is located at a front end of the boot to irradiate light forward.

9. A skate comprising:

a base;

a boot attached to an upper surface of the base; and

ground contacting means detachably joined to a lower surface of the base.

10. The skate as set forth in claim 9, wherein the ground contacting means comprises a frame which is detachably joined to the base, and a plurality of rollers which are rotatably mounted to the frame in such a way as to define an in-line arrangement.

11. The skate as set forth in claim 9, wherein the ground contacting means comprises a frame which is detachably joined to the base, and a blade which is integrally mounted to the frame.