1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to traveling lights, and more particularly to lights for use with in-line roller skates.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Roller skating at night or near dusk is an exciting but potentially dangerous activity. Recognizing this fact, inventors have tried to provide lights for roller skates, but have failed to provide lights that are genuinely easy to apply to, and remove from, a variety of skates.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,515, issued on Jan. 4, 1983, to Steven F. Beard, describes a roller skate light attachment that mounts on a stop portion of a roller skate. There is no provision for mounting the attachment on a skate not having a stop portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,412, issued on Jul. 31, 1984, to Ronald W. Broach, describes an illuminated shoe skate attachment. The attachment mounts to bolts or ridges on a skate by use of a complicated set of brackets. The attachment is detachable for use on other skates, but only if the brackets fit the other skates.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,066, issued on Feb. 5, 1991, to Gregory L. McCowan, describes an adaptor kit for providing lighting for a skateboard. The lighting replaces a part ordinarily present on a skateboard and is thus unsuitable for use with roller skates.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,196, issued on Mar. 5, 1991, to John L. Wood, describes a system in which lights are mounted in grooves in a skateboard or in skid bars in a skateboard. There is no provision for mounting lights on roller skates.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,212, issued on Jul. 23, 1991, to Walter R. Evanyk, describes a lighting system which is mounted to objects such as shoes by use of hook-and-loop fasteners. There is no use of stretchable cord to ensure an easy and lasting engagement of the lighting system with an object to which it is attached.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,329, issued on Jul. 5, 1994, to David L. Stiles, describes lighting attachments for in-line skates that are frictionally and adhesively mounted. There is no use of stretchable cord to ensure an easy and lasting engagement of the lighting system with an object to which it is attached.
Canadian Patent Document No. 1 253 832, issued on May 9, 1989, to Nicholas A. Rodgers, describes lights for footwear. There is an internally disposed switch that responds to movement of a wearer. There is no provision for mounting lights on roller skates.
French Patent Document No. 2 643 794, issued on Sep. 7, 1990, to Jean Leonard Darfeuille, describes head-lights for footwear. There is an internally disposed switch that senses presence of a wearer. There is no provision for mounting lights on roller skates.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.