Editing Inline skates (section)

=== Assemblies ===

[[File:Inline skate parts-Frame-Nexus Rockerable 235mm frame-PS Spinner 90mm wheels-IMG 5890-FRD.png|thumb|right|240px|Some components of a skate]]

Customization discussions often focus on swapping or upgrading individual skate components. A given boot can accommodate a variety of compatible frames, and each frame is designed to receive a specific range of wheel sizes. Bearings and spacers within the wheels can be upgraded or replaced, as can axle screws, bolts, and bushings. In some cases, a particular combination of components is treated as a single unit during customization conversations.<ref name="usenet-chen-FAQ-inline-wheels"/><ref name="joyner-inline-hockey-1995"/>{{rp|19–24}}

{{multiple image
 | direction = horizontal
 | total_width = 400
 | footer = Bearing assembly (left). Wheel & axle assemblies (right)
 | image1 = Bones REDS bearing-Powerslide Aluminum spacers-Endless inline skate frame axle-IMG 5065-FRD.jpg
 | image2 = K2 Sports-US20190247739A1-2018-Inline skate-frame wheel and axle assemblies-Patent Drawing-FIG 5.png
}}

While consumers and retailers typically lack standardized terms for these combinations, the skate industry uses the term assembly to describe them. In patent applications, where consistency and precision are important within individual applications, several types of assemblies are commonly defined. An '''axle assembly''' generally refers to the rods, screws, bolts, and bushings that form an axle capable of securing a wheel to the frame. A '''bearing assembly''' consists of two ball bearings separated by a spacer. When a bearing assembly is installed into a wheel hub with a polyurethane tire, the complete unit is often called a '''wheel assembly'''.<ref name="us-patent-6132006-skate-wheel-axle-assembly">{{Cite patent
|country=US
|number=6132006
|fdate=1998-07-15
|pubdate=2000-10-17
|gdate=2000-10-17
|title=In-line skate wheel axle assembly and frame
|inventor1-first=Peter G.
|inventor1-last=Post
}}</ref><ref name="us-patent-6309108-bearing-spacer-bearing-assembly">{{Cite patent
|country=US
|number=6309108
|fdate=1997-07-11
|pubdate=2001-10-30
|gdate=2001-10-30
|title=Bearing spacer for in-line skate
|inventor1-first=Richard
|inventor1-last=Wershe
}}</ref><ref name="us-patent-app-20190247739-axle-bearing-wheel-assemblies">{{Cite patent
|country=US
|number=20190247739
|status=application
|fdate=2018-02-13
|pubdate=2019-08-15
|title=Single-wall inline skate frame and skate
|inventor1-first=John Erik
|inventor1-last=Svensson
|assign1=K2 Sports LLC
}}</ref>

The term '''frame assembly''' typically refers to all components of a skate excluding the boot and wheel assemblies. In a standard recreational skate, this includes the frame itself, the brake unit, the hardware used to attach the frame to the boot, and the axle assemblies that secure the wheel assemblies to the frame. In aggressive skates, the frame assembly may also include H-blocks and other structural elements designed to support grinding and related maneuvers.<ref name="us-patent-app-20190247739-axle-bearing-wheel-assemblies"/><ref name="us-patent-7931283-aggressive-frame-assembly">{{Cite patent
|country=US
|number=7931283
|fdate=2007-07-23
|pubdate=2009-01-29
|gdate=2011-04-26
|title=Frame assembly for in-line skate
|inventor1-first=Andreas C.
|inventor1-last=Wegener
|assign1=Sunshine Distribution Inc
}}</ref>