Stopping Time Cut in Half, Internal Mechanics Do Not Damage Wheels, Replaces Need for Rubber Heel Stopper and Requires Virtually No Maintenance

July, 2006 -- Alex Bellehumeur, a co-founder of Roller Hockey International, fundamentally changed the dynamics of inline hockey with his patented SpeedPuck™ and now the invention of the 4Wheeler Disk Brake for inline skates has the potential to revolutionize a stagnate industry with a braking system that cuts stopping time in half resulting in greater safety, avoids damage to the wheels, eliminates the need for the rubber heel stopper and requires virtually zero maintenance.

“Recreational inline skating has been on the decline and safety is clearly one of the key factors affecting this downward trend,” Bellehumeur said. “It is my hope that the 4Wheeler will help the industry not only reverse this trend, but provide a catalyst for growth. Inline skating appeals to a wide segment of the population offering such wonderful health benefits in an enjoyable and fun manner. This revolutionary braking system has the ability to remove that barrier attracting those who have left and bringing more participants to the sport.”

Recently spotlighted in the Hockey Business News, the patented design of the 4Wheeler features brakes on all four wheels with the use of two pairs of braking discs, each pair centered between pairs of wheels. The manner in which this is done guarantees equal braking on each wheel, quicker stopping than any other braking system all without damaging the wheels, especially the “flat-spotting” that can occur with other systems.

Another advantage of the 4Wheeler is the elimination of the need for the rubber heel stopper that retailers estimate needs to be replaced on average once a month for the average skater. Depending on usage and climate this equates to a consumer annual savings of $60 to $120.

Test with veteran inline skaters found a general consensus as to its appeal, performance and efficacy.

“Having never used either the stopper or disc system, I felt it much safer, stops in shorter distance and was easier to use,” said Jeff Prime hockey director of Cost 2 Coast Inline Center and head coach of the U.S Women’s Inline Hockey Team, who also ran the Pro Beach Hockey circuit from 1998-2000.

According to Bellehumeur, who has spoken to a number of key manufacturing executives, he was encouraged by their positive response following their own tests, indicating that the braking system worked even better then it had been represented and could revolutionize the industry.

In terms of stopping ability in that test at 5 mph the skaters were able to stop in an average of three feet compared to nine feet with the conventional stopper. Skating at 10 mph the stopping distance was an average of nine and one-half feet compared to 20 ½ feet with the conventional stopper. Finally, skating at 15 mph, the stopping distance was an average of 22 feet compared to 40 feet with the conventional stopper.

“Clearly the results speak for themselves,” Bellehumeur said. “Many in the industry who have seen the prototype have been extremely impressed with its functionality. Over the years, there have been many inventions that have tried to solve the stopping problem, but have fallen short of their promised expectations. Now, the 4Wheeler is the first braking system that offers an extremely viable and cost-efficient means to achieve this goal with the ability to revolutionize inline skating.”