WO1997011759A1

WO1997011759A1 - In-line skate with wheel engaging brake

Info

Publication number: WO1997011759A1
Application number: PCT/CA1996/000643
Authority: WO
Inventors: René Bourque; Bernard Daoust
Original assignee: Bauer Inc.
Priority date: 1995-09-25
Filing date: 1996-09-25
Publication date: 1997-04-03
Also published as: AU6982496A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a roller skate with an improved braking system. The braking system includes a braking component engageable over a plurality of the wheels of the skate to generate contact friction in order to slow down the movement of the skater. The braking component may be operated by movement of cuff.

Description

TIT E: IN-LINE SKATE WITH WHEEL ENGAGING BRAKE.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to roller skates, more particularly to roller skate braking systems capable of simultaneously braking multiple wheels of the skate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the past few years roller skating has greatly increased in popularity and the nature of the acitivty has changed. Skating has moved from indoor areas specifically constructed for that purpose, to the streets, sidewalks, and parks of modern urban centres. As such, skaters are no longer confined to a relatively dull oval path, but are generally free to travel outdoors to a destination, and along a course of their choosing. This has allowed skating to become at once, an enjoyable leisure-time activity, an excellent means of exercise, and an economical method of transportation.

The transition, however, has at time not been a simple one. New outdoor skating environments do not have the smooth, level skating surfaces of a traditional skating rink nor are they necessarily free of debris. Each of these factors contributes to an increased level of difficulty for the activity. Skating outdoors further presents the skater with obstacles and hazards, such as cars animals, and cyclists, all of which require him to have excellent stability and control while skating to avoid harm. These changes in venue and purpose of skating have therefore necessitated modifications to the design of the skates themselves in order to provide the skater with the control that he or she needs.

Increased control is among the reasons which have attributed to the current preference of skaters for in-line roller skates (those where the wheels of the skate rotate within a single, generally vertical plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the skate) as opposed to the older style quad-wheeled, bi-axled skates.

The braking of the skate, and the control exercised by the skater thereover, has still remained a difficulty, even with the transition in skate design. Traditionally, skates of both design styles were braked by a static pad mounted either in the front or rear of the skate. When the skater desired to brake he or she would pivot the skate about either the forward most wheel or wheels or the rearward most wheel or wheels (depending on the location of the brake pad) causing the brake pad to engage the skating surface, thus slowing the skater by the frictional forces generated thereby. While this braking system design might have functioned adequately in years gone by, it proved to be ineffective, and even dangerous in the modern skating environment, as the removal of most of the wheels of the skate from the skating surface requires great precision and balance on the part of the skater. A somewhat difficult feat to accomplish on an unsmooth asphalt or concrete road surface, especially for beginners.

This difficulty led to the relatively recent renewed interest in dynamic braking systems for roller skates. In such systems, a braking pad is movably mounted to the skate and when the skater desires to brake he or she causes to the pad to engage a surface, generating frictional forces and slowing the skater. Specific designs of such systems vary and thus the surface might either be the surface of a wheel of the skate or the skating surface itself. Similarly, the means by which the skater causes the pad to engage the surface may also vary and may thus involve a number of conventional hand-activated or leg-activated systems.

Such dynamic braking systems have met with success on the marketplace and seem to be starting to be preferred by today's skaters. Such systems, however, are not yet optimal and some problems remain. Specifically where wheel-engaging brake systems are concerned, current systems are designed such that the brake pad will contact only a single wheel of the skate during braking manoeuvres. This wheel is generally the rearward most wheel of the skate and is immobilised when engaged by the brake pad, acting similar to a rear-mounted ground-engaging brake pad. The frictional forces generated during braking will cause wear on the wheel and will remove some of the material. The non-braking wheels, however, will not suffer this type of wear. Over time, enough material will be removed from the braking wheel that it will no longer bear upon the skating surface, as the other wheels are larger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides braking system for a roller skate comprising:

(A) a braking element moveably mounted on a roller skate chassis, said element being moveable toward an operative position in which said element is in simultaneous frictional engagement with a braking surface of at least two wheels of a skate; and (E) an actuator operatively connected to said braking element for causing said braking element to move into the operative position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the skate, from the rear quarter; Figure 2 is the side elevational view of the skate;

Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the skate, with the brake not actuated;

Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the skate, with the brake actuated;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the rail and one of the disks;

Figure 6 is and exploded perspective of the chassis, rail, a disk and a wheel; Figure 7 is a lateral cross-section in the area of the wheel, with the brake not actuated;

Figure 8 is a lateral cross-section in the area of the wheel, with the brake actuated;

Figure 9 is a side view of the skate constructed in accordance with a variant;

Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the skate shown in figure 9;

Figure 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the skate showing the braking action;

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view along the chassis of the skate constructed in accordance with a further variant;

Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the principle of the braking system in accordance with the second variant; and

Figure 14 is an exploded perspective of the wheel and friction ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the annexed drawings, more particularly to figure 1, the present invention provides an improved brake system for use with in-line roller skates. The roller skate designated comprehensively by the reference numeral 10 includes a boot 12 mounted on a frame 14 that carries a plurality of wheels 16 (four wheels) arranged in a common vertical plane that contains the center line of the skate. The boot 12 includes a shell 17 that encloses the foot of the user. A cuff 18 encircles the lower leg to provide lateral stability. The cuff is pivotally connected to the shell 18 at two sites located on either side of the skate. Only one such site is shown in the drawings and it is identified by the reference numeral 22. This structure allows the cuff to pivot forwardly or rearwardly, thus accommodating the movements of the lower leg during skating, while maintaining the leg in the plane that contains the frame 14 and the wheels 16.

The shell 18 and the cuff 20 are made of plastic material by injection molding. The material used should be sufficiently flexible to provide good comfort potential while being abrasion and impact resistant to protect the foot.

Most preferably, a liner 24 is mounted in the boot 12 to provide a high degree of comfort while maintaining the foot stable in the shell 18 and the cuff 20. The liner can be made from a variety of different materials. The material of choice should be soft and highly resilient to conform to the surface of the foot, thus avoid pressure points that could result in discomfort. Normally, the liner would extend from the toe portion of the shell 18 up to the upper end of the cuff 20. The liner can be made as a single piece, or as two or more separate elements joined in the ankle region of the foot.

The frame 14 is generally in the form of an inverted"U" and is thus comprised of a two generally parallel rails 26 in a spaced-apart relationship. Connecting the rails 26 and generally perpendicular thereto are planar bridging portions 28. The frame 14 may be constructed of either a plastic material or a metal, and preferably a lightweight material such as aluminum. The frame may be connected to the boot by a variety of conventional means, bolting or gluing being common examples.

Along the bottom portion of each rail are located a series of apertures to receive the axles of the respective wheels 16. As can be seen in Figure 6, two ribs 28 project from the interior portion of one of the rails along side each of the apertures. The ribs 28 are generally rectangular with a curved outer surface and lie along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the skate. No such ribs are present on the opposite rail. Received within each pair of apertures are the ends of an axle. Positioned in-between the rails and rotatably amounted on each axle is a wheel 16. Positioned next to the wheel 16, and mounted on the axle such that it is capable of angular movement, is a braking element 30. Similar braking elements are positioned next to each of the three rearmost wheels all on like sides of the skate.

The braking element 30 is generally circular and planar in appearance. On the wheel-engaging side of the element there is a annular projecting portion which will engage the side wall of the wheel during braking. Interior to the annular portion is a recessed portion in which is disposed a holes adapted to receive the wheel axle.

Projecting from the circumferential side of the circular potion is a generally triangular portion 34 having a slot 36 therein for allowing the passage therethrough of an actuation rod 38. An aperture 40 in the triangular portion 38 allows the braking element to be secured to the rod 40 by means of a pivot pin. An imaginary line passing through the hole in the triangular portion and the central wheel-axle hole forms a longitudinal axis of the braking element. An imaginary line drawn perpendicular thereto in the plane of the element forms a transverse axis thereof.

On the opposite side of the braking element 30 (the non-wheel- engaging side) are provided two groves 42. The grooves are located on opposite sides of the central wheel-axis whole. The depth of each grooves is not constant but is shaped as a ramp. More particularly, the depth is greatest near the edge 42' of the grove and decreases progressively toward the opposite edge 42'' . The dimensions of the groove at the site of intersection by the transverse axis are such that the groove is capable of receiving the rib 28 portions of the rail interior when the braking system is assembled. Figure 6 illustrates and exploded view of the rail wheel-axle assembly. Closest to the interior portion of the rail with the ribs 28 is disposed the braking element. The side of the braking element 30 with the grooves 42 faces the interior portion of the rail with the ribs 28. Located next to the braking element is a spring 44 and finally the wheel 16.

Figure 7 depicts an assembled rail and wheel-axle wherein the braking element is an non-operative position. The rib 28 is thus received within the groove 42 of the braking element 30 and the spring 44 maintains the braking element and the wheel in a spaced apart relationship to prevent undesired braking.

When desired to effect a braking movement the actuation rod 38 is displaced along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the skate for causing an angular basement of the brake elements 30. This annular movement create an engagement between the^' ribs 28 and the bottom of the respective grooves 42. Since the bottom surface of the grooves 42 is shaped as a ramp surface, the sliding engagement rib/groove will cause the braking element to move axially toward the side wall of the associated wheel 16. This movement causes the projecting annular portion 32 to engage the wheel and generate contact friction.

In order to release the brake it suffices to move the actuation rod 38 in the opposite direction.

The role of the actuation lever 38 is to first synchronize the movement of the three braking elements 30 and second to communicate angular movement to the two forward most braking elements 30 when the rearmost braking element is turned. The rearmost braking element 30 is activated by a rod member 50 which is pivotally connected at its lower and to the braking element and pivotally connected at its upper and to the rear portion of the cuff. Thus, when the cuff 18 is pivoted rearwardly, as shown at figure 4 the rod 50 is caused to moving down, in tern, causing an angular displacement in the clockwise direction of the rearmost braking element 30. By virtue of the actuation rod 38 the same amount of angular motion is imparted to the remaining braking elements thus, the braking action applied on the three wheels is uniform.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate a variant of the braking system. The frame 14 of the roller skate is provided with a braking block 54 positioned between the side rails of the frame, above the wheels 16. By virtue of pins 56 embedded in the braking block 54 that are slidingly mounted into rearwardly angled slots 58 in the side rails of the frame, the braking block is constrained to move only along the path defined by the slots. The undersurface of the braking block 54 is provided with braking surfaces 60 which are brought into contact with the rolling surfaces of the respective wheels by downward movement of the braking block. The braking surfaces 60 conform to an angular sector of the rolling surfaces of the wheels. The braking block 54 projects rearwardly from the frame 14 and is provided with a slot 62 that is generally parallel to the slots 56. An actuation lever 64 pivotally connected to the rear portion of the cuff includes at ts lower and a pin which slidingly engages the slot 62.

During skating, when braking is not desired the position of the actuation lever 64 is as shown at figure 9. More specifically, the pin mounted at the lower end of the actuation lever abuts against the upper end of the slot 62, thus maintaining the entire brake block 54 m a spaced apart relationship with the rolling surfaces of the wheels 16. When desired to brake, the cuff 18 is pivoted rearwardly as best shown at figure 11. The pin at the extremity of the actuation lever 64 descends and engages the lower extremity of the slot 62. Any further motion of the actuation rod causes the brake block 54 to move downwardly and press against the rolling surfaces of the wheels. Since the brake block is constrained to move along the path of travel established by the rectilinear slots 58 the movement of the brake block is a translational one, thus the braking surfaces 60 engage the rolling surfaces of the corresponding wheels at the same time. This provides a uniform braking action.

To disengage the brake, it suffices to pivot the cuff forwardly which, in turn, causes the actuation lever to displace the braking block 54 upwardly, again moving strictly along the path established by the guide slots 58.

The braking block 54 is preferably made of relatively hard rubber-like material. Such materials are well known to those skilled in the art. They are preferred because of their low cost, high coefficients of friction, and ease of manufacture.

Figures 12, 13 and 14 illustrate a brake system constructed in accordance with a further variant. Figure 13 illustrates the wheel of the roller skate which is configured to carry a friction ring 70 made of aluminum or other suitable material, the friction ring 70 having teeth 72 which engage in mating slots 74 formed around the hub of the wheel. This arrangement allows to lock the friction ring 70 on the wheel, effectively preventing any rotation of the friction ring 70 relative the wheel.

A pair of rails 76 are mounted for sliding movement in the frame 14. More specifically, each rail is slidingly mounted on the inner surface of a corresponding side rail of the frame such as to form between the inner and opposite facing surfaces of the rails 76 a sufficient clearance to receive the wheels of the roller skate. The manner of slidingly connecting each rail 76 to the corresponding side rail of the frame may vary without departing from the spirit of the invention. In one possible embodiment, the rails 76 may be provided with longitudinally extending slots in which are received pins projecting from the corresponding side rails of the frame. The pins and the guide slots constrain the rails 76 to move only in the direction of the slots.

Each rail 76 is also provided with elongated slots 78 to accommodate the axles 80 on which the wheels are rotatably mounted. The length of each slot 78 is such as to authorize the desired range of movement of the rail 76.

The rails carry braking wedges 82 make of an elastomeric or any other suitable material, configured and positioned such that movement of the rails 76 brings the wedges into contact with the respective friction rings 70, thereby generating contact friction to slow down the skate. Note that the same principle could be used to bring the wedges 82 directly into contact with the wheels themselves, although that would produce more rapid wear of the wheels.

Any suitable actuation means could be used to produce the desired longitudinal movement of the rails, including for example a cable and hand brake arrangement, or a connection to a pivotable cuff or liner, via a suitable linkage, such that rearward rotation of the skaters leg relative to the foot produces downward motion which is translated by the linkage into forward or motion of the rails. In a specific example an actuation lever such as shown at figure 9 could be used, the actuation lever having its upper end pivotally connected to the rear portion of the cuff 18. The lower extremity of the actuation lever engages in oblique slots made in both rails 76.

At this and, the lower extremity of the actuation lever is provided with a pair of pro ecting pins, each pm slidingly engaging the slot of a corresponding rail 76. A suitable supporting bracket is provided near the lower extremity of the actuation lever, the supporting bracket being affixed to the frame of the skate in order to prevent the actuation lever from moving beyond a predetermined distance with relation to the frame. Such supporting bracket may be in the form of a simple U shaped component, both legs of the U shaped structure being secured to the frame while the bridging portion of the structure constitutes an abutment that prevents the actuation lever from moving away with relation to the frame. This structure is such that when the actuation lever is caused to move down by rearward pivoting of the cuff the pin/slot arrangement will cause a longitudinal displacement of the rails 76 to produce engagement between the wedges 8 and the friction rings 70. When the cuff is pivoted forwardly the rails 76 are caused to move in the opposite direction this disengaging the wedges 82 from the friction rings 70.

The above description of the invention should not be interpreted in any limiting manner since variations and refinements of the preferred embodiment are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

We C l aim :

1. A braking system for a roller skate comprising:

(A) a braking element moveably mounted on a roller skate chassis, said element being moveable toward an operative position in which said element is in simultaneous frictional engagement with a braking surface of at least two wheels of a skate; and

(E) an actuator operatively connected to said braking element for causing said braking element to move into the operative position.

2. A braking system for a roller skate comprising:

(A) a chassis for supporting a wheel of the skate

(B) a braking element slidably mounted on the chassis above the wheel, said braking element being slidable toward an operative position in which said element is m frictional engagement with a braking surface of the wheel .

3. A braking system for a roller skate as recited in claim 2 wherein said braking element is slidable toward an operative position in which said element is in simultaneous frictional engagement with at least two wheels of the skate.

4. A braking system for a roller skate as recited in claim 2 wherein said braking element is slidable toward an operative position in which said element is in simultaneous frictional engagement with all of the wheels of the skate.

5. A braking system for a roller skate as defined m claim 1, wherein said braking element is capable of angular motion to engage a side wall of a corresponding wheel of the skate.

6. A braking system for a roller skate as defined in claim 1, wherein said braking element is capable of sliding movement to engage a side wall of a corresponding wheel of the skate.