WO2005044406A1

WO2005044406A1 - Partially revolving wheel assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2005044406A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/002835
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gapsoo Lee; Hyeongjong Kim
Original assignee: Gapsoo Lee; Hyeongjong Kim
Priority date: 2003-11-05
Filing date: 2004-11-04
Publication date: 2005-05-19

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a wheel assembly, which includes a base frame mounted on a body of a sports equipment directly or through a truck, a wheel frame rotatably mounted on the base frame, and a wheel mounted on the wheel frame. The wheel assembly includes means for restricting a range of a turning angle of the wheel, or comprises means for controlling a distance (or inter-shaft distance) between the contact point where the wheel and the ground are in contact with each other, and the central position of a direction-changeable shaft of the wheel, means for restricting a range of a turning angle of the wheel, or means for controlling the inter-shaft distance and means for restricting a range of a turning angle of the wheel. The wheel assembly can control an advancing speed and quantity of motion of the wheel when it is applied to sports equipment.

Description

PARTIALLY REVOLVING WHEEL ASSEMBLY

Technical Field The present invention relates to a wheel assembly which includes a base frame mounted on a body of sports equipment directly or through a truck, a wheel frame rotatably mounted on the base frame, and a wheel mounted on the wheel frame, and more particularly, to a wheel assembly, which can restrict a turning angle of the wheel used on the sports equipment such as a skate board or an inline skate or extend an inter-shaft distance to generate a strong advancing force.

Background Art In general, sports equipment such as a skate board or a roller skate includes a truck or a frame mounted on^" the underside of a board plate or a shoe and wheels mounted on the truck or the frame . However, in order for a rider to forwards move using such sports equipment, he or she has to stamp on the ground with his or her foot . There have been few methods for advancing the sports equipment without stamping on the ground. Recently, several sports equipments are suggested which are capable of providing an advancing- force without mounting a separate motor thereto . As an example, Korean Patent No. 402552, which has been filed on January 13, 2001 by the same inventor as the present invention, discloses a method for advancing the sports equipment without a rider's stamping on the ground with his or her foot. In Korean Patent No. 402552 shown in FIG. 1, sports quipment includes a connecting plate 200, board plates 210 and 220 rotatably connected to the connecting plate 200, and wheels 240 which is mounted on the rear ends of the board plates 210 and 220 respectively and of which moving direction can be changed by wheel shafts 230 rotatably mounted on the rear ends of the board plates 210 and 220. The direction of the wheel 240 can be changed within a restricted range by a stopper mounted on the shaft 230. When the rider rides on the board plates 210 and 220 and widens a distance between the board plates 210 and 220 in right and left directions, the wheels 240 are rotated in a direction where the board plates 210 and 220 can be pivoted about connection points between the connecting plate 200 and the board plate 210 and between the connecting plate 200 and the board plate 220 respectively . Like trie wheel direction shown by a dotted line of a state I of FIG. 2, since the direction of the wheel 240 can be changed within the restricted range, it is changed only by a restricted angle and cannot be changed at an angle exceeding the restricted angle. Therefore, the direction of the wheel cannot be changed as much as a wanted angle to widen the space between the board plates, so that when the rider pushes the board plates in right and left dir-ections, the space of the board plates is widened as much as the wanted angle while the wheels are rolled forwardly to a state III of FIG. 2. If the changing angle of the wheel is not restricted, as shown in a state II of FIG. 2, the board plates will be just pivoted about the connecting plate. As further conventional sports equipments for allowing a rider to move forwards without stamping on the ground with his or her foot , there are disclosed Japanese Patent Laid-Open

Publication No. 2001-29663 and PCT Patent Publication No. WO

03/092831 shown in FIG. 3. The prior art shown in FIG. 3 discloses a skate board having two separated boards. In FIG. 3, when a rider twists the front and rear boards in a wanted advancing direction, wheels are moved forwards by component force (F X cosα) . However, in the prior art shown in FIG. 3, since the rotating shafts of the wheels are freely moved, the advancing speed of the wheels is very slow, and so, riders wanting to enjoy a sense of speed do not want the skate board. Moreover, the above prior arts embrace several problems in that they are applied only to specified sports equipments respectively, the rotating angle of the wheels are not be restricted at will, and it is difficult to be- applied to generally used skate boards or inline skates.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a wheel assembly, which can be applied to a generally used skated board or inline skate, and which properly control quantity of motion according to a rider's physical strength. Another object of the present invention is to provide a wheel assembly, which can control an advancing speed of sports equipment on which the wheel assembly is mounted, and which facilitates the change of its direction.

Technical Solution To accomplish the above objects, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheel assembly which includes means for restricting a range of a turning angle of trie wheel, or includes means for adjusting a distance (hereinafter, referred to as "inter-shaft distance") between the contact point where the wheel and the ground are in contact with each other, and the central position of a direction-changeable shaft of the wheel and means for restricting a range of a turning angle of the wheel, or means for controlling the inter-shaft distance and means for restricting a range of a turning angle of the wheel . The means for controlling and restricting the range of the turning angle of trie wheel includes a stopper mounted on the base frame or the body of the sports equipment in a position- controllable manner, and an angle-restricting member mounted on the wheel frame rotating on the direction-changeable shaft and restricting the range of the turning angle of the wheel frame by the stopper. The means for controlling and restricting the range of the turning angle of trie wheel includes a spring, a first spring support member mounted on the base frame in a position- controllable manner and connected with an end of the spring, and a second spring support member mounted on the wheel frame rotating on the direction-changeable shaft and connected with the other end of the spring. Even though the first spring support member is fixed in its position and the spring is exchanged with a spring with different spring constant or length, the range of the turning angle of the wheel can be controlled. The means for controlling the inter-shaft distance includes the wheel frame rotating on the direction-changeable shaft and having a plurality of fixing pin holes, a first frame having a shaft hole for inserting a wheel shaft thereinto and a plurality of fixing pin holes, and pins inserted into the fixing pin holes of the wheel frame and the first frame. The means for controlling the inter-shaft distance includes the base frame having pin insertion parts formed on both side ends thereof, a second frame having an arc-shaped pin position- determining member arranged on the front portion thereof and having a plurality of pin holes and a pin insertion member arranged at the rear portion thereof and having pin insertion holes respectively, and a plurality of pins inserted into the pin holes of the base frame and the second frame. Advantageous Effects The wheel assembly according to the present invention can control the sports equipment according to a rider's physical strength and control the speed of the sports equipment, so that a beginner can enjoy the sports equipment without fear and a person who enjoys sports can enjoy a sense of fast speed. Therefore, the sports equipment on which the wheel assembly of the present invention is mounted allows the beginner to enjoy sports in various types without a need to exchange the sports equipment till he or she becomes a skilled person. Moreover, the wheel assembly according to the present invention which has the wheel with restricted turning angle can reduce the turning radius in comparison with the conventional skate board or inline skate which has non-rotatable wheels.

Brief Description of Drawings Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a view showing a conventional sports equipment and wheels mounted on the sports equipment; FIG. 2 is a conceptual view showing a principle for advancing the sports equipment of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a view showing another conventional sports equipment ; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a wheel assembly according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a conceptual view showing a principle for controlling the wheel assembly of the first preferred embodiment ; FIG. 6 is a view of advancing force according to the first preferred embodiment ; FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a wheel assembly according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a wheel assembly according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a view of a definition of an inter-shaft distance; FIG. 10 is a view showing a state where a mount, if it exists, is mounted; FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a wheel assembly according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a view showing an assembled state of the fourth preferred embodiment ; FIG. 13 is a view showing a state where the wheel assembly of the present invention is mounted on an inline skate; and FIG. 14 is a view showing the wheel assembly mounted on the inline skate.

Mode for Invention The present invention will now be described in detail in connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings . FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a wheel assembly according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the wheel assemblies according to the following preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the cases where each wheel assembly is mounted on a skate board. The wheel assembly includes a base frame 10, a wheel frame 30 and a wheel 50. The base frame 10 includes a direction- changeable shaft 12 mounted on the center thereof, and a plurality of coupling holes 14 formed thereon so that the board plate of the skate board and a stopper 20 are screwed with each other through the coupling holes. The base frame 10 can be connected to the board plate of the skate board through an intermediate member such as a truck capable of leaning the wheel to the right and left directions against the board plate without directly connecting the base frame 10 to the board plate of the skate board. The wheel 50 is rotatably connected to the wheel frame 30 by means of a wheel shaft 52, and the wheel frame 30 has a shaft hole 32 formed in the lower center of the wheel frame 30 for inserting the direction-changeable shaft 12 of the base frame 10 thereto so that the wheel frame 30 is coupled to the base frame 10. The coupled wheel frame 30 can pivotally rotate about the direction-changeable shaft 12. The base frame 10 and the wheel frame 30 are not separated from each other by a known coupling method that a pin or a snap ring is inserted into the front end of the direction-changeable shaft 12, and so, the wheel frame 30 can pivotally rotate about the direction-changeable shaft 12. The wheel frame 30 further includes an angle-restricting member 34- integrally extending backwards from the wheel frame 30. The angle-restricting member 34 restricts the turning angle of the wheel frame 30 by the stopper 20, which will be described later, and also restricts t ie turning angle of the wheel 50 mounted on the wheel frame 30 restricted in its turning angle. Furthermore, the stopper 20 is screwed with a coupling hole 14 of the base frame 10 so as to control a range of the turning angle of the wheel 50. The stopper 20 can be also mounted on the board plate of the skate board, but not on the base frame. In this case, the board plate of the skate board must have a plurality of coupling holes for controlling a position of the stopper and coupling the stopper. FIG. 5 shows a principle of an increase in advancing force generating when the wheel assembly according to the first preferred embodiment is mounted on the skate board. The skate board includes a front wheel, which is not restricted in its turning, and a rear wheel to which is the wheel assembly of the present invention is applied. When a rider rides on the skate board and twists his or her body- to push the skate board, the skate board, is moved forwards as previously described referring to FIG. 2. At this time, assuming that the turning angle of the wheel is restricted to θ l , Θ2 or 03, respectively, in the case where the skate board is twisted at the same angle as shown in FIG. 5, the skate board is advanced the farthest at the smallest turning angle of Θ3 , and advanced the shortest at the largest turning angle of θ l . However, to obtain a pushing force (f) for pushing the wheel in the advancing direction of the wheel, as shown in FIG. 6, a force F for sidewards pushing the skate board, i.e., F= f / sinø, is needed, and the force for sidewards pushing the skate board is needed greatly when the turning angle of the wheel is restricted to be small. As the turning angle of the wheel is larger, the advancing distance of the skate board is shorter and the force for sidewards pushing the skate board is also smaller, so that the weak or old or a child can easily ride it. When the turning angle of the wheel is restricted to be smaller, the advancing distance of the skate board is longer and its speed is faster. However, at this time, since the force for sidewards pushing the skate board is needed greatly, such turning angle is proper to a person who wants to enjoy speed or who has a fine physique. FIG. 7 shows a wheel assembly according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The second preferred embodiment is different from the first preferred embodiment in that it includes first and second spring support members 22 and 24, which serve as the stopper and the angle-restricting member of the first preferred embodiment, and a spring 26 mounted between the first and second spring support members 22 and 24 . The spring 26 mounted between the first and second spring support members 22 and 24 serves to identical the direction of the wheel with the longitudinal direction of the board plate of the skate board so as to restrict the turning angle of the wheel to be small and to guarantee a straightnesse of the wheel . Tension force of the spring can be controlled depending on a position where the first spring support member 22 is mounted on the base frame, and similar to the stopper of the first preferred embodiment, the first spring support member 22 may be directly mounted on the board plate of the skate board. Moreover, even though the first spring support member 22 is mounted integrally with the base frame 10 or directly mounted on the board plate of the skate board at a predetermined position, the turning angle of the wheel frame can be controlled in a such a manner that the spring is exchanged with a spring which is different in length or spring constant. Of course, when the spring constant is strong, the range of the turning angle of the wheel frame is restricted. FIG. 8 shows a wheel assembly according o a third preferred embodiment for restricting the turning angle of the wheel frame and controlling a distance between the direction- changeable shaft and the wheel shaft . The wheel assembly according to the third preferred embodiment includes a base frame 10, a stopper 20 mounted integrally with the base frame 10 , a wheel frame 30 having a plurality of fixing pin holes 36 formed on the opposite lateral walls thereof, a pair of first frames 40 each having a shaft hole 42 formed on one side thereof for inserting a wheel shaft

52 thereto and a plurality of fixing pin holes 36 formed on the opposite lateral walls thereof, and a screw 38 inserted into the fixing pin holes 36 of the wheel frame 30 and the first frame 40.

By the arrangement of the third embodiment, a distance between the contact point where the wheel 50 and the ground are in contact with each other, and the central position of the direction-changeable shaft 12, i.e. , an inter-shaft distance can be controlled optionally. The inter-shaft distance is L, which is shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG . 10 , for the purpose of application of the first frame to the board plate 70 of the skate board, which has a mount 60 for allowing the base frame 10 to be inclined toward the advancing direction, The first frame 40 of FIG. 8 is coupled to the wheel frame 30 in such a manner as to be oriented at right angle or at an inclined angle to the wheel frame, but not to be parallel with the wheel frame When the skate board is twisted in a state where the turning angle is restricted, it is twisted at a predetermined angle. At this time, if the inter-shaft distance is large, since it gives an effect like a long skate board, the skate board can advance greatly at the same angle. Like the rear wheel mounted on the board plate of the skate board shown in FIG. 10, the effect for lengthening the inter- shaft distance can be obtained also when the mount 60 enables the base frame 10 to be mounted on the board plate 70 of the skate board in such a manner as to be inclined toward the advancing direction. FIG. 11 shows a wheel assembly according to a fourth preferred embodiment applied to a board plate of a skate board which does not have the mount . In FIG. 11, the wheel assembly includes a base frame 10 having pin inserting part 16 formed on both side ends thereof, the pin inserting part internally defining a through-hole, a second frames 80 which has a pair of arc-shaped pin position-determining members 88 arranged at the front edge portions thereof and each having a plurality of pin holes 86, and a pair of pin insertion members 82 arranged at the rear edge portions thereof and each having a pin insertion hole 86, and a pair of pins 84 inserted into the pin insertion holes of the base frame and the pin holes of the second frame . FIG. 12 shows an assembled state of the fourth preferred embodiment according to the present invention. When the pin is inserted into selected one of the plural pin holes 86 of the pin position-determining member 88, the fourth preferred embodiment can also adjust the inter-shaft distance.

Industrial Applicability As described above, the wheel assembly according to the present invention can be used as wheels of the skate board, and can be applied to all board type sports equipments using wheels, like the skate board. As shown in FIG. 13, the wheel assembly according to the present invention can be used as wheels of an inline skate. Since the inline skate has a plurality of wheels arranged in a line, as shown in FIG. 14, the base frame includes a plurality of the direction-changeable shafts 12 for mounting wheels. A spring is mounted between an assembly 1 of the wheel and the wheel frame, and the first spring support member 22 of the base frame 10. Therefore, the wheel assembly can guarantee the straightness of the wheels and turn the wheels at a predetermined angle so as to reduce the turning radius . While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention

Claims

1. A wheel assembly comprises: a base frame mounted on a body of sports equipment directly or through a truck; a wheel frame rotatably mounted on the base frame; a wheel mounted on the wheel frame; and means for controllably restricting a range of a turning angle of the wheel .

2. A wheel assembly comprises: a base frame mounted on a body of sports equipment directly or through a truck; a wheel frame rotatably mounted on the base frame; a wheel mounted on the wheel frame; means for controlling an inter- shaft distance, i.e., a distance between the contact point where the wheel and the ground are in contact with each other, and the central position of a direction-changeable shaft of the wheel; and means for controllably restricting a range of a turning angle of the wheel .

3. A wheel assembly comprises: a base frame mounted on a body of sports equipment directly or through a truck; a wheel frame rotatably mounted on the base frame; a wheel mounted on the wheel frame; means for controlling a distance between the contact point where the wheel and the ground are in contact with each other, and the central position of a direction-changeable shaft of the wheel ; and means for restricting a range of a turning angle of the wheel .

4. The wheel assembly according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the means for controllably restricting the range of the turning angle of the wheel includes a stopper mounted on the base frame or the body of the sports equipment in a position-controllable manner, and an angle-restricting member mounted on the wheel frame pivotally rotating about the direction-changeable shaft and adapted to restrict the range of the turning angle of the wheel frame by the stopper.

5. The wheel assembly according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the means for controllably restricting the range of the turning angle of the wheel includes a spring, a first spring support member mounted on the base frame or the body of the sports equipment in a position-controllable manner and connected to one end of the spring, and a second spring support member mounted on the wheel frame pivotally rotating on the direction-changeable shaft and connected to the other end of the spring.

6. The wheel assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for controllably restricting the range of the turning angle of. the wheel includes an exchangeable spring, a first spring support member mounted on the base frame or the body of the sports equipment and connected to one end of the spring, and a second spring support member mounted on the wheel frame pivotally rotating on the direction-changeable shaft and connected to the other end of the spring.

7. The wheel assembly according to claim 3, wherein the means for restricting the range of the turning angle of the wheel includes a stopper mounted on the base frame or the body of the sports equipment, and an angle-restricting member mounted on the wheel frame pivotally rotating about the direction- changeable shaft and adapted to restrict the range of the turning angle of the wheel frame by the stopper.

8. The wheel assembly according to claim 3, wherein the means for restricting the range of the turning angle of the wheel includes a spring, a first spring support member mounted on the base frame or the body of the sports equipment and connected to one end of the spring, and a second spring support member mounted on the wheel frame pivotally rotating about the direction-changeable shaft and connected to the other end of the spring.

9. The wheel assembly according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the means for controlling the inter-shaft distance includes a wheel frame having a plurality of fixing pin holes formed on the opposite lateral walls thereof, a pair of first frames each having a shaft hole formed on one side thereof for inserting a wheel shaft thereto and a plurality of fixing pin holes formed on the opposite lateral walls thereof, and a screw inserted into the fixing pin holes of the wheel frame and the first frame.

10. The wheel assembly according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the means for controlling the inter-shaft distance includes a base frame having pin inserting part formed on both side ends thereof, the pin inserting part internally defining a through- hole, a second frames which has a pair of arc-shaped pin position-determining members arranged at the front edge portions thereof and each having a plurality of pin insertion holes, and a pair of pin insertion members arranged at the rear edge portions thereof and each having a pin insertion hole, and a pair of pins inserted into the pin insertion holes of the base frame and the second frame .