AU2018100689B4

AU2018100689B4 - A grind block for use with roller skates

Info

Publication number: AU2018100689B4
Application number: AU2018100689A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Hugh Rowland
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-05-22
Filing date: 2018-05-22
Publication date: 2018-10-25
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-22
Also published as: AU2018100689A4

Abstract

A platform or block for use with roller skates that can be easily installed and replaced on a skate without requiring the assistance of skilled person. A mounting bar attached to the platform accommodates different kingpin angles due to at least one open end. The mounting bar may have two open ends but having an aperture allows it be easily located on one kingpin before engaging the other. The shape of the platform provides for easy coping in a skate park.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to grind blocks used with roller skates that are easy to install.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Roller skating is a popular past time by both children and adults. Besides simply skating around it is also popular to do tricks with roller skates so much so that there are numerous roller skate parks arounds the world.

[0003] To facilitate sliding on roller skates it has been known to attach plastic 'wings' to a roller skate. These are attached with the plate either side of the wheels, within the space between the trucks and wheels.

[0004] Alternatively a plastic block accessory of different shapes may either be connected directly to the roller skate plate or by a metal bar within the trucks.

[0005] The difficulty with these designs is that wings are flimsy and distort with the lateral movement. Wings simply do not provide sufficient slide surface but instead catch on the numerous edges.

[0006] The alternative block shapes have flat planes that cause too much friction.

[0007] It is an object of this invention is to alleviate the above problems, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative. Thus there is provided a platform (plastic block with radius shape) within the space between the trucks and wheels of a roller skate plate to facilitate the activity of 'sliding' (moving laterally) and 'stalling' (pausing with balance) on 'coping' (the formed edge of a vertical surface or rail shape). Installation of the plastic block utilises a metal bar that becomes part of the mechanics of the roller skate truck assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] In a first aspect the invention comprises a platform for roller skates the platform attached to the king pins using a longitudinal mounting bar that includes at least one open end.

[0009] In preference the mounting bar comprises an aperture at one end and the open end at the other the two ends connected by a flat web fixed to the platform.

[0010] In preference the underside of the platform is gently curved.

2018100689 04 Sep 2018 [0011] In preference all of the edges of the platform are of an arcuate shape.

[0012] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a typical platform when attached to a roller skate and the mounting bar;

[0015] Figure 2 illustrates the platform;

[0016] Figure 3 illustrates the platform attached to the mounting bar before being installed onto the skate kingpins;

[0017] Figure 4 illustrates different sizes of platforms and mounting bars;

[0018] Figure 5 is a side view of a radius kingpin kit;

[0019] Figure 6 is a side view of a roller skate with the platform mounted on it;

[0020] Figure 7 is a perspective underside view of the platform mounted on a roller skate; and [0021] Figure 7 is an underside view of the platform mounted on a roller skate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0022] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0023] Illustrated in the Figures is a platform/block 10 adapted to be mounted to a roller skate 12. The platform 10 is typically a high density polyethylene block shaped with

2018100689 04 Sep 2018 radius. It includes holes 14 to reduce the weight of the block. Mounting bar 16 is attached to the block using screws 18, although other fixing means may be used.

[0024] Roller skates include two kingpins 20 that extend from base 22 that is attached to the roller skate 12. Trucks 24 are attached to the kingpins 22 using well known mechanical arrangements that are not discussed in any detail herein. The trucks include threaded axles 26 that support wheels 28 there also being bearings 30 and nuts 32 that lock the wheels to the axles. Pivot pins 34 connect the truck to the outside of the base.

Cushions (bushings) 36 provide shock absorption and can be soft or hard to suit different skating styles.

[0025] The present invention teaches a mounting bar that includes an aperture 38 at one end and an open end or slit 40 at the other end. The aperture allows the mounting bar to be captured against the kingpin. The slit allows the mounting bar to fit over different degree kingpin angles (commonly 10,15,16, 20 and 32 degrees). The design of the mounting bar allows for application to different kingpin angles. The open end allows the bar to be installed at the greatest angle and rest at the smallest angle when fitted. Typically the mounting bar ends are at an angle to the web connecting the two ends.

[0026] There are multiple sizes of mounting bars and associated blocks to respond to the many different sizes of roller skate plates.

[0027] The block 10 is typically an HDPE (high density polyethylene) block shape with radius. Holes 14 are included to reduce weight. The plastic material (HDPE) is chosen for the best performance of slide and durability. Alternatives use UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) which has a wax impregnation that causes a sticky action.

[0028] The block is connected to the metal bar (mounting bar) which rests against the skate plate under the bushings 36 that action the trucks 24.

[0029] The block has two concave surfaces at either end to accommodate the kingpins and bushings. The underside 42 is also concave with a large radius to reduce friction against the contact surface, [0030] The mounting bar has fixing holes 44 spaced critically between holes 14 of the block to hide the fixing point. Typically the mounting bar is made of metal.

[0031] The block has no sharp corners as such and all the edges 46 are of an arcuate shape.

2018100689 04 Sep 2018 [0032] In the case of a tapered kingpin, as illustrated in Figure 5 washer 48 is used to space the mounting bar off the radius 50. Retainer cap 52 provides support for custom bushing.

[0033] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides a platform or block that can be easily installed and replaced on a skate without requiring the assistance of skilled person. The mounting bar accommodates different king pin angles due to an open end. The mounting bar may have two open ends but having an aperture allows it be easily located on one king pin before engaging the other. The shape of the platform provides for easy coping in a skate park.

LIST OF COMPONENTS [0034] The drawings include the following integers, platform or block 10 rollerskate 12 holes 14 mounting bar 16 screws 18 kingpins 20 base 22 trucks 24 axles 26 wheels 28 bearings 30 nuts 32 pivot pin 34 cushion 36 aperture 38 slit 40 underside 42 fixing holes 44 edges 46 washer 48 radius 50

2018100689 04 Sep 2018 retainer cap 52 [0035] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0036] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

2018100689 11 Oct 2018

Claims

1. A platform for roller skates having kingpins;

the platform attached to the king pins using a longitudinal mounting bar that includes at least one open end;

the mounting bar including at least several mounting bar holes to enable screws to connect the mounting bar to the platform;

the platform including at least several platform holes transverse to the mounting bar;

the location of the mounting bar holes so positioned that they ensure that the screws do not screw into the platform so as to protrude into the platform holes.

2. The platform as in claim 1 wherein the platform includes two platform holes and there are three screws that extend though the mounting bar and into the platform, one of the screws extending in between the platform holes and the other two screws extending into the platform on either side of the other two platform holes.

3. The platform as in claim 1 wherein the mounting bar comprises an aperture at one end and the open end at the other the two ends connected by a flat web fixed to the platform.

4. The platform as in claim 1 wherein the platform includes an underside that is gently curved.

5. The platform as in claim 1 wherein all of the edges of the platform are of an arcuate shape.

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FIG.7

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FIG. 8