AU663802B2

AU663802B2 - Braking device particularly for skates

Info

Publication number: AU663802B2
Application number: AU46016/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Edauw; Alfred Pellegrini Jr.; Alessandro Pozzobon; Andrea Tormena; Claudio Zorzi
Original assignee: Nordica SpA
Current assignee: Nordica SpA
Priority date: 1992-09-01
Filing date: 1993-08-31
Publication date: 1995-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 2013-08-31
Also published as: EP0585764A1; CA2104907A1; ES2051671T3; ES2051671T1; JP2786392B2; EP0585764B1; ATE130777T1; DE585764T1; DE69300905T2; CA2104907C; DE69300905D1; JPH06154388A; AU4601693A

Abstract

Braking device for skates including an item of footgear composed of a quarter (704) articulated to a shell which is in turn associated with a supporting frame (706) for one or more wheels. The device includes a rod member (709) connected to the quarter and is slidingly associated with the shell. The rod member has an end which, upon a rotation of the quarter, pushes toward the ground, a braking element (714) articulated to the frame. <IMAGE>

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1 990 4% o6380

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: BRAKING DEVICE PARTICULARLY FOR SKATES 1 14 It I 1141 it 4111 tttt lIlt I tI t I I

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*4 GE St 4 4 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: GH&CO REF: P22375-F:TJS:RK I I )r 62 ,,9 1:I i.:t i i I e L Ct

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BRAKING DEVICE PARTICULARLY FOR SKATES The present invention relates to a braking device particularly usable for skates which comprise an item of footgear composed of a quarter articulated to a shell which is in turn associated with a supporting frame for one or more wheels.

Currently, in known roller skates, whether constituted by an item of footgear associated with a support for two pairs of mutually parallel wheels or by an item of footgear associated with a supporting frame for one or more aligned wheels, the problem is felt of braking said wheels in order to adjust the speed of said skate.

It is thus known to use adapted blocks or pads, usually made of rubber, which are arranged at the toe or heel regions of the item of footgear; when the user tilts the 15 item of footgear forwards or backwards, the free end of the pads or blocks interacts with the ground and braking is thus achieved.

However, these solutions are not optimum, since they require the user to rotate the item of footgear, and 20 therefore the frame associated therewith, at the toe or heel, and this can be the cause of losses of balance with consequent falls.

US Patent 1,402,010 is also known; it discloses a roller skate provided with a band which can be secured on 25 the user's leg above the malleolar region and to which a rcd is connected.

Said rod wraps around the leg to the rear and is then curved so as to laterally affect the leg until it is associated, at its ends, in the malleolar region, with a C C C. CC C IC 2 At t L (C C t tC lever system which is articulated to a flap protruding from the wheel supporting frame.

Said lever system protrudes to the rear of the frame and is connected to a plate which is shaped approximately complementarily to the curvature of part of an underlying and facing wheel.

This solution is not free from drawbacks: first of all, a relative movement occurs between the band and the leg throughout sports practice, and this does not make its use comfortable.

Furthermore, the plate is activated every time the user bends his leg backwards beyond a given angle, without actual and easy possibilities of varying this condition.

Furthermore, each user has a specific leg shape, and braking is thus obtained at different rotation angles for equal lengths of the rod.

Furthermore, said rod rests and presses on the malleolar region, and this can cause discomfort or accidental impacts.

Finally, considerable wear of the wheel is observed.

United States patent US 4,275,895 is known as a partial solutioni to this drawback; it discloses a brake for skates with two pairs of mutually parallel wheels, which acts at the rear wheels.

Said brake is constituted by a flap as~ociated with the item of footgear in a rearward position; a blade is associated with said flap in a rearward position and is pivoted at the supporting frame for the item of footgear.

Said blade has, at its free end, a transverse element on which a pair of C-shaped elements is formed at the ii Ii lateral ends; said elements interact, following a backward rotation imparted to the flap, with the rear wheels which face them, so as to interact with the rolling surface of said wheels.

However, even this solution has drawbacks: it is in fact structurally complicated and thus difficult to industrialize; it furthermore entails the presence of adapted springs suitable to allow the flap to return to the position in which the pair of C-shaped elements does not interact with the wheels, and this further increases structural complexity.

Furthermore, the structural configuration of the brake causes the pair of C-shaped elements to interact with the wheel even upon a minimal backward rotation imparted to the flap and thus even due to involuntary movements, and this i produces unwanted braking actions and therefore possible C situations of loss of balance or lack of coordination.

it Finally, interaction of the C-shaped element at the I, rolling surface of the wheels leads to rapid wear of said

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r; ii C C wheels and thus to non-optimum rolling, which necessarily entails continuous wheel replacement.

US Patent 4,300,781 is also known; it relates to a braking device for skates which comprise pairs of mutually paral.lel wheels.

25 It furthermore comprises a brake constituted by a blade pivoted transversely at the rear end of the supporting frame for an item of footgear; pads facing the rolling surface of the pair of rear wheels are associated with the ends of said blade.

The brake is activated by using a cable suitable to 4 impart a rotation to the blade in contrast with a spring associated with the support for the pair of front wheels, so as to move the pads into contact with the rolling surface of the pair of rear wheels.

The cable can be activated by means of rings or handles associated with a band which can be arranged on the legs of the user by virtue of the presence of temporary connection means.

However, this solution has considerable drawbacks; first of all, activation of the brake can lead to possible losses of coordination during sports practice, since the user has to perform an uncoordinated movement, Furthermore, during the traction applied to the rings the band may disengage from the legs, thus thwarting the braking action.

In any case, there is a loose cable which can eel accidentally catch during racing, especially since coordination of the arm-legs movement causes the legs to be tc located rhythmically laterally toward the outside.

The aim of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the drawbacks described above in known types by providing a braking device I1 for skates which is structurally very simple and easy to industrialize.

Within the scope of the above aim, an advantage of at C C C 25 least a preferred embodiment is to provide a braking device which can be activated by the user in case of actual need and thus not accidentally.

Another advantage of at least a preferred embodiment is to provide a braking device which can be deactivated rapidly and simply by the user.

Another advantage of at least a preferred embodiment is to provide a device wherein brake activation can be preset by the user according to his own specific requirements, whether related to the shape of the leg or the particular S type of sport bein9 practiced Another advantage of at least a preferred embodiment is to provide a device which protects the rolling surface of the wheels against wear.

Another advantage of at least a preferred embodiment is to provide a device which associates with the preceding Scharacteristics that of being reliable and safe in use, has 10 low manufacturing costs and can also be applied to known skates.

The present invention provides a braking device as disclosed in the attached claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of preferred embodiments, illustrated only by way of nonlimitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: ,figure 1 is a partially sectional side view of the braking device associated with a skate; figure 2 is a view, similar to the preceding one, of a S 20 further embodiment of the device; figure 3 is a sectional view, taken along a longitudinal plane, of the first and second rod members in another embodiment; figure 4 is a side view of a roller skate according to S 25 a further aspect of the invention; figure 5 is a rear view of the skate of figure 4; figure 6 is a rear perspective view of a skate provided with a braking device according to a fifth aspect of the invention; ~L I U--r i iir 1 j; i:

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i t 6 figure 7 is a detail front view of the rod member of the device of figure 6; figure 8 is a sectional view according to the plane VIII-VIII of figure 7; figure 9 is a sectional viewr according to the plane IX- IX of figure 7; figure 10 is' a sectional view according to the plane X- X of figure 7; figure 11 is a partially sectioned side view of the skate of figure 6 in the braking position; figure 12 is a view similar to the preceding one in the inactive position; figure 13 is a view similar to the preceding ones in the braking position, wherein the threaded stem is completely extracted to compensate for pad wear; figure 14 is a view similar to the preceding one in the position of maximum forward flexing; figure 15 is a partially sectioned side view of the rear portion of a skate according to a sixth aspect of the invention; figure 16 is a partial rear view of the skate of figure figure 17 is a partially sectioned side view of the rear portion of a skate according to a seventh aspect of the 25 invention; figure 18 is a partial rear view of the skate of figure 17; rr Ctr

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~I LC Ilf C I figure 19 is a rear perspective view of according to an eighth aspect of the invention; figure 20 is a rear perspective view of a skate a skate g i r i 7 according to a ninth aspect of the invention.

i With reference to the above figures, the reference numeral 1 designates the braking device, particularly usable Sfor skates designated by the reference numeral 2.

Said skates comprise an item of footgear 3 composed of a quarter 4 which wraps around the rear lateral region of the user's leg and is articulated to a shell 5; a frame 6 is associated with said shell in a downward region and supports i one or more wheels, designated by the reference numeral 7, which are preferably mutually aligned.

shl Adapted fastening levers for the quarter 4 and the C C shell 5 may be also added.

CC .The braking device comprises a first rod member 8 and a second rod member 9 which are respectively connected to said I eo 15 quarter 4 and to a braking element 10 which is oscillatably c "articulated to said frame 6 or at the pivot of one of said wheels 7.

The first rod member 8 and the second rod member 9 interact with adapted first and second means suitable to adjust their working length; said first means are constituted by an internally threaded cylinder 11 with which t€ complementarily threaded stems of a first bush 12 interact; said first bush is pivoted, by means of a first pivot 13, proximate to the lower perimetric edge 14 of the quarter 4 in the rear region thereof; the other threaded stem protrudes axially with respect to a shaft 15; the assembly thus composed constitutes, in this case, said first rod i mmber 8.

Said first rod member is slidingly contained within a

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Y -I-L L. ~1 ~L _I ~u;aab-~ 8 first sleeve 16 which is internally hollow and has a perforated end for the passage of said shaft 15 and an Sinternally threaded end.

A complementarily threaded end of a second sleeve 17 interacts with said internally threaded end; said sleeve 17 is internally hollow and rigidly coupled to said second rod member 9.

The second sleeve 17 in fact has, on the side opposite H to the end which interacts with the first sleeve 16, a threaded stem 18 protruding axially toward the braking element 10 and interacting with the second means suitable to adjust the working length of the second rod member 9, which are constituted by a second bush 19 having an adapted and complementarily threaded axial seat and being transversely pivoted, by means of a second pivot 20, to a support 21 Fwhich constitutes said braking element 10 and the wings whereof are pivoted, at their ends, to the frame 6 at the pivot of one of said wheels 7.

At least one pad 22 which interacts with the ground is associated below the support 21.

The shaft 15 has a head 23, inside the first sleeve 16, which is essentially T-shaped and faces a tab 24 which protrudes axially inside the second sleeve 17.

The purpose of the tab 24 is to act as stroke limiter for the compression of the spring 26, forcing the lowering of the braking element 21 when the head 23 presses on the tab 24.

A first resilient member 25 is arranged coaxially to the shaft 15 and is preferably constituted by a spring interposed between the perforated end of the first sleeve 16 9

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(C CC and the wings of the head 23 of said shaft.

A second resilient member 26 is arranged coaxially to the tab 24 and is constituted by a spring interposed between the base of the second sleeve 17 and the wings of the head 23 of the shaf t The device furthermore comprises at least one third resilient member 27 which is constituted by one or more springs interposed between the frame 6 or the shell 5 and the wings of the support 21 of the braking element A retention element 28, constituted by a raised portion protruding laterally to the frame 6, is also provided.

The use of the braking device is as follows: first of all, the first, second and third resilient members have such an elastic constant as to allow, when at rest, to support 15 the braking element 10 so that the pad 22 does not interact with the ground.

The user can thus customize the position of the braking element by acting on the first rod member 8 and on the second rod member 9, varying their position with respect to 20 the cylinder 11 and to the second bush 19, and can also vary the pre-loading of the springs 25 and 26 by mutually screwing and unscrewing the first sleeve 16 and the second sleeve 17.

The gap between the ends of the tab 24 and the head 23 allows the quarter 4 to rotate backwards without directly activating the braking element 10, thus allowing free oscillation without producing a braking action.

Furthermore, the presence of the first resilient member allows to adjust the forward flexibility of the quarter 4.

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1* t ii C S C t I C CEC The second resilient member 26 may also be suitable to adjust the inclination of said quarter, since said third resilient member 23 has a higher elastic constant.

once all these adjustments have been performed, the 5 user produces the braking action at a preset angle of backward rotation imparted to the rear quarter.

The various adjustments furthermore allow to compensate any wear of the pad 22.

It has thus been observed that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a braking device having been obtained which can be activated by the user at a presettable angle of backward rotation imparted to the quarter; this can be achieved by producing the reqv'ired sntting of the useful length of the first and/or second rod members with respect to the support 21 and to the quarter 4.

Furthermore, both activation and deactivation of the braking element 10 are very simple, so as to allow to obtain a device which is structurally simple and easy to industrialize; the device can also be applied easily to known skates.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a further embodiment for a braking device 101 which comprises a first rod member 108 and a second rod member 109, both of which are coupled at their ends, by means of a first pivot 113 and a second pivot 120, respectively to the rear of the quarter 104 proximate to the lower perimetric edge 114 and to the support 121, the wings whereof are pivote6 to the frame 106 or at the pivot of one of said wheels 107.

The first rod member 108 is constituted by a shaft 115 having a threaded end axially slideable inside a second iii 11 sleeve 117 which is internally hollow and is rigidly coupled 8! to the second rod member 109.

The complementarily threaded end of a third sleeve 129 is associated with the threaded end of the saaft 115; a first resilient member 125 is arranged inside said third sleeve 129 and is constituted by a spring which interacts by abutment at an adapted seat 130 formed axially at the base of the second sleeve 117 toward the braking element 110.

A means suitable to guide the telescopic movement between the first rod member 108 and the second rod member .09 protrudes axially with respect to the third sleeve 129; said means is constituted by a rod 131 freely slideable

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within an adapted cavity 132 connected to the seat 130.

In the illustrated embodiment, the device comprises means suitable to vary the mutual distance between the -csupport 121 and the pad 122; said means are constituted by a screw 133 the head 134 whereof is embedded in the pad 122 and the threaded stem whereof interacts with a complementarily threaded nut 135 accommodated within the support 121.

In this case, too, the intended aim and objects are Vtherefore achieved, a braking device having been obtained 4 i "which allows to adjust the angle of backward inclination of i the quarter 4 to achieve interaction of the pad 122 with the ground.

It is furthermore possible to control the backward rotation of the quarter, giving a controlled and cushioned rest during sports practice by virtue of the presence of an adapted third resilient member 127 the elastic constant whereof is greater than that of the first elastically r 12 t crii C C r:i C Ct gte C' C deformable element 125.

The presence of the screw 133 allows to vary the position of the pad 122 according to its wear.

A further advantage of this further embodiment is constituted by the fact that the forward rotation of the quarter is not hindered by the connection with the braking element, since the rod 131 is freely slideable within the cavity 132.

Finally, there is a retention element 128 which protrudes from the frame 106 and interacts with the support 121.

Figure 3 illustrates a further embodiment, wherein the first rod member 208 is again telescopically slideable with respect to the second rod member 209, which is again rigidly 15 associated with a second sleeve 217 within which a shaft 215 is slidingly arranged. The shaft 215 has, inside the second sleeve 217, a third sleeve 229 for containing a first resilient member 225 and for supporting a second resilient member 226, both of which are contained within the second 20 sleeve 217.

The use of these resilient members allows to achieve a shock-absorbing effect both for a forward inclination of the quarter and for a backward inclination thereof.

With reference to figures 4-5, the reference numeral 301 designates a braking device for a skate 302 according to a further aspect of the invention.

Said skates comprise an item of footgear 303 which is composed of a quarter 304, which wraps around the rear lateral region of the user's leg and is articulated to a sheP~ 305. A frame 306 is associated with said shell in a 3j downward region and supports one or more wheels, designated by the reference numeral 307, which are preferably mutually aligned.

Adapted fastening levers 308 may be applied to the quarter 304 and the shell 305.

The braking device comprises at least one rod member, generally designated by the reference numeral 309, which is V arranged to the rear of the item of footgear 303 and is connected to the quarter 304 by means of one or more adapted fastening members, such as for example screws or rivets 310.

L The rod member 309 is shaped complementarily to the quarter 304 and is arranged outside the shell 305; it therefore has a curved shape which is suitable to arrange its end 311, which faces toward the ground 312, in a region to the rear of the frame 306, so that it can be connected to .Ia braking element 313 which is articulated to said frame 306 Sin an oscillating manner.

The braking element is constituted by a support 314 the wings whereof are pivoted, at their ends, to the frame 306 S 20 by means of studs or rivets or by means of the pivot of said wheel 315a and 315b, whereas the base 316 of the support 313 is connected to the end 311 of the rod member 309.

A pad 317, preferably made of rubber and suitable to interact with the ground, is furthermore associated with the C C support 314 in a downward region.

Use of the braking device is in fact as follows: by virtue of the connection of the end 311 of the rod member 309 to the base 316 of the support 314 of the braking element 313, which is rotatably pivoted to the frame 306, if the user imparts a backward rotation to the quarter 304, the 14 end 311 of the rod member 309 moves so as to cause the pad to interact with the ground.

This interaction occurs only for a preset rotation imparted to the quarter 304 which, by virtue of the shape which can be given to the rod member 309 can thus be preset.

The user can in fact modify the shape of the rod member 309 to adjust the working length of the rod member and therefore to adjust the angle of inclination of the quarter 304 needed to brake.

This is done to allow interaction of the pad 317 with the ground 312 only when a given angle of backward rotation of the quarter 304 is exceeded, in order to avoid accidental braking actions.

When the user resumes him normal skating position, the 15 end 311 of the rod member 309 rises simultaneously, and thus St rr. 'the pad disengages immediately from the ground.

I,,7 ".It has been observed that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a braking device having been achieved which can be activated by the user at a presettable c angle of backward rotation of the quarter; this can be achieved by giving the required shape or length to the rod member.

With reference to figures 6-14, the reference numeral 401 designates the braking device particularly usable for S 25 skates designated by the reference numeral 402.

Said skates comprise an item of footgear 403 composed of a quarter 404, which wraps around the rear lateral region of the user's leg and is articulated to a shell 405; a frame i 406 is associated with said shell in a downward region and supports one or more wheels, designated by the reference uprt

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numeral 407, which are preferably mutually aligned.

Adapted fastening levers 408 are applied to the quarter 404 and the shell 405.

The braking device comprises at least one rod member, generally designated by the reference numeral 409, which is arranged to the rear of the item of footgear 403 and is pivoted, at a first end 410, transversely to the quarter 404 by means of an adapted first pivot 411.

In the pa-ticular embodiment shown, the rod member 409 is composed of two portions or segments 409a and 409b which are mutually telescopically connected in order to allow to adjust the position of the pad 417 with respect to the ground 413, as explained hereafter.

The rod member 409 is sledeable with respect to the S 15 shell 405 and has a second end 412 which is not associated with the quarter 404, is directed toward the ground 413, and :CCS is articulated to the braking element 414 by means of a second pivot 420; said braking element 414 is in turn oscillatably articulated to said frame 406.

The braking element is constituted by a substantially C-shaped support 415, the wings 421a and 421b whereof are pivoted, at their ends, to the frame 406 by means of studs or rivets or by means of the pivot of a wheel 407; a pad 417, preferably made of rubber and suitable to interact with 25 the ground, is associated with the support 415 proximate to the base 416.

There are also means for adjusting the mutual position of said at least one rod member and of said braking element; said means are constituted by an internally threaded cylinder 418 which is rotatably and longitudinally 1 4 16 associated with said rod member in an adapted seat formed thereon.

A complementarily threaded stem 419 engages the thread of the cylinder 418, and one end of said stem is associated with the support 415 by means of the pivot 420, which interacts with the wings 421a and 421b, so as to allow to vary the distance of the pad from the ground.

Use of the braking device is in fact as follows: by virtue of the connection of the end of the rod member 409 to the support 415 or of the connection of the stem 419 to said support 415, a backward rotation imparted by the user to the quarter 404 is matched by a movement of the second end 412 of the rod member 409 which moves the pad, associated with K the braking element 414 which is in turn rotatably pivoted to the frame 406, so that it interacts with the ground.

This interaction occurs only for a preset rotation imparted to the quarter 404, said rotation being set during design to ensure the correct and safe use of the skate, thus ravoiding the occurrence of accidental braking actions for minimal angles of backward rotation of the quarter.

By virtue of the possibility of adjusting the mutual distance between the pad 417 and the ground 413 by means of the cylinder 418, it is possible to determine the conditions 00,I required to obtain the braking action and thus determine them according to individual physical characteristics or to the particular use of the skate or to the wear of the pad.

This allows to select the angle of backward rotation of the quarter 404 beyond which interaction of the pad 417 with the ground 413 begins, in order to both avoid accidental braking actions while skating and compensate the unavoidable 17 wear of the pad 417, keeping constant the braking conditions of the user.

Once the user returns to the normal skating position, the second end 412 of the rod member 409 rises simultaneously and the pad immediately disengages from the ground.

With reference to figures 15-16, the reference numeral 501 designates a skate which is constituted by an item of footgear 502 composed of shell 503 which is associated, in a downward region, with a frame 504 for two or more wheels 505 which are arranged in pairs parallel to each other or in a line, as shown in figure A guarter 507 is articulated at the shell 502 by meanG of studs 506, and interacts with means suitable to allow closure of said quarter in order to fasten the foot of the user.

The braking device, generally designated by the reference numeral 508, comprises a rod member 509 advantageously composed of a rigid strut 510, preferably made of steel, with which a covering 511, preferably made of plastic material, is associated.

At one end, said strut 510 and said covering 511 surmount, or are af 3ociated with, a support 514, for example -V by means of a first pivot 513; said support 514 is articulated, in an oscillating manner, to the frame 504 or to the second pivot 515 of one of ths wheels 505; a pad 516 is associated with said support and is directed toward the ground 517; this assembly constitutes a braking element forf the skate.

The strut 510 and the covering 511 have a second end C--i L~ 18 518 which interacts with means for adjusting the position at least of the rod member 509 with respect to the quarter 507; said means are constituted by a third pivot 519 which is detachably associable at an adapted first seat formed on said second end 518 of the strut 510 and/or of the covering 511.

Said third pivot 519 can furthermore be arranged at one of a plurality of complementarily shaped second seats 520 which are formed sequentially and along the same axis at the wings 521a and 521b of a rigid base 523, preferably made of steel, which is U-shaped and is associated at the rear region 524 of the quarter 507 proximate to its lower perimetric edge 525.

Advantageously, the wings 521a and 521b are arranged within an adapted recess 526 formed in a rearward region of the quarter 5C; adapted holes for the passage of the third S c pivot 519 at the desired seat among the second seats formed C Con the strut 510 are provided on the lateral walls 527a and 527b of said recess 526.

20 Use of the device is thus as follows: by means of the third extractable pivot 519, the user can place the second "end 518 of the rod member 509 at the desired seat among the

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seats 520 formed on the wings 521a and 521b of the base 523.

In this manner, the user can select the distance between the lower perimetric edge 525 of the quarter 507 and the support 514 of the pad 516.

Therefore, according to specific requirements such as morphological configurations or the type of sport practiced, the user can select the interaction of the pad 516 with the ground 517 according t--ife desired angle of backward tilt

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of the quarter 507, and thus achieve braking.

The braking device is also very simple and safe in use; in fact the third pivot 519 can be locked in the preselected position by associating it, for example, with an adapted locking nut 528.

The number and arrangement of the seats 520 may of course vary according to the specific requirements.

Furthermore, as shown in figures 17 and 18, the means for adjusting the mutual position of the quarter 607 and of the second end 618 of the rod member 609 may be again constituted by a third pivot 619 which is pivoted at least at the strut 610 and possibly at the covering 611, said third pivot 619 affecting an adapted through seat formed on the head 629 of a screw 630.

S 15 Said screw comprises a threaded stem 631 with which a complementarily threaded sleeve 632 engages; said sleeve is rotatably associated at an adapted base 623 which is rigidly coupled in the rear region 624 of the quarter 607 proximate to its lower perimetric edge 625.

Operation in this embodiment entails that a rotation imparted to the sleeve 632 is matched by an axial movement for the threaded stem 631 of the screw 630; in this manner, the head 629 actuates the movement of the third pivot 619 and consequently varies the angle of the support 614 with respect to the ground 617.

Figure 19 shows a skate 702, according to a further aspect of the invention, comprising a braking device 701 which is constituted by a rod member 709 having an upper end connected with the quarter 704 and a lower end 711 connected to a brake support 714. The brake 714 is pivoted to the skate frame 706, at pivot 715, and supports a pad 717.

The brake support 714 also has a series of vertically arranged holes 718 adapted to engage a rod pivot 719 associated with the lower end of the rod member 709. It can be easily seen that the braking action can be varied by arranging the rod pivot 719 in different holes 718. Only two different holes 718, corresponding to two different braking positions, are illustrated in figure 19, it is however obvious that the number of holes may change according to the requirements.

Figure 20 shows a skate 802 having a slightly So modified braking device 801, wherein the series of holes 818 I is provided at the lower end of the rod member 809.

A further modified braking device, which is not illustrated in the drawings, may have two series of adjusting holes provided respectively at the lower end of S the rod member and at the brake support.

Naturally, the materials and the dimensions which constitute the individual components of the invention may also be the most pertinent according to the specific requirements.

I

Claims

1. A skate having a braking device, the skate comprising an item of footgear including a first portion articulated to a shell, said shell being associated to a frame, said frame being adapted to support wheels, the braking device comprising at least one rod member interconnected between the first portion and a braking element, said braking element being pivoted to said frame and being 0adapted to interact with the ground upon which the skate is supported when said first portion is tilted, and wherein the braking element comprises a support having a pivoted end which is pivoted to said frame and an extending portion which extends rearwardly with respect to said frame from said pivoted end and which downwardly supports at least one U brake pad element adapted to interact with the ground, said f at least one rod member having a lower end which is I 'connected to said. extending portion, thereby a rearward tilting of said first portion provides a downward movement of the lower end of said at least one rod member and of said extending portion of said braking element thereby to engage said brake pad with the ground upon which the skate is supported.

2. A skate having a braking device according to claim I, comprising means for connecting an upper end of. said at least one rod member to the rear portion of the first portion and means for connecting a lower end of said least one rod member to the extending portion of the support of the braking element, said at least one rod member being arranged to the rear of the item of footgear and extending downwardly S thereat from the first portion towards the ground. T 0' I'I 22

3. A skate having a braking device according to claim 2, comprising pivotal connection means for connecting the upper end of said at least, one rod member to the rear portion of the first portion arid pivotal connection means for connecting a lower end of said at least one rod member to the extending portion of the support of the braking element.

4. A skate having a braking device according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a first rod member and a second rod member which are respectively connected to said first portion and to a braking element which is articulated to said frame and selectively <t interacts with the .qround upon a backward rotation imparted to said first portion, at least one first resilient member being Vinterposed between said first and second rod members.

A skate having a braking device according to c~aim 4, characterized in that it comprises means for adjusting the working length of at least one of said first and second rod members.

6. A skate having a braking device according to claim 4, characterized in that said braking element is connected to said frame with the interposition of a third resilient member.

7. A skate having a braking device according to claim 4, characterized in that said braking element interacts with a retention element associated with said frame and protruding therefrom.

8. A skate having a braking device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first rod member comprises a shaft telescopically associated with a first sleeve which is internally hollow and has an axially perforated end suitable to allow the sliding of said shaft, an internally threaded opening being formed at the other end.

9. A skate having a braking device according to claim 8, characterized in that a second internally hollow sleeve is rigidly coupled to said second rod member, an externally threaded end of said second sleeve interacting with said internally threaded end of said first sleeve.

A skate having a braking device according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises first means for adjusting the working length of said first rod member constituted by an internally threaded cylinder with which complementarily threaded stems of a first bush interact, said first bush being pivoted, by means of a first pivot, proximate to the lower perimetric edge of said first portion in the rear region thereof, an other threaded stem protruding axially with respect to said shaft.

11. A skate having a braking device according to claim 9, characterized in that said second sleeve has, on the side opposite to said end which interacts with said first sleeve, a threaded stem protruding axially toward said braking r c element and interacting with second means suitable to adjust the working length of said second rod member.

12. A skate having a braking device according to claim ii, characterized in that said second means are constituted by a second bush provided with an adapted and complementarily threaded axial seat and transversely pivoted, by means of a second pivot, to a support which constitutes said braking element, the wings whereof being Rpivoted, at their ends, to said frame at one of said wheels. LUi 0% ~*1717=~n 24

13. A skate having a braking device according to claim 8, characterized in that said shaft has a head which is arranged inside said first sleeve, is essentially T-shaped and laces a tab which protrudes axially inside said second sleeve. c

14. A skate having a braking device according to claim 13, characterized in that a first resilient member is arranged coaxially to said shaft and is constituted by a spring which is interposed between the perforated end of said first sleeve and the wings of said head of said shaft.

A skate having a braking device according to claim 13, characterized in that a second resilient member is arranged coaxially to said wing and is constituted by a spring interposed between the base of said second sleeve and the wings of said head of said shaft.

16. A skate having a braking device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one third resilient member constituted by at least one spring interposed between said frame and a support of said braking element, said device furthermore comprising an element for stopping the rotation of said braking element which is constituted by at least one raised portion protruding laterally to said frame.

17. A skate having a braking device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said firt rod member is constituted by a shaft having a threaded end axially slideable inside a second internally hollow sle'te which constitutes said second rod member, the icomplementarilDi threaded end of a third sleeve being associated with said threaded n d of said shaft, a first .1 I g3I P VT 1 .4 ij resilient member being arranged inside said third sleeve and interacting by abutment at an adapted seat formed axially at the base of said second sleeve toward said braking element.

18. A skate having a braking device according to claim 1'7, characterized in that a means suitable to guide the telescopic mutual movement of said first and second rod members protrudes axially with respect to said third sleeve, said means being constituted by a rod which is freely slideable within an adapted cavity connected to said seat. K

19. A skate having a braking device according to claim S18, characterized in that it comprises means suitable to vary the mutual distance between said support and said pad, said means being constituted by a screw the head whereof is embedded in said pad and the threaded stem whereof V interacts with a complementarily threaded nut arranged so I.LI within said support.

A skate having a braking device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first rod member slides telescopically with respect to said second rod member, which is rigidly coupled to a second sleeve within which a shaft is slidingly arranged, said shaft having, inside said second sleeve, a third sleeve for the containment of a first resilient member and for supporting a second resilient member, both resilient members being contained within said second sleeve.

21. A skate having a braking device according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said rod member is shaped complementary to said first portion and at least partially to said shell.

22. A skate having a braking device according to claim I'T j' C i 21, characterized in that the shape of said rod member can be modified in order to adjust the working length of said rod member.

23. A skate having a braking device according to one or more of claims I to 3, characterized in that said rod member comprises two portions which are mutually telescopically connected and comprises a means for adjusting the mutual position of said rod member with respect to said braking element, said means comprising an internally threaded cylinder rotatably associated with said rod member, a complementarity threaded stem adapted to engage said cylinder, said stem having one end associated with said braking element by means of a pivot.

24. A skate having a braking device according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said rod member comprises a rigid strut with which a covering is associated, said strut having a first end, which surmounts said braking element, and a second end, which interacts with adjustment means and is associated to said first portion.

A skate having a braking device according to claim 24, characterized in that said adjustment means are constituted by a third pivot which is removably associated at an adaDted first seat formed on said second end and at one of a plurality of complementarily shaped second seats formed sequentially on the wings of a U-shaped base which is associated at the rear region of said first portion proximate to the lower perimetric edge.

26. A skate having a braking device according to claim ;25, characterized in that said wings are arranged within a 4" 4 ;1 11' -e ;i r ~r recess which is formed to the rear of said first portion and on the side walls whereof there are adapted holes suitable to allow the passage of said third pivot within one of said second seats.

27. A skate having a braking device according to claim 26, characterized in that temporary locking means, such as a nut, is assocated with said third pivot.

28. A skate having a braking device according to claim 24, characterized in that said means are constituted by a third pivot which is pivoted at said second end and at a through seat formed on the head of a screw.

29. A skate having a braking device according to claim 28, characterized in that said screw comprises a threaded stem with which a complementarily threaded sleeve engages, said sleeve being locked axially but rotatably associated at a base which is fixed to said first portion in a rearward position, so as to allow the axial movement of said threaded stem by rotating said sleeve.

A skate having a braking device according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said braking element comprises a brake support pivoted to said frame and a pad rigidly associated with said support, said rod member having an upper end associated with siid first portion and a lower end connected to said brake support, said brake support comprising a plurality of vertically arranged holes adapted to engage a pivot associated with said lower end of said rod member, said pivot being selectively arranged in said holes in order to adjust the mutual position of said rod member and said brake support.

31. A skate having a braking device according to one or AtT iT 0 .I I more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said braking element comprises a brake support pivoted to said frame and a pad rigidly associated with said support, said rqod member having an upper end associated with said first portion and a lower end connected to said brake support, said lower end comprising a plurality of vertically arranged holes adapted to engage a pivot associated with said brake support, said pivot being selectively arranged in said holes in order to adjust the mutual position of said rod member and said brake support.

32. A skate having a braking device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said skate is an inline skate with mutually aligned wheels.

33. A skate having a braking device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, or Fig. 4 to Fig. 5, or Fig. 6 to Fig. 14, or Fig. to Fig. 16, or Fig. 17 to Fig. 18, or Fig 19, or Fig. Dated this 14th day of August 1995 NORDICA S.p.A. By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK CO. rt r i i r r 1 tw.Zri I i i- BRAKING DEVICE PARTICULARLY FOR SKATES ABSTRACT Braking device for skates including an item of footgear composed of a quarter (704) articulated to a shell which is in turn associated with a supporting frame (706) for one or more wheels. The device includes a rod member (709) connected to the quarter and is slidingly associated with the shell. The rod member has an end which, upon a rotation of the quarter, pushes toward the ground, a braking element (714) articulated to the frame. (Figure 19) Lu I *r I I I it S d i d g 4 F rr I i