CA1077078A - Bi-wheeled roller skate - Google Patents
Bi-wheeled roller skateInfo
- Publication number
- CA1077078A CA1077078A CA286,359A CA286359A CA1077078A CA 1077078 A CA1077078 A CA 1077078A CA 286359 A CA286359 A CA 286359A CA 1077078 A CA1077078 A CA 1077078A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- flanges
- base member
- pair
- roller skate
- skate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A roller skate incorporating a bi-wheeled design. A
base member is incorporated for supporting the user's shoe or foot. A pair of parallel flanges depend downwardly from forward and rearward sections of the base member, each pair of parallel flanges having journeled therebetween a wheel assembly. Each wheel assembly is comprised of a cylindrical core which is jour-neled about an axle affixed intermediate the flanges. The rolling surface is fabricated from a thermosetting plastic and is uniformly disposed about the center core. The lateral edges of the rolling surface overhang the core to permit the user to utilize the skate at the smallest possible angle with respect to the floor while simultaneously avoiding contact between the floor and the skate flanges. The radius of curvature of the peripheral surface of the wheel is long enough to provide a substantially flat surface along the outer edges thereof to maximize the traction between the skate wheels and the floor while permitting same to be utilized at high speeds.
A roller skate incorporating a bi-wheeled design. A
base member is incorporated for supporting the user's shoe or foot. A pair of parallel flanges depend downwardly from forward and rearward sections of the base member, each pair of parallel flanges having journeled therebetween a wheel assembly. Each wheel assembly is comprised of a cylindrical core which is jour-neled about an axle affixed intermediate the flanges. The rolling surface is fabricated from a thermosetting plastic and is uniformly disposed about the center core. The lateral edges of the rolling surface overhang the core to permit the user to utilize the skate at the smallest possible angle with respect to the floor while simultaneously avoiding contact between the floor and the skate flanges. The radius of curvature of the peripheral surface of the wheel is long enough to provide a substantially flat surface along the outer edges thereof to maximize the traction between the skate wheels and the floor while permitting same to be utilized at high speeds.
Description
1077~78 1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention generally relates to recreational apparatus and, more particularly, to roller skates.
The present invention generally relates to recreational apparatus and, more particularly, to roller skates.
2. Prior Art.
A variety of designs for roller skates or other rec-reational apparatus is well known in the prior art. The present invention comprises a bi-wheeled roller skate incorporating a design which maximizes speed and traction during use. Applicant is the owner of a number of ornamental designs for roller skates, namely, U.S. Design Letters Patent Nos. D-236,741, D-238,386 and D-241,868. The increased usage of roller skates and, in par-ticular, the bi-wheeled variety, have led to the need for improve-ments which would permit the skates to be used at high speeds while simultaneously providing the traction which is necessary for such activities such as figure skating.
The bi-wheeled roller skates disclosed by the prior art, including those of Applicant's, incorporate a wheel design which make it difficult to simultaneously maximize the qualities of speed and traction. A pair of parallel flanges depend from both the front and rearward portions of a foot support, an axle being disposed intermediate each pair of flanges and lying per-pendicular thereto. A single wheel is journeled about each axle to provide the rolling surEaces for the skate. The wheel design incorporated by those devices taught by the prior art have inher-ent defe~ts. Typically, the profile of the wheel is oval-shaped having a short radius of curvature thereby providing for a sharply curved surface from the apex of the periphery of each wheel. As a result, the traction which can be achieved between the surface of the wheel and the supporting surface or floor is minimal.
.
. , . , :, , ,. . ~ ,.,:
1077~8 1 Minimizing the ability to maintain traction between the wheel and the floor during operation severly limits the effective use of the skate. Since utilization of a bi-wheeled roller skate is similar to use of an ice skate, the user can tilt or otherwise change the angular position of the skate with respect to the surface to maximize speed and maneuverability. The conventional short radius, oval configuration of the wheels described in the prior art are totally inadequate.
Another inadequacy of the structures taught by the prior art relate to the configuration of the material which is contact with the rolling surface. The devices taught by the prior art typically utilize a thermoplastic material to mold the oval design. When the thermoplastic material is utilized in an injection molding process, the wheel can be configured about any core or axle being utilized. Inherent defects in this design relate to the reversible nature of the process. During the in~ection process, the thermoplastic material must be heated to approximately 400F. Since the process is reversible, thè heat which is generated as a result of the wheel rotating will cause the thermoplastic material to soften, become distorted or poss-ibly dislodge itself from the wheel core.
The present invention bi-wheeled roller skate substant-ially resolves those problems which are inherent to the structures taught by the prior art. The fabrication of the wheel assembly provides for a design which can maximize the speed and traction characteristics of the assembly. A hardened metallic core is journeled about the respective axles to permit rotation about same. The wheel surface is a molded thermosetting plastic which can be mixed and poured at atmospheric pressureS The thermo-setting plastic is bound about the core. The lateral edges of ., .
1077~78 1 the wheelare substantially parallel to the respective flangesand overhang the axial boundaries of the metallic core. In addition, the peripheral surface of the wheel form extends lat-erally into surfaces which have a radius of curvature which is consistent with the desired tilt angle. The tangent to the lateral surfaces in contact with the floor will be coincident with the surface of the floor and increase the traction of the wheel against the floor or other surface. A bi-wheeled roller -3a~
10~7078 .
skate incorporating the present invention can be used at higher speeds and with a greater degree of utilization because of traction characteristics which are achieved by the wheel structure, all char-acteristics which are substantially improved over that taught by the prior art.
Summary of the Invention The present invention comprises a bi-wheeled roller skate which incorporates a wheel de~ign which permits greater uti-lization and speed characteristics. A base member which is used to support the user's foot or shoe is a substantially planar mem-ber having a pair of parallel flanges depending from both the forward and rearward extensions of the base members. Each pair of parallel flanges have aligned apertures for receiving a wheel axle therethrough. The axle is affixed intermediate each pair of 1~ depending flanges. A cylindrical core is journeled about each axle intermediate the depending flanges. The portion of the wheel assembly adapted to contact the floor is constructed of a thermo-setting plastic which can be molded at atmospheric pressure. The profile of a lateral section of the wheel extends beyond the axial limits of the center core, the outer lateral surfaces of the thermosetting plastics being substantially co-planar with the flanges. In addition, the portions of the wheel assembly adapted to contact the floor have a long radius of curvature and are effec-tively flat at the edges thereof to maximize the traction thereof between the wheel and the surface of the floor.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved bi-wheeled roller skate.
1077~78 It is another object of the present invention to ~rovide a bi-wheeled roller skate which has an improved speed and traction characteristics.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bi-wheeled roller skate which utilizes wheel assemblies which will not become distorted as a result of friction generated heat.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved bi-wheeled roller skate which is simple and inexpensive to fabricate.
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of opera-tion, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which a presently pre-ferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example.
It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description only, and is not in-tended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawing FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of a bi-wheeled roller skate fabricated in accordance with the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the front wheel assembly of the bi-wheeled roller skate shown in FIGURE 1 illustrated in par-tial cross-section.
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FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the front wheel assembly of the bi-wheeled skate shown in FIGURE 1 taken throuyh line 3-3 of FIC.URE 1.
YIGUPE 4 is a partial side elevation view of the wheel assembl~ shown in FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 5 is a cross-sec-tional view of a wheel assembly of the present invention bi-wheeled roller skate illustrated in contact with a planar surface.
Description of the Presently Preferred Embodiment An understanding of the present invention can be best gained by reference to FIGURE 1 wherein a side elevation view of a form of the present invention is shown. Reerring now to ~I~URE
1, a shoe skate incorporating the present invention design is shown, the total assembly being generally designated by the reference num-eral 10. Applicant has obtained a number of design patents covering the ornamental appearance of bi-wheeled roller skates, the patents being designated as United States Design Letters ~atent ~os.
D-236,741, D-238,386 and D-241,868. The present invention design can be incorporated into any bi-wheeled roller skate design irres-pective of whether the form thereof is applicable as a shoe-skate, such as shown in FIGURE 1, or is adapted to fit onto the bottom of a user's shoe. In order to simplify the following discussion, ; the application of the present invention shall be described in connection with the form of the bi-wheeled roller skate shown in FIGURE 1, but it is recognized that the scope of the present in-vention exceeds that shown in FIGURE 1.
1077~78 1 Bi-wheeled roller skate 10 comprises means for adapting the skate to fit upon the foot of a user, FIGURE 1 utilizing a skate which incorporates shoe 11. Shoe 11 is securely affixed upon planar base member 12 which is uniformly coupled to and aligned with the bottom of the sole 13 and heel 14 of shoe 11.
Although the manner of affixing base member 12 to the sole 13 and heel 14 of shoe 11 is a matter of choice, the form of the present invention shown in FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2 utilize conven-tional rivet couplings 15. Since the present invention utilizes a bi-wheeled structure, base member 12 must be accurately aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis 16 of shoe 11 (FIGURE 2). In this configuration, the skate structure 10 will provide for basic equilibrium over wheel assemblies 17 and 18 in order to insure proper utilization of skate 10.
Respective pairs of parallel flanges 19 and 20 depend downwardly from the forward and rearward sections respectively of base member 12. As shown in FIGURE 2, flanges 19 are bisected by longitudinal axis 16 to again incorporate the necessary need for equilibrium of the structure above wheel assemblies 17 and 18.
Flanges 19 and 20 provide the necessary structural strength between the wheel assemblies each of which incorporate wheels and the basic supporting member coupled to base member 12. Although the form of flanges 19 and 20 can adopt any profile which will provide sufficient compressive strength, the form of the present invention shown in FIGURE 1 utilizes a suitable structure. As shown in FIGURE 1, flanges 19 affixed at the forward section of base member 12 has a substantial vertical front edge, the rear-ward edges thereof being tapered to provide for additional ., ~. ... .
~077~
distribution of the force imposed along the interior section of the base member 12 where the force imposed by the user will be the greatest. In a like manner, the rearward flanges 20 have a sub-stantially vertical rearward edge, the forward edge thereof being tapered inwardly to again further distribute the force imposed along that portion of the base member 12 which will typically sup-port the greater amount of weight of the user.
Apertures 25 and 26 are respectively aliyned with each other through flanges 19 and 20 respectively and are adapted to receive axles which will be perpendicular to longitudinal axis 16 and parallel to base member 12. As shown in FIGURE 2, axle 27 is disposed through aperture 25 and is secured at the axial ends there-of to flanges 19. In a like manner, axle 28 is disposed inter-mediate flanges 20 and is secured at the axial ends thereof to 15flanges 20. Wheel assemblies 17 and 18 are journeled about the respective axles 26 and 27 respectively in a manner which can be best seen by reference to FIGURE 2 and FIGURE 3. For the purpose of example, wheel assembly 18 shall be described in the manner shown in FIGURE 3. The structure defined with respect to wheel assembly 18 is equally applicable to wheel assembly 17.
- Wheel assembly 18 is journeled about axle 27 by suit-able bearings 30 and axe properly spaced intermediate flanges 19 by spacers 21. The manner of fabricating bearings 30 can be achieved through the use of any conventional journeling system. Cylindri-cal core 31 is disposed about bearings 30 and is adapted to rotate about axle 27 intermediate flanges 19. Cylindrical core 31 can be .:
1!1;~77~78 1 fabricated from any suitable material which can absorb the forces which will be imposed thereon by the weight of the user, speed and other factors incident to roller skates, but cylin-drical core 31 is preferably fabricated of steel. As stated previously, a bi-wheeled roller skate is used in applications which are very similar to those which utilize ice skates. During such applications, the user will cause the skate to be deflecte~
or tilted from an angle which is perpendicular to the surface on which it is being operated. Since the skate is not maintained consistently in a verticai position, the surface of the skate which is in contact with the floor must combine characteristics which maximize its ability to be operated at relatively high speeds and with suitable traction to prevent the wheel from lat-erally slipping thereby causing the user to fall.
Wheel assembly 18 is completed by enveloping core 31 with a concentric layer 32 of thermosetting plastic. The selec-tion of the material used to fabricate concentic layer 32 is very important due to the heat which is generated during operation of the present invention bi-wheeled roller skate. Although it is clear that thermoplastic materials could be used in an injection molding process to fabricate layer 32, these materials prove to be inadequate. Thermosplastic materials, such as polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, etc., constitute high polymers which soften when reheated. It is well known that thermoplastic mater-ials can be injection molded at elevated temperatures.
Unfortunately, the molding process which use thermoplastic material is reversible. In use, rotation of wheel assemblies 17 and 18 will cause heat to 1077~78 be generated at the surface of core 31. As the tem~erature of core 31 increases, layer 32 wil] become distorted or otherwise soften as a result of the heat if layer 32 was fabricated of a thermoplastic material. Concentric layer 32 is preferably fabri-cated of a suitable thermosetting plastic. Thermosetting plas-tics comprise high polymers which solidify irreversibly when heated. Although the class of thermosetting plastics comprise phenolics, polyesters and silicones, concentric layer 32 is pre-ferably fabricated from a urethane marketed by DuPont Chemical Corporation under the trademark Adiprene.
Construction of concentric layer 32 provides the advan-tages necessary to implement the present invention. The portion of layer 32 substantially adjacent core 31 extends laterally out- ;^
wardly to produce lobes 33 which extend beyond the axial boundaries of core 31. As can be seen in FIGURE 5, when the user causes -` wheel assembly 18 to be deflected from a vertical orientation, the extension of lobe 33 will permit greater angles of deflection be-fore flange 19 would come in contact with floor 34. By providing ` wheel assemblies 17 and 18 with a concentric layer 32 having lobes 33 incorporated therewith, the applications of the present inven-tion bi-wheeled roller skate are increased.
As stated hereinabove, an object of the present inven-tion is to provide a bi-wheeled roller skate which can be used at higher speeds and provide the traction necessary to permit the structure to be suitable for those purposes. As shown in FI&URE 5, a typical use of the bi-wheeled skate 10 would place the skate in 10771~7~
1 a configuration which is deflected fro~ a line which is vertical to floor 34. In this configuration, wheel assembly 18 would be imposing a force which is designated by vector 35. It is clear that if the force represented by vector 35 exceeds the frictional force of traction between floor 34 and concentric layer 32, wheel assembly 18 will be caused to laterally slip with respect to floor 34.
The profile of surface 36 of concentric layer 32 as shown in FIGURE 3 and FIGURE 5 provide means whereby the traction between floor 34 and wheel assembly 18 is maximized. The dis-tance between apex 36 of surface 37 of concentric layer 32 and a radial center defines the radius of curvature of the lateral profile surface 37. The radius of curvature of surface 37 is greater than one which would be defined by center drawn on a line intermediate the lobe surfaces 39. By elongating the center of curvature until the lateral edges 38 are substantially flat, vastly improved traction characteristics are achieved. Since - operation of the bi-wheeled skate 10 in a vertical position will not produce any forces which would cause lateral slippage of the ~ skate 10, contact at apex 36 will cause no problems. As can be best seen in FIGURES 3 and 5, the outer edges 38 of surface 37 are effectively flat to maximize the frictional forces between floor surface 34 and surface 37 of wheel assemblies 17 and 18 when skate 10 is deflected from a vertical position. The radius of curvature of surface is consistent with the desired tilt angle. As shown in FIGURE 5, a tangent to edge 38 will be coincident to the floor surface 34. By increasing the frictional relationship between wheel assemblies 17 and 18 and floor 34, the user of the present ~077~78 invention bi-wheeled roller skate 10 can deflect the skate from a vertical orientation in a manner to maximize the usefulness of the skate. With respect to speed, it has been determined that a suit-able outer diameter of concentric layer 32 should be approximately 2.4". This will be a suitable diameter in order to optimize the speed, traction and utilization characteristics of the wheel. If the diameter of the wheel is made 2" or less, it is impossible to achieve satisfactory speed while maintaining suitable lateral traction characteristics.
The present invention provides an improved design for a bi-wheeled roller skate by incorporating a novel design for the wheel assemblies. Since the present invention bi-wheeled roller skate is to be used in an application which is similar to that of ice skates, the design utilizes characteristics and materials which maximize speed and lateral traction factors. By incorporating the structural characteristics of the present invention in the manner taught hereinabove, the present invention bi-wheeled roller skate satisfies the objectives of the present invention and improves the ability of the bi-wheeled roller skate to operate in a variety o~
applications.
A variety of designs for roller skates or other rec-reational apparatus is well known in the prior art. The present invention comprises a bi-wheeled roller skate incorporating a design which maximizes speed and traction during use. Applicant is the owner of a number of ornamental designs for roller skates, namely, U.S. Design Letters Patent Nos. D-236,741, D-238,386 and D-241,868. The increased usage of roller skates and, in par-ticular, the bi-wheeled variety, have led to the need for improve-ments which would permit the skates to be used at high speeds while simultaneously providing the traction which is necessary for such activities such as figure skating.
The bi-wheeled roller skates disclosed by the prior art, including those of Applicant's, incorporate a wheel design which make it difficult to simultaneously maximize the qualities of speed and traction. A pair of parallel flanges depend from both the front and rearward portions of a foot support, an axle being disposed intermediate each pair of flanges and lying per-pendicular thereto. A single wheel is journeled about each axle to provide the rolling surEaces for the skate. The wheel design incorporated by those devices taught by the prior art have inher-ent defe~ts. Typically, the profile of the wheel is oval-shaped having a short radius of curvature thereby providing for a sharply curved surface from the apex of the periphery of each wheel. As a result, the traction which can be achieved between the surface of the wheel and the supporting surface or floor is minimal.
.
. , . , :, , ,. . ~ ,.,:
1077~8 1 Minimizing the ability to maintain traction between the wheel and the floor during operation severly limits the effective use of the skate. Since utilization of a bi-wheeled roller skate is similar to use of an ice skate, the user can tilt or otherwise change the angular position of the skate with respect to the surface to maximize speed and maneuverability. The conventional short radius, oval configuration of the wheels described in the prior art are totally inadequate.
Another inadequacy of the structures taught by the prior art relate to the configuration of the material which is contact with the rolling surface. The devices taught by the prior art typically utilize a thermoplastic material to mold the oval design. When the thermoplastic material is utilized in an injection molding process, the wheel can be configured about any core or axle being utilized. Inherent defects in this design relate to the reversible nature of the process. During the in~ection process, the thermoplastic material must be heated to approximately 400F. Since the process is reversible, thè heat which is generated as a result of the wheel rotating will cause the thermoplastic material to soften, become distorted or poss-ibly dislodge itself from the wheel core.
The present invention bi-wheeled roller skate substant-ially resolves those problems which are inherent to the structures taught by the prior art. The fabrication of the wheel assembly provides for a design which can maximize the speed and traction characteristics of the assembly. A hardened metallic core is journeled about the respective axles to permit rotation about same. The wheel surface is a molded thermosetting plastic which can be mixed and poured at atmospheric pressureS The thermo-setting plastic is bound about the core. The lateral edges of ., .
1077~78 1 the wheelare substantially parallel to the respective flangesand overhang the axial boundaries of the metallic core. In addition, the peripheral surface of the wheel form extends lat-erally into surfaces which have a radius of curvature which is consistent with the desired tilt angle. The tangent to the lateral surfaces in contact with the floor will be coincident with the surface of the floor and increase the traction of the wheel against the floor or other surface. A bi-wheeled roller -3a~
10~7078 .
skate incorporating the present invention can be used at higher speeds and with a greater degree of utilization because of traction characteristics which are achieved by the wheel structure, all char-acteristics which are substantially improved over that taught by the prior art.
Summary of the Invention The present invention comprises a bi-wheeled roller skate which incorporates a wheel de~ign which permits greater uti-lization and speed characteristics. A base member which is used to support the user's foot or shoe is a substantially planar mem-ber having a pair of parallel flanges depending from both the forward and rearward extensions of the base members. Each pair of parallel flanges have aligned apertures for receiving a wheel axle therethrough. The axle is affixed intermediate each pair of 1~ depending flanges. A cylindrical core is journeled about each axle intermediate the depending flanges. The portion of the wheel assembly adapted to contact the floor is constructed of a thermo-setting plastic which can be molded at atmospheric pressure. The profile of a lateral section of the wheel extends beyond the axial limits of the center core, the outer lateral surfaces of the thermosetting plastics being substantially co-planar with the flanges. In addition, the portions of the wheel assembly adapted to contact the floor have a long radius of curvature and are effec-tively flat at the edges thereof to maximize the traction thereof between the wheel and the surface of the floor.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved bi-wheeled roller skate.
1077~78 It is another object of the present invention to ~rovide a bi-wheeled roller skate which has an improved speed and traction characteristics.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bi-wheeled roller skate which utilizes wheel assemblies which will not become distorted as a result of friction generated heat.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved bi-wheeled roller skate which is simple and inexpensive to fabricate.
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of opera-tion, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which a presently pre-ferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example.
It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description only, and is not in-tended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawing FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of a bi-wheeled roller skate fabricated in accordance with the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the front wheel assembly of the bi-wheeled roller skate shown in FIGURE 1 illustrated in par-tial cross-section.
lOt~7~
FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the front wheel assembly of the bi-wheeled skate shown in FIGURE 1 taken throuyh line 3-3 of FIC.URE 1.
YIGUPE 4 is a partial side elevation view of the wheel assembl~ shown in FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 5 is a cross-sec-tional view of a wheel assembly of the present invention bi-wheeled roller skate illustrated in contact with a planar surface.
Description of the Presently Preferred Embodiment An understanding of the present invention can be best gained by reference to FIGURE 1 wherein a side elevation view of a form of the present invention is shown. Reerring now to ~I~URE
1, a shoe skate incorporating the present invention design is shown, the total assembly being generally designated by the reference num-eral 10. Applicant has obtained a number of design patents covering the ornamental appearance of bi-wheeled roller skates, the patents being designated as United States Design Letters ~atent ~os.
D-236,741, D-238,386 and D-241,868. The present invention design can be incorporated into any bi-wheeled roller skate design irres-pective of whether the form thereof is applicable as a shoe-skate, such as shown in FIGURE 1, or is adapted to fit onto the bottom of a user's shoe. In order to simplify the following discussion, ; the application of the present invention shall be described in connection with the form of the bi-wheeled roller skate shown in FIGURE 1, but it is recognized that the scope of the present in-vention exceeds that shown in FIGURE 1.
1077~78 1 Bi-wheeled roller skate 10 comprises means for adapting the skate to fit upon the foot of a user, FIGURE 1 utilizing a skate which incorporates shoe 11. Shoe 11 is securely affixed upon planar base member 12 which is uniformly coupled to and aligned with the bottom of the sole 13 and heel 14 of shoe 11.
Although the manner of affixing base member 12 to the sole 13 and heel 14 of shoe 11 is a matter of choice, the form of the present invention shown in FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2 utilize conven-tional rivet couplings 15. Since the present invention utilizes a bi-wheeled structure, base member 12 must be accurately aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis 16 of shoe 11 (FIGURE 2). In this configuration, the skate structure 10 will provide for basic equilibrium over wheel assemblies 17 and 18 in order to insure proper utilization of skate 10.
Respective pairs of parallel flanges 19 and 20 depend downwardly from the forward and rearward sections respectively of base member 12. As shown in FIGURE 2, flanges 19 are bisected by longitudinal axis 16 to again incorporate the necessary need for equilibrium of the structure above wheel assemblies 17 and 18.
Flanges 19 and 20 provide the necessary structural strength between the wheel assemblies each of which incorporate wheels and the basic supporting member coupled to base member 12. Although the form of flanges 19 and 20 can adopt any profile which will provide sufficient compressive strength, the form of the present invention shown in FIGURE 1 utilizes a suitable structure. As shown in FIGURE 1, flanges 19 affixed at the forward section of base member 12 has a substantial vertical front edge, the rear-ward edges thereof being tapered to provide for additional ., ~. ... .
~077~
distribution of the force imposed along the interior section of the base member 12 where the force imposed by the user will be the greatest. In a like manner, the rearward flanges 20 have a sub-stantially vertical rearward edge, the forward edge thereof being tapered inwardly to again further distribute the force imposed along that portion of the base member 12 which will typically sup-port the greater amount of weight of the user.
Apertures 25 and 26 are respectively aliyned with each other through flanges 19 and 20 respectively and are adapted to receive axles which will be perpendicular to longitudinal axis 16 and parallel to base member 12. As shown in FIGURE 2, axle 27 is disposed through aperture 25 and is secured at the axial ends there-of to flanges 19. In a like manner, axle 28 is disposed inter-mediate flanges 20 and is secured at the axial ends thereof to 15flanges 20. Wheel assemblies 17 and 18 are journeled about the respective axles 26 and 27 respectively in a manner which can be best seen by reference to FIGURE 2 and FIGURE 3. For the purpose of example, wheel assembly 18 shall be described in the manner shown in FIGURE 3. The structure defined with respect to wheel assembly 18 is equally applicable to wheel assembly 17.
- Wheel assembly 18 is journeled about axle 27 by suit-able bearings 30 and axe properly spaced intermediate flanges 19 by spacers 21. The manner of fabricating bearings 30 can be achieved through the use of any conventional journeling system. Cylindri-cal core 31 is disposed about bearings 30 and is adapted to rotate about axle 27 intermediate flanges 19. Cylindrical core 31 can be .:
1!1;~77~78 1 fabricated from any suitable material which can absorb the forces which will be imposed thereon by the weight of the user, speed and other factors incident to roller skates, but cylin-drical core 31 is preferably fabricated of steel. As stated previously, a bi-wheeled roller skate is used in applications which are very similar to those which utilize ice skates. During such applications, the user will cause the skate to be deflecte~
or tilted from an angle which is perpendicular to the surface on which it is being operated. Since the skate is not maintained consistently in a verticai position, the surface of the skate which is in contact with the floor must combine characteristics which maximize its ability to be operated at relatively high speeds and with suitable traction to prevent the wheel from lat-erally slipping thereby causing the user to fall.
Wheel assembly 18 is completed by enveloping core 31 with a concentric layer 32 of thermosetting plastic. The selec-tion of the material used to fabricate concentic layer 32 is very important due to the heat which is generated during operation of the present invention bi-wheeled roller skate. Although it is clear that thermoplastic materials could be used in an injection molding process to fabricate layer 32, these materials prove to be inadequate. Thermosplastic materials, such as polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, etc., constitute high polymers which soften when reheated. It is well known that thermoplastic mater-ials can be injection molded at elevated temperatures.
Unfortunately, the molding process which use thermoplastic material is reversible. In use, rotation of wheel assemblies 17 and 18 will cause heat to 1077~78 be generated at the surface of core 31. As the tem~erature of core 31 increases, layer 32 wil] become distorted or otherwise soften as a result of the heat if layer 32 was fabricated of a thermoplastic material. Concentric layer 32 is preferably fabri-cated of a suitable thermosetting plastic. Thermosetting plas-tics comprise high polymers which solidify irreversibly when heated. Although the class of thermosetting plastics comprise phenolics, polyesters and silicones, concentric layer 32 is pre-ferably fabricated from a urethane marketed by DuPont Chemical Corporation under the trademark Adiprene.
Construction of concentric layer 32 provides the advan-tages necessary to implement the present invention. The portion of layer 32 substantially adjacent core 31 extends laterally out- ;^
wardly to produce lobes 33 which extend beyond the axial boundaries of core 31. As can be seen in FIGURE 5, when the user causes -` wheel assembly 18 to be deflected from a vertical orientation, the extension of lobe 33 will permit greater angles of deflection be-fore flange 19 would come in contact with floor 34. By providing ` wheel assemblies 17 and 18 with a concentric layer 32 having lobes 33 incorporated therewith, the applications of the present inven-tion bi-wheeled roller skate are increased.
As stated hereinabove, an object of the present inven-tion is to provide a bi-wheeled roller skate which can be used at higher speeds and provide the traction necessary to permit the structure to be suitable for those purposes. As shown in FI&URE 5, a typical use of the bi-wheeled skate 10 would place the skate in 10771~7~
1 a configuration which is deflected fro~ a line which is vertical to floor 34. In this configuration, wheel assembly 18 would be imposing a force which is designated by vector 35. It is clear that if the force represented by vector 35 exceeds the frictional force of traction between floor 34 and concentric layer 32, wheel assembly 18 will be caused to laterally slip with respect to floor 34.
The profile of surface 36 of concentric layer 32 as shown in FIGURE 3 and FIGURE 5 provide means whereby the traction between floor 34 and wheel assembly 18 is maximized. The dis-tance between apex 36 of surface 37 of concentric layer 32 and a radial center defines the radius of curvature of the lateral profile surface 37. The radius of curvature of surface 37 is greater than one which would be defined by center drawn on a line intermediate the lobe surfaces 39. By elongating the center of curvature until the lateral edges 38 are substantially flat, vastly improved traction characteristics are achieved. Since - operation of the bi-wheeled skate 10 in a vertical position will not produce any forces which would cause lateral slippage of the ~ skate 10, contact at apex 36 will cause no problems. As can be best seen in FIGURES 3 and 5, the outer edges 38 of surface 37 are effectively flat to maximize the frictional forces between floor surface 34 and surface 37 of wheel assemblies 17 and 18 when skate 10 is deflected from a vertical position. The radius of curvature of surface is consistent with the desired tilt angle. As shown in FIGURE 5, a tangent to edge 38 will be coincident to the floor surface 34. By increasing the frictional relationship between wheel assemblies 17 and 18 and floor 34, the user of the present ~077~78 invention bi-wheeled roller skate 10 can deflect the skate from a vertical orientation in a manner to maximize the usefulness of the skate. With respect to speed, it has been determined that a suit-able outer diameter of concentric layer 32 should be approximately 2.4". This will be a suitable diameter in order to optimize the speed, traction and utilization characteristics of the wheel. If the diameter of the wheel is made 2" or less, it is impossible to achieve satisfactory speed while maintaining suitable lateral traction characteristics.
The present invention provides an improved design for a bi-wheeled roller skate by incorporating a novel design for the wheel assemblies. Since the present invention bi-wheeled roller skate is to be used in an application which is similar to that of ice skates, the design utilizes characteristics and materials which maximize speed and lateral traction factors. By incorporating the structural characteristics of the present invention in the manner taught hereinabove, the present invention bi-wheeled roller skate satisfies the objectives of the present invention and improves the ability of the bi-wheeled roller skate to operate in a variety o~
applications.
Claims (5)
1. A bi-wheeled roller skate comprising:
(a) shoe means for securing the bi-wheeled roller skate to the foot of a user;
(b) a base member having forward and rearward portions coupled to said shoe means, said base member having a longitu-dinal axis which is substantially aligned with the foot of the user;
(c) a first pair of flanges depending downwardly from the forward portion of said base member, said first pair of flanges being substanially parallel to each other and perpendi-cular to said base member, the interval between said flanges being bisected by said longitudinal axis;
(d) a second pair of flanges depending downwardly from the rearward portion of said base member, said second pair of flanges being parallel to each other and perpendicular to said base member, the interval between said second pair of flanges being substantially equal to the interval between said first pair of flanges and being bisected by the longitudinal axis of said base member; and (e) first and second wheel assemblies journeled between each of said first and second pair of flanges respectively, each of said wheel assemblies comprising a cylindrical core uniformly spaced intermediate said parallel flanges and a concentric member disposed about and secured to said cylindrical core, the lateral profile of the outer surface of said concentric member being defined by a (Claim 1, continued) uniform curved surface having an elongated radius of curvature, the lateral edges of which are in substantial contact with a planar supporting surface when said bi-wheeled roller skate is deflected from a vertical plane which is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
(a) shoe means for securing the bi-wheeled roller skate to the foot of a user;
(b) a base member having forward and rearward portions coupled to said shoe means, said base member having a longitu-dinal axis which is substantially aligned with the foot of the user;
(c) a first pair of flanges depending downwardly from the forward portion of said base member, said first pair of flanges being substanially parallel to each other and perpendi-cular to said base member, the interval between said flanges being bisected by said longitudinal axis;
(d) a second pair of flanges depending downwardly from the rearward portion of said base member, said second pair of flanges being parallel to each other and perpendicular to said base member, the interval between said second pair of flanges being substantially equal to the interval between said first pair of flanges and being bisected by the longitudinal axis of said base member; and (e) first and second wheel assemblies journeled between each of said first and second pair of flanges respectively, each of said wheel assemblies comprising a cylindrical core uniformly spaced intermediate said parallel flanges and a concentric member disposed about and secured to said cylindrical core, the lateral profile of the outer surface of said concentric member being defined by a (Claim 1, continued) uniform curved surface having an elongated radius of curvature, the lateral edges of which are in substantial contact with a planar supporting surface when said bi-wheeled roller skate is deflected from a vertical plane which is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
2. A bi-wheeled roller skate as defined in Claim 1 wherein said concentric member of said wheel assembly is fabricated from a thermosetting plastic.
3. A bi-wheeled roller skate as defined in Claim 1 wherein the concentric member of said wheel assemblies further include a lobe along both lateral edges of said concentric members integral with and radially inward from the respective flattened planes and extending axially beyond the termini of said cylindrical core.
4. An improvement for a bi-wheeled roller skate which includes means for securing the bi-wheeled roller skate to the foot of the user, a base member having a forward and rearward portion coupled to said securing means, the base member having a longitudinal axis which is substantially aligned with the longi-tudinal axis of the foot of the user, and first and second pairs of parallel flanges, the first pair of parallel flanges depending (Claim 4, continued) downwardly from the forward portion of the base member and the second pair of flanges depending downwardly from the rear portion of the base member, the interval separating each pair of flanges being bisected by the longitudinal axis of the base member, said improvement comprising first and second wheel assemblies, each of said wheel assemblies including:
(a) axles securely coupled between each pair of parallel flanges parallel to the base member and perpendicular to the longi-tudinal axis thereof;
(b) a cylindrical core journeled about each of said axles and uniformly spaced intermediate each pair of parallel flanges; and (c) an outer concentric member secured about the outer-surface of said cylindrical core, the first portion thereof being adjacent said cylindrical core and being substantially co-terminus with the axial ends of said cylindrical core, said first portion depending outwardly into concentric lobes which circumscribe the concentric member on either side of said concentric member about said axle, said lobe extending outwardly beyond the axial termini of said cylindrical core, the peripheral surface of said concentric member intermediate said lobes being defined by a uniform curved surface having an elongated radius of curvature, the lateral edges of which are in substantial contact with a planar supporting surface when said bi-wheeled roller skate is deflected from a vertical plane which is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
(a) axles securely coupled between each pair of parallel flanges parallel to the base member and perpendicular to the longi-tudinal axis thereof;
(b) a cylindrical core journeled about each of said axles and uniformly spaced intermediate each pair of parallel flanges; and (c) an outer concentric member secured about the outer-surface of said cylindrical core, the first portion thereof being adjacent said cylindrical core and being substantially co-terminus with the axial ends of said cylindrical core, said first portion depending outwardly into concentric lobes which circumscribe the concentric member on either side of said concentric member about said axle, said lobe extending outwardly beyond the axial termini of said cylindrical core, the peripheral surface of said concentric member intermediate said lobes being defined by a uniform curved surface having an elongated radius of curvature, the lateral edges of which are in substantial contact with a planar supporting surface when said bi-wheeled roller skate is deflected from a vertical plane which is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
5. An improvement for a bi-wheeled roller skate as defined in Claim 4 wherein said concentric member of said wheel assemblies are fabricated from a thermosetting plastic.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US76407877A | 1977-01-31 | 1977-01-31 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1077078A true CA1077078A (en) | 1980-05-06 |
Family
ID=25069622
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA286,359A Expired CA1077078A (en) | 1977-01-31 | 1977-09-08 | Bi-wheeled roller skate |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1077078A (en) |
-
1977
- 1977-09-08 CA CA286,359A patent/CA1077078A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |