EP0114131B1 - Roller skate - Google Patents

Abstract

A roller skate in which the automatic action of normal walking produces a driving action on the wheels. A heel kick to the pedal of the skate causes the putting in operative position of a control device. During the lifting of the skate, the control device comes back to a standby position. A toe kick to the pedal after the waiting position causes the putting in braking position of the control device. The braking is controlled by the depression of the pedal and is progressive. The control device is locked in the position selected and a new position requires the reversion to the standby position.

Description

The present invention relates to a roller skate.

Although it makes it possible to reach high traveling speeds, the use of the usual roller skates has a certain sporting character, which limits it, because of the inevitable risks, in general to people young or having a long practice.

The risks mentioned are obviously linked to difficulties in stopping. It has certainly been imagined to provide the front part of the usual roller skates with an elastic member, which the skater can bring into contact with the ground by applying a push on the front of the skate with the tip of his foot. This is of course a very rudimentary means of braking, which can even prove dangerous if the rolling of the pad is abruptly interrupted by a meeting between the elastic member mentioned and an asperity of the ground. Although it does not seem impossible to imagine less random braking devices, and in particular with progressive action, it should be noted that the repeated application of brakes of this kind, by an inexperienced or faint-hearted skater, would oblige him to each times to renew its launching effort, which would make traffic with such roller skates, very tiring.

Patent FR-A-2 300 588 discloses a four-wheel skate, the sole of which, fixed to the operator's foot, allows an inclination towards the inside of the turns. To compensate for the inclination of the chassis when cornering, the front wheels are mounted on an oscillating lifter. The shoe further comprises a disc braking device, the lining of which, glued to the rim of the front and rear wheels, is pressed by a disc, immobilized in rotation, actuated by a helical ramp. The ramp is controlled by a rod which is articulated to the sole by an axis and is actuated by the inclination of the sole backwards. In normal position, the sole rests on a stop.

This braking device eliminates part of the braking disadvantages previously described by allowing brutal monk braking.

One of the essential aims of the present invention is to allow the production of a roller skate which, on the one hand, offers the possibility of progressive braking, perfectly safe in all circumstances, and which, on the other hand , is arranged so as to allow the skater to exercise with his foot a driving action on at least one of the rollers of the skate with which he is equipped, these two possibilities contributing to removing any sporting character from the use of roller skates according to the present invention, which thus becomes accessible, after a very brief training, even to the elderly.

The roller skate according to one embodiment of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a roller frame, on which a pedal, adapted to support the foot, is pivotally mounted around at least one transverse axis, between a waiting position, and an actuating position, reached each time the skater applies, with his heel, a push on the rear of the pedal in the waiting position, a braking device, which is mounted on the chassis so as to be actuated each time the skater applies, with the tip of his foot, a push on the front of the pedal in the standby position, a movement transmission device, which is mounted on the chassis so to be actuated each time the skater applies, with his foot, a downward push on the pedal, causing it to pass from its actuating position to a depressed position, and which is coupled with at least one of the rollers, so as to exert a mo action on it trice each actuation of the pedal, as well as elastic means, such as springs, to return the pedal, when the skater lifts the foot, from its depressed position to its standby position.

The safety of use of the roller skate according to the present invention obviously results from the fact that, in the standby position of the pedal, the skater can at any time slow down his progress by giving "a sharp stroke" on said pedal, after which, having obtained the reduced speed or the desired stop, the skater can continue or resume his movement by applying to the skate pedal first a "heel kick", then by depressing the pedal under the effect of his weight. When this one reaches its position of maximum insertion, the skater can then raise above the ground, his foot provided with the skate, by leaning for that on his other foot, which can besides be provided or not d 'a roller skate according to the present invention - or even possibly a usual roller skate -. As soon as the first skate has ceased to be applied to the ground, the elastic means with which it is provided brings its pedal from its depressed position to its standby position, and the skater can again place said first skate on the ground, then brake if necessary.

In fact, it is preferable, but not compulsory, that both feet of the skater be equipped with roller skates according to the present invention, since the use of such a pair of skates can then differ very much from that of a pair. of normal skates, and only to use only the automatisms of normal walking, which is doubly favorable by reducing, on the one hand, the learning time of skating, and, on the other hand, the risks run by the user. Indeed, if after having actuated for example the pedal of his right skate as previously described, while his left foot, also equipped with a skate according to the present invention, is raised above the ground in a movement normal walking, as soon as the skater has rested his left skate on the ground, he can lift his right foot and allow the return of the corresponding pedal to the waiting position, while his left foot does advance the corresponding pad via its drive wheel or wheels, actuated by the corresponding pedal. Of course, at each "step", the skater crosses a distance which is greater than the usual length of his step, of the distance over which the drive wheel of the corresponding skate has rolled.

In a preferred embodiment of the roller skate according to the present invention, a freewheel device is inserted between the movement transmission device and each drive wheel with which it is coupled.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous, insofar as it allows an additional lengthening of each "step" of the skater, thanks to the free rolling of the skate after his pedal has reached the fully depressed position; of course, in the event of danger, the skater may immediately interrupt this free rolling on one foot, by putting the other foot on the ground and braking the corresponding skate, the other skate being able to be lifted off the ground without inconvenience, or stay in contact.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the pedal of the roller skate has its rear part connected to the chassis by at least one link, articulated at its two ends so as to pivot freely in a vertical, longitudinal plane, between two positions , one front and the other rear, which correspond respectively to the standby position of the pedal and to its actuation position; on the other hand, two elastically deformable members, such as springs, are provided, the first to return the link from its rear position to its front position, and the second, to return the pedal from its depressed position to its position. actuation or waiting.

The operation of this embodiment of the invention is particularly safe insofar as each stroke of the skater's heel, which makes the articulated link pivot backwards, certainly moves the front of the pedal away from the braking device, if although the motor actuation of the pedal can take place without any risk of simultaneous actuation of the braking device.

According to another advantageous characteristic of this embodiment of the invention, the first spring can attack the motion transmission device, so that, after being tensioned by the pivoting of the link from the front to the 'rear, the relaxation of said first spring, during depressing of the pedal, strengthens the driving action of the latter.

This characteristic offers the advantage of storing in a way the effort corresponding to the heel kick of the skater, in the tension of the first spring, this energy, thus stored, being then recovered, during the depressing of the pedal, to reinforce its driving action.

Preferably, means are provided for removably attaching to the pedal of the roller skate according to the present invention, only the front part of the skater's foot, his heel remaining free to lift. This arrangement facilitates the use of skates according to the invention in "normal walking" as explained above: in fact, the skater can thus, at the end of each step, lift the heel above the skate, before lifting and advancing the foot and the corresponding shoe.

According to another characteristic, optional but advantageous, of the roller skate according to the present invention, the drive wheel or rollers, of relatively large diameter, are mounted in the middle part of the chassis, the front and rear parts of which each carry at least one caster mad, of equal or different diameter; on the other hand, the two planes tangent to a drive wheel and, respectively, to a front wheel or to a rear wheel, preferably form an obtuse angle between them, differing from 180 degrees only by a few degrees or by a few tens of degrees.

In the case of this embodiment, each stroke of the skater's heel applies the rear caster to the ground, which promotes movement of the skate pedal from its standby position to its actuating position. By cons, each depression of the pedal, or when it is in its waiting position, each stroke of the tip, given by the skater on the front of the pedal, rotates the whole skate around the drive wheel or rollers, so that the front wheel or rollers are applied to the ground, the rear wheel or rollers being raised above the ground.

By way of example, there has been described below and illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings of embodiments of a roller skate according to the present invention.

Figures 1 to 3 are views in partial section through the longitudinal, vertical plane of symmetry of the shoe, which show its pedal respectively in its braking position, in its actuating position and in its depressed position. Figure 4 is a plan view, corresponding to Figure 3. Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of a shoe according to the invention whose mechanism is in the "standby" position . Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 5 in which the mechanism is in the "actuation" position. Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 5 in which the mechanism is in the "braking" position. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the skate according to the embodiment of Figures 5 to 7. Figure 9 is a top view, the pedal being removed from the embodiment of Figures 5 to 8. Figure 10 is a rear view of the skate according to the embodiment of Figures 5 to 8.

On the first example of realization represented in FIGS. 1 to 4, 1 denotes the chassis of the roller skate, which can be made up in different ways, for example in the form of an elongated beam, of small height and small width, but sufficiently strong to support the weight of the skater. Two drive rollers, 2a and 2b, having several centimeters in diameter, are mounted on the middle part of the elongated frame, 1, on either side thereof. For example, an axis 3, on the ends of which the two wheels are wedged, 2a and 2b, passes through a transverse bearing (not shown), mounted in the chassis 1. Two idler rollers, 4a and 4b, are carried by the front part of the chassis 1, and two other idler rollers, 5a and 5b, by its rear part. In a preferred embodiment, the pairs of rollers 2a-2b, 4a-4b and 5a-5b are arranged so that the two planes are tangent to the middle rollers 2a-2b and, respectively, to the front rollers 4a-4b, or at the rear rollers, 5a-5b, form an obtuse angle between them, the difference of which with 180 degrees, designated by a in FIG. 1, has a value of a few degrees, or at most a few tens of degrees. Thanks to this arrangement, it can be seen that the frame 1 of the skate can rest on the ground, designated by S, either by its two pairs of wheels 2a-2b and 4a-4b, or by its two pairs of wheels 2a-2b and 5a -5b, as will be described later in more detail.

Above the chassis 1 is mounted a pedal 6, which, in the illustrated embodiment, consists essentially of a substantially rectangular plate, for example metallic, the dimensions of which are slightly greater than that required by the size of the skaters to whom the skate in question is intended. On the front part of the pedal 6 are arranged removable fasteners for the skater's foot, which, in the illustrated embodiment, have been materialized by a kind of slipper -or toe-clip-, 7, which retains only the front part of the skater's foot 8, whose heel, 8a, is on the other hand left free to lift.

On the other hand, the rear part of the sole 6 is connected to the corresponding part of the chassis 1, by two links 9a and 9b, each of which has its articulated ends, one 9a1 (FIG. 1), below the rear of pedal 6, and the other, 9a2, on the rear of chassis 1, so that said links 9a and 9b can freely pivot each in a longitudinal vertical plane, parallel to the vertical plane of symmetry of the pad (designated by III-III in Figure 4).

During the pivoting of the links 9a and 9b in the vertical planes mentioned above, and corresponding movements of the pedal 6, the rear of the latter is guided by the vertical wings, 10a and 10b, of a yoke, the middle part of which is fixed to the rear of the beam constituting the chassis 1, while the front of the pedal 6 is guided by the vertical wings, 11 and 11b, of another clevis, the middle part of which is fixed to the front of the chassis 1. While the lateral edges of the pedal 6 slide with low friction in contact with the internal faces of the wings 10a and 10b, the same edges are guided, at the front of the pedal 6, by rollers 12a and 12b , mounted idly on the edges of the pedal 6 and each rolling on a cam, 13a or 13b, which is fixed for example on the internal face of the corresponding wing, 11 a or 11 b, and whose shape and role will be described later in more detail. It can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 to 3 that the dimensions of each cam, such as 13a, in the upward direction and in the rear direction, are respectively less than the corresponding dimensions of the wing 11a, so that the corresponding roller, 12a, can be guided in a half-groove, as visible in FIG. 4. To further reduce the friction between each of the rollers 12a and 12b on the one hand, and the surface of the corresponding wing, with which it comes into contact , almost spherical or hemispherical rollers can be used.

On the inner face of each of the wings 11a and 11b, near its upper front corner, is articulated (at 14a in FIG. 1) a lever, 15a or 15b, the lower arm of which is brought back down by a spring such as 16a, hooked to the chassis 1, while its other arm carries an idler roller, 17a or 17b, which, in the equilibrium position of the lever 15a, under the action of the spring 16a, protrudes above the edge upper part of the cam 13a, as visible in FIGS. 2 and 3. When, on the other hand, the pedal 6 occupies the position illustrated in FIG. 1, and the skater gives, with the tip of his foot, a downward push on the 'before said pedal 6, each of the guide rollers, 12a and 12b, mounted idly at the front of said pedal 6 pushes down the corresponding roller, 17a or 17b, by pivoting the corresponding lever, 15a or 15b, clockwise against the force of spring 16a or 16b. The lower arm of each lever, such as 15a, then exerts a traction, directed forwards on a cable, 18a, for controlling the tightening of a brake shoe 19a, which is mounted above the middle wheel 2a ; in the illustrated embodiment, the brake shoe 19a, associated with each of the middle rollers, such as 2a, is carried by a part 20a, which is pivotally mounted, at 21a, on the chassis 1, and which is recalled towards a position in which the brake shoe 19a is moved away from the corresponding caster 2a, as visible in FIGS. 2 and 3, by a spring, 22a, stretched between the pivoting part 20a and a point on the chassis 1, for example close to the 'axis of the rear rollers 5a and 5b. When, as will be described later, the rollers 12a and 12b, mounted idly in front of the pedal 6, are erased relative to the rollers 17a and 17b, carried by the levers 15a and 15b, as visible in FIGS. 2 and 3, the springs such as 16a bring the levers 15a and 15b and the rollers 17a and 17b into the rest positions visible in FIGS. 2 and 3, while the springs such as 22a ensure the release of the brake shoes such as 19a.

The toothed wheel 23, which could be replaced by a toothed sector, of suitable angle, has its axis, 23a, mounted freely rotating in a bearing (not shown), carried by the chassis 1. The toothed wheel 23, whose diameter must be significantly lower than that of the middle rollers, 2a and 2b, to prevent it from hitting asperities of the ground, meshes with a pinion 24, which is wedged on the axis 3 of the middle rollers 2a, 2b, with interposition a freewheel device, for example a ratchet wheel, cooperating with a pawl; as freewheeling devices of this kind are well known, it is not necessary to describe it in detail, and the scale of the various figures has moreover not made it possible to represent it. It suffices to specify that this freewheel device is arranged so as to allow the free rolling of the middle rollers 2a and 2b at speeds of rotation greater than the instantaneous speed of rotation communicated to it by the pinion 24, meshing with the toothed wheel 23 A pusher 25 is fixed transversely below the pedal 6, at the level of a finger 26, itself fixed transversely to the toothed wheel 23, or to the equivalent toothed sector. On either side of the finger 26, the toothed wheel 23 further carries two lugs, 27 and 28, to which the first ends of two springs 29 and 30 are hung respectively, the second end of the spring 29 is hooked to a transverse axis joining the upper joints of the links 9a and 9b; the second end of the spring 30 is fixed to the chassis 1, for example near the axis of the rear rollers, 5a and 5b. The role of the two springs 29 and 30 will be explained later. Finally, a spring, 31, is interposed between the chassis 1 and an appropriate point on the underside of the pedal 6, this point being located between the pusher 25 and the guide rollers 12a and 12b.

The user manual for the roller skate just described is as follows:

When the skater engages his foot 8 in the slipper 7, the weight of his body, if his other foot is raised above the ground, or only half the weight of his body if his other foot is placed on the ground, directly or with the interposition of a roller skate, is supported, by means of the pedal 6, by the rods such as 9a, which the spring 29 pulls in their extreme front position, defined by a stop, such as 32a, fixed on the inner face of the wing 10a of the rear yoke, as well as by the powerful spring 31, bearing on the chassis 1. The pedal 6, on which the skater's foot rests, then occupies its "waiting position" , practically horizontal, which differs from that visible in FIG. 1 only in that the guide rollers 12a and 12b are raised above the rollers 17a and 17b of the brake control levers, 15a and 15b, so that the brakes 19a and 19b are released. In this position, the pusher 25 is located in front of and above the transverse finger 26 of the toothed wheel 23. Of course, in this standby position of the pedal 6, the skater can, at any time, brake the rollers medians 2a and 2b by giving, on the front of the pedal 6, a sharp stroke, which has the effect of pivoting the levers 15a and 15b and bringing the brake shoes 19a and 19b into contact with the rollers 2a and 2b.

To be propelled by the skate according to the present invention, which is provided for example with his right foot, the skater must then give a heel kick on the rear of the pedal 6, which was then in its waiting position. This has the effect of pivoting the rods 9a and 9b towards their extreme rear position, defined by stops such as 33a, which can be embodied for example by the ends of a rod whose middle part is fixed to the rear of the chassis 1, and whose length is sufficient. The energy developed by the skater's heel kick is stored in the spring 29, which tightens, the toothed wheel 23 remaining in its rest position, visible in FIGS. 1 and 2. The pivoting of the links 9a and 9b towards the rear drives in the same direction the pedal 6, the front rollers, 12a and 12b, are first guided by the respective upper edges of the cams 13a and 13b then escape from them when said pedal 6 reaches its position d actuation, which is shown in FIG. 2, and in which the weight of the skater is still balanced at least in part by the spring 31.

The skater then actuates with his foot the pedal 6 so as to rotate it around the upper articulations, 9al and 9b1, of the links 9a and 9b. During this depression movement of the pedal 6, its front rollers, 12a and 12b, are guided respectively by the rear edges, substantially vertical, of the cams 13a and 13b, which certainly avoids any untimely actuation of the control levers, 15a and 15b, braking devices. There is on the other hand compression of the spring 31, and the lower end of the pusher 25, which, in the actuation position of FIG. 2, had been brought above the transverse finger 26 of the toothed wheel 23, exerts on the latter a downward thrust, which has the effect of rotating said toothed wheel 23 in the direction of arrow f (Figure 2); this results in a rotation, in the opposite direction, F, of the middle rollers, 2a and 2b, on the axis 3 of which the pinion 24 is wedged. This rotation of the middle rollers in the direction of the arrow F has the effect of advancing the whole of the skate and the skater over a distance which obviously depends on the depressing stroke of the pedal 6 as well as on the ratio of the motion transmission device 25-23-24. During the rotation of the toothed wheel 23, the attachment point 27 of the spring 29 also moves in the direction of the arrow f, and when said point 27 has reached above the axis 23a, said spring 29 can relax; thus the energy which had previously been stored in the spring 29, when the skater had given a heel kick, then reinforces the driving action of the pedal 6 on the median rollers 2a and 2b.

Figure 3 shows the pedal 6 in its fully depressed position, which can be defined for example by lower stops, not shown, and in which the pedal is again substantially horizontal, the entire pad having pivoted around the rollers driving 2a, 2b, so that it is now the front rollers 4a, 4b which are in contact with the ground S. As the pusher 25 ceases to exert a driving action on the toothed wheel 23 and, via the pinion 24 , on the middle rollers 2a and 2b, these will roll freely when, in the following seconds, the skate and the skater continue to advance by inertia, that is to say due to the kinetic energy that the present propulsion has given them. At any time during this free race, but preferably a little before it ends due to friction phenomena, the skater, taking support on the ground with his left foot, raises his right foot and the skate which team, so that the spring 30, by relaxing, rotates the toothed wheel 23 in the opposite direction to the arrow f; as a result, the transverse finger 26 of the toothed wheel 23 pushes up the pusher 25 and the pedal 6. In fact, as the pedal 6 is fixed to the skater's foot, it is the chassis 1 and the rollers that it door, coming down. By means of the spring 29, the same rotation of the toothed wheel 23 exerts a return force of the links 9a and 9b towards their extreme front position of FIG. 1; the front rollers, 12a and 12b, of the pedal 6 therefore return to the upper parts of the cams 13a and 13b, also thanks to the relaxation of the spring 31, so that said pedal 6 finds itself in its standby position, and that , when the skater rests his right foot on the ground, he is able to brake, immediately, or at any later time, by tapping the front of the pedal 6. In fact, as we explained above, although it is possible to use a single skate according to the present invention, the other foot of the skater being either equipped with an ordinary skate, or without a skate, it is preferable to use two skates simultaneously according to the present invention, in the manner which has been previously described, so as to use the automatisms of normal walking, while benefiting from the important advantages linked, on the one hand, to the very significant increase in the "length of the steps" ", therefore of the average speed of advance, and, on the other hand, to the possibility of very rapid braking in all circumstances.

This first embodiment of the invention may include variants indicated below by way of nonlimiting examples.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a rigid sole 34, for example of a metallic material, is interposed between, on the one hand, the pedal 6, and, on the other hand, the slipper 7 and the heel 8a of the foot skater; this rigid sole 34, the dimensions of which are adapted to those of the skater's foot, is joined to the middle part of the pedal 6 by a vertical pivot axis, 35, and blocking means (not shown) are provided to block the sole 34 on the pedal 6 in different positions, where the longitudinal axis, designated by A in FIG. 4, makes, with the longitudinal axis (III-III in FIG. 4), an angle β, the value of which can be adjusted, preferably continuously, for example between 0 and ± 30 degrees. It is understood that this arrangement facilitates the use of roller skates according to the present invention by skaters whose feet are normally separated, when their heels are joined, by an angle 2p. Of course, the angle can receive a positive or negative value, to allow adaptation to skaters whose axes of the two feet normally form a V, having its point facing either forward or backward.

The shoe can optionally be provided with a single drive wheel, for example 2a, the other middle wheel, 2b, being mounted idle. It is also possible to remove the second middle wheel 2b, and to arrange the frame 1 so that the single drive wheel, 2a, is located substantially in the plane of symmetry (III-111 in FIG. 4) of the shoe. The total number of skate casters according to the present invention is optional, although it cannot be less than three. In the case where it is provided with two central rollers, it may have only one roller at the front and / or at the rear. In all these cases, the angle indicated in FIG. 1 can have a zero value, so that all of the skate wheels are always applied to the ground. The skate may also not have central rollers, but only two rollers at the front or at the rear, and at least one roller at the rear or at the front, at least one of these rollers being driven.

The roller skate could, as a variant, be provided with means making it possible to fix on the pedal 6, or on the midsole 34, the entire foot 8 of the skater, including his heel 8a.

The means for guiding the pedal 6 between its different positions can be produced in various ways; in particular, the guiding of the rear part of the pedal 6 by the wings 10a, 10b of the rear yoke is optional. The same does not apply to the guidance of the front part of the pedal 6 by the wings 11a and 11b of the front yoke; equivalent means could also be provided for laterally guiding the middle part of the pedal 6. In any case, these bilateral guides could be replaced by monolateral guides, possibly acting on opposite sides of the pedal 6. The guide rollers 12a and 12b are optional and the cams 13a and 13b can have different shapes, or be replaced by equivalent means, to prevent the pedal 6 from actuating the control levers, 15a and 15b, of the braking devices when it passes from its actuation position of FIG. 2, to its position of depression of FIG. 3. These braking devices themselves, and their control levers, 15a and 15b, are also capable of very diverse embodiments, comprising for example jaw brakes of the type used on bicycles. Of course, the number of skate casters according to the present invention, on which the braking devices act, is optional material; theoretically, it suffices to be able to brake a single caster, regardless of its position relative to the elongated chassis 1; however, it is preferable to brake at least two casters located on either side of the chassis 1 simultaneously.

The pusher 25, fixed below the pedal 6, and the transverse finger 26, fixed to the toothed wheel 23, or to the equivalent toothed sector, can be replaced by a connecting rod, the two ends of which are articulated around horizontal axes, one below the pedal 6, and the other, on one face of the toothed wheel or of the equivalent toothed sector, at a point close to that occupied by the finger 26 in FIGS. 1 to 3. Furthermore, the motion transmission device, which consists, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, of components 25, 26, 23 and 24, could be replaced by any other suitable motion transmission device, of a known type , this device being preferably arranged so that the depressing stroke of the pedal 6 is transformed into a rotation of the driving wheels, such as 2a and 2b, at the greatest possible angle, so that a single actuation pedal 6 allows communication with the skate and the skater the highest possible speed. Whatever the embodiment chosen for this movement transmission device, it is always possible to have it attacked by the spring 29, so that, after being tensioned by the pivoting of the links 9a and 9b towards the 'rear, the relaxation of said spring 29, during the depressing of the pedal 6, reinforces the driving action of the latter.

The rear of the pedal 6 could be connected to the rear of the chassis 1, by a single link, similar to 9a and 9b, but arranged so as to pivot in the vertical plane of symmetry of the pad (designated by III-III on Figure 4).

The single compressed spring 31 could be replaced by a more compressed spring, notably two similar lateral springs, compressed respectively between the edges of the pedal 6 and the ends of a plate fixed transversely to the chassis 1.

All the above-mentioned springs, 16a, 16b, 22a, 22b, 29, 30, 31, or at the very least certain of them, instead of being constituted by helical springs, could be formed by leaf springs, or by elastically deformable members, of which there are a large number of known embodiments. Each of these elastically deformable springs or members, or at least some of them, could possibly be associated with shock absorbers, of which there are also many known embodiments.

The shape and construction of the chassis 1 are optional materials. Instead of having its rear part supported by one or two links, such as 9a and 9b, the pedal 6 could be pivotally mounted relative to the chassis 1 around one or two separate transverse axes, by means of members. known mechanics.

In addition to the spring 29, an additional spring could be stretched between an appropriate point of the chassis 1 and one to the monk of the links 9a and 9b, to help bring the pedal 6 from its rear position to its standby position.

The finger 26 for controlling the toothed wheel 23 can advantageously be replaced by a loose roller. The second embodiment of a skate according to the invention is shown, seen from the side and in section, in FIGS. 5 to 8. In these views, one of the lateral sides of the chassis 1 has been removed to facilitate the understanding of the figures. As in the embodiment described above, the chassis consists of a U-shaped beam in the wings of which passes, approximately halfway along, an axis 3 supporting the drive rollers 2a and 2b. Two idler rollers 32a and 32b are provided in the axis of the beam and at its ends. The position of the axes of the idler rollers is preferably provided so that only the drive rollers and an idler wheel rest on the ground at the same time. This arrangement defines two support polygons, a rear polygon and a front polygon, corresponding to the points of application of the body weight during walking or running movements. Indeed, walking is done by first placing the heel on the ground; during this phase, the body weight is transferred to the heel. When you want to stop, it is the front part of the advanced foot that supports the weight of the body and transmits it to the ground. In the skate according to the invention, natural movements have been taken into account to control the actuation of the skate or the braking by displacement of the weight of the body in the rear or front lift polygons. In order to take account in the standing position of the tendency to carry the weight of the body by the soles of the feet and to rediscover the distribution of the surfaces presented by the shoes, the axis of the driving castors is brought closer to the caster rear than front caster. This position makes it easier to maintain the skid braking position and ensures stability at rest.

The movement transmission device (FIGS. 5 to 9) comprises a lever 33, articulated at one end on an axis 34, held in the chassis 1. The other end of the lever is provided an axis 35 carrying, in its middle, a mad pulley 36 (Fig. 9) and at its ends, two rollers 37a, 37b. These two rollers move in raceways 38a, 38b provided on the front longitudinal edges of the pedal 6 when the latter pivots around a first axis 39 carried by the legs 40a, 40b of a stirrup 40, the role will be specified later. A first cable 41, one end of which is fixed to the central body 42, passes over the pulley 36 of the lever 33, then over a pulley 43 held in the central body 42 and is wound around a first drum part 44 at which it is fixed. A second cable 45, one end of which is fixed by means of a spring 46 acting as a return system, is wound on the second part of the drum in the opposite direction to that of the first cable 41. In order to limit the size and however having a sufficient length of the second cable 45, the latter is folded over a pulley 47. The drum 44 is mounted on the shaft 3, carrying the rollers

drive, by means of a ratchet system (or freewheel), allowing the drive of the rollers only in the anticlockwise direction. The drum 44 also carries a toothed wheel 48 capable of cooperating with the pawl 49 whose position and operation will be indicated later.

The braking device comprises a disc 50 keyed onto the axis 3 of the drive rollers and a friction pad actuated by the central body. In the example shown, the shoe consists of a belt 51, fixed at one of its ends to the chassis 1, and the other end of which is fixed by means of a cable to a part of the central body 42. A return spring 52 is provided between the end of the belt connected to the central body and the chassis 1.

The selection and control device, forming a part of the braking and motion transmission devices, by which braking or propulsion is enabled, comprises the caliper 40, the central body 42, the pawl 49 and a pivoting stop 53 The legs 40a and 40b of the stirrup 40 form bent levers pivoting around a second axis 54 secured to the chassis, one end of the levers carrying the axis 39 on which the rear of the pedal 6 pivots. The other end of the levers forms stops 55a-55b which limit the rotational movement of the stirrup upwards against the action of a spring 56 and allows the rear part of the pedal to immobilize during the waiting positions and braking. The pivoting stop 53 consists of a U-shaped piece with a length corresponding to the length separating the legs 40a-40b (acting as rods) from the stirrup 40 and between which it can at least partially penetrate. This part pivots around a third axis 57 secured to the chassis passing through the end of its wings. The opposite end of the wings has a notch 58 in which the rear part of the transverse branch of the stirrup 40 is capable of being placed. The central body 42 and the pawl 49 are arranged inside the branches of the pivoting stop 53 and on the same third axis 57. The central body 42 is divided into two parts on either side of the axis 57: an upper part comprising, at its free end, a hook 59 directed towards the stirrup 40, and, at its lower part, an arm 60 at the end of which the braking belt cable 51 is fixed. The upper part of the body central is hollowed out to form the yoke of the pulley 43 (FIG. 10) over which the cable 41 for transmitting movement passes.

The pawl 49 has an approximately U shape and pivots on the third axis 57 which crosses its transverse branch. The upper lateral branch 61, when the stirrup 40 rests on the notch 58 of the pivoting stop 53, is provided so as to be above the transverse branch of the stirrup 40 but not in contact, while the branch lower lateral 62 is engaged with the teeth of the toothed wheel 48 under the action of a return spring 63.

The mode of operation of the pads, according to the embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 10, is as follows.

Figure 5 shows the shoe in the waiting position. This position corresponds to the shoe fixed under the foot, the latter being raised, the shoe therefore bearing no weight. The front of the foot 8 (soles and toes) is held on the pedal 6 by straps 64 (or any other device) and the back (heel) is loosely connected to the back of the pedal 6 by a device allowing the detachment of the heel 8a of the pedal. In this position, the elements of the selection and control device are arranged as follows: the pivoting stop 53 pivots rearward as a result of its contact with the central body 42 which is pulled rearward by the return spring 52 The stirrup 40 rests by its stops 55a, 55b against the chassis 1 under the action of the spring 56. The pawl 49 is engaged on the teeth of the toothed wheel 48 under the action of its return spring 63.

It is possible, from this standby position, to choose actuation (or propulsion) or braking depending on whether, when the shoe is placed on the ground, the heel 8a or the front 8 of the foot applies a sufficient pressure on the pedal 6.

Figures 6 and 8 show the elements of the control and selection device in the position allowing propulsion. During the attack on the ground by the heel 8a, which corresponds to placing the skate on the rear wheel, the pedal 6 begins to sink from the rear by tilting the stirrup 40 whose transverse branch comes in front of the hook 59 and below it, presses against the upper lateral branch 61 of the pawl 49, which separates the lower lateral branch 62 from the toothed wheel 48. When the foot comes to place the drive rollers 2a, 2b on the ground, the pedal 6 pivots forward and comes to rest via the rollers 37a, 37b on the lever 33 which swings forward in pulling on the first cable 41. The cable 41, passing around the pulley 43 of the central body 42, presses the central body against the stirrup by applying the hook 59 against the transverse branch of the stirrup. The calliper return spring can no longer act and the calliper is held under the hook 59. The rotation of the central body around the axis 57, in an anti-clockwise direction, is prevented and the braking device cannot function, the belt 51 cannot be driven by the arm 60 of the central body. The cable 41 drives the drum 44 by unwinding against the action of the spring 46, to which the second cable 45 is attached, and which is wound on the second part of the drum 44. Via the ratchet system contained in the drum, the rollers are rotated anti-clockwise. When the needs of propulsion require the lifting of the shoe above the ground for the installation of the second foot, the control and selection elements return to their waiting position allowing the cable 41 to be rewound around the drum and the spring to return 46 to his relaxed position.

Figure 7 shows the position of the control and selection elements in the braking position. Starting from the standby position, the pad being above the ground, when the pad touches the ground on the front caster, the pedal 6 acts on the lever 33 by tilting it forward. The cable 41 passing through the pulley 36 of the lever pivots the central body 42 forwards under the transverse branch of the stirrup, while the pivoting stop 53 advances under the action of its return spring under the bracket to limit its downward rotation. The pawl 49, under the action of its return spring, is brought into contact with the toothed wheel 48 and prevents any movement. As a result, the drum 44 is blocked and, unable to rotate, the length of the cable 41 is fixed. Continued action on the pedal forces the central body 42 to tilt forward by driving its arm 60, in the opposite direction, and consequently the belt 51, which rubs against the rim of the disc 50 secured to the rollers driving 2a, 2b. Due to the position of the various elements, it is not possible, despite the forward rotation of the foot, to actuate the motion transmission device.

According to a simplification, not shown, the pivoting stop 53 and the central body 42 can form a single piece, the central body being extended towards the rear by a cylindrical part centered on the axis 57 and of radius equal to the distance from this axis at the lower edge of the transverse branch of the stirrup 40 when the legs of the latter are in abutment on the chassis.

It should be noted that the selection of the positions is generally obtained from two elements, the stirrup and the central body which are braced one above or below the other. .

These selection and control means can be used for starting movement transmission or braking devices other than those described, for example devices using pneumatic or electrical means, by action on valves or contactors.

• - par action sur l'arrière de la pédale, on sélectionne la position d'actionnement avec interdiction du freinage, puis l'actionnement lui-même par action sur l'avant de la pédale,
• - par action sur l'avant de la pédale, on sélectionne la position du freinage avec interdiction d'actionnement, même avec retour en appui sur l'arrière.

In all cases, the selection and command sequence will be done from a standby position:

• - by action on the rear of the pedal, the actuation position is selected with braking prohibition, then the actuation itself by action on the front of the pedal,
• - by action on the front of the pedal, the braking position is selected with prohibition of actuation, even with back support on the rear.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but also covers the technical equivalents of the various elements or devices.

Claims (18)

1. A roller skate which comprises a roller chassis (1) on which a pedal (6), adapted to support the foot (8), is mounted pivotably about at least one transverse axis (9a2), between a standby position and an operative position reached each time the skater applies a thrust with his heel (8a) to the rear of the pedal (6) in the standby position, and a braking device (15a, 17a, 19a, 22a), characterized in that the braking device (15a, 17a, 19a, 22a) is mounted on the chassis (1) so as to be operated each time the skater, with the toe of his foot, applies a thrust to the front of the pedal (6) in the standby position; that the skate includes a transmission device (25, 26, 23, 24) which is mounted on the chassis (1) so as to be operated each time the skater applies a downward thrust with his foot to the pedal (6), transferring it from its operative position into a depressed position and which is coupled to at least one of the rollers (2a, 2b) so as to exert a driving action upon it at each operation of the pedal (6), and also elastic means, such as springs (29, 30) to return the pedal (6) from its depressed position into its standby position when the skater raises his foot.

2. A roller skate as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that some of the braking and transmission devices form a selection and control device (40,42, 53, 49) of which at least two elements (40, 42) are capable of being braced mutually one above or below the other to select, from the standby position, the operative position by applying a thrust upon the rear of the pedal (6) and then propulsion by applying a thrust upon the front of the pedal, braking being prohibited in this position, or the braking position by applying a thrust on the front of the pedal, propulsion being prohibited in this position.

3. A roller skate according to claim 1, characterized in that a freewheel device is inserted between the transmission device (25, 26, 23, 24) and each driving roller (2a, 2b) to which it is coupled.

4. A roller skate according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the rear part of the pedal (6) is connected to the chassis (1) by at least one link rod (9a, 9b) articulated at both its ends so as to pivot freely in a vertical longitudinal plane between two positions, one front and the other rear, which correspond respectively to the standby position and to the operative position of the pedal (6), whilst at least two elastically deformable elements, auch as springs, (29, 30) are provided, the first one to return the link rod (6a, 6b) from its rear position to its front position, and the second one to return the pedal (6) from its depressed position to its operative or standby position.

5. A roller skate according to claim 4, characterized in that the first spring (29) engages the transmission (25, 26, 23, 24) devices so that after having been tensioned by the pivoting of the link rod (9a, 9b) from front to rear, the expansion of said first spring (29) during the depression of the pedal (6) reinforces the driving action of the latter.

6. A roller skate according to anyone of the claims 1, 3, 4, 5, characterized in that the transmission device comprises at least one gear (23) or toothed segment which is mounted pivotably on the chassis (1) so as to mesh with a pinion (24), keyed on the axis (3) of the driving roller (2a, 2b), and also means (25, 26) to convert the depressing movement of the pedal (6) into a rotation of said gear (23) or of said toothed segment.

7. A roller skate according to claim 6, characterized in that the gear (23) or the toothed segment is coupled to the pivotable pedal (6) by an articulated link rod.

8. A roller skate according to claim 6, characterized in that a push rod (25), fixed transversely beneath the pedal (6), is arranged so as to cooperate, during the depression of said pedal (6), with a pawl (26), fixed transversely to the gear (23) or to the toothed segment, whilst an elastically deformable element, such as a spring (30), is arranged so as to return the gear (23) or the toothed segment into its position wherein said pawl (26) is itself in the top position, beneath the push rod (25), raised by the pedal (6), then in its operative position.

9. A roller skate according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the first spring (29) is stretched between a point (9a1) of the top part of the articulated link rod (9a, 9b) and a point (27) of the gear (23) or of the toothed segment, chosen so that the expansion of said first spring (29) applies to the driving roller (2a, 2b) a torque in the same direction as that resulting from the depression of the pedal (6).

10. A roller skate according to anyone of the claims 1 or 3 to 9, characterized in that the braking device comprises a control element, consisting for example of a lever (15a, 15b) which is mounted pivotably on the chassis (1), and which an elastically deformable clement, such as a spring (16a, 6b), normally maintains in its position of release of the brake (19a, 19b), said lever (15a, 15b) being arranged so that the front of tha pedal (6) pivots it into its position of application of the brake each time the skater applies a thrust to it with the toe of his foot.

11. A roller skate according to anyone of the claims 1 or 3 to 10, characterized in that it comprises means, including for example at least one wheel (12a, 12b) and a cam (13a, 13b) integral with the chassis, to guide the pedal (6), and particularly its front part, in its movements between its different positions, and particularly to prevent it, during its depression, from operating the braking device (15a, 18a, 19a).

12. A roller skate as claimed in claim 2, characterized by the selection and control device consisting of at least

- a yoke (40) comprising a first axis (39) on which the rear of the pedal (6) is articulatad, said yoke pivoting about a second axis (54) integral with the chassis;

- a central elemrnt (42) pivoting about a third axis (57) integral with the chassis, said axis dividing the element into two parts, a first part carrying a hook (59) directed towards the yoke (40) and with which it is adapted to cooperate, and an idler pulley (43), and a second part forming an arm (60) to the end of which a part (51, 52) of the braking device is fixed;

- a U-shaped pawl (49) articulated on the third axis (57), an upper lateral arm (61) of the U being adapted to cooperate with the yoke (46), the other lower lateral arm (62) with a gear (48) provided on the transmission device, said pawl comprising a return spring (63) placing the lower arm (62) in contact with the gear when the other arm is not in contact with the yoke.

13. A roller skate as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the transmission device comprises a lever (33) articulated by one end to the chassis (1), the other end carrying wheels (37a, 37b) cooperating with rolling tracks (38a, 38b) provided on the front part of the pedal (6) and a pulley (36) over which a cable (41) passes, one end of which is fixed to the central element (42) and the other end of which, passing through the pulley (43) of the central element, is wound onto a part of a drum (44) fixed to the shaft (3) carrying the driving rollers (2a, 2b) through the intermediary of ratchet system, said drum comprising a return system permitting the rewinding of the cable.

14. A roller skate as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the braking device comprises at least one disk (50) fixed to the shaft (3) carrying the driving rollers (2a, 2b), and also a friction shoe (51) operated by the central element (42).

15. A roller skate as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the friction shoe consists of a belt (51), one end of which is fixed to the chassis (1) and the other end of which is fixed to the arm (60) of the central element (42).

16. A roller skate according to anyone of the claims 1 to 15, characterized in that a tread (34) is interposed between the skater's foot (8) and the pedal (6), this tread (34) being fitted so as to be capable of being locked on the pedal (6) in different positions in which its longitudinal axis (A) forms, with that of the pedal (6), different angles (β) for example between 0 and ± 30 degrees.

17. A roller skate according to anyone of the claims 1 to 16, characterized in that means (7, 64) are provided to fix the front part only of the skater's foot (8) detachably to the pedal (6), or to the interposed tread (34), his heel (8a) remaining free to rise.

18. A roller skate according to anyone of the claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the driving roller or rollers (2a, 2b), of relatively large diameter, is or are mounted in the median part of the chassis (1), the front and rear parts of which each carry at least one idler roller (4a, 4b, or 5a, 5b, 32a, 32b) of equal or different diameter, and that the two planes inferiorly tangent to a driving roller (2a or 2b) and respectively to a front roller (4a or 4b, 32a) or to a rear roller (5a or 5b, 32b), preferably form between them an obtuse angle, the difference (a) from 180 degrees of which is only a few degrees or a few tens of degrees.

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