EP0471645A2 - Braking device for skate boards - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a braking device for a skateboard, comprising braking means (1) for the rear wheels (16), means arranged under the board (5), preferably at the rear of the said wheels, means (2) for actuating the braking, and linking means (3) connecting the two abovementioned means. These means (1, 2, 3) are arranged so that braking may be effected independently of the position of the board relative to the ground, which prevents any unexpected braking, and so that braking is exerted in a uniform manner regardless of the momentary orientation of the axle (6) carrying the wheels (16). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a brake device for a skateboard (s) or similar products comprising at least one axis, each axis being provided with at least one caster.

Various brake devices for skates and skateboards are known today, such as that described for example in PCT application CH 81/00097 (WO 82/00770). These known devices, preferably mounted in the area of the rear axle of the skate (or of the board), fulfill their braking function by the tilting action of the skate (or of the board). In the aforementioned application, the device consists of a lever, the rear free end of which is provided with a small caster and the front end is in connection with shims placed opposite the rolling surface of the two rear wheels. During the pivoting or tilting of the shoe around the axis of these wheels, the small caster bears against the ground and, correspondingly, the shims are pressed against the rolling surface of said wheels by means of the lever.

It thus appears that the effective and real field of application of these brakes is confined in fact to only roller skates, and that the indication of their application to skateboards is entirely theoretical. Indeed, we can observe that the user of the board, that is to say the boarder, even a beginner and a fortiori confirmed, when he moves on the skateboard, very often tilts his board, voluntarily or obligatorily, especially when he wants not only to perform tricks but also quite simply to change direction. This especially as the board, unlike the skate, is not fixed to the foot of the user.

These tiltings, with the known systems, would cause untimely and unwanted braking each time. The braking devices currently on the market are therefore totally unsuitable for the most commonly used planks, comprising a front axle and a rear axle each carrying two free rotating rollers, and more generally to all planks provided with at least one axle provided with 'at least one roulette.

From this first observation follows the teaching that, in order to be usable in practice, the board brake device must be able to fulfill its function regardless of the position occupied by this board with respect to the ground, whether it is parallel or approximately parallel to the ground, or that it occupies any other position.

Furthermore, also contrary to what is encountered on roller skates, the axles fitted to almost all of the skateboards are mounted so that they can have a capacity for a slight movement, this movement low amplitude being limited by a silentbloc. It is easy to understand, considering this second observation, that the design and construction of a skateboard brake device must take this technical characteristic into account, so that despite the latter, the braking is of good quality, that is to say that it proves to be effective and applies uniformly to the roller (s) that you wish to brake. In other words, the braking elements of the brake device must accompany the aforementioned movement.

Finally, the device should be designed so that it can be an integral part of the axle-rollers assembly or, on the contrary, be easily removable and reassembled on all common types of boards.

The aim of the present invention is to propose solutions to the problems just described. This object is achieved by a brake device of the kind mentioned in the introduction, which meets the characteristics defined in independent claim 1 and dependent claims.

It is clear that the field of application of the brake device according to the invention is not limited to skateboards. Such a device can, in fact, be mounted on all objects used in particular for leisure purposes and provided with axle (s) and caster (s) of the type mounted on the boards, for example on multi-purpose sleds which have appeared recently. on the market.

• la figure 1 est une vue de dessous en perspective d'une planche équipée du dispositif de frein, selon une première forme d'exécution,
• la figure 2 est une vue de profil avec coupes partielles de la planche munie du dispositif représenté à la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue arrière de la partie avant du dispositif de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessous du dispositif de frein selon une deuxième forme d'exécution,
• la figure 5 est une vue de profil avec coupes partielles du dispositif représenté à la figure 4,
• la figure 6 est une vue de profil avec coupes partielles du dispositif de frein selon une troisième forme d'exécution,
• la figure 7 est une vue de dessous du dispositif de frein selon une quatrième forme d'exécution.

We will now describe in detail, by way of nonlimiting examples, embodiments of the present invention, using the attached drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a board equipped with the brake device, according to a first embodiment,
• FIG. 2 is a side view with partial sections of the board provided with the device shown in FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a rear view of the front part of the device of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the brake device according to a second embodiment,
• FIG. 5 is a side view with partial sections of the device shown in FIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 is a side view with partial sections of the brake device according to a third embodiment,
• Figure 7 is a bottom view of the brake device according to a fourth embodiment.

The brake device according to the invention described below is mounted, by way of example, on a standard skateboard comprising a front axle and a rear axle, each of which is fitted with two free rotating rollers.

In general, this device, whatever its embodiment, comprises three assemblies: a braking assembly preferably arranged at the rear of the rear axle and being able to accompany the movements of the latter, an actuation assembly of this braking assembly, and a connecting assembly of the two aforementioned assemblies. These three assemblies are advantageously arranged under the board, with the exception of an actuating member emerging or / and projecting from the surface of the board.

These assemblies bear the reference 1, 2 and 3 respectively in FIGS. 1 and 2 which represent the device according to a first embodiment. We see that the device is arranged under the board 5, in a zone extending between the rear axle 6 and the rear end 15 thereof.

The braking assembly 1, which has a plane of symmetry of trace 25 (FIG. 3) merged with the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the board 5, comprises a support plate 17, two fixed arms 18.18 ′ arranged symmetrically with respect to at plane 25 and connecting the plate 17 by its lateral faces (not referenced) to the axle 6, and two symmetrical braking elements 23,24, fixed to the plate 17 by fixing means 26,27. In general, the braking elements and their support form the braking block.

The brake support plate 17 has the shape of an inverted U whose horizontal connecting bar, substantially longer than the two parallel branches, has in its middle a solid handle 22 directed upwards and provided with a central bore 21 of approximately frustoconical profile (Figures 2 and 3). As mentioned above, the plate 17 is connected to the axle 6 by means of arms 18, 18 ′, on either side of the axis of symmetry 25. The lower part of each of these arm has an axis (not referenced) with a threaded end passing through a radial bore arranged in the axle 6, so that the arm is inclined towards the rear by an angle whose value relative to the vertical axis 12 is as a function of the construction characteristics of the axle support 7 and of the assembly 1. In the example described, this angle is approximately 45 °. Finally, the arm is fixed to the axle for example by means of a washer-nut assembly, also not referenced. We see in Figure 3 the link of the arm 18, by its upper part, to the plate 17. This link is provided by means of an axis referenced 19, so that an aptitude for pivoting of said plate around it be preserved. The axis 19 may consist, for example, either of a rod with threaded ends passing right through the support plate 17 and the two arms 18, 18 ′, or of two studs screwed into the plate 17 and arranged one on the left, the other on the right, the axes of these studs having the same support merging with the axis 19.

On the rear face of the support plate 17 are fixed the left 23 and right 24 brake. The part of each of the brakes closest to the plane 25 (ie approximately the inner half-part) has on its visible face, seen from the rear, two bores in which the fastening means 26,27 are embedded. This part largely corresponds, as to its shape, to that of the plate 17: it covers the vertical branch and partially the horizontal branch of the inverted U. It is completed by a bar 29 which extends outwards perpendicularly to the plane 25, preferably extending to the outside line of the tread of the corresponding wheel 16. It is more advantageous that the lower edge of the bar 29 is disposed approximately at the height of the horizontal axis of the caster 16 or at a short distance above or below this axis. At least the entire face of the bar 29 placed opposite the rolling field of the caster 16 may be a curved surface 28, the radius of curvature preferably being equal to the outside radius of the caster. Each of the brakes 23, 24 being secured to the support plate 17 pivotable around the axis 19 (only the threaded end of the rod or of the stud on the right side, as indicated above, and the fixing means being visible on the Figures 2 and 3), the curvatures 28 are formed so that, when the brake device is actuated, their entire surface comes at the same time to press against the rolling surface of the respective wheel 16.

The left and right brakes are preferably made of a synthetic material. In a variant, the surface 28 can be coated with a lining with a high coefficient of friction replaceable after wear. As for the other elements of the brake assembly, the arms 18.18 ′ will preferably be made of metal, the support plate 17 made of metal or hard plastic.

It is understood that the braking, the actuation of which will be explained briefly below, is thus exerted in a uniform manner on the rollers, since the surfaces 28, where appropriate provided with linings, can thus accompany the movements of the axle at the end of which the casters are mounted. Indeed, it is noted that on practically all the boards, the axle carrying the rollers and, correspondingly, the board itself, have a certain aptitude for movement. On the board shown in the figures, the rear axle 6 (and similarly the front axle not shown) is connected to a support 7 via, on the one hand, an arm bent with axes 11 and 12 and, on the other hand, of a silentbloc arm 10 itself connected to the support by a silentbloc 8. The support 7 is fixed to the underside 4 of the board 5. In the normal unsolicited position of the board , the axis 12 is vertical or approximately so (depending on the different constructions) and located in the plane 25. Under the effect of stresses printed on the board by the user, or under the effect of obstacles or more generally of the relief of the ground on the rollers, the axis arm 12 can deviate to the left and to the right around the axis of rotation 11, the axis 12 thus constituting the generator of a right cone with vertex "S "and axis 11. The axis of axle 6, perpendicular to axis 12 and orthogonal to axis 11, thus moves in the bottom plane e of the cone and whose trace is referenced 13 (Figure 2). This movement of small amplitude is of course very limited by the silentbloc arm 10.

The actuation assembly 2 comprises a caliper 34, a support plate 40, an actuation lever 42 and a brake pedal 45,46 (Figures 1 and 2).

The stirrup 34 is a symmetrical piece (whose plane of symmetry merges with the plane (25) consisting of a base 35, two wings 37, 38 arranged perpendicularly downward, on either side of the plane of symmetry, and spaced from each other, so as to allow passage to the lever 42. These wings also have in their lower zone a bore 44 of common axis The front part of the base 35 has a clearance 36, also for the passage of the front part of the lever 42. The stirrup is preferably housed in the protective shoe 14 and fixed to the board 5 by the same fixing means 41 as those used for fixing the shoe. the latter has a clearance 49 to allow movement of the lever 42.

The lever 42 has at the front a curved portion 48, the end of which is provided with a notch 43 allowing the passage of a cable 30. In the bending zone is provided a bore 44 ′ similar to those 44 arranged in the wings 37, 38, through which the bores pass a rod 39 around which the lever 42 is articulated. On the top face of the rear end of the lever emerging from the end 15 of the board 5, is mounted a base 45 by fixing means 47 ′. The brake pedal 46 is mounted on the base itself by fixing means 47. All the constituent elements of the actuating assembly can of course be made of synthetic material.

The connection assembly 3 of the braking block 1 and of the actuation assembly 2 comprises the cable 30, the front end of which passes through a ball 33 housed in the frustoconical bore 21 of the plate 17 and ends in a stop bulge 32. The opposite end of the cable, that is to say rear, passes through the slot 43 of the lever 42 and is fixed there by known means not referenced. An elastic member 31, advantageously a coil spring surrounds the cable 30 between the support plate 40 and the plate 17, and exerts its force on these two elements, so that the lever 42 is maintained in the inactive position shown at FIG. 2. Finally, it will be noted that it is advantageous for the ball 33, when the brake is not actuated, to be located as close as possible to the axis 11, in order to limit as much as possible the displacements of the cable 30 during axle and / and board movements, and to ensure optimal braking uniformity.

The operation of the device is extremely simple: it suffices for the user, when he wishes, to depress the brake pedal 46, this action having the effect of bringing the surfaces 28 of the brakes 23 and 24 against the rollers 16 and thus obtain the braking thereof, braking which will be measured or which may result in the locking of the rollers, depending on the pressing force exerted by the snowboarder on the pedal 46. When the latter ceases to press on the pedal, the brake assembly returns to its initial position under the action of the spring 31.

It can also be seen that the device according to the invention makes it possible to apply very uniform braking at all times on the two casters, whatever the instantaneous orientation of the axle, and that no untimely braking can take place in particular. when the boarder performs tricks during which the board can take the most diverse positions relative to the ground.

Finally, it is easily understood that the members of the braking device, according to an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures but that it is easy for the skilled person to produce from the present description of the different embodiments , can be split, so that it is then possible to apply the left and right brakes not only together, but also independently of each other.

Figures 4 to 7 show three other embodiments of the braking device according to the invention. These embodiments apply the same general means as claimed and emerging from the first embodiment which has just been described, only the specific means used vary; they will therefore be described more briefly, the skilled person being able to reproduce them without further difficulty.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the actuating assembly 50 comprises an element 51 passing under the shoe 59 and fixed to the board 5. This element 51 has a channel 52 in which can move balls 53 under the action of pressing on a pedal mounted at the rear end of said element disengaging from the plate 5. The pedal 57 is movable in a housing 56, the lower part 58 of this pedal pushing then the first ball 53 ′, thrust transmitted up to the last ball 53˝ housed in the channel 52.

The braking assembly 60 comprises a braking bar 61, the left and right ends of which have, opposite the tread of the corresponding wheel, a curved surface 62 similar to the surface referenced 28 in the first embodiment. The bar 61 is secured to the rear axle 6 by means of fixed arms 67, 67 ′, preferably inclined towards the rear, similar to the arms 18,18 ′. These arms 67,67 ′ include support elements 63. An elastic member 64 each time exerts a force on the bar 61 towards the rear. This thus accompanies the movements of the axle 6.

The assembly 50 is connected to the assembly 60 by means of a rigid rod 55 emerging from the front part 54 of the channel 52 and the front end of which comprises a ball 65 housed in a part 66 secured to the bar 61.

When the device is actuated, that is to say when the snowboarder presses on the pedal 57, the rod 55 transmits the pressing force to the bar 61 whose surfaces 62 come into contact with the tread of the caster corresponding. Once the support action released, the bar returns to its initial position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, under the action of the return members 63.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the braking assembly 70 comprises two single-acting left and right jacks, each of the bodies 71 of which is secured to the axle 6 by means of an arm 72 inclined towards the 'back. A piston 79, provided with O-rings, is connected to a brake element 78 placed opposite the tread and having a curved surface similar to the surface 28 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The element 78 can also have a brake lining. A fluid 82 is found in the communicating rooms referenced 74.

The actuating assembly 80 comprises an element 86 provided with a channel 81 also filled with fluid 82. The rear part of the element 86 comprises a pedal 83 extended by a piston 84 whose lower end is in contact with fluid 82. Sealing is ensured by two O-rings and a cover not referenced.

The assemblies 70 and 80 are connected by an assembly 90 formed by a tube (91) preferably flexible fixed in a sealed manner, on the one hand, on the end piece 73 of the cylinder body 71 and, on the other hand, on the front end piece 85 of channel 81.

When the pedal 83 is actuated downwards, the incompressible fluid 82 exerts a force bearing on the face 76 of the piston 79, against the action of a spring 77. The brake element 78 is thus pressed against the roller 16, so as to allow the braking thereof. When the pedal 83 is released, the element 78 returns to its initial position under the effect of the return force of the spring 77.

A fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention is represented in FIG. 7 by a half view from below (symmetrical left part of the device).

The braking assembly 100 comprises a molded brake-carrying part 101 fixed integrally by known means (screws or flanges for example) to the rear of the axle 6, preferably in an upward inclined manner. The two left and right ends of this piece 101 are each extended by a shaft 102 oriented towards the rear and on which is mounted a blocking element 129 having, opposite the caster 16 a curved surface whose radius of curvature is equal to the radius of the caster and which also comprises, according to a variant, a brake lining. This element 129 is linked in rotation but free axially, this latter degree of freedom being limited on the one hand, by a stop ring 103 and, on the other hand, by a spring 109 arranged on the axis 102 between the face 131 of the part 101 and the face 130 of the element 129 or / and by the support of the surface 128 on the roller 16. The part 101 further comprises, at the rear end, a guide element 106 and at centers a small double-grooved pulley 108 whose axis passes through the axis of symmetry 25 and is at least approximately perpendicular to the latter.

The actuating assembly 120 comprises a pedal 121 mounted on support piece 123 and a guide and retaining device 122 of two cables 111 and 112.

These two cables constitute the connection assembly 110. The cable 112 is retained, on one side, by the device 122. The other end is secured to the element 129 by means of a clip 104. Between the device 122 and the assembly 110, the cable strand 112 extends to the right of the axis of symmetry 25 (and is therefore not visible in the figure). Then it is guided by the pulley 108 (on one of the two grooves through which it passes), the pin 106, and a peripheral groove or a central channel 105. The strand of cable 111 ends in a similar manner to the element- right brake not shown.

In active phase, that is to say braking, pressing the pedal 121 causes a rearward pulling force on the two cable strands 111 and 112. This pulling force pulls the element 129 towards inside, along the axis 102, which has the effect of bringing the surface 128 against the tread of the caster and therefore enabling the latter to be braked. When the snowboarder stops pressing on the control pedal 121, the element 129 is pushed outwards, along the axis 102, by the effect of the return force of the spring 109.

All the described forms of execution, non-limiting, make it possible to solve the problems exposed in introduction. The choice of one or the other will primarily depend on the cost. Among them, the first embodiment, particularly simple to perform, while providing a result that meets the set goals, has the advantage of being inexpensive.

Claims (10)

1.- Brake device for skateboard (s) or similar products comprising at least one axle (6), each axle being provided with at least one roller (16), characterized in that it comprises braking means (1; 60; 70; 100) of the wheel (s) (16) to be braked, actuation means (2; 50; 80; 120) of the braking, and connection means (3; 55; 90; 110 ) connecting the latter to each other, said means being arranged essentially under the board (5), preferably in the rear region of the rear axle (6), so as to ensure uniform braking on the roller (s), independently of the instantaneous orientation of the axis, as well as the position of the board relative to the ground. 2.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the braking assembly comprises a braking block connected to the axle (6) so that said block accompanies the movements of said axle and of the rollers. 3.- Device according to claim 2, characterized in the connection of the brake block to the axle consists of at least one rigid element. 4.- Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the rigid connecting element is inclined towards the rear, the angle of inclination preferably being equal to approximately 45 °. 5.- Device according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the braking block comprises braking elements arranged on a support. 6.- Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the braking elements are arranged opposite the rolling surface of the rollers (16) or on at least part of said surface. 7.- Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the face of the braking elements facing the rolling surface is curved. 8.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the actuating assembly comprises at least one brake pedal connected to support elements, a pressing force exerted on said pedal causing the brought braking elements against the rollers via the connecting means. 9.- Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the return of the brake pedal to the initial position is provided by at least one elastic member. 10.- Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the transmission of the pressing force on the brake pedal to the brake block is ensured by mechanical or hydraulic means.

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