EP0774283B2 - Frame for skate and method for making same - Google Patents

Abstract

The frame (1), having a rectangular inverted U-shaped crosssection with one or more thrust surfaces (3, 4) to receive the sole of a boot, and one or more side flanges (2), is made from a cut-out sheet metal shape, stamped to form curved reinforcing ribs (8) in the flange(s), and then folded. The flanges have fixing holes (6) for blade, wheels or rollers, and the frame can be made from a number of components joined by screws, rivets or welding.

Description

The present invention relates to a frame for sliding sports article type roller skate, ice skate and a method of manufacturing such a frame.

Such elements must ensure the connection between the gliding members or proper, namely ice skate blade or wheels, wheels, and the foot of the user.

The frames are generally made of a bearing surface adapted to receive the shoe of the athlete and one or two lateral flanges for receiving the wheels, wheels or blade pad.

They must also have significant strength characteristics while being as light as possible so as not to cause too much effort on the part of the athlete.

• une résistance mécanique et stabilité accrue, notamment pour les patins de vitesse mais également pour le patins dits de «Free ride», «Free style» ou hockey,
• une certaine flexibilité, notamment dans certaines zones du patin pour permettre une adaptation de la forme du patin à la trajectoire effectuée, notamment dans les courbes à grande vitesse,
• des formes variées et originales pour répondre aux exigences naissantes et changeantes de la mode,
• un coût de fabrication le plus bas possible.

Moreover, the increasing technicality of these sports slippery articles, especially in the case of inline skates, further increases the contradictory requirements to which the skate frames must comply, and namely:

• mechanical strength and increased stability, especially for speed skates but also for skates called "Free ride", "Free style" or hockey,
• a certain flexibility, especially in certain areas of the pad to allow an adaptation of the shape of the pad to the trajectory performed, especially in high speed curves,
• varied and original shapes to meet the rising and changing demands of fashion,
• a manufacturing cost as low as possible.

The known chassis manufacturing techniques currently do not meet all these requirements, while maintaining a reasonable manufacturing cost.

Indeed, the oldest manufacturing technique is to manufacture such frames from a folded sheet, U-shaped, as shown for example in the DE 10 33 569 .

Such a manufacturing principle, certainly inexpensive, however, does not allow to obtain very varied forms, nor chassis of high mechanical strength except to significantly increase the thickness of the sheet and therefore its weight.

The request for EP-A-0 043 250 discloses a U-shaped frame with side flanges having fastening means for the gliding members. The shape of the frame is cut out of a metal flank. The side flanges have a rather narrow shape and holes for fixing the protection means are provided in the flanges. To prevent longitudinal deformation of the frame, a thick metal sheet must be provided, which increases the weight of the frame.

In order to improve the mechanical resistance, it was first tried to abandon the U-shape of the frame and replace it with T or Y shapes.

FR 943,511 describes a Y-shaped frame, its rigidity being due to the bending of the flanges and incidentally to returns of material formed at the periphery of the various cuts made therein.

US 4,273,345 describes, for its part, a T-shaped frame in which, to improve the rigidity of the flanks, they are mounted back to back in all places where this is possible.

These achievements which are complex to manufacture only partially solve the problem of rigidity and do not meet the current requirements of manufacture of the frame, both mechanically and aesthetically.

• coûts des moules,
• choix limité de matériaux pouvant être moulés,
• faibles caractéristiques de résistance mécanique de ces matériaux de moulage, même lorsqu'il s'agit de matériaux métalliques,
• précision insuffisante du moulage obligeant à des reprises d'usinage notamment en ce qui concerne l'alignement des trous de fixation des roues ou de la lame du patin pour un châssis à deux flasques.

Another commonly used technique is to make the frames by molding from synthetic material or metal. The molding has the advantage of allowing quite varied shapes, but also has many disadvantages:

• mussel costs,
• limited choice of materials that can be molded,
• weak mechanical strength characteristics of these molding materials, even in the case of metallic materials,
• Insufficient precision of the molding necessitating reworking, in particular as regards the alignment of the fixing holes of the wheels or the blade of the pad for a frame with two flanges.

Chassis made of composite fibers are also known. Such frames can actually be made in almost all possible forms but they are extremely expensive to manufacture and difficult to industrialize. Moreover, such frames are certainly extremely rigid but lack flexibility and are therefore fragile and not "comfortable".

Finally, it was proposed by US 5,388,846 making an ice skate or roller skate frame from a profiled metal bar whose cross section corresponds to the desired general section for the frame, the final shape of the frame being obtained after machining with removal of material.

Such a manufacturing process is still very expensive here, because of the necessary machining time and the amount of material to be removed. It also does not allow much freedom in the shape or profile of the chassis.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks and to provide an improved chassis for sliding sports article and a method of manufacturing such a chassis that can solve the various problems stated above and which allows in particular to reconcile resistance characteristics mechanical, adaptability, flexibility of achievement, lightness and low manufacturing cost.

• découper dans un flanc de métal une forme correspondant sensiblement à la forme développée d'au moins une partie du châssis
• à réaliser par emboutissage dans ladite partie du châssis au moins une nervure de rigidification allongée dans une direction longitudinale du châssis dans une région entre au moins deux moyens de fixation.

This object is achieved in the manufacturing method according to the invention in that it is a U-shaped frame for sliding sports article and the type comprising at least one support surface capable of receiving a shoe and two lateral flanges comprising means for fixing the gliding member or members, and in that it comprises the steps of

• cutting into a metal flank a shape substantially corresponding to the developed shape of at least a portion of the frame
• to be produced by stamping in said portion of the frame at least one stiffening rib elongate in a longitudinal direction of the frame in a region between at least two fastening means.

This object is also achieved by virtue of a U-shaped frame for a gliding article comprising at least one bearing surface adapted to receive a shoe and two lateral flanges comprising means for fixing the gliding member or members, said frame comprising less a stiffening rib made on at least one of the flanges by stamping. The rib is elongated in a longitudinal direction of the frame in a region between at least two attachment means.

Indeed, the fact of stiffening the frame by means of ribs by stamping allows, at equal weight compared to a frame simply obtained by folding, a significant increase in the characteristics of rigidity and resistance to deformation due to part of the presence of such ribs but also because of the localized hardening of material obtained at said ribs related to the mode of obtaining by stamping.

Depending on the desired result can be provided that each rib extends substantially over the entire length of the flange of the frame, or only on a limited central area of each flange, or at the ends of each flange.

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un châssis selon un premier mode de réalisation,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon II-II de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon III-III de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une vue de côté d'un châssis selon un second mode de réalisation,
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe selon V-V de la figure 4,
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe selon VI-VI de la figure 4,
• la figure 7 est une vue de côté d'un châssis selon un troisième mode de réalisation,
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe selon VIII-VIII de la figure 7,
• la figure 9 est une vue en coupe selon IX-IX de la figure 7,
• la figure 10 est une vue en coupe selon X-X de la figure 7,
• la figure 11 est une vue de côté d'un châssis selon un quatrième mode de réalisation,
• la figure 12 est une vue en coupe selon XII-XII de la figure 11,
• la figure 13 est une vue similaire à la figure 12 illustrant encore un autre mode de réalisation.

In any case, the invention will be better understood and other characteristics thereof will be highlighted with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing showing by way of nonlimiting examples, several forms of realization of chassis, and wherein:

• the figure 1 is a side view of a frame according to a first embodiment,
• the figure 2 is a sectional view along II-II of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 3 is a sectional view along III-III of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 4 is a side view of a frame according to a second embodiment,
• the figure 5 is a sectional view according to VV of the figure 4 ,
• the figure 6 is a sectional view according to VI-VI of the figure 4 ,
• the figure 7 is a side view of a frame according to a third embodiment,
• the figure 8 is a sectional view according to VIII-VIII of the figure 7 ,
• the figure 9 is a sectional view along IX-IX of the figure 7 ,
• the figure 10 is a sectional view along XX of the figure 7 ,
• the figure 11 is a side view of a frame according to a fourth embodiment,
• the figure 12 is a sectional view according to XII-XII of the figure 11 ,
• the figure 13 is a view similar to the figure 12 illustrating yet another embodiment.

As shown by the Figures 1 to 3 , the frame according to the invention is made from a metal sheet and is generally in the form of two lateral flanges 2 connected to one another by two platforms 3, 4 conferring on the whole a substantially U-shaped cross section.

Each of the platforms 3, 4 constitutes a bearing surface adapted to receive the athlete's footwear, the latter (not shown in the drawing) being fixed by any means known per se and in particular glue, rivets, screws, etc. .., but can also be removably attached by means of non-permanent connection.

It will also be noted that the platforms 3, 4 are distinct and separated from one another by a cutout 5, and located at different levels in height, the platform 4 being lower than the platform 3, to account for the natural position, heel slightly raised, of a sportsman.

Each flange 2 has an elongated shape and slightly curved arcuate in the longitudinal direction.

At the lower end of each flange, there are provided holes 6 for fixing rollers or, as the case may be, a skate blade.

Each hole 6 is made in a cylindrical boss 7 that can be obtained by stamping. The holes 6 located in correspondence in the two flanges 2 are coaxial.

Each flange 2 also has a pressed rib 8 extending substantially over the entire length of said flange 2, above the fixing holes 6 and generally arcuate.

As shown more particularly by Figures 2 and 3 each rib 8 has a substantially constant thickness corresponding to that of the plate constituting the flanges 2 and each of the platforms 3, 4, and has a hollow shape, convex towards the outside, this recessed shape and the thickness constant being characteristic of a shape obtained by stamping.

Each rib 8 also preferably follows the contour of the flanges 1, 2, on which it is stamped and therefore has in this case an elongated shape and also slightly curved in the longitudinal direction.

Such a pressed rib 8 confers on the flange on which it is made a significant increase in the moment of inertia and the resistance to deformation both in longitudinal and vertical direction, this increase being related not only to the presence of each rib 8 and its shape but also the work hardening of the material at the rib during the stamping operation.

Such a construction and manufacturing concept makes it practically possible to halve the thickness and therefore the weight of the sheet metal plate used to make the frame with respect to a folded, molded or profiled frame, while preserving or even increasing the characteristics. mechanical.

By this method, we thus obtain an extremely lightweight frame, resistant and inexpensive.

Advantageously, the frame will be made from a rolled sheet whose fibers are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the frame. Such a characteristic also makes it possible to increase the strength qualities of the frame in the longitudinal direction, particularly with respect to an injected or cast alloy frame in which there is no fiber formation.

Furthermore, it is possible to modify / modulate the moment of inertia of the chassis by the provision of cuts such as 5, 9, appropriate.

In the present case, the cutout 9, of oval shape and disposed centrally below the rib 8, makes it possible to reduce the bending stiffness of each flange 2 in the central zone of the frame and, in combination with the cutout 5, also arranged centrally. , also reduces the flexural stiffness of the entire chassis in this area.

• tout d'abord le flanc est prédécoupé à une forme correspondant à la forme développée du châssis avec une surface augmentée au niveau de la zone de chaque nervure pour tenir compte du phénomène de retrait de matière au moment de l'emboutissage,
• au cours de cette première opération, toutes les découpes telles que 5 et 9 sont également réalisées,
• ensuite les deux nervures 8 des deux flaques 1, 2 sont réalisées par emboutissage,
• puis les trous 6 sont réalisés par filage et sont éventuellement taraudés, après une opération préalable de matriçage des bossages 7,
• et enfin la tôle est pliée en U.

Such a frame can be obtained very simply and integrally from a metal flank by the following succession of steps:

• firstly, the blank is precut to a shape corresponding to the developed form of the chassis with an increased surface at the zone of each rib to take into account the phenomenon of shrinkage of material at the time of stamping,
• during this first operation, all the cuts such as 5 and 9 are also made,
• then the two ribs 8 of the two pans 1, 2 are made by stamping,
• then the holes 6 are made by spinning and are optionally threaded, after a preliminary operation for stamping the bosses 7,
• and finally the sheet is folded in U.

Of course, the sequence of operations described above is only applicable if the frame is made in one piece from the same metal flank. It can also be obtained in several parts assembled by any means known per se such as screws, rivets, welds, etc.

More particularly, each frame may consist of two flanges of general cross section in the form of "L" and connected together by the small branch of each "L".

Compared with an aluminum alloy chassis obtained by injection molding, such a technique of manufacturing by stamping, and possibly stamping, folding, is much more precise, does not require a subsequent machining operation and allows to have a choice of material more important and with more interesting features. Indeed, the number of materials available for injection or molding is very limited and these materials are generally brittle and do not give rise to the formation of fibers.

Moreover, the molding techniques, injection is not accurate enough, always expensive and time-consuming machining remakes would be necessary to achieve for example the fixing holes of the gliding members.

It should also be noted that the geometrical qualities of a stamped frame are clearly superior to those of a plastic frame, for which we are confronted by the large shrinkage of the material, twisting and alignment of the holes fixing wheels requiring machining operations.

• matière plastique    15 secondes
• aluminium profilé + usiné    180 secondes
• aluminium coulé    85 secondes
• aluminium embouti    6 secondes.

As an indication, the time required to produce a chassis in the various techniques can be evaluated as follows:

• plastic material 15 seconds
• profiled aluminum + machined 180 seconds
• cast aluminum 85 seconds
• stamped aluminum 6 seconds.

There is therefore the triple gain in time and cost of manufacture, characteristics of the material and lightness, achieved by employing the stamping technique according to the invention.

Another extremely advantageous characteristic of the stamping technique lies in the fact that the possibilities in terms of design are superior to those of the aluminum profile which does not allow any relief or shape on the sides of the profile necessarily planar.

Furthermore, the method and the frame construction according to the invention offer great possibilities for varying the moment of inertia of the frame along the longitudinal axis thereof, by predicting the ribs, cuts or heights sidewall adapted to obtain a deformation of the frame and an optimum behavior of the pad depending on the type of desired practice.

Thus, the chassis described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 provides almost uniform rigidity over its entire length while the other two examples of chassis shown to Figures 4 to 6 and 7 to 10 allow to obtain different behaviors.

The chassis 10 mounted to Figures 4 to 6 comprises as the chassis 1 two side flanges 12 but a single platform 13 extending over its entire length.

The chassis 10 also has a shape that is clearly curved in an arc.

Each flange 12 has at each end a cutout 15 and a perimeter shrinkage 14, giving it a certain flexibility and a low moment of inertia in these areas.

By cons, each flange 12 is provided in its central region of two embossed ribs 18, 19 superimposed.

Such a frame thus has a very high rigidity in the center, in the region of the ribs 18, 19, and relatively flexible ends.

The chassis 20 shown to Figures 7 to 10 comprises as the chassis 10 two side plates 22 and a single platform 13 extending over its entire length.

• à son extrémité arrière, deux nervures superposées 28, 29,
• dans sa zone centrale une découpe 25 ainsi qu'un rétrécissement périmétrique 24,
• à son extrémité avant, une seule nervure 27.

It also has a shape in an arc. Each flange 12 presents:

• at its rear end, two superposed ribs 28, 29,
• in its central zone a cut 25 and a perimetric shrinkage 24,
• at its front end, a single rib 27.

Such a chassis will be very rigid at the rear, very flexible in the center and moderately rigid in the front.

The Figures 11 to 13 illustrate still further embodiments of a chassis.

In the case of Figures 11 and 12 each lateral flange 32 of the frame 30 is stamped over its entire surface and therefore constitutes a wide and single rib 38 slightly bent outwards.

Such a chassis therefore has particularly uniform torsional and flexural stiffness characteristics over its entire length, the only more flexible zones being defined at the front and at the rear by indentations 34.

Finally, figure 13 illustrates yet another example of cross-stamping lateral flanges 42 of a frame 40, in which each flange is pressed a first time outwards, then a second time inwards, thus defining two "ribs" outside 48 and an inner medial rib 49.

Of course, a simple stamping of each inner rib 49 also possible.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown above. It can be applied to any frame for sporting goods having to satisfy the same requirements.

Claims (15)

1. Method for manufacturing a U-shaped chassis with two lateral flanges, the flanges being linked to one another on the side which is capable of receiving the shoe, for a sport-gliding article, and of the type comprising at least one support surface (3, 4, 13, 23) capable of receiving a boot and said lateral flanges (2, 12, 22) comprising means (6, 16, 26) for attaching the gliding member(s), characterized in that it includes the step consisting of:

   - cutting in a metallic flank a form corresponding substantially to the developed form of at least one portion (2, 12, 22) of the chassis,

   - obtaining by pressing in said portion of the chassis at least one stiffening rib (8, 9, 18, 19, 28, 29) that is elongated in a longitudinal direction of the chassis in an area between at least two attaching means (6, 16, 26).
2. Manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the stiffening rib (8, 9, 18, 28, 29) extends toward the inside of the chassis over at least one portion of its length.
3. Manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that the stiffening rib (8, 9, 18, 28, 29) extends toward the outside of the chassis over at least one portion of its length.
4. Manufacturing method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it consists of cutting the total developed form of the chassis and obtaining the final form after bending into a U, following the pressing operation.
5. U-shaped chassis with two lateral flanges, the flanges being linked to each other on the side which is capable of receiving the shoe, for a gliding article comprising at least one support surface (3, 4, 13, 23) capable of receiving a boot and said lateral flanges (2, 12, 22) comprising means (6, 16, 26) for attaching the gliding member(s), characterized in that it comprises at least one stiffening rib (8, 9, 18, 19, 28, 29) which is obtained on at least one of the flanges (2, 12, 22) by pressing and in that the rib (8, 9, 18, 19, 28, 29) is elongated in a longitudinal direction of the chassis in an area between at least two means (6, 16, 26) for attaching the gliding member(s).
6. Chassis according to claim 5, characterized in that the rib(s) (8, 9, 18, 28, 29) extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of each flange and is obtained above the means (6, 16, 26) for attaching the gliding member(s).
7. Chassis according to one of claims 5-6, characterized in that the rib(s) (8, 9, 18, 28, 29) has a substantially arched shape.
8. Chassis according to one of claims 5-7, characterized in that the rib(s) (8) extends substantially over the whole length of the flange of the chassis.
9. Chassis according to one of claims 5-7, characterized in that a cutout (a) is associated with the rib(s) (8).
10. Chassis according to one of claims 5-7, characterized in that the rib(s) (18, 19) extends only over a limited central zone of each flange.
11. Chassis according to one of claims 5-7, characterized in that the rib(s) (28, 29) extends at the level of the ends of each flange.
12. Chassis according to one of claim 5, characterized in that the rib(s) (38) extends substantially over the whole surface of the lateral flange (32).
13. Chassis according to one of claims 5-12, characterized in that the rib(s) extends toward the inside of the chassis.
14. Chassis according to any one of claims 5-12, characterized in that each rib extends toward the outside of the chassis.
15. Chassis according to one of claims 5-14, characterized in that the lateral flanges are made of pressed aluminium.

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