EP0835155A1

EP0835155A1 - Skate comprising a single wheel or two parallel wheels

Info

Publication number: EP0835155A1
Application number: EP95928526A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michel Furter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-08-22
Filing date: 1995-08-21
Publication date: 1998-04-15
Also published as: FR2723698A1; FR2723698B1; WO1996005896A1; AU3225895A

Abstract

In one embodiment, the skate consists of a vertical member (1) having, in its upper portion, a ring (2) to be secured to the leg, linked to the vertical member (1) by a slide (10), in its lower portion, a foot rest (3) with bindings (9), articulated to the vertical member (1) by a pin (4), and, at its base, a spindle (5) supporting a wheel (7) fitted with a drum brake (8) with an actuating lever (6) connected to the foot rest (3) by a rod or spring (18).

Description

A SINGLE WHEEL OR TWO PARALLEL WHEEL SKATE.

The invention relates to roller skates with a single wheel and two parallel wheels.

The roller skates offered today are very sophisticated and allow very interesting performances to be obtained. They allow you to move at an accelerated pace, despite their winding progression.

The rollers used on these skates are of small diameter, which restricts their use to tracks without great roughness or unevenness. These pads do not allow rapid braking, nor momentary immobilization.

Also, we have imagined creating single-wheel skates of large diameter allowing their use on roads, even on paths. Their progression takes place in a rectilinear way, which makes it possible to reach much higher speeds. The existence of an upright ensures the rigidity of the wheel-footrest assembly and makes it possible to secure the skate to the body of the user, at the level of the calf, the thigh, the hip or the belt; a rigid block is thus obtained which is much better than that obtained by the stiffening forces of the ankle. This amount therefore makes it possible to produce different variants of this one-wheel shoe. The wheel has a freewheel and is fitted with a quick-acting braking device allowing almost instantaneous stops and prolonged immobilization on site if desired. The single-wheel pads of this design are suitable for traveling on the road like bicycles, since they allow the same reactions to be obtained. It should also be noted that freewheeling, combined with braking, makes it possible to achieve artistic figures that cannot be achieved with traditional roller skates; especially as the freewheel provides an effective attachment point on the ground which considerably reduces the number of pulses necessary for progression, compared to traditional roller skates.

Skates with two parallel coaxial wheels have also been imagined, the common axle of which supports a footrest.

There is already known a roller skate with a wheel corresponding to the preamble of claim 1 (German patent DE-C-313,449) The wheel is fixed against an upright provided at its base with an articulated footrest controlling, by through a linkage, a brake shoe, and, at its upper part, a means of attachment to the leg of the user surmounted by a handle. The wheel is on one side of the upright, while the articulated footrest and the means of attachment to the user's leg are located on the other side. In addition, the footrest is located far below the axis of rotation of the wheel. This offset of the footrest relative to the wheel, causes a lateral imbalance which must be constantly compensated by the user via the other pad, which makes the use of these pads very tiring and unattractive .

To overcome this difficulty, it has been envisaged (French Patent No. 753,203) to tilt the axis of the wheel so that the point of contact of the latter with the ground is located directly above the footrest. However, the "camber", which is thus given to the two wheels, generates dynamic effects detrimental to the progress and to the safety of the user, when the latter is moving at a certain speed.

Also known is a skate with two parallel wheels corresponding to the preamble of claim 1 1 (Swiss Patent No. 104,820). It has two coaxial wheels connected by an axle whose middle part is bent downwards to form a pad on which the foot rests; said pad supporting a braking means comprising at least one shoe capable of rubbing on a wheel under the action of a lever actuated by a crutch resting on the ground by means of a small roller. On such a skate, the footrest wheel assembly is not stiffened and nothing makes it possible to secure the skate to the body of the user who cannot, therefore, communicate lateral impulses to the wheels.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks. This invention, as characterized in the claims, solves the problem of creating roller skates with one wheel or two parallel wheels with which, on the one hand, the forces applied to the ground are permanently located in the plan of the wheels, without any lateral parasitic effort and, on the other hand, the changes can be carried out in a harmonious manner and without any discomfort for the user.

The roller skate with one wheel, provided with a free wheel, a brake and a footrest fixed on one side of at least one upright, to which is fixed the axis of rotation of the wheel and whose upper end is provided with a means of attachment to the body of the user, is characterized, according to the invention, in that the axis of rotation of the wheel, the footrest and the means of attachment to the body of the user, are located on the same side of the upright and in that the freewheel is retractable at will.

According to a preferred embodiment, the footrest is located just above the wheel and in the same plane as the latter.

According to an alternative embodiment, the footrest is secured to the lower part of the upright and consists of a yoke between the cheeks of which the wheel is mounted.

In this variant, the upright can be produced in two articulated parts with adjustable longitudinal travel by means of two opposite screw stops, fixed against the lower part of the upright.

According to a simplified embodiment, the upper part of the upright is replaced by a flexible shell conforming to the shape of the posterior part of the user's calf.

According to a final embodiment of the single wheel model, the upright is replaced by a tensioning wire or by a shock absorber connecting the front part of the footrest to the front part of a strap surrounding the user's calf. According to an embodiment of the model with two parallel wheels, each wheel is connected to the common footrest by an amount relative to which it is articulated laterally to form with a ring for fixing to the body of the user, an articulated parallelogram.

The advantages obtained, thanks to this invention, consist essentially in that, with the single-wheel model, the point of contact with the ground of the skate wheel is permanently located in the extension of the corresponding leg of the user. and that slips backwards are made impossible by the freewheel, which, for certain figures can nevertheless be voluntarily disengaged, and that the forward movement can be quickly stopped by action on the brakes, with possibilities of differentiating the action of these to facilitate cornering or the realization of certain figures, and that, with the model with two parallel wheels, the lateral balance is preserved even during oblique movements on a sloping surface.

Other characteristics and advantages will appear in the description which follows of different embodiments of the skate with one wheel or with two parallel wheels according to the invention, given by way of nonlimiting examples with regard to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a side view of an embodiment with a large wheel, with brake control by articulation of the footrest and an amount connected to the thigh of the user. - Figure 2 shows a rear view of the embodiment according to the previous figure.

- Figure 3 shows a side view of an embodiment with a small wheel and braking by action on the footrest and an amount connected to the user's calf.

- Figure 4 shows a rear view of the embodiment according to Figure 3.

- Figure 5 shows a rear view of an embodiment with two uprights.

- Figure 6 shows a side view of an embodiment with a small wheel, mounted in a yoke located under the footrest, and articulated amount with limitation of travel.

- Figure 7 shows a side view of an embodiment with a footrest in the form of a yoke with limitation of the longitudinal movement by a tensioner.

- Figure 8 shows a schematic front view of a user equipped with two skids with a wheel according to the invention, the uprights of which are connected to a belt.

- Figure 9 shows a side view of an embodiment with a footrest in the form of a yoke, with an upright conforming to the shape of the leg and with a tensioner for limiting the longitudinal movement towards the rear. - Figure 10 shows the diagram of a damper for controlling the rearward longitudinal movement.

- Figure 11 shows a schematic rear view of a roller skate with two parallel wheels and articulated uprights.

FIGS. 1 to 4 represent a shoe with a wheel 7, with a drum brake 8, mounted on an axle 5 fixed on one of the sides and at the lower end of an upright 1 ensuring the rigidity of the assembly, under a footrest with fasteners 9 and a hinge pin 4, connected to the drum brake 8 by an actuating lever 6 and by a spring 18; said upright 1 being connectable to the body of the user by a fixing ring 2, fixed to a slide 10 mounted in a groove

17 made at the top of said upright 1.

FIG. 5 shows a shoe with a wheel 7, with drum brake 8, connected to the footrest 3 by a lever 6 and a spring 18; the axis of rotation 5 of the wheel 7 being, in this embodiment, connected by its ends to two uprights 1 and 101, as well as the articulation axis 4 of the footrest 3; the ring 2 for fixing to the body of the user being connected to the two uprights 1 and 101.

Figure 6 shows a skate with a wheel 7, mounted in a yoke constituting the end of the lower part 1b of the upright 1, the base of which is used as a footrest 3. The two parts 1a and 1b, constituting the upright 1 , being, in this embodiment, articulated with respect to each other about a connecting axis 11 allowing a longitudinal angulation of the part controlled by screw stops 12, fixed on either side against the lower part lb above the connecting axis 11 of the two parts la and l b. A cable transmission 13, controlled by a handle (not shown), makes it possible to actuate the brake at will in addition to braking by simple inclination of the leg or bending of the ankle, by means of a crutch 15, taking at will support on the ground 16, constituting the extension of the control lever 6 of the drum brake 8.

This braking system can be replaced by a friction shoe secured to the upright 1 or to the footrest 3.

Figure 7 shows a skate with a wheel similar to the model shown in Figure 6 as regards the realization of the lower part of the upright, but whose upper part of said amount has been removed and replaced by a wire 19, connecting the end X of the footrest 3 to the front part Y of a strap 30 enclosing the user's calf. This wire 19 comes into action only when the front angle of the ankle opens too much, for example when the wheel abuts an obstacle, or when the braking is too brutal.

FIG. 8 gives a schematic presentation of a user equipped with two pads of the kind of those represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, the respective uprights 1 of which are connected by a common ring 2, situated at the level of the size of the user.

Figures 9 and 10 show a skate with one wheel, derived from that shown in Figure 7, but of which the part upper part of the upright has not been removed, but has been replaced by a sort of shell 20 conforming to the shape of the calf and offering a certain flexibility. The wire 19 has, in this embodiment, been replaced by a shock absorber 190 connecting the front end X of the footrest 3 to the front part Y of a strap 30 fixed a little above the user's calf .

Figure 11 shows a skate with two parallel wheels whose axes are fixed on the sides of two uprights 1 connected in the lower part by the footrest 3 and, in the upper part, by a ring 2 surrounding the user's calf. The two uprights 1, the footrest 3 and the ring 2 are articulated relative to each other to form an articulated parallelogram, the brake remaining controlled by the footrest.

As can be seen, this skate with one wheel or two parallel wheels, which can be provided with a brake and / or a free wheel, offers many advantages, compared to other skates or sliding devices on casters.

Indeed :

a) One wheel or two parallel wheels allow easy changes of direction.

- A wheel ensures always an optimal support on the ground whatever the inclination of the support. - An inflatable wheel gives a soft roll, not noisy, espousing small roughness such as small stones, and it absorbs jumps.

- A large radius wheel allows you to drive on stony ground.

- A wide wheel allows you to ride on soft ground.

- Two parallel wheels allow great lateral stability and better balance.

b) The amount 1 allows the extension of the lower limb, while fixing a small wheel, but allows, above all, to put a large wheel which is under the body, that is to say of the center of gravity.

Which implies :

- long strides, i.e. speed,

- good balance, because in the projection surface of the center of gravity.

But above all:

- good attachment to the body, which is also an important factor for balance and ease of evolution.

c) The use of a brake, which is very conceivable since we use wheels, gives great security in all circumstances: . if speed and pressing stop (while maintaining its trajectory),. if descending,. for learning (avoids large leg deviations that cause the fall).

This brake can be of all types (as on vehicles), depending on the budget and according to the activities for which it is manufactured: drum, disc, manual, electric, hydraulic.

d) The use of a non-return (freewheel) allows easy learning, because there is always excellent support on the rear leg. A retractable freewheel is also conceivable, in order to allow the virtuosos figures with evolution in reverse.

Possible variants of the different models with their advantages: 0

Model according to Figures 1 and 2: Ferris wheel, hence long strides and speed.

Model according to Figures 3 and 4: ideal model, because good ⁵ compromise between the size of the wheel, about 20 cm, and the length of the upright 1, ensuring comfort, mobility, speed, stability, maneuverability, lightness, small footprint and possibility of all-terrain development.

o Model according to Figure 5: the amount 1 is bilateral, either partially or completely on the second side. Its purpose is to reinforce the resistance to the support of the body on the footrest 3, because the second upright 101 unites only the axes 4 to 5; but this second upright 101 can also go up to the ring 2 on both sides to reinforce the resistance to lateral forces. It should be noted that the amount 1, even if it is unique, can be placed as well against the internal face of the leg as against the external face of the latter.

Model according to figure 6: like the model according to the figures

3 and 4, except that the footrest 3 is not movable about its axis 4, but is rigid relative to the lower part 1b. The upright 1, composed of two elements 1a and 1b, is articulated around the connecting axis 11, in order, on the one hand, to give it ease and, on the other hand, to allow better use of the crutch braking system 15. But this mobility is limited by the screw stops 12 in the event of a lack of force in the ankle, it should be noted that the axis 1 1 does not detract from the lateral rigidity of the upright 1.

The model according to FIG. 8 represents the extreme size model of the model according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The model according to Figure 7 represents a simplified embodiment of the model according to Figure 6. In this model, the amount 1 no longer exists, the stiffness of the ankle replacing it.

The model according to FIG. 9 is very comfortable and reassuring, since it has equivalents of the upright 1 through the wire 19 or the damper 190 and / or the shell 20. This principle allows, at the same time, the bringing together of X and Y and a progressive traction when X and Y move away, in combination with an adjustable stop or not of the stroke length.

The wire 19 can be replaced by a shock absorber, as shown in FIG. 10. The stiffness of the ankle can also simply be reinforced by a high shoe (boot for example), rigid like ski boots, ice skates, etc.

The shell 20 is the equivalent of the upright 1 and the ring 2, and is rigid relative to the footrest 3; but its amount can have a certain flexibility and the ring 2, in this case, is only partial. It prevents lateral flexion of the ankle and serves as a stop if the anterior opening of the ankle is exaggerated.

It was therefore thus created a set which allows the use of a skate to a wheel, large or small, wide or narrow, inflatable or not, under the foot or lateral to the leg, with a connection by upright 1 which secures skate to body. But the amount 1 can be long or short, single or bilateral, anterior 19, 190, or posterior 20, which allows the use of a larger wheel.

The amount 1 can be articulated more or less, or replaced by the stiffness of the ankle, or by a boot.

The model according to Figure 11 allows for turns with great flexibility and good grip two wheels on the ground. It also allows, and above all, easy movement on sloping ground, in a direction perpendicular or oblique to the line of greatest slope.

The addition of a hand, foot, or ground brake, as well as the addition of a retractable or non-retractable freewheel, are all advantages that make it possible to obtain a very secure, very efficient skate. , the use of which can be learned easily and quickly.

The models according to Figures 1 to 8 can be easily combined, depending on the purpose sought by I 'use.

Advantage also for the jump: better reception and, in uneven ground, better maintenance of the forward, rear and lateral inclination.

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. One-wheel roller skate provided with a free wheel, a brake and a footrest, fixed against one of the sides of at least one upright to which the axis of rotation of the wheel and the upper end of which is provided with a means of attachment to the body of the user, characterized in that the axis of rotation (5) of the wheel (7), the footrest (3) and the fixing means (2) to the body of the user, are located on the same side of the upright (1) and in that the freewheel is retractable.

2. Roller skate according to claim 1 characterized in that the footrest (3) is located just above the wheel (7) in the same plane as the latter.

3. Roller skate according to claim 1 characterized in that the footrest (3) is integral with the lower part of the upright (1).

4. Roller skate according to claim 3, characterized in that the footrest (3) consists of a yoke between the cheeks of which the wheel (7) is mounted.

5. Roller skate according to claim 3 characterized in that the upright (1) is made in two parts (la, lb), articulated, with adjustable longitudinal freedom of movement.

6. Roller skate according to claim 5, characterized in that the adjustment of the travel of the two articulated parts (la, lb) constituting the upright (1) is obtained by means of two opposite screw stops (12), fixed against the lower part (lb) of the upright (1), above the hinge pin (11) of the two parts (la, lb) constituting the upright (1).

7. Roller skate according to claim 1 or 3 characterized in that the upright (1) is replaced by a shell (20) offering a certain longitudinal flexibility.

8. Roller skate according to claim 1 or 3 characterized in that the upright is replaced by a wire (19) connecting the end X of the footrest (3) of the front part Y of a strap (30) surrounding the user's calf.

9. Roller skate according to claim 1 or 3 characterized in that the upright (1) is replaced by a shock absorber (190) connecting the end X of the footrest (3) to the front part Y of a strap ( 30) surrounding the user's calf.

10. Two-wheel roller skate provided with a free wheel, a brake and a footrest fixed against one of the sides of two uprights to which the axes of rotation of the wheels are fixed and the upper end is provided with a means of attachment to the body of the user, characterized in that the two uprights (1), the footrest (3) and the means of attachment (2) to the body of the user are connected and articulated laterally together to form an articulated parallelogram.