EP0847299A1

EP0847299A1 - Brake system for in-line roller skate

Info

Publication number: EP0847299A1
Application number: EP97915211A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bernard Daoust
Original assignee: Bauer Inc
Current assignee: Bauer Inc
Priority date: 1996-03-29
Filing date: 1997-03-27
Publication date: 1998-06-17
Also published as: CA2222800A1; WO1997036656A1; AU2282497A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a brake system for use on roller skate. The brake system is mounted at the rear of the skate and activated by a movement of the cuff. The brake system includes a brake arm pivotally mounted to the frame of the skate about a pivot axis located forwardly of the heel cup and above the imaginary horizontal plane containing the wheel axles. A brake pad is mounted to the brake arm at a location remote from said pivot axis. A brake actuation lever connects the brake arm to the cuff. The actuation lever includes a pair of forwardly extending legs located on the medial and the later sides of the heel cup, respectively. The legs connect with the brake arm at sites intermediate the pivot axis of the brake arm and the brake pad.

Description

BRAKE SYSTEM FOR IN-LINE ROLLER SKATE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a brake system for use on an in-line roller skate. The brake system is activated by a pivotal movement of the cuff and it is characterised by the ability to move by translation or sliding movement relatively to the cuff during the delivery of a braking movement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Brake systems for use with roller-skates, particularly the in-line category of skates fall in two different classes. The first class relates to static pads that are mounted either at the front or at the rear of the skate. To reduce his speed of travel or stop altogether, the user is required to incline the skate for engaging the brake pad with the ground surface. This approach to brake design has several drawbacks. Perhaps, the most serious disadvantage is the requirement for the user to orient the skate at an angle with relation to the ground plane to provide breaking action. At low speeds, this manoeuvre can be executed easily and well even by novice users. At high speeds, however, precisely where braking authority is critical, this manoeuvre can induce a loss of balance with the potential of serious falls.

Another disadvantage of static brake pads is the poor efficiency in terms of energy dissipation. For instance, when the skate is angled to produce engagement between the brake and the ground surface only a small fraction of the body weight rests over the interface brake pad/ground. As a result, the rate of speed reduction is often inadequate.

The second class of brake systems covers structures that produce braking action as a result of movement of body parts, such as the leg or a hand, while maintaining all the skate wheels firmly on the ground surface. There is generally a consensus in the industry that such brake systems are easier to operate, particularly for novice users, and are also safer. An example of a brake system using the movement of the leg to operate the brake is disclosed in the U.S. patent 5,465,984. The roller-skate described in this reference includes a boot mounted on a frame that supports four wheels arranged in a common plane. The boot includes a lower section, commonly called "shell" that receives the foot of the user. The lower portion of the user's leg is supported by an encircling cuff that is pivotally connected to the shell about a generally horizontal axis. This pivotal connection enables the cuff to follow the movement of the leg when the leg is inclined forwardly or rearwardly during the skating movement. The brake system is operated by a movement of the cuff. When the cuff is tilted back, which occurs when the user brings forward one foot (the one equipped with the brake) with relation to the other foot, a brake pad is caused to engage the ground surface.

The linkage that enables the transmission of the braking movement from the cuff to the brake pad includes two components. The first component is an arm pivotally connected to a rear portion of the skate frame. The extremity of the arm that is remote from the pivot axis carries the brake pad. The second component is a rod-like actuator that connects the pivotal arm to the cuff. The connections between the rod-like actuator, the brake arm and the cuff are pivot joints as well. In essence, the assembly behaves as a four-link structure that causes the brake arm to move down as the cuff is tilted back and to move up when the cuff is tilted forward.

One major drawback of this brake system is its complexity and high cost of manufacture. This is due primarily to the requirement of using four pivot joints to operate the brake. Every such joint in the final product increases significantly the cost of manufacture because more complex components are necessary and the assembly of such components requires more time on the production line, more sophisticated automated assembly equipment and better trained operators. In addition to those factors, other expenditures must also be taken in consideration such as longer development times and prototype testing to ensure that all pivot points are structurally sound and will perform adequately over the life of the product.

It has also been observed that roller-skates with brake systems of the type disclosed in U.S. patent 5, 465, 984 are relatively fragile and subject to premature failure in use. One element that may explain the reason for this condition is the orientation of the rod-like actuator. This component is located at the rear of the skate, at a certain distance from the heel cup. In this position, the rod-like actuator is subject to accidental impacts, particularly if the skate is used for playing a game known as "Roller hockey". In a roller hockey environment, the probability that the rod-like member is hit by a hockey stick or a flying puck is high. Such impacts are sufficiently violent to fracture the rod-like actuator with the effect that brake no longer functions appropriately.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a brake system for the roller skate that is of simple construction, yet efficient for rapidly slowing or stopping the motion of the skater.

As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a roller skate usable on a rolling surface, comprising: an elongated frame; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame, said wheels being arranged in tandem and lying in a substantially common plane; a footwear element mounted to said frame for receiving a foot of a skater, said footwear element, including: a shell portion for receiving a foot of the skater, said shell portion including a heel cup for receiving a heel of the skater's foot and a toe portion for receiving toes of the skater's foot, said heel cup including a rear end defining a rear extremity of said shell portion, said toe portion including a front end defining a front extremity of said shell portion; an upper cuff portion retained to said shell portion, said upper cuff portion being capable of at least partially encircling a lower leg of the skater, said cuff being capable of forward and backward movement with relation to said shell portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said skate, said upper cuff further including an abutment element mounted on a rear portion of said cuff; a brake system mounted to said skate, said brake system including: a brake arm pivotally mounted to said skate about a pivot axis that extends generally transversally to said skate, said pivot axis being located at a site intermediate said front and rear extremities of said shell portion; a brake pad mounted to said brake arm at a location remote from said pivot axis; a brake actuation lever, including: an abutment facing a rear portion of said cuff and capable of engaging said abutment element; first and second legs structurally connected to said abutment, each of said first and second legs including a forwardly extending portion, said portion terminating at a location forward of said rear extremity of said shell, each said first and second legs being mounted to said brake arm at a site intermediate said brake pad and said pivot axis, whereby rearward rotation of said cuff causes said abutment element on said cuff to apply downward force on said abutment on said brake actuation lever for pivoting said brake arm by the intermediary of said brake actuation lever in a direction to produce engagement between said brake pad and the rolling surface.

As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a roller skate usable on a rolling surface, comprising: an elongated frame; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame, said wheels being arranged in tandem and lying in a substantially common plane; a footwear element mounted to said frame for receiving a foot of a skater, said footwear element, including: a shell portion for receiving a foot of the skater, said shell portion including a heel cup for receiving a heel of the skater's foot and a toe portion for receiving toes of the skater's foot, said heel cup including a rear end defining a rear extremity of said shell portion, said toe portion including a front end defining a front extremity of said shell portion; an upper cuff portion retained to said shell portion, said lower cuff portion being capable of at least partially encircling a lower leg of the skater, said cuff being capable of forward and backward movement with relation to said shell portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said skate, a brake system mounted to said skate, said brake system including: a brake pad capable of engaging the rolling surface; a brake actuation lever facing a rear portion of said cuff, said brake actuation lever being coupled to said brake pad; a resilient tongue element projecting rearwardly and downwardly from said cuff, said tongue and said cuff defining a channel therebetween; said brake actuation lever being slidingly received in said channel; an abutment element located at an upper end portion of said channel, whereby rearward movement of said cuff causes said brake actuation lever to slide in said channel and engage said abutment element.

As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a roller skate usable on a rolling surface, comprising: an elongated frame; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame, said wheels being arranged in tandem and lying in a substantially common plane; a footwear element mounted to said frame for receiving a foot of a skater, said footwear element, including: a shell portion for receiving a foot of the skater, said shell portion including a heel cup for receiving a heel of the skater's foot and a toe portion for receiving toes of the skater's foot, said heel cup including a rear end defining a rear extremity of said shell portion, said toe portion including a front end defining a front extremity of said shell portion; an upper cuff portion retained to said shell portion, said lower cuff portion being capable of at least partially encircling a lower leg of the skater, said cuff being capable of forward and backward movement with relation to said shell portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said skate, a brake system mounted to said skate, said brake system including: a brake pad capable of engaging the rolling surface; a brake actuation lever facing a rear portion of said cuff, said brake actuation lever being coupled to said brake pad; a coupling between said actuation lever and said cuff, said coupling including a slot member and a projection member, one of said members being mounted to said actuation lever and the other of said members being mounted to said cuff, whereby during movement of cuff said projection member is displaced in said slot; said slot having a predetermined length defining a range of movement of said projection therein; said slot having an end wall capable of engaging said projection, whereby preventing further relative movement between said brake actuation lever and said cuff. As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a roller skate usable on a rolling surface, comprising: an elongated frame; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame, said wheels being arranged in tandem and lying in a substantially common plane; a footwear element mounted to said frame for receiving a foot of a skater, said footwear element, including: a shell portion for receiving a foot of the skater, said shell portion including a heel cup for receiving a heel of the skater's foot and a toe portion for receiving toes of the skater's foot, said heel cup including a rear end defining a rear extremity of said shell portion, said toe portion including a front end defining a front extremity of said shell portion; an upper cuff portion retained to said shell portion, said upper cuff portion being capable of at least partially encircling a lower leg of the skater, said cuff being capable of forward and backward movement with relation to said shell portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said skate; a brake system mounted to said skate, said brake system including: a brake arm pivotally mounted to said skate about a pivot axis that extends generally transversally to said skate; a brake pad mounted to said brake arm at a location remote from said pivot axis; an abutment element formed on a lower portion of said cuff near a lower peripheral edge of said cuff; said abutment element being capable of engaging through either one of a rolling and sliding contact said brake arm, whereby movement of said cuff induces downward rotation of said brake arm to bring said brake pad in contact with the rolling surface.

As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a roller skate usable on a rolling surface, comprising: an elongated frame; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame, said wheels being arranged in tandem and lying in a substantially common plane; a footwear element mounted to said frame for receiving a foot of a skater, said footwear element, including: a shell portion for receiving a foot of the skater, said shell portion including a heel cup for receiving a heel of the skater's foot and a toe portion for receiving toes of the skater's foot, said heel cup including a rear end defining a rear extremity of said shell portion, said toe portion including a front end defining a front extremity of said shell portion; an upper cuff portion retained to said shell portion, said upper cuff portion being capable of at least partially encircling a lower leg of the skater, said cuff being capable of forward and backward movement with relation to said shell portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said skate; a brake system mounted to said skate, said brake system including: a brake arm pivotally mounted to said skate about a pivot axis that extends generally transversally to said skate; a brake pad mounted to said brake arm at a location remote from said pivot axis; an abutment mounted to said; said abutment element being capable of engaging through either one of a rolling and sliding contact said brake arm, whereby movement of said cuff induces downward rotation of said brake arm to bring said brake pad in contact with the rolling surface.

As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a roller skate usable on a rolling surface, comprising: an elongated frame; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame, said wheels being arranged in tandem and lying in a substantially common plane; a footwear element mounted to said frame for receiving a foot of a skater, said footwear element, including: a shell portion for receiving a foot of the skater, said shell portion including a heel cup for receiving a heel of the skater's foot and a toe portion for receiving toes of the skater's foot, said heel cup including a rear end defining a rear extremity of said shell portion, said toe portion including a front end defining a front extremity of said shell portion; an upper cuff portion retained to said shell portion, said lower cuff portion being capable of at least partially encircling a lower leg of the skater, said cuff being capable of forward and backward movement with relation to said shell portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said skate, said upper cuff further including an abutment element mounted on a rear portion of said cuff; a brake system mounted to said skate, said brake system including: a brake arm pivotally mounted to said skate about a pivot axis that extends generally transversally to said skate; a brake pad mounted to said brake arm at a location remote from said pivot axis, angular movement of said brake arm causes engagement of said brake pad with the rolling surface; a resilient element between said brake arm and said frame, said resilient element being in a condition of resilient deformation when said brake pad engages the rolling surface, in said condition of resilient deformation said resilient element urging said brake arm toward a position in which said brake pad is out of contact with the rolling surface . As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a roller skate usable on a rolling surface, comprising: an elongated frame; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame, said wheels being arranged in tandem, said wheels are capable of rotating in said frame about respective axes that lie in a common horizontal plane; a footwear element mounted to said frame for receiving a foot of a skater, said footwear element, including: a shell portion for receiving a foot of the skater, said shell portion including a heel cup for receiving a heel of the skater*s foot and a toe portion for receiving toes of the skater's foot, said heel cup including a rear end defining a rear extremity of said shell portion, said toe portion including a front end defining a front extremity of said shell portion; an upper cuff portion retained to said shell portion, said upper cuff portion being capable of at least partially encircling a lower leg of the skater, said cuff being capable of forward and backward movement with relation to said shell portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said skate; a brake system mounted to said skate, said brake system including: a brake arm pivotally mounted to said skate about a pivot axis that extends generally transversally to said skate, said pivot axis being located at a site intermediate said front and rear extremities of said shell portion, said pivot axis being located above said common horizontal plane; a brake pad mounted to said brake arm at a location remote from said pivot axis.

As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a brake assembly suitable for use in a roller skate, the assembly comprising: (A) a first member capable of being secured to an end of the roller skate, said first member having a plurality of walls, the walls defining a channel thereinbetween;

(B) a second member capable of being received within the channel defined by the walls of said first member; (C) means for selectively positioning said second member within the channel defined by the walls of said first member; and

(D) a brake pad secured to said second member; whereby a change in the position of said second member within said first member will cause a change in the relative position of said brake pad with respect to a skating surface.

As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a brake system for a roller skate comprising: a brake pad made of high friction material for engaging a rolling surface on which the roller skate is displaced: a support element to which said brake pad is mounted; a vibration absorbing body mounted between said brake pad and said support element, said vibration absorbing body being made of material more compressible than said brake pad.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a prospective view from the rear of an in-line roller skate with a brake system constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a roller skate with a brake system in accordance with a variant;

Figure 2a is a variant of the embodiment shown in Figure 2;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a roller skate with a brake system in accordance with a further variant; Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the lower edge portion of the cuff that activates the brake system of the skate;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the brake pad assembly in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an inner casing of the brake pad assembly shown in figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the inner casing shown in figure 6;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the inner casing shown in figure 6;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the inner casing shown in figure 6;

Figure 10 is the side elevational view of a brake pad component;

Figure 11 is a front elevational view of the brake pad component depicted in figure 10;

Figure 12 is a top plan view of an insert for locking the brake pad component and also for providing vibration dampening; and

Figure 13 is a side elevational view of yet another embodiment of a roller skate braking system in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the annexed drawings, more particularly to figure 1, the present invention provides an improved brake system for use with in-line roller skates. The roller skate designated comprehensively by the reference numeral 10 includes a boot 12 mounted on a frame that carries a plurality of wheels 16 arranged in a common vertical plane that contains the center line of the skate. The boot 12 includes a shell 18 that encloses the foot of the user. A cuff 18 encircles the lower leg to provide lateral stability. The cuff is pivotally connected to the shell 18 at two sites located on either side of the skate. Only one such site is shown in the drawings and it is identified by the reference numeral 22. This structure allows the cuff to pivot forwardly or rearwardly, thus accommodating the movements of the lower leg during skating, while maintaining the leg in the plane that contains the frame 14 and the wheels 16.

The shell 18 and the cuff 20 are made of plastic material by injection moulding. The material used should be sufficiently flexible to provide good comfort potential while being abrasion and impact resistant to protect the foot.

Most preferably, a liner is mounted in the boot 12 to provide a high degree of comfort while maintaining the foot stable in the shell 18 and the cuff 20. The liner can be made from a variety of different materials. The material of choice should be soft and highly resilient to conform to the surface of the foot, thus avoid pressure points that could result in discomfort. Normally, the liner would extend from the toe portion of the shell 18 up to the upper end of the cuff 20. The liner can be made as a single piece, or as two or more separate elements joined in the ankle region of the foot.

The roller skate 10 features a novel brake system designated by the reference numeral 24. The brake system is mounted at the rear of the skate and includes two main components namely, an actuation lever 26 and a brake arm 28 that carries a brake pad assembly 30. The actuation lever 26 is designed to interact with the cuff 18 to urge the brake arm 28 down when the cuff 18 is pivoted rearwardly for, in turn, bringing the brake pad assembly 30 against the ground surface. The actuation lever 26 includes an upwardly extending component 32 provided with a longitudinally extending centrally located groove 34 that slidingly receives a tongue 36 integrally formed with the cuff 20. The tongue extends rearwardly and downwardly defining a channel with the cuff. The upper end of the actuation lever on which the groove 34 is formed is slidingly received in the channel. On each side of the groove 34 extends guides 38 that hold the tongue 36 captive. As such, the upstanding member 32 can only slide longitudinally in the cavity formed between the tongue and the rear surface of the cuff and no lateral movement is authorised between the tongue 36 and the upstanding member 32. The upstanding member 32 connects at the base with a fork-like structure 42 that joins the brake arm 28. The fork-like structure 42 includes a pair of legs 44 in a spaced apart relationship, extending on either side(the medial and lateral sides) of the heel cup of the skate. Each leg 44 includes an upper forwardly extending segment 46 that connects with a lower rearwardly extending segment 48. The segments 46 and 48 define between them an angle of approximately 45 degrees. The lower end of the segment 48 joins with the brake arm 28.

The brake arm 28 is a fork-like structure including a pair of angled sections(bifurcations) 50 and 52 that join with one another at a convergence located at the rear extremity of the brake arm 28 where the brake pad assembly 30 is located. The sections 50 and 52 extend along diverging directions to define between them a space for accommodating the rear section of the skate frame. The forward extremities of the sections 50 and 52 are pivotally connected to the frame 14 to enable the entire brake system 24 to pivot up and down with relation to the skate about a pivot axis that is parallel to the pivot axis the cuff 18. The pivot axis of the brake arm is located above the horizontal plane that contains the axles of the wheels, and below the sole of the shell and the pivot axis of the cuff.

The brake system 24 operates as follows. To activate the system the user is required to effect a rearward rotation of the cuff. In practice, this can be accomplished by bringing forward the foot equipped with the brake for causing the leg and the cuff 18 to tilt back. The rearward pivoting of the cuff 18 causes the tongue 36 to slide down in the groove 34 of the upstanding member 32. This sliding movement continues until the upper edge of the upstanding member 32 abuts against the base of the tongue 36 that constitutes an abutment. At this point, the brake system 24 descends until the brake pad assembly 30 engages the ground surface. It will be noted that during this movement the tongue 36 and the upstanding member 32 move along different trajectories because they pivot about horizontal axes that are vertically spaced apart. As such, a certain flexibility is necessary in the connection tongue 36/upstanding member 32 to accommodate this movement. The tongue 36 is dimensioned to provide a sufficient level of flexibility in order to yield away from the cuff 18 during the progressive descent of the combination cuff/brake system.

This brake system is particularly advantageous over the prior art designs in terms of simplicity, durability, ease of assembly and cost of manufacture. Indeed, the brake system uses a single pivot joint rather than multiple joints, as suggested by the prior art. The structure is thus more robust and unlikely to fail even after years of service. It is very easy to assemble to the skate. More specifically, the brake system can be conveniently formed as a single unit (with the exception of the brake pad assembly 30) and connected to the skate simply by inserting the upstanding member 32 under the tongue 36 and then install screws at the pivots at the extremities of sections 50 and 52 of the brake arm.

The orientation of the legs 44 that connect with the upstanding member 32 constitutes another advantage. Since the legs extend on either side of the heel cup they are less susceptible to accidental impacts that may damage them. Actually, the heel cup acts as a guard protecting the legs 44 against blows to the skate that may be encountered in a game of roller hockey, for example.

The angular relationship between the sections 46 and 48 of the legs 44 and 46 has been found advantageous in that it provides a noticeable degree of vibration dampening when the brake pad assembly 30 engages the ground surface. More specifically, the sections 46 and 44 are capable to flex within narrow limits at their junction to absorb some of the vertical disturbances transmitted by the brake pad assembly 30. The junction between the sections 46 and 48 provides the primary dampening function. Additional dampening also occurs at the juncture between the upstanding member 42 and the legs 44 and also at the base of the legs 44 where they join with the brake arm 28. The vibration dampening properties of these sites may be controlled by varying several factors. For instance, the angle formed between the components determines, among other elements, the degree of flex. Another consideration is the rigidity of the material. In general, the smaller the angle between the components and the softer the material from which those components are made, the more pronounced the flexing movement will be. It should be appreciated that although a certain level of flexing movement is desirable to provide vibration dampening behaviour, excess flex may be unsuitable for most applications as the structure of the brake will have a tendency to distort during heavy braking effort.

The precise location where the legs 44 join with the brake arm 28 has a significant impact on the dynamic behaviour of the brake system. The distance between the pivot axis of the brake arm 28 and the location where the legs 44 join with the brake arm determines on one hand the leverage (mechanical advantage) acting on the brake arm 28, and on the other hand the rate of descend of the brake pad assembly 30 for a certain amount of angular displacement of the cuff 18. More specifically, the closer the legs 44 and 46 lie with respect to the pivot axis of the brake arm 28, the faster the brake pad 30 will move toward the ground when the cuff 18 is pivoted rearwardly. On the down side, less leverage is available with the consequence that the user must press harder on the cuff 18. Thus, by varying the location of the legs 44 relative the pivot axis of the brake arm 28, the manufacturer can fine-tune the skate for different applications. For example a more aggressive brake setting, where the brake acts faster but requires a higher effort could be preferred by professionals, while a more moderate setting could be better suited for novice skaters.

To disengage the brake pad assembly 30 from the ground surface the user must pivot forwardly the cuff 18. The engagement between the tongue 34 and the upstanding member 32 causes the brake assembly to be pivoted upwardly along with the cuff 18. It will be appreciated that the tongue 36, while the brake is applied is in a condition of resilient deformation, the portion of the tongue that is remote from its base yielding away from the cuff. This resilient deformation is caused by the pivotal movement of the upstanding member 32 toward the ground surface when the brake is applied. The yielding tongue 36, attempting to recover its original configuration presses on the upstanding member 32 which has a tendency to induce in that upstanding member an upward pivotal movement tending to disengage the brake pad 30 from the ground surface. Moreover, the pressure applied by the tongue 36 on the upstanding member 32 creates a significant level of friction between these components so that when the cuff 18 is pivoted forwardly the brake assembly is caused to follow. These two combined effects are responsible for disengaging the brake pad 30 from the ground when the user tilts forwardly the cuff 18.

Figure 2 of the annexed drawings illustrates a variant of the braking system in accordance with the invention. In this drawing components similar or identical with the components of the skate shown in figure 1 will be designated by the same reference numerals followed by the suffix "A". The brake system 24a is similar to the previous embodiment with two exceptions. First, the upstanding member 32a is no longer connected to the cuff 18a. The upstanding member 32a includes an upper extremity 100 that is engaged by a projection 102 extending from the cuff 18a, when the cuff is tilted back. Thus, the projection 102 merely acts as an abutment to press the brake system 24a down and has no effect in raising the brake pad assembly 30a from the ground surface. It will be noted that as in the case of the previous embodiment the projection 102 and the extremity 100 of the upstanding member 32a move along different trajectories during the rearward pivotal motion of the cuff 18a. As a consequence, a relative displacement occurs between the mating surfaces of the upstanding member 32 a and the abutment 102. It iε desirable to reduce, as much as possible, the amount of friction developed at this interface to facilitate the delivery of the braking movement. As such, it could be desirable to apply on the tip of the upstanding member 32a, the abutting surface of the projection 102, or on both surfaces a low friction substance such as Teflon (Trademark) or any other suitable material known to the person skilled in the art. The other difference with the previously described embodiment resides in the use of a resilient member whose function is to raise the braking assembly 24a when the cuff 18a is pivoted forwardly. In the most preferred embodiment the resilient member is in the form of a strip 104 integrally moulded with the brake assembly 24a and projecting to fit in a cavity in the rear end of the frame 14a. As such, when the brake system 24a is pivoted down the strip 104 that is held captive against the frame 14a is resiliently distorted. When the cuff 18a is pivoted forwardly the distorted strip returns to its original configuration and, as a result, raises the brake system 24a above the ground surface. Under a possible variant, a coil spring may be incorporated in the pivot point connecting the brake system 24a to the skate in order to accomplish a similar function.

Figure 2a illustrates a possible modification of the brake system 24a that resides in the coupling brake actuation lever/cuff. The upstanding member 32a is provided with an elongated slot 33 in which is located a projection 35 formed integrally with the cuff 18a. The lateral dimension of the projection 35 is slightly less than the width of the slot 33 to prevent the upstanding member from moving laterally. Thus, the projection 35 acts as a lateral stabiliser allowing the upstanding member 33 only to move up and down during brake application/release motions. To authorise such up/down movements the projection 35 has a vertical dimension much less than the length of the slot 33. It is the length of that slot which determines the maximum angular range of movement of the brake system 24a. The value of this parameter can be changed to suit different applications where a different angular motion range of suitable.

Figure 3 illustrates a further variant of the roller skate in accordance with the present invention. Components similar or identical to those illustrated in figures 1 and 2 will be designated by the statement reference numerals followed by the suffix "B". The skate 10 b includes a braking system 24 b that is activated by the lower edge portion of the cuff 18 b. More specifically, the braking system 24 b comprises a pair of legs 200 (only one leg being shown in the drawing) on either side of the heel cup. The legs are connected to one another at their upper extremities by a crosspiece 202 that is complementary to the shape of the heel cup. Each juncture site defined between the lateral extremities of the crosspiece 202 and the respective legs 200 includes a projecting tab portion 204 to which is mounted a roller bearing 206. The bearing 206 is engaged by the lower edge portion of the cuff 18 b so that when the cuff is tilted backwards the brake assembly 24 b is caused to move down and to engage the ground surface. An interesting feature of this embodiment is the ability to control the rate of descend of the brake system 24 b in accordance with the profile of the lower edge portion of the cuff 18 b. Figure 4 provides additional details on this point. The lower edge portion 208 of the cuff 18 b is provided with two ramp surfaces having different slopes on which the roller bearing 206 rides. The first ramp surface 210 has an aggressive profile (the slope is significant) in order to provide a fast rate of descend before the brake and assembly 30 b engages the ground surface. Thus, it surfaces to impart to the cuff 18 b a small angular displacement to cause the brake pad assembly 30 b to engage the ground surface. After the roller bearing 206 has reached the end portion of the aggressive ramp 210 it engages the second ramp 212 of more moderate slope designed to provide an increased leverage. This feature enables to generate a significant pressure at the interface brake pad assembly 30b/ground without the necessity of heavy leg effort acting on the cuff. Moreover, the skater can modulate the brakes better.

If desired, the ramp portion 212 includes near the end of travel zone a notch 214 in which the roller bearing 206 can be trapped. This enables to achieve a condition of contiguous brake application without the necessity of pressing on the cuff 18b. To disengage the brake the user needs to push forwardly on the cuff 18b with sufficient force to dislodge the roller bearing 206 from the notch 214.

As is the case of the embodiment disclosed in figure 2, a spring element is provided to urge the brake assembly 44 upwards. This means that when the cuff 18 b is pivoted forwardly, the brake assembly 24 b automatically raises itself.

Figures 5 to 12 illustrate the various components of the brake pad assembly 30. It will be apparent from figure 5 that such brake pad assembly can also be used for applications where the brake pad is fixed relative the skate frame (braking is affected by raising the toe portion of the skate to bring the brake pad in contact with the ground surface) . In such cases, minor modifications are required to the structure of the brake pad assembly to connect it to the skate frame, as it will be discussed later.

The brake pad assembly 30 includes an outer casing 300 including a top wall 302, sidewalls 304 and a rear wall 306. An opening 308 extending across the entire width of the casing 300 is provided to receive an adjustment knob 312 that is used to adjust the distance between the brake pad and the ground surface. Typically, such adjustment is made to compensate for wear of the brake pad.

The casing 300 is a hollow structure slidingly receiving therein an inner casing 314 that carries the brake pad 316 made of vulcanised rubber. The inner casing 314 includes a flat surface 318 provided with a long U-shaped slot 320. Below the top surface 318 is provided an internal flange 322 that is parallel to the top surface 318 and includes its own U-shaped slot. Both U-shaped slots register with one another and define between them a channel 324 for slidingly receiving a nut 326 in which is engaged a threaded shank 328 of the adjustment knob 312. The lateral dimensions of the channel 324 are selected to prevent the nut 326 from rotating. Thus, when the adjustment knob 312 is turned, the threaded shank 328 is longitudinally displaced relative the entire inner casing 314.

The opposing side walls of the inner casing 314 includes three vertically extending parallel grooves 330 that are horizontally spaced from one another to define between them alignment ribs 332. The inner surface of the sidewalls 304 of the outer casing includes complementary sets of ribs and grooves configured to slidingly engage the grooves 330 and the ribs 332. This structure allows the inner casing 314 to vertically slide within the outer casing 300 while remaining perfectly aligned therewith. The bottom wall of the inner casing 314 includes a large U-shaped slot 334 for slidingly receiving therein the brake pad 316. More particularly, the brake pad 316 includes a T-shaped head 336 defined by a pair of diverging arms 338 and a narrow body 340. The brake pad 316 is mounted to the inner casing 314 by inserting the head 338 therein so the diverging arms 338 rest on top of the bottom wall while the body 340 is received in the space defined by the U-slot. To lock the brake pad 316 in place, a U-shaped insert 342 shown in figure 12 is placed on the narrow body 340. The insert 342 is made of soft thermal plastic rubber which is sufficiently compressible to create an interference fit and thus prevent the brake pad 316 from easily sliding out of the inner casing 314. The material of the insert is softer and more compressible than the material of the brake pad. Neoprene material has been used with success. Another advantage of the insert 342 is its ability to absorb at least some of the vibrations generated during the engagement brake pad 316/ground surface. The ability of the insert 342 to filter out vibrations is an interesting feature of the invention because it allows reducing the level of harshness transmitted to the foot during braking.

If the user desires to vary the distance between the brake pad 316 and the ground surface, to compensate for wear for example, it suffices to turn the knob 312 to cause a longitudinal displacement of the shank 328 relative to the nut 326. However, since the knob 312 is locked against any transitional displacement, the inner casing 314 is caused to slide (either in or out depending upon the direction of the rotation) with relation to the outer casing 300.

The embodiment of the brake pad assembly 30, as shown in figure 3 has been designed for use as a static brake system. At this end, the brake pad assembly is provided with a mounting system comprised of arms 344 that connect on the axle of the rearmost wheel and an upper arm 346 fitted in a slot on the frame. A bolt 348 secures the upper arm 346 in place.

Figure 13 illustrates yet another variant of a roller skate braking system constructed in accordance with the present invention. The skate 400 includes an articulated cuff 402 that is capable of pivotal movement about an axis extending generally transversely with relation to the longitudinal axis of the skate. The cuff 402 includes an actuation lever 404 located near the pivot point 406 connecting the cuff 402 to the shell of the skate. The actuation lever 404 engages the brake arm 408 that is pivotally connected at 410 to the frame of the skate. As in the case with the previous embodiments, the pivotal axis of the brake arm is generally parallel to the pivot axis of the cuff and it is vertically spaced apart from it.

The rear extremity of the brake arm 408 includes a brake pad 412 that engages the ground when the brake arm is pivoted forwardly under the influence of the cuff 402. The brake arm 408 includes a flat bearing surface 414 that is parallel with a complementary bearing surface 416 provided on the actuation lever 404. It will be noted that the bearing surfaces 414 and 416 meet along an interface plane that intercepts the pivot axis of the cuff 402

To activate the brake the user is required to tilt the cuff 402 backwards. As a result, the actuation lever 404 that is integrally formed with the cuff 402 or made as a separate component but rigidly secured thereto is caused to swing down. The actuation lever 404 engages the brake arm 408 and causes the brake arm to move down. Since the bearing surfaces 414 and 416 are located at different distances from their respective pivot axes a sliding movement occurs between those surfaces during the downward movement of the brake arm 408. It is desirable to reduce the level of friction at this interface in order to facilitate the brake delivery movement. Thus, low friction substances such as Teflon or hard nylon can be used on one bearing surface on or both.

To return the brake arm 408 to be inoperative position (raise the brake arm so the brake pad 412 is no longer in contact with the ground) a return spring is required. Such spring may be in the form of a tongue integrally formed with the brake arm 408 and engaged in a slot formed on the frame. In a variant, the brake arm 408 can be provided with a coil return spring mounted at the pivot 410.

It should be appreciated that the skate 400 includes a actuation lever 404 and an associated brake arm 408 on each side, the brake arms being joined by a cross-bar running below the heel cup (not shown in the drawings) .

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. A roller skate usable on a rolling surface, comprising: an elongated frame; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame, said wheels being arranged in tandem and lying in a substantially common plane; a footwear element mounted to said frame for receiving a foot of a skater, said footwear element, including: a shell portion for receiving a foot of the skater, said shell portion including a heel cup for receiving a heel of the skater's foot and a toe portion for receiving toes of the skater's foot, said heel cup including a rear end defining a rear extremity of said shell portion, said toe portion including a front end defining a front extremity of said shell portion; an upper cuff portion retained to said shell portion, said upper cuff portion being capable of at least partially encircling a lower leg of the skater, said cuff being capable of forward and backward movement with relation to said shell portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said skate, said upper cuff further including an abutment element mounted on a rear portion of said cuff; a brake system mounted to said skate, said brake system including: a brake arm pivotally mounted to said skate about a pivot axis that extends generally transversally to said skate, said pivot axis being located at a site intermediate said front and rear extremities of said shell portion; a brake pad mounted to said brake arm at a location remote from said pivot axis; a brake actuation lever, including: an abutment facing a rear portion of said cuff and capable of engaging said abutment element; first and second legs structurally connected to said abutment, each of said first and second legs including a forwardly extending portion, said portion terminating at a location forward of said rear extremity of said shell, each said first and second legs being mounted to said brake arm at a site intermediate said brake pad and said pivot axis, whereby rearward rotation of said cuff causes said abutment element on said cuff to apply downward force on said abutment on said brake actuation lever for pivoting said brake arm by the intermediary of said brake actuation lever in a direction to produce engagement between said brake pad and the rolling surface.

2. A roller skate as defined in claim 1, wherein said brake actuation lever includes an upwardly extending component located adjacent a rear portion of said cuff, said abutment being formed on said upwardly extending component.

3. A roller skate as defined in claim 2, wherein said first and second legs connect with said upwardly extending component.

4. A roller skate as defined in claim 3, wherein the forwardly extending portion of said first leg extends along a medial side of said heel cup.

5. A roller skate as defined in claim 3, wherein the forwardly extending portion of said second leg extends along a lateral side of said heel cup.

6. A roller skate as defined in claim 5, wherein said brake arm includes first and second bifurcations, said first bifurcation located on a medial side of said skate and said second bifurcation located on a lateral side of said skate, said bifurcations defining a space therebetween for receiving a rear portion of said frame.

7. A roller skate as defined in claim 7, wherein said firs-t leg connects with said first bifurcation and said second leg connects with said second bifurcation.

8. A roller skate as defined in claim 7, wherein said first and second bifurcations meet at a convergence located rearwardly of said frame, said brake pad being mounted at said convergence.

9. A roller skate as defined in claim 1, wherein said wheels are capable of rotating in said frame about respective axes that lie in a common horizontal plane, said pivot axis of said brake arm being located above said common horizontal plane.

10. A roller skate as defined in claim 9, wherein said brake arm is pivotally mounted to said frame.

11. A roller skate as defined in claim 1, wherein said brake system includes a resilient member for urging said brake arm in a position such that said brake pad is out of contact with the rolling surface.

12. A roller skate as defined in claim 11, wherein said resilient member connects with said brake arm and with said frame.

13. A roller skate as defined in claim 12, wherein said resilient member includes a leaf spring engaging a rear portion of said frame, said leaf spring being also connected to said brake arm, whereby pivotal movement of said brake arm causes resilient deformation of said leaf spring, in a state of resilient deformation said leaf spring urging said brake arm toward an angular position in which said brake pad in out of contact with the rolling surface.

14. A roller skate as defined in claim 11, wherein said resilient member extends between said brake actuation lever and said cuff.

15. A roller skate as defined in claim 11, wherein said resilient member includes a tongue projecting from said cuff and extending downwardly from said cuff, said brake actuation lever being received between said tongue and said cuff.

16. A roller skate as defined in claim 15, wherein said brake actuation lever is slidingly mounted between said tongue and said cuff, whereby during movement of said cuff said brake actuation lever slides between said tongue and said cuff.

17. A roller skate as defined in claim 16, wherein said tongue includes a base, said base defining said abutment element.

18. A roller skate as defined in claim 2, wherein said upwardly extending component includes an elongated slot, said cuff including a projection engaging said slot, whereby movement of said actuation lever causes said projection to move in said slot, said slot including an end wall capable of engaging said projection to prevent relative movement of cuff and said brake actuation lever.

19. A roller skate usable on a rolling surface, comprising: an elongated frame; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame, said wheels being arranged in tandem and lying in a substantially common plane; a footwear element mounted to said frame for receiving a foot of a skater, said footwear element, including: a shell portion for receiving a foot of the skater, said shell portion including a heel cup for receiving a heel of the skater's foot and a toe portion for receiving toes of the skater's foot, said heel cup including a rear end defining a rear extremity of said shell portion, said toe portion including a front end defining a front extremity of said shell portion; an upper cuff portion retained to said shell portion, said lower cuff portion being capable of at least partially encircling a lower leg of the skater, said cuff being capable of forward and backward movement with relation to said shell portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said skate, a brake system mounted to said skate, said brake system including: a brake pad capable of engaging the rolling surface; a brake actuation lever facing a rear portion of said cuff, said brake actuation lever being coupled to said brake pad; a resilient tongue element projecting rearwardly and downwardly from said cuff, said tongue and said cuff defining a channel therebetween; said brake actuation lever being slidingly received in said channel; an abutment element located at an upper end portion of said channel, whereby rearward movement of said cuff causes said brake actuation lever to slide in said channel and engage said abutment element.

20. A roller skate as defined in claim 19, wherein said tongue is resiliently deformable rearwardly away from said cuff.

21. A roller skate as defined in claim 20, wherein said brake actuation lever is capable of pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis with relation to said skate, said pivotal movement being induced by rearward movement of said cuff, said pivotal movement causing rearward resilient deformation of said tongue, in a state of resilient deformation said tongue urging said brake actuation lever to pivot in a direction to bring said brake pad out of contact with the rolling surface.

22. A roller skate as defined in claim 19, wherein said skate includes guides on either side of said channel to prevent a portion of said brake actuation lever that is received in said channel to move transversally to said channel.

23. A roller skate as defined in claim 22, wherein said guides are formed on said portion of said brake actuation lever that is received in said channel.

24. A roller skate usable on a rolling surface, comprising: an elongated frame; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame, said wheels being arranged in tandem and lying in a substantially common plane; a footwear element mounted to said frame for receiving a foot of a skater, said footwear element, including: a shell portion for receiving a foot of the skater, said shell portion including a heel cup for receiving a heel of the skater's foot and a toe portion for receiving toes of the skater's foot, said heel cup including a rear end defining a rear extremity of said shell portion, said toe portion including a front end defining a front extremity of said shell portion; an upper cuff portion retained to said shell portion, said lower cuff portion being capable of at least partially encircling a lower leg of the skater, said cuff being capable of forward and backward movement with relation to said shell portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said skate, a brake system mounted to said skate, said brake system including: a brake pad capable of engaging the rolling surface; a brake actuation lever facing a rear portion of said cuff, said brake actuation lever being coupled to said brake pad; a coupling between said actuation lever and said cuff, said coupling including a slot member and a projection member, one of said members being mounted to said actuation lever and the other of said members being mounted to said cuff, whereby during movement of cuff said projection member is displaced in said slot; said slot having a predetermined length defining a range of movement of said projection therein; said slot having an end wall capable of engaging said projection, whereby preventing further relative movement between said brake actuation lever and said cuff.

25. A roller skate as defined in claim 24, wherein said slot is generally upwardly oriented.

26. A roller skate as defined in claim 25, wherein said slot is formed on said brake actuation lever and said projection is formed on said cuff.

27. A roller skate usable on a rolling surface, comprising: an elongated frame; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame, said wheels being arranged in tandem and lying in a substantially common plane; a footwear element mounted to said frame for receiving a foot of a skater, said footwear element, including: a shell portion for receiving a foot of the skater, said shell portion including a heel cup for receiving a heel of the skater's foot and a toe portion for receiving toes of the skater's foot, said heel cup including a rear end defining a rear extremity of said shell portion, said toe portion including a front end defining a front extremity of said shell portion; an upper cuff portion retained to said shell portion, said upper cuff portion being capable of at least partially encircling a lower leg of the skater, said cuff being capable of forward and backward movement with relation to said shell portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said skate; a brake system mounted to said skate, said brake system including: a brake arm pivotally mounted to said skate about a pivot axis that extends generally transversally to said skate; a brake pad mounted to said brake arm at a location remote from said pivot axis; an abutment element formed on a lower portion of said cuff near a lower peripheral edge of said cuff; said abutment element being capable of engaging through either one of a rolling and sliding contact said brake arm, whereby movement of said cuff induces downward rotation of said brake arm to bring said brake pad in contact with the rolling surface.

28. A roller skate as defined in claim 27, wherein said abutment element includes an elongated contact surface extending along a peripheral portion of said cuff.

29. A roller skate as defined in claim 28, wherein said elongated contact surface is formed on said peripheral portion.

30. A roller skate as defined in claim 29, wherein said elongated contact surface includes a first portion and a second portion, said first portion causing faster descent of said brake arm by comparison to said second portion.

31. A roller skate as defined in claim 30, wherein said cuff is capable of establishing at a certain position a locking relationship, in said locking relationships said brake arm and said cuff being united to one another against relative movement.

32. A roller skate usable on a rolling surface, comprising: an elongated frame; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame, said wheels being arranged in tandem and lying in a substantially common plane; a footwear element mounted to said frame for receiving a foot of a skater, said footwear element, including: a shell portion for receiving a foot of the skater, s"aid shell portion including a heel cup for receiving a heel of the skater's foot and a toe portion for receiving toes of the skater's foot, said heel cup including a rear end defining a rear extremity of said shell portion, said toe portion including a front end defining a front extremity of said shell portion; an upper cuff portion retained to said shell portion, said upper cuff portion being capable of at least partially encircling a lower leg of the skater, said cuff being capable of forward and backward movement with relation to said shell portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said skate; a brake system mounted to said skate, said brake system including: a brake arm pivotally mounted to said skate about a pivot axis that extends generally transversally to said skate; a brake pad mounted to said brake arm at a location remote from said pivot axis; an abutment mounted to said; said abutment element being capable of engaging through either one of a rolling and sliding contact said brake arm, whereby movement of said cuff induces downward rotation of said brake arm to bring said brake pad in contact with the rolling surface.

33. A roller skate as defined in claim 32, wherein said abutment element and said brake arm contact one another along a surface having a rectilinear portion.

34. A roller skate as defined in claim 33, wherein said cuff is pivotally mounted to said shell about an axis that is generally horizontal, an imaginary line co-incident with said rectilinear portion intercepting the axis of said ^" cuff.

35. A roller skate usable on a rolling surface, comprising: an elongated frame; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame, said wheels being arranged in tandem and lying in a substantially common plane; a footwear element mounted to said frame for receiving a foot of a skater, said footwear element, including: a shell portion for receiving a foot of the skater, said shell portion including a heel cup for receiving a heel of the skater's foot and a toe portion for receiving toes of the skater's foot, said heel cup including a rear end defining a rear extremity of said shell portion, said toe portion including a front end defining a front extremity of said shell portion; an upper cuff portion retained to said shell portion, said lower cuff portion being capable of at least partially encircling a lower leg of the skater, said cuff being capable of forward and backward movement with relation to said shell portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said skate, said upper cuff further including an abutment element mounted on a rear portion of said cuff; a brake system mounted to said skate, said brake system including: a brake arm pivotally mounted to said skate about a pivot axis that extends generally transversally to said skate; a brake pad mounted to said brake arm at a location remote from said pivot axis, angular movement of said brake arm causes engagement of said brake pad with the rolling surface; a resilient element between said brake arm and said frame, said resilient element being in a condition of resilient deformation when said brake pad engages the rolling surface, in said condition of resilient deformation said resilient element urging said brake arm toward a position in which said brake pad is out of contact with the rolling surface.

36. A roller skate as defined in claim 35, wherein said resilient element is a leaf spring.

37. A roller skate as defined in claim 37, wherein said brake arm includes first and second bifurcations, said first bifurcation located on a medial side of said skate and said second bifurcation located on a lateral side of said skate, said bifurcations defining a space therebetween for receiving a rear portion of said frame, said first and second bifurcations meeting at a convergence located rearwardly of said frame, said brake pad being mounted at said convergence, said leaf spring being connected to said convergence and extending toward said frame.

38. A roller skate as defined in claim 37, wherein said leaf spring connects with a rear portion of said frame.

39. A roller skate as defined in claim 38, wherein said frame has an opening at said rear portion, said leaf spring extending in said opening.

40. A roller skate as defined in claim 38, wherein said leaf spring is formed integrally with said brake arm.

41. A roller skate usable on a rolling surface, comprising: an elongated frame; a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said frame, said wheels being arranged in tandem, said wheels are capable of rotating in said frame about respective axes that lie in a common horizontal plane; a footwear element mounted to said frame for receiving a foot of a skater, said footwear element, including: a shell portion for receiving a foot of the skater, said shell portion including a heel cup for receiving a heel of the skater's foot and a toe portion for receiving toes of the skater's foot, said heel cup including a rear end defining a rear extremity of said shell portion, said toe portion including a front end defining a front extremity of said shell portion; an upper cuff portion retained to said shell portion, said upper cuff portion being capable of at least partially encircling a lower leg of the skater, said cuff being capable of forward and backward movement with relation to said shell portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said skate; a brake system mounted to said skate, said brake system including: a brake arm pivotally mounted to said skate about a pivot axis that extends generally transversally to said skate, said pivot axis being located at a site intermediate said front and rear extremities of said shell portion, said pivot axis being located above said common horizontal plane; a brake pad mounted to said brake arm at a location remote from said pivot axis.

42. A brake assembly suitable for use in a roller skate, the assembly comprising:

(A) a first member capable of being secured to an end of the roller skate, said first member having a plurality of walls, the walls defining a channel thereinbetween;

(B) a second member capable of being received within the channel defined by the walls of said first member;

(C) means for selectively positioning said second member within the channel defined by the walls of said first member; and

43. A brake assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the walls of said first member includes is dentate and wherein said second member includes complimentary indentations to those of said first member, for aiding in the positioning of said second member with respect to said first member.

44. A brake assembly as recited in claim 42 or 43 further comprising a compressible member interposed between said second member and said brake pad.

45. A brake assembly as recited in claim 42 or 43 wherein the material of which the portion of said brake pad which contacts said second member has a greater compressibility than the material of the remainder of said brake pad.

46. A brake assembly as recited in any of claims 42 to 45 wherein said means includes a detent.

47. A brake assembly as recited in any of claims 42 to 46 wherein said means includes a bolt.

48. A roller skate including a brake assembly as recited in any of claims 42 to 47.

49. A brake system for a roller skate comprising: a brake pad made of high friction material for engaging a rolling surface on which the roller skate is displaced: a support element to which said brake pad iε mounted; a vibration absorbing body mounted between said brake pad and said support element, said vibration absorbing body being made of material more compressible than said brake pad.

50. A brake system as defined in claim 49, wherein said vibration absorbing body is made of neoprene.