EP0941138A1

EP0941138A1 - Roller skate

Info

Publication number: EP0941138A1
Application number: EP98941466A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-François Paris
Original assignee: Salomon SAS
Current assignee: Salomon SAS
Priority date: 1997-08-28
Filing date: 1998-07-28
Publication date: 1999-09-15
Also published as: FR2767712A1; WO1999011339A1; FR2767712B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a roller skate, in particular an in-line roller skate., comprising a plate including means to be fixed to a boot, a rolling gear, comprising a frame (26) whereto are fixed rollers (281, 282, 283, 284) and means, preferably removable, for fixing the plate to the rolling gear frame. The plate and the rolling gear are preferably shaped such that the rolling gear can be fixed to the plate in one direction or the other equally.

Description

WHEEL SKATE

The invention relates to a roller skate, in particular an inline wheel.

The roller skates, sometimes called roller skates, are either autonomous, that is to say independent of the shoe, or integrated, that is to say forming a single piece with the shoe.

The invention aims to improve skates of the first category, that is to say autonomous skates.

Skates of this type known hitherto are relatively heavy and complicated; they do not adapt well to the needs of the user.

The invention overcomes these drawbacks.

The skate according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a plate provided with means of attachment, preferably of the quick type, to a shoe, a running gear comprising a chassis and wheels fixed to this chassis, and means for detachably fix the running gear to the plate.

The removable base and undercarriage give the skate a modular character. This modularity brings many advantages. In particular, the skater may have a single plate and a plurality of running gear, two running gear differing either in the number of wheels or in the diameter of the latter.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the plate and the running gear are configured in such a way that the running gear can be fixed indifferently in one direction or the other. In this way the skater can turn the running gear in particular to compensate for asymmetrical wear of the wheels.

The chassis is for example constituted by a simple profile having two longitudinal walls receiving the axes of the wheels. In this case, the plate preferably comprises, in its lower part, at least two tabs located on the longitudinal sides of the plate. The removable fixing means are provided for attaching the legs of the plate to the longitudinal walls of the chassis.

The connection of the plate to the chassis is, in one embodiment, carried out in such a way that the flexibility of the plate ensures damping between the shoe and the running gear. It is also possible to provide damping means, such as “silent-block” type bodies, between the plate and the running gear.

So that the skater can choose the position that best suits him, it is advantageous that the plate can be fixed in variable positions relative to the running gear. For example, in one position the plane of the plate is parallel to the plane containing the axes of the wheels and, in another position, the plane of the plate is inclined relative to the plane containing the axes of the wheels. This inclination is for example directed downwards from the rear or is directed downwards from the outside. In one embodiment, the plate is connected so as to be able to pivot, at a limited angle, relative to the chassis.

In this case, one can take advantage of this possibility of pivoting by providing braking means comprising a braking element controlled so that it comes into action, against the ground or against a wheel, when the skater exerts a tending action. to tilt the plate relative to the chassis. This brake control is particularly simple and ergonomic. It can be done under the effect of the skater's weight.

The braking control means is preferably such that in normal operation, without braking control, the plate has a fixed position (not pivoting) relative to the chassis and the tilting controlling the braking is effected by an effort of the skater, who uses his weight.

In one embodiment of this control means, there is provided, between the chassis and the plate, a leg formed by two rods, one of which is articulated to the plate and the other to the chassis; these links are hinged together, and the leg can only bend in one direction. Without control or braking force the leg remains straight. The brake control allows you to bend your leg. The latter returns to its upright position in the absence of braking force; preferably a spring is provided to assist in returning to the extended position of the leg.

The braking element is either fixed to the plate or is pivotally connected to the chassis. In this way, the wheels can stay in contact with the ground when braking.

It will also be noted that a command for tilting the plate in the opposite direction to the tilt controlling the braking, authorizes a metering of this braking.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear with the description of some of its embodiments, this being carried out with reference to the attached drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a shoe and, the disassembled state, a skate according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram of a plate fixed to a chassis in a first position, FIG. 3 is a diagram similar to that of FIG. 2, but for a fixing of the plate to the chassis in another position, FIG. 4 is a diagram similar to that of FIG. 2, but for a variant, FIG. 5 shows a part of the shoe represented in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a section along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a diagram of a shoe comprising braking means, FIG. 8 is a diagram similar to that of FIG. 7, but for a variant, and FIG. 9 is also a diagram of a skate part showing a varian te of realization of the braking means. Reference is first made to FIG. 1 in which a shoe 22 and a shoe 20 formed of a plate 24 and a running gear 26 have been shown.

The sole 23 of the shoe includes catching receiving elements (not shown) cooperating with catching means (also not shown) located on the plate 24.

The running gear 26 has four wheels 28l to 284 mounted on a chassis 30 consisting of two vertical flanges 32 (only one of which is visible in FIG. 1) connected at their ends by webs 34 and 34 'and receiving the axes 36i to 364 wheels.

Two pairs of aligned openings, parallel to the axes of the wheels, are provided in the flanges. The aligned openings 38ι are between the wheels 28ι and 282 while the aligned openings 382 are between the wheels 283 and 284. Cross sails 34ι and 342 frame the openings 38l in order to reinforce the structure. Likewise, transverse webs 343 and 344 frame the openings 382. A web 345 also intended to reinforce the structure, is provided in the central part, between the wheels 282 and 283.

The running gear is symmetrical with respect to a median plane 40, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shoe. It is therefore reversible, that is to say that the wheel 28i can be either the front wheel or the rear wheel.

The openings 38χ and 382 are intended to cooperate with corresponding openings provided in lugs 42 and 422 of the plate 24.

The plate 24 has, in plan, a shape (not shown) corresponding substantially to the sole of the shoe. The legs 42ι are located forward. They project from the underside 241 of the plate, at its lateral edges. The spacing between the front legs 42ι (only one of which is visible in the figure) is such that the inner face of each leg 42ι is applied against the outer face of each flange 32.

In the example the legs 42ι have a trapezoidal shape, the smallest side of which is that which is distant from the plate 24. Each leg 42ι has three openings 44, 442 and 443. The centers of the openings 44i, 442 and 443 are aligned vertically , that is to say perpendicular to the plane of the plate 24.

Likewise, the legs 422 have openings 444, 45 and 446, the centers of which are aligned vertically.

It is understood that, by virtue of the choice of the openings of the legs 42 and 422 which cooperate with the openings 38i and 382 of the chassis 26, it is possible to choose the height of the plate 24 relative to the chassis 26 or the inclination of this plate 24 relative to the plane defined by the axes 36, 362, 363, 364 of the wheels 28ι to 284.

For example, it is possible to arrange the plate 24 so that the rear part, the heel part, is raised relative to the front part. It is also possible to tilt the plate 24 around a longitudinal axis, the outer longitudinal edge being for example raised relative to the inner longitudinal edge.

At the rear part of the plate 24 is fixed a braking element 46, for example of a plastic material. To brake the skater tilts his foot backwards so that the braking element 46 touches the ground.

The axes 36i to 364 of the wheels are substantially in the middle, in the direction of the height, of the walls 32. Thus the wheels protrude from the chassis up and down.

The variant embodiment shown in FIG. 2 differs from the embodiment represented in FIG. 1 by the relative position of the axes of the wheels 28l with respect to the longitudinal walls 32 of the chassis 26, as well as by the openings provided in the tabs 42 'and in the walls 32.

The axes 36l of the wheels 28l are not disposed midway between the upper 31 and lower edges 33 of the walls 32, but are closer to the lower wall 33 than to the upper wall 31. Thus, the wheels 28i are projecting , down, from edge 33, but do not extend upwards above edge 31.

Each tab 42 '1, 42'2 has a single opening, respectively 50ι and 502-

Against by the walls 32 have three pairs of aligned openings, respectively 48i, 482 and 483 between the wheels 281 and 282, as well as three other pairs of aligned openings, respectively 484, 485 and 486 between the wheels 283 and 284. The multiplicity of openings 48i plays the same role as the multiplicity of openings 44i of the skate of FIG. 1.

It can thus be seen in FIG. 2 that the plate 24 is arranged horizontally, in the highest position relative to the running gear 26.

On the other hand, in the diagram of FIG. 3, the plate 24 is arranged in such a way that the rear end 25 is raised relative to the front end 23.

The removable fixing of the plate to the running gear is effected for example using screws (not shown) passing through the openings 38l and 44ι or 48i and 50ι cooperating with nuts also not shown.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the flexibility of the plate 24 and the legs 42 makes it possible to attenuate, to a certain extent, the transmission, towards the foot of the skater, of the shocks undergone by the wheels 28i.

In another embodiment, shown in Figures 4 to 6, specific damping means are provided.

In the example of FIG. 4, the plate 24 comprises, for its attachment to the chassis 26, a single pair of lugs 51 in the central position having one or more openings 52 intended to cooperate with one or more corresponding openings on the side walls 32 of the chassis 26. These wall openings 32 are located between the wheels 282 and 283. Damping blocks 54ι and 542 are arranged, respectively at the front and at the rear, between the plate and a ceiling 27 of the chassis 26. These damping blocks, of the "silent-block" type, are fixed either on the underside of the plate 24, either on the ceiling 27 of the plate, or both on the ceiling and on the plate.

Anyway it is preferable that the fixing of these blocks 54ι and 542 is such that it allows their displacement in the longitudinal direction so as to be able to choose, at will, the position of these elements. Thus, there is shown in broken lines, a second position of the damping elements.

It should be noted that the damping effect is obtained not only by the blocks 54ι and 542, but also by the flexibility of the plate on either side of the legs 51.

This flexibility also depends on the front 55 and rear 57 locations of the fastening means (not shown in detail) of the plate to the sole of the shoe.

In the variant shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the front "silent-block" 64 can be arranged in two separate locations, one near the front end of the plate 24, and the other between the wheels 28i and 282- Of course, similar provisions are found at the rear of the skate.

To allow this removable fixing in two separate locations, the plate comprises, at the front, an opening 60 formed by stamping so that this opening is bordered in the upper part, by a cell and, in the lower part, by a projection 61.

The side walls 32 of the chassis 26 have, in their upper part, at the front, openings 62 with the same longitudinal positions as the opening 60.

Similarly, between the wheels 28i and 282, the plate 24 has an opening 58 formed by a stamping directed downwards. In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it is this opening 58 which is used to fix the "silent-block" 64.

The opening 58 and the block 64 pass through a threaded rod 66 with which a nut 72 cooperates, housed in the cavity formed in the upper part of the plate 24 by the stamp surrounding the opening 58.

The threaded rod 66 ends, at its lower part, by an enlarged part 68 having an oblong opening 69 (FIG. 5) elongated in the vertical direction. This oblong light passes a rod 70 fixed to the walls 32ι and 322 of the frame 26. This rod 70 therefore crosses openings 62 and 622 of the walls 32 and 322- It is held at these walls by means of removable fixing means (not shown ).

The underside of the silent-block 64 is moreover fixed to a plate 67 resting on the upper edges of the walls 32 and 322. This plate 67 is of course crossed by the rod 66.

It is easily understood that by screwing or unscrewing the nut 72, the block 64 is compressed or released, which makes it possible to dose the damping. We will now describe, in relation to FIGS. 7 to 9, an embodiment of braking in which advantage is taken of the possibility of pivoting of the plate relative to the running gear when the structure of the pad is of the type of that described with Figures 4 and 5.

In all the embodiments of these braking means, in normal operation, that is to say in the absence of a braking command by the skater, the plate cannot tilt relative to the running gear. On the other hand, when braking is commanded, the plate switches relative to the running gear in order to cause the lowering of a braking element so that it comes into contact with the ground.

In the example shown in Figure 7, the braking element 84 is fixed to the rear end of the plate 24. To control the pivoting of the plate 24 with respect to the running gear, the rear is provided wheel 284 one leg

75 formed of two links 76 and 77 hinged together along an axis 78. The link

76 is articulated, along an axis 82, at the rear end of the chassis 26 while the link 77 is articulated at the rear end of the plate 24, along an axis 80. This axis 80 is located slightly in front of the braking element 84.

The rod 77 is projecting above the plate 24. It has a return 86 directed towards the front which is intended to cooperate with a lever 88 articulated, along axes 90, to tabs 91 projecting upwards. edges of the plate 24. The legs 91 are in front of the axis 80.

A spring 92 is integral with the lever 88 and the plate 24 in such a way that it always brings the lever 88 upwards.

The articulation of the links 76 and 77 is such that they can only be folded in one direction. More precisely: in the position shown in Figure 7 the links 76 and 77 are aligned and therefore form a vertical leg. The leg can be bent only so that the axis 78 moves backwards and not forward.

Thus in normal operation, when the lever 88 does not exert pressure on the return 86 of the link 77, the leg 75 is kept straight, in particular by the effect of the weight of the skater.

When the skater wants to command braking, he presses his weight towards the rear of the shoe, which has the effect of tilting the lever 88 so that he presses on the return 86 of the link 77; thus the latter rocks and causes the axis 78 to move backwards. Under these conditions the plate 24 also tilts backwards and the braking element 84 comes to bear against the ground.

The braking can be adjusted by the skater with a slight pressure exerted towards the front, which releases the braking, possibly gradually. To return the leg 75 to an upright position, that is to say to move the braking element away from the ground, the skater exerts strong pressure forward.

The embodiment of the invention which is shown in Figure 8 differs from that shown in Figure 7 by the position of the leg 751 which is between the wheels 283 and 284. In addition, this leg 751 can not be folded in the opposite direction of the leg 75 of Figure 7, that is to say that the axis 78 common to the rods 76 and 77ι can move only forward (and not backward) to from the rectilinear position of the leg shown in Figure 8.

The rear part of the plate has an opening 89 through which extends an arm 93 extending the lever 88. The end 98 of the arm 93 cooperates with a rod 97 located along the axis 78.

The operation of the skate shown in FIG. 8 is similar to that described in relation to FIG. 7. The only difference is that to control the braking the arm 93 presses on the rod 97 which thus pushes the articulation 78l forward, which allows to apply the braking element 84 against the ground.

In the variant shown in Figure 9, the braking element 84 is not integral with the plate 24 but with the frame 26 to which it is articulated. In the example, the articulation 822 is common with the articulation, at the rear of the chassis 26, of the link 762 of the leg 752-

The braking element 84ι also comprises an upper arm 94, the end 99 of which is intended to cooperate with the rod 772- In this example the leg 752 is foldable in a direction such that the articulation 782 can only move forward from the straight leg position shown in Figure 9.

The upper edge of the arm 94 has a lug 96 forming a stop intended to cooperate with a projection 100 at the rear lower end of the plate 24.

The operation is as follows:

In normal operation, in the absence of a brake control, the leg 752 remains straight and the brake block 102 of the element 841 is removed from the ground 104. When the skater wants to brake, he shifts his weight backwards slightly lifting the front part of the shoe, which has the effect of applying the brake block 102 against the ground 104 and, thus, causing the element 84 to tilt forwards. The link 772 is then pushed forward by the arm 94, which folds the leg. In this position, the projection 100 of the plate 24 can cooperate with the lug 96 to push the block 102 against the ground, the wheels all having returned to their normal rolling position on the ground.

The braking can be measured by pressing more or less on the rear part of the plate 24.

It will be noted that, with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is not necessary to provide a specific brake control lever, this control being carried out directly by a pressure exerted on the plate 24 itself.

Claims

1. Roller skate, in particular with in-line wheels, characterized in that it comprises, in combination, a plate (24) comprising means for fixing to a shoe, a running gear comprising a chassis (26) to which are fixed wheels (281 284), and means, preferably removable, for fixing the plate to the chassis of the running gear.

2. Skate according to claim 1, characterized in that the plate and the running gear are configured in such a way that the running gear can be fixed to the plate indifferently in one direction or the other.

3. Skate according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means for fixing the plate to the chassis of the running gear are such that the plate retains flexibility constituting a damping means between the shoe and the wheels.

4. Skate according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the frame has two longitudinal walls (32) and in that the plate comprises at least two legs (42χ, 422; 51) one of which is intended for be removably attached to the first wall of the chassis and the other of which is also intended to be removably attached to the second longitudinal wall of the chassis.

5. Skate according to claim 4, characterized in that the plate comprises two pairs of legs, one (42) towards the front and the other (422) towards the rear.

6. Skate according to claim 4, characterized in that the plate comprises a pair of legs (51) disposed substantially in the middle part.

7. Skate according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing of the plate to the chassis is such that this plate can tilt at a limited angle.

8. Skate according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that damping means (541, 542; 64) are arranged between the plate and the chassis.

9. Skate according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one damping block (64) and means (66, 72) for adjusting the compression of this block.

10. Skate according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate is fixable to the chassis according to variable inclinations.

11. Skate according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a locking means (75) preventing the tilting of the plate relative to the chassis and means (88, 100) for releasing the locking means in order to allow this tilt and command braking.

12. Skate according to claim 11, characterized in that the locking means is released by a pressure exerted on one end of the plate.

13. Skate according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it comprises, between the plate and the chassis, an articulated leg {75) having two links (76, 77) one of which is articulated to the plate and the 'other to the chassis, this leg being straight in the locking position and folded to control braking.

14. Skate according to claim 13, characterized in that the means for bending the leg comprise a lever (88) articulated to the plate and controllable by a movement of the skater, this lever exerting a force on one of the links or on the 'joint (78) between these links.

15. Skate according to claim 14, characterized in that a link {77, 86) protrudes from the upper face of the plate, and in that the lever (88) cooperates with the projecting part of this link.

16. Skate according to claim 14, characterized in that the lever comprises an arm (93) extending under the underside of the plate.

17. Skate according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that it comprises a braking element fixed to the plate.

18. Skate according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a braking element (84) pivotally attached to the chassis.

19. Skate according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises, between the plate and the frame, a hinged leg (752) having two links _(762/772) of which is articulated to the plate and the other to the chassis, the leg being straight in the locking position and bent to control the braking, and in that the braking control means comprise, on the one hand, a means (96) integral with the braking element and, d 'other hand, a means (100) integral with the plate which cooperate so that, when the leg is bent, the means integral with the plate rotates the braking element so as to apply it against the ground.

20. Skate according to claim 19, characterized in that the braking element comprises a lug (96) cooperating with a projection (100) of the plate to pivot the braking element towards the ground when the leg (752) is folded.