EP1118364A2 - Conveyance frame for sport devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The frame has at least two wheels (3, 4) arranged in succession with at least one wheel (3) steerable and mounted displaceable for turning on a symmetrically curved axis (5) whose curvature runs roughly in the horizontal plane. The curved axis can be V-shaped with the apex inclined slightly down from the horizontal plane. The steerable wheel can have two bearings (9, 10) arranged side by side for guiding along the curved axis. A resetting device pretensions the wheel in the starting position.

Description

The invention relates to a chassis for sports equipment, in particular Roller boards, with at least two wheels, arranged one behind the other are, at least one of the wheels being steerable.

A large number of such sports equipment are on the market today available. The roller boards are especially known as skateboards and widespread. In order to set such roller boards in motion, bumps generally a user standing on the board with one foot from the floor, with the boards both in flat and in sloping terrain. Meanwhile they go However, efforts are increasingly towards wind as the driving energy for the Use roller boards. For this, sails are attached to the roller boards, that resemble the sails of surfboards.

In strong winds, speeds of over 60 km / h can be reached can be achieved. Most of the commercial roller boards are for Such high speeds are limited due to the design suitable. So the wheels are usually very small and their storage on the corresponding axes only for comparatively small ones Designed speeds.

A further disadvantage is that the steering of roller boards in is generally not adapted to high speeds. This depends along with the fact that usually by shifting body weight caused steering angle of the steerable wheels regardless of the Driving speed is, for example, not a stabilizing board Restoring torque is generated that the wheels in the straight-ahead position drives back.

In order to initiate a turn, the user then very often unintentionally strong for the high speed Steering locks, causing the board to break out of the intended course leads. The consequences of such a breakout has fast corners, need no further explanation.

In order to avoid these disadvantages of the steering of roller boards, it is known in the prior art to arrange the steerable wheels so that they have a wake. The caster of the steerable wheel causes then in a steering lock in a known manner that the wheel in the Starting position is pushed back.

Such a system is known for example from US 5 160 155. In This document describes a roller board in which the front wheel is in a wheel fork is mounted, again the wheel fork by a light steering axis running out of the vertical plane is pivotable. That I the (imaginary) contact point of the steering axis on the road in front of the The wheel's contact point is a total of the roller board stabilizing caster.

A similar arrangement of the steerable wheel is also from the
EP 0 747 100 known.

A disadvantage of both arrangements is that the steering angle enabling storage of the wheel fork relatively far from that Wheel axis is spaced. If the bike is now in motion Is exposed to interference, such as when driving over an obstacle, act in the bearing enabling the steering lock due to the long lever between wheel and bearing high torques. Thereby can impair the storage properties, for example a greatly increased friction within the bearing, which increases sensitivity the steering deteriorated significantly. Of course, this is especially the case with minor ones Driving speeds undesirable. In the worst case, it can come to block the camp.

Furthermore, it is disadvantageous in the known systems with wake that the Arrangement of wheel, wheel fork and the bearing of the wheel fork very much Takes up space and therefore a compact design of the whole Rollboards prevented.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a chassis for Specify sports equipment in which the disadvantages mentioned avoided be, especially the steering sensitivity of the steerable wheel is not adversely affected by external forces.

This object is achieved in that the steerable Wheel is mounted on an approximately symmetrically curved axis and for Formation of a steering lock slidable along this axis is guided, the curvature of which is approximately in the horizontal plane runs.

With this construction, the steering angle of the wheel is thereby reduced achieved that the wheel is displaceable along the curved axis and as a result, the wheel plane versus a straight ahead position is pivotable. This does not make it relatively far from the Separated bearing more necessary to the wheel axle Cause steering lock. So no external interference can large torques are generated which increase the sensitivity of the steering influence or completely prevent controllability.

In order to stabilize the board, especially with a roller board To cause caster of the wheel, the curved axis with its Be oriented backwards. With a complete move of the wheel along the curved axis, the wheel then performs one Panning movement around an imaginary steering axis, the point of contact is located on the road clearly in front of the wheel contact point. This steering axis determines the caster of the wheel.

Of course, it is also possible that the apex of the curved axis is oriented forward to advance the steerable wheel produce. This can be advantageous, for example, if after a When cornering, the wheel swings back too quickly into the Straight-ahead position is undesirable.

Furthermore, it is conceivable in particular for single-track roller boards, both to design the front and the rear wheel to be steerable. By a then mirror-symmetrical arrangement of the curved axes of the Front and rear wheel can move forward with the skateboard or driven backwards. Normally, however, will be fine either only the front wheel or only the rear wheel as a steerable wheel be trained and by appropriate orientation of the curved axis with a wake stabilizing the board his.

As for the shape of the curved axis, it has proven to be cheap proven if it is approximately V-shaped. As part of this Registration can take an approximately V-shaped course curved axis can of course also be understood as an exact V-shape. In particular through the then approximately straight course of the legs The curved axle makes it comparatively easy to steer the wheel to slide on this, the wheel with one side always on one leg, with the other side always on the other Leg remains stored. The kink between the two legs serves as a stop for the wheel bearings. With such a shape the curved The angle between its legs can preferably be between axis 120 ° and 170 °.

Especially when the curved axis is V-shaped and with it Vertex oriented backwards, it is advantageous that it is beyond is slightly inclined downwards from the horizontal plane. Since that steerable wheel in the straight ahead position usually at the apex of the curved axis, are gravitational Restoring forces generated by the wheel after a deflection in the Drive straight ahead position. This ensures a stable Straight running with comparatively little flutter tendency of the board.

In this context it can of course also be considered that To attach the curved axle to the chassis so that that the inclination of the same is adjustable. Then about the size of the The sensitivity of the steering can be adjusted.

In principle, however, it is also conceivable for the apex of the curved axis slightly tilting up out of the horizontal plane what is particularly favorable if the course of the curved axis deviates from the V-shape. As calculations show, turn in this case, the conditions described above, so that here too gravitational restoring forces are generated.

However, it is also within the scope of the invention if the curved axis, the apex upwards or in the event of a deviation from the V-shape, the apex of which is inclined downwards.

The wheel may then endeavor, from the Swing the straight ahead position into a set position However, by means of suitable restoring elements, such as spring elements, be prevented.

The steerable wheel advantageously has at least two side by side arranged bearings for guidance on the curved axis. Hereby it is only possible with the V-shaped curved axis, the steerable wheel in opposite directions - based on the Straight ahead position - being able to swivel by the bearing on both sides of the wheel are arranged, and each bearing a steering knuckle assigned. Then the vertex of the axis serves as a stop, so that it it is not possible for one of the camps to overcome this crest.

In this arrangement, it is of course favorable to use the two bearings Train self-aligning bearings so that the alignment differences between the opposite curved legs of the axis are balanced can.

It has proven to be useful if the inner ring of the Bearing is substantially spherical and a Has central bore for the curved axis. Through the spherical The surface of the inner ring can be guided radially on the outer ring and be pivoted at the same time and so the above Compensate for misalignments.

To the displaceability of the bearing along the curved axis too ensure, preferably the inner ring itself is displaceable and rotatably mounted on the curved axis. In particular the rotatability the inner ring guarantees a high sensitivity of the steering, if the one fixed to the wheel is rotating while driving Outer ring has a driving effect on the inner ring and this also set in rotation: by the rotation of the inner ring on the curved axis reduces the friction between these two Elements compared to the shifting forces used for steering, so that the steering sensitivity increases. Otherwise, the inner ring with regard to its storage on the curved axis as a plain bearing or Rolling bearings can be formed. The same applies to the storage of the Outer ring on the inner ring.

To the above mentioned especially when using rolling bearings Driving effect of the outer ring compared to the inner ring ensure it is advantageous if the outer ring and the inner ring of the Bearing are connected via spring elements.

In order to increase the entrainment effect, the outer ring can be used instead and the inner ring of the bearing in the direction of rotation - if necessary with play - be connected; for example by a Tongue and groove connection. But it is also conceivable that the outer ring and the inner ring is connected by a flexible skin made of an elastomer. This skin can then the mentioned alignment differences between the Compensate the legs of the curved axis. Finally, the Outer ring and the inner ring without play - for example cohesively - be connected. This variant of the self-aligning bearing exists the outer ring itself made of elastic material that the Compensates for misalignments. This material can in particular Elastomer, fiberglass, carbon or rubber.

Furthermore, a reset device can be provided which steerable wheel in a starting position, in particular in the straight-ahead position preloaded. Such a reset device, for example can be caused by spring elements, increases the Driving stability. It is conceivable that the reset device train that the restoring force is adjustable. Both driving stability and the steering sensitivity can thus be selected by the user. Especially when at high speeds, such as very strong ones Wind, to be driven, it is favorable to have a correspondingly high Set restoring force so that large transverse forces are compensated for can.

It is also within the scope of the invention on each leg of the to provide at least one bellows surrounding the curved axis, which shields the free leg areas and prevents dirt in the bearings can penetrate.

Preferably, the bellows can attack the wheel elastically, so that it as Spring element of the reset device acts. So it wouldn't be necessary to provide an additional reset device, but the Bellows could be used as such.

In this context, it is useful if the two bellows Form chambers of a vibration damping system. In particular If a reset device is provided, vibrations can occur the wheel and thus the whole roller board around the middle position come, of course, both in terms of driving safety of the board as well as perceiving driving comfort as bothersome. On Such vibration damping system can then these vibrations minimize.

The chambers of the vibration damping system can at least one arranged in a connecting line, as a throttle acting valve. Then as a damping medium especially gases or liquids.

At least the tire of the steerable wheel advantageously has Cross-sectional ratio of at most 90 percent, preferably 60 Percent to 88 percent. Such tires, where the ratio of Height to width is therefore comparatively small, have an enlarged Tire contact area on what high lateral stability of the tires when Articulation of curves and large lateral forces even with small ones Skew angles enable high cornering speeds are reachable. Furthermore, the inclination of the roller board with a low center of gravity and a smaller cross-sectional ratio better than with a larger cross-sectional ratio because the wheel contact point can walk sideways when leaning.

Finally, as far as the chassis is concerned, it can favorably a single-track roller board or a single-track roller skate be provided. In principle, however, it is also possible that the Chassis is provided on a multi-lane vehicle.

Figur 1

das Rollbrett von oben gesehen mit einem lenkbaren Rad gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Figur 2

das Rollbrett in Seitenansicht;

Figur 3

das lenkbare Rad in einem vergrößerten Horizontalschnitt;

Figur 4

eine Ausführungsform eines Pendellagers gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Figuren 5 und 6

weitere Ausführungsformen eines Pendellagers.

Further advantages and features of the invention result from the following description of an exemplary embodiment. It shows

Figure 1

the roller board seen from above with a steerable wheel according to the present invention;

Figure 2

the roller board in side view;

Figure 3

the steerable wheel in an enlarged horizontal section;

Figure 4

an embodiment of a self-aligning bearing according to the present invention;

Figures 5 and 6

further embodiments of a self-aligning bearing.

In the following, the present invention is based on a single track Rollboards explained and illustrated. It can just as well Invention, however, in other chassis for sports equipment, such as Inline skaters or double-track roller boards can be provided.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the chassis for Rollboard 1 from a base plate 2 and two forming a base these wheels 3 and 4 arranged at the ends an arrow marked running direction of the roller board represent that steerable wheel 3 the front and wheel 4 the rear wheel of the roller board 1 It is essential that the steerable wheel on an approximately symmetrically curved axis 5 is mounted.

In the embodiment shown here, the curved axis runs approximately V-shaped in a horizontal plane, in the exemplary embodiment in the plane of the base plate 2. It has two mirror images Knuckle 6, 7 with an apex 8 on. The vertex is there - based on the running direction of the roller board - oriented to the rear to produce a wake of the wheel 3 that stabilizes the board. The wheel 3 is supported on both legs 6 and 7 by one Wheel bearing 9 on the leg 6, the other wheel bearing 10 on the Leg 7 is mounted.

In order to produce a steering lock, the wheel is along the legs 6, 7 slidably guided so that a pivoting of the wheel from the in the drawing shown middle position is possible. Like calculations show, there is the imaginary steering axis, i.e. the axis around which the Wheel is pivotable in front of the central axis of the wheel, that is also in front the wheel contact point. However, the position of the steering axle is not constant, but describes approximately a semicircular arc. All in all So there is a wake.

To alignment differences between the wheel 3 on the one hand and the To compensate for legs 6 and 7, on the other hand, are the Bearings 9 and 10 around self-aligning bearings.

If a user now on the roller board 1 one Steering of the wheel 3 wants to effect, he must - in such Roller boards usual - his body weight on the base plate 2 in the Shift direction in which he wants to steer. This will make the board along its longitudinal axis from the horizontal to the inside of the curve tilted so that the wheel 3 - similar to a leaning Level - along one of the legs 6 or 7 from the central position into one more or less wide position slides.

This can be done by shifting your body weight in the opposite direction Slide the wheel back into the middle position or in the other direction be hit. The wake of the wheel creates in a known restoring torque that the wheel after a Returns to the middle position faster. Farther of course, this restoring torque also stabilizes the straight running of the Rolling boards.

As can also be seen in the drawing, the rear wheel 4 is the Rollboards 1 not designed to be steerable, that is to say on a conventional rectilinear axis 11 rotatably mounted. Because of the only schematic drawing can not be seen that the wheel 4, however is not guided along the axis 11. In the shown here Embodiment, the wheel 4 also has no caster.

Figure 2 shows the roller board 1 in side view. You can see it clearly Base plate 2 on which the user with his feet while driving stands. The central axis 12 of the steerable wheel 3 is larger axial distance from the corresponding end 13 of the base plate 2 as the central axis 14 of the rear wheel 4 from the opposite end 15 the base plate 2. This shows once again that the axis 5, on the front wheel 3 is mounted, in contrast to axis 11, on which the Rear wheel 4 is mounted, curved in the horizontal plane, wherein the apex 8 points to the rear.

Furthermore, a receiving device 16 is shown in FIG is arranged on the top of the base plate 2. This Recording device 16 can be a sail, not shown here record so that the roller board 1 can serve as a surfboard. The Receiving device 16 can be a flexible attachment of the sail be trained (power joint).

Foot straps on the top are not shown in the drawing of the roller board are attached and overlap the user's feet can. It increases stability on the board ensures what, for example, when jumping or at faster Cornering is desirable.

Figure 3 shows the steerable wheel 3 in an enlarged view. The axis 5 curved in the horizontal plane can be clearly seen, on which the wheel 3 is slidably and rotatably mounted. Warehousing takes place via the two self-aligning bearings 9, 10, each of the legs 6 and 7 assigned. The self-aligning bearings 9, 10 consist of spherical ones Inner rings 17, 18 which are slidably mounted on the legs 6, 7. For this purpose, the inner rings 17, 18 have central bores for the legs 6, 7 on. The legs 6, 7 have a circular cross section, so that the inner rings 17, 18 not only shifted in the longitudinal direction, but can also be twisted. The inner rings 17, 18 are in the present embodiment designed as a plain bearing, they can of course, also be designed as a roller bearing and have spherical Outsides on.

On the spherical outside of the inner rings 17, 18 there are suitable ones corresponding spherical outer rings 19, 20 mounted so that the steerable Wheel 3 slidable, rotatable and relative to the curved axis 5 is pivotable. The outer rings 19, 20 are fixed to the wheel 3 connected.

For smooth movement of the inner rings 17, 18, it is particularly advantageous if they also rotate while the roller board 1 is traveling, that is to say while the wheel 3 is rotating. This minimizes the displacement force between the inner rings 17, 18 and the respective legs 6, 7. As tests and calculations show, only a generally smaller displacement force then has to be applied compared to the sliding friction between the inner rings and the legs. It is therefore no longer necessary to overcome the greater static friction compared to sliding friction, which would work without rotation. In order to achieve the rotations of the inner rings 17, 18 while the roller board 1 is traveling, it is necessary to have a driving effect between the outer rings 19, 20 rotating with the wheel rim and the
To effect inner rings 17, 18. In the embodiment shown here, this is achieved via a highly viscous lubricant which is provided between the inner rings 17, 18 and the outer rings 19, 20 and via a low-viscosity lubricant between the inner rings and the legs.

However, it is also possible to achieve the entrainment effect via a flexible film made of, for example, elastomer, which connects the respective outer ring and the inner ring of the bearing.
In the embodiment of the steerable wheel shown here, the apex 8 forms a stop for the inner rings 17, 18, so that their movement is restricted to the respective legs 6, 7.

FIG. 4 shows a special embodiment in a schematic top view of the self-aligning bearing 10. First of all, the spherical one can be clearly seen Inner ring 18 with a central bore 21 and that on the inner ring outer ring 20.

It can also be seen that the inner ring 18 and the outer ring 20 through a flexible film 22 are connected to each other. Thereby form the Connection points 23 on the outer ring 20 a circular ring, what here is not shown. With the help of this connection between inner and outer ring the entrainment effect described above from the outer ring 20 on the Inner ring 18 exercised. The flexibility of the film ensures that the alignment differences caused by the curved axis 5 can be compensated so that the self-aligning bearing 10 continues to be Purpose accomplished.

Dash-dotted lines show that a relative movement between the Inner ring 18 and the outer ring 20 for one half of the film 22 one Elongation means a contraction for the other half.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the self-aligning bearing 10 in Top view. A drive plate 24 is mounted on the outer ring 20. Teeth 25 engage in recesses in this drive plate 24 are integrally formed on the inner ring 18. The teeth have 25 in the Recesses so much play that the self-aligning bearing 10 already above mentioned alignment differences between the legs of the can compensate curved axis 5.

A rotation of the outer ring 20 and the drive plate 24 around the the center axis then causes the inner ring to be carried along. To even larger relative movements between the inner ring 18 and the To allow outer ring 20, the rigid teeth 25 can also be flexible be executed.

FIG. 6 finally shows a top view of an embodiment of the self-aligning bearing 10, in which the outer ring 20 is formed from an elastic material such as, for example, elastomer. The outer ring 20 is fixedly connected to the cylindrical inner ring 18 here, so that a rotation of the wheel that sets the outer ring 20 in motion
Can rotate inner ring 18 instantaneously. Dash-dotted lines show an (elastic) change in shape of the outer ring, which compensates for the alignment differences between the legs of the curved axis.

It is of course within the scope of the invention, the wheel not - how shown in the exemplary embodiment - over two camps each specifically to store associated legs of the curved axis, but a to use more or less continuous curved axis on the the wheel can slip from one end to the other end. If necessary, it can also be used with a single one, accordingly stable bearings for wheel bearings worked on the curved axis become.

In summary, it can be said that the present Invention a chassis for sports equipment is created that stands out a high sensitivity of the steering with simultaneous stability of the Chassis distinguished even at high speeds.

Claims (13)

Chassis for sports equipment, in particular roller boards, with at least two wheels (3, 4) which are arranged one behind the other, at least one of the wheels (3) being steerable,
characterized,
that the steerable wheel (3) is mounted on an approximately symmetrically curved axis (5) and is displaceably guided to form a steering angle along this axis (5), the curvature of which extends approximately in the horizontal plane. Chassis for sports equipment according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the curved axis (5) with its apex (8) is oriented to the rear. Chassis for sports equipment according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the curved axis (5) is approximately V-shaped. Chassis for sports equipment according to claim 2,
characterized,
that the apex of the curved axis (5) is slightly inclined downward from the horizontal plane. Chassis for sports equipment according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the inclination of the curved axis (5) relative to the horizontal plane can be changed by an actuator. Chassis for sports equipment according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the steerable wheel (3) has at least two bearings (9, 10) arranged next to one another for guidance on the curved axis (5). Chassis for sports equipment according to claim 6,
characterized,
that the two bearings (9, 10) are designed as self-aligning bearings. Chassis for sports equipment according to claim 7,
characterized,
that the inner ring (17, 18) of the bearing is substantially spherical and has a central bore for the curved axis (5). Chassis for sports equipment according to claim 7,
characterized,
that the inner ring (17, 18) is slidably and rotatably mounted on the curved axis (5). Chassis for sports equipment according to claim 7,
characterized,
that the outer ring (19, 20) and the inner ring (17, 18) of the bearing are connected via spring elements. Chassis for sports equipment according to claim 7,
characterized,
that the outer ring (19, 20) and the inner ring (17, 18) of the bearing are positively connected to one another in the direction of rotation - possibly with play. Chassis for sports equipment according to claim 1,
characterized,
that a reset device is provided which biases the steerable wheel (3) into an initial position, in particular into the straight-ahead position. Chassis for sports equipment according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the chassis is provided on a single-track roller board (1) or on a single-track roller skate.

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