EP1146936A4 - In-line roller skate - Google Patents
In-line roller skateInfo
- Publication number
- EP1146936A4 EP1146936A4 EP99936003A EP99936003A EP1146936A4 EP 1146936 A4 EP1146936 A4 EP 1146936A4 EP 99936003 A EP99936003 A EP 99936003A EP 99936003 A EP99936003 A EP 99936003A EP 1146936 A4 EP1146936 A4 EP 1146936A4
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- chassis
- rocker
- roller skate
- wheels
- toe
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
- A63C17/00—Roller skates; Skate-boards
- A63C17/0073—Roller skates; Skate-boards with offset wheel, i.e. wheel contact point to surface offset from other associated wheel
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63C—SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE
- A63C17/00—Roller skates; Skate-boards
- A63C17/04—Roller skates; Skate-boards with wheels arranged otherwise than in two pairs
- A63C17/06—Roller skates; Skate-boards with wheels arranged otherwise than in two pairs single-track type
- A63C17/061—Roller skates; Skate-boards with wheels arranged otherwise than in two pairs single-track type with relative movement of sub-parts on the chassis
- A63C17/062—Roller skates; Skate-boards with wheels arranged otherwise than in two pairs single-track type with relative movement of sub-parts on the chassis with a pivotal frame or cradle around transversal axis for relative movements of the wheels
Definitions
- This invention relates to roller skates, particularly of the in-line type, where a plurality of wheels are aligned in a linear array. More particularly the present invention is directed to in-line roller skates having superior performance capabilities over prior art in-line skates as to skating in both the forward and rearward directions, turning in both the forward and rearward directions, pivoting in both the forward and rearward directions and stopping.
- Roller skates are presently very popular and in wide use.
- one area of increasing popularity for in-line roller skates is in the use of such skates to play "roller" hockey.
- conventional in-line roller skates which are used to play roller hockey replicate the type of ice skates used for speed skating.
- Conventional in-line roller skates are based on the same principles of physics used in ice speed skates which are very different from the principles of physics used in ice hockey skates.
- Speed skates used on ice have long flat blades. This type of blade enables ice speed skaters to disperse their weight over a longer plane, which, in turn, allows skaters to skate fast in a straight line. Even though speed skaters use an oval race course, the turning radius at each end of the oval course is not severe and speed skaters really do not turn very much but navigate these turns by crossing the lead foot over the trailing foot.
- ice hockey skates Distinct from the long flat ice speed skate, ice hockey skates are made with much shorter curved blades. This type of blade allows skaters the ability to shift their body weight back and forth over the length of the curved blade which further enables skaters to make tight radius, high speed turns, pivots and stops, all of which are required for optimal play on an enclosed rink surface and for high performance skating in general.
- the problem with in-line roller skates, as with all roller skates, is that roller hockey players and others interested in high performance maneuvers are not able to use conventional in-line roller skates to duplicate the increased mobility and performance that ice hockey skates have over ice speed skates.
- roller hockey players Due to the shortcomings of conventional in-line skates, some roller hockey players have developed a number of modifications, which can be applied to a conventional in-line roller skate, aimed at trying to duplicate the physics of an ice hockey skate.
- One such modification applied to a conventional chassis is to use smaller wheels in the toe and heel axles of the chassis while using larger wheels in the center axles of the chassis, thus creating a "curved" array of wheels. In this configuration, the toe and heel wheels are elevated from the ground while the two center wheels remain in contact with the ground.
- Some in-line roller skate manufacturing companies have taken this concept one step further, in that, some now offer a chassis with toe and heel axle holes located at a higher elevation than the center axle holes, thus allowing skaters to use the same diameter wheels throughout the chassis while still creating a curved array of wheels.
- Others offer a structure which allow skaters to choose the vertical relationship between the interior wheels and toe and heel wheels by providing a sub-chassis which locates the interior wheels and a primary chassis which locates the toe and heel wheels.
- the sub-chassis is located in a fixed position in relationship to the primary chassis in one of two vertical positions determined by a locating pin or other like device.
- one position locates all of the wheels in a linear array on the same plane creating the physics of a speed skate, while the second position locates the sub-chassis at a fixed elevation lower than the primary chassis, and thus, in effect, creates a curved array for the wheels.
- a fixed rocker chassis is a chassis which defines three distinct skating planes.
- the forward and rearward skating plane is defined by the two most forward wheels
- the turning plane is defined by the two most rearward wheels
- the stopping and pivoting plane is defined by the interior two wheels.
- each skating plane is defined by only two wheels.
- each skating plane can only be as long as the distance between the axle holes for the wheels on their respective plane.
- the front six to seven inches (15 to 17.5 cm) of the ice skate blade contacts the ice.
- the rear six to seven inches (15 to 17.5 cm) of the ice skate blade contacts the ice.
- the center three to four inches (7.5 to 10 cm) of the ice skate blade contacts the ice.
- the present invention provides a means to more closely replicate the principles of the physics around which an ice hockey skate is based.
- the present invention allows skaters to more closely replicate ice hockey skating in the forward and rearward directions, turning in the forward and rearward directions, pivoting in the forward and rearward directions and stopping. This, in turn, affords in-line roller skaters greater maneuverability, agility and mobility on enclosed rink surfaces which ultimately leads to better performance and less injuries.
- in-line roller skates which have a fixed rocker chassis, as with all roller skates, is providing an effective provision for creating more than one radius of curvature of the wheels.
- Present conventional in-line roller skates only allow skaters to rocker their chassis to one radius of curvature.
- ice hockey players have individual preferences as to how small or large a radius of curvature they have on their skate blade and can customize skate blades with different blade curvatures.
- the present invention allows in-line skaters the ability to customize the radius of wheel curvature to their individual preferences.
- One widely used stopping device for in-line roller skates is a rubber bumper extending downwardly at the front or rear of the skate. To stop forward skating motion, the skater tilts the toe or heel down to cause the bumper to contact the skating surface to provide friction and resistance to the forward motion of the skater.
- the skater can attempt a turn to stop or avoid an obstacle.
- the turning radius a skater can achieve is quite large so that an emergency or hockey stop is not achievable.
- ice hockey skating as opposed to speed skating, a popular way of stopping forward motion is to use what is known as the hockey stop.
- the skater makes a sharp turn to the side and the blade of the ice skate is turned transversely to the forward direction of the skater.
- the skate blade now positioned transverse to the previous direction of movement, transfers all of the skater's weight to the center three to four inches (7.5 to 10 cm) of the skate blades. This concentrates the frictional force between the ice and the skate blade and thus the blade, as it slides along under increasing frictional resistance, digs into the ice to provide a quick stopping action.
- the present invention provides a safer and quicker way of stopping which will eliminate many of the injuries sustained by a forward head long fall.
- a fixed rocker in-line roller skate is also disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,166,767 to Peterman which shows wheels fixed in a curved array.
- a modified fixed rocker in-line roller skate is also shown in U.S. Patent 2,644,692 to Kahlert. This construction discloses rubber cushioned or spring action roller skate having a continuous series of rollers or wheels each individually and separately cushioned to provide shockless skating over a rough surface.
- W092/10251 discloses adjusting the spacing of the axles of the rollers in the longitudinal direction of the skate simultaneously with an adjustment of the vertical position.
- the vertical adjustment takes place against the force of a spring, using a key which brings about movement of the sub-frame in the vertical direction, while the spring tension increases.
- the bearing surfaces contact each other eccentrically, and are naturally subjected to corresponding wear.
- U.S. Patent 4,272,090 to Wheat discloses an in-line roller skate construction intended for use by figure skaters.
- This skate features a front wheel unit called a bogie pivoted about a transverse axis and carrying leading and trailing wheels.
- a leaf spring bears on the opposite ends of the bogie to maintain the bogie in a normal stable condition relative to the shoe.
- the rear wheel unit is mounted on the heel of the skating shoe.
- a particular feature of this skate is that the front wheel bogie assembly functions to maintain a pair of aligned wheels in contact with the skating surface, when the rear wheel is raised slightly. This construction creates two defined skating planes.
- the first skating plane is defined by the front wheel bogie assembly and the rear wheel unit contacting the skating surface on one plane when the skater is skating in an upright position
- the second skating plane is defined by only the front wheel boogie assembly contacting the skating surface when the skater is leaning in a forward skating position. This construction cannot replicate ice hockey skate maneuvers.
- the roller assembly comprises a pair of spaced apart side members, between which extend front and rear axles, which carry front and rear rollers.
- the roller assembly is centrally attached to a plate by a pivot shaft thereby enabling the foot-platform to rock forwardly and backwardly relative to the roller assembly.
- This construction also provides a brake pad fitted to the underside of the foot-platform, above the rear wheel so as to provide a braking means when the skater rocks backward.
- the object is to provide an improved foot operable braking means.
- this construction has only one skating plane defined by the front and rear wheels which always maintain contact with the skating surface.
- Still another bogie system which embodies a braking means is disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,342,071 to Soo.
- front and rear brake members are respectively mounted to the toe and heel area of the chassis from which the front and rear wheel assemblies are pivotally mounted.
- This construction is designed to allow braking by pivotal movement for both the front and rear wheel brake assemblies.
- U.S. Patent 5,135,244 to Allison discloses a tandem roller skate employing a suspension system by which the tandem positioned wheels are articulated through a truck and beam arrangement to contact heel or toe brake pads.
- An in-line roller skate construction according to the present invention replicates the same principles of physics which are embodied in the design of an ice hockey skate blade. Ice hockey skates are not provided with a flat lower blade surface like ice speed skates and conventional in-line roller skates. Instead, ice hockey skate blades have a slight curved shape in the heel and toe area so that the heel and toe area curve upwardly.
- the present invention duplicates the relevant physical dimensions of an ice hockey skate blade by locating the interior wheels at a lower elevation than the toe and heel wheels. The interior wheels are also mounted for limited pivoting movement relative to the skate boot and toe or heel wheel.
- skaters On executing a pivot turn, skaters, like skiers who step up on the downhill ski, naturally lift their body up and centrally locate their weight on the skate chassis. The result is that as the boot pivots to the pivoting plane, only the two interior wheels contact the skating surface. Because the interior wheels can pivot and are mounted lower than the toe and heel wheels, a pivoting plane, the same length as a like sized ice hockey skate, is created, thus affording the skater increased agility and mobility in contrast to a conventional in-line chassis. On executing a hockey stop maneuver, skaters similarly naturally lift their body weight up and centrally locate their weight on the skate chassis. The result is that as the boot pivots to the pivoting/stopping plane, only the two interior wheels contact the skating surface.
- a stopping plane the same length as a like sized ice hockey skate is created.
- a skater is able to concentrate his body weight over the two interior wheels, because so much weight is dispersed over such a small plane with only two contact points. The result is a concentration in frictional force which permits a skater to stop using the hockey stop maneuver.
- the present invention has also recognized that increased stopping capability can be achieved on all types of skating surfaces by using only the interior wheels of the array for stopping purposes.
- the support system has been designed to permit a rocking action to place only the interior wheels in contact with the ground when stopping.
- the present invention also enables skaters to customize the degree of the wheel curvature. Due to the offset, pivoting nature of the centrally located wheels, skaters have the ability to dictate the size of the wheel curvature radius by selectively placing different sized, conventional in-line roller wheels in the four different axle holes.
- a skater can create many different rockers or radii by selection of different sized wheels. In other words, if there are four axle holes and two different sized wheels, sixteen different curvatures can be created. If there are four axle holes and three different sized wheels, then sixty-four different curvatures can be created. The ability to customize the rocker cannot be achieved with conventional fixed rocker skates with acceptable results.
- the present invention is intended to be used by skaters in competitive situations such as roller hockey or other competitive endeavors where increased performance capability is desired.
- skaters are often particular about all aspects of their equipment, including the comfort, fit and support obtained through the skating boot or shoe itself.
- the present invention may be obtained as a chassis assembly to be mounted on any desired boot or shoe, and may even be obtained with or without wheels to allow the selection of wheels.
- a still further object of the present invention is to provide an in-line roller skate with which a skater can stop by executing what is known as a hockey stop.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an in-line roller skate which is safer to use and which would be less prone to result in serious injuries due to falls.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an in-line chassis assembly for a roller skate which may be mounted on any desired boot.
- Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing a preferred embodiment of the in-line skate of the present invention with the toe wheel and two interior wheels in contact with the skating surface;
- Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the heel wheel and two interior wheels in contact with the skating surface;
- Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2 showing only the two interior wheels in contact with the skating surface;
- Fig. 4 is an elevational view taken along line 4-4 of Figs. 1 and 2;
- Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figs. 1 and 2;
- Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the chassis body and one rocker panel
- Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the chassis and rocker panel; and Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the chassis.
- the skate 10 of the present invention includes a conventional or custom shoe boot 12, having a heel area 14 and a toe area 16 to which is secured the chassis 18 of the invention.
- Chassis 18 includes a toe plate 20 and a heel plate 22 which flange outwardly from spaced side rails 24. Suitable through bores 26 are provided in the toe and heel plates 20 and 22 through which bolts, rivets or other attachment means 28 can be placed to secure the chassis 18 to boot 12 in any convenient manner.
- Side rails 24 each include forwardly canted forks 30 provided with through bores 32 to receive an axle 34 of toe wheel 36.
- rearwardly canted forks 38 are provided with through bores 40 to accommodate the axle 42 of a rear heel wheel 44.
- a pair of rocker panels 46 are provided on the exterior of side rails 24 to pivotally mount the interior wheels 48 and 50 to chassis 18.
- a pair of through bores 52 are provided in each side rail 24 as well as cam slots 54 to permit pivoting of the rocker panels as will be explained hereafter.
- a pivot shaft 56 is disposed within through bores 52 with each end of pivot shaft 56 being received in a through bore 58 in each rocker panel 46.
- a pivoting shaft 58 passes through cam slots 54 and is disposed in through bores 60 in each rocker panel 46.
- Each rocker panel also includes forward through bores 62 and rear through bores 64 to receive, respectively, axle 66 of forward interior wheel 50 and axle 68 of rear interior wheel 48.
- Each of the interior wheels 48 and 50 are accommodated within oval slots 70 and 72, respectively, in chassis 18.
- Chassis 18 is spaced from boot 12 in this area to preclude any contact between the interior wheels 48 and 50 and boot 12.
- All of the wheels may be conventional in-line roller skate wheels which typically include internal ball bearings for more ready and precise rotation about its axle shaft.
- wheel axle shafts, pivot shaft 56 and pivoting shaft 58 are all conventionally mounted so as to be easily removed when desired for replacement or to replace or change wheels.
- the location of the axle mounts of the toe and heel wheel forks and the positioning and location of the axle mounts of the rocker panel are selected so that the toe and heel wheels, when the interior wheels are both in contact with the ground, as shown in Fig. 3, are elevated with respect to the ground.
- the location of through bores 52 in rocker panel 46 which accommodate the pivot axis of the rocker panels, as well as the location and dimension of the cam slots 54 in chassis 18 are selected to permit the rocker panels 46 to pivot about pivot shaft 56 to the desired extent provided by movement of the pivoting shaft 58 within cam slots 54.
- the desired result is to provide sufficient pivoting movement of rocker panels 46, which dictate the pivoting movement of interior wheels 48 and 50, so that when a skater leans forward only the toe and interior wheels contact the ground. Conversely, when the skater leans backward only the interior wheels and heel wheel contact the ground, all as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively.
- the net result and benefit is that, in essence, the curved shape of an ice hockey skate blade is replicated to permit attainment of skating performance obtained by an ice hockey skate blade over an ice speed skate blade.
- All of the wheels are readily removable to change wheels if worn or to select wheels of different diameters to customize the radius achieved.
- an increase in curvature can be obtained by selecting large diameter wheels for the interior wheels while maintaining toe and heel wheels of a uniform smaller diameter.
- either the toe or heel wheel may have a different diameter to customize further the curvature shape achieved.
- either of the interior wheels may have a different diameter.
- the wheel point of contact is maintained with the skating surface as the radiused wheel contact surface provides multiple uniform tangent points between the wheel surface and the ground at varying angles.
- the wheeled contact angle remains relatively constant.
- the skater is able to make a more severe or sharper turn than could be made with prior in-line fixed rocker skates.
- the skater executes a sharp transverse turn.
- the skater's body will lean in the direction of the turn so that the skates will pivot about the vertical axis.
- the friction between the high impact engineering thermoplastic material with which the wheels are made and typical ground skating surfaces, such as concrete, asphalt and specially prepared competition surfaces, is sufficient to arrest the forward momentum of the skater.
- the two interior wheels as shown in Fig. 3, are the ones that engage the ground surface with the toe and heel wheels being elevated. It has been found that the concentration of the skater's weight on only the two interior wheels provides an ability to stop forward momentum with a hockey stop maneuver.
- the chassis is preferably a single unit to provide exact location of the critical components.
- the chassis can be made in separate pieces with a toe area chassis, a heel area chassis and an interior wheel area chassis suitably attached to a boot.
- the toe and heel wheel mount brackets could be a single member rather than a fork with the wheel mounted between.
- the rocker panel could be a single panel with the interior wheels rotatably mounted thereon.
- cam slot could be provided on the rocker panel and the pivoting shaft or pivoting pins be mounted on a suitable chassis structural member.
- a cam slot need not be used, although it is preferred, to limit the pivoting extent of the rocker. Since the arc of pivoting movement is not great, suitable pin extensions abutting a stop of some type, instead of a cam slot, may also be employed.
- four wheels are standard on in-line roller skates it is also possible to use more than four wheels. In this instance more than two interior wheels can be mounted to the pivoting rocker.
- the present invention provides a roller skate which has the ability to more closely replicate an ice skate both as to an increased ability to navigate sharper turns and also to allow for rapid and safer stopping maneuver without the necessity of a heel or toe bumper brake.
Landscapes
- Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13144198A | 1998-08-10 | 1998-08-10 | |
PCT/US1999/017365 WO2000009223A1 (en) | 1998-08-10 | 1999-07-30 | In-line roller skate |
US131441 | 2002-04-24 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1146936A1 EP1146936A1 (en) | 2001-10-24 |
EP1146936A4 true EP1146936A4 (en) | 2003-04-02 |
Family
ID=22449478
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP99936003A Withdrawn EP1146936A4 (en) | 1998-08-10 | 1999-07-30 | In-line roller skate |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1146936A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2002522185A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000009223A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
SE534628C2 (en) | 2010-02-09 | 2011-11-01 | Marsblade Ab | Roller rail |
SE1150246A1 (en) | 2011-03-18 | 2012-08-21 | Marsblade Ab | Binding as well as a ski, skate or shoe with such a binding |
EP2703053A1 (en) | 2012-08-31 | 2014-03-05 | Marsblade AB | Coupling means |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2308173A1 (en) * | 1973-02-19 | 1974-08-22 | Appbau Kg Josef Kaiser | ROLLER SKATE |
US5366232A (en) * | 1990-12-10 | 1994-11-22 | Nordica S.P.A | Adjustment device for sports implements |
US5342071A (en) * | 1993-05-06 | 1994-08-30 | Mike Soo | In-line roller skate brake assembly |
AT401012B (en) * | 1993-05-12 | 1996-05-28 | Koeflach Sportgeraete Gmbh | DEVICE FOR FASTENING ROLLS ON SINGLE-LEADED RUNNERS |
US5486011A (en) * | 1994-06-02 | 1996-01-23 | Nelson; Randy | Spring biased braking device for in-line roller skates |
US5582418A (en) * | 1995-03-21 | 1996-12-10 | Closser; David A. | Wheel suspension/braking apparatus and method for in-line roller skates |
US5690344A (en) * | 1996-01-23 | 1997-11-25 | Playmaker-Co., Ltd. | In-line roller skate with a sole plate structure |
-
1999
- 1999-07-30 JP JP2000564723A patent/JP2002522185A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-07-30 EP EP99936003A patent/EP1146936A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-07-30 WO PCT/US1999/017365 patent/WO2000009223A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Non-Patent Citations (2)
Title |
---|
No further relevant documents disclosed * |
See also references of WO0009223A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1146936A1 (en) | 2001-10-24 |
JP2002522185A (en) | 2002-07-23 |
WO2000009223A1 (en) | 2000-02-24 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20010220 |
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AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
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A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 20030213 |
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RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: 7A 63C 17/06 B Ipc: 7A 63C 17/02 A |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20030201 |
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RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): DE GB |