FR2740985A1 - IN-LINE WHEELED SKATE WITH DEFORMABLE CHASSIS - Google Patents

Abstract

Skate of the type with in-line wheels (6) consisting of a frame (5), on an upper plate (4) of which the sole (3) of a shoe (2) is fixed and comprising a longitudinal lower part on which are arranged the wheels (6), characterized in that the frame (5) consists of at least two parts (A, B) connected and articulated with respect to each other in the transverse direction and / or in torsion, by the intermediary of a deformable zone (13) which, associated with means for controlling its deformability, allows the modification of its bending moment during skating and / or of the alignment of the lower plane of the wheels of the skate.

Description

1i 2740985

  IN-LINE WHEELED SKATE WITH DEFORMABLE CHASSIS

  The present invention relates to a shoe of the in-line wheel type constituted by a chassis, on an upper plate of which is capable of being fixed the sole of a shoe and comprising a part

  lower longitudinal on which the wheels are arranged.

  This type of skate is intended for the training of skaters on ice outside the ice rink, but also for all athletes wishing to maintain or improve on hard paved, cemented ground, etc. techniques used in board sports such as downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, etc. This is how the practice of this sport includes a driving or propulsive phase by causing the shoe to diverge outwards and taking lateral support on the wheels thus inclined, in the manner of an edge grip, then a sliding phase carried out by repositioning the wheels

  perpendicular to the ground.

  The practice of such a sport naturally drifted towards the search for artistic figures or

  acrobatics to be performed during skating.

  i 5 This is how skates are known, the lower line of the wheels of which describes an arc of a convex circle, thus enabling the skate to bear only on the central wheels. The disadvantage is that this arrangement is permanent and is not always sought after. This is the case of the skate described in US Pat. No. 938,168 which also includes means for adjusting its size in order to adapt it to a

given shoe.

  Consequently, one of the aims of the invention has been to seek a device for controlling the height of the wheels in order to be able to intervene on demand on the alignment of the skate wheels as a function of the desired slip effects. In fact, it has been sought to be able to select a position of the so-called "rocker" or pivoting skate when the lower plane of the wheels forms an arc of a circle and

  "anti-rocker" when these are on a straight line, therefore not pivoting.

  2 5 But in one case as in the other, that is to say in the "rocker" position or in the "anti-rocker" position,

  the wheels are secured to each other by means of a rigid chassis.

  This leads, in certain skating situations, on uneven terrain for example, to poor

comfort in use.

  It is for this reason that versatility has been sought in the design of chassis, such as to allow its non-permanent deformation, that is to say by making it free to adopt any geometry thanks to flexibility. which is conferred on him, this so that it follows the profile of a given terrain, while in some cases allowing power, on the contrary, to apply a deformation to the same skate

  permanent to obtain the position of "rocker" or "anti-rocker" above.

  The object of the invention is to solve these problems by means of an improved chassis and for this purpose relates to a shoe of the in-line wheel type constituted by a chassis, on an upper plate from which the sole of a shoe is capable of being fixed. and comprising a longitudinal lower part on which the wheels are arranged, characterized in that the chassis consists of at least two parts connected and / or articulated with respect to each other in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction, by through a deformable zone which associated with means for controlling its deformability

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  allows the modification of its bending moment during skating and / or the alignment of the plane

lower of the skate wheels.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the deformable zone of the chassis is associated with means for controlling its deformability so as to allow the modification of its bending moment during skating and / or of the alignment of the lower plane of the wheels. skating. Thus it is well obtained a shoe offering both comfort of use and great maneuverability thereof while allowing it to be adapted to certain particular cases or a rigidity of the chassis.

on the contrary is sought after.

  The present invention also relates to the characteristics which will emerge during the

  1 O description which will follow, and which should be considered in isolation or in all their combinations

possible techniques.

  This description given by way of nonlimiting example will make it easier to understand how

  the invention can be realized, with reference to the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a side view of an inline skate and an associated shoe, according to a first embodiment, Figure 2 is a side view of an inline skate and an associated shoe, according to a second embodiment, - Figure 3 is a side view of an inline skate and an associated shoe, according to a third embodiment, 2 0 - Figures 4 and 5 are side views according to the embodiment of Figure 1 showing means for controlling the alignment of the lower plane of the skate wheels, respectively in an aligned position of these or in a pivoting position, - FIG. 6 is a view on an enlarged scale of the control means of FIGS. 4 and 5, - FIG. 7 is a view on an enlarged scale of the same control means of FIG. 6, suitable for a shoe as shown on FIG. 2, - FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a skate according to FIG. 3, from which the shoe has been removed for a better understanding, comprising the same control means of FIGS. 4 to 7, - FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a skate according to Figure 3, from which the shoe has been removed for better understanding, comprising another type of control means, 30 - Figure 10 is a bottom view on a reduced scale of skate according to FIG. 9, FIG. 11 is a detailed view on a large scale of damping means associated with control means arranged in the deformation zone of the chassis, FIG. 12 is a side view of a skid and an associated shoe similar to the example of FIG. 1 and comprising the damping means according to FIG. 11, 3 - FIG. 13 is a side view of a skate and an associated shoe similar to the example of Figure 2 and including the means of amortization Figure 11 is a side view of a skate and an associated shoe similar to the example of

  FIG. 3 and comprising the damping means according to FIG. 11.

3 2740985

  The inline skate 1 designated as a whole and shown in Figure 1 comprises a shoe 2 consisting of an outer sole 3 intended to be made integral with the upper plate 4 of a chassis 5 on which the wheels 6 are arranged , sole 3 from which extends a rod 7

  covering the entire foot and extending towards the skater's ankle.

  The sole 3 of the shoe 2 is made integral with the chassis 5 forming the horizontal upper plate 4 on which said sole 3 is fixed by means of fixing means, known per se, in this case screws passing through the plate 4 for screw into the side edges of the

  sole 3. Of course, detachable fixing means such as belts, shells, etc.

can also be provided.

  1 0 The frame 5 also includes a lower part perpendicular to the plate 4 along its longitudinal axis and for example constituted by two vertical lateral wings 10 parallel to each other and

  arranged on either side of its longitudinal axis.

  The lateral wings 10 extend respectively at their upper part by a return

  perpendicular constituting a plane corresponding to the horizontal plate 4.

  1 5 In this way, the vertical lateral wings 10 define generally with the plate 4 of the shoe 2, an inverted U between the wings of which are arranged a plurality of wheels 6, for example four in number, via the axes transverse articulation 12 integral with the chassis to form a running gear. According to the invention, the frame 5 is constituted by at least two parts A and B connected and articulated 2 0 relative to each other in the longitudinal direction and optionally by means of a

deformable area 13.

  In general, the deformable zone 13 is constituted by a local thinning carried out on an upper part of the chassis 5 near its plate 4 and between two successive wheels 6

  any ranges for said chassis 5.

  2 5 According to the example shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, the local thinning 13 constitutes a bending blade in the longitudinal direction of the chassis and is obtained by making two substantially vertical grooves 14 out of two lateral wings 10 of the chassis 5 coming from the plate 4 and extending longitudinally without discontinuity, the value Ne "of this thinning, lying between the plane of said plate 4 and the apex of the grooves 14 being determined as a function of the bending moment at

3 0 get.

  According to another concept shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the local thinning, respectively 13A, 13B, is obtained from longitudinal lateral wings 10 coming from the plate, respectively 4A, 4B, from a chassis, respectively 5A, 5B, produced in two distinct parts A, B, said wings being arranged, side by side at a distance "e" 'in the longitudinal direction, predetermined in 3 5 as a function of the maximum desired bending angle of said two parts A, B, the assembly of these two distinct parts A, B, of the chassis respectively 5A, 5B, being effected by means of an attached connecting member respectively 15, 16, and disposed at the upper part of said chassis at

  proximity of the plate respectively 4A, 4B.

4 2740985

  More particularly, according to the example of FIG. 2, the connecting member of the two separate parts A, B, of the chassis 5A consists of a hinge pin 15 disposed between two zones of

  lateral covers 17, 18, produced at the upper part of its wings 10.

  According to the example of Figure 3, the connecting member of the two separate parts of the chassis is constituted by an added plate forming a bending blade 16 connecting longitudinally two

  separate parts A, B, of the upper plate 4B of the chassis 5B.

  As shown particularly in FIGS. 8 and 9, the flexion blade 16 is fixed to the parts A and B forming the frame 5B by four screws 20 engaged with corresponding threaded holes, formed on the said parts A and B. 1 0 Of course, whatever the aforementioned scenarios, one can very well imagine, for longer pads for example, to make a chassis in three or more parts, rather than in two. In the two cases shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, both the flexion blade 16 and the articulation 15

  constitute the deformable zone in the longitudinal direction.

  According to an embodiment not shown, the frame can also be made in two separate parts 1 5 A, B, connected together by an elastomer block of predetermined density depending on the

  bending moment to be obtained, to constitute the deformable zone 13 in the longitudinal direction.

  The two separate parts A, B, of the frame 5, 5A, 5B, are made of a material of the same nature or else of a different nature. This is how part A can be a plastic material

  while part B a metallic material.

  O According to another characteristic of the invention, the deformable zone 13, 13A, 13B, of the chassis 5 is associated with means for controlling its deformability 21 so as to allow the modification of its bending moment during skating and / or changing the alignment of the lower plane of

skate wheels 6 1.

  According to an exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, suitable for chassis 5, 5A, 2 5 5B, in Figures 1 to 3, the means for controlling the deformable zone located between at least two parts A, B, of the chassis 5, 5A, 5B, continuous or discontinuous, are constituted each time by two nuts 22 respectively fixed on each of the parts A, B, of the chassis 5, 5A, 5B, and interconnected in one direction longitudinal by a connecting screw 23 with opposite pitch, from which a radial knurled wheel 24 emerges outside in the transverse direction of the chassis 5, 5A, 5B, between its two parts 30 A, B, in order to allow by its actuation the spacing or on the contrary the bringing together of said parts A, B, and consequently of actuating them in angular bending in one direction or the other

  depending on whether the skater wishes to distribute their support on two central wheels or on all the wheels 6.

  Thus, it is allowed to adjust or modify the distribution of the wheels on the ground so that the skater can either make short turns by distributing the support on the ground on the two central wheels, or 3 5 make longer turns by distributing ground support on four wheels, for greater

  stability in straight line or large curve.

  According to the cases shown in Figures 9 to 12, the means for controlling the deformable zone, located between at least two parts A, B, of frame 5, 5A, 5B, continuous or discontinuous, are constituted by a lock 25 , 25B in the form of a bar articulated in a vertical plane by one of

2740985

  its ends 25a, 25Ba, in a fixed axis of rotation 26 integral with one of the parts A, B, of the chassis, 5A, 5B, and capable of cooperating detachably by its other free end 25b, 25Bh on

  at least one hooking element 26 formed on the other part of the chassis 5, 5A, 5B.

  More particularly, according to the example of FIGS. 11, 12, the free end 25b of the latch 25 comprises at least one adjustment notch 27 able to cooperate with a stop 26a of the chassis so as to immobilize the two parts A, B, of the chassis 5, 5A, 5B, in a given position corresponding to a chosen alignment of the wheels 6 with respect to the ground so as to allow slippage according to this chosen alignment, without flexibility of said chassis. This lock 25 can also remain free as shown in the

  Figure 1l 1 for skating according to a free alignment of the wheels 6 self-adapting to the ground profile.

  1 0 According to the example of Figures 9 and 10, the free end 25Bb of the lock 25B comprises a stud 28 adapted to cooperate with at least one adjustment hole 29 so as to immobilize the two parts of the frame A, B in a position corresponding to a selected alignment of the wheels 6 relative to the ground, either in a neutral position substantially aligned by positioning the stud 28 in the adjustment hole 29 in the middle, or in a position of the wheels respectively "rocker" or "anti-rocker" by placement of the nipple 28

  1 5 in the hole 29 respectively upper or lower.

  According to an additional characteristic of the invention shown in FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14, damping means 30, elastically deformable both in stretching and in compression, are interposed between the two parts A, B, continuous or discontinuous of the chassis 5, 5A, 5B, in its deformation zone 13, 13A, 13B, and act in combination with the control means 22, 23,

2 0 24, 25, 25B, 26, 27, 28.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the deformation zone 13, 13A, 13B, of the chassis 5, A, 5B, is arranged on the latter in line with a corresponding flexion zone 31 of the shoe 2 so as to ensure deformability of the skate / shoe assembly simultaneously, and facilitate

  deformation of the chassis allowing a positive action of the foot in this direction.

  2 5 In fact, the invention which has just been described makes it possible to obtain a chassis with a deformable configuration according to the constraints imposed either by the skater or by the profile of the terrain and having

  respectively a guiding function and a damping function as already mentioned.

Claims (13)

  1- Roller skate (6) constituted by a chassis (5), on an upper plate (4) from which is adapted to be fixed the sole (3) of a shoe (2) and comprising a lower longitudinal part on which are arranged the wheels (6), characterized in that the chassis (5) consists of at least two parts (A, B) connected and articulated with respect to each other in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction, by through a deformable zone (13) which associated with means for controlling its deformability allows the modification of its bending moment during skating and / or   the alignment of the lower plane of the skate wheels.   2- Skate according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformable zone (13, 13A, 13B) of the 1 O chassis (5) is associated with means for controlling its deformability (21) so as to allow the modification of its bending moment during skating and / or alignment of the lower plane wheels (6) of the shoe (1).   3- Skate according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the deformable zone (13) is constituted by a local thinning carried out on an upper part of the chassis (5) near its plate   1 5 (4) and between any two successive wheels (6) carried for said chassis (5).   4- Skate according to claim 3, characterized in that the local thinning (13) constitutes a bending blade and is obtained by making two grooves (14) substantially vertical on two side wings (10) of the chassis (5) from the plate (4) and extending without discontinuity, the value (e) of this thinning, lying between the plane of said plate (4) and the top of the grooves (14) being   2 O determined as a function of the bending moment to be obtained.   - Skate according to claim 3, characterized in that the local thinning (13A, 13B) is obtained from longitudinal lateral wings (10) coming from the plate (4A, 4B) of a frame (5A, 5B) made in two separate parts (A, B), said wings (10) being arranged, side by side at a distance (e ') in the longitudinal direction, predetermined as a function of the desired maximum bending angle 2 5 of said two parts (A, B), the assembly of these two distinct parts (A, B) of the chassis (5A, 5B) being effected by means of a connecting member attached (15, 16) to its part   upper near the plate (4A, 4B).   6- Skate according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting member of the two separate parts (A, B) of the frame (5A) is constituted by a hinge pin (15) disposed between two   3 O lateral overlap zones (17, 18) produced at the upper part of its wings (10).   7- Skate according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting member of the two separate parts of the chassis is constituted by an attached plate forming a bending blade (16)   longitudinally connecting two separate parts (A, B) of the upper plate (4B) of the chassis (5B).   8- Skate according to claim 1, characterized in that the chassis is produced in two distinct parts 3 5 (A, B) connected together by an elastomer block of density predetermined according to the   bending moment to be obtained, to constitute the deformable zone (13).   9- Skate according to claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the two separate parts (A, B) of   chassis (5, 5A, 5B) are made of different materials. 7 2740985   - Skate according to any one of Claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the means for   control of the deformable zone located between at least two parts (A, B) of the chassis (5, 5A, 5B), continuous or discontinuous, consist of two nuts (22) respectively fixed on each of the parts (A, B) of the chassis (5, 5A, 5B) and interconnected in a longitudinal direction by a connection screw (23) with opposite pitch from which a radial wheel (24) emerges transversely from the chassis (5, 5A, 5B) between its two parts (A, B) in order to activate them in angular bending in one direction or the other depending on whether the skater wishes to distribute his support on two central wheels or on all wheels (6).   11- Skate according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the means for controlling the   1 O deformable zone, located between at least two parts (A, B) of chassis (5, 5A, 5B) continuous or discontinuous, are constituted by a latch (25, 25B) in the form of a bar articulated in a vertical plane by l 'one of its ends (25a, 25Ba) in a fixed axis of rotation (26) integral with one of the parts (A, B) of the chassis (5, 5A, 5B) and capable of cooperating detachably by its other free end (25b, 25Bb.) on at least one hooking element (26) formed on the other part of the 1 5 chassis (5, 5A, 5B).   12- Skate according to claim 11, characterized in that the free end (25b) of the lock (25) comprises at least one adjustment notch (27) so as to immobilize the two parts (A, B) of the frame (5 , 5A, 5B) in a given position corresponding to a chosen alignment of the wheels (6) relative to the ground and allowing either slipping according to this chosen alignment, without flexibility of said chassis,   2 0 or a slip in a free alignment of the wheels (6) self-adjusting to the ground profile.   13- Skate according to claim 11, characterized in that the free end (25B.) Of the latch (25B) comprises a stud (28) capable of cooperating with at least one adjustment hole (29) so as to immobilize the two chassis parts (A, B) in a position corresponding to a chosen alignment wheels (6) relative to the ground.   14- Skate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means   damping (30), elastically deformable both in stretching and in compression, are interposed between the two continuous or discontinuous parts (A, B) of the frame (5, 5A, 5B), in its deformation zone ( 13, 13A, 13B) and act in combination with the control means (22, 23, 24; 25, 25B, 26, 27, 28).   3 0 15- Skate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformation zone   (13, 13A, 13B) of the chassis (5, 5A, 5B) is arranged on the latter in line with a bending zone   corresponding (31) of the shoe (2) so as to ensure deformability of the skate assembly- shoe simultaneously.   16. Skate / shoe assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.