GB2092452A - Carriage assembly for roller skates - Google Patents

Abstract

A planar carrier (10), bearing a wheel axle (12), is pivotally mounted on a base member (2) and is held by shock absorbent cushions (18) clamped either side of the carrier by a clamping pin (16) engaging the base member (2). The base member (2) has faces which are substantially at right angles to one another, and are provided with respective perpendicular bores for mounting the axle carrier (10) and the clamping pin (16). Preferably, the base member has an upper (in use) flat face (3) formed with a groove, in which a connecting bar (25) can engage to connect together two base members (2) to form a roller skate body. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Roller skates and fittings therefor This invention relates to roller skates and fittings therefor.

Roller skating has been a popular sport and pastime in many countries for some considerable time. Over the years, attention has been paid to improving the design of roller skates, particularly those for artistic and professional use. Professional and artistic skaters require skates capable of performing under extreme conditions such as are caused in figure and free skating by sudden braking, tight cornering, and jumping, for example. Particularly under such conditions, where large forces are set up, it is important that the suspension units for the skates are robust, and capable of absobing shock forces. At the same time, the suspension units should afford the user flexibility in manoeuvering.

Also, it is of course desirable that the skates are as light as possible.

Previously proposed skates generally have been unable to meet satisfactorily these somewhat conflicting requirements.

The present invention aims to provide generally improved roller skates and fittings therefor.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a suspension unit for a roller skate, the unit comprising: a base member; an axle carrier which is pivotally mounted on said base member for rotation about a pivotal axis, and is provided with contact faces at substantially opposite sides of the pivoted axis; shock absorbent cushioning disposed about said axle carrier; and clamping means engaging said base member and clamping said cushioning about said axle carrier, in contact with said contact faces.

Preferred embodiments of the invention may be used to provide skates that are strong yet manoeuvrable and light.

Preferably, said clamping means comprises a clamping pin disposed between the pivot point of the axle carrier and the axle position on the axle carrier.

The axle carrier is preferably formed with an aperture through which the clamping pin passes in such a manner that the axle carrier can roll relative to the clamping pin. For example, the aperture in the axle carrier is advantageously formed with flared mouths to afford the relative rolling movement.

The axle carrier may be in the form of a plate provided with a spindle at one end, and an axle at an opposite end. The spindle may bear in a resilient bush in the base member, to afford pivoting of the axle carrier. The axle may be welded or otherwise secured to the axle carrier, or may advantageously be formed integrally therewith.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a base member for a roller skate suspension unit, the base member comprising a body affording a first substantially flat face and, facing away therefrom, second and third substantially flat faces that enclose a right angle therebetween, and are formed with respective perpendicular bores for mounting an axle carrier and a clamping pin respectively.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a base member for a roller skate suspension unit, the base member comprising a body formed with a substantially flat face, two bores which face away from said face and are for mounting an axle carrier and a clamping pin respectively, and a longitudinal groove that extends through said face and is adapted to receive a connecting bar to which a similar base member can be secured to form a roller skate body.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows in longitudinal section a roller skate suspension unit embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a bottom view thereof; Figure 3 shows an axle on an axle carrier thereof; Figure 4 and 5 show the axle carrier respectively in side and end elevation; Figure 6 shows a rear base member in first angle projection; and Figure 7shows a front base member in first angle projection.

In the Figures, like references denote like or corresponding parts.

The suspension unit 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a base member in the form of a frog 2, which is designed to be positioned at the rear of the roller skate, and which is shown in Figure 6. The frog 2 is formed with a first flat face 3, through which there extends a longitudinal groove 8. Facing away from the face 3, the frog 2 is further formed with a second flat face 4 and a third flat face 5, which enclose a right angle therebetween. The face 4 is formed with a perpendicular threaded bore 6, and the face 5 with a perpendicular bore 7. It will be seen that the axes of the bores 6 and 7 also extend at right angles, and intersect.

A resilient bush 9 is fitted within the bore 7, and serves as a bearing for a spindle 11 of an axle carrier 10, which can therefore pivot in the bush 9, about a pivotal axis 30. At an opposite end of the axle carrier 10, an axle 12 is mounted, for carrying wheels 13, as may be seen in Figure 3. The axle 12 can be secured to the axle carrier 10 in any suitable manner, such as by welding. However, it may be conveniently formed integrally with the axle carrier 10.

As may be seen in Figure 4, a hole 14 is formed on the pivotal axis of the axle carrier 10, and is provided with outwardly flaring mouths 15.

A king pin 16 serves as a clamping pin and passes through the hole 14 in the axle carrier 10, to engage the threaded bore 6 in frog 2. The king pin 16 serves to clamp shock-absorbent cushions 18 about the axle carrier 10, via washers 17.

It will be seen that the axle carrier 10 affords oppositely facing contact faces 31 and 32, with which the shock-absorbent cushions 18 engage. The contact faces 31 and 32 are disposed symmetrically about the axis of the spindle 11, which is coincident with the pivotal axis 30 of the axle carrier 10. Thus, the contact faces 31 and 32 are disposed at substantially opposite sides of the pivotal axis 30. This is an important feature insofaras it is desired to obtain enhanced performance characteristics, since itfollows that, when the axle carrier 10 is pivoted about the pivotal axis 30, the shock-absorbent cushions 18 are subjected to relatively uniform forces, with no significant tendancy for skew distortion of the cushions 18.If the contact faces 31 and 32 were not arranged in this way (as is the case in previously proposed arrangements), then there may be a tendancy for the contact faces to slide over the shock-absorbent cushioning, and/orto cause skew distortion thereof.

In the illustrated arrangement, the contact faces 31, 32 are substantially parallel to the axis of the spindle 11 and the pivotal axis 30. This is another preferred feature for enhanced performance of the roller skate.

Figure 7 shows a frog 20 for use in a suspension unit at the front of a roller skate. The frog 20 is generaly similarto the frog 2 in construction, except that its shape is somewhat different, and it is provided with a tapped bore 21 for receiving a braking stud. It will be seen that the frog 20 is provided with a groove 8, similar to that in the frog 2.

The purpose of the groove 8 is to receive a connecting bar 25, which can be seen in Figures 1 and 2. The frogs 2 and 20 are secured to opposite ends of the bar 25, thereby to form the basic frame of the roller skate.

It may be appreciated that the arrangement shown in Figure 1 provides a suspension unit that is strong, whilst affording manoeuvrability and, moreover, being susceptible to compact and light construction.

The arrangement of the king pin 16 between the axle 12 and the pivot point of the spindle 11, and passing through the axle carrier 10, reduces the tendancy for skew distortion of the cushion 18 during cornering, acrobatic manoeuvres, etc. The provision of the outwardly flaring mouths 15 to the aperture 14 allows the axle carrier 10 to roll somewhat about the king pin 16, thus enhancing its manoeuvrability. On the other hand, the compact, intersecting arrangement of the king pin 16 and axle carrier 10 is such as to minimize moments about the king pin 16 during shock forces (e.g. when jumping) thereby maximizing efficiency of the cushions and minimizing distortion thereof. As bending stress in the king pin is minimized, it is possible to avoid the use of tie bars between the king pins 16 of front and rear suspension units, which tie bars are necessary in previously proposed roller skates.Thus, there is again a saving in space and weight.

A particular advantage of the illustrated suspension unit is that the cushioning effect is determined almostentiely by the Shore hardness of the cushions 18, and a facility for finely adjusting the cushioning effect is therefore not essential. Again, this provides a saving in complexity and weight. However, should it be desirable to have available different degrees of cushioning, is possible to use replaceable cushions of different Shore hardness (for example, they may be differently coloured) as circumstances may require.

A particular advantage of the illustrated arrangement is the way in which the rear frog 2 and front frog 20 are connected together by the connecting bar 25. By suitable design of the frogs 2 and 20, it is possible to omit entirely the need for a foot plate.

Instead, the upper (as used) flat surfaces of the frogs 2 and 20 may provide the foot plate. Thus, yet again, there may be a saving of space, weight and material.

Yet another advantage of the above described arrangement is that custom skates can readily be constructed to any desired size, from stocks of standard front and rear frogs 20, 2. All that is required for a skate of a particular size is to cut a iength of connecting bar 25 to the desired length, and then secure the same to the frogs 2 and 20. The frogs 2, 20 can be secured to the bar 25 in any convenient manner, and indeed, if required, can be adjustable in position thereon, for different sizes.

The bar 25 and frogs 2, 20 can be of any suitable material. However, it is especially advantageous if the bar 25 is of carbon fibre, and the frogs could then be for example of nylon impregnated with glass or carbon fibre. Then, the bar 25 can be bonded to the frogs 2, 20.

In the illustrated arrangement, the axle carrier 10 is substantially flat. However, it may be angled somewhat, outwardly from its point of intersection with the king pin 16. The important point is that the king pin 16 extends substantially at right angles to the pivotal axis 30 of the axle carrier.

Claims (22)

1. A suspension unit for a roller skate, the unit comprising: a base member; an axle carrier which is pivotally mounted on said base member for rotation about a pivotal axis, and is provided with contact faces at substantially opposite sides of the pivotal axis; shock absorbent cushioning disposed about said axle carrier; and clamping means engaging said base member and clamping said cushioning about said axle carrier, in contact with said contact faces.

2. Asuspension unit according to Claim 1, wherein said contact faces are substantially parallel to said pivotal axis.

3. A suspension unit according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said clamping means comprises a clamping pin which extends through an aperture in the axle carrier.

4. A suspension unit according Claim 3, wherein the clamping pin extends substantially at right angles to said pivotal axis.

5. A suspension unit according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the clamping pin is disposed between the pivotal mounting point of the axle carrier and the axle position on the axle carrier.

6. A suspension unit according to Claim 3,4 or 5, wherein the clamping pin passes through said aperture in such a mannerthatthe axle carrier can roll relative to the clamping pin.

7. A suspension unit according to Claim 6, wherein said aperture has flared mouths to afford said relative rolling movement.

8. A suspension unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the axle carrier is in the form of a plate provided at one end with a spindle to afford said pivotal mounting and at an opposite end with an axle.

9. A suspension unit according to Claim 8, wherein said plate is substantially flat.

10. A suspension unit according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein said spindle bears in a resilient bush in the base member, to afford pivoting of the axle carrier.

11. A suspension unit according to Claim 8,9 or 10, wherein the axle is formed integrally with the axle carrier.

12. A suspension unit according to any preceding claim, the arrangement being such that, during rotation of said axle carrier about said pivotal axis, there is no tendency for said contact faces to slide over said cushioning.

13. A suspension unit for a roller skate, the suspension unit being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A base member for a roller skate suspension unit, the base member comprising a body affording a first substantially flat face and, facing away therefrom, second and third substantially flat faces which enclose a right angle therebetween, and are formed with respective perpendicular bores for mounting an axle carrier and a clamping pin respectively.

15. A base member for a roller skate suspension unit, the base member comprising a body formed with a substantially flat face, two bores which face away from said face and are for mounting an axle carrier and a clamping pin respectively, and a longitudinal groove which extends through said face and is adapted to receive a connecting bar to which a similar base member can be secured to form a roller skate body.

16. Abasememberfora rollerskate, the base member being substantially as hereinbefore de scribedwith reference to Figure 6 or 7 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A roller skate body comprising two base members according to Claim 15, secured together by a connecting bar enaged in their respective said grooves.

18. A roller skate body according to Claim 17, wherein at last one of said connecting bar and base members contains carbon fibre.

19. A roller skate body according to Claim 17 or 18, wherein said connecting bar is bonded to at least one of said base members.

20. A suspension unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the base member is in accordance with Claim 14 or 15.

21. A roller skate body comprising a suspension unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

22. A roller skate comprising a suspension unit, base member or body according to any preceding claim.