NL2027347B1 - Skate frame and skate provided with such frame - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a skate support, more particularly a skate support comprising a skate frame with wheels that can be connected to a skate shoe. In an aspect of the disclosure a skate support according to the invention comprises a frame having a longitudinal direction and at least one wheelset supported by said frame. Said wheelset comprises two wheels, each wheel supported by a swing arm, wherein each swing arm is supported on a pivot axle mounted in the frame. A first of said two wheels is positioned longitudinally in front of a pivot axis of the pivot axle and a second of said two wheels is positioned longitudinally at the rear of the pivot axis. At least one spring is connected between at least one swing arm and the frame, biasing the swing arm or swing arms in a neutral position. The neutral position is defined as the position of the swing arms when there are no forces working on the wheels of the wheelset.

Description

P129159NL00 Title: Skate frame and skate provided with such frame The invention relates to a skate support, more particularly a skate support comprising a skate frame with wheels that can be connected to a skate shoe.

Such a skate support is known from NL 1042181. The known skate support comprises a frame having a longitudinal direction and wheelsets supported by said frame. Each wheelset comprises two wheels, each wheel supported by a swing arm, wherein each swing arm is supported on a pivot axle mounted in the frame. A first of said two wheels is positioned longitudinally in front of a pivot axis of the pivot axle and a second of said two wheels 1s positioned longitudinally at the rear of the pivot axis of the pivot axle. In this known skate support the pivot axle extends through a housing, and has a curved surface within said housing, wider than the diameter of the pivot axle. A spring loaded pin is forced against said surface, such that if the pivot axle is pivoted out of a neutral position, the spring is compressed by the pivotal movement, initiating a bias back to the neutral position. Thus the wheel sets will be forced back to the neutral position when the wheels are lifted off the ground during skating, whereas the wheels can all stay in contact with the ground when the skate is used for pushing off against the ground during skating, by tilting the skate support over a longitudinal axis.

A disadvantage of this design is that the described control system is complex to produce and is difficult to service or repair in case of damage.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an alternative skate support of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph hereof. An object of the present disclosure is to provide such skate support, in which, while maintaining the advantages, the disadvantages mentioned are diminished at least in part. In particular, the invention contemplates providing a skate frame according to the prior art while having a more robust design.

In an aspect of the disclosure a skate support according to the invention comprises a frame having a longitudinal direction and at least one wheelset supported by said frame. Said wheelset comprises two wheels, each wheel supported by a swing arm, wherein each swing arm is supported on a pivot axle mounted in the frame. A first of said two wheels is positioned longitudinally in front of a pivot axis of the pivot axle and a second of said two wheels 1s positioned longitudinally at the rear of the pivot axis. At least one spring is connected between at least one swing arm and the frame, biasing the swing arm or swing arms in a neutral position. The neutral position is defined as the position of the swing arms when there are no forces working on the wheels of the wheelset.

Preferably the at least one spring is connected to the relevant swing arm spaced apart from the pivot axle, such that relative small forces in the spring can be sufficient for biasing the swing arm towards the neutral position. Moreover, such spaced apart positions can have the advantage that even relatively small pivotal movement of a swing arm can result in a relatively large extension or compression of the relevant spring, allowing for the use of relatively simple springs.

In embodiments the skate frame can have a substantially U-shaped cross section and can for example be an injected molded frame, more specifically made out of plastic, providing a light-weight yet strong frame. In additional embodiments, the frame comprises a central frame part between the first and second wheel of the or each wheel set, wherein the swing arms of the wheel set can be provided at opposite sides of the central frame part. The skate support comprises at least one wheel set, preferably at least two wheel sets, comprising two wheels per wheel set. Furthermore, the skate frame can contain two connection provisions to releasably connect a skate shoe to the skate frame.

Additionally, the wheels of a wheel set can be supported by their corresponding swing arms by a wheel axis, the swing arms preferably fixed to a pivot axle. The pivot axle can be supported by the skate frame, allowing its rotation such that one or both swing arms can rotate in a clockwise and counter clockwise rotation around the pivot axis of the pivot axle. In embodiments, the swing arms can be made out of steel or aluminum, providing sufficient strength for use.

In further embodiments the wheel axis of the support arm on one side of the skate frame can be located longitudinally in front of the pivot axis while the wheel axis of the support arm of the wheel set on the opposite side of the skate frame located longitudinally behind the pivot axis.

Biasing for the swing arms towards a neutral position can be introduced by a spring connected between at least one swing arm and the frame, such that the swing arms are moved to a position wherein the energy stored in the spring is minimal when no external force is applied to the wheels.

In embodiments the or each swing arm can have a first section, supporting the relevant first or second wheel and a second section, connecting the at least one spring and the pivot axle. In the presented embodiments, these sections are of comparable length.

In further embodiments, a connecting element connects the second arm sections of a wheel set, on both sides of the skate frame, to providing additional support. In additional embodiments, the connecting element is provided spaced apart from the pivot axle and extends into or through an opening in the frame.

In embodiments the opening in the frame can be a guide comprising a slot or slots, open to both sides of the skate frame, which may be curved in such a way that its center of curvature coincides with the pivot axis. In such embodiment, when the swing arms are pivoting around the rotational axis of the pivot axle, the connecting element will move in the guide. The guide can be used to limit the movement of swing arms, ensuring that the swing arms do not pivot too far. This can aid in preventing the skate frame from tilting too far around its longitudinal axis while skating and causing damage or injury to the person using the skates or to the skates as such. By connecting the swing arms of a wheel set by said connecting element, spaced apart from the pivot axle can further provide for additional stability and strength of a wheel set.

In additional embodiments at least one spring, for example a tension spring, can be connected to the connecting element and to a connecting point on the frame near a mid-section of the guide. In embodiments the or each spring can be provided inside the frame, for example between two substantially parallel side plates of the frame, below a top plate. Placing the spring inside the skate frame provides protection for the spring against dirt or external impact, thereby improving its longevity and reliability.

The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of the exemplary embodiments that are represented in the drawing. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a side view of the skate with skate support; Fig. 2 shows a rear view of the skate support in a neutral position and in a tilted position; Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the skate support; Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional top view of the skate support, where the cross-section is made along the A-A line of fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional side view of the skate support; Fig. 6 shows an isometric view comprising the swing arms; Fig. 7A shows a side view of a second embodiment of the skate support; Fig. 7B shows a cross-sectional side view of this embodiment, with one wheel removed;

Fig. 8A shows a side view of a third embodiment of the skate support; Fig. 8B shows a cross-sectional side view of this embodiment in a first tilted position; 5 Fig. 8C shows the cross-sectional side view in a second titled position.

The figures are only schematic representations of embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are only shown as example for a better understanding of the claimed invention and should not be considered as limiting the disclosure to these embodiments. In the figures, like or corresponding parts are indicated with the same reference numerals.

In this description terms like up and down or upward and downward are considered in view of a position of a skate support in a position when a user of two skates having such skate support is standing on said two skates in a vertical position, with all wheels of the skates positioned on a horizontal support. In such position the pivot axle of the wheels and swing arms preferably extend substantially parallel to each other, more preferably in a substantially horizontal direction. Proximal and distal should be understood as meaning towards a longitudinal front end of the skate support or towards a longitudinal rearward end of the skate frame, when considering a normal direction of skating with the skate frame, unless specifically defined otherwise, In this description terms like substantially and about are used as an indication that small deviations from a value it pertains to are acceptable, such as for example deviations of 20% or less, such as 15% or less, or 10% or less of such value.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a skate 1 with skate support

2. The skate support 2 comprises a frame 3 having a longitudinal direction L and having at least one wheel set 5 supported by said frame 3. In the embodiments shown the skate support 2 comprises two such wheel sets 5,

but it will be clear that also a different number of wheel sets 5 could be provided, such as for example but not limited to three such wheel sets 5, positioned longitudinally substantially behind each other.

In the embodiments shown in fig. 1 -8 the frame 3 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, comprising a top plate 31 and two spaced apart side plates 32 extending downward from the top plate 31, forming a central portion 33 of the frame 3. Between the side plates 32 or integral therewith ribs 34 can be provided, extending for example from the top plate 31 down to a lower end of the frame 3 at which pivot axle 4 are provided, as will be discussed. The ribs 34 connecting the side plates 32 provide for extra stability and rigidity of the frame 3 and for proper support of the pivot axle 4. As can be seen in fig. 5 the side plates 32 can comprise openings 35 reducing the weight of the frame 3. It should be clear to the person skilled in the art that any other shape, such as a for example a T-shape, can be used as long as sufficient rigidness and strength is provided.

The or each wheel set 5 comprises two wheels, a first wheel 52 on a first side A of the central portion 33 of the frame 3 and a second wheel 53 on an opposite second side B of the central portion 33 of the frame 3. The wheels 52, 53 in the given example can be common skate wheels of a large diameter D, such as for example but not limited to between 80mm and 150 mm. Using a large diameter wheels increases comfort when skating by reducing vibrations caused by irregularities on the road such as pebbles. The wheels 52, 53 preferably have a relatively small width W, compared to the diameter D, such as for example but not limited to between 15mm and 30mm. Obviously other sizes of wheels could be used, both in diameter and in width.

Each of the wheels 52, 53 of a wheel set 5 is attached by a wheel axis 6 to a swing arm 7, wherein each swing arm 7 is supported on a pivot axle 4 mounted in the frame 3, spaced apart from the relevant wheel axis 6 over a distance Ei, Eq. Said distance E can for example be smaller than the radius of the wheels 52, 53, such that in side view the wheels 52, 53 of a wheel set 5 partly overlap. The swing arms 71, 72 of a wheel set 5 can therefore pivot relative to or with the pivot axle 4 substantially parallel to the sides A and B.

In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 1-6 and 8, each pivot axle 4 supports two swing arms 71, 72, one on each side of the frame 3. A first swing arm 71 on the first side A of the frame 3 has a first wheel 52 positioned longitudinally at the rear of the pivot axis 41 of the pivot axle 4 wherein a second swing arm 72 on the opposite second side B of the frame 3 has the second wheel 53 positioned longitudinally at the front of the pivot axis 41 of the pivot axle 4. In the embodiments shown the pivot axis 41 is rotationally supported in the frame 3, for example by appropriate bearings (not shown), such that the pivot axis 41 can rotate in the frame 3 and the first and second swing arm 71, 72 are fixed to the pivot axle 4, such that if, seen in a side view, the first swing arm 71 pivots in a clock wise direction R, the other swing arm 72 of the same wheel set 5 seen in the same side view also pivots in a clock wise direction R whereas if the first swing arm 71 pivots in a counter clock wise direction S the second swing arm 72 of the same wheel set 5 also pivots in a counter clock wise direction S. Thus if one of the wheels 52, 53 of a wheel set 5 is moved upward in such a way that swing arm 7 is pivoted around or with the pivot axle 4, the other wheel 52 of the wheel set 5 is moved downward.

This is shown in figure 2, wherein the figure on the right shows tilting of the skate support 2 over a longitudinal axis L of the frame 3 while keeping both wheels 52, 53 of a wheel set 5 on the ground. By enabling this movement of the swing arms 71, 72 the person using the skates can push off sideways during skating with all wheels on the ground, whereas stability of the skates is improved compared to skates having all wheels behind each other in a straight line because two rows of wheels side by side are provided,

supported on the ground. Furthermore, by providing wheelsets according to the disclosure which can pivot, especially independently from each other, a skate support according to the disclosure provides for a suspension system, better isolating the skater from a terrain the skates are used on. For example irregularities in or on the terrain can be more easily navigated because the wheels can move up and down while passing them.

In the embodiments shown for each wheel set 5 the distance E; between the pivot axle 4 and the wheel axis 6 of the first wheel 52 carried by the first swing arm 71 is substantially the same as the distance E» between the pivot axle 4 and the wheel axis 6 of the second wheel 53 carried by the second swing arm 72. However, in alternative embodiments these distances may be chosen differently. For example the distance E1 at the first swing arm 71 may be shorter or longer than the distance E> at the second swing arm.

In preferred embodiments at least two wheel sets 5 are provided, as for example shown in fig. 1 - 8, wherein for each of such wheel sets 5 the first wheel 52 is on the same longitudinal side A of the central portion 33 of the frame 3, each second wheel 53 provided on the opposite side B of the central portion 33 of the frame 3, the second wheels 53 being positioned more forward to the skate frame 3 than the first wheels 52 of the corresponding wheel sets 5. For a pair of skates the position of the first and second wheels of a left skate of the pair can be mirrored relative to the right skate of said pair, for example such that for the left skate the first wheels are at the right hand side, and for the right skate the first wheels are on the left hand side.

Figure 6 shows an isometric detail of the swing arms 71 and 72 of the skate support 2 of fig. 1. The swing arms 71, 72 comprises two sections, a first arm section 73 that supports the wheel 51 through a wheel axis 6 and a second arm section 74. In the embodiment shown the first arm section 73 and the second arm section 74 are connected to each other at the pivot axle

4 and include an angle a, such that when the first arm section 73 extends substantially horizontally from the pivot axle 4, the second arm section 74 extends upward, alongside the central portion 33 of the frame 3. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 — 6 for the first swing arm 71 the angle a has been chosen between 30 and 90 degrees, whereas for the second swing arm 72 the angle a is chosen between 90 and 150 degrees, preferably such that the second arm sections 74 of each wheel set 5 extend substantially parallel to each other, at opposite sides of the central portion 33 of the frame 3, while the first arm sections 74 extend substantially parallel to each other, in opposite longitudinal directions.

In the given example the central portion 33 of the frame 3 is provided with a guide 8 for each wheel set 5. To this end each of the two side plates 32, is provided with at least one curved slot extending through the side plate 32, the curve of the slot 81 having a center point of curvature at the relevant pivot axis 41 for which the slot 81 is provided. The upper ends 75 of the second arm sections 74 are positioned next to the relevant slot 81. In the embodiment shown the slots 81 for a wheel set 5 are positioned directly next to each other, such that (as shown in fig. 1) the slots 81 in the two side plates 32 effectively form slots extending through the central portion 33 of the frame 3. The second arm sections 74 of the first and second swing arm 71, 72 or a wheel set 5 are connected to each other by a connecting element 10 extending through the relevant slots 81. The connecting element 10 extends through the slots 81 in the frame 3, which slots 81 form a guide 8 guiding the connecting element 10 during pivoting of the swing arms 71, 72 relative to the frame 3 about the pivot axis 41. The connecting element 10 also provides further support for and rigidity to the swing arms 71, 72 of a wheel set 5.

In the embodiments shown a spring 11, especially a tension spring 11 is mounted in the frame 3 for each wheel set 5. One end 111 of the spring 111s connected to the connecting element 10, whereas the opposite end 112 is connected to the frame 3. In this embodiment a pin 12 is provided in the frame 3 above the guide 8, between the side plates 32, to which pin 12 the second end 112 of the spring 11 has been connected.

The configuration is preferably such that the axial length of the spring 11 is minimal when the first arm sections 74 of the first and second swing arm 71, 72 extend substantially horizontally, i.e. parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the frame 3, the swing arms 71, 72 being in a neutral position.

Thus when the swing arms 71, 72 swing around the pivot axis 41, away from the neutral position, the spring 11 is extended, increasing a force F in the spring 11 pulling the connecting element 10 and thus the swing arms 71, 72 back towards the neutral position.

As shown, the or each spring 11 can be enclosed within the frame, for example between the side plates 32 and the top plate 31. Thus the spring 11 can be shielded from influences outside the frame 3, such as damage or contamination.

In the given example, the spring 11 used is a tension spring, but it should be clear to the person skilled in the arts that a rotation spring or any other type of connecting element that can introduce a biased position, such as other types of springs, elastomers or magnets, can be used.

Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of the invention, where the first and second wheel 52, 53 of a wheel set 5 are rotatably supported at opposite distal ends of a swing beam 13 by wheel axis 6. The swing beam 13 has a substantially straight shape, such that it fits inside the U-shaped cross-section of the frame 3 where it 1s placed such that it can rotationally support the wheel axis 6 of the first wheel 52 and second wheel 53 of the wheel set 5. The pivot axis 41 about which the swing arm 7 can pivot is located in the middle of the longitudinal direction L of the swing beam 13 between the swing beams distal and proximal ends, functionally forming swing arms as discussed in the first embodiment.

Springs 11, more specifically tension springs 11, are fixed between the swing beam 13 and the frame 3. One end 111 of the springs 11 is connected to a distal or proximal end of the swing beam 13. The opposite end 112 of the springs 11 is fixed to the frame 3. This results in a comparable mechanism as in the first embodiment, where a force F applied to the second wheel 53 causing a pivotal movement of the swing beam 13 around the pivot axis 41, moving the wheel 53 in an upward or downward direction, results in the second wheel 52 moving in the opposite direction or vice versa. This is shown in Fig 7B. Figure 8A shows another embodiment of the invention, where the curved guide 8 of the first presented embodiment has been substituted for two substantially straight guides 91, 92. A first substantially straight guide 91 is located in the second section 74 of the swing arm 7 whereas the second substantially straight guide 92 is located in the frame 3, more specifically on the corresponding side of the central frame 3. A guide opening 82 is provided where the first and second straight guides 91, 92 overlap with their longitudinal axis at an angle. Said angle can for example be between 0- 90 degrees, more preferably between 45-90 degrees and even more preferably at a substantially 90 degree angle. When a pin 12 is located in the guide opening 82, moveably connecting the frame 3 and swing arm 7, the swing arm 7 is able to pivot around the pivot axis 41. By fixing a spring 8, preferably a tension spring, on one end 112 to the pin 12 and on the other end 111 to the swing arm 7, for example on the pivot axle 4, a bias comparable to the previous embodiments has been introduced.

In fig. 8B and C two pivotal end positions are shown for the wheel sets. In fig. 8B a force has been applied to the wheel sets 5 such that the first wheels 52 are in an upward position and the second wheels 53 are in a downward position, for example due to tilting the skate support 1 to a position as schematically shown in fig. 2, right hand side. Figure 8C shows a position of the skate support tilted in the opposite direction, where a force on wheel sets 5 results in a downward position for the first wheels 52 and an upward position for the second wheels 53.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described here. Many variants are possible. For example the swing arms can be made integral with each other and/or with the pivot axle and/or with the connecting element. The swing arms can be provided central to the frame, for example between side plates, wherein the wheel axis are extended sideways, such that the wheels can be supported by the wheel axis next to the frame, especially next to the side plates. In stead of or next to springs other resilient elements can be used for biasing the wheel sets in the neutral position, such as for example but not limited to elastically deformable blocks, such as rubber. The spring or springs can be positioned differently, for example outside a central portion of the frame, which central portion in embodiments can be massive. In embodiments the swing arms can be mounted to stubs extending from or into the frame, instead of to a pivot axle extending through the frame. A connecting element could be provided between the swing arm differently, for example between the first arm sections instead of or additional to a connecting element between the second arm sections, or could be left out entirely.

Such variants will be clear to the skilled person and are understood to fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims (13)

Conclusions A skate mount comprising a frame longitudinally supported and at least one wheelset supported by the frame, the wheelset comprising two wheels, each wheel supported by a rocker arm, each rocker arm supported by a rotational shaft mounted in the frame, wherein a first of the two longitudinal wheels is positioned in front of a pivot axis of the rotation axis and a second of the two longitudinal wheels is disposed behind the pivot axis 1s, wherein at least one spring is connected between at least one rocker arm and the frame which biases the rocker arm or arms into a neutral position. The skate support of claim 1, wherein each rocker arm comprises a first arm portion supporting the relevant first or second wheel and a second arm portion connected to the at least one spring. 3. Skate support according to claim 2, wherein the second arm parts of the wheelset are connected to each other by a connecting element Skate support according to claim 3, wherein the connecting element is provided at a distance from the axis of rotation and extends into or through a guide in the frame, which guides the connecting element and the second arm parts during rotation of the rocking arms around relative to the frame. the pivot axis. Skate support according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the at least one spring is connected to a second arm part or to the connecting element and to a connecting point of the frame near a central part of the guide. Skate support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame comprises a central frame part between the first and second wheel, wherein the rocking arms of the wheelset are provided on either side of the central frame part. A skate mount according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is adapted to be attached to a skate shoe by means of two connecting means at a distal and proximal end of the frame. Skate support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is an injection molded frame 1s, preferably made of plastic. Skate support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame has a substantially U-shaped cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, comprising a top plate and two side plates, the at least one spring preferably being mounted between the side plates. A skate support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one spring is attached to the at least one rocker arm 1s, spaced from the pivot axis. A skate support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wheels of the at least one wheel set partly overlap in side view. A skate support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rocking arms are at least partly made of steel. A skate, comprising a skate support according to any one of the preceding claims.